Advik Hi-Tech Unveils 2025 Roadmap At Auto Expo 2023

New Renault Master Wins 2025 International Van of The Year Award

Advik Hi-Tech (Advik), a global tier 1 auto component supplier, unveiled an expansive portfolio of its latest technology solutions spanning across ICE, Electric Vehicles, CNG and hydrogen fuel segments, at the 16th edition of the Auto Expo – Components 2023, today, in Delhi, India. The Advik Hi-Tech Pavilion can be visited at Stand No 4.62 in Hall No 4GF of the Auto Expo, Pragati Maidan, from 12-15 January, 2023.

The company outlined its growth strategy for 2025 to double its growth in the next three years. It claims that it has earmarked a Capex of about INR five billion to meet its expansion requirements for product and capacity development over the next three years.

Some of the new products unveiled at the Expo by Advik include – 

Latest ICE product showcase: Next generation of oil pumps, water pumps and vacuum pumps. According to Advik, these products help meet the Euro 6 emission norms and will bolster the company’s strong ICE portfolio globally, further. Also on display are the new generation EGR valve, solenoid purge valve and solenoid air secondary valve. Advik states that these products will not only further reduce CO2 and particulate matter emissions but also improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles.

The company also announced the launch of new electric oil pumps and electric water pumps with three-way and four-way control valves for improved thermal management and lubrication for ICE and electric vehicles. This also includes an electric vacuum pump to aid braking in passenger cars and commercial vehicles in collaboration with Entecnia, Spain, as per Advik.

Launch of the latest generation hydraulic CBS disc braking system and mechanical CBS drum brake system: These will cater to the growing electric vehicle two-wheeler market in India.

CNG regulators: In the alternative fuel segment, Advik showcased the latest CNG regulators developed in collaboration with Nikki Co Ltd of Japan, for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including the entire CNG system comprising CNG Electronic Control Units (ECU), injectors, filling valves and tank valves. Advik claims that with Nikki’s established technology and Advik’s manufacturing capabilities, the CNG regulators will cater to the passenger cars, commercial vehicles, industrial forklifts and stationary generator markets.

Hydrogen fuel cell power generators: While in the hydrogen fuel segment, Advik and H2X Global, Ltd (the Australian vehicle and powered products manufacturer) introduced their patented hydrogen fuel cell power generators to help advance the hydrogen projects in India and global markets, with the initial focus on the truck, bus and light commercial vehicles and stationary generator set markets.

Building on the strong expertise of Advik in technology component development and the global experience of H2X, with over 22 million kilometres of distance covered by vehicles with their hydrogen systems to date, the joint venture will further expand their footprint in the European and Asian markets, according to Advik. Production is expected to commence by the middle of 2023, and the products will be marketed under the H2X brand.

Advik states that the collaboration will also undertake the application of methanol fuel cells, providing another clean alternative to hydrogen in certain products, ensuring full capacity utilisation of the fuel cell division of the company.

Both the above launches in both the CNG and hydrogen fuel cell segment will help to forward Advik’s vision to create an innovative and sustainable ecosystem of technologies and services for reducing emissions, thus helping to expand the adoption of more green and clean technologies for the future. 

Speaking on the occasion, Aditya Bhartia, Managing Director, Advik Group of Companies, said, “Our technology showcase at the expo is the next step on our vision of becoming a leading solutions provider for the evolving multi-fuel market, both in India and globally. With all our products being manufactured in India, it underlines our responsibility to drive the industry and further the Government of India’s mandate for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. With Advik being selected for PLI, it is a testament to our commitment to adopt and indigenise leading global technologies for the Indian market. For example, the CNG regulator and electric vacuum pump are part of Advik’s approved PLI, and it will cater to OEM demand, both in India and international markets.”

