Early windshields were made of ordinary window glass, but that could lead to serious injuries in the event of a crash. Later versions were made of toughened glass and were fitted in the frame using a rubber seal. This type of glass shattered into mostly harmless fragments when the windshield broke but was prone to shattering from a simple stone chip.

Modern windshields are generally made of two curved sheets of tempered glass, with a PVB plastic layer laminated between them for safety, and bonded into the window frame. If one layer of glass breaks, the laminate and the inside layer of glass hold the windshield together, keeping pieces of glass from injuring occupants of the car or falling on the road.

The laminated safety glass for windshield first became available in France from 1911, and some high-end American auto manufacturers began to use it in 1913. Henry Ford ordered the use of laminated glass on all of his vehicles from 1919.

Repair or Replacement?

You are driving on a highway, minding your own business, and …. POW! After you have recovered from the unexpected hit, you know that something hit the windshield and there may be a visible sign of damage, such as a pit or crack. It’s generally not dangerous to drive with a small crack in the windshield. But with time, as moisture, dirt and even windshield washer fluid can seep into the glass sandwich layers, windshield becomes discoloured and further decreases visibility.

Safety Tip

It’s important to avoid pressing on a broken windshield from the interior of the car. Because of its concave shape, a crack can severely weaken the windshield’s structural integrity, and the glass is likely to continue cracking if pressure is placed on it from the inside.

According to the U.S. National Windshield Repair Association (www. NWRASSN.org), a division of the Auto Glass Safety Council, many types of stone damage can be successfully repaired. Circular bullseyes, crack chips, dings, pits, star-shaped breaks and linear cracks up to six centimetres in length can be repaired without removing the glass, eliminating the risk of leaking or bonding problems sometimes associated with replacement.

Still, damaged glass is a serious issue and may render a car unsafe to drive. Therefore, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible for two important reasons:

Windshields weakened by damage provide less protection.

Cracked windshields decrease visibility.

Though not an immediate danger, if the crack is large or if it is near or touching the edge of the windshield, the glass may have to be replaced and driving the car is not recommended.

Buyer Be Aware!

Original equipment (OE) windshields have specified surface quality and built-in stress level. Many are solar-optimised to block UV, reduce interior heat buildup, and have better acoustic attenuation for a quieter ride.

The aftermarket windshields may be missing some or all of these qualities, and consumers may not be aware of these shortcomings.

Another difference between OE and aftermarket glass is residual stress levels around the perimeter called the ‘Weak Spot’ which causes windshield to crack from the edge.

A windshield repair costs much less than a replacement. A chip repair prevents a crack, and a crack repair prevents having to replace the windshield. Also, don’t be talked into ‘replacement’ if the damage could be ‘repaired.’ Just make sure, whether you have a chip or a crack and get it repaired ASAP.

The National Windshield Repair Association is recognised nationally and worldwide as a professional source of reliable information on the windshield repair industry. Their education and certification programme shows that those certified have successfully completed proficiency training to repair and replace laminated auto glass in compliance with ANSI/NWRA/ROLAGS 001-2014.

Whether you choose to drive to a glass shop or have a repair technician come to you, the choice is yours! Many companies offer mobile auto glass service at your home or office to perform needed windshield repair or replacement. It is especially convenient during the current pandemic lockdown.

Recycling Windshield Glass

In the US, about 13-14 million windshields are replaced each year, creating an environmental need for recycling. Although the composite nature of the windshield glass makes it difficult to recycle it, some patented technologies are available. Damaged windshields are processed through a crusher, which separates the glass from PVB interlayer.

Approximately 90 percent becomes ‘glass cullet,’ which can then be recycled into a number of new products including fibreglass insulation. Roughly seven percent becomes PVB plastic scrap, which is reprocessed into pellets and used for a number of new applications, such as carpet backing, paint and primer, and other plastic products. (MT)

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Smart Garage, an AI-driven automotive service marketplace startup, has raised INR 24 million in a Pre-Series A funding round.

This capital, the company said, represents the initial phase of a broader INR 150 million fundraising target. The company intends to secure the remaining INR 126 million over the next 12 to 18 months to support its expansion and reach a projected revenue run-rate of INR 800 million by the end of FY2027.

The platform operates on a B2B2C model, connecting a network of more than 500 partner garages across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities with fleet operators, insurance firms and vehicle owners.

It aims to provide structure to India’s fragmented automotive aftermarket, which is currently valued at approximately USD 11–14 billion and forecast to reach USD 20–25 billion over the next decade. Smart Garage plans to scale its network to 10,000 workshops by 2030 through its software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform.

The newly acquired funds will be utilised to advance deep-learning capabilities in vehicle diagnostics, damage assessment and predictive maintenance. Smart Garage also intends to standardise its workshop network through structured training and strengthen digital workflows.

