Caption: Matthias Eden, Head of Group and Brand Purchasing Metal Raw Material and Exhaust Systems, Volkswagen Group Michael Bäcker, Head of Group Procurement Metal, Volkswagen Group Dennis Grimm, Spokesman of the Executive Board Thyssenkrupp Steel Simon Stephan, Sales Automotive, Senior Vice President, Thyssenkrupp Steel.

Volkswagen Group and Thyssenkrupp Steel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the planned supply to Volkswagen Group of low-carbon steel from Thyssenkrupp Steel’s future direct reduction plant.

This agreement the partners state underscores the joint commitment to sustainability and climate protection, marking a further milestone in their long-standing partnership.

The Thyssenkrupp Steel direct reduction plant is scheduled to be commissioned from 2027. It will operate with hydrogen and green electricity, which will significantly reduce its carbon footprint. At the start of the ramp-up phase, the plant will use natural gas as the reducing agent, before the process is switched successively to hydrogen. The resulting product – bluemint Steel – will be certified in accordance with recognised standards and can qualify for the LESS Label A if the hydrogen used in production is generated entirely from renewable sources. This classification, developed by the German Steel Association flanked by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, provides a full picture of a steel product’s climate impacts and documents its almost emission-free production.

Dirk Grobe-Loheide, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Procurement and Member of Volkswagen AG’s Extended Executive Committee said, “Decarbonising supply chains is a decisive factor for the Volkswagen Group on the road to carbon neutrality. We want to achieve this goal by 2050 at the latest, and using low-carbon steel is an important step in making supply chains at Volkswagen Group even more environmentally friendly going forward. This MoU with Thyssenkrupp is an important building block in our strategic focus on the use of low-carbon steel.”

Dennis Grimm, Spokesman of the Executive Board of Thyssenkrupp Steel states, “Signing this memorandum of understanding marks an important step on our path to decarbonising key industrial processes in Germany. Our long-standing partnership with Volkswagen Group demonstrates that, alongside our technical development work, we can also collaborate in making great strides toward a sustainable future.”

Volkswagen Group is expected to benefit significantly from this innovative process to avoid CO2 emissions because 15 to 20 percent of an electric vehicle’s emissions are accounted for by the steel used. Moreover, this decarbonisation concept allows the manufacture of the full product portfolio in accordance with the usual specifications and in premium quality. Supplies are scheduled to start in 2028 and will then be expanded step by step.

The collaboration between the two companies increases their focus on the electromobility. It covers economical lightweight solutions for highly stable vehicle structures and electrical steel for efficient electric drive systems. Steel is playing a key role in the mobility transition, not only as a material for generators and electric engines but also as the material of choice for the bodies and other structural components of electric vehicles. In the context of electromobility, steel is becoming an increasingly important material because more of it is needed in electric vehicles – due to their large battery units – than in combustion vehicles.

The partnership between Volkswagen Group and Thyssenkrupp Steel demonstrates how sustainable solutions can be created thanks to innovative technologies and strategic alliances. It is one of a series of initiatives by the Volkswagen Group to expand the use of green steel in production. In addition to the collaboration with Thyssenkrupp Steel, Volkswagen Group has been in partnership with Salzgitter since 2022. Volkswagen Group and Vulcan Green Steel recently signed a MoU in respect of long-term partnership. The Group also has a stake in Swedish green steel manufacturer H2 Green Steel via its subsidiary Scania.

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KRAIBURG TPE has introduced an innovative material solution built upon its well-established THERMOLAST K product line, specifically engineered for automotive sealing applications. This new variant combines proven performance traits with enhanced ecological benefits, incorporating a recycling content that exceeds 50 percent derived from both post-industrial and post-consumer sources. Despite this high proportion of recycled material, the compound does not compromise on the stringent quality, functional reliability and processability standards demanded by the automotive sector.

In close collaboration with long-term partner SaarGummi, an international automotive supplier, KRAIBURG TPE set out to create a more sustainable alternative that could seamlessly replace conventional materials in existing applications. The partnership began development work in 2023, focusing on increasing recycled raw material usage while preserving the high mechanical load capacity, resistance to various environmental factors and dependable industrial processing characteristics required for automotive components. Early-stage testing under comparable conditions confirmed that the new recycling-based variant met all relevant requirements and could be reliably integrated into standard production workflows.

The joint effort has yielded a thermoplastic elastomer solution featuring a recycling content of approximately 56 percent, composed entirely of post-industrial and post-consumer recyclates. This outcome enables a material option with significantly reduced resource consumption for demanding automotive uses, answering the growing need for sustainability across the entire value chain without sacrificing quality or manufacturing efficiency.

Alexander Mayer, Senior Business Development Manager, KRAIBURG TPE, said, “The first results have shown that we are on the right track with this development. Our aim was to design a materials solution that saves more resources while meeting the high quality standards of the automotive industry.”

Sebastien Roux, TPE Material & Process Specialist, SaarGummi, said, “The new material meets the requirements of our application and can be reliably combined with existing components. At the same time, the increased recycling content makes an important contribution to greater sustainability. It was possible not only to increase the recycling content but also to reduce the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the material compared to that of the previous variant.”

