L-R: Jaani Heinonen, Head of Invest, Business Sweden, Sachin Tikekar, President and Joint MD, KPIT Technologies and Patrik Andersson, CEO, Business Region Goteborg at the KPIT office inauguration in Gothenburg, Sweden on 20 May 2025.

Pune-headquartered software and technology company KPIT Technologies has inaugurated its new technology centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, to further strengthen its footprint across global mobility hubs.

The first for KPIT in the Nordic region, the Gothenburg center will support European OEMs and investment to tap into the region’s vibrant talent and innovation ecosystem.

Located at Lindholmen Science Park, the facility is at heart of Sweden’s automotive and mobility R&D ecosystem, which is also surrounded by Swedish passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers, academic institutions and cutting-edge mobility start-ups.

Sachin Tikekar, President & Joint MD, KPIT Technologies, said, “Our vision is to reimagine mobility for a cleaner, smarter and safer world. Sweden is a powerhouse of innovation, especially around safe and sustainable mobility, with Gothenburg at its epicentre. Our presence here allows us to be physically closer to leading Swedish and European OEMs, enabling faster collaboration and solving their core business challenges with our software, hardware design and manufacturing engineering capabilities. We are excited to work with local talent, harness Sweden’s focus on technology and green transition, and co-develop solutions for challenges of mobility OEMS globally.”

The new Swedish facility will work in closely with KPIT’s centres in Germany, UK, France, Italy and more — and enhances the global delivery network that spans the USA, Japan, China, Thailand, India and Tunisia.

Patrik Andersson, CEO of Business Region Goteborg, said, “This is a strategically important investment for the Gothenburg region. The fact that KPIT Technologies is expanding here strengthens the capacity of our automotive cluster and confirms our city’s importance as a global hotspot in software-defined mobility and transport. We know that the company sees great growth opportunities in Sweden. We warmly welcome their investment in Gothenburg."

Simulation engineering specialist Ansys and BlueKei Solutions, a leading consulting firm specialising in digital engineering, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and advance digital engineering practices in India.

The partnership aims to drive innovation across industries including, aerospace and defence, automotive and high-tech. They will collaborate to integrate advanced digital engineering methodologies and tools to support organisations transitioning from component-based engineering to a systemic approach. BlueKei will have access to Ansys MBSE product portfolio and methodology and have access to Ansys licenses on a need-basis for joint engagements. On the other hand, BlueKei will identify gaps in solutions and work with Ansys tools where needed, leveraging Ansys’ expertise.

Mike Yeager, Area Vice-President, India and Japan, Ansys, said, “Ansys has always been dedicated to empowering organisations with high-quality digital engineering solutions. Our partnership with BlueKei presents a valuable opportunity to facilitate the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), enabling businesses to refine their engineering processes for improved efficiency and innovation. With BlueKei, we are strengthening our digital engineering capabilities, paving the way for organisations to optimise their engineering practices and drive transformative results.”

As per the understanding, the partners will create a seamless synergy between simulation-driven methodologies and structured systems engineering practices. This will allow businesses across industries to embrace innovation, optimise resources and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.

Murali Pullela, Director of Sales – India, Ansys, said, “This partnership between Ansys and BlueKei marks a definitive leap forward in the adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in India. By uniting Ansys’ industry-leading MBSE solutions with BlueKei’s specialised expertise, we are poised to eliminate critical gaps in system engineering and deliver exceptional value to our clients. Together, we will drive significant innovation and efficiency across industries, empowering engineers with the most effective tools and methodologies to tackle complex challenges head-on.”

Ajit Mutalik, Co-founder & Director, BlueKei Solutions, added, “Our collaboration with Ansys empowers us to expand integrated engineering solutions spectrum that maximise efficiency, shorten development cycles and elevate overall product performance. By harnessing Ansys' advanced simulation tools, we provide our clients with a powerful digital framework designed to conquer complex engineering challenges.”

Shenzhen-headquartered smartphone and electronics brand Realme has inked a three-year strategic partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team.

As part of the understanding, the electronics company will introduce a co-branded mobile – the Realme GT 7 Dream Edition on 27 May in Paris, France. This smartphone will not only sport the flagship performance of the Realme GT series but also incorporate the iconic two-wing design and the custom Aston Martin Green. Furthermore, as part of this collaboration, the two parties plan to jointly develop two models annually.

Sky Li, CEO, Realme, said, “Collaborating with a legendary racing team like Aston Martin Aramco is a crucial step for us to push the boundaries of innovation. Only our most perfect products get the ‘scarab wings’ and take flight, so we are excited to use our new platform with the team to continue to bring stand-out designs and premium craftsmanship to users across the globe.”

Matt Chapman, Head of Licensing and Merchandise, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Realme to the team, with the launch of our first ever co-branded phone. The GT 7 Dream Edition combines high-performance with innovative design, and we look forward to working together on the collaboration of future models.”

