German family-owned leading automotive independent aftermarket company Bilstein Group has formally entered India with the establishment of Ferdinand Bilstein India. 

The 23rd international subsidiary of Ferdinand Bilstein was incorporated in February 2025, but formally opened on 1 April 2025 with the onboarding of Ramachandra Puttana as its Managing Director.

Bilstein Group currently sells parts under the febi, SWAG and Blue Print brands for the passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle segment. The German brand has a turnover of over EUR 1.12 billion (in 2023), supplies parts to over 170 countries and has a catalogue of over 75,000 different products.

Automotive industry veteran Puttana comes with over three decades of experience having worked with major brands such as Fenner India, Bosch India, Oman Trading, Magneti Marelli and the ZF Group. In his last role at Greaves Retail, Puttana was responsible for the strategic expansion of product solutions for electric vehicles. 

“I am very much looking forward to supporting the international growth of the bilstein group and contributing my experience to enthuse the Indian market about the group's products and services. However, the aim is not only to work more closely with existing customers, but also to persuade others that the bilstein group is a reliable and above all, long-term partner,” said Puttana.

Karsten Schussler-Bilstein, Group Managing Director, bilstein group, said, “The expansion into India is of great importance to us. We see the Indian market as a subcontinent with a diverse vehicle fleet and rapid development in the automotive aftermarket business. We want to actively accompany and support this dynamic growth. In addition, the expansion of our presence in India underlines the increasing importance of the bilstein group as a global player. We also achieved growth of more than 10 percent in 2024. We are continuously investing in the international expansion of our sales and logistics network. Last year, we received 24 awards from international trade cooperations and industry associations. We would like to build on this success. In Ramachandra Puttanna, we have gained a very experienced and committed manager. I am confident that he will help us make great progress in India.” 

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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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