While the value of a vehicle depreciates as years pass by, the luxury added to it definitely counts. Also, customers are willing to pay for the luxury element in their vehicles today, and the details of the luxury differ from customer to customer. Tropicool Car Gadgets, a product development company, has been into enhancing the on-road experience for vehicle owners by adding the safety and luxury quotient to them. In a tete-a-tete with Khushboo Shinagare, Director at Tropicool, we find out the need for luxury gadgets in vehicles, their need in terms of safety, how their refrigerators for vehicles stand out and more.

The definition of luxury has changed today. Earlier, only the well-off could afford it, but now many from different backgrounds and sectors can. When it came to luxury in the automotive industry, it was perhaps more about comfort and interior. While that hasn’t changed today, there is still so much more, especially in terms of enhanced technology when it comes to better safety and comfort.

Boosting the driving, commuting and travel experience further, whether they are passenger vehicles or private vehicles, they also come with luxury gadgets and other accessories, with those for safety as well. Founded only 10 years ago, Tropicool Car Gadgets, a product development company, has been into enhancing the on-road experience for vehicle owners by adding the safety and luxury quotient to them. It provides innovative products for vehicles, from vehicle CCTV surveillance systems to rear-view cameras and from parking sensors to refrigerators, to put in the vehicle.

Luxury gadgets – are they really needed in vehicles?
But luxury holds a different definition for everyone, and many might ask how necessary that factor is in vehicles and passenger transportation today. Throwing some light on this, Shinagare explains, “There is definitely a need for luxury car gadgets in passenger transportation. If we look at the numbers, then 40 million of India’s population still uses public transport. There are several reasons behind this – for one, they probably don’t find public transportation comfortable enough. Or maybe there aren’t enough luxuries or facilities in it. So there is certainly a need for luxury in passenger transport. Everyone, from the lower class to middle class people, want to travel well – especially when they travel every day, day in and day out.”

“Besides, many elements come under luxury, from refrigerators to entertainment in the passenger vehicle. And now basic communication systems are a necessary. Moreover, our safety gadgets ensure that the driver  is well taken care of, who, in fact, endures more than the passengers. Therefore, a lot of our systems essentially help the driver make the whole journey safe,” she says.

Keeping driver safety and comfort in mind
Shinagare cites that Tropicool’s products are definitely targeted at certain customers that own vehicles. But as far as public transport is concerned, they are targeting everybody. “We want every vehicle to be equipped with our systems. Moreover, the basic safety and comfort of the driver is covered when they are driving,” she asserts.

Turning to localisation
Most of Tropicool’s products are manufactured overseas. However, the company has already gone local with about 30 percent of its products. “We are manufacturing them in Pune and have an R&D team set up now,” Shinagare informs us and continues, “Our product line comes with very advanced technology. In India, however, we have a lack of resources for these kinds of products. In fact, the whole world relies on China and Taiwan for such products, and we are no different.”

“However, we are looking at localising our cameras and other products slowly. Yet, at the same time, we also need more volumes to manufacture here. Hence, from a cost point of view, it’s actually cheaper to get these products from China at this point. Because we know that China has already been 25 years ahead of us in these technologies. So we have a roadmap to cover that as well,” she shares.

However, Shinagare tells us that these are still niche products. “You will only find 50 percent of vehicles with such systems installed, while the other 50 percent will neglect having such systems,” she avers and continues, “Thus, with 100 percent adoption, there will be volumes for sure. And volumes are what one really needs to bring costs down for manufacturing in India.”

Making its products suitable for Indian conditions
Not just targeting localisation, Tropicool also focuses on making its products apt for Indian conditions. “The major role our R&D plays is identifying what the requirements are and customising the products at the stage of manufacturing in order to suit and comply with regulations (like the automotive standards in India),” she explains and goes on, “In truth, the Indian automotive industry is quite evolved when it comes to standards and compliances. It has some really rigorous tests that electronic products undergo. It has one of the most stringent compliances compared to even countries like the US or those in Europe.”

