Varroc announced a strategic rebranding of its subsidiary, CarIQ Technologies, which will now operate as Varroc Connect. This move underscores Varroc’s commitment to technological innovation, enhanced connectivity solutions and its vision for the future of advanced mobility.

The transition to Varroc Connect aligns CarIQ’s identity with Varroc’s trusted global legacy, reinforcing its focus on delivering safe, smart and sustainable mobility solutions. The rebranding represents a strategic evolution as Varroc Connect continues to lead India’s connected vehicle platform segment, leveraging Varroc’s extensive global expertise to drive next-generation connectivity solutions.

With an expanded portfolio of offerings, Varroc Connect addresses the dynamic requirements of the automotive, mobility and IoT sectors. Its end-to-end solutions combine real-time connectivity with data-driven insights, enabling smarter, safer and more efficient transportation systems. Key offerings include a robust cloud platform, mobile and web applications, advanced firmware and a diverse range of Made in India telematics devices.

Delivered through SaaS and subscription models, Varroc Connect empowers customers across automotive OEMs, insurance, transportation and public sector verticals, enabling faster time-to-market. This transformation underscores Varroc’s unwavering focus on innovation and its leadership in the rapidly evolving connectivity space.

Speaking at the conference, Varroc Connect Cheif Executive Officer Dixit Roy Mahidhara said, “CarIQ Technologies has always been a pioneer in delivering smart connectivity solutions. By rebranding it as Varroc Connect, we are strengthening its identity as a part of Varroc’s trusted legacy while reinforcing our commitment to innovation in advanced mobility and IOT solutions.”

 Commenting on the rebranding, Varroc – Business I Chief Executive Officer Arjun Jain said, “I am excited to unveil Varroc Connect, a name that reflects our commitment to long-term investment in building connected vehicle solutions for our customers. Connected mobility is the future, and every vehicle now integrates connected technology.”

Canadian tier 1 supplier Magna has officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Chakan, Maharashtra. Spread across 65,000 sqft, the new facility will produce advanced latches and mirrors for automotive applications supporting customers in western India.

At present, Magna employs 7,000 people in India across 14 manufacturing and assembly facilities, as well as five engineering, product and sales offices across India. The new expansion is estimated to generate 300 new jobs in the next three years. This latest expansion is expected to create more than 300 new jobs over the next three years, contributing to the local economy and fostering industrial growth in the region.

Jeff Hunt, President Magna MML (Mechatronics, Mirrors, and Lighting), who was part of the inauguration said, “Magna is thrilled to bring advanced manufacturing capabilities to Chakan and contribute to the region’s economic development. Our commitment to innovation and operational excellence helps us continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers, delivering high-quality products that drive the future of mobility.”

Horse has started production of its 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder ‘HR13’ engine at its facility in Curitiba, Brazil. The company is a division of Spain-headquartered Horse Powertrain, a leading supplier of low-emission powertrain systems.

The new HR13 turbo engine is a flex fuel variant engineered specifically for the South American market. It can run on petrol & ethanol blends and is fully compliant with L8 emissions standards. It offers a peak power of 163PS (120kW), as well as peak torque load of 250Nm at just 1,600rpm.

The company shared that the HR13 engine benefits from a bespoke direct injection system, which has specially developed for ethanol fuel use. Each cylinder is accompanied by a centrally mounted six-hole injectors operating at 200bar pressure, tailored for exceptional fuel atomisation that delivers effortless power and torque without impacting fuel efficiency.

Horse recently invested BRL 100 million (USD 17.24 million) investment in the Curitiba facility, which will facilitate HR13 production as a key output of the plant. The company will be able to produce 600,000 units annually across its portfolio of engines.

Wesley Palma, Plant Director at Horse Curitiba, said, "The start of HR13 production in Brazil demonstrates our commitment to delivering engineering and manufacturing solutions tailored to local markets. Specifically created with flex fuel capability, the highly efficient HR13 is perfectly suited to Brazilian OEMs and consumers. Horse is particularly committed to localising key manufacturing processes, such as casting for the engine’s cylinder heads.”

