As global industrial markets navigate a landscape of currency volatility and cooling regional economies, the Freudenberg Group is pivotally positioning India as a primary ‘shining star’ for its future growth.

With nearly 40 percent of its Indian revenue tied to the automotive sector, the German technology giant is doubling down on localisation, EV transitions and strategic inorganic growth to solidify its regional presence.

While the Group’s global sales saw a modest contraction of 1.8 percent in 2025, totalling EUR 11.73 billion due to softening exchange rates, Freudenberg India defied the downward trend. The Indian arm reported robust sales of INR 44.27 billion, maintaining healthy double-digit operating margins across its eight business groups.

G Sivasailam, Director & CEO of Freudenberg Regional Representative in India, noted that the country has consistently performed stronger than the global average, emerging alongside China as a critical growth engine within the Group’s international strategy.

Automotive remains the bedrock of Freudenberg’s India operations, contributing roughly 40 percent to 42 percent of total revenue. The company’s portfolio is deeply embedded across the value chain, ranging from sealing solutions and vibration control to filtration and surface technologies.

This diversification has provided a buffer against fluctuations in specific vehicle segments, allowing the company to thrive as passenger vehicle demand gains momentum while maintaining a steady supply to Commercial Vehicle OEMs, which account for 70 percent of that specific segment.

As the industry pivots toward electrification, Freudenberg is aligning its product roadmap to bridge the gap between legacy internal combustion engines and emerging EV technologies.

Sivasailam highlighted that while EVs eliminate certain engine-related components, they create complex new requirements in areas like lightweighting, thermal management, and noise profiles. To address these, the company is deploying advanced material science, including critical battery separators designed to ensure safety and prevent thermal events.

Although large-scale local manufacturing for certain EV components is currently served by global capacities in Europe, R&D continues to evolve to meet the specific needs of the Indian market.

A cornerstone of Freudenberg’s success remains its aggressive localisation strategy. With a manufacturing footprint spanning Chennai, Pune, Mysore, Chandigarh and Anand in Gujarat, the company prioritises producing for the local market over simple labour arbitrage. This domestic focus has effectively insulated the business from global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties. While exports currently account for about 10 percent of total output, the primary focus remains on capturing the rising consumption and demographic advantages within India.

Looking toward the 2027–2029 strategic cycle, Freudenberg India is signalling an openness to expansion beyond organic growth.

Following a global precedent where the Group invested EUR 800 million in acquisitions during 2025, the Indian leadership is actively scouting for mergers and acquisitions to bolster its technical capabilities.

By evolving from a traditional component supplier into a provider of integrated solutions, Freudenberg aims to meet the growing demand from OEMs for fewer, more sophisticated partners. With a strong foothold in innovation and a clear focus on sustainability, the company appears well-positioned to play a defining role in India’s evolving mobility landscape.

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Scania has completely reworked its Services 360 portfolio by introducing a dedicated offering for new electric trucks, which now covers every operational need including battery care. At the same time, the company has rolled out flexible coverage plans for second-hand combustion engine vehicles, allowing owners of used trucks to choose from different levels of repair, maintenance and productivity support. This move reflects rising sales in both the new electric and used diesel truck segments.

Originally launched in 2024, the Services 360 portfolio was built around smart flexible maintenance planning and a range of digital tools. It already provided customised packages suited to fleets of any size or powertrain type. Now, Scania has extended Services 360 to include used vehicle customers, who are often more price sensitive. For them, four distinct packages called Core, Plus, Full and Pro are available, offering progressively deeper coverage. Core includes basic fleet maintenance and digital monitoring, while Pro adds proactive and powertrain repairs.

For owners of battery electric trucks, Scania offers the Full package within Services 360. By broadening access to these tailored service levels, the company reinforces its commitment to customer profitability across all business types. This expansion ensures that whether a customer operates new electric trucks or used conventional ones, they receive a competitive and customized service solution designed to keep their vehicles running efficiently and profitably.

Lars Gustafsson, Senior Vice President and Head of Trucks at Scania, said, “We want our battery-electric truck customers to only focus on maximising the use of their vehicles. By offering a single service level – Full – we ensure that every repair, every interaction between systems and every unexpected issue is handled and covered by Scania, giving our electric truck customers all the support they need. We pride ourselves in being close to our customers’ pain points, and extending Services 360 is a way to reach even more transport operators and cover the full ecosystem of needs around their business. No matter the type of powertrain, operation or business sector, the underlying goal of Services 360 is to support the customer and make them more profitable and sustainable for the long term.”

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Bentley Motors has kicked off a new collaboration by introducing Priyanka Chopra Jonas as its latest global brand ambassador. The announcement arrives with a campaign set to launch this weekend. Audiences can expect a complementary film in the near future, featuring the actor and producer speaking openly to the camera about her personal journey, professional milestones and artistic point of view, all supported by a fresh collection of still photography.

The actress now joins an expanding lineup of Bentley’s global representatives. Among them are Co-Creative Directors Greg Williams and Mai Ikuzawa, who were brought into the fold by the British automaker last September. This growing circle reflects the brand’s effort to build connections with influential creative figures across different industries.

