Nissan Formula E

Nissan Formula E Team has unveiled its updated livery for the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with the team being prepared for the first campaign under the new GEN3 Evo regulations.

For the upcoming season, Nissan Formula E Team states it has opted to continue with its cherry blossom livery, which has been a fan-favourite ever since it debuted at the start of Season 9.

The pattern is meaningful for the outfit, both as a hint to its Japanese DNA and new beginnings, as well as now being part of Nissan’s identity in Formula E. The Japanese team will be looking to build on a strong Season 10, which saw it finish fourth in the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championship, as well as third in the newly-established Manufacturers’ Championship.

Nissan Formula E Team has opted to refresh its driver line-up, with the experienced Norman Nato returning after a season away. Together with Oliver Rowland, who took two victories and five further podiums in an excellent Season 10, the squad now boasts two Formula E race winners. Both drivers possess the knowledge of how to get the most out of their machinery and have a proven track record of helping teams develop their cars. Nato will continue to sport the #17 on his Nissan e-4ORCE 05, while Rowland switches to Nissan’s traditional #23.

The new factory is also fully operational ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The Nissan Formula E Team dedicated facility stretches over 2,600 square meters and features a workshop area, simulator, engineering and management offices, as well as display, meeting and multipurpose areas. Located south of Paris, the headquarters is based close to other Nissan sites and its Alliance partners, ensuring synergies and access to talent, equipment and facilities available within Nissan and the group.

Rowland and Nato will be on track for the first time in an official capacity as team mates at pre-season testing on 4-7 November in Valencia, while Season 11 kicks off on December 7 at the Sao Paulo E-Prix.

Tommaso Volpe, MD and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team said: “We’re excited for the new season and have been working hard, getting to grips with the GEN3 Evo car. Everything has been running smoothly so far and we’re looking forward to getting out on track in Valencia. Our new workshop is fully operational now, which is making a huge difference - we’ve been able to take full advantage of the facilities, allowing us to maximise the potential of the team. In terms of drivers, Norman has settled in very quickly, he knew most of the crew already so that made things easier than normal. Together with Oli, we’re confident that we have a strong line-up ready to fight for wins and podiums throughout the upcoming campaign. On top of that, we’ve got great companies supporting us, with Electromin extending and increasing its collaboration with the team to become our main partner, alongside existing relationships with Coral and Coral Eyewear, who we are delighted to be working with. We’re fully focused on improving at every step and continuing where we left off a few months ago, as we aim to challenge at the top in Season 11.”

Oliver Rowland: “It’s been good to re-charge after a busy year, but I’ve still been preparing for Season 11, making sure I’m in good shape both physically and mentally. It’s great to have the new workshop fully in action, I’ve been really impressed by the facilities. The location is ideal and it sets a high bar for ourselves, showing our ambition to continue improving and fighting at the front. There are a few areas to get on top of with the GEN3 Evo, including the all-wheel drive technology, but we’ll look to iron everything out and be ready to take up the fight from the first race.”

Norman Nato: “I’m delighted to be back with team and I already feel comfortable straight away with the car, simulator and staff. The biggest change has been the excellent new workshop, allowing us to prepare and debrief from races in amazing conditions, with the highest level equipment available to us. The updated livery is really cool, keeping our Japanese identity and the fans love it, making us so recognisable on- track. I can’t wait to start this GEN3 Evo era in Valencia testing, before heading out to Brazil for the season opener!”

The Japanese team acknowledged the role of its partners including, Electromin which increased its involvement with the team, becoming innovation partner. A leading mobility solutions provider in the Middle East, Electromin is a subsidiary of Petromin Corporation, one of Nissan’s official importers in Saudi Arabia. 

Kalyana Sivagnanam, Group CEO, Petromin Corporation said: “We are immensely proud to enter this strategic partnership with Nissan Formula E Team as its official global sponsor for the next four years, with Electromin leading the charge in the first year. As the pioneers of electric mobility in Saudi Arabia through Electromin, we see this partnership as a key step in accelerating the adoption of EV technology across the region.”

