TVS Mobility Group And Mitsubishi Corp Sign MoU For Employee Exchange
- By MT Bureau
- August 01, 2024
TVS Mobility has announced an employee exchange programme with Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), a globally integrated business enterprise with a network of around 1,700 group companies.
The programme is called as TVS Mobility Mitsubishi Employee Exchange Program (TMMEEP) and will facilitate an arrangement where MC (Japan) hosts TVS Mobility employees with an intention to upskill them, to train them automotive and mobility sector in aspects such as inspection in auctions, service mechanics, etc.
TVS Mobility, on the other hand will host employees from MC and provide them insights in the digital deployment in aftermarket business. Employees under 45 years of age with over three years of service with TVS Mobility Group and Mitsubishi Corporation would be eligible for the exchange programme.
A first-of-its-kind initiative, TMMEEP is designed to foster mutual growth and innovation; to facilitate seamless cross-learning, enhance skill, domain knowledge and sharing business management expertise besides training the next generation of leaders within the two organisations.
Commenting on the programme, R Dinesh, Director, TVS Mobility Group, said, “We are excited to embark on this journey with Mitsubishi Corporation as there is a huge scope to address skill gaps and share best practices between the two organisations. Further, this platform will enable us to leverage our synergies and identify mutually beneficial projects and initiatives, which could be explored through this two-way cooperation. I am sure this program, through cross learning, will propel both companies to achieve greater heights and collaborative success.”
Wakabayashi, Executive Vice President & Mobility Group CEO, Mitsubishi Corporation, mentioned, "We are pleased to expand mobility business in the Indian market together with the TVS Mobility Group, who has a long history, a proven track record and is trusted by customers. Since we began collaborating with TVS Mobility in 2018 on the TASL/Ki (Automotive spare parts distribution and after-sales service) business, we have strengthened, expanded and deepened our relationship including our recent announcement to join hands with TVS VMS for multi-brand dealership business. With this mutual personnel exchange program, we hope that employees of both companies will not only acquire skills, know-how and expertise, but also gain a deeper understanding of each other's cultures, and contribute to the development of both companies and the development of Japan-India relations over the long term."
SheerDrive Named First Runner-Up In Maruti Suzuki Accelerator Cohort
- By MT Bureau
- May 26, 2026
SheerDrive, an AI-led pre-owned vehicle technology platform, has been named First Runner-Up in the 10th Cohort of the Maruti Suzuki Accelerator Program. Following the selection, the startup has secured a paid Proof-of-Concept (PoC) engagement with Maruti Suzuki India.
The Maruti Suzuki Accelerator Cohort 10 evaluates and selects startups developing artificial intelligence (AI) and technology-driven solutions for application across manufacturing, mobility, customer experience and automotive operations.
SheerDrive’s digital pricing infrastructure is designed to streamline price discovery in the used-car sector. The system processes live market signals, historical transaction trends, vehicle condition data and machine learning analytics to establish a real-time pricing layer. The platform is used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealerships, financial institutions and consumers to guide vehicle valuation and trade-in decisions.
The company has developed a portfolio of products aimed at digitising the pre-owned vehicle supply chain for automotive players, banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and insurers.
Its products include VIAR, an AI-driven vehicle evaluation and pricing platform – Otobids Meta, a patented auction aggregation infrastructure that links multiple auction marketplaces through a single digital layer and SheerDrivePRO, a dedicated B2B auction marketplace for used vehicles.
Ravi Mehra, Founder, SheerDrive, said, “Price discovery remains one of the most critical unsolved problems in the used-car ecosystem. We’ve always believed that the future of vehicle upgrades in India will depend on transparent, data-backed pricing and scientific vehicle evaluation. Being recognised by Maruti Suzuki through this engagement is a meaningful validation of that vision, and we look forward to contributing to the next phase of innovation in India’s mobility ecosystem.”
Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s INR 12 Billion Tech Hub To Come Up In Bengaluru
- By MT Bureau
- May 25, 2026
Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish its global ‘TKM Bizintel Hub’ in KWIN City, Bengaluru.
The automaker will infuse INR 12 billion as initial capital over the next five years, marking the first anchor investment for the smart city development project.
The facility will be spread across 300 acres along the Doddaballapur–Dabaspet Highway. The hub will serve multiple corporate objectives, including the testing and evaluation of new mobility solutions, digital transformation across supply chain operations and the implementation of intelligent vehicle manufacturing systems. The initial phase of the project is expected to generate approximately 200 jobs.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Large and Medium Industries Minister Dr M.B. Patil. KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation) City and is being developed in phases across a total area of 5,800 acres, with a focus on integrating technology, healthcare and educational sectors.
Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor has been a trusted long-term partner in Karnataka’s growth journey. The MoU marks another important milestone as we work together to deepen technology-led investments, create quality employment and promote sustainable industrial development. This partnership further strengthens Karnataka’s leadership as a global investment destination and reinforces our commitment to innovation‑ driven growth.”
Masakazu Yoshimura, Chairman, MD & CEO, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, stated, “We are grateful to the Government of Karnataka for its continued support and collaboration over the years which has played a key role in our journey. India has always been a strategically important market for Toyota to drive innovation and sustainable mobility initiatives. The TKM Bizintel Hub will support testing and evaluation activities, advancements in digital transformation and intelligent manufacturing across the entire supply chain business, leveraging on India’s robust information technology ecosystem with skilled talent. Anchored in TKM’s focus on localization and responsible growth, this initiative aligns with the company’s multi pathway approach towards achieving carbon neutrality goals and meeting the national priorities such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
- United Kingdom
- Simon Lightwood
- Sarfraz Maredia
- Uber
- Transport for London
- Ben Loewenstein
- Waymo
- Sarah Gates
- Wayve
- Mike Hawes
- SMMT
UK Launches Pilot Scheme For Autonomous Taxi And Bus Services
- By MT Bureau
- May 24, 2026
The UK government has opened applications for operators to run self-driving cars, allowing citizens to book autonomous taxi and bus-style services across Great Britain later this year.
The pilot scheme will allow technology firms to deploy autonomous vehicles on public roads to gather real-world performance evidence. These services will be subject to safety assessments and rigorous regulatory approval checks by the government, including verification of protections against cyber and security threats. Local transport authorities, such as Transport for London, must also provide local consent to ensure operations align with regional infrastructure priorities.
Learnings collected from these commercial pilots will guide the development of permanent self-driving vehicle regulations. This regulatory framework follows a formal government call for evidence that concluded in March. Data shows that human error currently contributes to 88 percent of collisions on UK roads, and the implementation of automated systems aims to improve overall road safety. Industry projections estimate that the British automated passenger services market could be worth up to GBP 3.7 billion annually by 2040.
Simon Lightwood, Roads and Buses Minister, said, “Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain, opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, while driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the UK. This pilot scheme brings that future closer, giving passengers the opportunity to experience self-driving travel first-hand while ensuring safety always comes first.”
Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery, Uber, stated, “This is an exciting and important step toward launching autonomous vehicles in the UK. London has long been a pioneering city for Uber, where we’ve launched some of our biggest innovations and we can’t wait to give people in the capital the chance to experience autonomous rides this year.”
Ben Loewenstein, Head of Policy and Government Affairs for the UK and Europe, Waymo, added, “The UK is leading the way in enabling the safe deployment of pilot autonomous vehicle services. We hope to soon become part of London’s transport network and demonstrate the safety, accessibility and sustainability benefits of battery-electric autonomous vehicles through the government’s pilot scheme. We are working closely with the Department for Transport and Transport for London to ensure our operations align with their goals.”
Sarah Gates, VP of Global Affairs and Assurance, Wayve, noted, “The UK has all the ingredients to become a global leader in the deployment of self-driving vehicles and today’s launch of the automated passenger services scheme marks an important milestone. Wayve has been developing its technology in the UK for nearly a decade and we’re excited to bring our supervised passenger service to market here this year.”
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT, commented, “Today is a significant milestone in the safe and responsible rollout of automated vehicles on British roads. For the first time, legislation will allow operators to offer passenger-carrying commercial services – such as robotaxis – to the general public. Government’s decision to bring forward this legislation has positioned Britain as a leading European market for automated vehicles and a frontrunner in physical AI investment, development and deployment.”
Hesai Secures Million-Unit LiDAR Order From European Automaker Joint Venture
- By MT Bureau
- May 24, 2026
Chinese technology company Hesai Group has secured a new design win from a top-tier European automotive manufacturer for its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) solution.
The multi-year contract exceeds one million units and will cover more than 10 vehicle models across the manufacturer's joint venture brands in China.
The agreement follows Hesai's recently announced Level 3 autonomous driving program partnership with Mercedes-Benz, highlighting the company's full-stack in-house application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) development and volume manufacturing capabilities.
The contract will be fulfilled using the Hesai ATX, a compact, long-range LiDAR sensor configured specifically for L2 ADAS architectures.
Since entering mass production in 2025, the ATX platform has logged over one million deliveries. The company reports a current order backlog exceeding six million units for the ATX platform. The sensor utilises proprietary addressable photon isolation technology to improve hazard detection timelines and vehicle active safety functions.
Hesai said it continues to expand its market share within the automotive sensor supply chain with secured design wins from around 40 automakers, spread over more than 160 vehicle models, to date.
The company said, according to data from the Yole Group, Hesai ranked first globally in long-range ADAS LiDAR shipments for the 2025 period, commanding a 43 percent share of the global market.

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