Tier 1 supplier Uno Minda has introduced its new line of car care products designed for the booming Indian automotive aftermarket. This strategic move responds to the increasing demand from Indian consumers for high-quality, DIY maintenance solutions for their vehicles.

The Indian car care market is expanding rapidly, fuelled by a growing number of vehicle owners with higher disposable incomes who are focused on maintaining the appearance and resale value of their cars. Consumers are also increasingly aware of the need for products that can protect their vehicles from India's diverse climate, from harsh monsoon rains to scorching summer heat.

The new product line from Uno Minda offers a wide variety of solutions for both interior and exterior car maintenance. The lineup includes a Car Exterior Wash Shampoo, a Waterless Wash for quick clean-ups and a Car Exterior Polish to give a radiant shine.

For interior care, the products include an Anti-Bacterial Interior Foam and Car AC Vent Hygiene Foam with silver nano technology to ensure a clean cabin. The range also features a Glass Anti-Fog Spray and a Windshield Cleaner Foam to improve visibility and safety during adverse weather conditions.

Karna Markan, Head of Sales & Distribution (Accessories) at Uno Minda, “Our entry into the Auto Care segment reflects Uno Minda's commitment to advancing alongside our customers. With the automotive care sector growing rapidly and consumers increasingly prioritising vehicle maintenance, there is a growing demand for trusted brands. The new car care line offers features for both internal and external applications. Internally, the Anti Fog Demister ensures windshields and windows remain clear of fog and mist, promoting safe driving in adverse weather and reducing eye fatigue. A highly effective foam cleaner removes dirt, grime, bugs, road residue and contaminants from car windshields, enhancing visibility and safety. Externally, the line includes a thorough car wash that gently cleans and restores the vehicle's paint, leaving it brilliantly gleaming and protected with a radiant gloss. These products are formulated with wash-active agents to effectively eliminate road debris, dust, oily residues and greasy contaminants without a trace, ensuring vehicles maintain their pristine appearance and durability."

The products are formulated with ‘wash-active agents’ to effectively remove road debris, dust and oily residues without damaging the vehicle's finish. They are also designed to be easy for consumers to use at home.

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Nippon Paint India, a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings, has launched FX10, a high-performance automotive aftercare range. The introduction coincides with the company’s 15th anniversary in India and represents an expansion of its presence in the consumer car care market. The company intends to use India as a primary market before exporting the range to global territories.

The FX10 portfolio comprises eighteen products designed for both interior and exterior maintenance. The range includes hydrophobic coatings, waterless wash solutions and surface restoration formulations. These products are engineered to allow vehicle owners to achieve results comparable to professional detailing through do-it-yourself applications. Distribution will be managed exclusively through digital channels, including the brand’s official website and Flipkart.

The product line focuses on ease of use and environmental compliance, featuring lab-tested, eco-friendly formulations. By incorporating water-saving technologies and preventive care solutions, the range addresses a growing consumer segment that prefers self-directed vehicle maintenance over traditional service centre visits.

Jenender Anand, Vice-President, Automotive Refinish, Nippon Paint India, said, “With FX10, we are going beyond conventional car care by putting professional-grade results directly in the hands of consumers. Today’s car owners don’t just maintain their vehicles; they take pride in them. FX10 combines Japanese precision with easy-to-use formulations to deliver a visible transformation every time, making car care effortless yet uncompromising.”

Manav Narula, GM – Marketing and E-commerce, Nippon Paint India, added, “India’s automotive landscape is evolving, with younger consumers increasingly viewing their vehicles as an extension of their personality. FX10 is a comprehensive car and bike care range that builds on Nippon Paint’s deep understanding of surfaces, extended into automotive aftercare. Each product delivers a distinct ‘X factor’ through visible, high-performance results, while remaining simple and intuitive to use. With FX10, we are making professional-grade automotive care more accessible for everyday enthusiasts.”