Brendan Norman, CEO, H2X, who joined Advik for the exhibition, said, “The opportunity to expand our company using India, a trusted partner recently recognised by the Australia-India Free Trade Pact, and a world leader in technological advancement, together with Advik Hi-Tech, which is a company over the past 24 months we have seen offer top of the world quality and precision, and acts with total grace and class, is an amazing chance for us to grow our business strongly into the future. Through the course of the exhibition, we have met with several OEMs and have seen significant interest in the hydrogen space and the cooperation with Advik, and we see a number of opportunities to work together with these.”

As per Advik, the company is also aiming to become an end-to-end systems solution provider with a comprehensive portfolio of complete hydraulic disc braking systems, mechanical drum brake systems, thermal management systems, CNG fuel systems and hydrogen fuel cell systems to cater to both, domestic and global demand.

AutoDukan Raises $1 Million To Scale AI-Driven Services

Autodukan

AutoDukan, a digital aftermarket platform, has announced that it has secured USD 1 million in a pre-Series A funding round to expand its AI-driven services across the country.

The startup, which specialises in spare parts procurement, insurance claim processing and multi-brand workshop enablement, plans to use the new capital to scale its operations, enhance its AI technology and deepen its partnerships with insurers, fleet operators and OEM suppliers.

The funding round was led by the Choice Group and a number of high-net-worth individuals, with continued support from MetroMax Group's Indian arm and angel investor Ankit Sajnani. This latest investment follows earlier funding rounds backed by Rohit Goyal, Windrose Capital and NRI investor Raghu Venkatraman.

Gunjan Ruparelia, Co-Founder and CEO, AutoDukan, said, “Our latest investment validates our AI-first approach to solving a deeply fragmented market. We’re not just digitising procurement, we are building an intelligent backbone for the automotive repair and insurance ecosystem.”

Sumit Desai, CTO, said, “AI allows us to anticipate demand and match parts instantly. This funding helps us bring that efficiency to India’s largest automotive regions.”

Pranay Tagare, COO, said, “We’re driving data-driven precision into a traditionally manual industry. AutoDukan’s AI platform delivers speed, transparency and trust at scale.”

“We are excited to lead AutoDukan’s Pre-Series A round. The company’s AI-driven approach addresses real inefficiencies in India’s automobile aftermarket, and we are confident it will transform spare part procurement and insurance claim workflows nationwide.” said Choice Group.

AutoDukan claimed it achieved a 10x growth over the last two years, attributing its success to its AI platform, which provides data-driven precision, speed and transparency. The platform was first adopted by one of India's largest insurance players, demonstrating its potential to transform the nation’s automobile aftermarket.

Lubrizol Appoints Abhishek Shrivastava Managing Director For IMEA

Abhishek Shrivastava - Lubrizol

Lubrizol has announced the appointment of Abhishek Shrivastava as its new Managing Director for India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA).

The company said that he comes with extensive experience and technical expertise to accelerate growth and enhance its support for customers throughout the region.

In his new role, Shrivastava will oversee Lubrizol’s regional strategy, focusing on fostering local innovation, strengthening manufacturing and supply chain capabilities and developing the company's talent pool. He brings nearly two decades of experience in business transformation, R&D and technical leadership. Most recently, he served as Lubrizol's Vice-President, Innovation and Decision Science, where he was instrumental in developing sustainable and digital innovation capabilities.

Rebecca Liebert, Lubrizol's President and CEO, said, "Abhishek’s appointment reflects the strategic importance of the IMEA region for Lubrizol’s future. His deep industry knowledge, technical expertise, and ability to align innovation with customer needs make him ideally suited to support the region’s growth potential and strengthen our presence across these key markets."

Shrivastava will be responsible for driving a ‘local-for-local’ model, enabling regional teams to identify and capitalise on market-specific opportunities. He will also work closely with global and regional leadership to deepen engagement with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders across the IMEA markets.

