Schaeffler India, a leading motion technology company, has officially opened its fifth manufacturing facility in Shoolagiri, Tamil Nadu. This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy, with the new plant dedicated to producing advanced powertrain and chassis components, alongside futuristic technologies.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Georg F W Schaeffler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Family Shareholder, Schaeffler, Eranti Sumithasri, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Schaeffler India, Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis, Schaeffler and Dharmesh Arora, Regional CEO Asia Pacific, Schaeffler.

The 16,500 sqmt facility, part of a larger 108,000 sqmt land plot, is envisioned as a central hub for the production and expansion of conventional and electrified powertrain technologies. This includes planetary gear systems, hybrid transmission components and emerging innovations primarily for the Indian market. Phase 1 of the facility is expected to be fully operational by the Q4 CY2025.

The new manufacturing site is set to significantly increase Schaeffler India's transmission component capacity. It will also play a crucial role in the company’s expansion strategy for new products and advanced technologies, contributing to its long-term global growth objectives.

Matthias Zink, said, “India is a key market for Schaeffler. The new facility is a significant step in our efforts to expand our global manufacturing footprint and further localisation in the region. It supports our long-term growth vision and positions us to better cater to the rising market demands and grow with the Indian market.”

Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and CEO, Schaeffler India, added, “The inauguration at Shoolagiri exemplifies our commitment to expanding our capacities and competencies in India, enabling us to better meet the evolving needs of our customers. With the expansion of our production facilities, we are well-positioned to cater not only to the present local markets but also future needs as we transition towards e-mobility. We remain committed to the country’s ‘Make In India’ initiative, while embracing sustainable practices. It also underscores the Schaeffler Group’s focus towards India as a strategic growth driver.”

This new facility complements Schaeffler India’s four existing manufacturing plants and three R&D centres across the country. The company has demonstrated strong commitment to its Indian operations, investing INR 17 billion over the past three years (2022-2024), exceeding its initial commitment of INR 15 billion. These investments have fuelled the expansion of new product lines for powertrain solutions, e-mobility solutions and large and medium-sized bearings for industrial applications.

In 2023, Schaeffler India further strengthened its presence in the digital automotive aftermarket with the acquisition of KRSV Innovative Auto Solutions (Koovers), a B2B e-commerce platform.

“As the industry continues to evolve against an increasingly complex environment, we remain committed to strengthening capabilities in India with our ever-evolving motion technology portfolio to seize emerging opportunities and retain our competitive edge,” concluded Kadam.

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Maruti Suzuki India, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation and the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced that it is set to acquire land from the Government of Gujarat for the construction of a new production facility.

The decision follows a basic agreement reached with the state government in January 2024 to establish a second manufacturing base in the region.

The site in Sanand covers approximately 1,750 acres valued at INR 49.6 billion. Once operational, the facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1 million units.

The company cited Gujarat’s supply chain, infrastructure and proximity to ports as factors for the selection. The location provides access to highway and railway networks, supporting its function as both a domestic production base and an export hub for vehicles.

Current and Planned Production Capacity

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Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country, has opened a new integrated manufacturing facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The greenfield facility, located near Lucknow Airport in Sarojini Nagar, was inaugurated by Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, alongside Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and H D Kumaraswamy.

The 70-acre site is designed to produce 5,000 vehicles annually, with a primary focus on electric buses and other green mobility solutions. The facility employs a workforce predominantly from Uttar Pradesh, including a high percentage of women. To support its sustainability goals, the plant features rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and zero-discharge water systems.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, "The inauguration of this new plant marks the beginning of an important new chapter for Ashok Leyland in the vibrant state of Uttar Pradesh. Our Group remains deeply committed to unlocking further opportunities that drive economic growth, create meaningful employment, and foster long-term prosperity in the region. This manufacturing plant reaffirms our resolve to help shape the future of India’s commercial vehicle industry, and we are confident that it will make a strong contribution towards employment generation while advancing sustainable mobility. With this new plant, we are preparing ourselves for the future and take one step further to achieve our Net Zero emission goals."

