The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) has entered a strategic partnership with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power through a landmark MoU. Signed in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal, this collaboration aims to accelerate sustainable manufacturing practices in the forging industry under the Assistance for Deployment of Energy Efficient Technologies in Industrial Establishments (ADEETIE) scheme.

The ADEETIE initiative supports MSMEs in 14 energy-intensive sectors by facilitating access to cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies. With an INR 10 billion budgetary allocation, the scheme will catalyse over INR 90 billion in investments, including INR 67.50 billion in MSME financing. Eligible forging units can avail interest subventions of five percent (micro/small enterprises) and three percent (medium enterprises), along with technical assistance in energy audits and project implementation.

As a backbone of India’s automotive, defence and capital goods sectors, the forging industry faces significant energy challenges. This MoU positions AIFI as a bridge between MSMEs and government resources, enabling adoption of eco-friendly technologies. The alliance reinforces India’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth, helping manufacturers lower operational costs while aligning with national decarbonisation goals.

Yash Munot, President, AIFI, said, “This collaboration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency marks a significant step forward for the Indian forging industry. As one of the most energy-intensive sectors, forging stands to benefit immensely from the structured support offered under the ADEETIE scheme. By enabling access to financial incentives and technical guidance, this initiative will empower MSMEs to adopt cutting-edge, energy-efficient technologies. It aligns perfectly with our vision of building a globally competitive, environmentally responsible and innovation-driven forging ecosystem. AIFI is committed to mobilising our members across clusters to take full advantage of this opportunity and contribute meaningfully to India’s broader sustainability and industrial growth goals."

Deven Doshi, Chairman – Government Interface, AIFI, said, “Energy efficiency is very essential for forging companies, but the MSME sector often faces structural barriers in adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies. The ADEETIE scheme provides a structured framework of support, including technical, operational and financial aspects, that directly addresses these challenges. AIFI is proud to be a partner in this transformative journey. This collaboration not only ensures sectoral compliance with energy norms but also paves the way for long-term industrial modernisation.”

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Tier 1 supplier Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced its financial results for Q2 FY2026 and H1 FY2026. The component supplier reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue, EBITDA and net profit in the Q2 FY2026. The company reported significant growth driven primarily by its electric vehicle (EV) traction motor and railway businesses in India.

Sona Comstar's revenue grew by 24 percent YoY, reaching INR 11.44 billion and net profit at INR 1.73 billion saw a 20 percent YoY growth. Revenue from Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV contributed 32 percent of the total revenue for the quarter.

For H1 FY2026, the revenue came at INR 19.94 billion, up 10 percent YoY, net profit at INR 2.97 billion, with 14.6 percent margin.

The company's net order book stands at INR 236 billion as of 30 September 2025, with 70 percent of the book attributed to EV programmes.

It noted a shift in its motor design due to the unavailability of heavy rare-earth magnets, moving to light rare-earth magnet motors for electric two-wheelers. It has also developed a rare-earth-free ferrite-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles.

Vivek Vikram Singh, MD & Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We achieved our highest-ever quarterly revenue, EBITDA and net profit in Q2 FY26. Our revenue grew by 24 percent YoY, primarily driven by the expansion of our electric vehicle traction motor and railway business in India. Due to the unavailability of heavy rare-earth magnets, we shifted to alternative motor designs and now manufacture light rare-earth magnet motors for electric two-wheelers. We have developed a rare-earth-free ferrite-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles. It was also a successful quarter for business development as we won several significant new orders. We have been nominated for two additional programs – one in Asia and the other in Europe – to supply our motors and motor controllers for predictive active suspension systems. These nominations are important as they indicate that our innovative suspension system is gaining wider acceptance just months after its first commercial launch. We received our first order from our new driveline plant in Mexico to supply differential assemblies to an OEM in the USA, amid ongoing trade uncertainties. Lastly, we are partnering with Neura Robotics to jointly develop advanced components and technologies, with a focus on industrialising robots, cobots and humanoids in India and other markets.”

The company has secured new orders, including nominations in Asia and Europe to supply motors and motor controllers for predictive active suspension systems. It also received its first order from its new driveline plant in Mexico to supply differential assemblies to an OEM in the USA.

Sona Comstar is also partnering with Neura Robotics to jointly develop advanced components and technologies for industrialising robots, cobots and humanoids in India and other markets.

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German tier 1 supplier ZF’s Supervisory Board has announced changes to the leadership team, with Andreas Moser, the previous head of the Industrial Technology division, appointed to the Board of Management.

