German automotive supplier Continental AG’s ContiTech arm will be focusing on its industrial segment in India, noted Chief Executive Officer of ContiTech Groupe, Phillip Nelles, during a visit to Kolkata.

Speaking to Motoring Trends exclusively, Nelles said, “ContiTech is doubling down on industrial applications, seizing opportunities amid India's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and energy investments. With sweeping transformations underway, the company aims to cement its position as a leader in material-driven solutions. Our strategy is to focus on industrial sectors such as commercial vehicles, railways, construction and construction machinery, where we can deliver the highest impact.”

Picking up the sentiment, Hannes Friederichsen, Head of BA Industrial Solutions APAC, Continental AG, said, “We specialises in rubber, thermoplastic materials and rubber-metal bonded components, ensuring system-critical reliability for industrial clients. If a conveyor belt fails, it’s not just an inconvenience – it’s a system-critical disruption. That’s where we add real value.” 

The parent company recently announced plans to spin off its automotive division and Contitech’s OESL. While industrial applications remain the core focus, the company acknowledges that the automotive sector operates on a different business model, requiring a distinct strategic approach.

In focus

ContiTech's core industries in India include mining, ports, energy, cement, highway vehicles, heavy trucks and construction machinery. Additionally, the company has a plant in Pune for its surface solutions vertical, producing foils and surfaces for vehicle interiors and living environments. Having already established a strong presence in Europe and the Americas, the company is now investing in APAC, with India playing a central role in its regional strategy. 

The company operates a conveyor belt plant in Kalyani and another facility in Sonipat for power transmission belts and air springs. While specific investment figures were not disclosed, ContiTech plans to expand operations in both Sonipat and Kalyani, potentially diversifying the product portfolio in these locations.

“We’ve been laying the groundwork for major investments and are now scaling up with an expanded product portfolio and localised operations. In the commercial vehicle segment, we are focusing on air springs for trucks, trailers and buses, driven by increasing demand for comfort and tyre wear reduction. Additionally, we are exploring rubber-metal bonding systems for heavy-duty applications. The Pune facility remains a key part of this growth strategy, supporting increasing production volumes,” said Friederichsen.

The company is also eyeing opportunities in the motorcycle segment, particularly in seat coverings. As it expands, it plans to bring advanced technologies from its European and US operations into India, focusing on design, functionality and sustainability. 

“Sustainability is a growing priority, and we have the expertise to integrate recycled materials into our products. We’re also enhancing functionality with features like embedded buttons and translucent surfaces for interactive displays while ensuring that vehicle interiors reflect modern design trends,” noted Nelles.  

The company’s future innovations span beyond the cockpit, extending to seating, interior coverings and mid-arm components.

Another area of expansion is predictive maintenance services, aimed at identifying early warning signs for component replacement or repair. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce downtime and operational costs for industrial customers.

Additionally, ContiTech is actively involved in air springs for high-speed trains and metros. With India’s rapid rail infrastructure development, ContiTech is transferring its expertise to support high-speed and metro train projects.

Smart surface solutions

ContiTech is adapting its smart surface solutions portfolio for the Indian market. Commenting on the same, Friederichsen said, “Leveraging our material expertise, advanced design capabilities and expertise in living solutions, we're empowering our customers to design the car interior of the future. This includes the development of functional surfaces that bring the comfort and aesthetics of home interiors to future car interiors. Moreover, we're committed to sustainability, as evident from our first carbon-neutral product, XPRESHN - Carbon Neutral. We've also developed a comprehensive sustainability toolbox for our PVC products, catering to the diverse needs of our customers. Last year, we launched our Benova Eco Protect Line, a testament to our dedication to reducing environmental footprint.”

“In the commercial vehicle segment, our easy-to-clean surfaces, equipped with the staynu technology, are designed to enhance the well-being of truck drivers. By providing attractive cabin solutions, we are contributing to a better driving experience. In the Asia-Pacific region, we are observing a strong preference for translucent materials and super soft materials. We're well positioned to cater to these requirements, with a broad range of products that are generating significant interest among our customers,” he added. 

Alluding to the significance of his visit to Kolkata, he noted, “We have been in the Indian market for many years and we are constantly scanning the market to identify opportunities to grow. Kalyani plant remains in focus for us to expand Indian operations, and as we follow the principle of ‘in the market, for the market’, we are evaluating opportunities of extending our local product portfolio too.”

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Imperial Auto Industries Limited has appointed James Gaylord as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Imperial Auto USA Corp. In his new role, Gaylord will lead Imperial Auto’s operations across the Americas and drive the company’s next phase of growth in the region. He will report to Vikram Wagh, Managing Director & CEO, Imperial Auto Industries Limited.

