Announcing that Prime Minister Modi’s message was motivating for the Indian auto industry to work together towards new age technology, world class manufacturing, and next generation infrastructure, Kenichi Ayukawa, President, SIAM and MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki, in his address during the opening session, said that there was a need to achieve sustainable and productive growth with quality and safety, and protect our environment, resources and raw materials. Stressing on the need for focused efforts, Ayukawa mentioned that SIAM and ACMA have together worked out a localisation roadmap with a target of about 15 to 20 percent further localisation in the next 2 to 5 years. Revealing that SIAM has prepared an approach paper for long term regulation roadmap that takes care of all aspects and gives clarity on future investments, Ayukawa San said that the auto industry is working on new powertrain technologies. He appreciated the government’s announcement of the scrappage policy and PLI scheme. 

Amitabh Kant.

Recognising the contribution of the Indian automobile industry to the Indian economy, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Government of India, said that his ministry is working consistently for the growth of the automotive sector. Acknowledging the rise in localisation supported by the PLI initiatives of government, Dr Pandey said that these efforts would make the industry more robust. He stressed on the need to develop EV charging infrastructure as well as manufacture quality products that would help the Indian automobile industry to be regarded as the best in the world. T V Narendran, President, CII and MD, Tata Steel Ltd, in his address, mentioned the need for the right policy support to make India a five-trillion-dollar economy by 2025-26. It is important that the Indian manufacturing sector is strong. He called on the auto industry to focus on six key areas – electric vehicles, circularity, urbanisation, resilient supply chain and an ability to reap in functionality and embed sustainability, going forward. 
 

R C Bhargava.

In his speech, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, said that the future direction of the auto industry is in the area of shared, connected and electric mobility. He opined that there are four prominent growth drivers that the industry should focus on. These include the expansion of investment in R&D, more focus on innovation in small format mobility segment, establishment of massive charging infrastructure across the country and provision of export impetus to the industry. Kant said that EV should be an integral part in every OEM’s plans. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke about the government’s aim to increase the contribution of the automotive sector towards the nation’s GDP. Currently, the sector contributes roughly 7.1 percent towards the GDP, he said. Revealing that the government would like to see the contribution rise to 12 percent, the union minister stated that it would amount to a huge step towards making India a five-trillion-dollar economy. Expressing gratitude to the dignitaries for their presence, Vipin Sondhi, Vice President, SIAM and MD, Ashok Leyland Ltd, drew attention towards the effect of Covid-19 on sales. 
 

Appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Heavy Industries to create world-class testing and R&D infrastructure in all the auto hubs of the country, he spoke about how the auto industry will take advantage of localisation, PLI scheme and EV charging infrastructure. These efforts, he added, will contribute to the government’s initiative of ‘Make in India’. In a session focusing on the outlook of the Indian auto industry and its role in the economic growth, Venu Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, and R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., drew attention to the new policies introduced over the past few years. The duo stressed on the high taxation structure on automobiles and the mandatory insurance costs. These, they said, have hugely bumped up the pricing to make vehicles expensive. Srinivasan touched on two-wheelers being taxed at 28 percent despite being the most basic means of transport. This, he added, is almost equal to cars which are a luxury item. Opining that the prices of vehicles have risen over the past few years with the switch to BS IV and subsequently to BS VI, and the change in safety norms, R C Bhargava mentioned that mounting challenges have had an effect on the sales. 
 

Venu Srinivasan.

Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj said that the government is open to discussing a change in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on automobiles. Seeking to know from the auto industry whether it is the GST rate on cars that is preventing the sector from growing, Bajaj questioned the reason behind SUV sales going up and not that of the cars in economic terms. Stating that the tax rates were higher in some states before GST came into force, he suggested the auto industry to examine in detail the reasons behind the dip in sales. Covid-19 and other factors could be at play, he reasoned. Bajaj called on the industry to keep pace with the changing technology.

Kenichi Ayukawa.

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Basemark, a provider of real-time graphics and augmented reality (AR) software, has announced a strategic collaboration with KPIT Technologies, a global mobility solutions provider. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and large-scale deployment of next-generation, multi-screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

As a primary milestone of this agreement, KPIT officially joins Basemark’s Rocksolid ecosystem as its first certified partner. The alliance is structured to help automotive manufacturers transition HMI concepts into production-grade series deployment faster while meeting stringent industry standards for safety, reliability and performance.

As modern vehicles transition into software-defined platforms, advanced HMIs have become critical differentiators for brand identity and consumer experience. However, scaling immersive, context-aware interfaces across multiple vehicle segments and varied display domains remains a significant engineering challenge.

This collaboration addresses those complexities by pairing specialised software hardware with global engineering scale:

Basemark's Rocksolid Platform: Provides a high-performance software environment tailored for advanced HMI and AR development. The platform is designed to support modern development workflows, including artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted creation, modification, and debugging of HMI assets and application logic.

KPIT's Integration and Engineering Scale: Brings nearly two decades of automotive software expertise, having supported more than 20 million vehicles globally. KPIT provides end-to-end capabilities across infotainment, digital cockpits, connectivity, embedded platforms, systems integration, validation, and global delivery.