German commercial vehicle major Daimler Truck has announced the appointment of Raghavendra Vaidya as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Effective 1 June he will succeed Marcus Claesson to lead the company's IT, driving innovation and growth across the organisation.

At present, Vaidya serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) and is responsible for all IT operations in the country. He joined Daimler in 2016 as Senior Vice-President-IT at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI). In the past, he has held various leadership positions for several business divisions at General Electric. Interestingly, Vaidya will continue to be based out of Bengaluru but focus on the global scheme of things for Daimler Truck.

Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management for Truck Technology, said, “We are excited to welcome Raghavendra Vaidya to our Executive Team. In his previous role Raghavendra has built, strengthened and sharpened the Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) in Bangalore into an integral part of Daimler Truck for central functions, engineering and IT. With a career spanning over 25 years in various IT positions he brings a wealth of experience and know-how, strategic vision and leadership to his new role to lead our company into a rapidly evolving data-driven future.”

"I would like to thank Marcus for his contribution establishing our new IT set-up following the spin-off from the former Daimler AG. Marcus has managed an Herculean task to set up a stand-alone IT including major transformational moves and led vehicle connectivity across all brands worldwide surpassing the milestone of more than 1 million connected vehicles. We wish Marcus all the best for his future, and we are convinced that Raghavendra will build on this strong foundation," added Gorbach.

Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co, has announced a strategic realignment of its electrification roadmap, responding to evolving global market conditions and regulatory landscapes.

In a recent business briefing, Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer (Global CEO), emphasised on the company's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and zero traffic fatalities by 2050, while adapting to current challenges.

He reiterated that Honda's initial target to achieve 100 percent global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by 2040 remains unchanged. However, the company acknowledges a slower-than-anticipated adoption of EVs, particularly in the United States and Europe, due to relaxed environmental regulations and market uncertainties.

Conversely, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) are experiencing increased demand, offering a practical solution for reducing CO2 emissions without the immediate need for extensive charging infrastructure.

Two-pronged strategy

To navigate these shifts, Honda has outlined two primary strategic directions:

• Enhancing EV and HEV Competitiveness: Honda aims to integrate intelligent technologies into its EV and HEV models, focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected services to deliver new value to customers.

• Reassessing Powertrain Portfolio: The company plans to diversify its powertrain offerings, balancing the development of EVs, HEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet varying regional demands and regulatory requirements.

Recognising the scale of investment required for electrification and intelligent technologies, Honda is exploring strategic partnerships, including ongoing discussions with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors. While a full business integration is not currently planned, these collaborations aim to strengthen shared technological capabilities and market presence.

The Japanese automaker which had announced an ambitious plan to invest 10 trillion YEN towards establishing a robust EV value chain, exemplified by its planned battery-focused project in Canada. Now, the company has revised the CAPEX to 7 trillion YEN till 31 March 2031.

“As for EVs, due to the recent market slowdown, our EV sales ratio in 2030 is now expected to fall below the previously announced target of 30 percent. On the other hand, the demand for HEV models is high. Therefore, we will position our HEVs, mostly next-generation HEV models which we will introduce in 2027 onward, as a group of products that will play a key role during the transition period towards the popularisation of EVs,” said Mibe.

The company targets total automobile sales volume of 3.6 million units, with a HEV sales target of 2.2 million units by 2030.  

Two-wheeler sales

Honda Motor Co. announced that its global two-wheeler sales reached a record 20.57 million units for the FY2025, capturing approximately 40 percent of the global two-wheeler market. The company set new all-time sales records in 37 countries and territories, reinforcing its leadership position in the two-wheeler segment.

Looking ahead, Honda expects continued growth in global motorcycle demand, particularly across the Global South, with India – a key market with a growing population and rising income levels – at the forefront. Industry-wide sales are projected to increase from the current 50 million units to approximately 60 million by 2030.

To capitalise on this growth, Honda plans to introduce a broader range of two-wheelers tailored to the varied needs of global customers. It will also optimise its supply chain to ensure more efficient delivery of both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric models.

As part of its commitment to environmental leadership, Honda is accelerating the electrification of its motorcycle lineup. This includes improving fuel efficiency in ICE models and expanding its range of flex-fuel compatible options.

In early 2025, Honda launched the Active e: and QC1 electric models in India. The CUV e: and ICON e:, designed as global electric commuter models, have already rolled out in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, with plans to expand to Europe and Japan later this year.

In a major strategic move, Honda will begin production of electric motorcycles at a dedicated, high-efficiency plant in India starting in 2028. This facility will focus on modularised models developed exclusively for electric platforms, aiming to boost affordability and scalability in electric two-wheelers.

Through these initiatives, Honda aims to broaden access to electric motorcycles, ultimately targeting the top position in the global electric motorcycle market.

By continuing to launch competitive products and strengthening its supply chain for both ICE and electric vehicles, Honda is positioning itself for long-term profitability. The company aims to achieve a 50 percent global market share and a return on sales (ROS) exceeding 15 percent by fiscal year 2031.