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.”

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French tier 1 supplier Valeo has announced that it has secured a significant contract to supply its Dual Layer HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system to a major Chinese automaker.

The contract is one of 10 new deals Valeo has secured in China with five different customers, bringing the total value of these contracts to EUR 700 million. The project is currently in the design phase, with production slated to begin in 2026. This collaboration not only strengthens Valeo’s ties with Chinese manufacturers but also positions the company at the forefront of automotive HVAC technology.

Valeo's Dual Layer system is designed to provide better thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption. According to the company, the system can deliver a 25 percent improvement in energy efficiency during cabin warm-up in cold conditions (–15deg C) compared to standard HVAC units. This is a crucial feature for electric vehicles, as it can help extend their driving range.

The technology features a unique ‘Tulip design’ and a dual-layer, four-zone modular structure. This design efficiently directs fresh air to the windscreen for rapid demisting, while simultaneously circulating warm air to the passengers' feet. This two-pronged approach allows for faster cabin heating – up to 50 percent quicker in cold climates.

The system also integrates smart AI temperature and air volume algorithms, which adjust airflow and temperature based on the driver and passenger positions, ensuring a more personalized and comfortable experience.

Xavier Dupont, CEO, Valeo Power Division, said, “This new contract demonstrates Valeo’s continued breakthroughs in cabin thermal management, particularly in the field of advanced HVAC technologies. Thanks to its innovative design and low energy consumption, our solution will help differentiate our customer’s models in the market. Our dedicated team, localised in China, will support this strategic program with research and development capabilities to respond quickly and effectively to our customer’s needs.”

The Dual Layer HVAC system is adaptable for various vehicle platforms, including internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), making it a versatile solution for the evolving automotive landscape.

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Aumovio SE, formerly the Automotive group sector of Continental, has successfully spun off and is now trading as an independent company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The company, a global provider of hardware and software solutions for vehicles, opened trading at an initial share price of EUR 35.00, giving it a market capitalisation of EUR 3.5 billion.

Philipp von Hirschheydt, CEO, Aumovio, said, “Today’s listing marks the start of a new era in our history. We not only start the initial trading of our shares, but also the launch of Aumovio as a new and independent company. We are committed to play a key role in shaping the future of mobility as a leader for automotive technology and electronics. In doing so, we are combining our tradition and unique automotive expertise with a clear focus on shaping a promising future. I’d like to thank our entire team for their outstanding commitment over the past months. Today’s IPO will motivate us to consistently drive forward our strategy – for our shareholders, customers and employees.”

Aumovio starts its journey with a strong financial position, reporting no financial debt and having EUR 1.5 billion in cash funds as of 30 June 2025.

With over 86,000 employees, Aumovio is confident in its ability to deliver value-driven growth. The company has already shown improved profitability, with an adjusted EBIT margin of 2.7 percent in the first half of 2025. Looking ahead, Aumovio plans to increase its long-term sales to more than EUR 24 billion, up from EUR 19.6 billion in 2024. The company is also targeting a long-term adjusted EBIT margin of 6 percent to 8 percent.

The new shares are traded under the ticker symbol AMV0 on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. At launch, one Aumovio share was allocated for every two Continental shares held by Continental shareholders. The IHO-Group, a strategic investment arm of the Schaeffler Group, holds approximately 46 percent of the total shares.

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Marelli, a global automotive technology supplier, has been recognised for its sustainable efforts with a 2025 Enlighten Award in the 'Sustainable Process' category. The award, presented on 16th September in Detroit, Michigan, honours the company’s Adhesive Wastewater Recovery Solution.

This new process, which was developed in Marelli's Kyushu, Japan plant and launched in late 2024, significantly improves water efficiency. It works by treating wastewater – classified as industrial waste – generated from cleaning machinery used in the manufacturing of vehicle interiors. The process separates, condenses and solidifies the adhesive residue, allowing the remaining water to be reused in other manufacturing operations.

This innovative solution recovers approximately 85 percent of the wastewater, eliminating the need for additional disposal steps and cutting water usage at the Kyushu plant by an estimated 8,160 kilograms per year.

The Enlighten Award, presented by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) and Altair, celebrates advancements that reduce carbon footprint, mitigate water and energy consumption and promote material reuse.

Tsukasa Fujii, President of Marelli’s Interiors business, said, “We’re honoured to win the Altair Enlighten Award for our Adhesive Wastewater Recovery Solution. This innovation embodies the Marelli culture of aiming to use resources efficiently, drawing also from Japanese know-how, which in particular developed this solution. This was also made possible by the strong leadership of our factory managers, based on our ‘Plant First’ approach. We will continue to partner with automotive OEMs to contribute to a sustainable society, and we believe this technology will set new industry standards.”

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Iochpe-Maxion, a world leader in automotive wheels production and a leading producer of automotive structural components in the Americas, has received official validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its net-zero emissions strategy. This approval confirms that the company’s climate goals are consistent with the ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.

The SBTi has classified both the company’s near-term and long-term targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions as aligned with 1.5°C mitigation pathways. Iochpe-Maxion has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63.2 percent by 2030, using 2019 as a base year. Over the same period, it will also cut its absolute Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 25 percent, using a 2024 baseline.

By 2040, the company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain. This long-term objective involves a 90 percent reduction in both Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the 2019 baseline, and a 90 percent cut in Scope 3 emissions from the 2024 baseline.

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