L-R: Sunil Patel, Founder & CEO, Matel and Netaji Patrio, Co-Founder & CMO, Matel.

Mechatronics company Matel Motion & Energy Solutions (Matel) has raised Rs 1.3 billion in a Series B funding round led by UC Impower, along with new investor Catamaran and participation from existing backer Transition VC.

Founded in 2017, Pune-based Matel develops motors, motor controllers and integrated powertrains for automotive and industrial uses, including electric vehicles, pumping and cooling systems. The company manufactures permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)-based IE5 industrial motors and is developing an IE6 product line. It also produces magnet-free motor designs to mitigate supply chain reliance on raw materials. Matel supplies components to original equipment manufacturers in two-wheeler, three-wheeler and industrial sectors.

The capital will be used to expand manufacturing capacity, advance research and development infrastructure, enlarge product offerings for commercial electric vehicles, and expand international distribution channels.

Sunil Patel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matel, said, "Securing this funding is a significant milestone for Matel, but more importantly, it is a testament to the incredible hard work of our team and the trust our early customers have placed in us. We founded Matel to address a major vacuum in Indian industries by delivering locally designed and developed energy-efficient mechatronics products and this investment allows us to double down on our mission. With this capital, our primary focus will be accelerating our product roadmap with advanced R&D infrastructure and expanding state-of-the-art manufacturing set-up. We are thrilled to welcome New Investors (UC Impower and Catamaran) as our new partners in this journey, and we are deeply grateful to our existing investors (Transition VC, Gruhas and Haresh Abichandani) for their continued belief and support from day one."

Netaji Patro, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Matel, said, “We are incredibly excited and grateful for the trust our investors have placed in our vision. The unwavering commitment of our existing investors, who have chosen to double down and reinvest in this round, is the ultimate vote of confidence in our growth trajectory. In addition to R&D, and manufacturing capacity expansion, this capital will support expanding our product range and entry into the Electric CV segment as well as broadening the company's international footprint to acquire new customers worldwide.”

Richa Natarajan, Co-Founder and Partner, UC Impower, said, "Energy efficiency will be one of the defining themes of the next industrial cycle, and companies that own core technology will create disproportionate value. Very few companies combine deep motor technology, power electronics and software into a single platform - and fewer still have translated that capability into products being adopted by leading OEMs. Matel has done both. We believe the company is building category-defining technology for the future of electrification, with the potential to become a global leader in energy-efficient motion systems. We're excited to partner with Sunil, Netaji and the team as they build an enduring technology company from India."

Shantanu Chaturvedi, Partner at Transition VC, said, “Matel isn't just a motor manufacturer; they have demonstrated the ability to be an integrated drive solutions platform across segments like Industrials, EV, Auto ancillary and multiple others. We saw Matel having the capability to build the platform the world needs when we earlier invested, and that is exactly how this has panned out, making doubling down in this round a no-brainer. Super excited to work with the incredible team.”

Deepak Padaki, President, Catamaran, said, "Catamaran's investment in Matel reflects our continued conviction in India's precision engineering and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, and marks a deepening of our exposure to companies building core, IP-led hardware technology. Matel is in mission mode, and we are confident of its ability to scale given its engineering talent, in-house R&D, process expertise and OEM traction. We look forward to supporting Sunil, Netaji and the team on their journey."

The management team is led by Patel, who previously headed the Chetak EV development program at Bajaj Auto and Patro, who held research and development leadership positions at Maruti Suzuki India and Bajaj Auto.

Imperial Auto Industries Limited has appointed James Gaylord as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Imperial Auto USA Corp. In his new role, Gaylord will lead Imperial Auto’s operations across the Americas and drive the company’s next phase of growth in the region. He will report to Vikram Wagh, Managing Director & CEO, Imperial Auto Industries Limited.

Gaylord's mandate would include expanding Imperial Auto’s presence into new markets across the American region while driving significant revenue growth over the coming years. He will also focus on strengthening the company’s product engineering and new product development capabilities in the Americas, while leading initiatives to localise the supply chain, enhance purchasing capabilities and build strategic partnerships with suppliers to support the company’s regional growth.

