Klaus Rosenfeld (third from the right) accepts the German Innovation Award in the category 'Large Companies' together with the Schaeffler project team.

Schaeffler, the motion technology company, has been awarded the German Innovation Award in the ‘Large Companies’ category for its Industrial Metaverse. This digital ecosystem integrates artificial intelligence (AI), simulation models, and software to connect physical manufacturing floors with virtual environments. The platform is designed to facilitate a transition towards autonomous production, specifically supporting the deployment of humanoid robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The Industrial Metaverse functions by combining three-dimensional digital maps of production sites with simulations of physical processes. By evaluating sensor signals through physical AI, the system identifies patterns and determines actions for autonomous resources. This allows robots to practice motion sequences and enables the optimisation of assembly processes in a virtual space before physical implementation. Currently, the technology is operational at ten Schaeffler locations, with a target to expand to 50 percent of its global plants by 2030.

The award is presented annually by WirtschaftsWoche in partnership with Accenture, the BMW Foundation, and O2 Telefónica, under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. It recognises innovations that contribute to the competitiveness of German and European industry. Schaeffler’s application of the metaverse is intended to automate complex processes that were previously considered uneconomical.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO, Schaeffler, said, “We are very pleased to have received the German Innovation Award in the ‘Large Companies’ category. With the Industrial Metaverse, we are not only creating a digital twin of our plants but also a learning ecosystem in manufacturing that will help secure our long-term competitiveness. By using AI in industrial applications and deploying humanoid robots in manufacturing, we are laying the foundation for the factory of the future.”

Dr. Jochen Schroder, COO, Schaeffler, said, “For us, the Industrial Metaverse is far more than just a means to optimize processes. It is the key enabler for the scaling up of humanoid robots, as cyber-physical systems can already be trained by physical AI in the virtual space quickly and efficiently. By using the Industrial Metaverse, we are paving the way for flexible, high-level automation and greater efficiency in our worldwide volume production.”

Automotive component manufacturer Tenneco Clean Air India has announced its financial results for the Q4 and FY2026. The company, which supplies emission controls, powertrains and suspension systems to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), reported a value-added revenue (VAR) increase of 17.5 percent YoY for Q4 and 12.3 percent for the full fiscal year.

The company said it utilises value-added revenue as its primary performance metric to exclude pass-through substrate costs from its operations.

For Q4, value-added revenue reached INR 14,058 million, up from INR 11,963 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the quarter stood at INR 2,573 million, representing an 18.3 percent margin on value-added revenue. Profit after tax (PAT) for Q4 grew 19 percent YoY to INR 1,668 million, yielding an 11.9 percent margin.

For FY2026, total value-added revenue rose to INR 54,040 million compared to INR 48,904 million in FY2025. Full-year EBITDA reached INR 9,255 million, establishing a margin profile of 18.8 percent. Annual profit after tax concluded at INR 6,044 million, equivalent to a 12.3 percent margin, while return on capital employed (ROCE) increased to 94 percent from 57 percent in the prior fiscal year.

The company's revenue streams are divided across two core business segments:

• Clean Air & Powertrain Solutions: Generated INR 6,905 million in Q4 FY2026 and INR 49,180 million for the full fiscal year.
• Advanced Ride Technologies (ART): Generated INR 7,153 million in Q4 FY2026 and INR 24,885 million for the full fiscal year.

The total cumulative lifetime order book, excluding programs already in active commercial production, reached INR 124,000 million as of 31 March 2026. This order volume encompasses the revenue targets set by management for the fiscal year 2028.

During the fiscal year, Tenneco India secured several development contracts across its operating divisions, including the selection of its advanced suspension system for a vehicle platform by an Indian SUV manufacturer.

Additional contracts were signed with a Japanese passenger vehicle manufacturer for emission systems, a European commercial vehicle manufacturer for aftertreatment solutions and an Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer for an engine platform. The company also executed a technology proof-of-concept for a Euro VII emission control layout with a European truck manufacturer and secured a contract for bearing systems with a Japanese passenger car OEM.

To accommodate current order volumes, the company has approved a total capital expenditure allocation of INR 1,400 million. The investment framework funds the construction of two production sites: a greenfield manufacturing plant for Clean Air Systems located in North India, alongside a greenfield facility for Advanced Ride Technologies located in West India.

Arvind Chandra, Whole-Time Director and CEO, Tenneco India, said, “Over the past few years, the team has worked diligently to build a resilient, diversified and execution led business model. This was clearly demonstrated during the quarter and the year under review. Despite geopolitical headwinds since the end of February 2026 and the incremental overheads associated with becoming a listed entity, the team delivered a FY2026 double-digit topline growth at 12 percent and, more importantly, a strong operating performance with the highest-ever EBITDA margin at 18.8 percent. Supported by a strong and expanding order book, we continue to proactively scale our manufacturing capabilities to meet rising customer demand. In addition to the recently announced expansion in Northern India of INR 710 million, we plan to expand our manufacturing presence in Western India with an investment of INR 690 million, leading to a total of INR 1,400 million. These strategic capacity additions position us well to capture incremental growth opportunities, strengthen customer partnerships and support long term value creation. We recently completed a strategic Proof of Concept with a leading European Truck OEM for a Euro VII–compliant Clean Air solution, thereby strengthening capabilities in advanced emission technologies and readiness for future legislations. Also, we were honoured with the Zero-Defect Supplier Award by Toyota in the ART business, underscoring our commitment to operational excellence. In addition, we secured a strategic entry into the engine bearings business at a leading Japanese OEM, due to superior product technology, better quality and longstanding business relationship across other product verticals. Our H2 FY2026 order book addition stands at INR 60,254 million. Combined with the previously announced H1 order book, net of orders currently under production, the incremental lifetime order book reached INR 124,000 million as of March 31, 2026. This robust order book provides strong revenue visibility covering more than 100 percent of FY28 target revenues underpinning a healthy double-digit CAGR trajectory.”

