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.”

Tata Technologies Concludes InnoVent 2026 Engineering Hackathon

Tata Technologies

Tata Technologies has announced the completion of the 3rd edition of its innovation hackathon, InnoVent 2026, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The initiative invited engineering students to develop solutions for mobility challenges in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. The programme received participation from 10,247 students across 404 colleges in India, resulting in 2,822 projects.

The competition focused on the theme of intelligence-driven mobility for the year 2030. Participants received over 650 hours of mentoring and training from subject matter experts to convert their concepts into prototypes. The top 10 teams presented their work at the company's Hinjewadi campus in Pune before a jury of industry leaders from Jaguar Land Rover, Air India and ES-Tec Group.

Team Drushti from CMR College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad, secured the first prize of INR 300,000 for a system that customises vehicle infotainment for visually impaired drivers. Second place went to Team The T-Factor from Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, for an AI-based breakdown prevention system. Team SwarmSync from the International Institute of Information Technology (I²IT), Pune, took third place for an intelligent fleet management solution using V2X communication.

Tata Technologies offered career opportunities to all 42 finalists involved in the top projects. Furthermore, all participants were granted one-year access to the iGETIT learning platform to study emerging technologies. The finalist projects covered areas such as blockchain for vehicle security, wireless charging for electric vehicles, and AI-led battery monitoring.

The event featured a humanoid robot that performed roles such as coordinating panel discussions and interacting with attendees. A panel of industry experts discussed the global demand for engineering talent and the impact of technology on future mobility.

Warren Harris, MD & CEO, Tata Technologies, said, "InnoVent at Tata Technologies represents our conviction that the future is shaped by those who combine engineering excellence with human purpose to engineer a better world".

Kia India Reintroduces Driver Behaviour Monitoring Tech

Kia Inspiring Drive

Kia India has announced the re-launch of its Kia Inspiring Drive (K.I.D) Program, debuting alongside the New Kia Seltos. The initiative is a driving score system designed to monitor real-time behaviour and provide insights into habits. Accessed via the Kia Connect app, the programme will be rolled out across the company’s connected vehicle portfolio in phases.

The K.I.D score is calculated using a three-month rolling average based on parameters including rapid acceleration, rapid deceleration and sudden starts. To ensure data accuracy, the system applies a weighted value based on the specific vehicle. This methodology aims to reflect long-term driving patterns rather than isolated incidents.

The programme incorporates community-based leaderboards, allowing owners to compare scores and track their standing within the Kia community. By turning road safety into an interactive experience, the manufacturer intends to encourage responsible driving through recognition and competition.

The behaviour-based scoring system provides data to help users understand the impact of their habits on road safety. Kia is supporting the re-launch with a digital and press campaign to increase awareness among its customer base.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President – Marketing & Sales, Kia India, said, “Safety remains at the core of Kia’s philosophy, and with the re-launch of the Kia Inspiring Drive program alongside the New Seltos, we are taking another meaningful step towards encouraging responsible driving behaviour. By offering customers clear, data-driven insights into their driving patterns, the KID program empowers them to make safer choices on the road, while also enhancing their overall ownership experience.”

HARMAN - Tata Sierra

HARMAN has partnered with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPVL) to provide the in-cabin technology for the all-new Tata Sierra. The collaboration introduces 5G-ready connectivity and a multi-speaker audio system to the SUV, marking an expansion of the 12-year relationship between the two companies.

The vehicle features HARMAN Ready Connect, a suite of telematics control units (TCUs) manufactured at HARMAN’s facility in Pune. The system utilises a modular network access device architecture, allowing for a transition from 4G to 5G technology. It supports safety functions such as emergency calling, stolen-vehicle tracking and roadside assistance, alongside productivity features like video conferencing and high-definition streaming.

The interior includes a Horizon View Display and a digital instrument cluster powered by HARMAN’s infotainment architecture. The system supports gaming with joystick compatibility and features a Ready Link Marketplace, which allows users to download third-party Android applications.

For driver assistance, the Sierra incorporates a Surround View System (SVS) and 4sight Blind-Spot Monitoring. Navigation is provided through a native mapping solution from MapmyIndia. The cabin experience also includes ‘Relax Mode’ for sensory visuals and 'Silent Mode' to mute non-regulatory alerts.

The SUV introduces a 12-speaker JBL audio system, which includes an enclosed subwoofer and a soundbar. This configuration supports Dolby Atmos and represents a first for an Indian manufacturer. The integration of these components is intended to provide a multi-dimensional sound profile tailored to the vehicle's cabin.

By localising the production of the telematics hardware in India, HARMAN aims to provide TMPVL with greater supply-chain agility and shorter development cycles. The ‘Make-in-India’ initiative for Ready Connect ensures the technology is adapted to local driving conditions and consumer requirements.

Suman Sehra, VP, Portfolio Management, Connectivity at HARMAN International, said, “HARMAN Ready Connect represents the shift toward software-defined, experience-led mobility, and the new Tata Sierra is a perfect expression of that evolution. By collaborating closely with TMPV’s R&D team, we focused on value co-creation and delivered a platform that brings high-performance connectivity, scalable architecture, and future-ready digital services to support the connected digital life.”

Mohan Savarkar, Chief Product Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, added, “With the Sierra, our focus was to create a cabin experience that feels as advanced and intuitive as the world our customers live in. Connectivity, digital interfaces and audio are no longer add-ons—they define how people engage with their vehicle every day. Our collaboration with HARMAN enables us to deliver a future-ready architecture, immersive in-cabin experiences and premium audio.”

Sterling Tools Partners China’s MINIEYE To Introduce ADAS Solutions In India

Sterling Tools - MINIEYE

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.”