Union Minister for Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, visited the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar today. During his visit, the minister toured the state-of-the-art facility, which is a testament to India’s growing prowess in automotive innovation and safety standards. 

The minister was given an in-depth overview of ICAT’s advanced laboratories, testing tracks and cutting-edge technologies including crash tests, acoustic rooms for reverberation studies and fuel flow testing mechanisms.                          

During his visit, he laid the foundation stone of Electrical and Electrical Lab and Centre of Excellence for Advanced Automotive IT Services (AAITS) in the presence ICAT Director Saurabh Dalela and other senior officials. 

Speaking to the media after the visit, Kumaraswamy said, “It is my pleasure to be here on my first visit to ICAT, an institution that represents India's drive towards automotive excellence. ICAT’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its advanced laboratories and testing infrastructure, are a testament to India’s capabilities in automotive innovation.” 

The minister highlighted the crucial role ICAT plays in ensuring road safety through rigorous testing procedures. “Witnessing these facilities and tests today has given me a profound perspective on the rigorous efforts undertaken here to ensure the safety of every individual who travels on our roads. It showcases the complexity and commitment behind each test,” he added. 

Kumaraswamy commended the ICAT team for their invaluable contributions to the automotive sector, emphasizing their role in advancing sustainability, safety, and innovation. “ICAT is not just a testing and research facility; it embodies the shared vision of the ministry and the government to drive the future of mobility in India,” he said. 

The minister also noted ICAT’s significant contributions to government initiatives such as the FAME scheme, PM eDrive, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. He underlined the importance of ICAT’s involvement in promoting indigenous manufacturing and global competitiveness in the automotive sector. 

“ICAT stands as a symbol of India’s automotive aspirations, contributing significantly to our transition to electric mobility and sustainable transportation. The Ministry of Heavy Industries remains committed to supporting ICAT in every possible way to ensure its continued growth and success,” Kumaraswamy assured. 

The Indian automotive industry, which contributes over 7 percent to the nation’s GDP and employs millions, is expected to witness robust growth in the coming years. The minister emphasized that ICAT’s technical expertise, research and homologation services would play a pivotal role in ensuring that this growth is sustainable, safe, and competitive on a global scale. 

Concluding his visit, Kumaraswamy reaffirmed the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ commitment to fostering innovation, creating policy frameworks, and building infrastructure to position India as a global leader in automotive technology. 

“Together, we can make India a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, ensuring safer, better vehicles for Indian and global customers alike,” he said.

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JS Auto Cast Foundry India (JSA), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge, has raised INR 3 billion crore in equity from Premji Invest (PI). Following the primary infusion of capital, Premji Invest will hold a 23 percent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis.

JSA is a supplier of ferrous castings for the industrial and automotive sectors. The company intends to use the capital to expand casting capacity, invest in medium casting capabilities, and pursue industry consolidation through acquisitions.

Since its acquisition by Bharat Forge in 2022, JSA has reported growth in revenue, exports, and profitability with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17 percent, 24 percent and 25 percent respectively.

Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said, “Since 2022 when we acquired JSA, the company has delivered excellent financial performance with topline, exports and profitability growing at a CAGR of 17 percent, 24 percent and 25 percent respectively, while enhancing its product mix and customer base. We are delighted to partner with Premji Invest (PI), a renowned and highly respected investor, in the next phase of JSA’s growth journey.”

The investment aligns with Premji Invest’s strategy of collaborating with engineering and manufacturing conglomerates on growth and consolidation initiatives.

Manoj Jaiswal, Partner, Premji Invest, said, “We are excited to partner with Bharat Forge, a premier engineering and manufacturing conglomerate in the country. Collaborating with leading conglomerates on their growth and consolidation journey is one of our strategic pillars. Through our investment in JSA, we look forward to jointly building a leading ferrous casting platform in the country.”

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Tier 1 supplier Schaeffler India is showcasing a range of motion technologies at the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026. The company's exhibit at Hall Zone D includes electrification solutions such as drives, motors and modules, alongside powertrain systems for internal combustion engines and hybrid vehicles.

The portfolio on display features chassis components, sensors, fuel delivery modules, and bearings designed to reduce friction in vehicles. The company is highlighting its local engineering capabilities and its work with manufacturers to develop mobility solutions within India.

Company executives are participating in the symposium's technical programme. Madhurisha Vippatoori, Chief Technical Officer, is chairing the Testing and Evaluation track. Deepak Kasturi, Head of Innovation India, is delivering a keynote address regarding Euro 7 standards and real-time emissions monitoring.

