Volvo Group in India, Ericsson and Bharti Airtel have come together to explore the potential of Extended Reality (XR), digital twin technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing sector. The partnership aims to leverage 5G and 5G Advanced to transform industrial operations, improve workforce training and real-time process optimisation.

As per the understanding, the research will be conducted at the Volvo Group Factory and Volvo Group’s R&D Centre in Bengaluru. The facilities will explore industrial Metaverse applications including human and machine interaction and collaboration, which means a blend of physical and digital worlds. The idea is to enhance efficiency, foster innovation in manufacturing and real-time optimisation using AI technologies.

The partnership will leverage high-speed 5G network to test ‘what if’ scenarios and improve production workflow. They will also explore potential new revenue streams and business models for the telcos.

Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, said, “Our industry is undergoing a once in a lifetime transformation driven by the emerging trends across automation, connectivity and alternative energy carriers – tools which will be key in our ambitions to be net zero and shape a sustainable future for all. This transformation also includes the way we work and collaborate across our industrial and R&D sites. 5G, coupled with extended reality applications, will help foster innovation as well as collaboration between our sites and engineers, in real-time, through the power of connectivity & digitalization backed by advanced AI technologies.”

Sharat Sinha, Director & CEO, Airtel Business, said, “We are thrilled to leverage the capabilities of our advanced 5G network for innovative industrial applications in partnership with Ericsson and Volvo Group. Through this collaboration, our high-speed, low latency 5G network will redefine and transform the manufacturing sector by enabling real-time XR applications for enhanced productivity and efficiencies, unlocking new revenue streams and accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 applications.”

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, said, "As India embraces Industry 4.0, 5G will be a game-changer towards enabling intelligent, connected, and immersive industrial experiences. This collaboration with Airtel and Volvo Group underscores Ericsson’s commitment to driving innovation through 5G and extended reality. By combining our expertise in network technology with cutting-edge XR applications, we are creating an ecosystem that will help industries to transform manufacturing. The research insights will be instrumental in shaping the future of industrial digitalization, not just in India but globally."

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has achieved a new production milestone of rolling out 50,000 units of the Skoda Kylaq from its Chakan facility.

The Kylaq, the company stated, has contributed 36 percent to the Group’s YoY growth in 2025. It achieved this volume by expanding its operations and increasing the use of domestic components.

To support the production of the Kylaq, SAVWIPL increased the capacity of the Chakan plant by 30 percent. The vehicle is built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, a chassis architecture designed for the Indian market. The group has focused on localisation and the development of a local supplier network to support its manufacturing output.

The milestone follows 25 years of the group's presence in India, during which it has developed an integrated ecosystem and a local talent pool. By increasing production and localisation, the company aims to support the government’s manufacturing initiatives while deepening its engineering and sourcing capabilities within the country.

H D Kumaraswamy, Union Cabinet Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel, said, “I congratulate Skoda Auto Volkswagen India on achieving this production milestone and for their continued commitment to the ‘Made in India’ initiative.”

Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The 50,000‑unit milestone for the Kylaq reflects the deep trust and affection our customers have shown for this product. Built on the proven MQB‑A0‑IN platform, the Kylaq’s success is a powerful validation that vehicles designed in India, both for India and the world, continue to earn admiration and confidence from customers domestically and globally.”

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Hindalco Industries has announced an INR 210 billion expansion of its aluminium smelter in Sambalpur, Odisha. The project will add 360,000 tonnes per annum of capacity to the Aditya Aluminium complex. Additionally, the company has commissioned a manufacturing facility for flat rolled products (FRP) and battery-grade aluminium foil following an investment of INR 45 billion.

The facilities form part of a growth programme involving INR 370 billion of planned expenditure in Odisha. The battery-grade foil plant is intended to provide raw materials for the production of lithium-ion cells, with a capacity to support 100 GWh of manufacturing. The expansion of the FRP unit aims to reduce India’s reliance on imported flat-rolled aluminium, which currently accounts for 40 percent of domestic consumption.

