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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Schaeffler India Limited, a prominent motion technology company, is exhibiting its extensive aftermarket solutions at the ongoing ACMA Automechanika 2026 in New Delhi (from 5 to 7 February). At Booth K10 in Hall 1, the company will present a future-ready portfolio supporting every vehicle segment, including two-wheelers, internal combustion engine passenger cars, commercial vehicles, tractors, hybrids and electric vehicles. A cornerstone of this presentation is the official introduction of a dedicated two-wheeler spare parts range for the Indian aftermarket, featuring critical components such as bearings, clutch plates, brake pads, fuel injectors and engine oil.

Beyond product expansion, Schaeffler is reinforcing its commitment to the aftermarket network through its Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division, which simplifies sourcing and provides technical support for retailers and independent workshops. This initiative aims to position Schaeffler as the preferred partner for workshops servicing mixed vehicle fleets. In preparation for the evolving automotive landscape, the company will also showcase specialised EV-ready repair and maintenance solutions. These are backed by the REPXPERT training ecosystem, a programme designed to equip workshops with the skills for safe and reliable servicing of new-age vehicles, thereby enhancing repair quality, productivity and long-term customer trust.

The exhibit will further demonstrate Schaeffler’s broad technical capabilities through solutions for transmission, engine cooling and chassis applications. Key innovations on display include FAG repair insert units, advanced e-powertrain technologies and the durable Schaeffler TruPower range, all engineered to deliver reliable performance under India's diverse and demanding usage conditions.

Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and CEO, Schaeffler India Limited, said, “Vehicle lifetime services such as repair and maintenance are non-negotiable enablers of sustainable mobility. As a Motion Technology leader, we are acutely aware of the commitment it takes to offer a universal suite of products and services to enable the ecosystem made of distribution networks and workshops to carry that promise forward. Our showcase at the ACMA Automechanika 2026 in New Delhi is a comprehensive display of how we are bridging today’s vehicle aftermarket needs with tomorrow’s technologies.”

Micah Shepard, President – Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions Asia Pacific, said, “India’s aftermarket requirements are evolving rapidly along with changing vehicle technologies. At Schaeffler, we are focused on equipping our vehicle-lifetime services partners with the right mix of localisation, relevance and durability in aftermarket mobility solutions that helps them support their customers with longer vehicle lifecycles.”

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Toyota Kirloskar Sundaram Automotive Solutions has inaugurated its first ‘TSERV Select’ multi-brand service outlet in KR Puram, Bengaluru. The company is a joint venture between Kirloskar Systems, the Trichur Sundaram Santhanam Family (TSSF Group) and Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM).

The JV targets the growing demand for organised and transparent vehicle maintenance in India's automotive market. The outlet features diagnostic tools and a workforce trained to provide services for vehicles of all brands.

The company has appointed Rajesh Menon as its President, who comes with over 35 years of experience in the automobile sector. He will oversee the development of a service network intended for various Indian cities.

In addition to the company-owned TSERV Select format, the business operates a network of 150 third-party multi-brand outlets under the ‘TSERV’ trademark. This dual-network approach is designed to increase accessibility while maintaining service standards across different markets.

Geetanjali Kirloskar, Chairperson and Managing Director, Kirloskar Systems, said, “The inauguration of our first service outlet marks an important milestone in building a customer-friendly automotive service platform. As Indian customers increasingly value transparency and trust, our focus is on delivering high-quality and dependable service across vehicle brands.”

Srivats Ram, Director, TSSF Group, said, “The launch of this facility reflects our commitment to making professional vehicle service more accessible and affordable. By addressing the gap between customer expectations and the availability of organized service options, we aim to offer reliable solutions that deliver value across the ownership journey.”

Tadashi Asazuma, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The launch of the first TSERV Select outlet marks a significant milestone, reflecting our shared commitment to extending Toyota’s service philosophy through strong and capable local partnerships. As a mobility solutions company, our focus goes beyond vehicles to deliver dependable, end-to-end ownership and service experiences that bring mass happiness to customers. Through disciplined processes, skilled teams, and an unwavering focus on quality, we aim to offer customers a consistent, reliable, and high-standard service experience that builds long-term trust and supports their evolving mobility needs.”

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Avis India has announced the launch of Avis Luxury Van Rentals, expanding its mobility portfolio to address demand for group travel. The service is aimed at corporate and leisure segments, providing transport for business leaders, families, and teams.

The fleet consists of vehicles including the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Toyota Vellfire, Kia Carnival, Toyota Coaster and Toyota Commuter. These models allow customers to select vehicles based on group size, with the capacity to accommodate up to 25 passengers. The service is available for intracity and intercity travel and is operated by English-speaking chauffeurs.

Bookings, confirmations and modifications are managed through an in-house technology platform. This system is supported by a 24x7 contact centre intended to provide assistance to users. The launch extends the company's existing suite of mobility solutions, focusing on service standards and management for group movements.

Aman Naagar, Managing Director, Avis India, said, “Avis Luxury Van Rentals reflects our focus on delivering elevated mobility experiences for customers who value comfort, reliability and professional service. The launch is designed to meet the requirements of evolving group travel in the country, and further strengthens our portfolio. The service is designed to accommodate up to 25 passengers and reinforces our commitment to delivering seamless premium mobility solutions, nationally.”

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Carraro India, a subsidiary of the Italian group Carraro, has inaugurated its first authorised service centre in Faridabad, Haryana. This facility is the first of four centres the company plans to establish across India by 2026 to support its expansion in the off-highway vehicle market.

The centre is operated in partnership with Balaji Enterprises and will provide maintenance for driveline systems, including axles and transmissions used in agricultural and construction machinery.

The facility is equipped with diagnostic tools and a stock of genuine spare parts to ensure the repair of equipment. It aims to serve customers in Northern India, reducing downtime for fleet operators and farmers. Carraro India currently operates manufacturing plants in Pune and produces driveline solutions for several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The inauguration in Faridabad marks the start of a network growth strategy. Carraro intends to open three additional centres in locations with high concentrations of off-highway equipment. This initiative is designed to move after-sales support closer to the end-user, providing technical assistance and training for local mechanics.

Andrea Conchetto, CEO, Carraro Group, stated, “The opening of our first authorised service centre in Faridabad is a milestone in our journey to enhance customer experience in India. This facility is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class service and support to our customers. We are confident that this centre will set new benchmarks in service excellence”.

S Krishnan, Managing Director, Carraro India, said, “The Faridabad centre is the first of many such facilities we plan to open across the country. Our goal is to ensure that our customers have access to genuine parts and expert service, regardless of their location. This expansion will help us strengthen our presence in the Indian market and provide better value to our customers”.

“We are proud to partner with Carraro India in this initiative. Our team is trained to provide the best-in-class service to Carraro customers. We look forward to a successful partnership and to serving the needs of the off-highway vehicle industry in this region,” added Balaji Enterprises representative.

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  - Ravi Kumar January 24, 2026 01:42 AM

  Main is opportunity ko lekar bahut interested hoon aur requirement ke hisaab se join karne ke liye ready hoon

  Reply