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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Setco Automotive Limited, a leading Indian manufacturer of heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) clutches and premium truck components, has successfully launched its new automotive water pump. This strategic expansion into the engine cooling segment demonstrates Setco's continued commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance automotive solutions through cutting-edge engineering.

Engineered to meet the rigorous demands of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and MHCVs, the new water pump combines advanced materials with precision manufacturing to ensure superior thermal management and consistent coolant circulation across diverse operating conditions. The product boasts several key technological advancements, including superior long-life seal integrity that enhances durability, along with exceptional load-bearing capacity to withstand extreme operational stress. Additionally, it features optimised NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) isolation for smoother performance and a thermally enhanced impeller material grade that improves heat resistance and efficiency. By entering the critical engine cooling segment, Setco continues to expand its offerings while maintaining its legacy of quality, reliability and engineering excellence.

Harish Sheth, Chairman & MD, Setco Automotive Ltd, said, “This launch is a significant step in our journey to diversify and deepen our presence across the auto component value chain. Our new Automotive Water Pump reflects the same quality, performance and engineering excellence that has made Setco the benchmark in the clutch segment. With this product, we aim to deliver superior engine protection and performance while strengthening our relationships with OEMs and aftermarket customers alike.”

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American technology company Visteon has launched in-house manufacturing of its next-generation high-resolution Analog and Digital Camera System and Display Backlight Unit (BLU) at its Chennai facility in India. The company said it has initially invested USD 10 million towards developing the manufacturing capabilities.

The new production lines will build analog and digital cameras with 1.3 MP-8MP HD resolution, which it claims offers significantly sharper visuals than traditional automotive cameras. It will support the demanding requirement from modern high-definition in-car displays and are optimised for seamless integration with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), helping drivers park, manoeuvre and navigate with greater safety and precision. 

Sachin Lawande, President and CEO, Visteon, said, “India plays a critical role in our vertical integration strategy. Localising production of camera systems and backlight units strengthens our ability to scale, innovate, and deliver next-generation cockpit technologies more efficiently to global markets.”

Visteon stated that this expansion compliments its existing display manufacturing in India, creating a more cohesive, vertically integrated production ecosystem for next-generation cockpit solutions.

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Pune-headquartered tier 1 supplier Varroc Engineering has announced its financial results for FY2025, with revenue of INR 81 billion, up 8 percent YoY.

The company reported profit after tax of INR 1.69 billion, which was down 46 percent YoY, as compared to INR 3.15 billion for same period last year. This the company attributed due to an exceptional item worth INR 1.47 billion on the back of restructuring of subsidiaries and exit from its joint venture in China.

For Q4 FY2025, the company reported revenue of INR 20.99 billion, up 11 percent YoY, profit after tax of INR 1.03 billion.

Tarang Jain, CMD, Varroc, said, "India has now become the 4th largest economy, and the GDP had a steady growth of 6.2 percent in Q3 FY2025. Softening of Inflation in the last few quarters and interest rates reduction globally encouraged our Central Bank to reduce Repo rate by 50 basis points. Weak growth in consumption, on top of global and regional conflicts and uncertain tariff regime, may impact discretionary spending which can have impact on automotive Industry. However, we remain confident about the medium-to-the-long-term growth prospects of automotive industry.”

He revealed that in FY2025, the company filed 25 patents of which more than 10 patents were already granted to Varroc, bringing the total filings to more than 120 for the company.

“We continue to strengthen our balance sheet and return ratios. The net debt of the company in FY2025 was reduced by INR 2,348 million and as a result the net debt to equity was reduced to below 0.5x at the end FY2025 from 0.64X at the end of FY2024. The absolute net debt figure was INR 7,480 million. ROCE (before tax) for FY2025 was 20.8 percent and free cash flow generation was also healthy at INR 3,116 million or 3.8 percent of revenue before growth CAPEX in land,” he added.

IN FY2025, the company also won new business wins estimated to add INR 11,734 million in revenue, with electric vehicle constituting more than 55 percent of it.

“It is more heartening to see business wins in our overseas operations also, which will improve profitability from FY 27 onwards. Our continuing focus on revenue growth, improvement in gross margin, control on fixed cost and optimization of capex and working capital will enable us to generate healthy free cash flows in the future also,” concluded Jain.

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Samvardhana Motherson International (SAMIL) has announced its financial results for FY2025, demonstrating significant growth across key metrics.

The company reported consolidated revenue of INR 1,136 billion, up 15 percent YoY. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 17 percent to INR 108.77 billion, while Profit After Tax (PAT) saw a substantial 40 percent jump, reaching INR 38.03 billion.

Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman, Motherson, said, "Our performance underscores the resilience and adaptability of our business. With a booked business value exceeding USD 88 billion, encompassing both automotive and non-automotive sectors, we have established a robust foundation for future growth."

He further congratulated the Motherson team for an ‘exceptional performance’ over the past five years, achieving record sales and integrating 23 acquisitions despite global volatility, all while maintaining a strong focus on free cash flow and reducing the leverage ratio to its lowest point in five years.

The company also highlighted its strategic advancements, including outpacing the industry by approximately 15 percent through content growth and mergers and acquisitions. Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) improved to 17.2 percent at a consolidated level, even amidst expansions. Net Debt to EBITDA stands at a comfortable 0.9x. Capital expenditure for the year was INR 44.33 billion, calibrated to market dynamics.

Furthermore, 14 greenfield projects are underway, with nine expected to commence operations in FY2026.

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