Rising Attention To ESG As Carbon Credits Come Under The Spotlight

Rising Attention To ESG As Carbon Credits Come Under The Spotlight

ESG performance or compliance are fast becoming a priority for most corporates. Looking beyond their ambitious targets about achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 while the country may have set a carbon neutrality for a later date, ESG is driving carbon footprint reduction and a quest for sustainable future. As early followers of ESG processes rake in carbon credits, it is companies like Tesla that made billions of dollars from selling carbon credits than electric autonomous cars. 
Carbon credits are a key part of financial performance and has helped it to achieve carbon credits, It is the same with BYD of China. Raking in carbon credits as a manufacturer of electric vehicles, BYD, aided by the Chinese Government’s ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, is finding itself in a position of advantage as it eyes the European market for expansion. 
BYD could soon sell more than 300,000 vehicles in Europe alone with its factory in Hungary scheduled to begin operation in 2026. The capacity at the plant would be gradually expanded to 300,000 vehicles per year against the background of the company selling 16,000 vehicles across Europe in 2022. 
But that is not all: With a clear edge in electric vehicles as compared to Europe, US or the rest of Asia, which has been sold in developing electric vehicle technology, Chinese automakers like BYD have begun to eye plants of European manufacturers like Volkswagen as they falter and cut the flab. 
As Volkswagen is forced to sell its facilities in Dresden and Osnabrück, work that has been lost is going the way of Chinese car companies. Scrambling to meet the EU’s strict 2025 emissions targets, European manufacturers are buying carbon credits from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers like BYD, which have accumulated a lot of them. 
With Europe planning to fine Volkswagen Eur 1.5 billion for falling short of emissions compliance, it is a not time away that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers look poised to not only dominate the European market but also build their vehicles in the heart of Europe in big numbers rather than export them from their home country.
Having developed the habit of keeping technology and innovation to themselves and in their home country, the Chinese automotive players are playing smart with their electric vehicle card. They are triumphing on the basis that they are too good at making electric vehicles much like they are not so good at making ICE vehicles. They lack the knowledge of metallurgy that is needed to build internal combustion engines, mentioned an electro-mechanical engineer in Germany. It feels like a punch to the gut, added another engineer from Europe as he explained how the US and European flocked to China to save costs and are being bought over almost by the same companies that they once collaborated with in search of a new, large market.
 

BendPak To Roll Out Next-Gen Lifts Alongside Valor C10 Reveal At 2026 SEMA Show

BendPak To Roll Out Next-Gen Lifts Alongside Valor C10 Reveal At 2026 SEMA Show

BendPak will stage an expansive dual-location exhibit at the 2026 SEMA Show, headlined by an opening-day outdoor tailgate in the Silver Lot at Booth #80043 on 3 November, beginning at 1 p.m. The centrepiece of that event is the global debut of the company’s Valor C10 custom truck, a build that merges classic C10 styling with contemporary engineering and supercharged performance. A live DJ, refreshments, giveaways and a roster of prominent automotive influencers will round out the tailgate atmosphere.

Beyond the truck reveal, BendPak is using both official SEMA locations to introduce a broad slate of lifting and garage equipment spanning its Ranger, QuickJack, Cool Boss, APEX, JackPak, MaxJax and Ergochair brands. Visitors to the Silver Lot display can examine the Valor C10 alongside the new products, while the Upper South Hall Booth #36129 inside the Las Vegas Convention Center offers hands-on demonstrations of next-generation shop solutions.

Among the outdoor highlights are the MaxJax MAX7 two-post lift, which now incorporates BendPak’s proprietary Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System and three additional inches of lifting height, along with MaxJax accessories such as a portable mounting base that eliminates the need for permanent anchors and a turf kit for lawn equipment. A preview of the forthcoming Mobi-EVS2600, the latest addition to BendPak’s EV battery pack and powertrain lift table line, will also be available.

The indoor showcase centres on the OctaFlex 12DPS, described as the only eight-arm two-post lift in the world, designed to streamline cab-off repairs, EV battery replacement and other demanding jobs and now shipping. BendPak is also presenting its APEX range of affordable, no-frills car lifts, ramps and wheel service equipment, together with Vortex bead seaters that simplify tyre bead seating even on changers lacking a built-in system.

Several products will appear at both locations. New BMW-specific AutoPucks join existing universal, Tesla and Corvette jack pad adapters engineered to engage OEM-recommended lifting points. QuickJack caster kits, the first OEM versions designed to ease movement and precise positioning of QuickJack lifts beneath vehicles, will also be displayed. SEMA-only pricing and ordering incentives on BendPak lifts and garage equipment are available throughout the week.

BendPak equipment will additionally support partner displays, custom builds and feature vehicles elsewhere on the show floor, including at Battle of the Builders and the SEMA FutureTech Studio. The SEMA Show runs 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the traditionally trade-only event opening to the public on 6 November.

Jeff Kritzer, President and CEO, BendPak, said, “Everyone on our team is a car and truck enthusiast, so when it came time to debut the Valor C10, we knew we had to drop the tailgate, put on some music and hang out with the community that inspires us. SEMA is all about spotlighting the coolest builds, but it’s also about equipping the shops that bring them to life. Alongside the truck, we’re bringing a massive lineup of new gear across both booths. For us, this week is about celebrating where custom car and truck culture is right now and showing where we’re taking equipment engineering next.”

