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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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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