NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings of Japan, has appointed Sharad Malhotra as the Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective 1 December 2025. Malhotra becomes the first Indian national appointed to the position, succeeding Jon Tan, and is set to report to the Group CEO, Wee Siew Kim.

The appointment aligns with Nippon Paint's plans for business growth in India, which the company views as a strategic market for expansion. Malhotra is a 15-year veteran at Nippon Paint, having established the automotive refinish, wood coatings and light industrial coatings segments in India. He is an existing Director on the company's Board and has been involved in the firm’s venture beyond paint into categories such as paint protection films.

Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings and Group CEO, NIPSEA Group, said, "We are delighted to appoint Sharad Malhotra to this pivotal leadership role. Sharad has successfully led and charted a strong growth path for our auto refinish business globally, while being based in India. His proven ability to deliver results, deep understanding of our business, and commitment to excellence make him ideally suited to lead our India operations through the next phase of growth.”

As Managing Director, Malhotra will be responsible for the overall direction and strategy of the India Group. His focus will be on sustainable growth across all segments of the Indian paint market. He will continue to lead Nippon Paint’s global expansion in the automotive aftermarket business, a category he has overseen since inception.

"It is an immense honour to lead Nippon Paint India at this transformative and pivotal moment. The Indian market presents unique opportunities and challenges, and I look forward to expand possibilities for our business, build on our strengths and support our customers and partners as we move forward," said Malhotra.

Nippon Paint, the world’s fourth largest paint company by revenue, views India as a key market due to its population, economic growth and consumer base.

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Tata Motors, one of the leading automakers in the country, has opened a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) under its Re.Wi.Re (Recycle With Respect) brand in Patna, Bihar.

The facility is spread across 5.5 acres and is operated by Kalahanu Bothra Group. It has the capacity to dismantle up to 15,000 end-of-life vehicles annually across all brands and vehicle segments, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Operations at the unit are digitised and paperless. The facility uses cell-type dismantling setups for commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers and line-type dismantling systems for passenger vehicles. Dedicated stations process individual components, including tyres, batteries, fuel, oils, liquids and gases, to meet national vehicle scrappage standards.

Speaking at the inauguration, Damodar Rawat, Minister of Transport, Government of Bihar, said, "The launch of this Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility in Patna is a significant step towards safer roads and a cleaner transport ecosystem for the state. In line with the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy, the facility will help phase out old and unfit vehicles in a scientific and responsible manner, while encouraging owners to move to newer, safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Modernising our vehicle fleet is essential to reducing emissions and improving road safety across Bihar. I congratulate Tata Motors and the Kalahanu Group on this initiative and look forward to more such efforts that advance safe and sustainable mobility in the state."

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors, said, “The inauguration of our Patna facility marks another step in building a responsible, organised ecosystem for end-of-life vehicles across the country. The National Vehicle Scrappage Policy has created a structured framework to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles and, through well-designed incentives, encourages owners to transition to cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Guided by the principles of circular economy, we are equipped with the widest nationwide network of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities to responsibly dismantle close to 200,000 end-of-life vehicles annually. We deeply value the unwavering support and collaboration of our partners, state governments and local authorities in turning this vision into reality.”

The Patna site brings the total number of Tata Motors vehicle-scrapping locations to 12. The company also maintains operations in Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Pune, Guwahati, Raipur, Lucknow, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

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Motul India has expanded its Sehat Ki Samriddhi healthcare initiative in partnership with Smile Foundation, scaling the programme to 108 health camps across 27 districts from April to December 2026.

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative targets over 21,000 beneficiaries, providing medical diagnostics, consultations and medicines to auto mechanics & their families.

The rollout more than doubles the 51 health camps conducted in the previous year. Since 2024, the initiative has held 91 camps across hubs such as Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and Mangalore, delivering care to over 18,300 individuals.

Nagendra Pai, CEO, Motul India and South Asia, said, "Auto mechanics are the people who keep India's vehicles running every day, yet they remain one of the most underserved communities when it comes to healthcare. Sehat Ki Samriddhi's expansion to 108 camps this year reflects our deepening commitment to these communities. We want to ensure that auto mechanics and their families receive the care and support they deserve, right at their doorsteps."

Each camp provides consultations, diagnostics for blood sugar and haemoglobin, essential medicines and first-aid kits, with support from Motul employees & distributors handling ground operations.

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder, Smile Foundation, added, "Sehat Ki Samriddhi is a strong example of what happens when corporate commitment meets grassroots need. Auto mechanics might be facing occupational hazards every day that go unaddressed until it becomes serious health crises. By bringing doctors, diagnostics, and screenings directly to these beneficiaries, we are promoting and ensuring preventive care."

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GS Caltex India has unveiled the global identity of its lubricant brand, Kixx, featuring a modernised Kixx logo and the brand slogan ‘Lubricating the Future.’

Sung Hur, Executive Vice-President & Head of Chemical & Lubricants Business, GS Caltex, said, "The refreshed Kixx identity reflects our vision to lead the future of lubrication through innovation and customer-centric solutions. India is a strategic market for us and this launch reinforces our long-term commitment to delivering world-class lubricant technologies to customers across the country."

Vijay Savant, CEO & Managing Director, GS Caltex India, said, "The new Kixx identity represents more than a visual transformation, it reflects our commitment to delivering advanced, high-performance lubricant solutions backed by global expertise. As India's mobility and industrial sectors continue to evolve, Kixx is well-positioned to support their growth."

K Madhu Mohan, VP-Marketing, GS Caltex India, added, "'Lubricating the Future' embodies our promise to drive better performance, efficiency and sustainable progress. The refreshed identity will strengthen Kixx's presence while reinforcing the trust customers place in our brand."

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Lusso Designs India, a vehicle customisation company and part of Arpanna Group of Companies, has opened its first flagship experience centre in Mumbai.

The facility will function as a showroom and design atelier, displaying vehicles and components such as alloy wheels and upholstery. Lusso Designs is collaborating with designer Dhanesh Chheda of Just Men for this venture.

The company operates production hubs in Pune and Dubai and caters to brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kia India and Hyundai Motor India.

Pratik Malkan, Chairman, Arpanna Group of Companies, said, "For over five decades, our Group has been built on the belief that enduring businesses are created by combining craftsmanship, innovation and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Lusso Designs represents the natural evolution of that philosophy into the luxury mobility space. India today is witnessing a new generation of discerning consumers who seek experiences that are deeply personal and globally benchmarked. With Lusso, we are not simply introducing another automotive customisation brand—we are creating an ecosystem where design, engineering and craftsmanship come together to redefine luxury ownership for the Indian market and beyond."

Vihaan Malkan, Director, Lusso Designs, said, "The inauguration of our flagship experience centre in Mumbai marks the beginning of a new chapter for the luxury automotive ecosystem in India. Over the past five decades, our group's legacy has been anchored on absolute discretion, precision engineering, and uncompromising quality. Through this experience centre, we are seamlessly fusing international luxury benchmarks with local design sensibilities. We are empowering discerning Indian vehicle owners to realise their ultimate vision of ultra-luxury, personalised comfort, and sustainable design, transforming their vehicles into a true extension of their individual identity."

The new facility is designed for vehicle customisation, offering services ranging from interior overhauls to the integration of materials.

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