The smelter expansion incorporates plans to use round-the-clock renewable energy for a portion of its power requirements. This project connects upstream resources with downstream manufacturing, linking bauxite mining and alumina refining to the production of foil and high-grade materials. The company expects the next phase of investment to create 15,000 jobs in the region, adding to its current workforce of 23,000 in the state.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “India’s manufacturing growth depends on integration, value addition and sustainability. Through Hindalco, we are building a fully integrated aluminium ecosystem that spans from upstream resources to high-value downstream products. Our long-standing partnership with Odisha continues to play an important role in this journey. This strategy strengthens India’s self-reliance, supports critical sectors, and accelerates the nation’s transition towards advanced, sustainable manufacturing.”

Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, added, “The FRP expansion and smelter growth at Sambalpur exemplify our integrated upstream–downstream growth strategy. This enables Hindalco to deliver high-quality aluminium solutions across packaging, defence, electric mobility, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, positioning us strongly to support India’s industrial ambitions while creating long-term value.”

Hindalco’s roadmap in Odisha includes the Kansariguda alumina refinery, the Meenakshi coal mine, and units for white fused alumina. The company has invested over INR 250 billion in the state over the last 15 years. These developments are part of a wider INR 550 billion capital expenditure plan across India.

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Japanese automaker Nissan and China’s Chery have reached an agreement for the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing facilities in Rosslyn, South Africa, which is subject to regulatory approvals and the fulfilment of specific conditions.

As per the understanding, Chery will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets, including the stamping plant, in mid-2026. Chery will offer employment to the majority of Nissan’s current staff at the site on terms and conditions similar to their existing contracts. The move follows a period of impact on the utilisation and viability of the plant within Nissan's global operations.

Despite the sale of the production facility, Nissan will maintain its commercial presence in South Africa. The company plans to continue its sales and service operations and has scheduled several vehicle launches for the 2026 fiscal year, including the Nissan Tekton and Nissan Patrol.

The acquisition allows the Rosslyn site to remain an active part of the South African automotive manufacturing sector. The preservation of the facility also aims to maintain opportunities for the existing local supplier network that services the plant.

Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President, said, “Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector.”

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Neolite ZKW Lightings held a commemorative ceremony on 23 January 2026 for its new manufacturing plant in Pune, Maharashtra. The facility, which began operations in December 2025, is situated near the Mumbai-Pune-Nashik-Aurangabad automotive cluster. This location allows the company to manage inventory and provide services to customers including Tata Motors, Stellantis, JSW MG Motor India, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles and Piaggio Vehicles.

The facility includes an independent design centre featuring simulation software, optical design tools and 3D modelling capabilities. This centre supports product development, prototyping and validation to meet global regulatory standards. The Pune plant focuses on manufacturing processes such as moulding, surface treatment and assembly for lighting products and components.

Neolite ZKW Lightings produces lighting solutions for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. Its portfolio is powertrain agnostic, supplying components for both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. Following the commencement of the Pune facility, the group intends to focus on opening its next plant in Kancheepuram.

Won Yong Hwang, CEO, ZKW Group, said, “India continues to emerge as a strategic market for the global automotive industry. Neolite ZKW’s expansion in Pune represents a positive step toward advancing next-generation automotive lighting solutions, and we look forward to continued collaboration in technology and innovation”.

Rajesh Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Neolite ZKW Lightings, said, “Our new Pune plant reflects our commitment to invest in capacity, technology and talent to support the next phase of growth for our customers and for Neolite ZKW. With this facility, we are better positioned to respond timely to customer requirements, drive innovation in automotive lighting, and create employment opportunities in the region. After this, our next focus will be to get our Kancheepuram facility up and running and we are working very hard to get that done”.

Rajesh Soni, CEO, Neolite ZKW, added, “The Pune facility is designed to focus on manufacturing of automotive lighting products and components including moulding, surface treatment and assembly. Further, in line with the shift toward electrification and sustainability, we also offer certain electric vehicle focused lighting products. At the same time, our portfolio is powertrain agnostic that serves both EVs and internal combustion engine vehicles”.

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