For nearly 25 years, Priyanka’s wide-ranging body of work has held the attention of audiences around the world. She is recognised not only as a film industry standout and producer but also as a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and investor. In her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she has become known for championing education and children’s welfare, leveraging her fame to bring about real world change.

Shot in a natural, documentary like manner at Sony Studios in Los Angeles, the upcoming film creates an intimate setting for a conversational back and forth between Priyanka and Greg. Viewers gain a more personal window into her life and creative thinking. She expresses a deep affection for the energy of a working set and the unexpected artistic moments that can arise during a day of performing and producing, with a Bentley Continental GT subtly present throughout the scene.

Priyanka said, “I’ve always been drawn to Bentley’s commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling, because there’s an intentionality behind every detail that feels rare. As someone who lives for the creative energy of being on set, this collaboration felt instinctive. It’s about shared values, but also about a shared appreciation for the process behind what we create.”

Ben Whattam, Marketing Director, Bentley Motors, said, “Priyanka brings a fresh energy and authentic perspective that aligns with Bentley. The film’s relaxed style allows her voice and personality to come through naturally, creating something more authentic than traditional advertising.”

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Maruti Suzuki India Limited has actively advanced gender diversity over the past two years. The company deliberately raised female recruitment for vehicle assembly and engine transmission positions at its Gurugram and Manesar plants. These women handle critical tasks in production and quality assurance, where attention to detail is paramount.

Their training and skill enhancement opportunities mirror those given to male employees, ensuring equal access to career growth. Through this approach, the firm guarantees that women on the shopfloor receive identical on-the-job development and pathways for professional advancement.

Within a single year, Maruti Suzuki brought on over 190 women for its manufacturing floor, pushing its total female workforce across all departments past the 1,300 mark. This steady increase highlights the organisation’s broader commitment to inclusion in industrial operations.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We have always had a good representation of women across diverse functions like Engineering, Marketing & Sales, Finance, Legal, Logistics and Supply Chain. However, real integration happens on the shopfloor when they work on building high-quality vehicles with precision and care. It is my personal wish to strengthen women representation at the shopfloor.

“To achieve this mission, we have carefully created an eco-system that supports women at shopfloor. A detailed study was undertaken to understand the requirements, and specific infrastructure changes were made on the shop floor to ensure their convenience and security. Infrastructure such as adequate restrooms, changing area, creche and safety support in the form of guards on duty and patrolling during evening shift were introduced. Furthermore, sensitisation training for other team members was initiated to bring a positive shift in mindset and openness to promote an inclusive work culture. We mandate 100 percent employee participation in POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) training to cultivate sensitisation and a safe work environment.”

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American technology and automotive company Lucid Group has announced the appointment of Silvio Napoli as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the Board of Directors.

He previously served as the Chairman and CEO of Schindler Group and will now relocate from Switzerland to the United States to assume the role. Marc Winterhoff, who has been serving as the interim CEO, will transition to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) once Napoli takes office.

Napoli joins the EV manufacturer following a career focused on industrial technology and global manufacturing. During his tenure at Schindler Group, he managed international operations and oversaw the transition of industrial models toward technology-enabled and service-oriented frameworks. His appointment coincides with Lucid's efforts to scale production of the Lucid Gravity SUV and the Lucid Air sedan, while developing its forthcoming midsize vehicle platform.

The leadership transition is intended to support Lucid's objectives regarding manufacturing discipline, capital allocation and the pursuit of revenue streams from autonomous technology and software. The company is currently focused on achieving positive free cash flow and profitability as it expands its product portfolio and scales its operational infrastructure.

Turqi Alnowaiser, Chairman of the Lucid Board of Directors, said, "On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to welcome Silvio as Lucid's next CEO. Silvio is a proven global leader with deep experience leading complex, technology‑driven organisations through periods of rapid growth and operational scaling. He brings a strong track record of global manufacturing excellence, operational discipline, driving growth across global markets and leading state-of-the-art customer service. His expertise in capital allocation, operational efficiency and translating advanced technology into consistent high-quality performance over time will be critical as Lucid continues to scale and execute its strategy. I would also like to thank Marc for his leadership as Interim CEO during a pivotal period for the company. Under Marc's stewardship, Lucid expanded and sharpened its strategy, strengthened execution and operational discipline, and led the business through an exceptionally challenging environment while maintaining momentum. We are fortunate to have his continued leadership as COO."

Marc Winterhoff, stated, "The past year has been an important period of progress for Lucid, and I'm proud of the work the team has done to strengthen our operations and execution. We have laid out a clear vision and enhanced strategy, and I look forward to continuing that work alongside Silvio."

Silvio Napoli, adeed, "Lucid has established a strong foundation built on technology leadership and an expanding product portfolio, including Lucid Air, Lucid Gravity, and the upcoming midsize vehicles. Working with Marc and the executive team, my focus will be on consistent execution, financial discipline and helping translate Lucid's breakthrough innovations into long-term value."

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