The 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, held in Davos from January 20-24, 2025, highlighted India’s growth in AI, renewable energy, and global partnerships under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” A high-level Indian delegation, led by key ministers, engaged in panel discussions, including on topics like AI, sustainable investment, and economic growth. India’s participation focused on showcasing its impressive economic achievements, including surpassing USD one trillion in FDI. Six Indian states – Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala showcased their respective industrial advancements, investment opportunities, and success stories as part of India’s transformation. Maharashtra for example signed 54 MoUs valued at Rs. 15.70 lakh crore according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). One of the key agreements involves MSN Holdings Ltd., which is known to be planning an advanced lithium battery and cell manufacturing project under the state’s ‘Ultra Mega Project’ initiative. The project, requiring an investment of Rs.14,652 crore, aims to create 8,760 direct and indirect jobs, with a focus on development in the Vidarbha region. The largest MoU signed was with Reliance Group, which committed Rs.3.05 lakh crore for investments across petrochemicals, renewable energy, bioenergy, green hydrogen, green chemicals, retail, telecommunications, data centres, and industrial development. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised the state’s goal of achieving a USD one trillion economy. These investments are part of efforts to attract global capital and expand Maharashtra’s industrial base.
54 MoUs valued at Rs.15.70 lakh crore.
MHI draft plan for battery production
The National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage, administered under the PLI Scheme by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, aims to promote domestic manufacturing of battery storage. With a total outlay of Rs.18,100 Crore over five years, the scheme targets a capacity of 50 GWh. Beneficiaries must meet specific milestones, including investments and value-addition targets, to qualify for incentives. This initiative supports the growth of electric vehicle adoption and renewable energy integration while reducing oil import dependency.
Honours for Industry stalwarts
On the eve of the 76Th Republic Day, auto industry stalwarts were honoured for their contribution to Trade and Industry. Osamu Suzuki San has been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his outstanding contributions to ‘Trade and Industry’. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment transformed the global automotive landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. His legacy continues to inspire generations of innovators and business leaders worldwide. The Padma Shri, a well-deserved honour for Dr Pawan Goenka, recognised his outstanding contributions to the automotive industry and the space sector. As the Chairman of INSPACe and the SCALE Committee, Dr Goenka continues to be a guiding light, driving innovation, local value addition, and employment in India.
Domestic battery production.
Second to none.
TRW Brake pads cover 90 per cent of the vehicle parc
ZF Aftermarket, a global leader in aftermarket components, has announced that TRW Brake Pads, part of its comprehensive portfolio, now cover nearly 90 per cent of the Indian vehicle parc, offering reliable braking performance to a vast majority of Indian motorists. This milestone reflects ZF Aftermarket’s commitment to safety and excellence, emphasising how ZF Aftermarket’s solutions enhance safety and reliability while catering to the unique mobility requirements of Indian drivers. The expanded aftermarket coverage complements ZF Group’s extensive OEM portfolio, demonstrating its ability to meet diverse market demands with advanced technology and unparalleled quality.
Sona Comstar clears investment in ClearMotion Inc
Sona Comstar’s board has approved a USD 4.0 million investment in ClearMotion Inc., a leading software-defined chassis company. ClearMotion develops proactive suspension and road-sensing software to mitigate vehicle motion on uneven surfaces. Founded at MIT, the company operates in Boston, UK, and China. This move highlights Sona Comstar’s commitment to enhancing vehicle performance through innovative technology. Besides, Sona Comstar has received a new order from an existing customer, an Indian OEM of PVs, CVs, OHVs and EVs, to supply differential assemblies for their new electric passenger vehicles. This program has added Rs 300 crore to the order book with production likely to commence in Q2 FY27.
Marelli Motherson Auto Suspension Parts approves asset sales
Marelli Motherson Auto Suspension Parts Pvt. Ltd. (a joint venture of Marelli Europe S.P.A and Samvardhana Motherson International Limited) has approved the sale of assets, including fixed assets and inventory, to Gabriel India Ltd. the flagship company of Anand Group for approximately Rs. 600 million. The transaction involves transferring employees, business contracts, and certain assets while retaining other liabilities. SAMIL’s share of net proceeds will be lower than the carrying value of its investment. The partnership between Marelli and SAMIL remains unaffected for other joint ventures like Lighting, HVAC, and Electronics.
Market acceptance of TRW Brake Pads.
USD 4.0 million investment in ClearMotion.
The partnership remains unaffected.
Change of guard at Mipco Seamless Rings
Sachendra Tummala resigned from his position as Managing Director of Mipco Seamless Rings (Gujarat) Ltd., effective January 27, 2025. His resignation is attributed to preoccupation with other professional commitments. The company has expressed gratitude for his services during his tenure and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
Tata Elxsi and Minespider Partner of battery lifecycle traceability
Tata Elxsi and Minespider have partnered to launch MOBIUS+, a platform aimed at optimising battery lifecycle management. The platform integrates blockchain and analytic to support sustainability and compliance in the battery industry, aligning with global regulations like the EU Battery Passport. It helps OEMs and stakeholders track performance, optimise maintenance, and reduce costs. MOBIUS+ is designed for scalability and launched globally at the Bharat Mobility Show.
Sachendra Tummala resigned from his position.
Blockchain and analytic.
Change of guard at Bharat Forge
Krishnan Iyer, President and COO of the Component Business Unit and Senior Management Personnel of the company has resigned for personal reasons. His resignation, accepted as of January 20, 2025, will see his tenure conclude on April 2, 2025. His earlier stints include key operations roles at Schwing Stetter India, JCB, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland.
