Steelbird displayed an extensive range of automotive components at Auto Expo 2023, from over 3,000 products across filters, rubber parts, lubricants, tyres, bearings, horns, spark plugs and more. Widely known as a filtration expert in the auto filters category, the company has aligned its strategic intent with advanced automation and innovation in the industry, it claims. The company’s showcase of products and solutions at Auto Expo 2023 bear testimony to this pursuit. 

According to Steelbird, it also has other significant achievements, based on Technovation, in recent times. These include a joint venture with TVS Bangladesh for manufacturing automotive filters, being a supplier to OEMs worldwide, Technovation enabling a recent tie-up with Hella, and bringing automotive cybersecurity to Indian OEMs from Cybellum of Israel. Sharing his views, Manav Kapur, Executive Director, Steelbird International, said, "This is a breakthrough hi-tech initiative for Steelbird International. As we move in an increasingly interconnected world, the threat of cyberattacks to vehicles and the need to adopt effective solutions has also skyrocketed."

Coming to Auto Expo, Kapur, said, “We have made significant advances in business and our brand equity, even if we compare our width and depth of our showcase from the last Auto Expo in 2020. Thanks to our steadfast commitment and initiatives to set the benchmark in terms of Technovation consistently, today we have the best brands collaborating with us, the best customers buying from us and the best people working for us. I am proud to say that Steelbird has achieved the Great Place to Work accreditation, awarded by the institute. The certification recognises our company’s commitment to provide a learning-based and growth-oriented working environment. We are looking forward to fruitful discussions and opportunities at Auto Expo 2023. Our expectation is to forge partnerships with new customers, influencers, channel partners and business partners from the 100,000+ visitors from over 70 countries expected here during the event.”

TyrePlex has raised INR 200 million in funding (approximately US$ 2.4 million) round led by PeerCapital with the participation from Titan Capital Winners Fund, Sattva Family Office, and existing investors, including 100 Unicorns. This funding will be strategically deployed to accelerate growth in multiple areas. TyrePlex plans to expand its geographic footprint into the top 25 cities across India, leveraging a combination of qualitative and quantitative data points for city selection.
By focusing on establishing a strong distribution base, TyrePlex as a B2B tyre marketplace, is keen to unlock additional services for both tyre brands and dealers. These include tailored solutions for customer relationship management, inventory optimisation and advanced analytics to drive informed decision-making.
A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to strengthening the company’s technology platform to further enhance dealer-centric tools and improve operational efficiencies. TyrePlex will additionally pilot tyre recycling and reverse logistics initiatives, addressing key sustainability challenges in the industry. The company is also focusing on creating a lean yet highly effective team to support its city expansion plans.
Founded in 2020 by auto-tech industry veterans, the company aims to revolutionise the highly fragmented tyre retail ecosystem in India by offering a comprehensive, technology-driven platform that empowers tyre dealers to enhance their efficiency and profitability.
With over 20,000 registered tyre dealers, the platform provides tools to improve sales and margins, streamline procurement, manage inventory, and set up online stores. The company’s app offers an integrated solution that simplifies operations, generates demand, and enables easy procurement of tyres with delivery within three or four hours.
The company’s dealer-centric approach has resulted in a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) and impressive repeat business metrics, reflecting the platform’s ability to address dealer pain points effectively. With seamless operations, reliable product availability, and competitive pricing, the platform has garnered strong loyalty among its users, fostering trust and long-term partnerships.
 

The Government of Maharashtra has announced that owners of vehicles sold prior to 1 April 2019 must register for HSRP installation through the Maharashtra Transport Department website. The deadline for installation is 31 March 2025. Vehicles registered after 1 April 2019 are already being fitted with HSRPs – license plates – that claim to improve traceability of vehicles. HSRPs have advanced security features to deter theft and unauthorised use. HSRPs are made of a rare aluminum alloy and have a unique serial number, making them tamper-proof.
While the contract to make and fit the HSRPs has awarded to private companies like Yavatmal-based Real Mazon, the price for tractors and two-wheelers has been determined at INR 531. For three-wheelers it is INR 590 and for larger vehicles, it is INR 879. The prices include snap lock fees and GST. 
The documents necessary to order HSRPs are, Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC), proof of identity such as an Aadhar Card, PAN Card or Driving License and proof of address such as a recent utility bill or Aadhar Card. 
 

Gulf Oil Lubricants India, part of the Hinduja Group, has inked a strategic partnership with Nayara Energy, a leading private fuel retailer and an integrated downstream company in the country.

As per the understanding, Nayara Energy will make available Gulf Oil’s entire automotive product range, including lubricants for two-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and agriculture-related vehicles, at its network of over 6,500 fuel retail outlets.

The association is part of a three-year contract will also see Gulf Oil make available its AdBlue and two-wheeler batteries among others at Nayara’s network.

Ravi Chawla, MD and CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said, “Our partnership with Nayara Energy is a significant step forward in expanding Gulf’s presence across India’s highways and fuel stations. As a globally recognised brand, Gulf has consistently set benchmarks in delivering high-quality and innovative automotive solutions. Our partnerships with iconic global and domestic brands like Manchester United, McLaren, MS Dhoni, and Chennai Super Kings have cemented our position as a trusted name worldwide. With the support of Nayara’s vast network and expertise in fuel retailing, we are well-positioned to serve a wide range of consumers with high-quality, dependable automotive solutions. This collaboration underscores the growing demand for quality automotive products and lubricants owing to the burgeoning infrastructure growth and both Gulf’s and Nayara Energy’s commitment to making our products accessible, ensuring that our customers receive quality lubrication solutions wherever they are in India.”

Madhur Taneja, Chief Marketing Officer, Nayara Energy, added, “At Nayara Energy, we believe that customer centricity is at the core of creating a distinctive service experience across our expansive retail network. This latest tie-up with Gulf Oil is another affirmative step to enhance our range of automotive product offerings that enable in delivering high quality performance for motorists. Together, these two power brands can leverage synergies that will enable in amplifying reach and ensure ease of availability of premium product experience for consumers across rapidly growing tier 2,3 markets and prominent highways. Lubes are an essential category in our NFR (Non-Fuel Retail) offerings and our commitment to grow this category is visible from the Quick Lube Change Bays we have incorporated in our Retail Outlet. These Quick Lube Change bays are equipped with advanced machinery that enables lube change in less than 5 minutes and this service is provided Free of charge at our outlets.”

The 55th Goods & Services Tax (GST) council meeting has decided to increase the GST rate on the sale of pre-owned vehicles to 18 percent from the current 12 percent.

The hike will now also be applicable to electric vehicles margin value, when the transaction happens by registered businesses dealing with used vehicles. But in case an EV is sold by the vehicle owner to another individual there will be no GST applicable.

The hike the government believes will bring parity between used old small cars, EVs with old larger vehicles.

The GST council clarified that the tax will be applicable only on the margin of the seller, and not on the entire value of the car. For instance, if a vehicle is bought for INR 1 million and sold at INR 600,000, the tax will be on the margin value of INR 400,000.

Representational image courtesy: Tom Fisk/Pexels