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, "As one of India’s largest and most progressive states, Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development, making it a natural partner in our green mobility journey. This coupled with Ashok Leyland’s ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2048 has been a key catalyst for establishing this state-of-the-art facility in Uttar Pradesh. Equipped with most modern technology and high levels of automation, the plant reflects our focus on world-class quality and innovation. With a strong emphasis on electric buses, this facility marks a significant step towards building a cleaner, future-ready mobility ecosystem for India.”

The plant's logistics are managed using battery-operated vehicles to maintain its status as a green facility. This expansion aligns with Ashok Leyland's target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2048 and supports the state of Uttar Pradesh's transition toward electric transportation.

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Bharat Forge and Germany-based Agile Robots have agreed to explore a collaboration to develop AI-driven robotics and industrial automation. The partnership combines Bharat Forge's domain expertise with Agile Robots' automation solutions to deploy technology for the automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics industries.

The agreement focuses on civilian industry and manufacturing. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies will co-develop and offer solutions in manufacturing, industrial CPG and logistics for markets in India and Southeast Asia. The partnership also aims to develop vision and AI-based robotic systems to enable autonomous ‘dark’ factories.

Amit Kalyani, Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said, “This strategic collaboration with Agile Robots is a reinforcement of Bharat Forge’s ambition to provide state-of-the-art intelligent robotic and automation solutions across multiple industries while driving manufacturing efficiencies at home. Manufacturing in India is on a steep growth path, and I am very excited that with Agile Robots we are going to deploy bespoke, modular and intelligent automation solutions across the sectors.”

Rory Sexton, Executive Director, Agile Robots, said, “By partnering with Bharat Forge, Agile Robots is strengthening its position in India's rapidly growing manufacturing sector. Combining Agile Robots’ proven leadership in AI driven robotic automation with Bharat Forge’s sectoral expertise will allow us to improve the efficiency and precision of entire production systems.”

The collaboration intends to set up capabilities for bespoke solutions while utilizing existing Agile Robots technology. By integrating AI into production systems, the companies aim to improve precision and efficiency across manufacturing sectors in the region.

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Hindustan Zinc and Silox India have expanded their long-term collaboration to focus on industrial decarbonisation and the development of sustainable supply chains. As part of the agreement, Silox India has adopted EcoZen, a low-carbon zinc brand produced by Hindustan Zinc, for use across its manufacturing operations. This integration is intended to reduce the carbon footprint of zinc-based chemical products while maintaining existing quality standards.

EcoZen is manufactured using renewable energy and has a verified carbon footprint of less than one tonne of CO2 per tonne of zinc. According to the company, this is approximately 75 percent lower than the global industry average. The material offers full traceability, allowing downstream users to account for the environmental impact of their inputs. When used in galvanising, EcoZen can prevent approximately 400 kilograms of CO2 emissions per tonne of steel compared to conventional zinc.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, supplies materials to various sectors including infrastructure, automotive and renewables. The company is a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and has prioritised the reduction of Scope 3 emissions for its clients. Silox India, which specialises in inorganic chemistry and non-ferrous metal derivatives, will use EcoZen to support its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets.

Arun Misra, Chief Executive Officer & Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Decarbonisation at Hindustan Zinc is not limited to our own operations; it extends to how our products are used across industries. EcoZen represents a step change in how zinc can support cleaner manufacturing. By partnering with customers like Silox India, we are enabling the wider adoption of low-carbon solutions at scale.”

Prakash Raman, Managing Director, Silox India, said, “Integrating EcoZen into our manufacturing processes allows us to lower embedded emissions across our product portfolio while continuing to deliver high-performance solutions to our customers. This partnership demonstrates how upstream innovation can accelerate sustainability outcomes downstream.”

The partnership aligns with the increasing demand for low-carbon materials in the automotive and infrastructure sectors. EcoZen is supported by life-cycle assessments and globally recognised ISO and REACH certifications to ensure transparency and compliance with environmental regulations.

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