Netradyne raises Series D fund
Netradyne, an AI and edge computing SaaS leader, secured USD 90M in Series D funding led by Point72 Private Investments, with Qualcomm Ventures and Pavilion Capital participating. The funding supports R&D, global expansion, and enhanced market strategies. Netradyne’s Driver•i platform analyses 100 per cent of drive-time data, improving fleet safety, reducing costs, and boosting driver retention. Serving 3,000+ customers across eight countries, Netradyne plans further expansion into Europe and Japan, solidifying its role in fleet management and safety globally.
o9 Gen AI Pilot Program
o9 Solutions, a leading enterprise AI software provider, announced the full-scale production of its first GenAI pilot program with a major telecommunications client in 2025. This initiative, part of a three-year SaaS expansion, integrates GenAI-powered functionalities such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI agents into its Digital Brain platform. These enhancements aim to revolutionise Integrated Business Planning (IBP), improve forecast accuracy, and address constrained part shortages using advanced AI-powered digital assistants. In 2024, o9 launched multiple GenAI pilot projects with enterprise clients, set to go live in early 2025. These GenAI capabilities promise 30-50 per cent productivity gains, enhanced innovation potential, and improved operational metrics like forecast accuracy and inventory efficiency. CEO Chakri Gottemukkala emphasized o9’s commitment to transforming enterprise planning processes. Additionally, o9 hosted exclusive events at Davos 2025, focusing on supply chain resilience and innovation through technology.
Krishnan Iyer resigns.
USD 90 mn in Series D funding.
GenAI and 30-50 per cent productivity gains.
IMTEX 25 spotlights technological changes
The Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) was once again the epicentre of technological advancements and industrial collaboration as the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) successfully concluded the IMTEX, Tooltech & Digital Manufacturing 2025. The exhibition, which commenced on January 23, 2025, achieved a historic milestone with 1,100 exhibitors from 23 countries, solidifying its position as Southeast Asia’s largest metal-cutting and manufacturing technology event. The inauguration ceremony was a remarkable affair, attended by notable dignitaries including H.D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Government of India, and Dr M.B. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka. Joining them were industry leaders such as Laxmesh B.H., Vice President & Head, Aerospace & Systems Business, Larsen & Toubro Limited, and Prashanth Doreswamy, President & CEO, Continental Automotive (India) Pvt. Ltd., alongside senior officials from IMTMA. In his keynote address, Kumaraswamy highlighted the vital role of the machine tool industry in driving India’s manufacturing sector. Acknowledging Karnataka’s contribution as the “machine tool capital of India,” producing nearly 50 per cent of the country’s machine tools, he reiterated the sector’s importance in boosting economic growth and employment. Dr Patil emphasised the machine tool industry’s pivotal position as the backbone of manufacturing, with metal-cutting technologies playing a critical role in its progress. Rajendra S. Rajamane, President, of IMTMA, provided an overview of the industry’s achievements, citing Gardner Intelligence’s World Machine Tool Survey 2023. India now ranks ninth globally in machine tool production and sixth in consumption, with the industry witnessing a 10 per cent year-on-year growth, reaching an estimated Rs.13,571 crore (USD 1.6 billion). IMTEX 2025 presented a remarkable lineup of advanced technologies and solutions aimed at redefining manufacturing. The exhibition featured high-precision, multi-tasking, hybrid machines, robotics, cobots, AGVs, and Industry 4.0 innovations, alongside 3D printing technologies and customised software solutions. These advancements reflect the industry’s focus on enhancing efficiency, precision, and sustainability. Apart from the exhibition, IMTEX 2025 curated a series of knowledge-sharing events and programs. The International Seminar on Machining Technologies, brought together global experts to share insights into emerging trends and best practices. The i2 Academia Pavilion provided a platform for Indian academic and R&D institutions to showcase their research and foster industry collaborations.
Another significant highlight was the Auto Components Industry Transformation Summit, jointly organised by IMTMA and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). The summit further strengthened the synergy between the machine tools and automotive industries, with the latter accounting for 55 per cent of India’s machine tools consumption. IMTEX 2025 remains a crucial platform for showcasing innovations, enabling partnerships, and addressing the evolving demands of the global manufacturing sector. The event reaffirms India’s position as a global hub for manufacturing excellence and technological progress.
Ninth globally in machine tool production.
MAHLE Group restructuring
MAHLE is undergoing a transformative restructuring as part of its “MAHLE 2030+” strategy, aimed at accelerating its transition towards electrification and thermal management. The automotive supplier is merging business units to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. From January 01, 2025, the number of business units will be reduced from five to three. The “Engine Systems and Components” and “Electronics and Mechatronics” units will combine into “Powertrain and Charging,” focusing on electric motors and intelligent charging systems. Simultaneously, the “Filtration and Engine Peripherals” and “Thermal Management” units will merge into “Thermal and Fluid Systems,” leveraging filtration expertise for innovative thermal management solutions. A significant move in this transformation is MAHLE’s complete acquisition of thermal management specialist MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG, finalising the integration of thermal management into its portfolio. Additionally, the Aftermarket unit, renamed “Lifecycle and Mobility,” will continue as a separate business, focusing on electrification and digitalisation. The Management Board is being downsised from seven members to four for streamlined decision-making. CEO Arnd Franz will also assume the role of Labor Director. Markus Kapaun will remain CFO, while Jumana Al-Sibai and Georg Dietz will oversee the “Thermal and Fluid Systems” and “Powertrain and Charging” units, respectively. Martin Wellhoeffer will transition to COO of the “Thermal and Fluid Systems” unit. The Supervisory Board expressed gratitude to outgoing board members Dr. Beate Bungartz and Martin Weidlich for their contributions. Chairman Prof. Dr. Heinz K. Junker acknowledged their efforts in operational excellence, production, and HR transformation while expressing confidence in the future direction under the restructured leadership. This strategic overhaul positions MAHLE as a frontrunner in sustainable mobility solutions.
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