Gaylord's mandate would include expanding Imperial Auto’s presence into new markets across the American region while driving significant revenue growth over the coming years. He will also focus on strengthening the company’s product engineering and new product development capabilities in the Americas, while leading initiatives to localise the supply chain, enhance purchasing capabilities and build strategic partnerships with suppliers to support the company’s regional growth.

With nearly three decades of experience across the automotive and manufacturing sectors, Gaylord brings with him proven expertise in business development, operational excellence, transformation and growth. Prior to joining Imperial Auto, he served as the Global Sales Director at Gentex. He has also held leadership roles at organisations including Johnson Controls, ATI and Tenneco.
 

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd launched four new OTR tyres at Bauma Conexpo India 2026. These include the 12.5/80-18 MPT 45 16PR TL for self-loading concrete mixers (SLCM) and backhoe loaders. The 16/70-20 MPT117 14PR TL for SLCM and telehandler applications. The 18-19.5 MPT117 18PR TL for SLCM applications, and the 12.00R20 JDO XD OTR 22PR 156/153F TT for mining tippers. The latest additions further strengthen JK Tyre’s premium OTR portfolio with application-engineered solutions developed for the evolving requirements of India’s construction, infrastructure and mining sectors.
 “India’s infrastructure and industrial growth is creating a growing need for high-performance, reliable and application-specific mobility solutions. At JK Tyre, we are committed to developing OTR solutions that address the specific needs of our customers and the demanding conditions in which their equipment operates. Our latest range combines durability, reliability and performance to help customers maximise equipment uptime and operational efficiency. As we continue to strengthen our premium OTR portfolio, we remain committed to delivering solutions that create value for our customers and support the growth of India’s construction, infrastructure and mining sectors,” said Srinivasu Allaphan, Director - Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd.  
He pointed at the MPT 45 pattern and mentioned that it has been developed to deliver strong traction and stability, making it suitable for SLCMs and backhoe loaders operating across mixed terrain. “The MPT117 pattern has been designed for versatile construction and material-handling operations, offering strong grip, improved durability and reliable performance for SLCMs and telehandlers,” Allaphan explained. 
The new products have been developed keeping Indian operating conditions in mind and are designed to help customers maximise machine performance while improving operational efficiency. The focus is on durability, high load-carrying capability and extended service life. 

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The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing component manufacturers in the country, has appointed Sriram Viji, Managing Director, Brakes India, as President for the 2026–27 term.

The industry body also named Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson of ANAND Group and Gabriel India, as President-Designate. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Sriram Viji and Mrs. Anjali Singh to their new roles. Their rich industry experience and strategic vision will guide ACMA as the sector navigates geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving mobility landscape. I am confident that their leadership will strengthen our engagement with Government and industry partners to diversify supply chains, improve access to critical raw materials and enhance India’s global competitiveness.” 

Sriram Viji, President, ACMA, said, “It is an honour to lead ACMA as India strengthens its position as a trusted partner in global automotive value chains. Our priority is to deepen local capabilities and accelerate investment in advanced technologies, R&D and innovation, while embedding sustainability across the industry. As electric, connected and new-energy mobility create fresh opportunities, we must move beyond adapting to change to shaping it. Together with our members, we will work to position India as a global hub for high-value manufacturing and next-generation mobility solutions.”

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German automotive supplier MAHLE has established an e-compressor production facility in Coimbatore, which it claims makes it the first company to manufacture the component in India.

The German firm has invested EUR 7 million in the site to produce e-compressors, which regulate thermal management, battery life, charging speeds and driving range in electric vehicles.

The production line has a capacity of over 300,000 e-compressors annually to supply domestic and international vehicle manufacturers. The launch creates 50 jobs, aligning with the Indian government's ‘Make in India 2.0’ manufacturing initiative.

The Coimbatore facility already produces starter motors, alternators, controllers and traction motors for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Following the setup of an R&D facility in 2023 for product validation, MAHLE has outlined plans for women to represent 75 percent of the plant's total workforce by 2027.

The company entered India in 1958 through a piston manufacturing joint venture and now has expanded its operation across 15 locations in the country with 5,900 employees.

Ivan Lenehan, Vice-President, MAHLE Powertrain and Charging, India, China & East Asia, said, “India continues to play an increasingly important role in the global mobility transformation. This facility strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.”

Milind Mhaiskar, MD, MAHLE Electric Drives India, said, “This production facility underscores our focus on localisation and customer-centric innovation. The success of this project reflects the dedication of our teams and our collaborative approach with business partners.”

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