MAHLE Appoints Automotive Veteran Dr. Michael Macht As New Supervisory Board Chairman

Dr. Michael Macht

MAHLE, a leading automotive supplier, has announced a significant leadership transition. At a Supervisory Board meeting on 25 September 2025, Dr. Michael Macht was elected as the new Chairman, a role he will officially begin on 1 January 2026. He will succeed Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker, who is retiring after nearly three decades with the company, first as CEO and more recently as Chairman.

The appointment of Macht, a seasoned veteran of the automotive industry, comes as part of a carefully planned succession process. Junker, who has served on the Supervisory Board for 10 years, has been preparing Macht for the role over the last few months. Macht is no stranger to MAHLE, having been a member of its Supervisory Board since 2020.

“It has been a great honour for me to serve MAHLE for almost three decades, first as CEO and then as Supervisory Board Chairman. Following the successful reorganisation, I see the group well-positioned for the future with its strategy MAHLE 2030+ and a clearly defined product portfolio. I would like to thank the entire workforce, the Management Board and my direct colleagues for the trust they have placed in me for many years and to wish the company a good future in challenging times. I would also like to thank my successor Dr. Michael Macht for his willingness to take over as Chairman and wish him a sure hand in the performance of this demanding task,” said the departing Chairman of the Supervisory Board Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz K. Junker.

Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Group Management Board and CEO, MAHLE, said, “Prof. Heinz K. Junker, who is now leaving MAHLE, is a personality who has been closely connected with this company. On behalf of the MAHLE workforce and the Management Board, I would like to thank him for his extraordinary passion and the dedication with which he has shaped our company over three decades. With farsightedness and untiring commitment, he has made a key contribution to the success of MAHLE and most recently guided the company through its transformation with extreme care. I would like to thank him for his close cooperation and his confidence in our Management Board. Even in challenging times, we could always rely on his expertise and support. For his future, he has the sincere best wishes of the entire MAHLE team.”

Boris Schwürz, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, MAHLE, said, “On behalf of the employee representatives, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Heinz K. Junker for the many years of trustful cooperation. We wish him all the best for the future. We look forward to constructive cooperation with Dr. Michael Macht to position MAHLE for the future in these challenging times.”

This strategic plan, which focuses on electrification, thermal management and sustainable internal combustion engines, was largely shaped under Junker’s leadership. He also oversaw the company's largest acquisition to date, the purchase of the former Behr Group, which significantly bolstered Mahle’s thermal management business.

Macht brings a wealth of experience to his new position. A mechanical engineer by trade, he began his career at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in 1991, rising through the ranks to become its CEO in 2009. From 2009 to 2014, he also served on the Board of Management of Volkswagen. His extensive background in the automotive sector makes him an ideal successor to guide Mahle through the ongoing industry transformation.

Dr. Michael Macht, said, “On behalf of the entire MAHLE Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Prof. Heinz K. Junker and to express my sincere appreciation for his work as Chairman. In his many years as Chairman, he has guided the Supervisory Board through demanding phases with considerable commitment and expertise and a calm hand, laying the foundations for the future-oriented development of the company. He has my best wishes for the future.”

ZF Unveils High Revolution Drive Operating At 30,000 RPM For Electric Vehicles

ZF High Revolution Drive

German tier-1 supplier ZF has developed the High Revolution Drive, a 3-in-1 electric drive system capable of reaching rotational speeds of up to 30,000 rpm. Designed as a variant of the company's modular SELECT platform, the unit integrates an electric motor, power electronics and a two-stage spur gear transmission with a reduction ratio of approximately 18:1. The system delivers a peak power output of 200 kW and peak wheel torque of 3,500 Nm.

Compared to a conventional SELECT drive operating at 18,000 rpm, the High Revolution Drive reduces overall installation space and weight by nearly 25 percent, while reducing required magnet mass by 50 percent. The architecture is scalable across power outputs ranging from 150 kW to 200 kW for 400-volt and 800-volt vehicle platforms, achieving a system efficiency of nearly 93 per cent. ZF is engaging with vehicle manufacturers regarding deployment, with volume production targeted for 2030.

Thomas Meiser, Head of the E-Mobility Business Unit, ZF, said, "The High Revolution Drive draws on ZF s full systems expertise. Rather than optimising individual components in isolation, we systematically coordinate the electric motor, power electronics and transmission. Robustness and low noise and vibration levels were stringent development targets from the outset. To achieve this, we considered the electric motor, gearing, bearings and tooth geometry as an integrated system. For the configuration presented, 30,000 rpm is the economic and technical sweet spot. With SELECT, we do not have to start from scratch for every new drive variant. We use our modular system to tailor new concepts to different customer requirements."

