Kinetic Engineering Ltd. (KEL), a key player in India’s automotive components industry, unveiled a major strategic initiative involving a convertible warrant issue worth INR 1.7 billion. The warrants, with an 18-month conversion period, include an initial investment of INR 550 million by March 2025 from the promoters. This represents 25 percent of the warrant subscription amount for future investments, pending approval from SEBI and shareholders. Additional commitments include INR 171 million from external investors with notable contributors such as Transaction Square LLP and Sai Geeta Penumetsa.

The phased investment plan allocates INR 600 million by March 2025, followed by INR 440 million by March 2026 and INR 730 million by March 2027. This capital infusion supports KEL’s goal of achieving a revenue target of INR 10 billion by 2029, a dramatic increase from its current revenue of INR 1.5 billion. The strategy also aims to raise the promoters’ stake in the company from 59 percent to 70 percent by 2027.

Since 2017, KEL’s promoters have steadily increased their stake from 49 percent to 59 percent with the current initiative boosting holdings by an additional 11 percent. Approximately 93.5 lakh new shares will be issued to promoters, bringing their total to 2.26 crore shares and increasing the company’s outstanding shares to 3.26 crore by July 2027. The investment is led by founder and chairman Arun Firodia, supported by family trusts—the Arun Firodia Trust and Jayashree Firodia Trust.

The infusion of capital and warrant issuance highlights the promoters’ confidence in KEL’s long-term strategy, enabling the company to enhance working capital, improve manufacturing capabilities, and accelerate innovation in high-growth areas such as electric vehicle (EV) components.

Driving Growth Through EV and Innovation
KEL’s aggressive growth strategy focuses on an expanded export business, a diversified portfolio and cost-reduction initiatives. The company is sharpening its focus on EVs through its subsidiary, Kinetic Watts & Volts, incorporated in September 2022. The subsidiary is developing advanced drivetrain solutions, gear systems, and other innovative products set to be unveiled soon.

To deepen its footprint in the EV sector, KEL is bolstering its developmental capabilities and exploring collaborations with OEMs. Its long-term strategy emphasises sustainable growth, enhanced domestic and international market presence, and maintaining leadership in the automotive components sector.

The promoters’ commitment to increased investment and stake expansion underscores their confidence in KEL’s future, positioning the company to capitalise on opportunities in the evolving mobility landscape. With a focus on innovation, value creation, and strategic execution, KEL is poised for transformational growth in a competitive market.

Commenting on the development, Firodia said, “Kinetic Engineering Limited has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing. It has successfully transformed into an auto components business and enjoys strong relationships with the world’s largest OEMs. Leveraging these long-standing partnerships, we expect to finalise significant business deals shortly. Additionally, we are heavily focused on the EV segment, with plans for our subsidiary, Kinetic Watts & Volts, nearing finalisation. These initiatives will drive an 8x to 10x revenue growth, and we are pleased to make this investment to meet the required capital expenditure, working capital, and growth initiatives. This infusion of capital from the promoters reinforces our growth blueprint, enabling us to take bold strides toward achieving our INR 1,000 crore revenue milestone. We are committed to using this investment to fuel innovation, improve operational efficiencies, and meet the evolving demands of the automotive and EV industries.”

Bengaluru-based Kogo partnered with MapmyIndia to launch a universal voice assistant for the automotive industry at the Bharat Auto Expo 2025. This breakthrough leverages Kogo’s Agentic Mesh and MapmyIndia’s deep learning geo-intelligence stack, providing an on-premises, edge-computing platform that ensures data privacy and safety for end customers.

The platform not only transforms in-car interactions but also opens new avenues for app businesses and services to develop their own AI agents and offer them via the Kogo AI Agent Store, reaching millions of car and motorcycle owners across India.

Unlike existing voice assistants that are limited to basic in-car commands, the Kogo-MapmyIndia universal assistant delivers natural language conversations, the ability to surf the internet and real-world impact by operating apps and services beyond the vehicle.

“This is a game changer in the automotive industry, elevating user engagement, safety and service delivery to unprecedented levels. By combining Kogo’s agentic AI technology with MapmyIndia’s geo-intelligence, we’re not just innovating – we’re setting a new benchmark for the entire industry,” Kogo Chief Executive Officer Raj K Gopalakrishnan.

The platform enables app developers and service providers to create and distribute their own agents through the Kogo AI Agent Store. These agents can cater to a wide array of needs, from personal assistance to business automation, creating a vibrant ecosystem for innovation.

