SANY India Inaugurates Factory Expansion At Pune Facility
- By MT Bureau
- January 03, 2025
Leading construction equipment manufacturer SANY India has inaugurated a new factory expansion at its 90-acre manufacturing facility in Pune, representing a major step forward for localised manufacturing and increased production capacity in India.
The new facility has a strong fabrication capacity of over 100,000 metric tonnes annually in addition to an annual production capacity of over 14,000 units. These skills put SANY India in a position to effectively meet the growing needs of the mining, energy and construction industries both domestically and internationally while preserving operational precision and flexibility. This reaffirms SANY's dedication to the Indian market and to making India a worldwide centre for sourcing.
Emphasising the strategic importance of the expanded facility, Xiang Wenbo, Chairman, SANY Group, said, "This new factory represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering world-class products with utmost precision. By incorporating the latest manufacturing technologies, we are positioning ourselves to meet both the challenges of today and the demands of tomorrow." India is a key operational base for SANY's international operations and a pillar of the company's worldwide strategy, he said, underscoring the country's long-term potential.
Deepak Garg, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, SANY India, said, "The inauguration of our new factory expansion represents a significant leap in SANY India's manufacturing capabilities. This facility also supports our commitment to the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ by enhancing exports to key markets and driving increased localisation in our manufacturing processes. These efforts not only boost India’s manufacturing prowess but also strengthen our role in the nation's infrastructure development story."
Henkel Launches Non-Fluorinated Anti-Fingerprint Coatings For Automotive Displays
- By MT Bureau
- April 15, 2026
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."
AUMOVIO India Surpasses 10 Million Airbag Control Unit Production Milestone
- By MT Bureau
- April 14, 2026
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.”
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Commences Production Of New Taigun
- By MT Bureau
- April 07, 2026
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.”
- Changan Automobile
- CAOA
- Changan UNI-T SUV
- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- Geraldo Alckmin
- Zhu Huarong
- Carlos ALberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho
Changan Automobile And CAOA Inaugurate Production Line In Brazil
- By MT Bureau
- March 30, 2026
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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