In 1908, there were very few automobiles in the US, roads were rutted and driving them was much like driving over a washboard. Consequently, road signs and maps were almost non-existent and there were no petrol pumps - drivers purchased petrol in canisters from a general store.

In order to convince the public about usefulness of automobiles, Robert Guggenheim announced in 1909 that he would sponsor..., from New York to Seattle. It took the competing vehicles 23 days to cross the country from New York to Seattle on roads that were rudimentary at best. It was won by a Ford Model T. However, the vehicle was disqualified later because the car had made an engine change along the route.

Still, Henry Ford immediately launched a marketing campaign touting the fact that his lightweight, affordable Model T was the superior car!

Ocean-to-Ocean Being Reimagined for Ford EV

Just as the prevailing road-anxiety of 1909, these days electric vehicles EVs are facing range anxiety. So, Ford is taking a pair of its electric-powered new Mustang Mach-E models on a coast-to-coast drive that it is calling “Ocean-to-Ocean Reimagined”, a tribute to the 1909 Ocean-to- Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest.

The cross-country trip by the electric-powered Mach-E begins in New York City, works down the East Coast to Amelia Island, Florida, and then goes to Las Vegas before ending in Seattle. This route will cover 6,500 miles and will involve crossing 20 states, Ford said.

On February 25, 2021, another Mustang enthusiast, Sergio Rodriguez began a road trip from Murrieta, in California, towards the Atlantic Ocean, a distance of nearly 2,500 miles in a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E EV. The Mach-E consumed 790 kWh in the road trip, which gives it an energy consumption of 3.1 miles per kWh.

Rodriguez also kept track of how much time he spent charging and the amount of money the trip cost him in electricity. Charging at the “Electrify America” network took 586 minutes, or a little less than 10 hours, and it cost the Mach-E owner USD 160 value in INR needs to be mentioned? He also noted that he never spent more than 35 minutes at a charging station, thanks to the network of Electrify America fast-chargers along his route.

According to Rodriguez, range anxiety should not be a concern for people that are considering an EV as their next vehicle. Although he used the Electrify America chargers for more than 90 percent of the charging, the Mach-E owner said there were plenty more to choose from, such as “EVGo”, “ChargePoint”, “Greenlots”, “Volta” and many more!

At present, there are more than 26,000 electric vehicle charging stations open to the public in the US with more than 90,000 outlets. But the country, and the world, will need thousands more if drivers are going to adopt vehicles powered by batteries alone. “The automakers, more and more of them, are committing to manufacture electric vehicles,” said Mike Moran, spokesman for Electrify America, builder of charging station network. “Last year, automakers announced a combined $225 billion in investments in electrification.” With more than 40 fully electric vehicles on the market in the US or coming within the next three years, the demand growth for charging infrastructure is assured. (MT)

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Shell Lubricants India has launched three new lubricant products, developed using technology, to serve customer needs across passenger cars, two-wheelers and pickup trucks. The new products reinforce Shell’s commitment to technical excellence.

The new products include:

• Shell Spirax S4 GX 75W90: This product is the only Shell Branded product globally in this viscosity and is India’s first Shell Branded synthetic gear oil under the Spirax category. It is designed for manual transmissions in passenger cars and LCVs. The company claims that it provides gearbox protection, smoother gear shifts and cost savings. It is approved under API GL-4 and ZF-TE-ML-08 standards and is compatible with OEMs including Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors. It comes in 1L (INR 540) and 2.5L (INR 1300) packaging.
• Shell Advance AX6 5W30: Targeted at the growing BS VI scooter market, this oil provides 360-degree protection for daily commuters. Formulated with synthetic technology, it offers performance under urban conditions, including traffic and frequent stop-start riding. The 600 ml bottle is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, is priced at INR 355 and is available nationwide.
• Shell Rimula Pick-Up: This is an engine oil crafted and tested specifically for pickup trucks navigating city traffic, offering performance and extended drain intervals. The range is available for both BS IV and BS VI engines in 5L and 7L packaging, launched nationwide.

Shell Lubricants recently launched the new Shell Helix Ultra, engineered to deliver performance and protection. It uses Shell’s PurePlus Technology – which converts natural gas into 99.5 percent pure base oil – to offer up to 1.8 percent more engine power, 3.4 percent improved responsiveness and 100 percent engine power retention.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has inaugurated its 100th Green Workshop, signalling a major commitment to sustainable aftersales service. The milestone facility, located at Bright Kia in Kanpur, follows the first Green Workshop launched in Rohtak in 2023.

The company's Green Workshop initiative is a key part of its environmental efforts and aims to expand the network to over 150 workshops by 2026.

Kia's Green Workshops are fitted with advanced sustainability measures, including rainwater harvesting, natural lighting and motion-sensor systems for greater energy efficiency. They also utilise effluent treatment plants, steam wash systems to cut water usage and waterless urinals.

Crucially, the 100 workshops collectively generate 7.9 MW of solar power. This renewable energy capacity allows Kia India to prevent nearly 9,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year, which the company states is equivalent to the absorption power of 450,000 mature trees. Kia has also implemented a comprehensive recycling programme for automotive waste such as used batteries and oil.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Achieving the milestone of 100 Green Workshops within a short span of two years underscores Kia India’s commitment to building a sustainable mobility ecosystem. Each workshop brings us closer to a world where progress doesn’t come at the planet’s cost. This initiative, alongside our portfolio of three EVs, is a significant reflection of our continued efforts to reduce environmental impact, enhance operational efficiency, and shape a cleaner, smarter mobility for our future generations.”

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Delhi-NCR-based CarXpert, a multi-brand car service network, is set to expand its footprint into the western Indian market, with a primary focus on Gujarat. The move aims to upgrade local, independent garages into professional service centres by providing them with modern tools, training and brand recognition.

The company's business model is designed to help local mechanics professionalise their operations. CarXpert provides standardised processes, diagnostic technology and skill development programs, allowing garages to offer more reliable service and build long-term customer trust.

Rachit Dhawan, Head of Department at CarXpert, said, “We are happy to announce our expansion plans to other parts of India. Gujarat is one of the growing markets for job creation. Many of these workshops operate without modern tools, standardised systems, or access to training. We are working to change this by giving these workshops an opportunity to become part of an organised, trusted network.”

With over 50 centres already operational in locations across northern India, the company's expansion into Gujarat will cater to the state's growing number of vehicle owners.

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Manav Kapur, Director of Steelbird International, an automotive component supplier, has been appointed Chairman of the Aftermarket pillar of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).

Kapur takes on this new responsibility after completing his tenure as Chairman of ACMA’s Young Business Leaders Forum (YBLF), where he was leading initiatives to strengthen industry engagement and build future leadership. Akhilesh Rai, Director, Suprajit Engineering, has succeeded Kapur as Chairman of YBLF.

“The Indian aftermarket is at an inflection point. With rising vehicle ownership, a growing focus on safety, and India’s expanding role in global mobility value chains, there is a tremendous opportunity to transform this sector. Our priority will be to drive initiatives that not only make India self-reliant but also position our aftermarket industry as a trusted global partner,” said Kapur.

The announcement comes alongside the appointment of Vikrampati Singhania, Managing Director, JK Fenner (India), as the new President of ACMA for 2025–26 and Sriram Viji, Managing Director, Brakes India, as President Designate.

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