Tata AutoComp Systems, one of the leading automotive components manufacturers, has appointed Manoj Kolhatkar as its new Managing Director and CEO.

Kolhatkar marks his return to the Tata Group, where he had earlier spent 22 years across functions at Tata AutoComp Systems as well as Tata Motors. In his last role, he served as the MD of Gabriel India and later as Group Co-COO at Anand Group.

Arvind Goel, Chairman, Tata AutoComp Systems, said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Manoj Kolhatkar to the Tata AutoComp family. His extensive industry knowledge, visionary leadership, and track record of driving transformative growth align perfectly with Tata AutoComp’s mission to innovate and excel. As we navigate an exciting phase of expansion and diversification, Manoj’s strategic acumen and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly propel us to new heights.”

Manoj Kolhatkar, said, “I am deeply privileged to join Tata AutoComp Systems as Managing Director and CEO. TACO has established itself as a trailblazer in the automotive industry, and I am excited to lead the organisation in its next phase of innovation and global expansion. Together with our talented team and valued partners, we will strive to deliver transformative solutions, strengthen our foothold in diversified industries, and create sustainable value for all our stakeholders. I am committed to upholding TACO’s legacy of excellence while shaping a future of growth and opportunity.”

Automotive supplier MAHLE has unveiled a bionic radial blower for vehicle air conditioning systems, designed to boost efficiency while significantly reducing noise. Inspired by the streamlined fins of a penguin, the innovative component is claimed to deliver 60 percent less noise and 15 percent more energy efficiency than comparable systems.

The development has been tailored for vehicles with limited installation space and is being showcased publicly for the first time at Auto Shanghai 2025, held from 23 April to 2 May at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai.

“The development of the new bionic radial blower underscores our comprehensive systems expertise in thermal management and benefits from the use of artificial intelligence,” said Jumana Al-Sibai, Member of the MAHLE Group Management Board and head of the Thermal and Fluid Systems division.

The blade design of the blower mimics the fin of a penguin – an animal renowned for its ability to glide through water with minimal resistance. This bio-inspired aerodynamic shape results in not only quieter operation but also reduced energy consumption, as the blower’s motor requires less power to circulate air.

Dr Uli Christian Blessing, Vice-President R&D Thermal and Fluid Systems, MAHLE, said, “Evolution has equipped the penguin with fins that allow it to glide through the water with minimal resistance and ultrahigh efficiency. The fin shape served as a model in the optimisation process of the impeller of our radial blower.”

This approach is not new to MAHLE, which has previously drawn on natural principles to develop a bionic cooling plate and high-performance fan for electric vehicles – both designed to enhance thermal efficiency.

A key enabler of the rapid development process was an in-house artificial intelligence tool. Engineers worked with the AI system, feeding it design parameters and performance data. In turn, the tool generated over 30 million virtual design iterations in a short time, allowing engineers to identify the optimal blade geometry and quickly move to prototyping.

Positioned in front of the evaporator, the new blower supports a more symmetrical and compact HVAC design, which frees up space – especially valuable in electric vehicles where packaging constraints are tight.

The bionic radial blower is suitable for integration across all classes of passenger cars, as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles, offering OEMs a high-performance alternative to conventional fan technologies.

Norway-headquartered automotive component supplier Kongsberg Automotive has inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Faridabad, India.

The Norwegian company is a leading supplier of driver and motion control systems, fluid assemblies and industrial driver interface products. It primarily caters to on-highway, passenger cars, off-highway and aftermarket segments.

The company has established its presence in 17 countries globally, employs over 4,700 people in 32 locations and clocked EUR 788 million revenue in 2024.

The new facility primarily manufactures Drive Control Systems (DCS) products – steering columns, cable gear shifters, shift towers and shift-by-wire shifters, among others. Furthermore, the new facility will allow Kongsberg Automotive to expand its production capability for Flow Control Systems (FCS) products.

Robert Pigg, Executive Vice-President of Drive Control Systems, Kongsberg Automotive, said, “This relocation represents a significant step in Kongsberg Automotive’s ongoing journey toward growth and enhanced manufacturing excellence in India.”

The new facility is spread across 6,947 square metres, as compared to its previous plant in the same locality.

CK Holdings-owned Italian automotive tier 1 supplier Marelli has won three accolades at the 2025 Automotive News PACE Awards.

The company won awards for Innovation Partnership Award for Digital OLED Taillights, PACE Award for Digital OLED 2.0 Technology and PACEpilot Award for Electromechanical Suspension.

The first award jointly received by Marelli and Audi for their collaboration on the Digital OLED Taillight, featured on the 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron. The award highlights successful supplier-OEM partnerships in commercialising advanced technologies.

The second-generation Digital OLED Taillight allows drivers to personalise their vehicle with up to eight light signatures via the MMI or myAudi app. It also enhances safety through proximity indication and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, displaying warning symbols in critical situations.

Frank Huber, President, Marelli’s Lighting business, said, “This award reflects our commitment to co-creating innovations with partners like Audi.”

The second award was won jointly by Marelli and OLEDWorks for the Digital OLED 2.0 rear lights on the Audi Q6 e-tron. The technology uses 60-segment OLED panels, controlled via a high-speed CAN-FD bus, enabling dynamic light signatures and improved safety features.

The system reduces mechanical complexity, increases energy efficiency and supports advanced animations. Steve Muench, Head of Marelli Lighting North America, and David DeJoy, CEO of OLEDWorks, accepted the award.

Lastly, Marelli was recognised for its Fully Active Electromechanical Suspension, which received a PACEpilot Award for its potential to transform future mobility. The oil-free system uses four actuators to adjust suspension in real-time, improving comfort and efficiency while reducing motion sickness.

Antonio Ferrara, President, Marelli’s Ride Dynamics business, said: “This award acknowledges our commitment to advancing vehicle dynamics for electric and autonomous vehicles.”

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s only and the world's largest integrated zinc producer, has launched Zinc Freight Bazaar, a digital-first logistics management system aimed at empowering customers, enhancing experience and simplifying the overall logistics process.

Zinc Freight Bazaar, which was created with a strong emphasis on user experience, makes it possible for clients to make knowledgeable logistical decisions and supports efficient production planning. The platform is designed to satisfy its users' complex needs. The platform offers a number of associated logistics service providers, real-time tracking, a logistics planner and a bidding mechanism. Customers had to switch between many systems for shipment monitoring and logistics coordination in the traditional zinc procurement process, but this new platform provides a simplified, end-to-end digital solution that enables business teams to easily acquire vital metals.

As a vital component of galvanisation, zinc protects steel from corrosion and supports vital sectors including electronics, renewable energy, infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing, defence and electric mobility. London Metal Exchange (LME)-registered premium products such as Special High-Grade Zinc, High Grade Zinc, Asia's first low carbon ‘green’ zinc EcoZen, Prime Western Zinc, Continuous Galvanizing Grade Zinc, Special High Grade Jumbo Zinc, High Grade Jumbo Zinc, Hindustan Zinc Die Casting Alloy 3, Hindustan Zinc Die Casting Alloy 5 and Special High-Grade Lead are among the products offered by Hindustan Zinc.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “At Hindustan Zinc, we have always prioritised a customer-first approach to enhance the critical metal buying experience. With the integration of digitalisation, we are taking a decisive step forward in delivering a seamless, tech-enabled experience. This platform simplifies procurement and reinforces our commitment to building a future-ready supply chain. As India’s economy continues to expand, the role of zinc in infrastructure development becomes increasingly vital. This platform will empower manufacturers with improved production planning while providing a unified solution for logistics management.”