Hella India Lighting Limited has appointed new executive heads effective 1st January 2023. As per the same, Manoj Singh will head the Special Original Equipment division of Hella India Lighting. Anandhan Venugopal will lead the Independent Aftermarket division. 

Both Singh and Venugopal have joined the Board of Directors of Hella India Lighting Limited as Executive Directors effective 1st January, 2023. Ravi Chhabra, General Counsel as well as Head of Legal, Compliance and Audit for Hella India Lighting Limited has also joined the Board of Directors as ‘Non-Executive Director - Compliance and Governance’ since this date. 

In their new roles, both Singh and Chhabra will report to Christoph Söhnchen, who as the Executive Manager has responsibility for the global Special Original Equipment business at Hella. Venugopal will report to Dr Nima Mehrdadi, Vice President Aftermarket, Middle East, Africa & India at Hella. 

In response to the development, Singh expressed, “The global and Indian management teams are working closely to bring new and affordable technologies to the Indian market. Our goal is to become preferred partner and to increase customer satisfaction with both local and global customers being catered from India.” 

Venugopal averred, “Our vision - Technology of tomorrow for the Life of Today on Indian Roads - remains our guiding torch for our future journey. We will continue to bring more and more products, technologies and solutions to satisfy and even enthuse our customers. We have the clear ambition and target to become India’s top choice when it comes to Aftermarket solutions.” 

Chhabra said, “We are confident to continue achieving our goals and aspirations of all stakeholders of our company. With the continued robust business performance of both our local Special Original Equipment and Aftermarket business, as well as with our new inspiring leadership team, Hella India Lighting Limited will set new milestones of achievement, performance and will continue its journey of being a happy and thriving workplace.”

SKF India, a leading technology and solutions provider for bearings and units, has launched a branded mobile van campaign targeted for two-wheeler mechanics across the country.

The initiative aims to engage with over 8,000 mechanics covering 100 cities in 19 states in India. The campaign will focus on skill development, product awareness and provide anti-counterfeiting education. For the automotive aftermarket segment, counterfeiting remains a significant challenge, which poses risks to both customers and mechanics.

Alagesan Thasari, Director, SKF Automotive India & Southeast Asia, said, “At SKF, we believe in fostering strong partnerships within the automotive ecosystem. This campaign is a step forward in ensuring customer satisfaction and enhancing the skills of mechanics who are vital to the ecosystem. By providing them with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to succeed, we aim to not only enhance their skills but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient automotive aftermarket."

The mobile van will showcase SKF’s wide range of two-wheeler offerings, providing mechanics hands-on interaction with high-quality solutions. Customers will also get benefits under SKF’s 15-month warranty program.

A striking anamorphic sculpture, crafted from repurposed headlights, air conditioning units, chipboards and other discarded materials is helping to turn e-waste into an art. It is aiding to bring new meaning to sustainability and creativity. 
A one-of-a-kind installation created by artists Rohini Maiti and Surya Punjabi in collaboration with Tata Motors’ Re.Wi.Re Recycling Facility, the striking anamorphic sculpture reflects the capability to transform e-waste into a powerful artistic statement. 
Through ‘Behind A Silver Lining’, the artists have explored the intersection of art, science, and technology, giving new life in the process, to materials that would otherwise be discarded. The installation challenges the way we view industrial waste, encouraging audiences to see potential where others see obsolescence.
More than just an artwork, the sculpture sparks important conversations about sustainability, innovation, and responsible recycling. Paying tribute to the Kala Ghoda tradition of horse-inspired sculptures, it also reflects on the evolution of transportation and the role of design in shaping a sustainable future.
 

Mahindra Truck and Bus (MTBD) has strengthened its presence in Assam with a new State-of-the-Art dealership in Lakhimpur. This is the 87th dealership of the company and reflects the company’s robust 46 percent CAGR volume growth over the last three years. 
The dealership at Lakhimpur (Assam) is made up of four service bays. Capable of servicing more than 10 vehicles per day, it also the facility for driver lodging, 24-hour breakdown assistance and AdBlue sale. 
Speaking about the new dealership, Dr Venkat Srinivas, Business Head – Mahindra Truck and Bus, and Construction Equipment, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, mentioned, “MTBD's strong presence in the Indian CV market has helped secure the number three position in various sectors. The superior technology of the Blazo X, Furio and Cruzio BS6 OBD II range of commercial vehicles is emphasised by the mileage guarantee ‘Get More Mileage or Give The Truck Back’. The state-of-art 3S facility coupled with strong dealer partners will set high customer service standards and help to expand the business.”
 Sateesh Machiraju, Head- Sales & Customer care – Mahindra Truck and Bus division, said, “Our R&D team’s customer centricity approach has resulted in higher fluid efficiency for entire product range of truck & bus division. Our vehicles are equipped with the most advance telematics solution – iMAXX, which give complete control over the transport business with real time monitoring of fuel, drivers behaviour, and vehicle health parameter. The new mileage guarantee, embodied by the motto ‘Zyada Mileage Nahin Toh Truck Wapas’ will provide unmatched value to our customers.”
 

TyrePlex has raised INR 200 million in funding (approximately US$ 2.4 million) round led by PeerCapital with the participation from Titan Capital Winners Fund, Sattva Family Office, and existing investors, including 100 Unicorns. This funding will be strategically deployed to accelerate growth in multiple areas. TyrePlex plans to expand its geographic footprint into the top 25 cities across India, leveraging a combination of qualitative and quantitative data points for city selection.
By focusing on establishing a strong distribution base, TyrePlex as a B2B tyre marketplace, is keen to unlock additional services for both tyre brands and dealers. These include tailored solutions for customer relationship management, inventory optimisation and advanced analytics to drive informed decision-making.
A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to strengthening the company’s technology platform to further enhance dealer-centric tools and improve operational efficiencies. TyrePlex will additionally pilot tyre recycling and reverse logistics initiatives, addressing key sustainability challenges in the industry. The company is also focusing on creating a lean yet highly effective team to support its city expansion plans.
Founded in 2020 by auto-tech industry veterans, the company aims to revolutionise the highly fragmented tyre retail ecosystem in India by offering a comprehensive, technology-driven platform that empowers tyre dealers to enhance their efficiency and profitability.
With over 20,000 registered tyre dealers, the platform provides tools to improve sales and margins, streamline procurement, manage inventory, and set up online stores. The company’s app offers an integrated solution that simplifies operations, generates demand, and enables easy procurement of tyres with delivery within three or four hours.
The company’s dealer-centric approach has resulted in a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) and impressive repeat business metrics, reflecting the platform’s ability to address dealer pain points effectively. With seamless operations, reliable product availability, and competitive pricing, the platform has garnered strong loyalty among its users, fostering trust and long-term partnerships.