Effective 1 November 2025, he will be responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Industrial Technology Divisions and the India Region. He has been with ZF for over three decades.

Sebastian Schmitt has been appointed head of the Electrified Powertrain Technology (E) division, which handles the company's conventional, hybrid and electric passenger-car drivetrain technologies. He currently leads the Electrified Powertrain Systems product line. CEO Mathias Miedreich retains Board of Management responsibility for the E division.

Dr. Rolf Breidenbach, Chairman, ZF Supervisory Board, said, “Following the changes to the Board of Management, it was important for the Supervisory Board to create clarity in the Group’s management. In Andreas Moser, we’ve found a Board member who has been with ZF for more than 30 years, many of them in management positions in ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Industrial Technology divisions. This means competence and continuity. We’ve thus succeeded in setting up ZF’s management committee within a very short time so that the Group’s current challenges can be mastered.”

Mathias Miedreich, noted, “With this new Management Board, we have a strong and highly competent leadership team that will successfully guide ZF into the future.”

To drive the company’s realignment, the Group Board of Management will be reduced from six to five members. ZF is also establishing a Transformation Committee, a body that links key business areas – sales, materials management, production and strategy –directly with the Board. This team will manage the group-wide performance programme.

Miedreich, emphasised, “Our entire focus in the coming years will be on strengthening ZF’s operations, further increasing profitability and consistently expanding our financial stability. The new Transformation Committee stands for speed, clarity and impact – with the clearly defined objective of supporting our customers through forward-looking technologies and reliable partnerships.”

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Pune-headquartered automotive supplier Varroc has appointed Avinash Chintawar as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Business I, effective 15 October 2025. He will report to Arjun Jain, Whole Time Director & CEO – Business I.

In his new role, Chintawar will oversee the Operations Vertical within Business I, with a focus on strengthening efficiencies and performance.

Prior to joining, Varroc, Chintawar served as Managing Director of Bosch Chassis Systems India and as Chairman of Bosch India Foundation. He previously held leadership positions within the Bosch Group, including Director of Operations at Robert Bosch Bamberg (Germany) and Managing Director at Bosch Electrical Drives India. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology.

Jain, said, “We are delighted to welcome Avinash to the Varroc leadership team. His extensive experience and deep understanding of achieving operational excellence align perfectly with our needs as we drive the next phase of our growth. I am confident that under his leadership our operation will scale new heights of efficiency and sustainability.”

Chintawar, said, “I am excited to join Varroc at a time when the industry is undergoing such dynamic change. I look forward to working closely with the team to enhance operational excellence and contribute to its vision of sustainable and future-ready growth.”

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German tier 1 supplier ZF Group has secured a significant contract to supply its 430mm heavy-duty clutch systems to one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

The clutch systems, the company shared, is custom-engineered and manufactured locally, specifically adapted to meet the rigorous demands of Indian operating conditions and will power the OEM's higher horsepower engine platforms for both domestic and select export models.

The agreement, signed in May 2025, involves the supply of several thousand units, with the Start of Production (SOP) scheduled for mid-2026. The clutches will be produced at ZF's Chakan plant in Pune, reinforcing the Group's strategy to strengthen its regional manufacturing capabilities and commitment to localisation in India.

The new clutch system is designed for robust performance and features advanced lining materials that promise up to 20 percent longer clutch life, aiming to reduce maintenance costs and optimise the total cost of ownership for fleet operators. It is also designed to be compatible with both Manual Transmission (MT) and Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) systems.

Akash Passey, President - Region India, ZF Group, said, “ZF’s strategic focus on localisation and innovation for the Indian market, is reconfirmed with this business win. With our globally proven technological expertise and leveraging the strong local manufacturing footprint in India, our customers can access advanced technologies that meet global standards while being tailored for their markets. This win highlights our commitment to strengthening India’s role as a key hub in ZF’s commercial vehicles business.”

Paramjit Singh Chadha, Senior Vice President - CVS Division (India), ZF Group, said, “This business win is a strong endorsement of our advanced heavy-duty clutch technology which perfectly addresses the demanding operating conditions in India. This 430mm clutch system offers superior durability, optimised performance and compatibility with future-ready driveline architectures, including AMT. By localising production at our Chakan facility, we reinforce our commitment to the ‘Make in India’ vision and supporting our customers’ growth ambitions for both domestic and export markets.”

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