MT Bureau
Rico Auto Industries Limited, the aftermarket division of the leading integrated supplier of automotive components and assemblies, has introduced a new spoof-proof packaging to contain spurious parts. The company that is involved right from design and development in making dies and moulds, manufactures automotive components in ferrous and aluminium machined castings. In 2017 it entered the aftermarket. Spurious products with almost look alike packaging are costing companies a great deal of money and goodwill.
“We have developed a brand new packaging with a phylogenic effect on the whole box but not on the product. Once the box is opened the consumer can ask the retailer to prove the authenticity by putting a screen on the open Lid of the box. Before retailers use to refuse to open the box as there is a barcode on each box that gets distorted by opening the box, but now there are several measures on the box itself to prove the originality of the product,” Abhishek Kulshrestha, Vice President, Rico Auto Industries, said.
After the introduction of GST in July 2017 Rico was confident about a fair playing field and introduced nine new products. Sales increased from INR 100 million to INR 250 million in about 18 months. The company hopes to close 2019-20 fiscal year at around INR 400-500 million despite the slowdown. On the reason that compelled Rico to go for such a packaging he said, “Our market research made us realize that there are many spurious products in the market with the same brand name; this led us to develop a new spoof-proof packaging for our products.”
“We have a policy of launching new product every quarter either for two-wheelers, three-Wheelers or four-wheelers. This quarter we are launching paper plate & paper clutch assemblies for two-wheelers, next quarter we will be launching a product for four-wheelers and till next FY we are also planning to launch a few products for the commercial vehicles market as well. This modus operandi of launching a new product every quarter has added well to our inventory. As of today we have over 500 products for two-wheelers, 100-plus products for four-wheelers, and over 75 products for three-wheelers,” he said.
Rico will be conducting awareness campaigns throughout the country among the mechanics and distributors. Earlier there were hardly any safety features on the box to differentiate between spurious and original products. “Now there are phylogenic effects on the box, newly developed design screen recognition method and on top of it we have developed an all-new QR code method to safeguard the interest of distributors as well. This gives confidence to our distributors in being the only distributor of ‘Original’ Rico products in their territory,” Kulshrestha said.
Rico is optimistic about the increasing share in the components aftermarket estimated to grow to INR 800 billion by 2025. “This growing aftermarket will help our market share as well. We are growing every year and we expect to reach a turnover of INR 1 billion by the next financial year,” he said.
About the short term and long term plans of Rico, Kulshrestha said, “Our short-term plan is to grow gradually in the market and explore new ideas to increase our sales. We are already running a boost initiative programme for our distributors to encourage them. The response is overwhelming even in the phase of an economic slowdown, if we talk about a long-term plan the vision is as clean as a windscreen, we tend to take Rico Auto Industry - After Market division to the new heights and on a successful path of becoming the pioneers in the industry.” (MT)
Spinny Launches Spinny Circle App For New Car Dealers
- By MT Bureau
- December 22, 2025
Spinny, a used car platform, has launched Spinny Circle, an application designed for New Car Dealers (NCDs) to manage the exchange and liquidation of used vehicles.
The app provides a structured pathway for dealerships to handle vehicle inspections, valuations, sales and settlements. It is intended to increase the speed of price discovery and provide predictable timelines for liquidating inventory, which assists dealers in managing working capital and operational efficiency.
The company stated exchange-led transactions are a key factor in new car sales in India. However, the process is often fragmented, with delays in pricing and inspection affecting dealer cash flows. Spinny Circle aims to standardise these operations by connecting dealerships to a single management framework.
The app was introduced at the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) Vyapar Gujarat forum. Spinny is collaborating with FADA to engage with dealers and move the exchange ecosystem toward a more organised model.
Gurveen Bedi, Senior Vice-President, Spinny, said, “Over the years, Spinny has worked to bring greater transparency, consistency, and trust to India’s used car market. With Spinny Circle, we are now extending this approach to the exchange ecosystem for new car dealers, an area that has required structure and clarity. By enabling a reliable and efficient pathway to liquidate older vehicles, Spinny Circle helps dealers to improve working capital management while supporting the broader growth of car sales and a more organised automotive retail ecosystem.”
Castrol India Launches Aesthetic Care Range For Vehicles
- By MT Bureau
- December 22, 2025
Castrol India has expanded its auto care portfolio with the introduction of an Aesthetic Care range for motorcycles and cars. The new line includes Castrol Ultra Protect Shampoo, Castrol Ultra Protect Wax, Castrol Glass Cleaner and Castrol Dash & Leather Dresser.
The products are designed for vehicle maintenance at home without the requirement for specialised tools. This expansion follows previous additions to the company's range, such as chain cleaners, lubricants and helmet cleaners.
