As the news of a seven-seater C-segment SUV being tested by Nissan in India gathers speed (besides the news that Renault will launch the new Duster as the Bigster in the next few months), the Renault Group and Nissan have announced new strategic projects. 
The most important of these is the restructuring of the Indian Renault Nissan Alliance entity with Renault Group buying out the 51 percent stake of Nissan, making Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) its fully owned subsidiary. 
Despite this change, Nissan will maintain its presence in India with a strong focus on enhancing market coverage. RNAIPL will continue to support Nissan’s production of models, including the New Nissan Magnite in India. 
With Nissan choosing Renault Group to develop and produce a derivative of Twingo that it has designed, the restructuring of the Indian business that was until now a well-honed alliance effort with almost equal-equal investment by both the auto makers, the Renault Group and Nissan have entered into a new alliance agreement that would increase the flexibility of each of the two regarding their cross-shareholdings. This would be done by setting the lock-up undertaking at 10 percent instead of the current 15 percent. 
Nissan would be released from its commitment to invest in Ampere while continuing the agreed product projects.
 Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, commented on the significant development: “As a long-time partner of Nissan within the Alliance and as its main shareholder, Renault Group has a strong interest in seeing Nissan turnaround its performance as quickly as possible. Pragmatism and business-oriented mindset were at the core of our discussions to identify the most effective ways of supporting their recovery plan while developing value-creating business opportunities for Renault Group. This Framework Agreement, beneficial for both parties, is the proof of the agile and efficient mindset of the new Alliance. It also confirms the attractiveness of our products with Twingo as well as our ambition to grow our business on international markets. India is a key automotive market and Renault Group will put in place an efficient industrial footprint and ecosystem.”
 “Nissan is committed to preserving the value and benefits of our strategic partnership within the Alliance while implementing turnaround measures to enhance efficiencies. Our goal is to create a more agile and effective business model that allows us to respond quickly to changing market conditions and conserve cash for future investments. We remain committed to the Indian market, delivering vehicles tailored to local consumer needs while ensuring top-notch sales and service for our existing and future customers. India will remain a hub for our research and development, digital and other knowledge services. Our plans for new SUVs in the India market remain intact, and we will continue our vehicle exports to other markets under the “One Car, One World” business strategy for India," said Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan. 
 

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Envalior India Pvt. Ltd. has launched a specialised training hub focused on electric vehicle technology at MM Polytechnic in Pune, marking a significant step in aligning vocational education with the demands of the burgeoning EV sector. The Envalior Centre of Excellence, a product of the company’s CSR initiatives in partnership with the BroadArks Foundation, is intended to serve as a practical workshop where students can transition from theoretical knowledge to applied technical competence.

The facility was formally inaugurated by Christopher Stillings, Vice President –R&D, in the presence of Krijn Dijkstra, Nileshkumar Kukalyekar, Uday Shetty, Susmita Mishra, Hema Rani, Sainath Vaidya and Aniket Nirwan of Envalior, MM Polytechnic leadership and other dignitaries. By embedding this centre within a technical campus, the programme seeks to immerse learners in the realities of EV maintenance and repair, covering not just mechanical functions but also the intricate electrical and software-driven systems that define modern vehicles.

With an annual capacity to reach roughly 250 learners, the centre will cater to students from ITI and polytechnic backgrounds across multiple engineering streams. The coursework is divided into two progressive phases, starting with a foundational module that introduces participants to basic EV architecture, battery safety and routine service procedures. An advanced tier follows, offering deeper instruction on battery management systems, thermal controls, high-voltage safety protocols, motor controllers and complex diagnostic methods.

Beyond traditional lectures, the training environment incorporates interactive lab sessions with real vehicle components, diagnostic tools and industry-relevant projects, ensuring that participants acquire both safety awareness and problem-solving agility. The overarching goal is to produce graduates who are not merely familiar with EV theory but are confident in executing hands-on repairs and system evaluations. Through this scalable framework, Envalior is actively working to narrow the skills gap in India’s automotive sector, creating a direct pipeline of capable talent for the evolving mobility landscape.

Nileshkumar Kukalyekar, Business Director – South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Envalior, said, “The transition to electric mobility is creating a fundamental shift in the skills expected from the automotive workforce. For us, this Centre of Excellence is about ensuring that technical education keeps pace with that change. By giving students the opportunity to work directly with EV systems, understand advanced diagnostics and build capabilities through structured, certified training, we are helping create a stronger bridge between what young technicians learn and what the industry will increasingly expect from them. We see this as an investment not only in individual careers but in the technical talent that will support India’s mobility transition in the years ahead.”

Christophe Stillings, Vice President – R&D, Envalior, said, "At Envalior, we believe the future of mobility depends on developing industry-ready talent today. Through the Centre of Excellence, students will gain hands-on exposure to EV technologies, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry requirements. By bringing together academia and industry expertise, we aim to equip the next generation of engineers with the practical skills, confidence and innovation mindset needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape."

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Tier 1 automotive supplier Schaeffler India has appointed Amit Bhalerao as its Chief Operating Officer, effective 10 August 2026.

In his new role, Bhalerao will oversee the company's manufacturing operations across India. His responsibilities include directing manufacturing strategy, operational performance, digitalisation projects and capability development, as well as managing local production initiatives across the firm's plant network.

Bhalerao will join Schaeffler India's Executive Leadership Team, collaborating with divisional heads to manage the company's operational footprint.

Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and CEO, Schaeffler India, said, "India continues to be a strategic growth market for Schaeffler, and strengthening our manufacturing and operations capabilities is central to our journey as the leading Motion Technology Company. Amit brings extensive experience in leading complex manufacturing operations, driving operational excellence and building high-performing teams. His leadership will further enhance our manufacturing competitiveness, customer focus and innovation capabilities as we continue delivering greater value to our customers and stakeholders. We wish Amit the very best and many successes in his journey at Schaeffler in India."