Product customisation
As mentioned by Shinagare, all these products can also be customised by Tropicool. The customisation requests typically come from OEMs, who understand how the people in India use their vehicles.

Sharing an interesting example with us, Shinagare recounts, “Our first refrigerator project was for the Tata Safari SUV, which had a child seat at the back of the SUV. So we were requested a customisation where the child seat could be converted into a refrigerator box. And we provided them with that customisation.”

EV fridges
We soon turned to refrigerators, another product by Tropicool. We all know that refrigerators contribute to greenhouse gases, but Tropicool also provides EV fridges, where EVs play the role of sustainable mobility.

Explaining two such contradicting elements coming together in a product, Shinagare highlights that when it comes to Tropicool’s products, they have extremely low-powered, energy-efficient refrigeration systems that can run off the EV battery.

“That is where Tropicool stands out,” she points out and goes on, “That is why we are able to load up on an EV. Because most refrigeration systems are fuel-dependent, and unfortunately, have no alternative today.”

 

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Banner Batteries, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of original equipment batteries, has appointed Andrew Russell as its new Business Development Manager for Northern England and Scotland. The appointment is in line with Banner’s strategy to increase its market share in these key regions.

Russell will be responsible for enhancing connections with Banner's extensive clientele, which includes motor factors, independent distributors, garages, and specialty automobile parts stores. He will report to Country Manager Lee Quinney. Russell brings with him over two decades of experience in the UK aftermarket sector. Russell, who graduated from the University of the West of England with a BA (Hons) in Business Administration, began his career in retail management before switching to sales. Prior to joining Banner, he was Ring Automotive's Business Development Manager, where he was named the company's top salesperson in 2023. Account management, company development and building enduring connections with customers are his strong points.

Russell said, “I am delighted to get the opportunity to work for Banner, not only as they are one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of original equipment batteries, but a family-owned business. In order to continue to develop Banner’s market penetration across what is an important sales territory, I shall be looking to focus on four key principles – promoting O/E product quality aligned to price competitiveness, delivering outstanding levels of customer service and developing long-standing and successful customer relationships.”

Quinney said, “The whole team at Banner is delighted to welcome Andrew into the fold. He has a proven track record in the automotive aftermarket, and we are confident this will prove instrumental in strengthening Banner’s position across Scotland and the north, both of which are important strategic territories. Supplying a first-class service to our customer base remains one of our main priorities, together with promoting Banner’s original equipment pedigree, and Andrew will help spearhead this moving forwards.”

Manba Finance Limited, a NBFC, has announced a strategic alliance with BGauss Auto, Fin Coopers Capital and ProsParity to drive a shift towards sustainable mobility and empower the aspirations of customers across the country.
The association with BGauss Auto will help Manba Finance Limited to financing the former’s electric vehicles (EVs), making it easier in turn to tap the growing green mobility market. The NBFC company claims to use technology to streamline lending such that it ensures efficiency and transparency. It is said to offer a range of financial solutions for new two-wheelers, three-wheelers, electric two wheelers, electric three wheelers, used cars and to small businesses. 
The alliance with Fin Coopers Capital in vehicle financing would offer Manba Finance the opportunity to leverage the former’s expertise in investment and capital management. 
The association with ProsParity, on the other hand, will provide the company access to an advanced digital platform that streamlines credit flow and enhances loan processing. 
Monil Shah, Executive Director and Chief Business Officer, Manba Finance Limited, said about the development: “Our partnerships with BGauss Auto, Fin Coopers Capital, and ProsParity will help us to strengthen our commitment to delivering innovative and accessible financial solutions. These partnerships enable us to expand our reach, enhance our offerings, and support communities across India with efficient, transparent, and socially responsible services. Together, we aim to empower individuals and businesses, driving positive change and fostering long-term growth."
 

