UFI Filters, an industry leader in filtration and thermal management solutions, today launched a cabin air filtration, SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus, which delivers a 99.5% reduction in viruses and a 99.9% in bacteria.

According to UFI Filters,  the laboratory tests have certified the capacity of the new filter to neutralize coronaviruses from the SARS-COV family (kill rate 99.5%), as well as influenza A H1N1, H3N2 and H7N9, in addition to various types of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus (kill rate 99.9%).

For the Indian market, innovative SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus filters will be produced at SOFIMA FILTERS INDIA Plant in Bahadurgarh. It belongs to product code family ending with KN2 and caters to the aftermarket space.

Luca Betti, Group Aftermarket Business Unit Director, said, "We are extremely proud of the results achieved thanks to the collaboration of our Innovation Centers in China, India and in Italy. UFI Filters Group has chosen to give a meaningful name to this innovative D+FEND Anti-virus filter media, which has been certified according to ISO 11155-1:2001 standard having a filtration efficiency of more than 95 percent for aerosol particles, with dimension equal to 0.3 microns. When applied to cabin air filters, this innovative material thus offers a clear improvement in the quality of the air inside vehicles, during a historical period in which the health of the individual is absolutely paramount."

Hridesh Sharma, CEO of UFI Filters India, said, “The investment made by UFI Filters Group in Research and Development is ongoing. This innovative product bears testament to our desire to remain at the cutting edge when it comes to innovation and is evidence of the exceptional ability of our technicians to work with laboratories and certified institutions at international level."

SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus incorporates the antimicrobial and antiviral active substances into the fibers themselves, which are made up of polymeric material. Thanks to the prolonged release of ions from the two elements embedded in the fibers, the filter has the power to destroy the bacterial and viral load over a prolonged period, unlike other solutions on the market today, the properties of which are diminished after just a few working cycles following the installation of the filter on the vehicle. (MT)

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing the Indian auto component industry, successfully concluded the 9th edition of its flagship reverse buyers-and-sellers meet, iAutoConnect, held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

The two-day B2B event brought together global aftermarket distributors, dealers and their Indian counterparts providing component makers a platform to showcase their latest product offerings.

ACMA states that the event brought together 91 domestic exhibitors and over 170 buyers from more than 40 countries, including Africa, ASEAN, Eastern Europe, Latin America, SAARC, and West Asia.

The event was organised with the support of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, the event was inaugurated by Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA & CMD, Subros.

Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA, said, “iAutoConnect has grown into a premier platform for the Indian automotive component industry, offering unparalleled access to international markets. It’s inspiring to witness the strong engagement from both our members and international buyers. We are confident that these interactions will result in fruitful partnerships that further expand the reach of Indian-manufactured components worldwide, supporting the government’s vision of ‘Make in India for the world.”

Automoto, a vehicle ownership platform that was established by Sreeraj PV in 2018, has announced that Francis Jacob has joined as the co-founder. Jacob will spearhead the development of Automoto Akademie, an educational platform designed to empower automotive professionals with the skills needed to excel in the evolving automotive industry.
Automoto Akademie will offer a range of training programmes, including short-term and long-term courses, focusing on electric and hybrid vehicle technology, vehicle sales and service. The platform aims to bridge the skills gap in the automotive industry and equip professionals with the knowledge and expertise to meet future demands.
Automoto is a leading provider of quick service and automotive care solutions for a wide range of vehicles. The company is committed to enhancing the vehicle ownership experience in India through innovative B2B2C solutions, including insurance, IoT integration and connected vehicles.
With Jacob on board, Automoto is set to chart yet another chapter of growth, leveraging his extensive experience and passion in imparting automotive skills in line with the Indian Government’s push for turning Indian into a key automotive manufacturing hub.

Citroën and Jeep have bolstered their presence in India with the inauguration of three new dealerships in Thrissur, Asansol and Meerut. 
All three are multi-brand dealerships that mark a significant step forward for the Stellantis Group in the country since they make an effective interface for the range of SUVs from Jeep and passenger vehicles from Citroën. 
With the product mix consisting of EVs and ICE powered vehicles, the three showrooms will offer comprehensive 3S facilities. They will have a dedicated workshop staffed by a highly skilled service team. 
Committed to offer a premier service experience to Jeep and Citroen customers, the three 3S facilities are supported by modern infrastructure, spare parts availability, advanced diagnostic and repair equipment.
Shishir Mishra, Brand Director, Citroen, mentioned regarding the development, that their aim is to not only offer exceptional vehicles but also provide comprehensive after-sales services, ensuring that every customer receives unparalleled support throughout their ownership journey. 
“These strategic openings signify our deep-rooted commitment to meeting the evolving demands of our valued customers while expanding our footprint across India,” he added. 
Kumar Priyesh, Brand Director, Jeep India, said, “We are confident that these new dealerships will not only showcase the impressive lineup of Citroën and Jeep® vehicles but also serve as hubs of excellence in customer service, equipped with skilled personnel and state-of-the-art facilities. Customers will be offered premium vehicles and affordable choices under the same roof, offering them flexibility in both prices and segment choices. This will thereby also help us target a wider range of customer base.”
With the three new dealerships, Citroen now has 156 touchpoints and Jeep India, over 150 touch points across the country. 

MRF has commissioned a one-of-its-kind Tyredrome in Mumbai. 
Terming it as Asia’s finest tyre service and wheel care destination for MRF customers, the Tyredrome is located at Poonam Chambers in Worli and manned by engineers that are specifically trained by the tyre maker. 
The tyre and wheel care destination is equipped with the finest precision equipment necessary. These include machines of leading global manufacturers and those that make the top-quality ones in India. 
 Offering expert guidance in maintenance services, it is built to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for customers.
The Tyredrome will offer services such as robotic wheel alignment, diagnostic wheel balancing, vehicle safety test lane, electronic headlight alignment, air-con recovery and recharging, specialised two-wheeler tyre services and tubeless tyre repair. 
Other than to provide a wide range of MRF tyres, the Tyredrome at Worli will turn out to be basis for other such outlets of MRF Tyres across India. 
Speaking at the inauguration of the Worli outlet, K M Mammen, Chairman and Managing Director, MRF Ltd, mentioned, "We are thrilled to launch the Tyredrome in Mumbai, bringing Asia’s finest tyre and wheel care service to the city. For over three decades, we have been delighting customers with an unparalleled experience at our Tyredromes in other cities, and we are now looking forward to offering the same level of service and satisfaction to our customers in Mumbai."