The United States President, Donald Trump, announced a new set of tariffs as part of its ‘Liberation Day’ initiative on 2 April 2025. This new rate of tariffs is part of Trump’s administration to boost national production and what he claimed is to resolve ‘trade imbalances.’

A statement issued by ACMA India mentioned that as per an order by Trump on 26 March 2025, Section 232 charges 25 percent tariffs, but there is no mention of ‘Autos & auto parts and steel & aluminium articles.’

The industry body stated that the detailed list of auto components that will be subject to 25 percent import tariff in the United States was awaited.

Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM, said, “Commenting on the recent announcement by US Govt on Reciprocal Tariffs, it is to be noted that autos are not covered in this order since they are already subject to Section 232 tariffs at 25 percent, announced earlier in President Trump’s order on March 26, 2025.  We don't expect any significant impact on the Indian automobile industry since there are limited exports to US, but we will continue to monitor the situation."

Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA and CMD, Subros, said, “ACMA remains hopeful that the ongoing bilateral negotiations between the Indian and U.S. governments will lead to a balanced resolution that benefits both economies. We believe that the strong trade relationship between India and the United States, especially in the auto components sector, will encourage continued dialogue to mitigate the impacts of these measures. ACMA is committed to engaging with all stakeholders to ensure the long-term interests of the Indian auto component industry.”

A statement from the White House mentioned that President Trump was working to level the playing field for American businesses and workers by confronting the unfair tariff disparities and non-tariff barriers imposed by other countries.

‘For generations, countries have taken advantage of the United States, tariffing us at higher rates. For example: The United States imposes a 2.5 percent tariff on passenger vehicle imports (with internal combustion engines), while the European Union (10 percent) and India (70 percent) impose much higher duties on the same product.’

For FY2024, India exported USD 6.79 billion worth of auto components, which translates to 27 percent of the total exports from India. On the other hand, India’s automotive component imports from the United States was valued at USD 1.63 billion or 7 percent of the total imports.

Saurabh Agarwal, Partner & Automotive Tax Leader at EY India, stated, “With US automotive tariffs rising, India's electric vehicle sector has a prime opportunity to capture a larger share of the US market, especially in the budget car segment. China's 2023 auto and component exports to the US stood at USD 17.99 billion, while India's were only USD 2.1 billion in 2024, highlighting the potential for growth. To accelerate this, the government should enhance the PLI scheme by including more auto components, opening it to new players, and extending it by two years."

Arun Agarwal, VP – Fundamental Research – Automobiles, Kotak Securities, said, “US has imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported cars, light trucks and select auto parts sourced from outside of North America. Further, almost 150 auto parts will face tariffs at similar rate. This move could result into increase in car prices in the US and cost pressure for component suppliers. In the event of car prices going up, the US car market may witness a steep volume decline and that can impact revenue for component players supplying parts to the US car/light truck industry. Further, margins of suppliers may come under pressure as they may need to partly absorb cost pressures. We believe there will be some impact, which the suppliers will have to bear, leading to negative implications on margins. Having said that, it needs to be seen on how higher tariffs are absorbed across the supply chain that includes customers, OEMs and suppliers. The extent of impact for Indian players will also depend on the US-India bilateral agreement over the next few months.”

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Laufenberg GmbH, a specialist in coating technologies, and WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH, an expert in polyurethane, epoxy and silicone materials, have jointly introduced an innovative manufacturing process that promises to enhance the scalability and reduce the costs of hydrogen technology components. This new method addresses the limitations of conventional sealing production for fuel cell and electrolyser stacks, which has traditionally depended on prefabricated flat gaskets or molded O-rings. These established techniques are inherently discontinuous, requiring individual moulds that result in a manufacturing process that is both time-intensive and costly. The collaborative solution from Laufenberg and Wevo enables the continuous, high-throughput, roll-to-roll production of flat elastomer gaskets. This breakthrough offers manufacturers a scalable path to lower expenses while simultaneously facilitating more efficient and automated production processes for critical hydrogen infrastructure like fuel cells, electrolysers and redox flow batteries.

The core of this new technique involves applying WEVO’s specially formulated two-component liquid elastomers onto a carrier film using Laufenberg’s precision coating equipment. This coated material then travels through a multi-zone curing oven, where temperature is meticulously controlled. An optional pre-curing stage with infrared emitters can be employed to accelerate the process and eliminate air bubbles. The line operates at variable speeds, offering immense production flexibility and the final product is supplied either on large rolls or as precision-die-cut gaskets, ready for installation.

This advanced process accommodates a wide range of specifications, producing pure elastomer seals with thicknesses from a minimal 20 micrometres up to two millimetres. By combining the elastomer with a carrier film, hybrid seals can be created with total thicknesses reaching four mm, catering to demands for both ultra-thin and highly robust sealing solutions. The carrier film can either be removed after curing or remain integrated to provide enhanced structural stability, which is particularly beneficial for softer sealant materials.