Tenneco Clean Air India Announces INR 17.34 Billion Net Profit For Q2 FY2027, New INR 450 Million Plant Too

Tenneco India

Tenneco Clean Air India has reported its financial results for the Q2 FY2027 and H1 FY2027, recording a 32.2 percent YoY increase in value-added revenue to INR 152.29 billion for Q2 FY2027. Revenue from operations rose 34.2 percent to INR 171.83 billion during the quarter.

Quarterly earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grew 20.7 percent to INR 26.16 million, delivering an EBITDA margin of 17.2 percent on value-added revenue. Profit after tax increased 15 percent YoY to INR 17.34 billion.

For the first half of FY27, value-added revenue reached INR 290.44 billion, up 25.3 percent, while total revenue from operations reached INR 326.31 billion. The company announced plans to establish a new Clean Air manufacturing facility in western India with a capital expenditure of approximately INR 450 million to support its total order book, which stands at around INR 1,650 billion.

Arvind Chandra, Whole-Time Director and CEO, Tenneco India, said, "Our strong momentum continued through Q2 and H1 FY’27, driven by overall market growth, market share gains and disciplined execution across the business. During the period, we continued to deepen customer relationships and expand our technology footprint. In ART, we secured multiple platform wins across domestic and international OEMs, entered a new passenger vehicle whitespace, expanded engagement with leading OEMs, and advanced our portfolio through successful commercialization and localization initiatives. In CA and PT, we strengthened our order pipeline through key wins across commercial vehicle, CNG, and spark plug applications."

"Our growing competitive strength is reflected in continued order book providing revenue visibility exceeding 100% of our FY’30 target revenues, underpinning a healthy double-digit CAGR trajectory. To support future growth, we continue to invest in capacity expansion, localization, and innovation, including a new West India Clean Air manufacturing facility. Supported by a robust order book, increasing domestic and export penetration, technology-led customer wins, and strategic investments, we remain well positioned to sustain above-market growth and drive superior shareholder returns over the long term," added Chandra.

SMK Helmets Unveils Two Racing Models And Expands Global Operations At EICMA 2026

SMK Helmets

SMK Helmets is marking its international expansion at EICMA 2026, supported by distribution operations across more than 70 countries alongside dedicated regional headquarters in Europe and the United States.

The company highlighted its European division, SMK Europe, established in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in May 2026 under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Matteo Schieppati, alongside its North American arm, Bikerz US, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

At the event, SMK unveiled two racing helmets, the Stratos and the Allterra Carbon, alongside Konnect, its first in-house Bluetooth communication system and Cygnus, its first flip-back helmet model.

Matteo Schieppati, CEO, SMK Helmets Europe, said, "The establishment of SMK HELMETS EUROPE is a significant move to strengthen our global presence. This strategic expansion is designed to provide dedicated commercial and logistical support to dealers and distributors across Europe, while establishing a permanent footprint in the region to optimise product and communication strategies. The new European division will serve as a hub for accelerating regional growth, ensuring streamlined supply chain operations, and delivering enhanced customer service to the company's growing network of partners. Europe is a highly demanding market with a deep appreciation for premium quality and uncompromised safety standards. This footprint allows us to align our product innovation and marketing strategies directly with the expectations of European consumers. With this expansion, SMK reinforces its commitment to global excellence, bringing its innovative helmet technology and manufacturing expertise closer to one of the world's most dynamic motorcycling communities."

Shilpa Arora, Global Head of Sales, SMK Helmets, said, "SMK is gaining market share in every market in which it operates, and riders are starting to link our name with safety, excellence and distinctive design. That doesn't happen alone. Our distributors, dealers, riders and teams are one SMK family, and with our own presence in Europe and the US, we are closer to that family than ever. What we're showing at EICMA is just the beginning."

BorgWarner Secures Multiple eMotor Contracts In China

BorgWarner - eMotor

BorgWarner has secured multiple business awards for eMotor in China covering range-extended vehicle, battery-electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle platforms. Production for the awarded programs is scheduled to begin between 2027 and 2028.

The projects include an agreement with a joint venture of a global original equipment manufacturer to supply high-voltage hairpin P1 eMotor stator and rotor assemblies delivering 115kW peak power for a range-extended vehicle platform. The company will also provide high-voltage hairpin main drive eMotor stator and rotor assemblies for a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer's SUV platforms operating on a 715V architecture, delivering 300kW peak power and 495Nm peak torque. Additionally, BorgWarner will supply stator and rotor assemblies utilising its S-winding technology for a 130kW P2 eMotor integrated into hybrid propulsion systems for global markets.

Isabelle McKenzie, Vice-President of BorgWarner Inc and President and General Manager of PowerDrive Systems, said, "We are pleased to establish and expand our eMotor business with customers across China. The breadth of these programs demonstrates our ability to address diverse application requirements through strong product performance, cost optimisation and localised manufacturing. With our established engineering and production footprint in China, we are well positioned to support customers as they develop their next generation of electrified vehicles."