With nearly three decades of experience across the automotive and manufacturing sectors, Gaylord brings with him proven expertise in business development, operational excellence, transformation and growth. Prior to joining Imperial Auto, he served as the Global Sales Director at Gentex. He has also held leadership roles at organisations including Johnson Controls, ATI and Tenneco.
 

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd launched four new OTR tyres at Bauma Conexpo India 2026. These include the 12.5/80-18 MPT 45 16PR TL for self-loading concrete mixers (SLCM) and backhoe loaders. The 16/70-20 MPT117 14PR TL for SLCM and telehandler applications. The 18-19.5 MPT117 18PR TL for SLCM applications, and the 12.00R20 JDO XD OTR 22PR 156/153F TT for mining tippers. The latest additions further strengthen JK Tyre’s premium OTR portfolio with application-engineered solutions developed for the evolving requirements of India’s construction, infrastructure and mining sectors.
 “India’s infrastructure and industrial growth is creating a growing need for high-performance, reliable and application-specific mobility solutions. At JK Tyre, we are committed to developing OTR solutions that address the specific needs of our customers and the demanding conditions in which their equipment operates. Our latest range combines durability, reliability and performance to help customers maximise equipment uptime and operational efficiency. As we continue to strengthen our premium OTR portfolio, we remain committed to delivering solutions that create value for our customers and support the growth of India’s construction, infrastructure and mining sectors,” said Srinivasu Allaphan, Director - Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd.  
He pointed at the MPT 45 pattern and mentioned that it has been developed to deliver strong traction and stability, making it suitable for SLCMs and backhoe loaders operating across mixed terrain. “The MPT117 pattern has been designed for versatile construction and material-handling operations, offering strong grip, improved durability and reliable performance for SLCMs and telehandlers,” Allaphan explained. 
The new products have been developed keeping Indian operating conditions in mind and are designed to help customers maximise machine performance while improving operational efficiency. The focus is on durability, high load-carrying capability and extended service life. 

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing component manufacturers in the country, has appointed Sriram Viji, Managing Director, Brakes India, as President for the 2026–27 term.

The industry body also named Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson of ANAND Group and Gabriel India, as President-Designate. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Sriram Viji and Mrs. Anjali Singh to their new roles. Their rich industry experience and strategic vision will guide ACMA as the sector navigates geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving mobility landscape. I am confident that their leadership will strengthen our engagement with Government and industry partners to diversify supply chains, improve access to critical raw materials and enhance India’s global competitiveness.” 

Sriram Viji, President, ACMA, said, “It is an honour to lead ACMA as India strengthens its position as a trusted partner in global automotive value chains. Our priority is to deepen local capabilities and accelerate investment in advanced technologies, R&D and innovation, while embedding sustainability across the industry. As electric, connected and new-energy mobility create fresh opportunities, we must move beyond adapting to change to shaping it. Together with our members, we will work to position India as a global hub for high-value manufacturing and next-generation mobility solutions.”

German automotive supplier MAHLE has established an e-compressor production facility in Coimbatore, which it claims makes it the first company to manufacture the component in India.

The German firm has invested EUR 7 million in the site to produce e-compressors, which regulate thermal management, battery life, charging speeds and driving range in electric vehicles.

The production line has a capacity of over 300,000 e-compressors annually to supply domestic and international vehicle manufacturers. The launch creates 50 jobs, aligning with the Indian government's ‘Make in India 2.0’ manufacturing initiative.

The Coimbatore facility already produces starter motors, alternators, controllers and traction motors for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Following the setup of an R&D facility in 2023 for product validation, MAHLE has outlined plans for women to represent 75 percent of the plant's total workforce by 2027.

The company entered India in 1958 through a piston manufacturing joint venture and now has expanded its operation across 15 locations in the country with 5,900 employees.

Ivan Lenehan, Vice-President, MAHLE Powertrain and Charging, India, China & East Asia, said, “India continues to play an increasingly important role in the global mobility transformation. This facility strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.”

Milind Mhaiskar, MD, MAHLE Electric Drives India, said, “This production facility underscores our focus on localisation and customer-centric innovation. The success of this project reflects the dedication of our teams and our collaborative approach with business partners.”