Tier 1 supplier Jay Bharat Maruti (JBML) has announced it has further acquired 10 percent stake from its joint venture partner Ogihara Thailand Co.

The move will see JBM hike its stake from 39 percent to 49 percent in JBM Ogihara Die-Tech (JODT), which is a key supplier of press stamping dies, especially for high-tensile and critical Body In White (BIW) dies.

In FY2024, the company reported a turnover of INR 489.65 million.

At present, JODT is a key supplier for high-tensile and critical BIW dies to JBM. The technology was adopted as part of its association with Ogihara, and the move to hike its stake in the JV will further enhance JBM’s supply to Maruti Suzuki India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer in the country and a key client for the brand.

Furthermore, JBM has announced that its technology agreement with OTC and its name in the company will continue for almost two years.

American powertrain major BorgWarner has announced that it has elevated Chandrasekar Krishnamurthy as the Global Director of Product Management for BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems, effective 1 March 2025.

The company shared that the elevation is part of its future growth strategy, which aims to realign focus on its product family to drive competitiveness in cost, technical maturity, time to market, and compliance.

In his new role Krishnamurthy will be responsible for leading the product management team by accelerating product industrialisation readiness. Developing competitive product platform solutions in collaboration with other functions.

He will also focus on aligning product roadmaps with sales strategy, along with delivering competitive and compliant solutions on time. In addition, he will also contribute to engineering efficiency initiatives and continuously improve engineering development framework and product safety/security compliance.

Tier 1 automotive supplier Tata AutoComp Systems (Tata AutoComp) has announced that it is set to acquire International Automotive Components Group Sweden AB (IAC Sweden), a leading supplier of automotive interior systems and components.

The Swedish company currently operates three facilities in Lassby, Fargelanda and Skara is a key supplier to Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks and Scania. It specialises in plastic moulding, high-precision painting and assembly of interior components with an estimated turnover of USD 800 million.

Tata AutoComp aims to strengthen its presence in Sweden and enhance the company’s relationships with key European OEMs in both the passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle segments.

The acquisition presents strong synergy opportunities, allowing Tata AutoComp to leverage advanced manufacturing capabilities, cutting-edge technology and well-established customer relationships in the premium automotive space.

The transaction is subject to European regulatory approvals.

Arvind Goel, Vice Chairman, Tata AutoComp Systems, said, “We are delighted to welcome IAC Sweden into the Tata AutoComp family. This acquisition aligns with our long-term vision of expanding in global markets and strengthening our relationships with European OEMs. IAC Sweden has a strong legacy of delivering high-quality interior solutions, and we look forward to working together to drive innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. This move reinforces our commitment to driving sustainable, high-quality, and customer-centric automotive solutions across geographies.”

Manoj Kolhatkar, MD & CEO, Tata AutoComp Systems,  said, “This acquisition is a pivotal step in Tata AutoComp’s journey to enhance our global presence and technology portfolio.”

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), in collaboration with Guidance Tamil Nadu, the investment promotion and single-window clearance arm of the Government of Tamil Nadu, hosted a landmark event in Chennai on 20 March 2025, titled Unveiling India’s New Automotive Hub: Where Wheels of Progress Turn.

The summit convened senior government officials, global and Indian automotive leaders, and key stakeholders to explore Tamil Nadu’s rise as India’s next major automotive and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub.

Dr TRB Rajaa, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, was the Chief Guest at the event. “Tamil Nadu is not just attracting investments; we are shaping the future of mobility – cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive. With a skilled workforce, progressive policies, and a strong focus on sustainability and women’s empowerment, Tamil Nadu is poised for its next big leap,” he said.

Shradha Suri Marwah, President of ACMA and CMD of Subros, noted, “The state has long been a pioneer in industrial transformation. It’s no surprise that Tamil Nadu is now a magnet for domestic and global automotive players, hosting over 400 auto component manufacturers. Events like these foster collaboration between industry and government to drive growth and innovation.”

Darez Ahamed, Managing Director, Guidance Tamil Nadu, called Thoothukudi as ‘India’s New Automotive Hub,’ highlighting the state’s strategic emphasis on EV manufacturing, industry-academia partnerships, and investor-friendly infrastructure.

A key highlight was an exclusive fireside chat with senior leaders from VinFast Auto, moderated by Vinnie Mehta, Director General of ACMA. Sang Yu Won, Purchasing Head, and Prakalathan Tirupathi, Project Head of VinFast India, outlined their vision for EV innovation and emphasised Tamil Nadu’s pivotal role in their India strategy, along with expectations from the local supply ecosystem.

Other prominent speakers included Vikrampati Singhania, Vice President of ACMA and MD of JK Fenner; Sriram Viji, Chairman of ACMA Southern Region and MD of Brakes India and Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairman of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.

Pankaj M Munjal-led Hero Motors has announced a new joint venture with German component manufacturer SchmiedeTechnik Plettenberg (SchmiedeTechnik) in India.

Based out of Hero Industrial Park in Ludhiana, Punjab the new JV will manufacture forged powertrain components in the country for the global markets.

Pankaj M Munjal, Group Chairman Hero Motors, said, “With our strong R&D manufacturing capabilities, this partnership with STP (SchmiedeTechnik) will enable us to capture a significant share of the global powertrain components market.”

Cornel Mueller, Chairman & CEO, SchmiedeTechnik, said, “Partnering with HML strengthens our global footprint and enhances cost efficiencies. Beyond manufacturing in India, our goal is to foster cross-border knowledge exchange and integrate best practices between Germany and India.”

SchmiedeTechnik is a leading player in forging and metallurgy with six facilities in Germany. It produces high-precision forged and machined components for automotive and industrial applications.