"India, the Middle East and Africa are dynamic regions, full of opportunity and home to exceptional talent. Lubrizol has a strong legacy here, and we are committed to furthering localised innovation, regional collaboration and impactful partnerships. As industries evolve, we remain dedicated to collaborating closely with our stakeholders and developing solutions that address local needs," Shrivastava commented.

Valvoline Cummins, Mahindra Extend Partnership For Lubricants

Valvoline Cummins

Valvoline Cummins and Mahindra & Mahindra have announced a new strategic collaboration, deepening a relationship that has spanned over two decades. Under a new four-year agreement, Valvoline Cummins will now be the primary supplier of genuine lubricants for Mahindra's aftermarket business, including products sold under the Mahindra - Maximile brand.

This partnership will see Valvoline Cummins supply a range of high-performing lubricants, such as engine, transmission and axle oils, specifically tailored for Mahindra’s entire fleet of passenger vehicles, SUVs and pickups. These products will be distributed through Mahindra's expansive dealership and ‘Bazar’ networks in India's North, West and East zones.

Sandeep Kalia, Managing Director, Valvoline Cummins, said, “As a trusted partner with Mahindra for the past decade, we are excited for this evolution of our relationship. Today marks a major milestone that will enable significant business growth and reflects further confidence in our people, technology, innovation, serviceability and continuous commitment to customer centricity as a core value.”

Michael Dreyer, Senior Vice-President, Valvoline Global Operations, added, “Mahindra is fast becoming a trusted global brand, and Valvoline is well positioned to collaborate across geographies and support their global ambitions. This strategic agreement unites two trusted names with a shared focus on performance, innovation and sustainability. As Valvoline expands its role within the Mahindra ecosystem, the collaboration is set to deliver enhanced value across vehicles, and customer experiences — setting new benchmarks for excellence in automotive lubricant solutions.”

In a move that aligns with the sustainability goals of both companies, Valvoline Cummins will also introduce Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging for its products supplied to Mahindra, reinforcing their commitment to responsible business practices and environmental stewardship.

Schaeffler India Launches Fourth Edition Of Social Innovator Fellowship Program

Schaeffler Hope

Schaeffler India has launched the fourth edition of its Social Innovator Fellowship Program under its CSR initiative, HOPE. The programme aims to support young innovators aged 18 to 35 who are working on scalable solutions to address environmental and societal challenges.

Ten selected fellows will receive a grant of INR 175,000 each and participate in a 24-week hybrid mentorship programme at IIMA Ventures. The fellowship includes access to Schaeffler India’s innovation network and resources to help scale their projects.

Applications are open to individuals, groups, institutions and both for-profit and non-profit organisations across India. The focus areas include environmental sustainability, renewable energy, carbon neutrality, circular economy, natural resource management and the use of technology in the social sector. Applicants must present a working prototype, a clear target audience and a roadmap for growth and viability.

A multi-stage selection process, including interviews and a final pitch, will be conducted by a jury comprising Schaeffler India leadership and India Accelerator experts.

Harsha Kadam, Managing Director & CEO, Schaeffler India, said, “At Schaeffler India, we truly believe in innovation and development, and we have been investing in inclusive and sustainable programs. Through structured initiatives such as HOPE, we aim to empower and nurture visionary young innovators with a pioneering spirit who are developing technology-driven solutions for social sectors and environmental issues, making a meaningful difference through their unique approaches. Schaeffler aims to be both an enabler and catalyst in solving these issues, affirming its belief in innovation as a force for equitable progress”.

Shibi Mathew, Head of HR and CSR, added, “We are deeply committed to advancing the meaningful progress of our communities. We proudly announce the launch of the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program for 2025, with the primary aim of harnessing and supporting the pioneering spirit of young and passionate innovators across India. This program offers a remarkable opportunity for talented individuals to bring improvements to social and ecological issues through their innovative solutions. We eagerly await the participation of outstanding leaders who will demonstrate a strong commitment to developing transformative solutions, resulting in more resilient systems, empowered communities, and positively impacted lives.”