Mahle is taking a significant step in its transformation by refining its corporate structure to enhance agility and efficiency under its 2030+ strategy. The changes involve merging business units to strengthen the core areas of electrification and thermal management, both structurally and operationally. As part of this restructuring, Mahle will acquire the remaining 25 percent minority stake in its thermal management subsidiary, Mahle Behr GmbH and Co. KG, cementing its commitment to this strategic area. The group management board reduced from seven members to four, effective 1 January 2025.

Starting in 2025, Mahle consolidated its five business units into three. Four existing units merged to form two new entities, aligning related production technologies to accelerate internal collaboration and establish a more cohesive operational framework.

“Mahle is doing its homework for the transformation,” said Chief Executive Officer Arnd Franz. He added, “Through these far-reaching changes, we will make our business ready for the future. We are accelerating the implementation of our group strategy which will position us as an innovative and sustainably profitable shaper of future mobility.”

Chairman of the Mahle Supervisory Board Dr. Heinz K. Junker said, “Through the reorganisation and the resulting streamlining of the Management Board, we will significantly improve the integration of our group and be able to make more effective use of synergies.”

The company’s Chief Exectuive Officer emphasised that this reorganisation would not only improve internal cooperation but also provide new opportunities for locations historically tied to combustion engine technologies, enabling them to apply their expertise to emerging, future-oriented sectors. This restructuring is also expected to create a high-performance production network while delivering cost savings.

The new powertrain and charging business unit will integrate the former engine systems and components and electronics and mechatronics units. This move will leverage Mahle’s extensive experience in engine systems to advance its electrification strategy, focusing on efficient electric motors and intelligent charging solutions. A key success in this area is the development of the electric compressor, one of the company’s most prominent products.

Similarly, the thermal and fluid systems business unit will combine the former filtration and engine peripherals and thermal management units. By integrating filtration expertise into its thermal management capabilities, Mahle aims to deliver competitive, future-oriented technologies to the market. The company’s dedication to thermal management is further demonstrated by its full acquisition of Mahle Behr GmbH & Co. KG, completing a process that began with its initial stake in 2010.

The aftermarket division with its established product range and growing focus on electrification and digitalisation will continue as a standalone unit under the new name lifecycle and mobility.

Franz will remain management board chairman and CEO while also assuming the role of statutory Labour Director, as human resources will no longer be a separate function on the board. Dr Beate Bungartz, the current labour director, stepped down on November 29, 2024. Markus Kapaun will continue as Cheif Financial Officer. Jumana Al-Sibai, currently responsible for the thermal management unit, will lead the new thermal and fluid systems business unit. Martin Weidlich, previously in charge of filtration and engine peripherals departed the company on November 29, 2024.

Georg Dietz, presently heading the engine systems and components unit, will lead the new powertrain and charging business unit. Additionally, Martin Wellhoeffer, currently overseeing the electronics and mechatronics unit, will transition to the thermal and fluid systems unit as Chief Operating Officer.

With its restructured organisation, Mahle aims to strengthen its position in electrification and thermal management while ensuring a more agile and cost-effective approach to future challenges. 

“Following several major acquisitions in the thermal management field, this step will successfully complete the integration of this business in the Mahle Group,” said Franz.

Commenting on the development, Junker said: “On behalf of the Mahle supervisory bodies, I would like to thank the management board members Dr. Beate Bungartz and Martin Weidlich, who are now leaving the group, for their excellent and dedicated work. In his five years with Mahle, Weidlich has performed great services both for the filtration and engine peripherals business unit and in his group responsibility for operational excellence, production and purchasing. Over the past two years, Bungartz has successfully continued the development of our human resources organisation and has initiated the transformation dialogue with employee representatives in Germany. Bungartz and Weidlich have my best wishes for their personal lives and careers in the future. Equally, the supervisory bodies and I would like to thank Wellhoeffer for his considerable commitment as a management board member. Under his leadership for almost two years, the electronics and mechatronics business unit has significantly expanded the competences of Mahle in the fields of efficient electric drive systems and intelligent charging. We are convinced that Wellhoeffer will forge ahead with the operational excellence and transformation as COO of what is to be our largest business unit in the future."

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KRAIBURG TPE has introduced an innovative material solution built upon its well-established THERMOLAST K product line, specifically engineered for automotive sealing applications. This new variant combines proven performance traits with enhanced ecological benefits, incorporating a recycling content that exceeds 50 percent derived from both post-industrial and post-consumer sources. Despite this high proportion of recycled material, the compound does not compromise on the stringent quality, functional reliability and processability standards demanded by the automotive sector.

In close collaboration with long-term partner SaarGummi, an international automotive supplier, KRAIBURG TPE set out to create a more sustainable alternative that could seamlessly replace conventional materials in existing applications. The partnership began development work in 2023, focusing on increasing recycled raw material usage while preserving the high mechanical load capacity, resistance to various environmental factors and dependable industrial processing characteristics required for automotive components. Early-stage testing under comparable conditions confirmed that the new recycling-based variant met all relevant requirements and could be reliably integrated into standard production workflows.

The joint effort has yielded a thermoplastic elastomer solution featuring a recycling content of approximately 56 percent, composed entirely of post-industrial and post-consumer recyclates. This outcome enables a material option with significantly reduced resource consumption for demanding automotive uses, answering the growing need for sustainability across the entire value chain without sacrificing quality or manufacturing efficiency.

Alexander Mayer, Senior Business Development Manager, KRAIBURG TPE, said, “The first results have shown that we are on the right track with this development. Our aim was to design a materials solution that saves more resources while meeting the high quality standards of the automotive industry.”

