Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its new 4,800 buses per annum manufacturing facility near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

The new facility spread across 75 acres can manufacture the complete range of Ashok Leyland diesel buses along with Switch Mobility’s electric buses. The facility features a Nalanda learning center and an advanced service training center. The plant was inaugurated by Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Human Resource Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Furthermore, the auto major as a symbolic gesture also handed over the keys of the Switch electric double-decker bus to the government of Andhra Pradesh as part of its commitment to promoting sustainable public transportation. The event saw participation from M Ram Prasad Reddy, Minister of Transport, Sports, Youth Affairs; T G Bharath, Minister of Industries; V Balashowry, MP, Krishna District; Y Venkata Roy, MLA, Gannavaram Constituency; Ashok P Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Group – India and Shom Ashok Hinduja, President Alternative Energy and Sustainability, Hinduja Group, along with dealers, customers, suppliers and other dignitaries.

 “This is a prestigious occasion for Andhra Pradesh. We are delighted to welcome Ashok Leyland to our growing industrial ecosystem. This plant strengthens our reputation as an emerging manufacturing hub and will play a crucial role in providing employment, enhancing skill development, and boosting the overall economy of the State,” said Nara Lokesh.

Dheeraj G Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, “Inspired by the vision of the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who has crafted a progressive industrial policy for the State, we are excited to be in Andhra Pradesh and our relationship with this State has been over several decades now through Ashok Leyland and other Hinduja Group entities. The inauguration of the new plant marks the beginning of yet another chapter for Ashok Leyland in this vibrant State, where our Group is committed to explore more opportunities for driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and generating prosperity in the region.”

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, added, “With inauguration of the new plant, Ashok Leyland will further consolidate its position as No.1 bus brand in India and among the top 5 globally. This facility will help us cater to the growing demand for fully built buses in India. Production in the new plant has just commenced and owing to our large order book, the plant will start operating at 100 percent capacity from day one. The new plant is equipped with state-of-the art equipment with high levels of automation signifying our commitment to making products of highest quality standards.”

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Honda Motor Co., has announced a USD 3 billion investment to build an automobile manufacturing plant in Central Ohio, increasing its US automobile production capacity to approximately 1.3 million vehicles per year and creating more than 2,000 jobs. Production at the new facility, located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville plants, is expected to begin in 2029 pending regulatory approvals.

The new facility will feature a planned annual production capacity of 240,000 units, capable of assembling hybrid, petrol and battery-electric vehicles. The project forms part of a series of manufacturing investments across operations in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia designed to expand production of hybrid-electric vehicles and powertrains, expanding Honda's total North American vehicle assembly capacity to 1.9 million units annually.

The expansion supports the Japanese automotive major’s global plan to introduce 15 hybrid models by 2030. Additional network initiatives include retooling the Alabama Auto Plant to produce a V6 hybrid engine, retooling the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio for a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine and expanding hybrid system assembly at transmission facilities in Ohio and Georgia to increase Ohio hybrid system output by 250 percent. Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, Ontario, will also undergo retooling for hybrid model and engine assembly.

Bob Nelson, Executive Vice-President of American Honda Motor Co., said, "As Honda approaches 50 years of building products close to our customers in America, we are making one of the most significant commitments in our history to position Honda for the next 50 years. These investments strengthen America’s role as a cornerstone of Honda’s global future and reflect our confidence in our more than 30,000 Honda associates and the strength of American manufacturing. By expanding our comprehensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and contribute to the economic vitality of the communities where we operate."

Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, said, "Honda's leadership could have chosen to build this plant anywhere in the world, but they chose Ohio because there are so many advantages to being here. For almost half a century, Honda and Ohio have grown together, and generations of families have built their careers on Honda's manufacturing lines. Today's announcement isn't just an investment in a new facility - it's an investment in Ohio's people and Ohio's future."

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Hindustan Zinc Limited has signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the ZnAL Confluence 2026 in Jaipur to advance the development of its proposed Zinc Industrial Park at Khankhala in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

The MoUs were executed with industrial partners including Gainwell Commosales, Epiroc Mining India, Sai Deepa Rock Drills, Shree Nakoda Infrasteel, Suryakiran Earthmovers, J.G. Chemicals, EPCM Service & Supply, Jasta Alloys, Jammu Pigments and Ampex Energies.

The participating entities intend to set up manufacturing, engineering and service operations connected to zinc and allied value chains. The proposed park, developed in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), provides developed industrial land, access to a share of Hindustan Zinc's metal output, and research capabilities from the company's Centre of Excellence.

The park infrastructure supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with investment entry levels starting from INR 50 million, covering sectors such as galvanising, die-casting, zinc alloys, zinc oxide and wire manufacturing.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "Zinc Park is a strategic initiative that reflects our long-term vision of building a globally competitive downstream ecosystem for zinc-based industries in India. The growing confidence of industry partners, across manufacturing, engineering and services, shows the strength of the proposition. Through assured ecosystem support, renewable energy integration and strong collaborations, we aim to enable MSME growth, create local employment and strengthen domestic manufacturing."

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German robotics supplier Dürr has delivered its 20,000th painting robot, an EcoRP4 generation model, to Ford's manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain. The milestone unit operates in a primer station on the exterior application line for the Ford Kuga following its installation in August 2026.

The EcoRP4 L033L/R robot functions alongside the EcoBell4 rotary atomiser to apply primer to vehicle bodies. The platform features a simplified mechanical design with fewer components to lower lifecycle costs and streamline maintenance compared to previous generations, while supporting floor-mounted, tower and linear-rail configurations.

At the Ford plant, the system operates with the EcoMCC3 A/B colour changer, the EcoBell4 Pro 2x1K atomiser, and high-transfer-efficiency application process technology to reduce material consumption, overspray and volatile organic compound emissions.

Marcus Treppschuh, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Dürr, said, "The 20,000th painting robot from Dürr represents decades of experience in automated painting. The fact that this milestone has been reached with one of the first models from our new EcoRP4 generation underlines our commitment to consistently combining innovation and proven technology."

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Hindustan Zinc has announced the launch of two zinc alloys, VedAZ and VedAyush, to expand its value-added product portfolio for the galvanising industry. The introduction aims to address process efficiency, coating consistency, and corrosion protection for galvanised steel across the infrastructure, automotive and manufacturing sectors.

The move comes as corrosion-related losses in India are estimated at approximately 4.3 percent of the country's annual gross domestic product, according to a 2026 report by the CII and Nomura Research Institute.

The company produces the alloys through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hindustan Zinc Alloys, which operates a 30,000-tonne-per-annum zinc alloy melting and casting facility in Rajpura Dariba, Rajasthan.

VedAZ is a specialised zinc-aluminium master alloy designed to control aluminium levels in galvanising baths, supporting stable bath chemistry, uniform coating thickness and reduced dross formation. VedAyush is a zinc-aluminium-magnesium alloy engineered to improve corrosion resistance, coating adhesion and surface stability in coastal and industrial environments.

The company's value-added offerings also include Bureau of Indian Standards certified die-casting alloys HZDA-3 and HZDA-5 for automotive, electrical and consumer hardware applications.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "We see significant scope to grow our value-added zinc business across infrastructure, automotive, engineering and consumer products. Customers in these sectors need specialised grades tailored to their manufacturing processes and performance requirements. VedAZ and VedAyush broaden the range of needs we can address and create opportunities to build closer customer relationships. Our integrated operations and alloy manufacturing capabilities provide a strong base to develop customised products and scale this business. We want value-added products to become a larger part of our portfolio, helping us reach new customers and capture more value from the zinc we produce."

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