Coral remains on board as the squad’s sustainability partner, specialising in offsetting carbon emissions. Coral helps the team assess, monitor and reduce its carbon footprint. 

Daniele Sileri, Founder and Head of Strategy, Coral said: "Nissan Formula E Team has been the perfect launch partner for Coral. We are delighted to show the tangible results of our partnership in a matter of weeks, whereby we can help the team offset its carbon footprint."

Coral Eyewear also continues its relationship with the team for a second season. The sustainable fashion start-up supplies the outfit with its distinctive product range, which are crafted using recycled plastic and plant-based materials. 

George Bailey, Co- Founder, Coral Eyewear said: "We're immensely proud to be partnering with Nissan Formula E Team. It's exciting to see developments in electric technology moving from the track into road vehicles, and the team are clearly making efforts to choose sustainable options.”

drivebuddyAI Secures Patent For Real-Time Road Quality Assessment System

drivebuddyAI

drivebuddyAI has been granted a patent for its Integrated Dynamic Road Quality Assessment System and Method. The technology autonomously detects and maps road surface deterioration, including potholes and hazardous conditions, by combining sensor data with deep learning-based computer vision.

The system utilises two data streams to evaluate road conditions. A GNSS sensor logs vehicle speed and geo-location, while an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) accelerometer captures changes across the X, Y and Z axes.

In real-time it detects anomalies, which are flagged when the Z-axis acceleration indicates a road defect. To prevent false detections, the system processes video data through a deep learning model to visually confirm the defect. Verified data is geo-tagged to create a dynamic road quality map that updates as fresh data is collected from active fleets.

The patented technology aims to provide a road quality intelligence layer for navigation, moving beyond standard metrics of distance and traffic. For fleet operators, poor road surfaces affect Turnaround Time (TAT) by increasing braking frequency, vehicle wear and the risk of cargo damage.

By integrating road quality data into route planning, dispatchers can select paths based on vehicle and cargo safety rather than just the shortest distance. The system is designed to operate without human intervention, building a dataset as vehicles traverse their routes.

This grant expands drivebuddyAI’s portfolio to over 15 patents covering ADAS, DMS, and AI perception systems. These include technologies for driver recognition, drowsiness detection, and risk assessment. The systems are validated under AIS184, EU2144/2019 & 2023, and EURO NCAP 2026 standards.

Nisarg Pandya, Founder & CEO, drivebuddyAI, said, “We are building AI that solves multiple problems at once. Road quality is not a standalone problem; it sits at the intersection of driver safety, cargo protection, and fleet efficiency. This patent is our answer to a gap that the industry has long ignored: knowing not just where you are going, but what the road ahead will do to your vehicle and your cargo and its impact on TAT.”

Marquardt, E Ink & Covestro Develop Integrated Display Technology For Automotive Interiors

Marquardt, E Ink, Covestro

Marquardt, a supplier of mechatronic systems, has launched a concept vehicle, ‘The Centum’, to demonstrate the integration of functional controls into automotive surfaces. The project involved a collaboration with E Ink and Covestro to develop a door interior panel that embeds a responsive display within synthetic materials.

The project aimed to maintain the tactile properties of polyurethane (PU)-coated textiles while enabling a colour-changing display to remain invisible until activated. This supports industry trends toward backlit surfaces and integrated control elements.

The display technology uses E Ink, which provides a low-energy, durable electronic paper display designed for automotive environments. For coating, Covestro has developed a transparent film using INSQIN waterborne PU technology. The coating uses Impranil DLC-F, a waterborne polyurethane dispersion used in automotive topcoats.

The resulting material retains the texture of standard automotive textiles while allowing the underlying display colors to remain visible through the coating.

Felix Hake, Head of Innovation, Marquardt, said, “With The Centum, we wanted to demonstrate how intelligent functions can be integrated into interior surfaces without compromising design or quality. Working with E Ink and Covestro allowed us to create a material solution that combines a premium tactile experience with responsive visual effects.”

Dr Torsten Pohl, Global Head of Textile Coatings, Covestro, added, “This project highlights the versatility of INSQIN PU technology and Impranil DLC-F. By developing a transparent, automotive-grade PU coated synthetic compatible with E Ink displays, we were able to support Marquardt in integrating dynamic functionality into familiar surface materials.”

