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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Imperial Auto Industries Limited has appointed James Gaylord as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Imperial Auto USA Corp. In his new role, Gaylord will lead Imperial Auto’s operations across the Americas and drive the company’s next phase of growth in the region. He will report to Vikram Wagh, Managing Director & CEO, Imperial Auto Industries Limited.

Gaylord's mandate would include expanding Imperial Auto’s presence into new markets across the American region while driving significant revenue growth over the coming years. He will also focus on strengthening the company’s product engineering and new product development capabilities in the Americas, while leading initiatives to localise the supply chain, enhance purchasing capabilities and build strategic partnerships with suppliers to support the company’s regional growth.

With nearly three decades of experience across the automotive and manufacturing sectors, Gaylord brings with him proven expertise in business development, operational excellence, transformation and growth. Prior to joining Imperial Auto, he served as the Global Sales Director at Gentex. He has also held leadership roles at organisations including Johnson Controls, ATI and Tenneco.
 

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd launched four new OTR tyres at Bauma Conexpo India 2026. These include the 12.5/80-18 MPT 45 16PR TL for self-loading concrete mixers (SLCM) and backhoe loaders. The 16/70-20 MPT117 14PR TL for SLCM and telehandler applications. The 18-19.5 MPT117 18PR TL for SLCM applications, and the 12.00R20 JDO XD OTR 22PR 156/153F TT for mining tippers. The latest additions further strengthen JK Tyre’s premium OTR portfolio with application-engineered solutions developed for the evolving requirements of India’s construction, infrastructure and mining sectors.
 “India’s infrastructure and industrial growth is creating a growing need for high-performance, reliable and application-specific mobility solutions. At JK Tyre, we are committed to developing OTR solutions that address the specific needs of our customers and the demanding conditions in which their equipment operates. Our latest range combines durability, reliability and performance to help customers maximise equipment uptime and operational efficiency. As we continue to strengthen our premium OTR portfolio, we remain committed to delivering solutions that create value for our customers and support the growth of India’s construction, infrastructure and mining sectors,” said Srinivasu Allaphan, Director - Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd.  
He pointed at the MPT 45 pattern and mentioned that it has been developed to deliver strong traction and stability, making it suitable for SLCMs and backhoe loaders operating across mixed terrain. “The MPT117 pattern has been designed for versatile construction and material-handling operations, offering strong grip, improved durability and reliable performance for SLCMs and telehandlers,” Allaphan explained. 
The new products have been developed keeping Indian operating conditions in mind and are designed to help customers maximise machine performance while improving operational efficiency. The focus is on durability, high load-carrying capability and extended service life. 

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The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing component manufacturers in the country, has appointed Sriram Viji, Managing Director, Brakes India, as President for the 2026–27 term.

The industry body also named Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson of ANAND Group and Gabriel India, as President-Designate. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Sriram Viji and Mrs. Anjali Singh to their new roles. Their rich industry experience and strategic vision will guide ACMA as the sector navigates geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving mobility landscape. I am confident that their leadership will strengthen our engagement with Government and industry partners to diversify supply chains, improve access to critical raw materials and enhance India’s global competitiveness.” 

Sriram Viji, President, ACMA, said, “It is an honour to lead ACMA as India strengthens its position as a trusted partner in global automotive value chains. Our priority is to deepen local capabilities and accelerate investment in advanced technologies, R&D and innovation, while embedding sustainability across the industry. As electric, connected and new-energy mobility create fresh opportunities, we must move beyond adapting to change to shaping it. Together with our members, we will work to position India as a global hub for high-value manufacturing and next-generation mobility solutions.”

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German automotive supplier MAHLE has established an e-compressor production facility in Coimbatore, which it claims makes it the first company to manufacture the component in India.

The German firm has invested EUR 7 million in the site to produce e-compressors, which regulate thermal management, battery life, charging speeds and driving range in electric vehicles.

The production line has a capacity of over 300,000 e-compressors annually to supply domestic and international vehicle manufacturers. The launch creates 50 jobs, aligning with the Indian government's ‘Make in India 2.0’ manufacturing initiative.

The Coimbatore facility already produces starter motors, alternators, controllers and traction motors for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Following the setup of an R&D facility in 2023 for product validation, MAHLE has outlined plans for women to represent 75 percent of the plant's total workforce by 2027.

The company entered India in 1958 through a piston manufacturing joint venture and now has expanded its operation across 15 locations in the country with 5,900 employees.

Ivan Lenehan, Vice-President, MAHLE Powertrain and Charging, India, China & East Asia, said, “India continues to play an increasingly important role in the global mobility transformation. This facility strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.”

Milind Mhaiskar, MD, MAHLE Electric Drives India, said, “This production facility underscores our focus on localisation and customer-centric innovation. The success of this project reflects the dedication of our teams and our collaborative approach with business partners.”

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