Kärcher India was the official wash partner for the Mountain Goat Event 2025, held on 15 -16 February 2025 at the Adventure Sports Resort, Kufri. Celebrating 90 years of innovation, Kärcher India brought its Guinness World Record-holding pressure washers to the extreme off-roading event, ensuring that over 80 SUVs remained spotless as they conquered the snow-covered and rocky trails of Shimla–Rampur–Kaza–Kalpa–Manali.
As participants conquered rocky trails, icy roads, and muddy paths, Kärcher India's dedicated washing bay and product showcase stall became a key stop for maintaining vehicle performance and cleanliness. Equipped with high-pressure washers and advanced cleaning technology, the Kärcher team ensured that every vehicle remained in top condition, removing stubborn dirt and grime accumulated throughout the journey. Designed for both B2B and personal use, Kärcher's pressure washers proved their versatility by tackling all kinds of grime—whether from rugged off-road expeditions or everyday cleaning needs.
Jatinder Kaul, Managing Director, Kärcher India, reflected on the collaboration, stating, "Being the Official Wash Partner for the Mountain Goat Event was an incredible opportunity to showcase the efficiency of our cleaning solutions in extreme conditions. Our technology is built for high performance, and this event perfectly showcased how it helps adventure enthusiasts maintain their vehicles even in the most extreme terrains. We’re proud to have been part of this exhilarating journey and look forward to continuing our support for the off-roading community."
Shashwat Gupta and Suraj Tayal, Founders of Mountain Goat, expressed, "Mountain Goat is all about pushing limits, and Kärcher India has once again proven its reliability in the toughest terrains. Having Kärcher India as our Official Wash Partner for this event strengthens our commitment to delivering a seamless and exhilarating experience. Their innovative cleaning technology has been instrumental in keeping our fleet in top condition, even in the harshest terrains. For every off-roader, maintaining their machine is a matter of pride, and Kärcher helps us uphold that passion." 
The event attracted a passionate community of adventure seekers and automotive enthusiasts, with Kärcher India’s presence highlighting its commitment to innovation, precision, and sustainability. By providing superior cleaning performance in the most demanding environments, Kärcher reinforced its position as a trusted brand in high-performance cleaning technology.
 

German tier 1 supplier ZF Group has inaugurated its India first ZF [pro]Tech plus workshop in New Delhi. The new workshop is part of ZF Aftermarket which has a legacy of over 40 years. The ZF [pro]Tech has been empowering workshops by providing technical knowledge, training and service data of OEMs.

The New Delhi workshop was inaugurated by Markus Wittig, Global Head of Business Line Passenger Car, ZF Aftermarket, and Vijay Khorgade, Head of Business Line Pass Car IMEA. Rolly Chadha, Head of European Motor Works and the owner of this workshop, led the inaugural celebration.

Markus Wittig, said, “I am very pleased with this launch of India’s first ZF [pro]Tech plus workshop. This reiterates our commitment and ambition in the Indian market. With this facility, we will be able to provide unparalleled support to our workshop partners, enhancing their capabilities and ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry in India. It also marks the start of a nationwide roll-out of our workshop concept in India.”

Vijay Khorgade, said, “For India, ZF Aftermarket is setting the benchmark for workshop expectations in terms of technology and quality. By offering technical know-how and training, we enable our partners to deliver exceptional service and support to their customers. As most of us know Indian automotive market is on the cusp of an evolution, and the ZF [pro]Tech plus concept enables workshops to keep pace with the new technologies and advances in mobility, making them relevant and ready for the future.”

Rolly Chadha, added, “We have been associated with ZF Group for several years now. As a legacy distributor, we are aware of the technology and quality ZF Aftermarket represents and we are thrilled to be part of ZF [pro]Tech plus network as the first-ever workshop. The comprehensive support and expertise provided by ZF Group will undoubtedly elevate our service standards and help us better serve our customers.”