The 5^th edition of ACMA Automechanika (New Delhi) 2024, held in collaboration with Messe Frankfurt and as part of Bharat Mobility Global Expo, attracted a footfall of 35,000 business visitors. 

Bringing automotive aftermarket players under one roof at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the three-day event along with Bharat Mobility Global Expo, which was supported by ACMA. SIAM and various other organisations with EEPC India as the coordinator, turned out to be a conglomeration of the entire mobility ecosystem. 

Displaying new technical and technological capabilities and innovations, over 500 exhibitors from more than 12 global markets made it to the event. They showcased over 10,000 aftermarket products, offering a diverse range of aftermarket solutions. 

Catering to two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and agricultural vehicles, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi – featuring over 1500 product categories and 10 distinct segments – served as a complete hub for automotive wholesalers, distributors, and traders dealing in parts and components.

The event also featured dedicated country pavilions from automotive powerhouses such as Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Highlighting an age of collaborations, the automotive aftermarket fair complemented OEMs, which found their way to Bharat Mobility Global Expo and the suppliers of auto components to the OEMs, many of whom also have a sizeable aftermarket business. 

Unique perhaps was the presence of electric vehicle component suppliers at both the show – the ACMA Automechanika 2024 show and Bharat Mobility Global Expo. They reflected on the rising adoption of electric vehicle technology and a transition towards sustainable mobility solutions that are less emitting and more efficient. 

A Global Automotive Aftermarket Research report prepared by ACMA in collaboration with Ernst & Young and released during the event highlighted that the Indian automotive aftermarket has reached USD 10 billion in calendar year 2023 with an anticipated growth to USD 14 billion by 2028. The report covers 39 countries and narrows down its focus to 10 major export markets, identifying over USD 35 billion worth of export opportunities.

Shradha Suri Marwah, President – ACMA, and Managing Director, Subros Ltd, mentioned that the success of ACMA Automechanika 2024 is a testament to the India’s tech capabilities and innovation within the automotive aftermarket. “As we stride towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, this event serves as a platform for showcasing India's immense growth potential in the global automotive landscape,” she averred. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said that the ACMA Automechanika 2024 has once again proven to be a resounding success, showcasing the vibrancy and potential of India's automotive aftermarket on a global stage. This event, held in conjunction with the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, exemplifies the comprehensive transformation underway in the automotive industry, evolving towards a mobility-centric ecosystem.” “As India emerges as the sweet spot in the global market, propelled by robust macroeconomic fundamentals, the success of our auto industry across various segments underscores the nation's automotive prowess,” he added. 

Of the opinion that the auto component industry continues to thrive, reflecting the resilience and innovation within our ecosystem, Mehta elaborated, “ACMA remains steadfast in driving this momentum forward, fostering partnerships and paving the way for India's leadership in the global auto aftermarket."

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Sterling Tools has entered into a partnership with MINIEYE, a Hong Kong-listed developer of intelligent driving and in-cabin solutions. The collaboration focuses on the deployment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) tailored specifically for the Indian automotive market.

As per the agreement, Sterling Tools will lead application engineering and on-ground adaptation. This involves tuning perception algorithms to account for Indian road scenarios, traffic patterns, and environmental conditions. The project aims to ensure that safety technologies, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS), function reliably in local settings rather than relying on global configurations.

The partnership is positioned to meet upcoming Indian safety mandates. Effective 1 January 2027, regulations will require the fitment of ADAS and Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning Systems (DDAWS) in new vehicle models. The scope of the collaboration covers both commercial and passenger vehicles, including technologies for Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Blind Spot Monitoring.

MINIEYE provides technology that complies with EU General Safety Regulations and holds Automotive SPICE V4.0 CL3 certification. Sterling Tools is supporting this transition as part of a broader expansion into electronics and safety-critical components, which includes electric vehicle power electronics and motor solutions.

Anish Agarwal, Director, Sterling Tools, said, “Road safety and regulatory compliance are becoming increasingly important across both commercial and passenger vehicle segments in India. This collaboration allows us to work with a global technology partner to address the growing need for driver assistance and monitoring systems that are engineered for Indian operating conditions. At Sterling Tools, our focus remains on supporting OEMs with engineered, safety critical technologies aligned with upcoming regulatory requirements.”

Dr Liu Guoqing, Founder and Chairman, MINIEYE, added, “Partnering with Sterling Tools marks a vital step in bringing intelligent driving to India, leveraging Sterling Tools local expertise to translate technology into production-ready applications that enhance vehicle safety.”

