Stating that they are witnessing good demand as well as interest for Driver Status Monitoring (DSM) cameras, Vanesh Naidoo, Founder & CEO, Safe Cams Digital Eye Solutions Pvt Ltd (SCDES), mentioned, “The ability of these cameras to detect sleepy and distracted drivers and then alert them within three seconds is game-changing.” “They, as a safety solution, are highly conducive to reducing road accidents in India, where around 38 percent of all road accidents are attributed to drowsy driving,” he added. Claiming to be the first company in India to introduce DSM cameras, Naidoo stressed on fuel sensors that can connect to cameras and stream fuel information via 4G connectivity. “The driver reports that come out of this are helping companies save up to 20 percent of fuel costs,” he informed. “This,” he quipped, “is proving to be of much benefit to the fleets at a time when fuel costs have risen sharply.” Present in the aftermarket largely, SCDES is a young company. It was established in 2019 even though the groundwork began almost a year before. “The thought of entering this field was born from the high road fatalities in India,” averred Naidoo.
Cameras as road safety solutions
Pointing at the World Bank Report in 2020, which states that India accounts for 11 percent of global road accident victims while having only one percent of the world’s vehicular population, he said, “A majority of these deaths on roads are needless and can be avoided.” Of the opinion that speeding and drowsy driving account for close to 80 percent of road accidents, he explained, “The technologically advanced road safety solutions such as DSM and Advanced Driving Assistance system (ADAS) are instrumental in preventing accidents before they occur.” “The video footage available from the cameras onboard a vehicle helps analyse and hence understand its causes and find way to avoid them,” he remarked. Informing that his company specialises in two broad categories, consumer dash cams for individuals who own one or two vehicles and fleet solutions that cater to transport fleets and commercial operators, Naidoo explained, “Our Mobile Digital Video Recording (MDVR) systems can record on up to eight cameras per vehicle.”
Fleet safety solutions
The MDVR systems cannot just record on up to eight cameras per vehicle, they can store up to 4 TB of data for a longer period of reference and study. Naidoo explained, “Capable of incorporating features like GPS, Wi-Fi, 4G and various sensors (including temperature sensors in case of the carriage of perishable goods in a refrigerated container), tyre pressure sensors and fuel sensors), the MDVR systems allow live tracking and video streaming via 4G connectivity of any vehicle in the fleet.” Offering advanced technology DSM and ADAS compatible cameras that use Artificial Intelligence (AI), SCDES, said Naidoo, is in talks with bus transport companies for the DSM – with fuel transport vehicle fleets to install explosion-proof cameras and with commercial driving training institutes to help drivers understand the key dangers they face on the road and how to mitigate them. Assembling its consumer dash cameras at its facility at Pune, the company is working on localisation. Some electronic parts are not manufactured locally, according to Naidoo. The current R&D setup of SCDES tests various components of the camera and camera-based safety solutions like lenses, chipsets, low-light sensors etc. The setup also carries out tests in the area of successful configuration and suitability of usage under Indian conditions. “Our R&D setup has helped us to arrive at some unique solutions for local market requirements,” remarked Naidoo.
Traction in market segments
Finding good traction in various market segments including cold chain transportation where cameras and sensing solutions aid the maintenance of the right temperatures, SCDES has achieved good traction in various other market segments as well. “Hyundai India is using our 4G cameras in their test vehicles to ensure testing and reporting as per the guidelines. Our solutions are also being used by the armed forces and municipalities,” stated Naidoo. Revealing that India is expected to follow European Union where reports suggest DSM and ADAS cameras to be mandatory from 2026, Naidoo concluded, “So far, there are no legal requirements for cameras to be used in any vehicular segments as per the law in India. This may however change sooner than later.”
Interview: Vanesh Naidoo, Founder & CEO, Safe Cams Digital Eye Solutions Pvt Ltd.
1. Which automotive segments do the company’s products cater to?
Our camera systems can cater to nearly all major automotive segments from bus transportation, goods transportation, employee transportation, taxis, school transportation and so on. With the ability to connect temperature sensors to our devices, Safe Cams’ devices can also be used for cold chain transport companies to ensure their temperature ranges are maintained.
2. Are the company’s products found in the aftermarket or supplied to OEMs as well?
At the moment, our products are found in the aftermarket.
3. Any institutions that the products have found favour with?
Hyundai India is using our 4G cameras in their test vehicles to ensure testing and reporting is performed easily and per guidelines. The Indian Army has also purchased our dash cameras, and they are happy with the video quality of our devices. We also have supplied to international clients in Fiji and Kuwait. Safe cams also won the Dombivali-Kalyan Smart City contract to fit 4G dash cameras into the police vehicles; this is the first-time dash cameras have been fitted in police vehicles in Maharashtra.
4. How are these products important in terms of safety, security and performance of a commercial vehicle or a fleet? What kind of cost savings could a fleet or trucker look at from the use of your product?
Our Advanced AI cameras can prevent accidents before they occur – thereby reducing accidents that would happen (and the less to high costs involved therein) mostly due to drowsy driving and speeding. Around 80 percent of accidents are caused because of these two factors in India.
