British design and engineering studio Callum has selected Aqua Mist as its Colour of the Year 2025. The colour a fresh pastel blend of green and blue, it says is not only vibrant and optimistic but also promotes relaxation and tranquillity.

The company says Aqua Mist represents renewal and innovation in a fast-changing world. The refreshing, soothing hue combines the calm of blue with the rejuvenation of green, perfect for creating peaceful, balanced spaces.

It is for the first time Callum has introduced the Colour of the Year 2025, which it says will become an annual forecast of colour trends from its growing team of colour, material and finishes experts.

Charlotte Jones, colour, material and finishes designer at Callum, said, “Aqua Mist offers a fresh, calming energy. Its soft and cool undertones are associated with tranquillity and openness, providing a balanced base that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Its versatility means it is suited to a number of applications, materials and surface textures, while layering with Callum’s specially-selected balancing colours creates a fun, energetic vibe.

Recent projects and collaborations have given us valuable insights into the needs, preferences and experiences of a variety of customers, particularly those who rely on well-considered inclusive design to enhance accessibility and comfort. We want the Callum Colour of the Year to spark conversations about how colour resonates with the emotional needs of customers and can help shape spaces and products that elicit deeper emotional responses.”

Ian Callum, Design Director, Callum, said, “Every design team in the world looks at future aesthetics to stay relevant and appeal to ever-evolving consumer tastes. Plus, it’s creative and a lot of fun. The Callum Colour of the Year 2025 is the first time we’ve made any of our forecasting work public.”

The company has identified a concise complementary palette, which sees Aqua Mist being balanced with Neon Riot and Midnight Tide, to create a playful, dynamic trio that offers an energetic yet approachable look, ideal for designs that need both vibrancy and sophistication - perfect for playful brands.

Callum stated that Neon Riot is an attention-grabbing hot pink, which brings energy, fun and vibrancy to the palette by adding a pop of brightness. Midnight Tide on the other hand is a rich, deep blue, that grounds the other two colours with its darker, more intense shade, making the overall palette feel balanced and mature.

The combination of Aqua Mist, Neon Riot and Midnight Tide in automotive projects it believes can create a bold, futuristic and attention-grabbing aesthetic, especially for brands or models aimed at trend-conscious audiences

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra is moving towards taking possession of an initial package of approximately 800 acres for an automobile and tractor manufacturing facility at Additional Butibori in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The site forms part of a planned 1,500-acre development in Vidarbha, which will be accompanied by a 150-acre supplier park in Sambhajinagar.

When fully operational, the site will feature an annual production capacity exceeding 500,000 vehicles and 100,000 tractors. The Sambhajinagar supplier park will provide components to the Nagpur facility and to Mahindra's existing production plants in Chakan and Nashik.

Furthermore, Mahindra is also establishing training frameworks to identify and develop workforce capabilities for manufacturing across powertrains and technologies. Over the next two to three years, existing associates will be considered through a selection process to fill roles at the facility based on technical capability, performance and alignment with company standards.

Mahindra also plans to establish a training centre in Nagpur to build technical skills in areas including mechanical operations, welding and painting. Further operational details regarding workforce requirements and recruitment processes will be released as project development continues.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Czech automaker Skoda Auto is marking the 30th anniversary of the modern-generation Octavia, which first entered production on 3 September 1996. The model has served as the carmaker's core product following its integration into the Volkswagen Group, reaching total production of almost 7.9 million units across four generations. At present, the Skoda Octavia is manufactured in Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny in the Czech Republic, as well as Kostanay in Kazakhstan.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, "The Octavia has been an icon of the Skoda brand for three decades. As Combi or Liftback, it has consistently delivered what customers prefer: outstanding space, practicality, safety, and features at an exceptional value. In many ways, the Octavia defined the Skoda ambition to offer more than expected. This has resulted in the Octavia powering our international growth by earning the trust of generations of customers. While Skoda continues to evolve and expand into new segments, the Octavia remains a powerful symbol of customer-centric innovation and Simply Clever thinking."

The Skoda Octavia’s development began in 1992 under design chief Dirk van Braeckel, reviving a nameplate originally used by Skoda between 1959 and 1971. The initial liftback variant launched with a 528-litre boot capacity, supported by a production plant in Mlada Boleslav that increased the site's annual vehicle capacity from 90,000 to 350,000 units.

A Combi estate version joined the line-up in 1998, followed by an all-wheel-drive variant in 1999 and the first Octavia RS in 2000. The first generation recorded 1.44 million total unit sales before ending production in 2010.