Leveraging WEVO’s long-standing expertise in developing low-permeation silicones and polyurethanes, the material properties can be precisely tailored to the application. This joint development marks a significant evolution from traditional liquid dispensing methods towards the efficient production of pre-fabricated, high-performance gaskets. For manufacturers, this innovation represents a critical step forward in streamlining the production of essential components for the hydrogen economy. Representatives from both companies will be available at upcoming industry events to discuss integration and material selection.

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Cummins India (CIL), a power solutions provider, marked its 30th anniversary of listing on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) with a ceremonial bell ringing. The event was attended by Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE and Shveta Arya, Managing Director of Cummins India.

Since its listing on 29 March 1995, CIL has delivered returns for its shareholders and stakeholders. Over the three decades: the company has delivered 76x shareholder returns at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16 percent. Revenues have grown nearly 19x at a 10 percent CAGR and Profit After Tax has increased 30x at a 12 percent CAGR.

CIL now ranks among the top 100 companies by market capitalisation on the NSE, with its market cap surging by 76x since the listing. The company has cumulatively paid out INR 89.10 billion in dividends.

Shveta Arya, Managing Director, Cummins India, said, “For over six decades, we have powered India’s growth story. The anniversary of our 30-year presence on NSE is a significant milestone in that legacy. Since 1995, we have powered industries, enabled infrastructure, and advanced the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy. This journey is the result of the trust of our shareholders, the dedication of our employees, and the enduring partnerships we have built with our customers, suppliers and communities. As India moves forward, we remain committed to advancing the national vision of Viksit Bharat with innovation, dependability, and inclusive impact for generations to come.”

Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO, NSE, said, “Cummins India’s 30-year journey on NSE is a remarkable milestone that reflects both resilience and purpose. Over the years, the company has grown in step with India’s progress, delivering value to shareholders, advancing innovation, and contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future. At NSE, we take pride in being part of this journey and congratulate the leadership and employees of Cummins India on this achievement and look forward to their continued success.”

CIL has evolved into a diversified power solutions leader, now serving 10 industry segments, including rail, marine, defence, oil & gas, and data centres. The company also exports products to markets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa.

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French tier 1 supplier Valeo will unveil its new electric compressor – the EDC-120, at Busworld Europe scheduled from 4th October to 9^th October 2025.

The component, featuring an integrated inverter, is designed for the electric bus segment. The company shared that this launch signals its move to extend its electrification expertise from passenger and light commercial vehicles into the heavy-duty and bus markets.

Claudine Rochette, Strategy & Communication VP, Valeo Power Division, said, “At Valeo, we are leading the electrification of the automotive market. With the launch of the EDC-120 electric compressor, Valeo drives into the electric bus market. This segment is expected to continue growing worldwide and Valeo’s ambitions do not stop at the electric compressor: we already have a wide portfolio of products for electric cars and light commercial vehicles that will be adapted for use in buses.”

The EDC-120 electric compressor has been engineered to meet the demands of electric buses in terms of performance, energy efficiency and reliability. This development uses Valeo’s existing portfolio of electrification solutions, including motors, inverters, DC/DC converters, heat pumps and other key components for electrified vehicles. Valeo plans to adapt these components further to meet the specific requirements for electric buses.

Valeo will also use its industrial scale and technological expertise to capture a share of the electric bus market. Production of the EDC-120 compressor is planned for 2026 in China, where the adoption of electric buses is most advanced. The company aims to establish a global presence, leveraging its international capabilities and local industrial footprint.

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Aurangabad-based auto component maker Dhoot Transmission Group has appointed Naveen Kumar as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, a key move aimed at accelerating its global growth and strengthening its leadership.

In his new role, Kumar will report directly to Founder and Managing Director Rahul Dhoot.

A Mechanical Engineering graduate from Manipal Academy of Higher Education and an alumnus of the senior management program at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Kumar comes with over three decades of experience across the automotive, manufacturing and technology sectors, with a strong focus on strategic expansion, operational restructuring and forging international partnerships.

Prior to joining Dhoot Transmission, Kumar was the Group CEO of Napino Auto & Electronics. During his tenure there, he successfully scaled the company's revenues, dramatically improved operational performance, established a dedicated R&D centre and secured significant global joint ventures with major firms like Continental and ZF TRW.

Rahul Dhoot, said, "His extensive leadership experience, vision for innovation, and proven ability to deliver sustainable growth make him the ideal choice to lead Dhoot Transmission into its next chapter.”

The appointment aligns with the company's strategic focus on boosting innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and driving significant global expansion. Since its founding in 1999, Dhoot Transmission Group has grown to become a leading supplier of wiring harnesses for a wide range of vehicles – from two-wheelers and three-wheelers to commercial vehicles, off-road, farm and electric vehicles. Over the last 25 years, the Group has also diversified its offerings to include automotive switches, connection systems, advanced electronic components and comprehensive electric mobility solutions, such as charging equipment and battery assemblies.

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