TVS Motor Co To Invest INR 20 Billion In Karnataka, Set-up Global Capability Centre Too

Sudarshan Venu - TVS Motor Co

TVS Motor Company, one of the leading two- and three-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced its ambitious investment plans for Karnataka.

The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Karnataka government to invest INR 20 billion in the state over the next five years.

The investment will be deployed towards not only expanding its production and engineering capabilities, but also set-up new company office, test track and a global capability centre.

The announcement was made by Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, at the inaugural event of the Global Investors Meet (GIM), Invest Karnataka 2025.

“We envision a capability centre that will draw top talent and great ideas, and have research capability to be the birthplace of next-gen bikes. The office and allied infrastructure will bring together engineers, designers, innovators, AI and ML experts, who will define what is next! Karnataka is a place where great ideas take off and we are excited to expand our footprint in the state.” 

“TVS Motor has emerged as the world’s fourth largest two-wheeler company, with 58 million users globally – an achievement that would not be possible without the guidance of stakeholders in the government. As we make progress towards our 2030 goals, the plan that we have outlined today will help deliver impactful solutions in personal and commercial mobility, setting new benchmarks,” said Venu.

At present, TVS Motor Co operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mysuru that employs more than 3,500 people and has a annual production capacity of 1.5 million vehicles. The present production facility contributes around INR 12 billion of export revenue of the INR 76 billion revenue generated. With the new investments, the company aims to double its export and overall revenues from Mysuru operations.

IR Power Launches Energy Recovery Solution For Industrial Applications

IR Power

IR Power, a Scottish energy technology firm owned by MWNW Group, has introduced a standardised system designed to capture and reuse electricity wasted during industrial machine deceleration. The solution utilises a rental model where manufacturers pay through verified energy savings rather than upfront capital expenditure.

Industrial machines, such as automotive presses, conveyor systems and mixers, generate electricity when slowing down. In standard operations, this energy is typically dissipated as heat. IR Power’s technology claims that it captures this power and feeds it back into the factory grid for immediate reuse.

The system operates similarly to regenerative braking in electric vehicles. On machine clusters with frequent cycles, such as automotive press lines, the technology recaptures 10-20 percent of total electricity consumption. At current UK energy prices, this represents annual savings of GBP 50,000-100,000 per cluster.

Key features of the IR Power system include:

  • Standardised Design: Three product sizes replace custom engineering, reducing technical complexity.
  • Plug-and-Play Installation: Systems connect to existing equipment within hours without requiring modifications to the machines or production downtime.
  • Equipment Agnostic: The technology integrates with hardware from any manufacturer, allowing for site-wide energy recovery networks.
  • Fail-Safe Operation: Excess energy is routed to existing waste resistors if system capacity is exceeded, preventing manual restarts or shutdowns.

The launch comes as industrial electricity prices have risen to GBP 100-150/MWh. IR Power has adopted a zero-risk rental model to address adoption barriers. Under this framework, monthly fees are based on measured savings; if the system does not perform, the customer is not charged.

The company is initiating commercial deployments in Q1 2026, with a focus on tier-one automotive and construction materials manufacturing.

Richard Bradshaw, Founder and Managing Director, IR Power, said, "For years, energy recovery systems existed but didn't deploy at scale because they cost too much and put all the risk on customers. We've inverted that model completely. Our customers pay zero upfront – no capital expenditure, just operating expense. Installation takes hours with no production downtime. And here's the key: if our system doesn't save them money, we don't get paid; we take all the performance risk. The equipment lasts 15-20 years, so customers get over a decade of pure savings. The technology works – it always has. Our job was removing every barrier that prevented adoption: the cost, the complexity, the risk, and the disruption."

Zelio E-Mobility Opens New Plant In Cuttack to Expand Eastern India Operations

Zelio E-Mobility

Zelio E-Mobility, a manufacturer of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Cuttack, Odisha. The plant is intended to support demand in Odisha and West Bengal while positioning the company for growth in southern India.

The commissioning of the Odisha facility, combined with optimisations at the existing Hisar plant in Haryana, has increased the company's total annual production capacity from 72,000 units to 180,000 units.

The Cuttack plant adds a capacity of 60,000 units per annum. Simultaneously, the Hisar facility has seen its capacity enhanced from 72,000 to 120,000 units through the installation of machinery and extended conveyor systems.

By locating production closer to the eastern markets, the company aims to reduce delivery timelines and logistics costs. Currently, shipping products from Haryana to the eastern region takes approximately one week.

The facility required an investment of under INR 30 million and is now operational. It is expected to create between 60 and 100 jobs for local individuals in production and operations. The company is currently in discussions with the Odisha government regarding incentives and support programmes.

