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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SANY India, one of the leading heavy machinery manufacturers, and the National Academy of Construction (NAC) have concluded the first all-women excavator operator training programme in India. A batch of 22 women trainees received their professional certifications at a ceremony held on 6 March 2026 at the NAC facility in Pulivendula.

The initiative provided technical instruction on the SANY SY120 excavator. SANY India facilitated the machinery, designed the training syllabus and certified the NAC instructors to ensure the programme met industry requirements.

The curriculum focused on hands-on operation and global best practices for infrastructure equipment. Participants were evaluated and certified under the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC) framework.

Key programme components included:

• Technical Instruction: Training on the operation and maintenance of the SANY SY120.
• Trainer Validation: NAC faculty members were trained and certified by SANY India prior to the programme.
• Employment Support: NAC will provide placement assistance to the 22 graduates for roles in the construction sector.
• Standardisation: Alignment with IESC certification to ensure nationwide employability.

The completion of the programme was timed to coincide with International Women's Day. Representatives from SANY India and the NAC attended the handover ceremony to mark the transition of the trainees into the professional workforce.

Sanjay Saxena, COO, SANY India, said, “At SANY India, we believe true progress is inclusive. By empowering women with world-class skills and certification, we are not only shaping careers but also strengthening India’s construction ecosystem. This Women’s Day-aligned batch symbolises opportunity, confidence and capability.”

Madhusudan Katragadda, Dealer Principal at Madhura Engineering, added, “It is truly an honour to be part of such a historic initiative. I sincerely appreciate SANY India and the National Academy of Construction for taking this bold step toward empowering women in the construction equipment industry. Excavator operations have traditionally been a male-dominated field, and this programme marks the first step in changing that narrative. Seeing these talented women successfully complete their training fills us with pride and optimism for the future of the industry. I encourage all the trainees to continue learning and growing – this certification is just the beginning. With dedication and experience, they can explore many opportunities within the sector, including roles in operations, sales and service engineering.”

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UTAC, a prominent player in the automotive testing, inspection and certification sector, is significantly broadening its footprint in China. The company has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge proving ground in Huainan, situated in the central province of Anhui. This ambitious project is being developed through a collaboration with the Huainan City Government and is set to become the primary strategic hub for the UTAC Group’s operations within the country. By establishing this facility, UTAC aims to bolster the mobility industry with top-tier testing capabilities and specialised knowledge.

The new site will enable UTAC’s team of specialists to offer homologation and testing services that align with the most current international benchmarks and regulatory standards. This initiative is a direct continuation of the group’s overarching goal to foster a mobility landscape that is both safer and more environmentally friendly. The Huainan facility is designed to be comprehensive, featuring a variety of specialised tracks for vehicle testing, along with a technology park that includes rentable workshops and office spaces. It will also house a dedicated conference and exhibition centre and purpose-built laboratories outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. These labs will be specifically geared towards testing the latest advancements in new energy vehicles.

Anhui province itself provides a rich environment for such an investment. Home to 70 million people, it hosts a dense and extensive mobility ecosystem. Major automotive manufacturers like BYD, Changan, Chery, JAC, NIO and Volkswagen, together with their extensive supply networks, are deeply embedded in the region. The province’s manufacturing prowess is underscored by its production of roughly 3.7 million vehicles in 2023, a figure that positions Anhui as China’s leader in overall vehicle manufacturing, new-energy vehicle production and vehicle exports. Consequently, the new proving ground in Huainan is poised to become a vital strategic component for UTAC, solidifying its presence in this central hub of the Chinese mobility industry.

Connor McCormack, CEO, UTAC, said, " We are extremely proud of our partnership with the city of Huainan, which is undergoing a significant transformation to support the future of the automotive industry. UTAC is delighted to contribute to this transformation and to bring our 100 years of specialist expertise, along with the European standards we have helped shape and validate, to China’s vital automotive sector.”

Mayor Zhang Zhiqiang of Huainan City said, “This represents a significant milestone in Huainan's efforts to accelerate the development of its intelligent connected vehicle industry. It is of great importance in bridging the critical gap in the regional automotive sector’s industrial chain of ‘testing-production-export' and establishing a specialised vehicle testing and certification platform with international recognition. The successful cooperation on this project will undoubtedly advance the high-end and intelligent transformation of the regional automotive industry, providing strong impetus for Anhui Province's efforts to foster a new energy vehicle industrial cluster with international competitiveness.”

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Gulf Oil Lubricants India, a Hinduja Group company, has announced a four-year extension of its partnership with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Gulf will serve as the Official Lubricants Partner for the franchise, continuing an association that has spanned 13 seasons.

The renewal maintains one of the longest-running brand partnerships in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The collaboration focuses on consumer engagement through marketing campaigns and fan-focused initiatives.

The 13-season history between Gulf and CSK has been a central part of Gulf’s brand strategy in India. The company uses the platform to reach cricket fans through digital activations and on-ground experiences.

This follows the recent announcement of fellow Hinduja Group company, Ashok Leyland, joining CSK as an official sponsor.

Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said,“Gulf’s 13-season journey with CSK reflects a relationship built on trust, shared passion, and mutual success. This partnership has consistently delivered far beyond the commercial contract, forging a deep emotional connection with the loyal CSK fan base and cricket enthusiasts across the nation. Continuing this association is a proud moment for Gulf as it reflects our global heritage of supporting performance sports and iconic teams that inspire millions of fans.”

KS Viswanathan, Managing Director, Chennai Super Kings, stated, "We are pleased to continue our long-standing association with Gulf, a partner that has been with us through many memorable seasons. Over the years, Gulf has consistently brought creativity and energy to the partnership while engaging with our fans. We look forward to strengthening this relationship over the next four years. We are really pleased about how it has come together"

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Volvo Car UK is marking a major milestone in automotive safety this year, celebrating seven decades of pioneering seatbelt innovation with a groundbreaking new system in the EX60 model. This latest development represents the world’s first multi-adaptive safety belt.

The brand’s legacy began in 1956, when the Volvo Amazon prototype was fitted with a two-point diagonal chest belt, making it one of the first European vehicles to offer such a feature. Just three years later, Volvo made history by becoming the first manufacturer to fit three-point seatbelts as standard. This design, created by engineer Nils Bohlin, combined a lap belt with a diagonal strap anchored at a low point beside the seat, establishing the template for the safety belts found in every modern vehicle.

Volvo’s commitment to saving lives was further demonstrated when it made the three-point belt patent available to all competitors free of charge. This altruistic move accelerated the widespread adoption of seatbelts globally and helped fast-track legislation making them a legal requirement, ultimately saving millions of lives. The engineering principles established 70 years ago continue to inform modern Volvos, with the new EX60’s multi-adaptive belt representing the latest evolution.

This advanced system leverages real-time data from interior and exterior sensors to tailor protection for each individual occupant. It considers factors like height, weight and seating position, adjusting its response based on the specific crash scenario. For instance, a larger occupant in a severe collision would receive a higher belt load to mitigate head injury risks, while a smaller person in a minor incident would experience a lower load to protect against rib fractures. Crucially, the system is designed to learn. Through over-the-air updates, the vehicle can continuously refine its understanding of occupant dynamics and crash responses, ensuring the technology improves throughout the car's life. This landmark achievement arrives as Volvo prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2027.

Nicole Melillo Shaw, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK, said, “Volvo has always been at the forefront of safety evolution and innovation, and we’re pleased that we can continue to make new developments on such vital features like the seatbelt. The latest multi-adaptive seatbelt in the new EX60 is a testament to our pioneering technology and approach to safety that is continued today.”

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