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Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. has released technical details regarding the Front AI Communication Ecosystem (F.A.C.E.), a system featured on the electric version of its FX Super One MPV.

The technology replaces the traditional front grille with a display and an AI avatar designed to act as a co-pilot and communication interface.

The system utilises multimodal interaction, including voice, gesture and touch, to respond to user needs. It is controlled via a smartphone application, allowing for the display of custom graphics, logos and streaming video while the vehicle is stationary. The hardware incorporates sensors that enable the AI agent to perceive its surroundings and interact with individuals outside the vehicle.

The F.A.C.E. system uses a Large Language Model (LLM) reasoning layer to interpret user intent and execute actions. Its functionality includes role-awareness personalisation, which distinguishes between owners, family members and unknown persons to provide appropriate responses.

The system supports proactive communication, such as initiating responses when someone approaches the vehicle to improve safety. Users can also interact with the vehicle’s voice assistant from the exterior to check status or request access. The FX Super One platform is engineered to support both battery electric and AI hybrid extended range (AIHER) powertrains.

The FX Super One is positioned as a mass-market MPV for the United States. Faraday Future has established a three-stage delivery structure for the model:

• Phase One: Deliveries to FX Partners are expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.
• Phase Two: B2B partner deliveries and production ramp-up are scheduled for the third quarter.
• Phase Three: Full-scale consumer market deliveries are targeted for the final quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2027.

Max Ma, Global CEO, FX, said, “Offering technology like our unique F.A.C.E system in a new category of vehicle will be a game changer in the marketplace. It will allow users to connect with the world in a totally new way. It can express itself and communicate to the world in a way never seen before in a vehicle. The FX Super One is not just a new MPV, it is the first mass-market, first-class Embodied AI MPV designed for the U.S. market, where intelligent space, AI interaction, sensing, computing and power and extended-range capability come together in a single platform.”

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German component supplier Schaeffler is leading the ReDriveS research project, an initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The project, which includes 25 partners from industry and academia, aims to develop an automated and scalable recycling concept for electric axle drive systems.

The project has a volume of over EUR 25 million, with funding exceeding EUR 16 million over a 36-month period. The technical focus is on robot-guided disassembly to recover materials such as rare earths, copper, aluminium and steel. This approach is intended to support the repair of drives, the reuse of subcomponents, or the recycling of materials to meet statutory requirements and secure supply chains.

A central component of the project is the development of a digital twin that processes data throughout the lifecycle of an axle drive. This digital model assesses the condition and geometry of units to determine whether they should be dismantled into main components – such as the motor, inverter, or transmission – or broken down further for material recycling.

The system is designed to be manufacturer-independent, allowing the technology to be used as an industry solution for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and recyclers. The project also explores data-based business models for axle drives enabled by this digital ecosystem.

Prof. Dr. Tim Hosenfeldt, Head of Central Technologies at Schaeffler, said, “With ReDriveS, we are launching a key project for the circular economy in electric mobility as consortium leader, together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and strong partners. Our goal is to make electric axle drives significantly more resource-efficient through digital twins, automated disassembly and high-quality recycling – thereby securing raw materials and supply chains, reducing CO2 emissions, and strengthening Germany as a location overall.”

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BYD has updated its warranty terms for the Blade Battery in Europe, increasing the mileage limit to 250,000km while maintaining the 8-year duration. The extension applies to both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Super Hybrids and includes a guaranteed State of Health (SOH) of at least 70 percent. This change is retroactive, covering existing owners alongside new customers.

The Blade Battery utilises lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which avoids the use of nickel and cobalt. Its design allows cells to act as structural elements, increasing the vehicle's torsional rigidity. This configuration reduces the volume occupied by the battery by 50 percent compared to traditional designs, intended to optimise interior space.

The battery has undergone testing, including nail penetration, where surface temperatures remained below 60deg Celsius. It has also been subjected to overcharge tests, oven tests at 300deg Celsius, and crush evaluations. According to BYD, the battery can exceed 3,000 charge and discharge cycles, indicating a service life of approximately 1.2 million kilometres.

Current models utilising this technology include the BYD SEAL, which reports a range of 570km on the combined cycle and the BYD SEALION 7, capable of DC charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes at a power of 230 kW.

Under the new terms, the specific battery cover sits alongside the standard vehicle warranty of six years or 150,000km. The electric drive unit remains covered for eight years or 150,000km, while the anti-perforation warranty continues at 12 years with unlimited mileage. The extension is designed to address user confidence regarding the longevity of energy storage systems in the European market.

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