American automaker Ford has confirmed plans to manufacture next-generation engines at its Chennai plant in India. This decision builds on a letter of intent signed in September 2024 and was formalised with the Government of Tamil Nadu through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The plan complements Ford’s existing engine manufacturing operations in India, which also produces and exports engines.

The Chennai plant is set to have a planned capacity of 235,000 engines annually, with production expected to begin in 2029. The project is expected to create more than 600 jobs, plus indirect jobs across the industry, with an initial expected investment of INR  32.5 billion. Site preparation and investment will commence later this year.

Jeff Marentic, President – International Markets Group, Ford Motor Company, said, “We are pleased to advance our plans and confirm the Chennai plant’s vital role in Ford’s manufacturing network. We are thankful to the government of Tamil Nadu for its continued support as we advance these plans. This decision reinforces our commitment to leveraging India's manufacturing prowess for future products.”

Dr. TRB Rajaa, Honourable Industries Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu, said: “Ford’s decision to commence manufacturing in Chennai will further energize the resurgent automotive sector of Tamil Nadu and speaks volumes about the State's robust manufacturing ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and excellent investor facilitation under the leadership of our Hon'ble Chief Minister, Thiru. M. K. Stalin. This is not just the start of manufacturing at the existing Ford facility, it is the State taking yet another step towards the future of the automotive industry with the production of next-gen engines. We remain committed to supporting Ford's operations here.”

The engine lineup planned will feature technology, with specific details about the engine type and export markets to be shared closer to the start of production. Ford currently employs approximately 12,000 individuals in its Global Business Operations in Tamil Nadu.

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German chemical major Henkel has introduced a new portfolio of anti-fingerprint (AF) coatings, comprising Loctite AF 8810 and Loctite AF 8812, developed without the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or fluorine ingredients.

The launch addresses tightening global regulations in Europe, the US and Asia regarding PFAS, providing manufacturers with surface coating alternatives that do not rely on these substances.

The products utilise silicone-based, low-surface-energy technology to ensure performance across different materials. Loctite AF 8810 is intended for plastic display cover lenses, while Loctite AF 8812 is designed for glass surfaces, meeting a 9H hardness standard. These coatings are engineered for automotive touchscreens, where screen durability and optical clarity are essential for user interaction.

Technical specifications indicate that the coatings provide a low coefficient of friction for touch interactions and maintain hydrophobicity after prolonged UV exposure. During testing, Loctite AF 8812 demonstrated durability by maintaining consistent water contact angles after 5,000 abrasion cycles. The range supports mass-production application methods such as spray and physical vapour deposition (PVD), with thermal curing times starting at 30 minutes.

Deckard Sorensen, Vice-President of Optical & Conformal Coatings at Henkel, said, “The transition away from PFAS is accelerating globally, and our customers need high‑performance alternatives that meet demanding specifications without adding process complexity. With Loctite AF 8810 and AF 8812, we deliver excellent durability, optical performance, and user comfort formulated without PFAS ingredients – enabling automotive customers to meet the evolving needs of the market and the regulatory landscape at the same time."

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Tier 1 automotive supplier AUMOVIO India has announced that it has surpassed a new production milestone of manufacturing 10 million Airbag Control Units (ACUs) at its Bengaluru plant.

The facility, which commenced ACU production in 2016, supplies automotive manufacturers in India and exports to markets including Japan and Korea. The achievement was marked alongside the inauguration of a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) production line and the introduction of the Integrated Safety Control Module (ISCM).

The Bengaluru site has transitioned from manual assembly to an automated manufacturing environment to increase throughput and consistency. This evolution is paired with a localisation strategy where a majority of ACU components are now sourced from within India. These developments are intended to establish the facility as a central hub for safety systems within the Asia-Pacific region, supporting the requirements of global automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

AUMOVIO became an independent entity in September 2025 following a spin-off from Continental’s automotive group. The company reported sales of EUR 18.5 billion in FY2025 and maintains a global workforce of 82,000 across more than 80 locations. Its portfolio includes sensor solutions, brake systems, and software architectures for autonomous and connected mobility.

Prashanth Doreswamy, President & CEO, AUMOVIO India, said, “This milestone reflects the steady scale-up of our manufacturing operations over the past decade. Our transition towards increased automation, along with a strong focus on localisation, has enabled us to improve efficiency and build a more resilient supply ecosystem, while continuing to deliver high-quality, safety-critical systems to our customers.”

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the start of production for the new Volkswagen Taigun from its Pune facility. The model is part of the group's strategy to manufacture vehicles in India for both domestic and international markets.

The Taigun is produced with high levels of localisation at the Chakan facility. Since its introduction in 2021, the company has manufactured over 143,000 units of the model in India. Approximately 30 percent of this total production has been exported to global markets.

The vehicle is engineered to meet European driving dynamics and maintains a 5-star safety rating. The updated iteration includes design changes and features intended to improve convenience based on consumer feedback.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The start of production of the new Volkswagen Taigun underscores the maturity of our world-class manufacturing ecosystem in India. Our Indian manufacturing facilities are geared to deliver global-quality vehicles with high levels of localisation, enabling us to respond quickly to what customers demand in India and in export markets. The Taigun stands as a perfect example of this approach, engineered in line with Volkswagen’s global benchmarks and produced in India with a sharp focus on efficiency, quality, and safety. As we roll out the new Taigun, we are further solidifying India’s position as a strategic production and export base for the Group.”

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, added, “Since its launch, the Taigun has been instrumental in strengthening the brand’s SUV strategy. It has played a pivotal role in bolstering our product portfolio for discerning Indian buyers and their aspirations. The new Taigun is central to our strategic plan for the model line-up that will drive meaningful growth. The start of production for the new Taigun at our Chakan facility is a moment of great pride for us. It continues to signify our commitment to the Indian consumers who choose to own premium German-engineered products. We are certain the new Taigun will build on the success of its predecessor and elevate customer experience.”

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Chinese automotive major Changan Automobile and CAOA have inaugurated an automated production line in Anapolis, Brazil, marking the start of local assembly for the Changan UNI-T SUV.

The ceremony was attended by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, signaling a phase of industrialisation and mobility investment in Brazil.

The inauguration initiates a USD 950 million investment cycle for 2026-2028, which adds to the earlier USD 570 million invested since 2023. Total investment in the Anapolis facility reaches USD 1.52 billion with the plant now equipped to have an annual production capacity of 90,000 units.

The UNI-T was developed over three years by a team of 200 Chinese and Brazilian engineers. Key technical features include:

• Powertrain: A 1.5 Turbo GDi BlueCore Flex engine, calibrated by CAOA to operate on any ethanol-petrol blend.
• Testing: The vehicle underwent 200,000 km of durability testing across various Brazilian climates.
• Digital Features: A localised Portuguese voice control system and connected cockpit tailored for the domestic market.
• Future Roadmap: Changan plans to introduce hybrid and electrified variants, supported by the federal government's MOVER programme.

The company expects to open over 60 dealerships across Brazil during 2026 to support its expanded sales footprint.

Zhu Huarong, Chairman, China Changan Automobile Group, said, "For Changan, Brazil is not only a place to invest, but a land where we committed to building a long-term future."

Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho, Co-President, CAOA, added, "The UNI-T represents far more than a new model. It demonstrates that Brazil can establish itself as a global hub for high-technology automotive engineering and production."

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