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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TomTom, the location technology specialist, has announced the appointment of Mike Schoofs as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Management Board. The decision was formalised following approval by shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM also confirmed the appointment of Co-founder and former CEO Harold Goddijn to the Supervisory Board, alongside Joep van Beurden, while Derk Haank was reappointed as a member.

Schoofs joined TomTom in 2005 after holding positions at KPN-Orange and Samsung. During his tenure, he has served in various commercial leadership roles globally and within specific regions. In 2023, he assumed the role of Chief Revenue Officer, where he managed the company’s commercial strategy and expanded its enterprise business footprint. A Belgian national based in Amsterdam, Schoofs also serves as an advisor to several European startups.

The leadership transition occurs as the company focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence within location intelligence and the provision of data for its partners. TomTom’s strategy remains focused on scaling its commercial presence across all business segments under the new executive structure.

Derk Haank, Chairman of TomTom’s Supervisory Board, said, “Mike brings extensive commercial leadership experience and deep knowledge of TomTom’s business, built over more than two decades with the company. We are confident that he is well positioned to lead TomTom in its next phase.”

Mike Schoofs, said, “I’m excited to lead TomTom at a moment when location intelligence is reaching a decisive turning point, accelerated by AI and the growing need for trusted, real‑world data. I look forward to creating lasting impact for our customers and our partners.”

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IVECO BUS Academy is incorporating virtual reality (VR) into its training curriculum to support the maintenance and operation of electric vehicles across Europe. The initiative follows a year in which the academy trained 6,100 people across 800 sessions in 2025. This integration aims to address the technical skills required for high-voltage vehicle systems while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

The use of VR technology allows trainees to perform maintenance procedures in a simulated environment, eliminating physical risks associated with incorrect handling of electrical components. The immersive system enables repetitive practice of technical operations and reproduces complex scenarios that are difficult to simulate in conventional training environments. By utilising these tools, the academy seeks to improve knowledge retention and the long-term proficiency of technical teams.

The academy provides training tailored to the requirements of transport operators, updating its content to reflect changes in energy sources, vehicle technology and industry regulations. These programmes are delivered both at the academy's facilities and on-site at customer premises. The deployment of VR is intended to reduce downtime for vehicle fleets by improving the diagnostic capabilities of service personnel.

Teresa Magno, IVECO BUS Academy, said, “At IVECO BUS Academy, we know that delivering sustainable mobility extends far beyond the product itself. A vehicle is only truly efficient when it is supported by the right services. Fleet availability also relies on the expertise of skilled teams. As technologies evolve, so do the competencies required for diagnostics. With these new educational tools, IVECO BUS Academy confirms its ambition to provide comprehensive solutions, where training becomes a real driver of performance, safety and customer satisfaction.”

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IndiGo Ventures has completed a INR 100 million strategic equity investment in Sarla Aviation, marking a formal entry into the Indian electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sector.

The funding was part of a recent round led by Accel and Nikhil Kamath. The partnership is intended to establish an infrastructure for air taxi operations across India, specifically targeting transport corridors between zero and 300 kilometres.

Sarla Aviation is a startup focusing on the development of hybrid-electric aircraft platforms. The firm operates a private eVTOL demonstrator and employs an engineering team with previous experience at international firms including Lilium, Joby and Volocopter.

By utilising electric flight technology, the company aims to provide transport services for airport transfers, inter-city commutes and emergency medical runs at lower costs than traditional helicopter services.

The collaboration pairs Sarla's hardware development with the operational infrastructure of IndiGo, India's largest airline. At present, IndiGo operates over 2,000 daily flights across 85 airports and maintains a national network of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. This investment aligns with global trends where major carriers, such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have backed eVTOL manufacturers to secure future urban air mobility solutions.

Beyond passenger transport, the investment is expected to influence the domestic aerospace supply chain, including the production of composites, avionics and battery systems. Potential routes identified for future operations include Bengaluru Airport to Electronic City and Gurugram to Noida, which could see transit times reduced from over 90 minutes to approximately 15 minutes.

Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder & CEO, Sarla Aviation, said, “IndiGo’s investment marks a turning point — not just for Sarla, but for the future of how India moves. For decades, Indians have accepted that distance means delay, that geography is a constraint you live with. We believe that era is ending. Having IndiGo — the airline that made flying accessible to hundreds of millions of Indians — stand behind this vision gives it a weight and credibility that we could not have built alone. India has always dreamed big. Now we have the partners to match the dream.”

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German technology company Robert Bosch has announced its 2030 strategy, prioritising technological leadership in automation, electrification and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate a challenging global economic environment.

Despite geopolitical tensions, the group reported 2025 sales revenue of EUR 91 billion, a slight increase from the previous year. For 2026, the company expects sales growth of 2–5 percent and an improved EBIT margin from operations between 4–6 percent.

The 2025 financial results were impacted by structural and personnel adjustments, resulting in provisions of EUR 2.7 billion. These measures reduced the EBIT margin from operations to 2 percent, down from 3.5 percent in 2024. However, the group maintained a high level of investment, dedicating EUR 12 billion to research, development and capital expenditure. Bosch remains a prolific patent applicant, registering approximately 6,300 patents in 2025.

A primary focus for the company is the advancement of sensor technology and automotive software. The global market for sensors is projected to exceed USD 440 billion by 2031, and Bosch is positioning its BMI5 sensor platform for applications in robotics and automated driving.

In the mobility sector, the firm secured orders worth EUR 10 billion in 2025 for driver assistance solutions and central vehicle computers. The group also expects to deliver more than 7 million components for electric vehicles this year.

The company is diversifying its reach through regional partnerships, including a joint venture with Tata AutoComp Systems in India to manufacture electric motors and axles. In the consumer goods sector, artificial intelligence is being integrated into products such as home appliances and professional power tools to drive sales.

To support future investments and improve capital market access, Bosch will begin publishing interim consolidated financial statements. The group's equity ratio remains high at 41.6 percent, with a positive free cash flow of EUR 300 million recorded in 2025. Total headcount saw a slight reduction of 1 percent during the year, ending with 412,774 associates worldwide.

Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch, said, “Bosch can deliver the future – even under unfavourable conditions. 2026 will be a year of progress. As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping the trends of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as this also paves the way for profitable growth in our business. An important prerequisite for this are the cost-cutting effects of the structural measures we have already initiated and innovations in all business areas.”

Markus Forschner, Member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer, Robert Bosch, said, “Competitiveness is the foundation for profitable growth – it secures our investments for the future. This strengthens our resilience in the face of upcoming challenges and at the same time boosts our investment capacity for the future.”

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