French auto major Renault Group has inaugurated its new Renault Design Centre in Chennai, as part of its new India-centric transformation strategy – renault. rethink.

The new design centre further strengthens the company’s ‘design in India’ and ‘make in India’ strategy. It is also expected to function as a hub of excellence, particularly due to its proximity to Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (RNTBCI).

Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group, said, "India is highly unique and locally driven. Having a dedicated design studio is essential to understanding its nuances, listening to its needs and building from its strengths. The Renault Design Centre Chennai will focus on developing models and concepts tailored to the Indian market while contributing to Renault Group’s global projects. By leveraging local talents and insights, this centre will play a key role in shaping Renault’s future mobility solutions. Its strategic location - at the heart of RNTBCI’s excellence hub - also enables closer collaboration across functions and faster integration of design into our engineering and innovation processes.”

Renault shared that the year 2025 marks an inflection point for the automaker in India, as it gears up to strengthen its presence in the world’s third-largest automobile market.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault India Operations, said, "The launch of the 'renault. rethink' strategy heralds a new era for Renault in India. We are proud to be the most Indian of European carmakers, boasting the largest R&D centre, manufacturing unit, highly localised supply chain and now one of the largest design centres. The opening of new design centre in Chennai will play a crucial role in the deployment of the Renault International Game Plan 2027. Our commitment is to redefine our brand, product positioning, and customer experience to meet the evolving needs of our customers in the country, hence we recently witnessed the global debut of new ‘R store’ in Chennai, India."

It has renewed its commitment for India with a 90 percent localisation target, and the recent takeover of the alliance’s manufacturing plant RNAIPL.

In 2024, Renault Group clocked a record EUR 4.3 billion in profit, which is 7.6 percent of its revenue, and saw its revenue grow to EUR 56.2 billion, up 7.4 percent YoY.

Design & Engineering in India

At present, Renault Group’s Chennai R&D centre is one of its largest globally, with around 10,000 engineering working on global and local projects. Now, the Renault Design Centre Chennai extends over 1,500 metre and is equipped with the latest technologies. It features a high-tech environment designed for 3D model evaluation and virtual reality experiences, a next-generation visualisation studio, a creative collaboration zone, high-performance LED wall, advanced VR integration and a harmonious blend of European and Indian Design.

“renault. rethink is more than a sculpture – it’s a bold expression of Renault’s vision for India. It symbolises our commitment to innovation and to designing cars in India, for India. This artwork captures the energy of a nation in motion, a future taking shape, and Renault’s ambition to be part of this exciting journey,” stated Acker.

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The upcoming 3^rd edition of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2027, scheduled from 4^th February to 9^th February, is set to become the second largest mobility expo in the world, said the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

The minister made the statement at the curtain-raiser event for the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2027, which will be spread across 250,000 square metres of exhibition space at Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, hosting over 1,750 exhibitors and 11 concurrent shows.

Piyush Goyal urged the mobility industry to focus on global markets and export-led growth to achieve economies of scale. Speaking on India's overall trade, he stated that the country is on track to hit its USD 1 trillion annual export target, supported by 22 percent growth in the engineering sector and USD 480 billion in total exports recorded in the first half of the financial year.

The upcoming expo will feature specialised segments including Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2027, the Components & Technology Show, the Bharat Construction Equipment Expo, the India International Tyre Show and dedicated pavilions for batteries, steel, cycle, agri-mobility, air mobility and urban mass transit.

He said that European manufacturers, which had traditionally focused on international markets, were increasingly recognising the challenges of competing globally given Europe's manufacturing costs and regulatory burden. Referring to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, he said that market access in India would initially allow European automobile manufacturers to test demand by introducing a limited number of models in the Indian market. Once they identify models with adequate demand, manufacturers could establish production in India, not only to serve the domestic market but also to export to the rest of the world.

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Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Vespa has introduced its fashion, collectables and archive design exhibition, titled 'The Empty Space', to India for the first time. The event takes place from 13 to 15 November 2026 at Jio World Garden, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, held alongside AJIO LUXE WKEND.

The exhibition showcases a curated selection of Vespa's ready-to-wear apparel and design objects, including pieces from the Al Vento collection, Pilot Dogs, Miscela Nostalgia, In Sella and items from the 2026 Vespa Lover line.

The product designs incorporate visual elements from the scooter's pressed-steel bodywork, such as curved flap pockets on overshirts and denim garments. The concept follows the opening of Vespa's global flagship store on Via Broletto in Milan in September 2025.

