The 16^th edition of the Auto Expo 2023 - Components Show, jointly organised by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is scheduled from 12-15 January, 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Over 800 companies from 15 countries will be displaying at the expo. With the show returning after a hiatus of three years, the overwhelming response to the 16^th edition is a testimony to the industry's indomitable spirit of resilience.

Putting across his views on the response to the show, Vinne Mehta, Director General, ACMA, cited, “The participation has been overwhelming, and this is despite the fact that we are coming back after three years. There is a lot of excitement, and we are very happy that the show has done so well. The very fact that we are completely sold out, with a waiting list, is a clear indicator of the faith our community has in the show.”

Sharing the highlights of the show, Sunjay Kapur, President, ACMA, and Chairman at Sona Comstar, said, “I am delighted that the 16^th edition of Auto Expo 2023 - Components, the most awaited event of the automotive industry, has shaped very well. With participation from over 800 companies, several of them from overseas, we have been completely sold out. In the backdrop of strong economic recovery and rising vehicle sales in the country, the Auto Expo 2023 - Components is expected to create newer opportunities for the components industry, as also provide a platform to showcase its prowess as it strives to stay relevant in a fast-transforming industry. With confirmation of several business and sourcing delegations, the event will provide an ideal opportunity for networking, striking international partnerships and gaining insights into the future of mobility.”

In fact, last year was a record year for profits and aftermarket growth. Speaking in terms of the industry growth in 2023, Mehta said, “The numbers of the current year are pretty robust. We are hopeful that we will close this year on a sound note.”

Talking about the focus of the show, Vipin Sondhi, Chairman, CII National Committee on Future Mobility and Battery Storage as also Chairman CII National Committee on Technology, R&D and Innovation, said, “With significant disruptive changes being witnessed in the automotive ecosystem world over and in India, the Auto Expo 2023 - Components show will be reflective of these dominant trends, including electric mobility, ADAS, biofuel and flex-fuel-based engine technologies, vehicular safety technologies, sustainable and ecologically sound manufacturing practices, digitisation, automotive start-ups, innovative technologies and solutions and much more. In tune with these, our theme pavilion 'Technovation' is designed to be a crystal ball of future of mobility, showcasing cutting-edge technology offerings from our domestic companies.”

Speaking more on 'Technovation', Mehta said, “The whole show is themed ‘Technovation’ because the entire industry is going through a transformation, from electric mobility to bio-fuels to hydrogen. Hence, there is a huge change in the dynamics of the industry. Apart from that, the CAFE II norms have already kicked in, there will be a lot of lightweighting, digitalisation of the shop floors and sophistication in terms of engine technologies happening.”

The key details of the show are –

Show size and venue
This edition of the components show is larger than the previous editions, spread across an area of over 60,000 square metres, covering the newly constructed halls (Halls A2 to A5 ground floor and first floor), with additional facilities at the Mezzanine level for parallel networking and conference events, at Pragati Maidan.

Participants
The show has attracted participation from over 800 companies from 15 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK and USA, with six country pavilions – France, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Korea and the UK.

Theme and focus
The components show is themed 'Technovation - Future Technologies & Innovations', and will have the following focused pavilions –

• EV components, innovation and start-ups
• ACMA safer drives
• ACMA industry services
• Bearings pavilion
• Garage equipment pavilion
• REA, Gujarat state pavilion

Showcasing future technologies
It is expected that innovative and advanced technologies in the components sector, in both greener and cleaner energy-saving formats, will be unveiled and showcased through these pavilions.

Networking platforms
The following parallel events are scheduled during the Components show –

• ACMA Aftermarket Summit
• ACMA Global Summit & Automotive Technology Partnership Summit & Expo (ATPSE)
• ACMA IPO Forum
• Stakeholders Awareness cum Consultation Workshop for Development of National Strategy for Phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
• ACMA-AIWA Conference on Spare Service Support in a Changing Environment
• SIAM Sourcing Group Forum

These forums will effectively engage the business community to conduct meaningful discussions and initiate dialogues for the future, with an objective to bring the latest and best technologies to the Indian automotive industry.

New products
The participants at the Components Show are using this once in two years opportunity to showcase new products and technologies with around 200 companies launching/displaying over 1,400 new products and technologies.

Visitor facilitation
The following initiatives have been undertaken for business visitors to make the best use of their time, and avoid the long waiting times at registration counters –

• Register and print your own badge/QR code in advance
• Get your pre-registered badge printed at the registration counter by giving your registration number
• Use QR code on mobile phones to enter
• Use tabs at registration counters to fill in details to get your badge

Whilst more than 10,000 business visitors have already used these mediums of registration, the Components Show is expected to be attended by over 100,000 visitors, including businessmen, government officials, diplomatic community and the media, from 40 countries.

Show timings and entry gates
The Auto Expo - Components business hours are 1000-1800 hrs on 12-14 January, 2023 and 1000-1300 on 15 January, 2023. The general public hours are 1330 -1700 on 15 January, 2023.

Entry to the exhibition halls closes every day 30 minutes prior to the closing time, while entry to the events venue closes one hour before closing. There are two gates to enter Pragati Maidan – Gate 4 on Bhairon Road and Gate 10, Metro Gate. Free shuttle services at Gate 10 will be available for the visitors from Pragati Maidan Metro Station to the exhibition halls. Whilst exhibitors can avail of the underground parking at the venue, paid parking facility will be available on Bhairon Road, Opposite Gate 4 of Pragati Maidan.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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