The company stated that its presence at the event reflects its focus on engineering innovation, energy efficiency and collaborative development with automotive customers and academia.

Harsha Kadam, CEO & MD, Schaeffler India, said, “As a leading mobility solutions provider in India, we at Schaeffler are proud to be associated with all the leading automotive customers in shaping the future of mobility. We are equally committed to supporting our customers across various types of powertrains that will support cleaner, electrified, and intelligent mobility. Together, we are shaping a more secure, sustainable, and future-ready India.”

Viswanathan Sambasivam, Division Head - Powertrain & Chassis India, said, “SIAT provides an ideal platform to demonstrate how we are shaping mobility for India. Our focus is on co-engineering with OEMs, accelerating technology transfer, and strengthening local value creation. The solutions we are bringing this year represent the next step in advancing clean, safe, and smarter mobility.”

Omkar Kulkarni, Division Head - E-Mobility India, said, “India is one of our most important engineering hubs. Our teams here are working closely with customers to design for India, build in India, and innovate for India. The technologies displayed at SIAT underline our ability to combine global expertise with local development capabilities.”

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The Indian automotive component industry was valued at USD 80.2 billion in FY2025, with the aftermarket segment contributing USD 11.8 billion. Data from the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) indicates the sector grew by 6.8 percent to reach USD 41.2 billion in the first half of FY2026. Industry projections suggest the component market will reach between USD 111 billion and USD 200 billion by 2030.

Against this growth, the ACMA Automechanika New Delhi 2026 trade fair will take place from 5 to 7 February 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. Organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India and ACMA, the event will host more than 870 exhibitors. The fair serves as a platform for manufacturers, distributors and service providers to showcase innovations in spare parts, electronics, diagnostics and workshop equipment.

The exhibition will feature participation from 20 countries, including Germany, Japan, Korea and the USA. Dedicated pavilions will highlight technologies from nations such as China, Italy and Taiwan. The event focuses on electrification, alternative fuels and digital authentication. Exhibitors will display ethanol-ready components, hydrogen systems and electric vehicle charging solutions.

Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings, said, “As India prioritises quality-led development across sectors, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi 2026 will showcase how the auto components and aftermarket industry is advancing in sync with global trends. The show will unite visitors and exhibitors in a massive international gathering, converging cutting-edge innovations, sustainable component solutions and clean-fuel ecosystems. Global participants are increasingly drawn to India's pivotal role in this transition, with organisations showing strong enthusiasm for tech-driven solutions to combat climate change and build a thriving and a cleaner future”.

Vinnie Mehta, Director General of ACMA, added, "India’s automotive aftermarket is moving towards a more structured, quality-driven and globally aligned future. The auto component industry grew by 6.8 percent to USD 41.2 billion in the first half of FY26, supported by stable domestic demand, a resilient aftermarket and sustained investments in capacity expansion, localisation and technology upgradation. ACMA Automechanika New Delhi provides an important platform for industry stakeholders to engage with emerging technologies, regulatory developments and global market opportunities”.

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Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced its financial results for Q3 FY2026, reported revenue of INR 12.09 billion, a 39 percent increase YoY.

The company’s EBITDA grew by 25 percent to INR 3.2 billion with a margin of 25.2 percent, while net profit rose by 20 percent to INR 1.8 billion. Revenue from Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) represented 38 percent of total turnover.

In the first 9-months of FY2026, the company secured six new programmes, bringing the total to 65 across 33 different customers. Additionally, Sona Comstar was awarded a programme from a new customer to supply hydraulic motor controller.

Vivek Vikram Singh, MD & Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We achieved our highest-ever quarterly revenue, EBITDA, and adjusted net profit in Q3 FY2026. Our revenue grew strongly by 39 percent YoY, primarily driven by the expansion of our electric vehicle traction motor and railway business in India. BEV revenue share improved meaningfully to 38 percent in Q3 from 32 percent in Q2FY2026 and represents our second-best quarter till date in terms of absolute BEV revenue and share. We have commercialised a new product in this quarter, the hydraulic motor controller, leveraging our strengths in motors and controllers to develop the solution for a new application outside the current product portfolio. We continue to add new EV customers and win new EV programs from our existing EV customers. Moreover, we commenced sample production of in-cabin radar sensors in our new SMT line at Chennai facility in this quarter, making us one of the few automotive radar manufacturers in India with local SMT manufacturing capability.”

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