Billionaire industrialist Yohan Poonawalla was recently awarded the coveted Vintage & Classic car Vanguard of India Legacy Excellence Award at the Vintage and Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI) Annual Vintage Car Fiesta, held at the World Trade Centre in collaboration with the Directorate of Maharashtra Tourism and the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA). With this honour, Poonawalla keeps bringing India's automotive heritage to the attention of the world and encourages future generations of collectors and enthusiasts to honour and conserve the automobile's past.

At the 2023 VCCCI Annual Vintage Car Fiesta, Poonawalla was named India's Motoring Ambassador to the World. This honour recognises his outstanding efforts to establish India on the world driving map as well as his unmatched commitment to the vintage car movement. Poonawalla's impressive collection of luxury, sports and antique cars includes some of the most recognisable automobiles in history. The centrepiece of his collection is his most recent purchase, the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Extended Wheelbase (EWB) and final Privacy Suite Phantom, which is the priciest automobile in India and among the most beautiful Rolls-Royces in the world. In addition, his collection includes vintage American muscle vehicles, Bentleys and Jaguars that have all been painstakingly restored to keep their historical significance.

In his capacity as India's Motoring Ambassador to the World, Poonawalla has continuously raised the stature of the nation's illustrious automotive heritage abroad. He has received many honours and made India proud, thanks to his participation in prestigious international events like Salon Privé, Concours of Elegance Hampton Court, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, RREC Annual Rally & Concours d’Elegance, Sandringham Pageant of Motoring, Valletta Concours, Icons Mallorca, Geneva International Motor Show Qatar and the storied Mille Miglia in the United Arab Emirates. Along with representing India's automotive legacy at these esteemed events, Poonawalla has won several vehicle races and rallies and taken first place in the world's premier auto exhibitions in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and other regions.

Poonawalla said, "It is a privilege to be recognised as India’s Motoring Ambassador to the World and to receive this ‘Vintage & Classic car Vanguard of India Legacy Excellence Award’. Cars are more than just machines – they are pieces of history and art that deserve to be cherished and preserved. I am committed to showcasing India’s rich automotive legacy on the global stage and am deeply grateful to VCCCI and its partners for organising such a spectacular event."

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has expressed deep concern over the widening gap between automotive manufacturers and their suppliers in Germany, a trend observed for the first time since 2025. Managing Director Boris Engelhardt noted that many industry suppliers are fighting for economic survival. While car manufacturers continue to grow, German suppliers are shrinking. Engelhardt condemned automakers for demanding financial concessions from struggling suppliers, warning this threatens their very existence.

For decades, German automakers and suppliers worked hand in hand to achieve global leadership. Engelhardt argues this cooperation is now being abandoned as carmakers shift to cost-driven strategies, jeopardising Germany’s future as an innovative production hub. Since 2019, global disruptions have forced suppliers to reduce capacity while remaining flexible, but limits have now been reached.

Projected write downs of EUR 65 billion for 2025 stem from a lack of technological foresight in government mobility regulations. Engelhardt emphasised these consequences are no surprise, as the association warned more than a decade ago. Yet automakers now demand massive price reductions from shrinking suppliers instead of offering support.

Engelhardt concluded that solidarity is not a one-way street. After years of supplier flexibility, it is now the automakers’ turn to act responsibly. Preserving Germany’s automotive supplier base requires shared burden sharing, not unilateral financial demands from manufacturers.

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Scania has completely reworked its Services 360 portfolio by introducing a dedicated offering for new electric trucks, which now covers every operational need including battery care. At the same time, the company has rolled out flexible coverage plans for second-hand combustion engine vehicles, allowing owners of used trucks to choose from different levels of repair, maintenance and productivity support. This move reflects rising sales in both the new electric and used diesel truck segments.

Originally launched in 2024, the Services 360 portfolio was built around smart flexible maintenance planning and a range of digital tools. It already provided customised packages suited to fleets of any size or powertrain type. Now, Scania has extended Services 360 to include used vehicle customers, who are often more price sensitive. For them, four distinct packages called Core, Plus, Full and Pro are available, offering progressively deeper coverage. Core includes basic fleet maintenance and digital monitoring, while Pro adds proactive and powertrain repairs.