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Smart Garage, an AI-driven automotive service marketplace startup, has raised INR 24 million in a Pre-Series A funding round.

This capital, the company said, represents the initial phase of a broader INR 150 million fundraising target. The company intends to secure the remaining INR 126 million over the next 12 to 18 months to support its expansion and reach a projected revenue run-rate of INR 800 million by the end of FY2027.

The platform operates on a B2B2C model, connecting a network of more than 500 partner garages across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities with fleet operators, insurance firms and vehicle owners.

It aims to provide structure to India’s fragmented automotive aftermarket, which is currently valued at approximately USD 11–14 billion and forecast to reach USD 20–25 billion over the next decade. Smart Garage plans to scale its network to 10,000 workshops by 2030 through its software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform.

The newly acquired funds will be utilised to advance deep-learning capabilities in vehicle diagnostics, damage assessment and predictive maintenance. Smart Garage also intends to standardise its workshop network through structured training and strengthen digital workflows.

While the current revenue model is driven by franchise operations and spare parts supply via Pikpart, the company plans to introduce commission-based and recurring SaaS subscription models for its diagnostic and inventory management tools.

Pawan Singh Raghuvanshi, Founder and CEO, Smart Garage, said, “This INR 24 million Pre-Series A round marks the start of our broader INR 150 million fundraising journey. While the industry often focuses on hardware fixes, we believe real impact comes from solving deeper operational inefficiencies through AI and technology. Our goal is to build a transparent, trusted, and fully digital automotive aftermarket ecosystem in India – one that empowers workshops and delivers a seamless experience to customers.”

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Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia has announced the postponement of the upcoming edition of Automechanika Riyadh. Originally scheduled for 4-6 May 2026, the trade event will now focus on its return to the Kingdom in 2027.

The decision follows an assessment of the regional environment. The organiser stated that the move prioritises the safety and confidence of partners and staff while ensuring the event can maintain its international scale and value.

Automechanika Riyadh serves as a platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket, connecting manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. The 2027 edition is intended to align with the growth of the sector under the country's Vision 2030 framework.

Martyn Cox, Show Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East (MFME), said, “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Automechanika Riyadh has quickly established itself as an important platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket. However, our responsibility is to bring the industry together in a way that is safe, commercially valuable, and truly international in scale. In the current environment, and with the event only weeks away, this decision ensures we can deliver the strongest possible business outcomes for our exhibitors, partners, and visitors.”

Chris Lee, Portfolio Director for Mobility & Logistics at MFME, added, “We have taken the decision to focus on returning with a stronger, larger and more impactful event in 2027, one that reflects the ambition of the Saudi market and the strength of the global Automechanika brand.”

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The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released findings attributing 10 deaths and two injuries to air bag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., (DTN). The agency concluded in an initial decision that the components contain a safety-related defect.

NHTSA opened its investigation in October 2025 following a series of crashes where frontal driver air bag inflators ruptured. According to the report, the units exploded during deployment, resulting in metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin.

Key Details of the Findings:

• Incident Scope: 12 crashes recorded over the past three years.
• Vehicle Models: Known incidents occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, though the risk may not be limited to these models.
• Component Origin: The parts were manufactured by DTN in China and are suspected of being imported into the United States.

NHTSA is currently investigating the volume of these inflators in the US market to determine if a permanent sales ban is required.

The agency has advised owners of used vehicles to verify repair histories, particularly if a vehicle was involved in a crash with air bag deployment since 2020 and was not repaired at a manufacturer's dealership.

Vehicles identified with a DTN inflator should not be driven until the component is replaced with parts from the original equipment manufacturer. Suspect inflators can be identified by specific serial numbers and bar codes on the inflator module and cap.

Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, said, “Our initial investigation into the use of illegal Chinese airbags in auto shops has revealed a disturbing trend: these substandard parts are killing American families. The Trump Administration will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on our roads.”

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