Pete Valianatos, Senior Director, E Ink, said, “Our e-paper display technology is designed to deliver dynamic visual experiences with low power consumption, while maintaining the robustness required for demanding applications. Collaborating with Marquardt and Covestro has enabled us to demonstrate how E Ink displays can be integrated behind coated interior surfaces, allowing automotive designers to introduce adaptive colour features without changing the established look and feel of premium materials.

Yazaki Innovations Appoints Manish Mehta As New CEO And President

Manish Mehta - Yazaki Innovations

Yazaki Innovations Inc (YII), the technology subsidiary of Yazaki Corporation, has announced the appointment of Manish Mehta as its new CEO and President.

Mehta has been a long-time associate of Yazaki Corporation and has spent over two and half decades with the organisation. He had joined the company as an Engineer Manager in 2001, and grew to the ranks of Vice-President Corporate Planning and Strategy in 2021.

He joined the company’s board of directors in 2023, and is now responsible for leading YII, which focusses on the integration of the parent company’s global product portfolio, manufacturing assets and product development with an approach to innovation.

The subsidiary is tasked with developing technologies across several industrial and transport segments. Its remit includes the engineering and development of solutions for the following areas:

  • Mobility: Electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and Electric Vertical Take-off & Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
  • Industrial & Infrastructure: Aerospace, construction and agriculture equipment and PreFab Home Wiring.
  • Specialised Engineering: Off-road and specialty vehicles, alongside advanced manufacturing processes.

The organisation aims to combine Yazaki Corporation’s business assets with a methodology designed to address trending technologies in these sectors.

"I am pleased to announce my new role as CEO & President of Yazaki Innovations Inc (YII). Yazaki Innovations is the disruptive technology subsidiary of Yazaki Corporation, integrating the best attributes and strengths of the company’s global product portfolio, product development, manufacturing, and business assets with a quick, agile approach to innovation. This is an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to collaborating with internal and external partners to contribute to the future growth of Yazaki," said Mehta.

Tsuyo Appoints Naveen Kumar Amar As Senior Vice President Of Finance

Tsuyo Appoints Naveen Kumar Amar As Senior Vice President Of Finance

TSUYO Manufacturing Pvt Ltd has appointed Naveen Kumar Amar as Senior Vice President of Finance, effective 1 April 2026. Recognised as a global finance power leader, Amar brings over 20 years of expertise in financial strategy, corporate governance and operational efficiency within capital-intensive industries. His arrival marks a strategic move as the company accelerates growth in the EV powertrain sector.

Before joining TSUYO, Amar was CFO at SpiceXpress, where he led financial restructuring, cost optimisation and drove digitisation projects. He also managed international and domestic fundraising across equity and debt. At TSUYO, he will oversee financial planning, capital allocation, and governance as the company scales manufacturing and deepens EV powertrain investments.

The company recently secured Single Window Clearance from Karnataka Government for a proposed 20-acre EV Powertrain Campus in the Dharwad–Hubli region, a hub for design, testing and production. Last month, TSUYO launched next generation electric motor technologies for India’s light commercial vehicle market, emphasising modular design, deep engineering and Make in India innovation.

The leadership team welcomed Amar, stating his appointment strengthens alignment of capital strategy with long term objectives. TSUYO is also investing in advanced manufacturing infrastructure and localisation of key EV components to reduce import reliance and bolster the domestic EV ecosystem.

Amar said, “I am excited to join Tsuyo at a crucial moment in its growth journey, as the company scales its manufacturing capabilities and strengthens its position in India’s evolving electric mobility ecosystem. With experience across diverse, capital-intensive sectors, I see immense opportunity in building a financially disciplined, execution-focused organisation that can sustain high growth over the long term. The company’s focus on the convergence of deep technology, localisation and large-scale manufacturing presents a unique platform for creating enduring value. I look forward to partnering with the leadership team to enable Tsuyo’s ambition of becoming a globally acclaimed EV powertrain company."