Pune-based automotive seating and interiors product supplier Pinnacle Industries has appointed Rahul Desai as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Desai comes with around three decades of experience in the auto components sector and has expertise in greenfield projects, technology transfers, operational excellence, business transformation, financial strategy, innovation and strategic planning.

He has held senior leadership positions at companies such as CIE India, GKN Sinter Metals and Inteva Products India Automotive.  

At Pinnacle Industries, he will be responsible to oversee operations across manufacturing plants and supporting functions.

Arihant Mehta, President, Pinnacle Industries, said, "Rahul brings the perfect blend of industry experience and a forward-thinking approach that aligns with our vision. His deep understanding of the auto component landscape, combined with his focus on innovation and operational excellence, will be key to refining our strategy and enhancing execution across the organisation.”

Rahul Desai, said, “The automotive components and interiors industry is evolving rapidly, with a growing focus on sustainability, customisation, safety and smart technologies, all driven by changing consumer preferences. At Pinnacle Industries, I see a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to deliver innovative solutions that align with these transformative trends. As I take on this role, my focus will be on driving operational excellence, enhancing customer centricity, and investing in employee development to ensure we are fully equipped for the ambitious growth ahead. We will build on our strengths, embrace change and create long-term value for our customers, employees and stakeholders.”

German tier 1 supplier Continental is set to unveil its latest advancements for the future of mobility on the theme ‘Advancing Mobility from Road to Cloud’ at the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2025.

The company will spotlight its cutting-edge software-defined vehicle technologies that promise to make driving safer, more exciting, autonomous, and sustainable.

A major highlight of the event is the announcement of the name for the future independent automotive company, following Continental's plan to spin off its Automotive Group Sector. This milestone will be revealed during a press conference led by Philipp von Hirschheydt, Executive Board member responsible for Automotive, scheduled for 23 April 2025.

The company will also debut several innovations at the show, including the Intelligent Driving Systems Luna and Astra, the Central Light Computer and the In2Visible Overhead Console. These technologies highlight the company’s commitment to scalable autonomous solutions, intuitive in-vehicle experiences and advanced system integration.

Enno Tang, President & CEO, Continental China, said, “Our goal is to boost innovation in China and make mobility safer, more exciting and autonomous. Auto Shanghai 2025 is the perfect platform to share our vision and collaborate with customers, partners, and consumers.”

From its powerful High-Performance Computers (HPC) and Zone Control Units (ZCU) to the intelligent Window Projection and AI-powered Night Vision Camera, Continental is building a comprehensive ecosystem that bridges the road and the cloud. The company is also pushing the boundaries of brake technology with its Future Brake System and electro-mechanical solutions that support next-gen electric vehicles.

Tier 1 supplier MAHLE has announced its financial results for 2024. The company shared despite a turbulent economic landscape and declining global sales, it ended 2024 on a resilient note with an EBIT of EUR 423 million, up from EUR 304 million in 2023, consolidated net profit saw a slight to EUR 22 million. Sales fell to EUR 11.7 billion, a 5.6 percent organic decline, driven by weak markets in Europe and North America and slower EV adoption outside China.

CEO Arnd Franz credited the gains to rigorous transformation efforts under the MAHLE 2030+ strategy, including streamlined operations, a sharper focus on electrification, thermal management and efficient combustion engines and a EUR 186 million reduction in debt.

While most business units saw declining revenues – such as a 9.9 percent dip in Thermal Management and 8.0 percent in Engine Systems – Aftermarket emerged as a bright spot with 6.2 percent growth, bolstered by strong performance in Asia-Pacific. MAHLE also improved its equity ratio to 20.1 percent, marking the first upward trend in five years, while reducing headcount in line with falling sales. The company’s innovation pipeline remained robust, with EUR 630 million invested in R&D, leading to 536 new inventions and 427 patent applications. Among 2024’s highlights was a bionic high-performance fan that cuts noise by half in electric and fuel cell vehicles, a new evaporative cooling system for fuel cell trucks and the integration of electric drive components in heavy truck axles.

Order momentum was strong, with EUR 10.3 billion in new bookings across all strategic areas and powertrain types. These included over EUR 1 billion in battery cooling systems and electric compressors. The company also introduced a new group structure to strengthen focus areas and improve internal agility, consolidating business units and streamlining leadership. MAHLE sees promising growth potential in non-automotive applications, driven by its expertise in thermal management and compact electric motors.

Looking ahead, the company remains cautious amid geopolitical tensions and calls for clearer regulatory support for technology diversity in Europe. Franz emphasised that with the right political and economic framework, MAHLE is well-positioned to continue creating jobs and shaping a sustainable mobility future.

NITI Aayog, the government’s premiere think-tank body, recently released a report titled ‘Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains’, which expects that the Indian automotive component industry can scale up its share in the global supply chain from the present 3 percent to 8 percent by 2030.

The report, in collaboration with Crisil, states that despite high automobile production, the components industry manages a mere 3 percent share of global trade. It estimates India’s global traded auto component market at USD 20 billion, with the global industry driven by transmission, engine components and steering systems. As part of the future opportunities, the report outlines fiscal and non-fiscal interventions to drive India’s progress in the global value chain (GVC).

It outlines that the there is a need to focus on skill development by preparing a talent pipeline for fuelling growth. It suggests cluster development to foster collaboration between firms through common facilities like testing centres and R&D to consolidate the supply chain.

Then there is the operational expenditure support to scale up manufacturing capabilities. Lastly, R&D, government-facilitated IP transfer and branding incentives in research, development and international branding for empowering MSME’s.

On the other hand, promoting foreign collaborations and JV’s, industry 4.0 adoption and improving the ease of doing business through regulatory processes, supplier discovery & development and providing worker hour flexibility were some of the non-fiscal suggestions.

It is no secret that the global auto industry is facing a sea of change. Battery manufacturing hubs seen in regions like the US and Europe are leading to a change in traditional supply chains and new opportunities for collaboration. India’s automotive industry exhibits a strong domestic and export market presence, especially in the utility vehicle and small car segments. Further, transformative shifts towards EVs, sustainability and technologies like autonomous driving, IoT (Internet of Things) make India a leading option in the GVC.

Pune-based automotive component supplier Belrise (formerly Badve Engineering) has acquired H-One India from Japan-based publicly listed H-One Co.

Belrise aims to expand its design & manufacturing capabilities and strengthen its position as a supplier of chassis systems and body-in-white (BIW) parts in the Indian automotive market.

H-One India designs and manufactures high-tensile steel components and high-tensile tool development for two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

The company shared that high-tensile steel components are crucial for lightweighting, enhancing vehicle safety, fuel efficiency and overall performance. These materials provide superior strength-to-weight ratios, enabling automakers to design lighter yet durable and robust vehicles.

Through this acquisition, Belrise will strengthen its production capacity and logistical efficiency by leveraging H-One India’s two manufacturing facilities in North India and integrating H-One India’s core technological capabilities.

Belrise currently counts the likes of Eicher, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Royal Enfield, Bajaj Auto, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Hero MotoCorp, Suzuki Motorcycle India, TVS Motor Co and Jaguar Land Rover among others in its customers.