Sebastien Roux, TPE Material & Process Specialist, SaarGummi, said, “The new material meets the requirements of our application and can be reliably combined with existing components. At the same time, the increased recycling content makes an important contribution to greater sustainability. It was possible not only to increase the recycling content but also to reduce the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the material compared to that of the previous variant.”

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European tier 1 supplier Marelli has announced it will present its latest in-cabin technologies at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, scheduled from 24 April to 3 May. The showcase focuses on the integration of electronics and interiors to support software-defined vehicles (SDVs) through unified computing and scalable architectures.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a software-defined cockpit experience that centralises computing, artificial intelligence and human-machine interface (HMI) functions. Built on a QNX real-time operating system (RTOS), the system manages in-vehicle infotainment, cluster visualisation and cabin intelligence within a single architecture.

Key display at its booth includes –

MiniLED FALD Display: An ultra-thin Full Array Local Dimming screen designed for high contrast and sunlight readability, supporting curved pillar-to-pillar configurations.

HorizonView Display: A continuous 44.8-inch image projected across the base of the windshield. Powered by a Picture Generation Unit (PGU) capable of 12,000 nits, it provides a panoramic visual field intended to reduce driver distraction.

Marelli is also introducing a zonal electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture to centralise intelligence and reduce wiring complexity. This approach utilises an ‘edge node’ strategy to remove local microcontrollers (MCUs) from peripheral modules.

MCU-Free Modules: Door and seat modules shift window, mirror, and safety functions to the Zone Control Unit (ZCU) or central compute unit via low-latency protocols.

Zonal Audio: Multi-zone audio distribution is managed at the zonal level, utilising Ethernet-based amplifiers. This configuration eliminates the need for local digital signal processors (DSPs) in every speaker location.

Connectivity: The company will debut an Affordable 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) telematics solution. It offers 2.5 times lower latency than 4G at a similar cost, supporting over-the-air (OTA) updates and remote diagnostics.

The cabin experience is further defined by mechanical and lighting solutions designed for personalisation and space efficiency:

Cockpit Features: Motorised swivel speakers for directional audio, motorised vents for climate management, and retractable tables for workspace versatility.

Console Design: A multi-access console lid that opens from three sides and a detachable display mechanism for rear-seat passenger access to controls and entertainment.

Joachim Fetzer, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Marelli, said, “In the cabin of the future, technology must feel human – intuitive, responsive and seamlessly integrated. At Auto China, we will demonstrate how Marelli unifies compute, display, audio, and interior design into a coherent, software-defined experience enabled by deep local engineering and strong partnerships.”

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Bosch, the flagship entity of the Bosch Group in India, has announced its intention to acquire 100 percent of Bosch Chassis Systems India. The transaction is structured as a cash deal combined with the issuance of equity shares on a preferential basis.

The acquisition integrates the Vehicle Motion business into Bosch’s portfolio. This move is designed to unify the company’s mobility offerings, shifting from the supply of individual components to the delivery of integrated platform solutions.

Bosch Chassis Systems India specialises in automotive safety systems. Its product range includes:

• Active Safety: Antilock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and advanced braking systems.
• Passive Safety: Airbag electronic control units (ECUs) and sensors.
• Actuation Systems: Braking hardware for passenger cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

The realignment allows Bosch to expand its investment in safety and braking technologies alongside its existing operations in power solutions.

Following the acquisition, Bosch Chassis Systems India will operate as an independent entity, with its governance overseen by Bosch. The boards of the Bosch Group, Bosch and Bosch Chassis Systems India have approved the transaction. The deal remains subject to approval from Bosch shareholders, after which the unit will become a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Guruprasad Mudlapur, President, Bosch Group in India and MD, Bosch, said, “Adding Bosch Chassis Systems India, with a future-fit vehicle motion solutions business into Bosch Limited, demonstrates our organisational belief in enhancing the company’s growth trajectory through portfolio diversification. This transaction further solidifies our leadership presence within mobility, enabling us to utilise our strengths and deliver solutions backed by local research and development and local manufacturing.”

Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint Managing Director of Bosch and President of Bosch Mobility India, added, “In India, we expect the mobility landscape to evolve radically by 2030 and beyond with sustainable, safe and exciting technologies. To foster a customer- first mindset and pivot from supplying individual components to delivering future- ready platform solutions, it is imperative to unite our forces and adopt an integrated approach. This transaction empowers Bosch to drive growth with a wider portfolio and combined offerings across the mobility tech stack.”

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Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced the achievement of two production milestones: manufacturing 500 million differential gears and 10 million differential assemblies since its inception. The company provides mobility technology solutions for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and off-highway vehicles.

According to the company, Sona Comstar has an 8.7 percent global market share in differential gears in 2025, an increase from 4.5 percent in 2019. It operates manufacturing facilities in Gurugram, Pune and Manesar.

The company commenced production of differential gears in Gurugram in 1999. It reached 100 million units in 2013 and 400 million in 2024. the most recent 100 million units were produced within a two-year period.

For differential assemblies the production began in 2008. It crossed 5 million unit production milestone in 2023, with the subsequent 5 million units manufactured in less than three years.

The company designs and manufactures precision-forged gears and driveline components. Its growth trajectory is linked to the expansion of both conventional and electric mobility platforms. The facility in Manesar, opened in 2019, supports the production of differential assemblies specifically for the global BEV market.

Vivek Vikram Singh, Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We are proud to celebrate these important milestones of our Driveline Business. They reflect the scale we have built over the years, our commitment to engineering excellence, and the trust our customers have placed in us globally. I thank our customers, suppliers, and employees for their continued support and contribution to this achievement. As mobility continues to evolve, we remain focused on innovation, expanding our integrated driveline capabilities, and delivering high-quality solutions that meet the changing needs of our customers across EV and conventional platforms.”

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