The range comprises four specific solutions for vehicle upkeep:
- Castrol Ultra Protect Shampoo: A pH-balanced formula containing Carnauba wax. It is designed to lift dirt and road grime while providing a water-repellent finish.
- Castrol Ultra Protect Wax: A liquid wax that creates a layer on the paint to protect against sun, dust, pollution and water marks.
- Castrol Glass Cleaner: A solution for removing smudges and fingerprints from glass, plastic and rubber components to maintain visibility.
- Castrol Dash & Leather Dresser: A conditioner for interior surfaces including vinyl, plastic, leather and rubber. It is intended to prevent fading and cracking caused by heat and sunlight.
Kedar Lele, Managing Director, Castrol India, said, “This update brings more depth to our Auto Care portfolio. Today’s vehicle owners demand solutions that clean and protect at the same time. With these products, we are keeping everyday maintenance simpler while staying true to the quality our customers expect from us. This expansion marks our deliberate step into the wider vehicle maintenance ecosystem.”
SMK Unveils Cygnus Flip-Back Helmet And Premium Gear At India Bike Week 2025
- By MT Bureau
- December 19, 2025
SMK, the premium brand of Studds Accessories Ltd, launched the SMK Cygnus helmet and a new collection of riding gear at India Bike Week 2025. The company, part of the world’s largest helmet manufacturer by volume, introduced several models and a complete riding jacket line-up following their debut at EICMA.
The SMK Cygnus features a 180deg rotating chin bar, a flip-back innovation that allows the helmet to convert between full-face and open-face modes. This mechanism enables the helmet to sit differently to suit various postures, such as an upright position for cruisers or a tucked position for sport riding.
The helmet is one of the few in India with P/J Certification, allowing it to be used safely in both open and closed positions. It is constructed with an Energy Impact Resistant Thermoplastic (EIRT) shell and a multi-density EPS liner. Features include a wide anti-scratch visor with Pinlock MaxVision @120, an integrated sun visor, a double D-ring fastener, and a removable hypoallergenic liner. The Cygnus is expected to retail between INR 17,000 and 20,000 in the coming months.
SMK also announced the arrival of the Ares and Nova models. The Ares includes a detachable sun peak and sun visor, while the Nova features an eyeglass-friendly harness and an optically corrected field of vision. These models will be priced at INR 6,350 and INR 3,900 respectively.
For urban and touring needs, the brand introduced the Delta City and Delta Tour demi-jet helmets:
Delta City: A lightweight helmet for commuting with an internal clear visor and moisture-wicking fabric.
Delta Tour: Designed for long distances with an external dual visor, contoured cheek pads, and pockets for Bluetooth communication systems. Prices for the Delta series start from INR 3,299.
The brand displayed its full riding jacket collection, all of which are CE Level A certified. The Infinity Rush and Gladiator models are designed for summer with mesh panels and waterproof liners. The Apex Adventura is a 3/4-length touring jacket with thermal liners and a hydration pack system. For women, the Athenova provides a winter solution with waterproofing and ergonomic styling.
Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories, said: “India Bike Week has always been about celebration of the evolving spirit of riding in India. As demand grows for premium motorcycles and high-quality riding gear, SMK has been at the forefront of leading this shift with our commitment to premium design, advanced safety and superior comfort, for diverse riding styles. We are proud to introduce our new helmet range, led by the Cygnus, along with refreshed graphics and an expanded jacket collection. The overwhelming response from riders today further validates SMK preference as a premium helmet Brand in India.”
Dylect Launches Flow Prime Professional-Grade Pressure Washer For INR 5,499
- By MT Bureau
- December 15, 2025
Dylect, a lifestyle tech brand, has launched Flow Prime, a new pressure washer designed to bring professional-grade cleaning power to everyday Indian households at INR 5,499.
The compact unit is driven by a 1800W copper-winding motor, which delivers 130 Bar pressure and a 6.5-litre a minute flow rate. This makes it ideal for a wide range of cleaning tasks, including washing cars, bikes and cleaning balconies, patios, storefronts and outdoor furniture.
A standout feature is the Flow Prime's ability to operate from either a tap or a bucket, offering flexibility to clean in virtually any location. It also boasts IPX5 waterproofing, automatic shut-off for motor safety, and built-in heat protection for longer cleaning sessions.
Anuj Bhatia, Founder, Dylect, said, “Responsible innovation has always shaped the way we build our products. With Flow Prime, our focus was to deliver powerful, high-quality cleaning while promoting more mindful water usage. Its optimised flow technology significantly reduces water consumption compared to conventional methods, enabling homes and small businesses to adopt cleaner, more sustainable practices without sacrificing performance.”
Dylect stated it has established community of over 100,000 customers. Every Flow Prime unit is shipped with a comprehensive accessory kit, including an 8-metre outlet hose pipe, a soap bottle and various connectors.
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