To fight Covid19 and support social distancing Bridegestone India has introduced contactless service. Called 'Bridgestone Bookmyservice,' the platform enables customers take appointment online: https://bridgestonebookmyservice.in. They will then get SMS with details of booking, store & location.

While booking, stores in the vicinity of the customers will pop up, and they can select their preferred store accordingly. Once booked, customers will get SMS with booking details, store details, and location of the store.

The planner will also allow Bridgestone channel partners to implement appropriate social distancing measures at the outlets, which are necessary in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the country unlocking gradually, tyre servicing will be a need for many, due to the prolonged parking of vehicles. However, safety concerns may prevent customers from availing this necessary service, as they recommence the usage of their vehicles. Therefore, as an organization who prioritizes safety as a core value, Bridgestone India has developed this service, to ensure that the safety of its customers and partners is not compromised, while they purchase or service their tyers.

“Safety is our core value, and it reflects in everything we do, be it our products, services or the way we do business. We are committed to serving our customers, and channel partners as their needs evolve. As the economy reopens, our customers would be more reliant on personal mobility, and therefore, this becomes an essential service for them.  The safety of our consumers and channel partners is our top priority, and we aim to provide the right solutions, with the utmost ease. This initiative is true to our values as we enable our customers to avail our services in a safe environment” said Parag Satpute, Managing Director Bridgestone India.

The COVID 19 situation continues to rise and therefore, such initiatives which help the customers avail the necessary services while maintaining social distancing, are the need of the hour. Bridgestone has always been proactive when it comes to the measures essential for the safety of its customers, employees, business partners and communities.

“As the lockdown norms have been eased in many areas and vehicles are back on the roads, customers need tyre servicing and/or replacements. Contactless servicing ensures minimum waiting and a sanitized environment at the Bridgestone outlets. Bookmyservice not only enables the customers to plan their visits but also helps our dealer partners maintain social distancing norms in their outlets- ensuring safety for everyone.’ said Rajarshi Moitra Executive Officer, Consumer Business, Bridgestone India. (MT)

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Automechanika Dubai, one of the leading automotive aftermarket exhibitions, has announced that its 2026 edition will move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City. The event is scheduled to take place from 10–12 November 2026, marking a shift from its previous venue to accommodate growth in the automotive aftermarket sector.

The relocation follows the 2025 edition, which recorded 50,308 visitors and 2,273 exhibitors. The new venue at DEC will offer 110,000 sqm of space, allowing for more international pavilions and product sections. The site is located near Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, aligning with the D33 economic agenda to enhance Dubai's role as a logistics hub.

Market analysis suggests the Middle East and Africa automotive aftermarket will reach a value of USD 87 billion by 2034. This growth is linked to an increase in vehicle numbers, digitalisation of supply chains, and electrification. Several companies, including Hankook & Company, Hanon Systems and National Paints, have confirmed participation for the 2026 event.

Tommy Le, Show Manager, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said, “Our move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre in 2026 is closely aligned with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which places trade, investment and global competitiveness at the heart of the Emirate’s long-term vision. As the future epicentre for mega events and international business gatherings, DEC represents the next phase of Dubai’s evolution as a world-leading exhibition and logistics hub.”

The 2026 exhibition will maintain its focus on sustainability, electrification, and innovation. Features such as Innovation4Mobility, Fleet FWD and the Automechanika Dubai Awards will continue at the new location to support knowledge exchange and industry partnerships.

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Motul India has launched the French lubricant brand IPONE in India. The company is positioning IPONE as a motorcycle-dedicated brand to connect engineering with the identity of riders. The brand uses a visual identity influenced by Japanese culture and Manga to target adventure, off-road and track racing segments.

The product hierarchy is organised via a judo belt progression system to categorise lubricants by riding intensity.

The Black Belt Racing range, led by the Shogun flagship, uses PAO and Ester-based technology for track use.

The Blue Belt Sport range consists of synthetic oils for road and off-road engines, while the Green Belt Advanced range offers semi-synthetic formulations for daily use. The Yellow Belt Standard range provides lubricants for commuting.

IPONE is supported by the industrial and distribution network of Motul. The company reports that synthetic oils represent 25 percent of its sales in India.

Nagendra Pai, CEO, Motul India & South Asia, said, "Motul has built its global authority on the science of performance lubricants. A premium and synthetic oils alone account for a quarter of our sales, and that foundation is non-negotiable. As a leading player in the category, we see a strong shift towards younger riders who are passionate about adventure riding, off-roading and performance-led experiences. IPONE launch sits at the intersection of two things we are deeply committed to: bringing the best lubrication technology to market, and premiumisation that is meaningful, not cosmetic. To support this, Motul's distribution network, both offline and online, is stronger than it has ever been, giving IPONE the reach to meet these riders wherever they are.”