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European tier 1 supplier Marelli has announced it will present its latest in-cabin technologies at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, scheduled from 24 April to 3 May. The showcase focuses on the integration of electronics and interiors to support software-defined vehicles (SDVs) through unified computing and scalable architectures.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a software-defined cockpit experience that centralises computing, artificial intelligence and human-machine interface (HMI) functions. Built on a QNX real-time operating system (RTOS), the system manages in-vehicle infotainment, cluster visualisation and cabin intelligence within a single architecture.

Key display at its booth includes –

MiniLED FALD Display: An ultra-thin Full Array Local Dimming screen designed for high contrast and sunlight readability, supporting curved pillar-to-pillar configurations.

HorizonView Display: A continuous 44.8-inch image projected across the base of the windshield. Powered by a Picture Generation Unit (PGU) capable of 12,000 nits, it provides a panoramic visual field intended to reduce driver distraction.

Marelli is also introducing a zonal electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture to centralise intelligence and reduce wiring complexity. This approach utilises an ‘edge node’ strategy to remove local microcontrollers (MCUs) from peripheral modules.

MCU-Free Modules: Door and seat modules shift window, mirror, and safety functions to the Zone Control Unit (ZCU) or central compute unit via low-latency protocols.

Zonal Audio: Multi-zone audio distribution is managed at the zonal level, utilising Ethernet-based amplifiers. This configuration eliminates the need for local digital signal processors (DSPs) in every speaker location.

Connectivity: The company will debut an Affordable 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) telematics solution. It offers 2.5 times lower latency than 4G at a similar cost, supporting over-the-air (OTA) updates and remote diagnostics.

The cabin experience is further defined by mechanical and lighting solutions designed for personalisation and space efficiency:

Cockpit Features: Motorised swivel speakers for directional audio, motorised vents for climate management, and retractable tables for workspace versatility.

Console Design: A multi-access console lid that opens from three sides and a detachable display mechanism for rear-seat passenger access to controls and entertainment.

Joachim Fetzer, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Marelli, said, “In the cabin of the future, technology must feel human – intuitive, responsive and seamlessly integrated. At Auto China, we will demonstrate how Marelli unifies compute, display, audio, and interior design into a coherent, software-defined experience enabled by deep local engineering and strong partnerships.”

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Bosch, the flagship entity of the Bosch Group in India, has announced its intention to acquire 100 percent of Bosch Chassis Systems India. The transaction is structured as a cash deal combined with the issuance of equity shares on a preferential basis.

The acquisition integrates the Vehicle Motion business into Bosch’s portfolio. This move is designed to unify the company’s mobility offerings, shifting from the supply of individual components to the delivery of integrated platform solutions.

Bosch Chassis Systems India specialises in automotive safety systems. Its product range includes:

• Active Safety: Antilock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and advanced braking systems.
• Passive Safety: Airbag electronic control units (ECUs) and sensors.
• Actuation Systems: Braking hardware for passenger cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

The realignment allows Bosch to expand its investment in safety and braking technologies alongside its existing operations in power solutions.

Following the acquisition, Bosch Chassis Systems India will operate as an independent entity, with its governance overseen by Bosch. The boards of the Bosch Group, Bosch and Bosch Chassis Systems India have approved the transaction. The deal remains subject to approval from Bosch shareholders, after which the unit will become a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Guruprasad Mudlapur, President, Bosch Group in India and MD, Bosch, said, “Adding Bosch Chassis Systems India, with a future-fit vehicle motion solutions business into Bosch Limited, demonstrates our organisational belief in enhancing the company’s growth trajectory through portfolio diversification. This transaction further solidifies our leadership presence within mobility, enabling us to utilise our strengths and deliver solutions backed by local research and development and local manufacturing.”

Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint Managing Director of Bosch and President of Bosch Mobility India, added, “In India, we expect the mobility landscape to evolve radically by 2030 and beyond with sustainable, safe and exciting technologies. To foster a customer- first mindset and pivot from supplying individual components to delivering future- ready platform solutions, it is imperative to unite our forces and adopt an integrated approach. This transaction empowers Bosch to drive growth with a wider portfolio and combined offerings across the mobility tech stack.”

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Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced the achievement of two production milestones: manufacturing 500 million differential gears and 10 million differential assemblies since its inception. The company provides mobility technology solutions for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and off-highway vehicles.

According to the company, Sona Comstar has an 8.7 percent global market share in differential gears in 2025, an increase from 4.5 percent in 2019. It operates manufacturing facilities in Gurugram, Pune and Manesar.

The company commenced production of differential gears in Gurugram in 1999. It reached 100 million units in 2013 and 400 million in 2024. the most recent 100 million units were produced within a two-year period.

For differential assemblies the production began in 2008. It crossed 5 million unit production milestone in 2023, with the subsequent 5 million units manufactured in less than three years.

The company designs and manufactures precision-forged gears and driveline components. Its growth trajectory is linked to the expansion of both conventional and electric mobility platforms. The facility in Manesar, opened in 2019, supports the production of differential assemblies specifically for the global BEV market.

Vivek Vikram Singh, Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We are proud to celebrate these important milestones of our Driveline Business. They reflect the scale we have built over the years, our commitment to engineering excellence, and the trust our customers have placed in us globally. I thank our customers, suppliers, and employees for their continued support and contribution to this achievement. As mobility continues to evolve, we remain focused on innovation, expanding our integrated driveline capabilities, and delivering high-quality solutions that meet the changing needs of our customers across EV and conventional platforms.”

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