Patrice Haettel, CEO, Horse, said: “This move reinforces our commitment to the Brazilian market and South America. Our message has always been clear: there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to global mobility, but instead tailor-made solutions that reflect regional needs. The HR13 reflects this ethos, powered by low-emissions flex fuels and optimised for Brazilian market needs.”

Bengaluru-based Kogo partnered with MapmyIndia to launch a universal voice assistant for the automotive industry at the Bharat Auto Expo 2025. This breakthrough leverages Kogo’s Agentic Mesh and MapmyIndia’s deep learning geo-intelligence stack, providing an on-premises, edge-computing platform that ensures data privacy and safety for end customers.

The platform not only transforms in-car interactions but also opens new avenues for app businesses and services to develop their own AI agents and offer them via the Kogo AI Agent Store, reaching millions of car and motorcycle owners across India.

Unlike existing voice assistants that are limited to basic in-car commands, the Kogo-MapmyIndia universal assistant delivers natural language conversations, the ability to surf the internet and real-world impact by operating apps and services beyond the vehicle.

“This is a game changer in the automotive industry, elevating user engagement, safety and service delivery to unprecedented levels. By combining Kogo’s agentic AI technology with MapmyIndia’s geo-intelligence, we’re not just innovating – we’re setting a new benchmark for the entire industry,” Kogo Chief Executive Officer Raj K Gopalakrishnan.

The platform enables app developers and service providers to create and distribute their own agents through the Kogo AI Agent Store. These agents can cater to a wide array of needs, from personal assistance to business automation, creating a vibrant ecosystem for innovation.

“We designed the platform to work entirely on-premises and at the edge, ensuring that end customers’ data remains secure and private. Our vision is to empower every vehicle owner with an AI assistant that is not only powerful but also respects their privacy,” averred Kogo Co-Founder Praveer Kochhar.

With the ability to integrate seamlessly into the existing infrastructure of automotive manufacturers, this platform promises to redefine how vehicles interact with their owners. From voice-controlled operations to advanced task automation, the Universal Assistant is poised to lead the way in automotive AI innovation.

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, showcased its new zinc die casting alloy product range HZDA 3 and HZDA 5 (Hindustan Zinc Die Casting Alloy) at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Along with the world’s largest zinc product portfolios, the company also displayed lead, silver and value-added products at the event at Pragati Maidan in Stall 6 – Hall 11.

The company's zinc die casting alloys are designed to meet the changing demands of the automobile industry. They are specifically made for the hot chamber die casting process. The main manufacturer of these alloys, which are otherwise imported into the nation, is Hindustan Zinc, which is often referred to as ZAMAK in the marketplace. Die casting alloys from Hindustan Zinc provide outstanding castability, long-term dimensional stability, quick machining and excellent plating, painting and chromate treatment finishing. Higher strength, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance and dimensional tolerance are all provided HZDA 3 and HZDA 5.

Hindustan Zinc's low-carbon ‘green’ zinc, known as ‘EcoZen’, was another major attraction at the event. It has a 75 percent lower carbon footprint than traditionally produced zinc and can save around 400 kg of carbon emissions when galvanising one tonne of steel. Silver improves conductivity and efficiency in automobile electronics, such as switches and relays, whereas lead is essential for automobile batteries, components and radiation shielding.

Arun Misra, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “The automotive industry is at the forefront of shaping a sustainable future, and Hindustan Zinc is proud to be a partner in this journey. We are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that not only meet but exceed the industry’s expectations. Our vast product portfolio will play a pivotal role in driving efficiency, sustainability and design excellence in automotive manufacturing. We are excited to showcase our diverse metals at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, a platform that mirrors our vision of co-creating a future beyond boundaries.”