Minda Corporation (Spark Minda) has announced the appointment of Ajay Agarwal as Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), effective 5 February 2026.

Agarwal takes on this position in addition to his current role as President of Finance and Strategy. In his expanded capacity, he will manage the group's financial strategy and governance. His responsibilities include leading initiatives in growth, digital transformation and investor relations.

Agarwal is a Chartered Accountant and lawyer with over two decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic planning and mergers & acquisitions. He joined Spark Minda in May 2025 and has focused on capital allocation and operational efficiency.

Prior to joining Spark Minda, he was the President of Finance and Strategy at Vedanta, and also held leadership positions at KPMG and PwC.

The appointment is part of Spark Minda’s initiative to strengthen its leadership team. The company intends to use Agarwal's experience to manage market dynamics and value creation.

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KRAIBURG TPE has introduced a range of soft-touch, durable, and low-odour thermoplastic elastomer materials specifically designed to enhance in-car robot assistants. These compounds offer reliable adhesion and full colourability for automotive interiors, addressing the growing demand for advanced interactive vehicle systems that integrate physical controls, digital interfaces and ergonomic design elements to improve user experience, safety and driving efficiency.

As a global manufacturer of customised TPE solutions, KRAIBURG TPE produces automotive-grade compounds that combine high-performance mechanics with smooth, non-sticky surface ergonomics. The materials demonstrate excellent adhesion to substrates such as PC, ABS, PC/ABS, ASA and SAN, which streamlines insert moulding and overmoulding processes. This capability allows designers to create compact, integrated components with fewer manufacturing steps while sealing properties against dust and water protect sensitive electronics in demanding in-car environments.

The company’s TPEs deliver a soft, non-sticky tactile experience for components like thumb wheels, push buttons, switches, seals and handles, along with anti-rattle and damping functionality to reduce noise and vibration. With controlled emissions, low odour and full colourability, these compounds ensure visual harmony and premium quality across functional zones and branding elements. They are particularly suited for in-car robotic assistant applications, producing user-friendly interiors with consistent high-volume results.

Sustainability remains a core focus, with KRAIBURG TPE offering bio-based TPEs and compounds containing post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content. Select materials are certified under GRS and ISCC PLUS, and product carbon footprint data is available upon request. Having earned an EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2025 and committed to the Science Based Targets initiative, the company aligns its goals with global climate action while delivering reliable performance worldwide.

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Tier 1 automotive supplier Marelli is presenting its vehicle dynamics and suspension technologies at Auto China 2026 in Beijing. The company is demonstrating how these systems influence safety, performance and user experience.

The exhibits include the Active Camber system, the Electromechanical Lifter and Hybrid Electromechanical suspensions. These systems utilise software control and electromechanical actuators to manage vehicle behaviour across driving conditions.

The Active Camber system adjusts the inward or outward tilt of wheels in real time. It uses an electronically controlled actuator with sensors to monitor the road surface. A control unit processes data every millisecond to alter wheel angles, which reduces body movement and increases grip during cornering. This mechanism also assists in maintaining tyre contact for braking and acceleration.

The Electromechanical Lifter is a device integrated into the shock absorber to adjust vehicle height. It provides automatic levelling to maintain balance. In performance cars, it lifts the chassis for ramps or speed bumps, while in SUVs, it lowers the vehicle at speed to reduce drag. The system is oil-free and designed for integration by carmakers.

Marelli is also displaying its Hybrid Electromechanical Suspension. This architecture combines actuators on the front suspension with semi-active dampers at the rear. The system integrates an Electronic Control Unit to manage damping and reactive forces to counteract roll and vibration. These electromechanical solutions are designed to recover kinetic energy, achieving up to 80 percent energy efficiency compared to passive systems. Such technologies aim to reduce motion sickness as autonomous driving functions become more common.

Piero Monchiero, Advanced Innovation VP of Marelli’s Ride Dynamics business, said, “The importance of vehicle dynamics technology spans all propulsion systems, giving automakers a decisive tool to drive vehicle distinctiveness while offering end users a wide range of personalization options. This is particularly evident in China, where customer expectations for vehicle dynamics and ride comfort continue to rise.”

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Automotive technology company Marelli will present a range of propulsion and thermal innovations at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, under the theme ‘Rooted in innovation, everywhere’.

The company is focusing on technologies designed to support the transition across internal combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains.

A primary exhibit will be the new e-Transmission Cooling Pump, engineered for e-axles and Dedicated Hybrid Transmissions (DHT). The modular system utilises brushless technology and integrated electronics to deliver on-demand oil cooling, reportedly achieving a 30-watt energy saving compared to industry benchmarks. The pump is available in 12-volt and 48-volt variants, offering compatibility with diverse vehicle architectures while reducing integration costs.

Marelli will also display its Flex Fuel system, which enables three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines to operate on biofuels and ethanol. The system incorporates automatic fuel detection and integrated rail heaters for cold starts. In the thermal management sector, the company is highlighting miniaturised components designed to improve energy utilisation and vehicle range. These include:

• High-Performance Chiller: A battery thermal management solution featuring an ultra-fine inner fin structure to improve heat exchange and support high charging rates.
• eAxle Oil Cooler: A compact heat exchanger with an optimised dimple structure to increase water flow speed and cooling efficiency.
• Full Aluminium Radiator: A low-temperature radiator for battery cooling in electric vehicles, constructed from mono-material aluminium to facilitate easier recycling.

The development of these technologies follows Marelli’s distributed innovation model, which pairs global coordination with local engineering and supply chains to accelerate time-to-market. The company’s solutions will be on display at the New China International Exhibition Center from 24 April to 3 May.

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Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has introduced a newly designed automotive air conditioning register that features a nearly invisible aperture, significantly enhancing the visual appeal of vehicle cabins. This innovative component made its debut on the Toyota bZ7, which launched in China during March 2026.

As electrified and autonomous driving technologies advance, car interiors are evolving from mere transportation spaces into comfortable, lounge-like environments. This shift has increased the demand for instrument panels with sleek, uncluttered appearances. In response, Toyoda Gosei employed flow analysis simulation to develop an airflow direction control mechanism that optimises air movement. This innovation allows the vertical airflow adjustment fins, which previously created bulky openings, to be concealed entirely.

The result is a seamless instrument panel where the register integrates effortlessly without compromising air conditioning performance. Beyond improved aesthetics, the system replaces conventional manual controls with an electronic interface operated via the screen, adding a modern, sophisticated touch.

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