The market rollout will begin across 6 core and 14 regional markets.

IPONE currently serves as the lubricant supplier for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the MXGP Championship. Through this launch, Motul India aims to increase its share in the motorcycle engine oil segment.

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German technology supplier ZF continues to be upbeat on the potential growth in the Indian aftermarket segment. In a recent comprehensive briefing on the shifting dynamics of the automotive aftermarket, Philippe Colpron, Head of ZF Aftermarket and Executive Vice President of ZF Group, shared his views on the Indian market, bridging cutting-edge digital solutions with deep-rooted local industrialisation.

In CY2025, ZF’s global aftermarket revenue reached an estimated EUR 3.5 billion (with a broader EUR 4.8 billion impact across the ZF Group), Colpron highlighted India as a cornerstone of the company’s ‘Mobility Uptime’ vision.

He noted that India’s transition into a self-sustainable world economy has made it a ‘very special market’ for ZF, where the company has maintained a presence for over 60 years.

“India is a very strong country – not just in culture and people, but also as a strong world economy. Becoming self-sustainable as a digital hub where multinationals have established themselves is creating an evolution of its economy and its people, leading to massive growth in infrastructure and mobility,” Colpron said.

A key highlight of ZF’s strategy is the expansion of its digital platforms. Following a successful European rollout for SACHS and WABCO, ZF has extended its CorExpedia platform to include ZF and TRW parts.

Colpron noted that while India remains primarily a ‘repair market’ today, he indicated that CorExpedia could be introduced as the market matures toward remanufacturing.

“With the growth of connected vehicles, the use-cases are changing,” Colpron remarked. He also pointed to the successful response to ZF MultiScan, the company's new multi-brand diagnostic tool and the expansion of the ZF [pro]Tech network, which now counts over 400 workshops in India.

Furthermore, ZF is banking on a ‘higher share of local industrialisation’, which is further set to accelerate between the second half of 2026 and 2028. The company’s portfolio already covers between 14-95 percent of automotive segments in India, ranging from two-wheelers to heavy-duty trucks.

Colpron expressed that he was ‘positively surprised’ by current coverage and expects the 2026 fiscal year to perform better than initial estimates.

Responding to the impact of electrification in the aftermarket segment, Colron pivoted from hardware to the human element. He noted that the challenge for workshops isn't just the battery, but the high-voltage systems and extensive software.

“It is important to make the mechanics and workshop comfortable to handle the EVs, so that they don’t lose out on business tomorrow,” he explained. “They need training, awareness, and education. We want to make sure our partners have a profitable business; that is a key driver for us.”

Despite the market's price sensitivity, Colpron remained firm on quality. Whether dealing with new high-value vehicles or legacy parts, the specification remains identical.

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BASF-backed paint protection solutions company RODIM has opened its first brand store in India named Perfect Finish in collaboration with Pranav Sharma, CEO of Perfect Finish, in Faridabad.

The facility also marks RODIM’s first exclusive global brand store, positioning India as its first launch market worldwide.

RODIM is expanding its footprint through stores that focus on installation standards. The Faridabad site functions as a training centre where partners learn installation techniques to reduce material waste during PPF applications.

The inauguration was attended by representatives from BASF, including Andy Wong, Sooraj Kapur and Ram Kumar Gaur. They were joined by Ruchir Malhotra and Sachin Ahuja, Managing Partners of Sheen Automotive 360 LLP, the distributors for RODIM in India.

The company intends to roll out the store concept across the country. India was the location for the brand's product launch and remains part of expansion plans.

Andy Wong, Head of Business Management, Direct Importers, APAC, BASF, said, “This brand store represents RODIM’s long-term commitment to the Indian market. Our vision is to transform the largely unorganised detailing sector into a professional, structured business ecosystem.”

Amresh Khar, Senior Vice-President, BASF, said: “The milestone marks a significant step towards building a structured, technology-driven, and premium ecosystem for the automotive detailing industry in the country. The presence of leading automotive detailers from across India reflects the rising demand for premium protection solutions. We are balancing global technological excellence with Indian market sensibilities, affordability, and emotional value.”

Ruchir Malhotra, added, “Professional detailers have embraced RODIM’s global quality post-Automechanika. These premium outlets will accelerate growth while setting new benchmarks for service quality.”

Sachin Ahuja, noted, “The company plans to empower existing channel partners to upgrade their studios into world-class facilities.”

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