Hyundai Motor Group and Nvidia are deepening their collaboration to accelerate innovation in autonomous vehicles (AVs), smart factories and robotics with a new AI factory, powered by Nvidia Blackwell AI infrastructure. This partnership shifts focus from strategic software adoption to the co-development of core physical AI technologies.

The two companies plan to enable integrated AI model training, validation and deployment using 50,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs. In support of the Korean government’s initiative to build a national physical AI cluster, the collaboration involves an approximately USD 3 billion investment to advance the physical AI landscape in Korea. Key efforts include establishing Hyundai Motor Group’s Physical AI Application Center, the Nvidia AI Technology Center and physical AI data centres in the region.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 31^st October between the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, Hyundai Motor Group and Nvidia to formalise this collaboration.

Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, said, "For Korea to leap forward as a leading nation in AI, the advancement of physical AI is essential – a key initiative championed by the Ministry of Science and ICT. This inaugural step in public-private collaboration to foster physical AI is therefore incredibly significant. Korea has a strong foundation in manufacturing. By combining Korea's rich manufacturing data with Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI infrastructure, we expect to build a Win-Win model through collaboration with domestic companies, thereby accelerating innovative AI transformation (AX) in manufacturing across industries."

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “As we enter a new era of AI-powered mobility and smart factory, deepening our collaboration with Nvidia marks a pivotal step forward. Together, we are not only building advanced technologies but also laying the foundation for a robust AI ecosystem in Korea – one that fosters innovation, nurtures talent and positions us at the forefront of global AI leadership.”

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, Nvidia, said, "AI will revolutionise every facet of every industry. In transportation alone – from vehicle design and manufacturing to robotics and autonomous driving — Nvidia’s AI and computing platforms are transforming how the world moves. Together with Hyundai Motor Group — Korea’s industrial powerhouse and one of the world’s top mobility solutions providers— we’re building intelligent cars and factories that will shape the future of the multitrillion-dollar mobility industry."

Hyundai Motor Group will use the Nvidia Blackwell-based AI factory to deploy infrastructure that powers innovation across in-vehicle AI, autonomous driving, factory automation and robotics. The group is leveraging three Nvidia AI compute platforms:

• Nvidia DGX platform for large-scale AI model training.
• Nvidia Omniverse and Nvidia Cosmos for creating digital twins of manufacturing environments and testing AV software.
• Nvidia Drive AGX Thor as the AI compute for real-time intelligence in vehicles and robots.

The company will use the Omniverse Enterprise platform to develop factory digital twins to accelerate robot integration, optimise production and enable predictive maintenance. Inside vehicles, Nvidia DRIVE AGX Thor will provide compute power for advanced driver-assistance, next-generation safety features and in-vehicle AI experiences.

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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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Nissan Motor India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles, has achieved a significant milestone, exporting its 1.2 millionth vehicle from India. This accomplishment, the company said, reinforces its ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ philosophy and highlights India's importance as a strategic export hub for Nissan’s AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania) region.

The 1.2 millionth vehicle was a new Nissan Magnite B-SUV destined for the GCC region, and was flagged off by Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, at the Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu.

Since beginning export operations, Nissan Motor India has shipped a diverse range of models, including the Nissan Magnite, Nissan Sunny, Nissan Kicks and Nissan Micra, to markets across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

The introduction of the new Nissan Magnite expanded the company's global export footprint to over 65 countries in both Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) markets.

“We are proud to celebrate yet another historic milestone of exporting 1.2 million Nissan vehicles from India. This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our teams and the trust of customers across the world in our Made-in-India cars. The Nissan Magnite continues to be a global success story, representing our focus on design, quality, and innovation that transcends borders,” said Vatsa.

The new Nissan Magnite has received a 5-star Global NCAP rating for Adult Occupant Protection and 3 stars for Child Occupant Protection. The company is also preparing for the upcoming launch of its new global C-SUV, the Nissan Tekton, which will be introduced in India next year and also exported to select international markets.

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Automotive component supplier Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., has announced a new investment of INR 3.45 billion (USD 42 million) to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, India. This commitment includes an immediate investment of INR 450 million and an additional INR 3  billion over the next three years to support advanced telematics and next-generation automotive connectivity programmes.

This latest funding brings Harman’s cumulative investments in the Pune plant to INR 5.54 billion (USD 67 million) since its inception in 2014. The expansion is expected to create 300 new jobs in Pune by 2027.

The expansion, inaugurated by CEO Christian Sobottka, adds 71,505 square feet of built-up area, boosting the plant's production capacity by 50 percent. By 2027, the facility is poised to deliver an annual output of 4 million car audio components, 1.4 million infotainment units and 800,000 million Telematics Control Units (TCUs).

The facility will now manufacture the Harman Ready Connect, a pre-developed, all-in-one Telematics Control Unit co-developed with Samsung. This commitment, the company states strengthens the Government of India’s vision to ‘Make in India, for the World’ by positioning the country as a hub for advanced automotive manufacturing.

The Pune plant supplies all major Indian OEMs, including Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India and Mahindra & Mahindra, alongside export customers in Europe and North America.

Christian Sobottka, CEO and President of Automotive, Harman, said, “This investment is a clear signal of our commitment to India. Pune is not just adding capacity - it’s building the future of connected cars. From 5G telematics to sustainable manufacturing, India’s talent and innovation strength make it central to Harman’s global automotive growth.”

The Pune facility also remains a leader in the company's sustainability journey. It currently uses on-site solar installations that generate over 317,000 KWh of electricity annually and is progressing toward 100 percent renewable electricity use by 2030.

Krishna Kumar, Managing Director & Automotive Head, Harman India, said: “India is where Harman designs, builds and exports the next generation of in-car experiences. From connected infotainment to immersive audio to telematics and connected safety solutions, our engineers here don’t just serve India - they serve the world. That’s why India sits at the heart of Harman’s global automotive strategy.”

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Toyoda Gosei Co, and Kansai Paint Co, have partnered to develop an in-mould coating technology that can be applied to the mass production of large plastic automotive exterior parts. This marks the first time in Japan that this technology is applicable to large exterior components, which have a high level of difficulty in production.

In-mould coating involves forming and painting large plastic parts inside the mould itself, a process typically restricted to smaller products.

The development uses Toyoda Gosei's proprietary mould technology for large parts and paint material design technology developed through the collaboration. This new process achieves a seamless appearance with a high level of smoothness on the painted surface, allowing for new moulding designs.

Other benefits include:

• Improved Durability: The use of urethane paint makes abrasions less noticeable.
• Environmental Reduction: A drying furnace is no longer necessary, which the company states reduce CO2 emissions during production by approximately 60 percent.

The first large painted products using this technology are scheduled for market launch in spring of 2026. Toyoda Gosei plans to expand this technology to its international production sites as a pillar of its new decorative technologies.

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