Bhalerao comes with 23 years of management experience in manufacturing, operations, lean transformation, quality assurance and supply chain management. Before joining Schaeffler India, he held the positions of Managing Director and Vice-President of Operations at Kelvion India, where he managed operations, technology transfer and capacity expansion projects. He has also held leadership positions at Cummins, Eaton and Sterlite Technologies.

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Godrej Enterprises Group's Material Handling Equipment (MHE) business has initiated operations at a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant located in Khalapur, Maharashtra. This development represents a major step forward in bolstering domestic production capabilities and supporting the anticipated expansion of India's logistics, warehousing and supply chain sectors.

Situated within the expansive 360-acre Naoroji Godrej Industrial Park, the new plant is strategically designed to meet the escalating demands of diverse industries, including manufacturing, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and automotive. The facility boasts an initial annual production capacity of 6,000 units, with the flexibility to scale up to 15,000 units to align with future market requirements.

The plant's advantageous location near critical transport arteries like Nhava Sheva Port and the forthcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport positions it effectively for both domestic distribution and international exports. Its production portfolio includes a comprehensive range of solutions, notably articulated trucks, a segment where Godrej maintains a unique position as the sole Indian producer. These products are currently exported to over 40 nations.

Engineered as a forward-looking manufacturing hub, the facility incorporates advanced Industry 4.0 technologies, including robotic welding and smart quality assurance systems. Operational sustainability is a core focus, achieved through energy-efficient processes and automated systems, a commitment recently recognised with an EcoVadis Gold Medal. This new facility underscores the group's dedication to innovation-led manufacturing and its role in advancing India's status as a global manufacturing centre.

Anil Lingayat, Business Head, Material Handling Equipment Business, Godrej Enterprises Group, said, "The commencement of operations at our Khalapur facility marks an important milestone in strengthening India's material handling manufacturing ecosystem. The facility combines advanced automation, digital manufacturing and indigenous engineering to deliver world-class solutions for a rapidly evolving logistics landscape. As India strengthens its manufacturing and logistics capabilities, efficient movement of goods will be critical to economic growth. Through this facility, we are not just expanding capacity but helping build stronger supply chains, supporting self-reliance and contributing to national priorities such as Make in India, PM Gati Shakti and Viksit Bharat."

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Moove, a mobility fintech – revenue-based vehicle financing and financial services to mobility entrepreneurs globally, has raised USD 250 million in a Series C funding round, bringing its valuation to USD 2.1 billion. The round was led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s Growth Fund and Ion Pacific.

The funding round also included investments from BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group, joining existing investors such as BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton, Uber, Left Lane, Silverbacks Holdings, Square Associates, The Latest Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst and the Ontario Power Generation Pension Plan.

The company plans to use the capital to expand its autonomous vehicle business, fund fleet ownership and construct ‘Nests’ depot infrastructure for charging, servicing and maintaining autonomous vehicles. The capital will also support new market launches globally. Moove projects its autonomous vehicle workforce will grow from approximately 150 employees to around 500 by the end of the year.

Since its launch in 2020, Moove has grown to employ 3,300 people across 29 cities in 13 countries, operating approximately 42,000 vehicles and reaching USD 420 million in annualised recurring revenue. The company has expanded through organic operations and acquisitions, including Kovi in Brazil and Tokyo Taxi in Japan. In the autonomous vehicle sector, Moove works as a third-party fleet operator in partnership with Waymo, running operations in Phoenix and Miami, with planned expansion to London.

Ladi Delano, Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Advisory Board Chairman, Moove, said, “Every major technology revolution becomes an infrastructure race. The internet required data centres. AI required compute. Autonomy requires fleets, charging, maintenance, data systems and 24/7 operations in every city - and that is what Moove is building. In our view, as autonomy scales, infrastructure ownership and operations will define the category leaders. We are building to be one of them. We started in Lagos with a simple insight: mobility demand is abundant, but supply cannot scale unless capital, technology and operations move together. Five years later, that insight has evolved into a global platform. Today, we are focused on building the platform that will redefine mobility and enable billions of autonomous journeys worldwide. From our anchor in the UAE, and backed by long-term strategic capital, Moove now has the platform to help take autonomy from breakthrough technology to everyday transportation. This is not a departure from our mission, it is the fullest expression of it.”

Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director of Diversified Assets, UAE Investments Platform at Mubadala, said, “As autonomous mobility moves from innovation to scaled deployment, the infrastructure supporting it becomes increasingly important. Moove is building an integrated operating platform that combines fleet ownership, operational capability, and technology to support the next phase of growth in autonomous mobility. This is particularly important for the UAE. Mubadala is investing in enabling infrastructure and scalable platforms like Moove that support economic diversification and strengthen the UAE’s role as a hub for advanced technologies. Since Mubadala’s initial investment three years ago, Moove has been a great partner and we are glad to continue partnering with Moove in its next phase of growth.”

Betty Lee, Principal at Woven Capital, said, "Moove has demonstrated an exceptional ability to execute across markets, building a global platform across traditional and autonomous vehicle fleets. The next wave of mobility is an infrastructure problem as much as a software one, and Moove is building the foundational layer to solve it. Few companies at this stage have proven they can move with the speed and operational excellence that Moove has demonstrated across so many markets. We’re excited to be part of what they are building and help accelerate their path as they scale."

Michael Joseph, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Ion Pacific, said, “We’ve partnered with the Moove team for more than five years, and their execution has consistently impressed us. As autonomous mobility moves from possibility to reality, Moove is building a critical infrastructure layer for the sector - one that is complex, adaptive and essential to scaling AVs. We’re excited to be part of that journey.”

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