Fire has been reported at the Hyundai Mobis factory in the industrial belt of Sriperumbudur in the later half of the day. The fire is said to originate in the scrap area of the plant and grow rapidly, leading to a swift response from the firefighting authorities.

Hyundai Mobis is a key supplier to Hyundai Motor India whose manufacturing plant is not far away from this unit. It took about four hours for the fire to be brought under control. The damage caused by it is not yet clear, and if or how it will affect the operations at the automaker, Hyundai, since Hyundai Mobis is a key supplier to the company.

TotalEnergies and Stellantis have announced the renewal and expansion of their strategic partnership in Europe to develop and supply engine oils and lubricants.

The agreement, which was renewed in 2021 for the Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall brands, has been extended to cover all 10 Stellantis brands. The portfolio now includes Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel, Vauxhall and Peugeot.

The partnership focuses on four areas: co-developing solutions for current and future engines, motorsport collaboration, after-sales support for the Stellantis dealership and service networks, and manufacturing lubricants. This includes the TotalEnergies Quartz EV3R 10W40, an engine oil made from 100 percent regenerated base oils co-branded with Stellantis SUSTAINera.

Following the expansion, the companies are launching a co-branded range of engine oils featuring two product lines: TotalEnergies Quartz MOPAR and TotalEnergies Quartz EV3R MOPAR SUSTAINera. Both lines have received official approval for Stellantis’ FPW harmonised specifications and are recommended across the manufacturer's brand service networks for vehicle maintenance and warranty compliance.

Pierre Duhot, Senior Vice-President Lubricants at TotalEnergies, said, “We are proud to renew our partnership with Stellantis, built on more than fifty years of shared trust and innovation. This new chapter extends our collaboration to all Stellantis brands and reinforces our common ambition to advance more sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.”

Francesco Abbruzzesi, Head of Parts & Services for Stellantis in Enlarged Europe, added, “This expanded partnership with TotalEnergies reflects our commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability across all Stellantis brands. By combining technical expertise and a forward-looking approach, we are delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers, especially regarding quality”

Dhoot Transmission has filed its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus - 1 (UDRHP - 1) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an initial public offering (IPO). The company, backed by Bain Capital, operates in the electrical and electronics component manufacturing sector.

The public offer comprises a fresh issue of equity shares with a face value of INR 2 each, aggregating up to INR 14 billion, alongside an offer for sale of up to 16,310,733 equity shares. Under the offer for sale, BC Asia Investments XV will divest up to 13,191,900 equity shares and Mangalam Capital will offer 31,18,833 equity shares.

Net proceeds from the fresh issue are scheduled for deployment across FY2027 and FY2028.

The company aims to utilise INR 4.93 billion for the repayment or prepayment of borrowings, and INR 2.72 billion for debt clearance within its subsidiaries, which include Dhoot Auto Components, Dhoot Electricals Systems, Dhoot Automotive Systems and Dhoot Transmission UK.

Furthermore, INR 1.50 billion is allocated to build manufacturing plants in Jhajjar, Haryana and Shoolagiri, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, with the remaining capital intended for acquisitions and corporate purposes.

Established in 1999, the firm is promoted by Rahul Radhavallabh Dhoot and BC Asia Investments XV, the latter having acquired a 49 percent stake in April 2025. Dhoot Transmission manufactures wiring harnesses, electronics sensors, switches and connectors for automotive and industrial clients.

In FY2025, the company held a 44.64 percent share of the Indian two-wheeler and three-wheeler wiring harness market by value, and over 70 percent of the electric variant market in the same category. Its customer base includes Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Company, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and Royal Enfield, serving 477 clients in the nine months ending 31 December 2025.

As of December 2025, the company’s infrastructure consisted of 22 manufacturing facilities, three design centres and seven warehouses, with four additional plants under construction in India.

Financial records show revenue from operations increased from INR 21.25 billion in FY2023 to INR 34.44 billion in FY2025. During the same period, profit after tax rose from INR 1.63 billion to INR 3.53 billion, and EBITDA grew from INR 2.98 billion to INR 5.90 billion. Wiring harnesses generated INR 26.87 billion, representing 78 percent of total revenue in FY2025. Domestic sales in India accounted for approximately 90 percent of total revenue, whilst electric vehicle segments increased their revenue contribution from 8.05 percent in FY2023 to 25.2 percent in FY2025.