Michele Colaninno, CEO, Piaggio Group, said, "Every day is a new journey. It brings to mind a ceaseless quest for new destinations and new worlds. This is my desire: give a future to the things we create. I like to hope we will continue to look one another in the eye and that we won’t isolate ourselves in total digital silence. It is important to kindle emotions. Joy, memories, delusions, and triumphs: these are enduring emotions that stay with us wherever we go. It’s difficult today, but not impossible. I am sure we will succeed because Vespa has always been the symbol of a new start. Vespa is more today than it was yesterday, always creating new ideas."

Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio India, said, "India has a long memory of the Vespa. Ask around and someone will show you a family photograph with one in it. What India has not yet seen is how far the Vespa world now reaches: into what people wear, what they keep on a shelf, how they spend an afternoon. The Empty Space was created in Milan to hold that world, and we wanted India to see it as it was conceived, not in translation. For Vespa in India, this begins a different conversation. The people who choose a Vespa here have always chosen it for more than the ride, and we intend to meet them in every part of life where that choice shows. From 13 to 15 November, The Empty Space is open in Mumbai. Come and find your own way through it."

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German family-owned automotive component supplier Mubea India has appointed Simon Stephan as Chief Executive Officer to direct the company's business strategy, operational development and regional growth. Stephan will execute this function alongside his existing global responsibilities as Head of Strategy and Regional Development Asia for the Mubea Group.

He holds a master's degree in engineering from RWTH Aachen University and an Executive MBA from the Washington University-Fudan University joint programme in Shanghai.

Stephan comes with over 25 years of experience in the automotive and steel industries, having previously held senior positions at ThyssenKrupp Steel and Kirchhoff Automotive.

At present, Mubea India employs 940 full-time equivalent workers across three production facilities and a central service office, manufacturing chassis and powertrain components for the automotive sector.

In CY2025, the company clocked revenue of over EUR 3,600 million with the largest contribution or 34 percent business coming from chassis, 30 percent from body components, 17 percent from powertrain, 12 percent from aviation and 3 percent from general industrial applications.

"MUBEA India has grown significantly over the past decades. Today we employ 940 FTE at 3 production sites and a central service office. We engineer and produce parts for the automotive industry, in particular Chassis and Powertrain components. In the function of interim CEO I’m glad to lead the company together with our local management team to the next level,” said Simon Stephan.

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BendPak Inc. unveiled the MaxJax MAX7 portable two-post lift at the SEMA Show 2026, marking the first MaxJax model to incorporate the company's exclusive Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System (ASARS). The patent-pending ASARS is significantly more robust than traditional swing arm restraint mechanisms, providing a full 360-degree locking interface with 10 times the holding force to secure lift arms firmly beneath the vehicle, helping prevent unintended swing arm movement during lifting, lowering and service.

The MAX7 rises three inches higher than earlier models, reaching a maximum lifting height of 50.25 inches for additional under-vehicle clearance while retaining a compact profile suited to low-ceiling spaces. Its open design allows direct access to brakes, suspension, exhaust and other undercar components, and a 7,000-pound rated load capacity accommodates a wide range of cars, trucks and SUVs. The lift also features seven safety locking positions and an upgraded, easy-to-use lock release.

MaxJax, the original patented portable two-post lift, combines two-post undercar access and lifting capability with removable columns and power unit. Each column bolts securely to floor anchors recessed permanently in the concrete during use, then can be unbolted and rolled away afterward, leaving the floor completely clear. An optional Motorcycle and ATV Adapter Kit adds powersports service capability.

Because customers frequently add adapters, rolling work seats and other accessories, BendPak offers four MAX7 packages. The Standard includes the lift assembly, power unit with tow-cart, standard anchor bolt kit, round lift pads and medium adapters. The Deluxe adds a rolling work seat and portable oil drain; the Supreme features everything in the Deluxe plus frame cradle pads and tall adapters and the Ultimate maximises ergonomics by replacing the standard rolling work seat with the MaxJax Ergonomic Height-Adjustable Creeper Seat.

Sean Price, Director – Quality Control and Product Development, BendPak, said, “Garage space is premium real estate, whether you’re running a busy shop or wrenching at home. The MAX7 stands out for its versatility. It delivers commercial-grade lifting power for enthusiasts without permanently sacrificing parking space while enabling professional shops to quickly increase service capacity during peak hours. The MaxJax MAX7 unlocks maximum utility without requiring a permanent footprint.”

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