The Rocksolid Certified Partner Program is designed by Basemark to ensure that OEMs can execute high-volume, safety-critical HMI programs with verified partners who have demonstrated technical excellence on the platform.

Under the agreement, KPIT will directly leverage Rocksolid Studio and Rocksolid Engine to design and deploy integrated automotive software architectures, including advanced HMI, AR Head-Up Displays (HUD), digital cockpits, and multi-display experiences.

Tero Sarkkinen, Founder & CEO, Basemark, said, “KPIT becoming the first Rocksolid Certified Partner is an important milestone for the Rocksolid ecosystem. With KPIT’s automotive software expertise and delivery scale, OEMs can accelerate their journey from HMI concept to reliable series production.”

Omkar Panse, CTO, KPIT Technologies, added, “Our collaboration with Basemark strengthens our ability to help OEMs deliver advanced HMI experiences with production readiness and scale. By combining Rocksolid’s high-performance platform with our solutions, and software and systems expertise, we enable customers to deploy differentiated user experiences across vehicle programs efficiently.”

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German luxury automotive company Audi has officially introduced the Audi Nuvolari, its first-ever supercar featuring a high-performance hybrid powertrain. The company believes it is destined to become the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in the history of the brand. Production of the vehicle will be strictly limited to 499 units with customer deliveries scheduled to commence in the first half of 2027.

Named after the legendary, fearless pre-war racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, the pre-production prototype represents a monumental shift for the manufacturer. It serves as the pioneering production model to debut Audi’s brand-new, visceral design philosophy.

The technical core of the Audi Nuvolari features a complex hybrid system sporting four distinct drive units that push out a combined maximum system output of 736 kW (1,001 PS).

It uses a mid-mounted 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine that generates 588 kW (800 hp) and 730 Nm of torque. Heavily derived from motorsports, it revs up to an impressive 10,000 rpm. The engine is further complemented by three axial flux electric motors, which include two oil-cooled axial flux motors on the front axle, outputting up to 2,150 Nm of torque and enabling fully variable torque vectoring. A third electric motor is sandwiched between the mid-mounted engine and the transmission. The system relies on a lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 7.3 kWh.

The Audi Nuvolari has a claimed acceleration of zero to 100 kmph in under 2.6 seconds, upto 200 kmph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed exceeding 350 kmph.

To safely manage extreme velocities, Audi worked closely with its Formula 1 drivers to refine the car's aerodynamics. The vehicle features an S-duct – a vented front end that channels air to increase front-axle downforce while reducing lift – and a deployable adaptive rear wing. The wing automatically morphs through three operational configurations: Closed (minimising drag), Low Downforce (LD) and High Downforce (HD).

In its peak HD setting, the aero package generates more than 400 kg of downforce. Drivers can also manually deploy a steering-wheel-mounted Drag Reduction System (DRS) on straights to lower the wing and bleed off drag.

Structurally, the supercar utilises the renowned Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology but pairs it with an all-carbon fibre exterior for the first time in brand history. Virtually all body panels are built using high-tech prepreg autoclave technology to ensure maximum rigidity with minimal mass. Forged centre-lock wheels also make their production debut on this vehicle.

Quattro Predictive Ride

The vehicle premieres quattro predictive ride, an advanced evolution of Audi's signature all-wheel-drive system. Using a highly responsive vehicle state model fed by real-time telemetry (including yaw rate, steering angles and grip levels), the car proactively calculates traction thresholds.

Before a tyres-slip event can occur in a corner, the car seamlessly modulates longitudinal and lateral torque vectoring, tweaks active aero downforce and applies targeted brake interventions to stabilise the chassis.

Through physical rotary dials on the steering wheel, drivers can select from four core modes, plus a dedicated track setting:

• E-Hybrid: For fully electric, emissions-free urban driving.
• Balanced: Prioritises everyday driving comfort, efficiency and baseline performance.
• Dynamic: Optimises throttle response and sharpens cornering precision.
• Dynamic+: Focuses the entire hybrid powertrain on delivering maximum emotional performance.
• Track Mode: Tailors traction control behaviour to specific track environments, allowing drivers to manually step settings across Wet, Dry, Race, or completely Traction Control Off (TC Off).

The Nuvolari employs a motorsport-derived brake-by-wire system with an energy absorption capability of up to 2.8 megawatts. It permits purely electric regeneration up to 0.3 g before seamlessly engaging its hydraulic anchors.

The physical hardware consists of the new Audi Ceramic Pro braking system, utilising Formula 1 long-fibre carbon brake discs and a custom internal cooling design that boosts thermal dissipation by 21 percent over conventional carbon-ceramic brakes. Massive 10-piston fixed calipers clamp down on 420x40 mm discs at the front axle, while 4-piston calipers handle 410x32 mm discs at the rear.

The cockpit layout strips away secondary digital clutter, keeping all vital human-machine interface (HMI) menus directly inside the driver's primary line of sight. The visual identity features anodised aluminium accents and premium lightweight carbon-fibre bucket seats.

