Bengaluru-based technology-driven start-up Autoverse Mobility has announced that auto industry veteran Rama Shankar Pandey has joined the company as Co-Founder.

Pandey, a former Managing Director of Hella India Lighting and a member of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), will join the leadership team to focus on manufacturer relations and distribution infrastructure.

Concurrently, the company launched its Autoverse Parts Procurement Platform, an integrated digital tool designed to streamline the sourcing and delivery of genuine automotive parts to independent workshops across India.

Autoverse aims to transform the fragmented Indian multi-brand garage sector, which often lacks consistency in quality and part reliability. The platform seeks to establish a supply chain that connects original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original equipment suppliers (OES) directly to garages. By ensuring the availability of authentic parts, accurate fitment, and transparent delivery, Autoverse plans to increase trust and efficiency in the aftermarket service channel.

Pandey brings over two decades of leadership experience from the automotive, transportation, and manufacturing sectors, including key roles at Bosch, Tata Green Batteries and Hella.

Rama Shankar Pandey, said, “Autoverse is building something truly transformative; a transparent, tech-enabled supply chain that addresses one of the biggest challenges workshops face today: sourcing genuine parts reliably and quickly. With the launch of our integrated Partner App and Web Platform, we are creating a future-ready ecosystem that delivers authenticity, speed, and operational efficiency. I’m excited to join Mihir, Shiv, and KK in this mission to empower independent workshops across India.”

The new Autoverse Parts Procurement Platform is a digital system that connects workshops directly to manufacturers and their existing distribution channels to improve efficiency.

Key features of the platform include:

• Smart Parts Discovery: A catalogue with over 6 million car–part mappings for precise fitment checks.
• Real-Time Data: Instant visibility into stock levels, pricing and alternative part options.
• Integrated Ordering: One-click ordering with live tracking from supplier to garage.
• Support Modules: Dedicated support for categories including lubricants, filters, suspension, brake, clutch and electrical components.
• Garage Management Tools: Features such as loyalty programmes, order history and automated recommendations to improve workshop profitability.

Autoverse aims to deliver high-demand parts within 45 minutes through a hybrid logistics model, supported by a network of own and partner warehouses.

Mihir Mohan, Founder and CEO, Autoverse Mobility, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Rama to our founding team and equally excited to introduce the Autoverse Partner Platform to the market. Rama’s leadership experience and domain depth will play a crucial role as we scale our operations nationwide. With our new platform, we are strengthening our promise of timely access to genuine, high-quality parts - enabling garages to deliver safer and more dependable service to car owners.”

Autoverse Mobility, founded by Mihir Mohan, Shiv Soni, and Krishnakumar (KK), has raised USD 3.2 million from investors including Exfinity Ventures and Ventureast to scale its technology and logistics network.

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Mobility-tech startup Automoto has launched InspektAI, a buyer-side vehicle inspection and verification platform aimed at solving the absence of trust infrastructure for buyers in India’s used-car market.

The used-car segment, currently valued at USD 36 billion and is projected to touch USD 70–100 billion. Despite the market's expansion on the seller and marketplace side, the buyer remains the least protected stakeholder, with issues such as odometer tampering, concealed accident damage, panel replacements and valuation distortion remaining largely unregulated.

InspektAI acts as a platform-agnostic verification layer, combining AI-based dent detection, ECU/OBD analytics, over 300 point mechanical & structural checks and a digital inspection passport that can plug into underwriting, insurance scoring and marketplace workflows.

Sreeraj PV, Founder & CEO, Automoto, said, “India’s used-car market has solved supply, not trust. Transaction risk still comes from information asymmetry. InspektAI is designed as a neutral, AI-backed truth layer that protects buyers and strengthens the ecosystem.”

InspektAI has launched in Bengaluru, with expansion to other metros planned over the next few quarters. The company said it is already in discussions with NBFCs, insurers, mobility platforms and EV ecosystem players to integrate InspektAI into their risk and valuation processes.

It was recently, Automoto closed the first tranche of its extended pre-seed round, backing its push into trust infrastructure for mobility. The company operates across multiple lifecycle layers including InspektAI, the Moto365 ownership stack and skill-development initiatives under Automoto Akademie. Automoto is positioning InspektAI as a potential trust API for India’s mobility-finance stack.

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Tier 1 automotive supplier Uno Minda has launched a Portable Electric Vehicle Wall Charger designed for home charging. The Uno Minda Car EV Wall Charger will be available across retail outlets and online platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart and Unomindakart. The device has an MRP of INR 50,000 and a launch price of INR 32,514, backed by a one-year warranty.

The new charger delivers a 7.4 kW fast-charging output and is IP65-rated waterproof & dustproof design and IK-10-rated high impact-resistant body, which allows customers to charge their EVs in any weather conditions, including rain and heat.