Kia India - ASDC

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has partnered with the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) to open an automotive skill development centre at Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute in Kurla, Mumbai.

The initiative forms part of a four-centre regional programme spanning Mumbai, Faridabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata to train 360 candidates under corporate social responsibility (CSR) operations.

The Mumbai facility will provide training for 150 candidates across three job roles, covering four-wheeler service technology, service advisory and sales. The curriculum combines classroom instruction, practical training and workplace exposure delivered without financial cost to participants. Additional partners including the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) support the initiative to align workforce capabilities with dealership and retail requirements.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, said, "At Kia India, we view skill development as an important enabler of inclusive growth and long-term industry advancement. Our partnership with ASDC is aimed at creating meaningful pathways for young people by providing access to structured, industry-relevant training without any financial burden. By integrating classroom instruction with practical learning and workplace exposure, the programme will help candidates develop capabilities aligned with the evolving needs of the automotive sector. The initiative reflects our commitment to creating sustainable value for communities while contributing to a stronger and future-ready mobility ecosystem."

Porsche Unveils Sportwagenschmiede 35 Strategy Targeting EUR 45 Billion In Revenue

Porsche

German premium luxury car brand Porsche AG has presented its medium-term corporate strategy, named Sportwagenschmiede 35, at its Capital Markets Day at the Weissach Development Centre. The strategy outlines operational restructuring, portfolio expansion and financial targets aimed at lowering the manufacturer's break-even point to below 200,000 vehicles annually.

The plan prioritises value creation over volume expansion by shifting the product lineup further toward high-margin vehicle segments. Porsche plans to reduce its overall model variant count by 20 percent while increasing the share of D and E segment vehicles in its portfolio by 45 percent.

The strategy includes plans for a mid-engined super sports car platform positioned above the 911 range, alongside potential additions to its SUV lineup. Product releases will include all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models scheduled for full-year market support in 2028, as well as a B-segment SUV featuring combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrains planned for production in 2028. Porsche is also expanding its individualisation operations under its Sonderwunsch programme, targeting a sixfold increase in customisation revenue.

Operationally, Porsche plans to lower development costs by up to 20 percent through modular development processes and shorter project timelines, while merging Porsche Engineering and Porsche Digital into a unified entity named Porsche Technologies. The company aims to reduce production personnel costs by up to 30 percent, cut sales and distribution expenses by 20 percent by restructuring its sales regions from five to four, and reduce material costs across new vehicle projects by 10 percent.

Management positions will be reduced by 40 percent, alongside an overall workforce reduction of 25 to 30 percent across direct and indirect functions. These measures follow existing agreements that include a reduction of 9,000 positions, alongside divested equity stakes in Rimac, Bugatti Rimac and MHP, as well as the planned closure of cell and e-bike development units.

Porsche has established its financial targets with the medium-term Group operating return on sales between 10 and 15 percent, with an Automotive net cash flow margin target of 9 to 12 percent. In the long term, Porsche targets a 15 percent operating return on sales and a 12 percent net cash flow margin, backed by projected Group revenue of EUR 41 billion to 45 billion.

Michael Leiters, Chairman of the Executive Board, Porsche AG, said, "We are pursuing a clear plan with our strategy Sportwagenschmiede '35. The ultimate goal is to further strengthen our unique sports car brand – across all model lines and with new, highly desirable models in particularly high-margin segments. Our strategy will lay the groundwork to make Porsche significantly more efficient, productive and profitable in three phases. At the moment, the main focus is on reducing costs and making the company more financially robust. We have already achieved some important milestones. Our strategy focuses very much on our medium-term ambition so that the measures and the associated results take effect as early as possible. The term 'Sportwagenschmiede' was deliberately chosen because it captures everything Porsche aims to stand for in the future: our aspiration to offer the sportiest vehicles in every segment, but also craftsmanship, down-to-earth thinking and entrepreneurial, business-focused action. Our goal is to be attractive to all stakeholders: our customers, our workforce, our partners and our investors."

Honda India Foundation Deploys 20 Emergency Response Vehicles For Bengaluru Traffic Police

Honda India Foundation - Emergency Response Vehicles

Honda India Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Honda group companies in India, has handed over 20 Emergency Response Vehicles to the Bengaluru Traffic Police to support traffic management, emergency response and field operations across the city.

The fleet consists of 20 modified Honda CB350 motorcycles equipped with dual-tone sirens, public address systems, LED emergency lights, display boards, windscreens and storage compartments for police operations. This deployment adds to the 50 Quick Response Team vehicles provided by the foundation to Bengaluru police in October 2025, bringing the total number of modified vehicles supplied to Karnataka police authorities to 70 units.

The handover forms part of the foundation's initiative under which 835 Emergency Response Vehicles have been deployed across multiple Indian states since August 2025.

Alongside the vehicle handover, Honda India Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bengaluru Traffic Police to establish a Traffic Training Park aimed at providing road safety education to road users. Groundbreaking for the facility was completed during the event, where the foundation also launched its road safety programme based on education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency care.

The ceremony was attended by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology and Biotechnology, and E-Governance, Government of Karnataka, Seemant Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Karthik Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bengaluru City, Prabhu Nagaraj, Operating Officer for Corporate Affairs at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and Vishal Saxena, Operating Officer for the Narasapura Plant at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India.