For owners of battery electric trucks, Scania offers the Full package within Services 360. By broadening access to these tailored service levels, the company reinforces its commitment to customer profitability across all business types. This expansion ensures that whether a customer operates new electric trucks or used conventional ones, they receive a competitive and customized service solution designed to keep their vehicles running efficiently and profitably.

Lars Gustafsson, Senior Vice President and Head of Trucks at Scania, said, “We want our battery-electric truck customers to only focus on maximising the use of their vehicles. By offering a single service level – Full – we ensure that every repair, every interaction between systems and every unexpected issue is handled and covered by Scania, giving our electric truck customers all the support they need. We pride ourselves in being close to our customers’ pain points, and extending Services 360 is a way to reach even more transport operators and cover the full ecosystem of needs around their business. No matter the type of powertrain, operation or business sector, the underlying goal of Services 360 is to support the customer and make them more profitable and sustainable for the long term.”

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Bentley Motors has kicked off a new collaboration by introducing Priyanka Chopra Jonas as its latest global brand ambassador. The announcement arrives with a campaign set to launch this weekend. Audiences can expect a complementary film in the near future, featuring the actor and producer speaking openly to the camera about her personal journey, professional milestones and artistic point of view, all supported by a fresh collection of still photography.

The actress now joins an expanding lineup of Bentley’s global representatives. Among them are Co-Creative Directors Greg Williams and Mai Ikuzawa, who were brought into the fold by the British automaker last September. This growing circle reflects the brand’s effort to build connections with influential creative figures across different industries.

For nearly 25 years, Priyanka’s wide-ranging body of work has held the attention of audiences around the world. She is recognised not only as a film industry standout and producer but also as a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and investor. In her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she has become known for championing education and children’s welfare, leveraging her fame to bring about real world change.

Shot in a natural, documentary like manner at Sony Studios in Los Angeles, the upcoming film creates an intimate setting for a conversational back and forth between Priyanka and Greg. Viewers gain a more personal window into her life and creative thinking. She expresses a deep affection for the energy of a working set and the unexpected artistic moments that can arise during a day of performing and producing, with a Bentley Continental GT subtly present throughout the scene.

Priyanka said, “I’ve always been drawn to Bentley’s commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling, because there’s an intentionality behind every detail that feels rare. As someone who lives for the creative energy of being on set, this collaboration felt instinctive. It’s about shared values, but also about a shared appreciation for the process behind what we create.”

Ben Whattam, Marketing Director, Bentley Motors, said, “Priyanka brings a fresh energy and authentic perspective that aligns with Bentley. The film’s relaxed style allows her voice and personality to come through naturally, creating something more authentic than traditional advertising.”

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Maruti Suzuki India Limited has actively advanced gender diversity over the past two years. The company deliberately raised female recruitment for vehicle assembly and engine transmission positions at its Gurugram and Manesar plants. These women handle critical tasks in production and quality assurance, where attention to detail is paramount.

Their training and skill enhancement opportunities mirror those given to male employees, ensuring equal access to career growth. Through this approach, the firm guarantees that women on the shopfloor receive identical on-the-job development and pathways for professional advancement.

Within a single year, Maruti Suzuki brought on over 190 women for its manufacturing floor, pushing its total female workforce across all departments past the 1,300 mark. This steady increase highlights the organisation’s broader commitment to inclusion in industrial operations.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We have always had a good representation of women across diverse functions like Engineering, Marketing & Sales, Finance, Legal, Logistics and Supply Chain. However, real integration happens on the shopfloor when they work on building high-quality vehicles with precision and care. It is my personal wish to strengthen women representation at the shopfloor.

“To achieve this mission, we have carefully created an eco-system that supports women at shopfloor. A detailed study was undertaken to understand the requirements, and specific infrastructure changes were made on the shop floor to ensure their convenience and security. Infrastructure such as adequate restrooms, changing area, creche and safety support in the form of guards on duty and patrolling during evening shift were introduced. Furthermore, sensitisation training for other team members was initiated to bring a positive shift in mindset and openness to promote an inclusive work culture. We mandate 100 percent employee participation in POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) training to cultivate sensitisation and a safe work environment.”

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