Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, is no more. Admitted to the Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai, the 86-year-old Tata Group patriarch passed away in the late hours of 9 October 2024 due to age-related ailments.

Spearheading the entry of Tata Motors into passenger vehicle manufacture rather than be a commercial vehicles manufacturer only, Tata took over the mantle of Tata Sons as the umbrella organisation of Tata Group of companies in 1991 from JRD Tata.

Chairman emeritus of the USD 130-billion salt-to-software group, Tata was always passionate about automobiles and aeroplanes as much as he was caring about animals. A skilled aviator who would fly a plane himself, Tata was also a philanthropist. 

Highlighting an ability to risk by acquiring business such as Corus Steel of UK, Jaguar Land Rover of UK (from Ford Motor Company) and develop products such as the Nano for the common people, Tata messaged on ‘X’ that the recent rumours circulating regarding his health should not be considered as he was undergoing check-ups for age-related medical conditions and was in good spirits

He was admitted to the hospital on 7 October 2024 with age-related medical conditions. He has left behind him robust organisations in the form of Tata Motors and others, which have set an example of how success is achieved and how benchmarks are set. 

Tata Motors began its journey in the late 80s in the passenger vehicle space with the Tata Estate, Sierra and later the Indica against the competition  that was superior in their abilities to make cars.  Tata drove Tata Motors from what looked like a failure to the success that it today enjoys in the passenger vehicle domain by building capabilities starting with the passnger vehicle factory within the company's Pune premises. 

While projects like the Nano peoples’ car were very close to his heart and an outcome of the ambition to provide the ‘middle-class’ families a safe mode of personal transport, Tata was quite passionate about cars himself.

While he was often seen driving a Honda City in Mumbai near ‘Bombay House’ (the Tata Group headquarters) and the NCPA where he launched the Indigo Marina estate based on the Indica platform, Tata loved loved fast cars and flying his own plane.

Born on 28 December 1937 to Naval Tata and Soonoo Commisariat, Tata was raised by his grandmother Navajbai Tata along with his younger brother Jimmy. He completed his degree in architecture in 1962 from Cornell University, New York. He did an advanced management programme at the Harvard Business School in 1975.

On the advice of JRD Tata, Tata turned down a job offer from IBM to join the family business and began his stint as an apprentice on the shop floor of Tata Steel, shovelling limestone and handling the blast furnace.

Taking charge of the National Radio & Electronics Company (Nelco) in the late 70s along with the Mumbai-based Empress Mills, Tata was the fourth generation in the dynasty.

Successfully steering the Tata Group out of the rough winds that it got into when some of the business such as Tata Telecom went down, Tata stepped down on 28 December 2012 on turning 75. He passed the reigns over to Cyrus Mistry as his successor.

As relations between Mistry and Tata soured, Tata moved ahead to take over the leadership of the Tata Group on 24 October 2014. He put N Chandrasekaran, who was then heading TCS, in the commanding position as the Tata Group chairman in January 2017.

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Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has attained a new milestone of rolling out the 100,000th engine from its Chennai assembly facility for BMW Group.

Established in 2015, the Force Motors’ Chennai facility exclusively manufactures engines for the full range of BMW cars in India, which aids in the German major’s localisation plans. The 100,000th engine will be incorporated in a BMW X5.

 The commemorative roll-out was carried out in the presence of dignitaries from both Force Motors as well as the BMW Group, namely Marcus Wollens, Vice-President, BMW-Production Network 2, BMW AG; Thomas Dose, Managing Director, BMW Group Plant Chennai, along with Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors.

Marcus Wollens, said, "We are thrilled to celebrate roll-out of the 100,000th BMW engine at Force Motors Chennai Plant which is result of a decade of outstanding partnership and dedication. Our engines stand for excellent engineering, innovative technology and high performance. This partnership reinforces BMW Group’s commitment to deliver world-class products in India. The 100,000th engine milestone stands as a testament to our shared vision and exemplifies the robust Indo-German synergy that continues to thrive."

Thomas Dose, said, "BMW Group Plant Chennai takes pride in producing cars that have the same international quality standards as any of the BMW Group production and assembly facilities worldwide. Our valuable partnership with Force Motors sets higher benchmarks not only in quality standards but also in our steadfast commitment to ‘Make in India’ and localisation. The roll-out of 100,000th engine is a proud moment that reflects the strength of our robust cooperation with Force Motors.”

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, added, “This year marks a decade that the Force Motors’ state-of-the-art engine assembly plant in Chennai has been in operation and it gives us immense pleasure to be able to celebrate this significant roll-out of the 100,000th engine. We are honoured to be a trusted and strategic partner to BMW Group in India, and this milestone stands testimony to the commitment, precision, and quality that this collaboration resonates. As BMW Group India continues to expand its presence, Force Motors remains committed to supporting its growth through best-in-class manufacturing, operational excellence and in playing a role in making world-class automotive components in India.”

