KG Mobility of Korea – known previously as SsangYong Motor – will develop a series of SUVs on a platform licensed from China’s Chery Automobile Co. In this direction, KG Mobility signed a strategic partnership and platform license agreement with Chery Automobile Co. in October 2024.

The agreement (claimed to have a span of eight years) was signed in the presence of KGM Mobility Chairman Jea-sun Kwak, company CEO Ki-young Hwang, and Chery Group's Chairman Yin Tongyue. Cherry Automobile Co. President Zhang Guibing was also present at the signing ceremony.

Encompassing the development of cutting-edge technology, reduce product development time and adapt to market changes, the strategic collaboration agreement between Chery Automobile Co. and KG Mobility is expected to enable the latter to build mid-to-large SUVs that provide differentiated mobility value.

The agreement includes sharing the intellectual property of the T2X platform, claim sources. T2X is a technology the Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co. uses to manufacture plug-in hybrid vehicles.

To enable KG Mobility to respond to market changes quickly and also to roll out models for global markets, the strategic collaboration marks a significant development for the KG Group of Korea.

The regulatory filing notes, sources cited, highlight that the area to be impacted includes all countries in the world except China and United States.

Hwak mentioned, "As a member of the KG Group family, KGM has successfully launched new models such as the Torres EVX and Actyon, as well as various improved models, boosting sales volumes and reinforcing our global market penetration while achieving business normalisation. Through this strategic partnership and technical collaboration with Chery Automobile, we will be able to develop a wider range of models, shorten development times, and launch new models that meet customer needs, allowing us to respond to the rapidly changing automotive market."

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Pavna Industries, a leading automotive components supplier, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) to set up a new manufacturing facility at the Future Mobility Park in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

The company shared that it has received full support from the government of Tamil Nadu for facilitating the timely and effective execution of the project.

Swapnil Jain, Managing Director, Pavna Industries, said, “We are proud to partner with the Government of Tamil Nadu for this project, which will generate employment, create new opportunities for local talent, and support the state’s thriving automotive ecosystem. This initiative is closely aligned with the Make in India vision and underscores Pavna Industries’ dedication to nation-building through world-class manufacturing. We value the support extended by the Government of Tamil Nadu in enabling this expansion.”

At present, the company has manufacturing plants in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Aurangabad, Maharashtra and Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, along with a new plant being constructed in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

Pavna Industries’ diverse product portfolio includes ignition switches, latches, auto locks, fuel tank caps, switches, oil pumps, throttle bodies and casting components, among others. It serves both domestic and international markets, with exports to countries such as Italy, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Sudan, the U.S.A, and Bangladesh.

It counts the likes of Bajaj Auto, Kawasaki, Honda, TVS Motor Co, Mahindra & Mahindra, Royal Enfield, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors and several electric vehicle manufacturers like Revolt and Mahindra Electric, among others in its customer base.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Ola Electric has achieved a major manufacturing milestone of rolling out its 1 millionth vehicle from its Futurefactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.

As part of the milestone, Ola Electric rolled out a special edition Roadster X+ in a midnight blue, with sporty red accents across dual-tone seat, rims and the battery pack.

It was in 2021 that Ola Electric started producing electric vehicles in the country, and the achievement comes within four years of the company’s operations.

 “This marks the celebration of every Indian who trusted us and believed in our mission. In four years, we’ve gone from an idea to becoming India’s EV two-wheeler leader. We built at scale and proved that world-class products can be designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in India. This milestone is a testament to how far we’ve come, and we’re just getting started! Our mission is clear: #EndICEAge and make India the global EV hub,” said an Ola Electric spokesperson.

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Kinetic Engineering has inaugurated its new Robotic Chassis Line at its plant in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. This upgrade is part of a series of changes to improve the company's production capabilities.

The new line uses robots for welding and has a specific cell for the Kinetic DX EV e-scooter frames, clamping auto fixtures. This system is designed to provide consistency and accuracy. The facility's metal body panel line has also been upgraded with hydraulic and mechanical presses, as well as spot welding equipment.

The company's paint shop now uses a seven-tank process that includes a CED coating and a metallic topcoat for better protection and finish. A new store for frame parts has also been set up with quality control systems to manage inventory and supply parts to the assembly line.

Ajinkya Firodia, MD, Kinetic Engineering, said, “The future of manufacturing belongs to companies that can seamlessly integrate automation, precision and sustainability into their processes. With the inauguration of our robotic chassis line, we are not just upgrading a facility, we are reimagining how manufacturing should be done in India. This move positions us to deliver unmatched consistency and reliability, while also setting a benchmark for how automation can transform traditional industries. At Kinetic, we see this as part of a larger shift where Indian manufacturing stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”

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Mukand Sumi Special Steel (MSSSL), a joint venture between India’s Bajaj Group and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, has announced a major expansion with the construction of a new integrated steelmaking facility in Kanakapura, Koppal, Karnataka.

The new greenfield plant will boost MSSSL's production capacity to 700,000 tonnes per annum, making it one of India's leading special steel manufacturers. The project, which is currently awaiting environmental clearances, involves a capital investment of INR 23.45 billion, or around EUR 234 million.

The expansion is driven by the increasing demand for high-quality special steel in India's industrial, energy, and automotive sectors, supported by government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and strong economic growth. Since its inception in 2018, MSSSL has produced approximately 350,000 tonnes of special steel products annually, primarily for the automobile and engineering markets.

The new facility is designed with sustainability as a priority, adopting a Zero Liquid, Solid and Gaseous Discharge Model. It aims to source over 95 percent of its energy from renewables and is a crucial step towards the company's goal of achieving net-zero steel manufacturing by 2050. Future phases will incorporate hydrogen-ready infrastructure and carbon capture technologies.

Vipul Mashruwala, President, MSSSL, said, "This expansion marks a significant milestone in our long-term growth roadmap. Guided by the forward-looking vision of our Chairman, Niraj Bajaj, we are investing in sustainable and future-ready technologies that will strengthen our position in the global special steel market."

He added that the new facility will allow them to ‘serve growing demand with greater efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility.’

The new plant is expected to begin operations by early 2028 and will include iron making, steel making, and blooming mill facilities with an initial capacity of 0.35 million tonnes per annum. The investment will also focus on integrating automation and digital technologies to ensure consistent product quality and optimised energy use.

The expansion will enable MSSSL to focus on critical applications in the automotive, railway, oil and gas, energy and bearing steel sectors, aligning with India’s ‘Industry 4.0’ initiative.

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