Dhoot Transmission, backed by Bain Capital, has announced a partnership and merger with Pune-based FourFront. Under the agreement, FourFront will merge with a subsidiary of Dhoot Transmission to create an integrated automotive electronics and electrical manufacturing platform.

FourFront is a Tier-1 supplier providing electro-mechanical and electronic solutions to passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers. The merger is intended to address the increasing electronics content in vehicles and the requirements of the electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The combined entity will leverage complementary capabilities in manufacturing and engineering. FourFront’s portfolio includes:

• Power Electronics: Components for voltage conversion and management in EVs.
• Electromechanical Switches: Interface solutions for vehicle cabins and systems.
• EV Products: Specialised hardware for electric drivetrains.

The platform aims to provide end-to-end solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across internal combustion engine and electric vehicle programmes. Bain Capital will provide global automotive expertise to support the scale of the platform and the adoption of technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Rahul Dhoot, Managing Director, Dhoot Transmission Group, said, “This partnership is closely aligned with our strategy of building a differentiated automotive platform with strong capabilities in electronics and electrical systems. FourFront has developed trusted relationships with OEM customers and built meaningful expertise in power electronics. As part of the Dhoot platform, FourFront and its team will be well positioned to continue delivering the same level of quality and service levels to customers while benefiting from our scale, manufacturing depth, and long-term investment approach.”

Saahil Bhatia, Partner, Bain Capital, said, “India continues to be an economy with a strong long-term growth trajectory, supported by favourable demographics, rising domestic consumption, and sustained investment in manufacturing and infrastructure. Against this backdrop, we see a compelling opportunity to support platforms like Dhoot, and now FourFront, as they scale capabilities, deepen OEM partnerships, and build high-quality automotive solutions aligned with evolving technologies such as ADAS and increasing electronics content across vehicle segments.”

Shrikant Neurgaonkar, Chairperson and Managing Director, FourFront, stated, “Over the last 15+ years, FourFront has built very a strong foundation and is recognised for innovative solutions, superior design capabilities, and responsiveness towards customer demands. The partnership with Dhoot Transmission and Bain Capital will put us in a strong position to further enhance our product offerings and continue to invest in manufacturing facilities, R&D and people for the next phase of growth. We’re very excited to partner with Dhoot Transmission to create an electronics platform focused on technical and operational excellence.”

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KRAIBURG TPE has introduced an innovative material solution built upon its well-established THERMOLAST K product line, specifically engineered for automotive sealing applications. This new variant combines proven performance traits with enhanced ecological benefits, incorporating a recycling content that exceeds 50 percent derived from both post-industrial and post-consumer sources. Despite this high proportion of recycled material, the compound does not compromise on the stringent quality, functional reliability and processability standards demanded by the automotive sector.

In close collaboration with long-term partner SaarGummi, an international automotive supplier, KRAIBURG TPE set out to create a more sustainable alternative that could seamlessly replace conventional materials in existing applications. The partnership began development work in 2023, focusing on increasing recycled raw material usage while preserving the high mechanical load capacity, resistance to various environmental factors and dependable industrial processing characteristics required for automotive components. Early-stage testing under comparable conditions confirmed that the new recycling-based variant met all relevant requirements and could be reliably integrated into standard production workflows.

The joint effort has yielded a thermoplastic elastomer solution featuring a recycling content of approximately 56 percent, composed entirely of post-industrial and post-consumer recyclates. This outcome enables a material option with significantly reduced resource consumption for demanding automotive uses, answering the growing need for sustainability across the entire value chain without sacrificing quality or manufacturing efficiency.

Alexander Mayer, Senior Business Development Manager, KRAIBURG TPE, said, “The first results have shown that we are on the right track with this development. Our aim was to design a materials solution that saves more resources while meeting the high quality standards of the automotive industry.”

Sebastien Roux, TPE Material & Process Specialist, SaarGummi, said, “The new material meets the requirements of our application and can be reliably combined with existing components. At the same time, the increased recycling content makes an important contribution to greater sustainability. It was possible not only to increase the recycling content but also to reduce the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the material compared to that of the previous variant.”

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European tier 1 supplier Marelli has announced it will present its latest in-cabin technologies at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, scheduled from 24 April to 3 May. The showcase focuses on the integration of electronics and interiors to support software-defined vehicles (SDVs) through unified computing and scalable architectures.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a software-defined cockpit experience that centralises computing, artificial intelligence and human-machine interface (HMI) functions. Built on a QNX real-time operating system (RTOS), the system manages in-vehicle infotainment, cluster visualisation and cabin intelligence within a single architecture.

Key display at its booth includes –

MiniLED FALD Display: An ultra-thin Full Array Local Dimming screen designed for high contrast and sunlight readability, supporting curved pillar-to-pillar configurations.