While the current revenue model is driven by franchise operations and spare parts supply via Pikpart, the company plans to introduce commission-based and recurring SaaS subscription models for its diagnostic and inventory management tools.

Pawan Singh Raghuvanshi, Founder and CEO, Smart Garage, said, “This INR 24 million Pre-Series A round marks the start of our broader INR 150 million fundraising journey. While the industry often focuses on hardware fixes, we believe real impact comes from solving deeper operational inefficiencies through AI and technology. Our goal is to build a transparent, trusted, and fully digital automotive aftermarket ecosystem in India – one that empowers workshops and delivers a seamless experience to customers.”

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Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia has announced the postponement of the upcoming edition of Automechanika Riyadh. Originally scheduled for 4-6 May 2026, the trade event will now focus on its return to the Kingdom in 2027.

The decision follows an assessment of the regional environment. The organiser stated that the move prioritises the safety and confidence of partners and staff while ensuring the event can maintain its international scale and value.

Automechanika Riyadh serves as a platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket, connecting manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. The 2027 edition is intended to align with the growth of the sector under the country's Vision 2030 framework.

Martyn Cox, Show Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East (MFME), said, “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Automechanika Riyadh has quickly established itself as an important platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket. However, our responsibility is to bring the industry together in a way that is safe, commercially valuable, and truly international in scale. In the current environment, and with the event only weeks away, this decision ensures we can deliver the strongest possible business outcomes for our exhibitors, partners, and visitors.”

Chris Lee, Portfolio Director for Mobility & Logistics at MFME, added, “We have taken the decision to focus on returning with a stronger, larger and more impactful event in 2027, one that reflects the ambition of the Saudi market and the strength of the global Automechanika brand.”

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The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released findings attributing 10 deaths and two injuries to air bag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., (DTN). The agency concluded in an initial decision that the components contain a safety-related defect.

NHTSA opened its investigation in October 2025 following a series of crashes where frontal driver air bag inflators ruptured. According to the report, the units exploded during deployment, resulting in metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin.

Key Details of the Findings:

• Incident Scope: 12 crashes recorded over the past three years.
• Vehicle Models: Known incidents occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, though the risk may not be limited to these models.
• Component Origin: The parts were manufactured by DTN in China and are suspected of being imported into the United States.

NHTSA is currently investigating the volume of these inflators in the US market to determine if a permanent sales ban is required.

The agency has advised owners of used vehicles to verify repair histories, particularly if a vehicle was involved in a crash with air bag deployment since 2020 and was not repaired at a manufacturer's dealership.

Vehicles identified with a DTN inflator should not be driven until the component is replaced with parts from the original equipment manufacturer. Suspect inflators can be identified by specific serial numbers and bar codes on the inflator module and cap.

Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, said, “Our initial investigation into the use of illegal Chinese airbags in auto shops has revealed a disturbing trend: these substandard parts are killing American families. The Trump Administration will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on our roads.”

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AIS Windshield Experts, an ISO 9001:2015 certified automotive glass repair and replacement company, has announced the opening of its 143rd service centre. The expansion brings the company’s operations to more than 70 cities in India, supported by a fleet of mobile service vans for on-site repairs.

The company provides glass solutions for all vehicle makes and models using materials that meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards. Maintenance and replacement tasks are performed by certified technicians and include a one-year warranty on products and workmanship.

Beyond standard glass replacement, the network handles specialised technical requirements, including:

• Luxury and Commercial Vehicles: Glass replacement for high-end cars and heavy vehicles.
• Modern Vehicle Sensors: Management of sensor recalibration and sunroof glass.
• ADAS Recalibration: Realignment of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems following windshield replacement to ensure camera and sensor accuracy.
• Value-Added Services: Headlight restoration, wiper blade replacement and car battery services.

AIS Windshield Experts has established partnerships with major insurance providers to offer cashless facilities, intended to simplify the claims process for customers. The company’s growth strategy focuses on further penetration into Tier-II and Tier-III cities to standardise auto glass care in smaller markets.

Ratish Ramanujam, Executive Director & COO, AIS Windshield Experts, said, "Reaching 143 outlets is not just a number; it’s a testament to the trust over 1 million satisfied customers have placed in the AIS Windshield Experts brand. This expansive network significantly reduces downtime for vehicle owners and fleets, ensuring quick, reliable, and standardised service nationwide. We are proud to be driving the shift towards organised, quality-assured auto glass care in India. AIS Windshield Experts also specialises in high-end technical repairs and refinements like sunroof glass replacement, glass replacement in luxury cars as well as commercial vehicles, as well as handling the intricacies of delicate sensors in modern vehicles."

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