Anand Kumar, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Uno Minda (Aftermarket), said, “The Uno Minda Car EV Wall Charger is not merely a convenience tool; it’s an essential part of India’s transition to cleaner and smarter mobility. Built with precision engineering, it delivers a 7.4kW single-phase fast-charging output at 230V AC, ensuring rapid and efficient energy transfer with superior thermal management. The charger features a Type 2 integrated socket, an IP65-rated waterproof and dustproof enclosure, and an IK10-rated high-impact-resistant body, ensuring durability and safety even in demanding conditions. The smart LED interface provides real-time charging status and error alerts, enhancing usability. On the connectivity front, it supports multiple network communication options, including cellular network, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0, offering flexibility for remote monitoring and smart integration. In addition, the system is safeguarded by comprehensive protection mechanisms against overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating, and short circuits, coupled with automatic cut-off and restart features to ensure uninterrupted performance.”

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Autorox and Bosch Mobility Platform and Solutions have announced a global strategic collaboration aimed at transforming the management and scaling of vehicle repair and maintenance operations worldwide.

Under the partnership, Bosch Mobility Platform and Solutions will serve as the exclusive global distributor for Autorox and Autozilla.

Founded by Vijay Gummadi, these two platforms focus on garage management and B2B parts commerce. 

The collaboration seeks to digitally enable over 25,000 repairers and spare parts sellers to collectively deliver over 100 million vehicle services per year by 2030.

The initiative addresses the inefficiency and fragmentation in the global vehicle repair and maintenance ecosystem. In India alone, the passenger car service sector includes over 100,000 independent garages, which this partnership aims to formalise and digitise.

Vijay Gummadi, Founder & CEO, Autorox, said, “Great products and great distribution - that’s the formula for lasting success. Bosch brings unmatched global credibility and reach, while Autorox brings deep product and domain expertise in how modern workshops run. Together, we’re reimagining the future of vehicle repair - from manual, fragmented systems to intelligent, connected operations.”

As per the understanding, Bosch will provide structure, credibility and scale using its global network and standards. Autorox will provide the digital backbone, connecting repair shops, parts sellers, insurers and fleets. This covers intelligent job scheduling, procurement, connected customer experiences and predictive analytics.

Pradeep Ramachandra, CTO, Bosch - Mobility Platform & Solutions, said, “Bosch has long championed innovation that simplifies mobility. Through this collaboration with Autorox and Autozilla, we aim to digitise and connect the global workshop ecosystem, improving service efficiency and transparency. By combining Bosch’s enterprise presence with Autorox’s modern technology, we are addressing a challenge that has remained unsolved for decades.”

The partnership will expand into North America, Europe, and other global markets in phases, building on the platforms' success in India and the Middle East. The collaboration will also leverage Bosch’s existing work with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to ensure enterprise-grade scalability and security.

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Following its successful transition into the newly established AUMOVIO entity, the venerable VDO brand is marking a significant return to the independent automotive aftermarket. Beginning in December 2025, the comprehensive portfolio of electronics and mechatronics, previously marketed under the Continental brand since 2020, will be progressively reintroduced under the distinguished VDO brand. This extensive range includes critical components such as fuel systems, various engine management and tyre pressure monitoring sensors, engine control units, common rail diesel systems and turbochargers. The brand's commitment to innovation will be further demonstrated in 2026 with the inaugural introduction of sensors and cameras for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

This strategic brand transition is designed to be seamless for customers, with no impact on the availability, performance or renowned premium quality of existing and future products. Under the AUMOVIO umbrella, VDO will be strategically aligned with the premium brake brand ATE. This partnership will allow both brands to leverage a unified service infrastructure, which includes a dedicated technical hotline and a suite of certified training programmes for workshop professionals. According to company leadership, VDO is the ideal brand to spearhead the future of their electronic and mechatronic spare parts business, as it embodies original equipment manufacturer quality, safety and deep expertise in both contemporary and emerging automotive technologies.

The foundation for this future growth is a recently expanded product catalogue, which grew by approximately 50 percent, or 700 new parts, during the corporate spin-off. Building on this solid base, AUMOVIO Aftermarket has outlined ambitious plans for further portfolio extension in 2026. A key strategic move will be the establishment of ADAS products as a distinct new product group for VDO. This expansion will see the gradual introduction of sophisticated components like smart multifunction and surround-view cameras, alongside front and blind spot detection radars, directly addressing the evolving needs of the modern vehicle fleet.

Recognising that workshops today face complex challenges that extend beyond traditional repairs, VDO and ATE are combining their service expertise to offer holistic support. This collaborative approach provides workshops with practical assistance through a bundled offering of services. These include not only technical support but also comprehensive training on high-voltage systems for electric vehicles and business management, digital online courses and various partner loyalty programmes. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to a customer-centric model that aims to provide workshops with unparalleled, forward-looking support. The VDO brand, with a heritage of nearly a century in commercial vehicles and original equipment manufacturing, is thus powerfully positioned to channel its vast technological know-how into creating solution-oriented products and services for the independent aftermarket.

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