HorizonView Display: A continuous 44.8-inch image projected across the base of the windshield. Powered by a Picture Generation Unit (PGU) capable of 12,000 nits, it provides a panoramic visual field intended to reduce driver distraction.

Marelli is also introducing a zonal electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture to centralise intelligence and reduce wiring complexity. This approach utilises an ‘edge node’ strategy to remove local microcontrollers (MCUs) from peripheral modules.

MCU-Free Modules: Door and seat modules shift window, mirror, and safety functions to the Zone Control Unit (ZCU) or central compute unit via low-latency protocols.

Zonal Audio: Multi-zone audio distribution is managed at the zonal level, utilising Ethernet-based amplifiers. This configuration eliminates the need for local digital signal processors (DSPs) in every speaker location.

Connectivity: The company will debut an Affordable 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) telematics solution. It offers 2.5 times lower latency than 4G at a similar cost, supporting over-the-air (OTA) updates and remote diagnostics.

The cabin experience is further defined by mechanical and lighting solutions designed for personalisation and space efficiency:

Cockpit Features: Motorised swivel speakers for directional audio, motorised vents for climate management, and retractable tables for workspace versatility.

Console Design: A multi-access console lid that opens from three sides and a detachable display mechanism for rear-seat passenger access to controls and entertainment.

Joachim Fetzer, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Marelli, said, “In the cabin of the future, technology must feel human – intuitive, responsive and seamlessly integrated. At Auto China, we will demonstrate how Marelli unifies compute, display, audio, and interior design into a coherent, software-defined experience enabled by deep local engineering and strong partnerships.”

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Bosch, the flagship entity of the Bosch Group in India, has announced its intention to acquire 100 percent of Bosch Chassis Systems India. The transaction is structured as a cash deal combined with the issuance of equity shares on a preferential basis.

The acquisition integrates the Vehicle Motion business into Bosch’s portfolio. This move is designed to unify the company’s mobility offerings, shifting from the supply of individual components to the delivery of integrated platform solutions.

Bosch Chassis Systems India specialises in automotive safety systems. Its product range includes:

• Active Safety: Antilock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and advanced braking systems.
• Passive Safety: Airbag electronic control units (ECUs) and sensors.
• Actuation Systems: Braking hardware for passenger cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

The realignment allows Bosch to expand its investment in safety and braking technologies alongside its existing operations in power solutions.

Following the acquisition, Bosch Chassis Systems India will operate as an independent entity, with its governance overseen by Bosch. The boards of the Bosch Group, Bosch and Bosch Chassis Systems India have approved the transaction. The deal remains subject to approval from Bosch shareholders, after which the unit will become a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Guruprasad Mudlapur, President, Bosch Group in India and MD, Bosch, said, “Adding Bosch Chassis Systems India, with a future-fit vehicle motion solutions business into Bosch Limited, demonstrates our organisational belief in enhancing the company’s growth trajectory through portfolio diversification. This transaction further solidifies our leadership presence within mobility, enabling us to utilise our strengths and deliver solutions backed by local research and development and local manufacturing.”

Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint Managing Director of Bosch and President of Bosch Mobility India, added, “In India, we expect the mobility landscape to evolve radically by 2030 and beyond with sustainable, safe and exciting technologies. To foster a customer- first mindset and pivot from supplying individual components to delivering future- ready platform solutions, it is imperative to unite our forces and adopt an integrated approach. This transaction empowers Bosch to drive growth with a wider portfolio and combined offerings across the mobility tech stack.”

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Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced the achievement of two production milestones: manufacturing 500 million differential gears and 10 million differential assemblies since its inception. The company provides mobility technology solutions for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and off-highway vehicles.

According to the company, Sona Comstar has an 8.7 percent global market share in differential gears in 2025, an increase from 4.5 percent in 2019. It operates manufacturing facilities in Gurugram, Pune and Manesar.

The company commenced production of differential gears in Gurugram in 1999. It reached 100 million units in 2013 and 400 million in 2024. the most recent 100 million units were produced within a two-year period.

For differential assemblies the production began in 2008. It crossed 5 million unit production milestone in 2023, with the subsequent 5 million units manufactured in less than three years.

The company designs and manufactures precision-forged gears and driveline components. Its growth trajectory is linked to the expansion of both conventional and electric mobility platforms. The facility in Manesar, opened in 2019, supports the production of differential assemblies specifically for the global BEV market.

Vivek Vikram Singh, Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We are proud to celebrate these important milestones of our Driveline Business. They reflect the scale we have built over the years, our commitment to engineering excellence, and the trust our customers have placed in us globally. I thank our customers, suppliers, and employees for their continued support and contribution to this achievement. As mobility continues to evolve, we remain focused on innovation, expanding our integrated driveline capabilities, and delivering high-quality solutions that meet the changing needs of our customers across EV and conventional platforms.”

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