The second-generation Octavia debuted in 2004, introducing dual-clutch transmission options and expanding boot capacity by 32 litres, achieving 2.6 million sales prior to its replacement in 2013. The third generation, manufactured from 2012 to 2020, incorporated revised driver assistance systems, reduced body weight, and efficiency updates, alongside an exterior facelift in 2017.

The current fourth-generation Octavia launched in November 2019 in liftback and Combi formats. An update introduced in early 2024 added safety equipment, including up to ten airbags and revised driver fatigue monitoring software, as the vehicle continues to serve commercial and private markets globally.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its automobile rake reached Pollachi Railway Terminal in Tamil Nadu, making it the first passenger vehicle manufacturer to dispatch vehicles by rail to the terminal.

The rake carried 120 vehicles, including Wagon R, Ertiga, Dzire and Celerio models, and departed from the Manesar in-plant railway siding on 18 August 2026.

Maruti Suzuki worked with Indian Railways to operationalise Pollachi Railway Terminal for rail-based vehicle dispatches. The location adds a destination in Southern India alongside Coimbatore.

The terminal enhances the ability of the company to serve customers across the region ahead of the Onam festival in Keralam. The facility can support 70 automobile rakes annually, enabling the delivery of 11,000 vehicles each year through railways.

Interestingly, the manufacturer adopted rail-based vehicle dispatches during FY 2014-15 to reduce CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and road congestion. The company increased the share of rail in outbound vehicle dispatches from 5 percent in FY 2014-15 to 26.5 percent in FY 2025-26, dispatching 3.2 million vehicles cumulatively via rail networks to date.

Maruti Suzuki India aims to increase the share of rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35 percent by FY 2030-31 to reinforce commitments to rail logistics.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has commenced operations at its 226-acre manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan. The site represents an investment exceeding USD 2 billion since 2022 and targets an annual production capacity of over 35 GWh at full scale.

The site produces lithium-iron phosphate battery cells for energy storage systems alongside nickel-manganese-cobalt cells for electric vehicles. The energy storage cells will be integrated by LG Energy Solution Vertech into equipment for grid and industrial uses, with energy supplier DTE Energy designated among the utility customers. The vehicle battery lines will supply nickel-manganese-cobalt cells to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky for installation in the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV.

The Lansing site currently employs 900 people, with headcount projected to reach 1,700 at capacity. The facility joins an existing manufacturing site in Holland, Michigan, as well as an engineering centre in Troy, bringing the company's total investment in the state to over USD 5 billion since 2010. The company plans to establish over 50 GWh of lithium-iron phosphate cell production capacity across North America across five operating and joint-venture plants.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, said, “Michigan is open for business and creating good-paying jobs building the future of cars, chips, and batteries. LG Energy Solution has called Michigan home for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to see that investment continue with the start of production at its Lansing facility. This project will create up to 1,700 good-paying jobs, helping more working families make it in Michigan. It’s part of our historic work to invest in clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and battery storage in communities across Michigan. Let’s keep working together to grow Michigan’s economy, create opportunity, and build a bright future for our state.”

Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, stated, “Domestic battery production is foundational to America’s energy future – reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, driving good-paying American jobs and advancing the American Energy Dominance Agenda. Michigan is uniquely positioned to help lead this effort with its skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise and the industrial capabilities needed to strengthen America’s domestic battery supply chain. The Trump administration is thrilled to see these vital manufacturing jobs returning to the U.S. and remains committed to ensuring we have the capabilities to build the technologies of the future here at home.”

Sangwoo Hong, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, said, “The Korea-U.S. alliance has evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance including economic cooperation and cutting-edge technology. Today’s opening is a key milestone. The battery industry sits right at the heart of our shared strategic priorities. Michigan is a prime example of this strategic partnership. LG Energy Solution is expanding its presence across the United States. By growing from Holland to this new facility in Lansing, LG Energy Solution is solidifying Michigan’s position as a global hub for battery manufacturing.”

David Kim, CEO, LG Energy Solution, said, “Today marks a defining milestone for LG Energy Solution. Lansing will produce advanced batteries that support not only the future of mobility, but also America’s growing energy infrastructure and digital economy. We are strengthening America’s battery ecosystem, expanding our manufacturing footprint and reaffirming our long-term commitment to the United States.”

Dae-sik Choi, President, LG Energy Solution Michigan, said, “The state’s skilled workforce is a great fit for our high impact industry, and we expect to continue our partnership with Michigan well into the 21st century. The jobs at this facility pay well, offer great benefits and require creativity and problem solving at all levels. Unlike many other high-tech industries, battery making creates jobs for everyone, from hourly workers to advanced degree holders.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!