Horse has started production of its 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder ‘HR13’ engine at its facility in Curitiba, Brazil. The company is a division of Spain-headquartered Horse Powertrain, a leading supplier of low-emission powertrain systems.

The new HR13 turbo engine is a flex fuel variant engineered specifically for the South American market. It can run on petrol & ethanol blends and is fully compliant with L8 emissions standards. It offers a peak power of 163PS (120kW), as well as peak torque load of 250Nm at just 1,600rpm.

The company shared that the HR13 engine benefits from a bespoke direct injection system, which has specially developed for ethanol fuel use. Each cylinder is accompanied by a centrally mounted six-hole injectors operating at 200bar pressure, tailored for exceptional fuel atomisation that delivers effortless power and torque without impacting fuel efficiency.

Horse recently invested BRL 100 million (USD 17.24 million) investment in the Curitiba facility, which will facilitate HR13 production as a key output of the plant. The company will be able to produce 600,000 units annually across its portfolio of engines.

Wesley Palma, Plant Director at Horse Curitiba, said, "The start of HR13 production in Brazil demonstrates our commitment to delivering engineering and manufacturing solutions tailored to local markets. Specifically created with flex fuel capability, the highly efficient HR13 is perfectly suited to Brazilian OEMs and consumers. Horse is particularly committed to localising key manufacturing processes, such as casting for the engine’s cylinder heads.”

Patrice Haettel, CEO, Horse, said: “This move reinforces our commitment to the Brazilian market and South America. Our message has always been clear: there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to global mobility, but instead tailor-made solutions that reflect regional needs. The HR13 reflects this ethos, powered by low-emissions flex fuels and optimised for Brazilian market needs.”

Norway-headquartered automotive component supplier Kongsberg Automotive has inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Faridabad, India.

The Norwegian company is a leading supplier of driver and motion control systems, fluid assemblies and industrial driver interface products. It primarily caters to on-highway, passenger cars, off-highway and aftermarket segments.

The company has established its presence in 17 countries globally, employs over 4,700 people in 32 locations and clocked EUR 788 million revenue in 2024.

The new facility primarily manufactures Drive Control Systems (DCS) products – steering columns, cable gear shifters, shift towers and shift-by-wire shifters, among others. Furthermore, the new facility will allow Kongsberg Automotive to expand its production capability for Flow Control Systems (FCS) products.

Robert Pigg, Executive Vice-President of Drive Control Systems, Kongsberg Automotive, said, “This relocation represents a significant step in Kongsberg Automotive’s ongoing journey toward growth and enhanced manufacturing excellence in India.”

The new facility is spread across 6,947 square metres, as compared to its previous plant in the same locality.

CK Holdings-owned Italian automotive tier 1 supplier Marelli has won three accolades at the 2025 Automotive News PACE Awards.

The company won awards for Innovation Partnership Award for Digital OLED Taillights, PACE Award for Digital OLED 2.0 Technology and PACEpilot Award for Electromechanical Suspension.

The first award jointly received by Marelli and Audi for their collaboration on the Digital OLED Taillight, featured on the 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron. The award highlights successful supplier-OEM partnerships in commercialising advanced technologies.

The second-generation Digital OLED Taillight allows drivers to personalise their vehicle with up to eight light signatures via the MMI or myAudi app. It also enhances safety through proximity indication and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, displaying warning symbols in critical situations.

Frank Huber, President, Marelli’s Lighting business, said, “This award reflects our commitment to co-creating innovations with partners like Audi.”

The second award was won jointly by Marelli and OLEDWorks for the Digital OLED 2.0 rear lights on the Audi Q6 e-tron. The technology uses 60-segment OLED panels, controlled via a high-speed CAN-FD bus, enabling dynamic light signatures and improved safety features.

The system reduces mechanical complexity, increases energy efficiency and supports advanced animations. Steve Muench, Head of Marelli Lighting North America, and David DeJoy, CEO of OLEDWorks, accepted the award.

Lastly, Marelli was recognised for its Fully Active Electromechanical Suspension, which received a PACEpilot Award for its potential to transform future mobility. The oil-free system uses four actuators to adjust suspension in real-time, improving comfort and efficiency while reducing motion sickness.

Antonio Ferrara, President, Marelli’s Ride Dynamics business, said: “This award acknowledges our commitment to advancing vehicle dynamics for electric and autonomous vehicles.”

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s only and the world's largest integrated zinc producer, has launched Zinc Freight Bazaar, a digital-first logistics management system aimed at empowering customers, enhancing experience and simplifying the overall logistics process.

Zinc Freight Bazaar, which was created with a strong emphasis on user experience, makes it possible for clients to make knowledgeable logistical decisions and supports efficient production planning. The platform is designed to satisfy its users' complex needs. The platform offers a number of associated logistics service providers, real-time tracking, a logistics planner and a bidding mechanism. Customers had to switch between many systems for shipment monitoring and logistics coordination in the traditional zinc procurement process, but this new platform provides a simplified, end-to-end digital solution that enables business teams to easily acquire vital metals.

As a vital component of galvanisation, zinc protects steel from corrosion and supports vital sectors including electronics, renewable energy, infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing, defence and electric mobility. London Metal Exchange (LME)-registered premium products such as Special High-Grade Zinc, High Grade Zinc, Asia's first low carbon ‘green’ zinc EcoZen, Prime Western Zinc, Continuous Galvanizing Grade Zinc, Special High Grade Jumbo Zinc, High Grade Jumbo Zinc, Hindustan Zinc Die Casting Alloy 3, Hindustan Zinc Die Casting Alloy 5 and Special High-Grade Lead are among the products offered by Hindustan Zinc.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “At Hindustan Zinc, we have always prioritised a customer-first approach to enhance the critical metal buying experience. With the integration of digitalisation, we are taking a decisive step forward in delivering a seamless, tech-enabled experience. This platform simplifies procurement and reinforces our commitment to building a future-ready supply chain. As India’s economy continues to expand, the role of zinc in infrastructure development becomes increasingly vital. This platform will empower manufacturers with improved production planning while providing a unified solution for logistics management.”

ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions, a division of German tier 1 supplier ZF Group, has recently secured a multi-year business order from one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers for supply of AxTrax 2 Electric Axles.

As part of the understanding, ZF will supply its AxTrax 2, an integrated and modular electric axle for medium duty buses, which the company said provides a more efficient, high-performance solution. The contract covers a supply of several thousand units over multiple years.

The AxTrax 2 electric axle is designed to replace the engine, transmission and conventional axle to electrify a commercial vehicle. It is part of ZF’s modular e-mobility kit, which integrates in-house developed components into an innovative axle-based solution that is efficient, compact and lightweight in design.

Akash Passey, President, ZF Group in India, said, “ZF Group has an established presence in India's commercial vehicle sector, consistently leading the charge in pioneering advanced technology solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in mobility. This business nomination highlights our pivotal role in delivering innovative mobility solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of our OEM partners.”.

P Kaniappan, Senior Vice-President – CVS Division (India), ZF Group, added, "AxTrax 2 represents evolution of our journey towards market leadership and sustainability for the next generation of mobility in India. This milestone reinforces ZF Group’s position as the industry leader in e-mobility while delivering significant advancements for both our customers and the Indian market."