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India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd has achieved a significant milestone in its manufacturing journey with the completion of 10 years of operations at its Chennai Factory. Reinforcing its role as a critical production base for both domestic and global markets, the company also celebrated the roll-out of its five millionth two-wheeler from this state-of-the-art facility—an Aerox 155 Version S that marked the milestone.
 Over the past decade, the Chennai plant has become a cornerstone of Yamaha’s global operations to serve both Indian customers and export markets. It currently manufactures Yamaha’s hybrid scooter range including the RayZR 125 Fi and Fascino 125 Fi, along with the performance-oriented Aerox 155 Version S. From an export standpoint, the facility also produces the FZ series, the Saluto range, and the Alpha scooter—reinforcing the factory’s role in delivering Yamaha's trusted quality to diverse global markets. More than 30% of the factory’s total output is exported, reflecting its manufacturing strength and global relevance.
Speaking on the occasion, Itaru Otani, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said, “The Chennai factory holds strategic importance in Yamaha’s global manufacturing network. It exemplifies our unwavering focus on people, processes, and products—driven by skilled employees, synchronized operations, and a strong commitment to global quality standards. As one of Yamaha’s most modern manufacturing facilities worldwide, it has supported India’s mobility aspirations while reinforcing its role as a trusted exporter to global markets. As we celebrate the roll-out of the 5 millionth two-wheeler, I extend my deepest appreciation to our dedicated employees, vendor partners and passionate customers who have made this journey possible. We will continue to progress, and Chennai factory will keep playing a major role in addressing the evolving customer demands in Indian and overseas markets.”
Spread across 177 acres, the Chennai factory operates with a unique integrated model—109 acres dedicated to IYM and 68 acres to co-located vendor partners—enabling seamless synchronization under a unified ‘One Factory’ concept. This approach has enhanced manufacturing efficiency, speed, and supply chain integration, making the facility one of Yamaha’s most advanced in the world.
Over the last decade, the Chennai manufacturing facility has been consistently upgraded to support Yamaha's evolving premium product strategy—producing high value-added motorcycles and scooters with small to midrange engine displacements. With India’s stringent emission regulations, Yamaha Motor Company Ltd. identified an opportunity to position this plant as a global export hub, delivering products that meet the highest standards of performance and compliance. Today, the factory supports Yamaha’s portfolio across segments—ranging from premium models for Indian customers to those tailored for markets in Europe, Latin America, ASEAN, and beyond. With its focus on quality, digital systems, and sustainable technologies, the facility is well-prepared for the future of smart and eco-friendly manufacturing.
Demonstrating Yamaha’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, the plant houses an installed solar power capacity of 4450 kW, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and supporting green manufacturing practices. The facility incorporates state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technologies for zero-water discharge and recycle/reuse of wastewater. It is also designed for maximum use of sunlight, and the buildings are compatible with solar power system installation. All common utilities are centrally located to minimize distribution loss and ensure centralized management, making it a model of sustainable industrial planning.
As Yamaha celebrates this dual milestone, the Chennai plant stands as a testament to the brand’s long-term commitment to make-in-India as a strong manufacturing and development hub of world-class two-wheelers. This achievement marks a significant step forward in strengthening Yamaha’s motorcycle business in Indian market with the unwavering support and loyal partnership of our enthusiastic customers who continue to inspire us at every step to push the limits of innovation and performance offering unique and enriching experiences worldwide.

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German automotive brand Audi Sport is partnering with Fraunhofer Institutes IAO and IPA to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics can improve automotive production processes at its Bollinger Hofe site, a key pilot facility for the carmaker’s 360factory strategy.

The collaboration focuses on optimising the manual picking process – where vehicle components are retrieved from logistics containers to supply the assembly line –through a real-world laboratory set up at the facility. The trials aim to reduce errors, ease physical strain and improve supply efficiency by integrating advanced technologies into everyday operations.

The project began with a comprehensive needs analysis, during which employees wore eye-tracking smart glasses to identify cognitively demanding tasks. This data will guide the deployment of tailored AI and robotics solutions in production.

Alexander Muller, Head of Logistics at Audi Sport, said, “Low-volume production at Bollinger Hofe, such as the Audi e-tron GT family, is ideal for testing. The high degree of vehicle customisation makes the picking process especially complex.”

Researchers are testing computer vision systems and mobile robots equipped with 3D sensors and various grippers. Real customer orders serve as test scenarios, allowing the team to assess technology performance in realistic conditions.

“We are bringing research directly into the plant, and workers are actively involved in evaluating the technologies,” Muller added.

Bernd Bienzeisler, Head of the Cognitive Service Systems Research and Innovation Center KODIS at Fraunhofer IAO, noted, “This is a new chapter in industry-science collaboration. The direct feedback from employees working in real environments makes the insights particularly valuable.”

The project forms part of the broader AI25 initiative, a collaboration launched by Audi, Fraunhofer and other partners to accelerate the digital transformation of automotive production. Bollinger Hofe plays a central role within this ecosystem, which is anchored in the Heilbronn region’s Innovation Park for Artificial Intelligence (IPAI).

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Kinetic Watts and Volts, the e-mobility arm of Kinetic Group, has inaugurated its new 87,000 sqft plant at Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra.

The new facility the company shared is designed to be future-ready and will integrate advanced automation, precision assembly lines and sustainability practices. The plant will also leverage digitalisation and automation across operations.

Incorporated on 27 September 2022, Kinetic Watts and Volts is focussing on the electric vehicle segment. The subsidiary has non-exclusive rights to the Kinetic brand for a period three-years starting 2025. Till date, Kinetic Engineering and other promoters have invested INR 428 million in the subsidiary with an additional INR 290 million to be infused soon, which takes the total investment to INR 718 million.

Ajinkya Firodia, Vice-Chairman, Kinetic Group, said, “This facility represents our commitment to shaping the future of mobility with world-class manufacturing excellence. It’s a proud moment for Kinetic Watts and Volts and for the entire Kinetic Group as we set the stage for a new era of innovation, sustainability, and electric mobility from India.”

The company aims to not only introduce products for the Indian market but also explore export opportunities.

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