“We designed the platform to work entirely on-premises and at the edge, ensuring that end customers’ data remains secure and private. Our vision is to empower every vehicle owner with an AI assistant that is not only powerful but also respects their privacy,” averred Kogo Co-Founder Praveer Kochhar.

With the ability to integrate seamlessly into the existing infrastructure of automotive manufacturers, this platform promises to redefine how vehicles interact with their owners. From voice-controlled operations to advanced task automation, the Universal Assistant is poised to lead the way in automotive AI innovation.

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, showcased its new zinc die casting alloy product range HZDA 3 and HZDA 5 (Hindustan Zinc Die Casting Alloy) at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Along with the world’s largest zinc product portfolios, the company also displayed lead, silver and value-added products at the event at Pragati Maidan in Stall 6 – Hall 11.

The company's zinc die casting alloys are designed to meet the changing demands of the automobile industry. They are specifically made for the hot chamber die casting process. The main manufacturer of these alloys, which are otherwise imported into the nation, is Hindustan Zinc, which is often referred to as ZAMAK in the marketplace. Die casting alloys from Hindustan Zinc provide outstanding castability, long-term dimensional stability, quick machining and excellent plating, painting and chromate treatment finishing. Higher strength, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance and dimensional tolerance are all provided HZDA 3 and HZDA 5.

Hindustan Zinc's low-carbon ‘green’ zinc, known as ‘EcoZen’, was another major attraction at the event. It has a 75 percent lower carbon footprint than traditionally produced zinc and can save around 400 kg of carbon emissions when galvanising one tonne of steel. Silver improves conductivity and efficiency in automobile electronics, such as switches and relays, whereas lead is essential for automobile batteries, components and radiation shielding.

Arun Misra, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “The automotive industry is at the forefront of shaping a sustainable future, and Hindustan Zinc is proud to be a partner in this journey. We are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that not only meet but exceed the industry’s expectations. Our vast product portfolio will play a pivotal role in driving efficiency, sustainability and design excellence in automotive manufacturing. We are excited to showcase our diverse metals at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, a platform that mirrors our vision of co-creating a future beyond boundaries.”

ZF showcased the EasyTurn suspension strut axle concept for the first time in India. This advanced axle design expands the steering angle of a conventional front axle from approximately 40-45 degree to an impressive 80 degrees.

EasyTurn transforms larger vehicle models into highly agile entities, allowing them to navigate tight parking spaces and perform U-turns in exceptionally confined areas, equivalent to the width of soccer goal.  This significant advancement improves the turning radius for a typical midsize passenger car up to 30 percent, simplifying numerous urban driving scenarios.

Aligned with the global shift towards sustainable mobility, EasyTurn is compatible with rear-wheel drive vehicles commonly seen in electric cars. Additionally, it fits seamlessly with MacPherson axle systems, which cater to around 80 percent of modern vehicle platforms, showcasing its suitability for widespread market adoption.

"EasyTurn represents a major leap forward in our commitment to innovative mobility solutions," says ZF Group India President Akash Passey. "By increasing the steering angle to an unprecedented level, we provide enhanced agility and efficiency that meet the demands of urban environments and contribute to a sustainable future for mobility,” he added.

The innovative EasyTurn axle system offers substantial benefits for both passenger and cargo vehicles, particularly in congested urban areas. It excels in narrow alleys, construction sites, parking spaces, traffic jams and loading zones, delivering nearly effortless turning and parking manoeuvres.

ZF continues to enhance vehicle technology, driving forward the next generation of mobility solutions that meet the demands of modern transportation. With EasyTurn, ZF sets a new standard in vehicle steering capability, expanding possibilities for vehicle design, driving experiences and redefining India’s mobility.

Detailing Mafia launched a new range of premium car care products at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The move underscores the brand’s ambition to expand its offerings, setting new benchmarks in high-quality car detailing solutions. The launch includes Labocosmetica’s latest product line, designed for vehicle maintenance and protection with advanced washing, decontamination and polishing capabilities.

Additionally, the brand introduced PPF coatings in matte and gloss finishes for trim protection, the Yellow Wing traffic film for white cars and an innovative carbon fibre PPF with top coating, enhancing vehicle durability and protection.

Unveiling these products at the expo was a strategic effort to engage directly with car enthusiasts passionate about vehicle care and entrepreneurs seeking premium, international-standard detailing products. The Detailing Mafia also organised live demonstrations to maximise booth engagement and attract aspiring professionals in the car detailing industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Officer Kunal Sethi said, “It was a great experience participating in the event. It provided us with an opportunity to connect with the various stakeholders and help them understand the benefits of opting for premium car detailing products and services.”