The interior is cleverly split into two distinct colour zones: a dark, muted front cabin designed to optimise high-speed driving concentration and a lighter Shadow Dune layout in the rear.

In a historic nod to Audi's rich racing heritage, the colour accents utilised across the digital HMI screens are styled as a direct tribute to the legendary 1930s Auto Union Type C speed-record race cars.

Gernot Dollner, Chairman of the Board of Management, Audi AG, said, “With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress. It shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork – and when we achieve progress together.”

Rouven Mohr, CTO, Audi, added, “With the Audi Nuvolari, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication. This is reflected not only in the vehicle’s performance and its Formula 1-inspired technologies, but also in the ability to transfer innovations quickly and precisely into a production vehicle.”

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French tier 1 supplier Valeo has expanded its presence in the electric vehicle ecosystem with the introduction of its advanced smart charging product range. The new lineup is being showcased at the Drive to Zero event at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

For the first time, the company is demonstrating its new Ineez AC charging station, which features native integration of bidirectional Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and the ISO 15118-20 communication protocol. The implementation transforms the traditional vehicle charging point into an active hub capable of optimising local energy flows and reducing user costs by allowing real-time interaction between electric vehicles and the power grid.

The core software and hardware architecture powering Valeo's V2G charging equipment utilises a technology platform originally engineered by IoTecha, which is now owned by Valeo.

This system combines updated communication networks with a cloud-based IoT.ON management platform to secure baseline interoperability between the EV, the charger and the local utility provider.

It utilises ISO 15118-20 protocol, which serves as a secure, universal digital interface between the vehicle and the hardware to guarantee ultra-secure data transfers and support bidirectional energy flows. Embedded software stacks allow for localised implementation of varying international grid codes, optimising hardware functionality according to specific geographic requirements.

The autocharge feature streamlines the consumer charging process by incorporating automatic, cardless user authentication upon plug-in. The bidirectional power flow enables electric vehicles to feed stored energy back into power grids or localised buildings during peak energy demand periods, serving as a functional tool for asset monetisation.

At the event, Valeo is exhibiting its full Ineez commercial portfolio, structured to target residential, commercial, industrial and fleet applications including – Smart Unidirectional (V1G) AC Stations, Advanced Bidirectional (V2G) AC Stations, Energy Management Systems and Ancillary Hardware.

Isabelle D’Ambrosio, Vice-President of Smart Mobility, Valeo, said, “At Valeo, we are combining our industrial excellence and software protocols, to make advanced energy flexibility both accessible and future-proof for our customers, expanding our reach beyond the traditional automotive technology. We are proud to present our latest Ineez AC charging station that offers Vehicle-to-grid technology as well as the latest communication protocol that secures a safe interface between the vehicle and the charging station.”

Oleg Logvinov, Founder, IoTecha, added, “As EV infrastructure becomes woven into the fabric of daily life – from the driveway to the highway – the potential for asset monetisation scales exponentially. IoTecha’s platform, now a part of Valeo’s global ecosystem, bridges the gap between simple charging and smart monetisation. We aren’t just charging vehicles; we are providing a one-stop shop to turn every EV into a high-performance revenue engine.”

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Synopsys, Inc., a prominent provider of silicon-to-systems design solutions, will host its annual flagship Synopsys User Group (SNUG) India 2026 conference at the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel on 18 June 2026.

The one-day event serves as a collaborative platform for semiconductor design engineers, technology executives and ecosystem partners across India's electronics and systems engineering sectors to discuss developments in the era of pervasive artificial intelligence.

The conference will open with a keynote presentation delivered by Ravi Subramanian, Chief Product Management Officer at Synopsys, titled ‘Re-Engineering the Future of Silicon’. The address will examine the structural transformations occurring within engineering design and development workflows, driven by specific technical shifts:

• AI and Agentic Workflows: Exploring how machine learning and autonomous agent frameworks are optimising traditional silicon layout and verification pipelines.
• Silicon-to-Systems Innovation: Evaluating the accelerating convergence of standard silicon design, multiphysics analysis and intelligent system engineering to manage high design complexity.
• Accelerated Innovation Cycles: Addressing the challenges organisational engineering teams face during truncated development timelines for complex semiconductor products.

As software-defined architectures and AI transform product development paradigms, SNUG India 2026 will run multi-track sessions detailing next-generation engineering workflows. The technical program will incorporate peer-reviewed customer presentations, expert panels and technical deep-dives covering – AI-enabled semiconductor engineering & automation tools; 3DIC and advanced packaging; managing signal integrity & layout density in multi-dye chip architectures; multiphysics chip design & hardware-assisted verification systems and design methodologies for software-defined systems.

Sudeep Kallappa Shivalli, Regional Senior Director, Go To Market at Synopsys, said, “SNUG India 2026 reflects the spirit of collaboration and innovation that has defined the Synopsys Users Group community for over three decades. As engineering teams navigate unprecedented complexity driven by AI, intelligent systems and software-defined products, platforms like this becomes increasingly important for bringing together customers, partners and technology experts to exchange insights, share experiences and collectively shape the future of innovation.”

File photo: Synopsys 2025

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