Zelio E-Mobility clocked INR 1.34 billion in revenue in H1 FY2026, with net profit of INR 118.7 million. Recently, the EV company raised funds through SME IPO and has INR 360 million of unutilised funds, which it has earmarked for the current expansion.  It aims to have over 337 dealerships across more than 20 states.

Kunal Arya, Managing Director, Zelio E-Mobility, said, “Eastern India has emerged as one of our strongest growth regions, with customers showing exceptional trust in our products. Setting up the Cuttack facility brings us closer to our riders and dealers, enabling faster deliveries, lower logistics costs and improved serviceability. Notably, this expansion marks an important step in strengthening India’s EV ecosystem and creating long-term value for our customers and partners.”

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Begins Production Of New Skoda Kushaq At Pune Facility

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has started production of the new Kushaq SUV at its manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune.

The vehicle is a continuation of the Group’s INDIA 2.0 strategy, which focuses on localisation and manufacturing for both domestic and international markets.

Originally launched as the first model under this strategy, the Kushaq contributed to the Group’s sales of 117,000 units in 2025. The updated version follows its world premiere in January 2026, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in March.

The new Kushaq maintains its focus on driving dynamics and safety standards. Updates to the model include a panoramic sunroof, a rear-seat massage function and the introduction of an 8-speed automatic transmission option.

The SUV is produced with a focus on high localisation to manage ownership costs and parts availability. It serves as a base for export operations from India to various global markets.

Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production and Logistics, Skoda Auto, said, "For us, the Kushaq holds a very special place as the first car developed specifically for a market outside Europe and born from true collaboration between India and the Czech Republic. The start of production of the new Kushaq in Pune in such a short span of time highlights how strongly India is integrated into our global manufacturing ecosystem. The robust production quality, combined with the continuous improvement in our processes, allows us to deliver feature-packed vehicles that meet domestic expectations and international standards. Kushaq’s continued success underlines how India is not only a key growth market but also an increasingly important production and export base for our global operations."

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, SAVWIPL, said, “The new Kushaq is an evolution and continues to be a key pillar in our mission to bring European engineering excellence within reach of Indian families. This SUV embodies our DNA with its robust design, advanced features and uncompromising safety. Listening closely to our customers, we have added several premium features such as a Panoramic Sunroof, rear-seat massage function and a new 8‑speed automatic transmission option, making it an even more compelling offering. With the start of production, we reaffirm our long-term commitment to India and to positioning it as a strategic manufacturing hub.”

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, added, “The Kushaq has been a transformative product for Skoda in India. As our first model under the INDIA 2.0 strategy, it marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that combined high localisation, world-class manufacturing at Pune, a deep understanding of Indian customers, and our commitment to democratising technology for the Indian market. With the new Kushaq, we are further building on that strong foundation, delivering European driving dynamics and 5-star safety that customers associate with Skoda.”

TASARU Supplier Hub Secures Five Global Tier-1 Suppliers For Saudi Automotive Sector

Tasaru Supplier

TASARU Supplier Hub has announced agreements with five global Tier-1 suppliers to localise manufacturing operations in Saudi Arabia. The announcement, made during the 4th PIF Private Sector Forum, marks a step in the development of the national automotive ecosystem and the Kingdom’s industrial infrastructure.

TASARU Mobility Investments, a PIF company, launched the hub to attract suppliers and support production for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Lucid Motors and CEER, the Saudi electric vehicle brand.

The five companies will establish operations within the hub to produce essential vehicle components:

  • Shin Young (South Korea): Specialising in metal stamping and body-in-white assemblies for vehicle structures.
  • JVIS (USA): Providing injection-moulded parts for exterior body panels and bumpers via JVIS KSA.
  • BENTELER (Germany): Focused on steel and chassis solutions, including subframes, axles and hot-formed components.
  • Fangxin (Global): Manufacturing interior systems such as instrument panels, centre consoles and door panels.
  • Lear Corporation (Global): Producing automotive seating and foam for local OEMs.

The TASARU Supplier Hub is located within Masarat Mobility Park at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The site provides access to port infrastructure and road connectivity within the King Salman Automotive Cluster. The facility utilises a shared infrastructure model to promote supply chain collaboration and production scale.

Michael Mueller, Chief Executive Officer of TASARU Mobility Investments, said, “TASARU Supplier Hub is the manifestation of Saudi Arabia’s industrial aspiration. By attracting the Tier-1 global critical suppliers, the Kingdom is not just participating in the automotive race; it is building the track. These partnerships advance economic diversification and deliver long-term industrial resilience through strategic localisation.”