Cameras act as a natural deterrent to prevent theft/stealing as people know they are being watched. In the 2019 BSI & TT Club report, India accounted for 64 percent of Asia’s cargo theft. Our fuel sensors and driving behaviour reports and rankings can help save up to 20 percent of a company’s fuel costs and lead to savings of several thousand for a truck or a fleet owner. Our products have an average ROI of 120 percent in year one after buying (with the average payback period being 10 months on the cost of our solution). These savings come from a reduction in accidents (both in insurance costs and with the vehicle being able to be utilised for longer), reduction in theft and fuel savings.
5. How is the market for your products picking up post the pandemic-led disruption?
We are experiencing an increase in enquiries about our cameras and how these can make road journeys safer. I think the pandemic has made more people risk adverse or at least risk aware, and hence safety products are seen as a priority now. Given that the number of road deaths in 2019 being even higher than the total number of Covid-19 deaths in 2020, this shows and is making people realise how poor road safety scenario is in India, and the urgent need to improve the same.
6. The pain the Covid-19 pandemic caused to the company?
The Covid-19 pandemic hit us hard. We had a few deals put on hold as companies were not willing to spend on capex due to the uncertain market situation. Our consumer range could not be sold much as people were working from home and vehicles were parked off due to lockdown restrictions. Once the first wave of lockdown ended, we saw a bit of an upswing, only to be replaced with another lockdown months later. We have had to look at working capital issues and have tried to keep smaller inventory to combat the uncertainty Covid brought.
7. What kind of growth do you anticipate? Will it be in any particular product offering or spread across?
I think once people become highly aware of the advanced nature of the product and the benefits it offers, we will see a sharp growth in the dash cam market. India is the fifth-largest automobile industry in the world, but less than one percent of people use a dash camera compared to other countries like Singapore, UK and Dubai where between 10-25 percent of drivers own a dash camera. Currently, there is a huge gap in the market, which we at Safe Cams want to fill.
8. What change in the automotive landscape do you anticipate, which will provide your company stronger growth traction?
In the future, road safety will become an extremely important factor for the government and stricter enforcement of traffic rules will lead to a high adoption of dash cameras being used. New technologies like DSM that can prevent accidents will become mandatory on commercial vehicles, following the EU and America. Further, video analytics will become more and more important and 5G networks will mean devices can communicate with each other faster – and this will mean we can reduce the human involvement or reduce the reaction times to avoid an accident.
- Hagerty UK
- Vehicle Excise Duty Exemption
- VED Exemption
- Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance
- Classic Cars
UK Chancellor Maintains Vehicle Excise Duty Exemption For Classic Cars
- By MT Bureau
- November 27, 2025
The UK's cherished classic car community can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. The decisive action by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget to maintain the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) exemption for vehicles over 40 years old has ended a prolonged period of uncertainty, securing a stable future for this vital sector. Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty UK, welcomed this clarity, noting that the confirmed freeze on fuel duty further solidifies a supportive environment for owners. He underscores that this is a significant win for the GBP-7.3-billion industry that supports over 100,000 jobs and contributes GBP 3 billion annually to the UK economy, all while championing an inherently sustainable form of motoring.
This perspective on sustainability is reinforced by Dale Keller, CEO of the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA), who affirms that the tax exemption logically aligns with environmental objectives. Classic vehicles, preserved as moving heritage, have a negligible lifecycle carbon footprint compared to new manufacturing and are driven infrequently. The original principle of the exemption remains valid, as applying a modern tax to these rarely used assets would be inequitable.
Alongside the VED news, the Chancellor confirmed the continuation of the MOT exemption for classic cars, though this will remain under review. On this point, Roper of Hagerty UK strikes a note of caution, observing that many within the industry advocate for an annual roadworthiness check. He notes that a great number of responsible classic owners voluntarily submit their vehicles for an MOT each year, valuing the independent assurance of safety and mechanical integrity it provides.
For Hagerty UK, as a specialist insurer deeply embedded in this world, the government’s affirmation is a powerful endorsement of the sector's cultural and economic value. Through its vibrant Clubhouse at Bicester Heritage and unique events like RADwood, Hagerty is actively fostering this passionate community. Similarly, the HCVA continues its mission to protect and promote the diverse ecosystem of specialists, restorers and businesses that form the backbone of this multi-billion-pound industry, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.
Mahindra Racing Extends Formula E Involvement With GEN4 Manufacturer Commitment
- By MT Bureau
- November 26, 2025
Mahindra Racing has solidified its long-term future in electric motorsport by confirming its manufacturer commitment to the GEN4 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, starting in 2026/27. This announcement, made during the unveiling of its new M12Electro race car in India, extends a relationship that began in 2013 when Mahindra stood as both a founding team and the first OEM to join the all-electric series.
The team's current trajectory underscores the significance of this pledge. Following a dramatic 18-month transformation under CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand, Mahindra Racing has evolved from a backmarker into a consistent front-runner. This resurgence was powered by the redesigned M11Electro, in which drivers Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara collectively secured five podium finishes in Season 11, catapulting the squad to a stellar fourth place in the world championship. The newly launched M12Electro is the intended vehicle to maintain this status as a top-five contender and a regular threat for podium positions in the forthcoming season.
The technical landscape for GEN4 promises to further electrify the sport. The next-generation cars will boast a peak race power of 450 kw, with a potent 600 kw available in ATTACK MODE to empower aggressive overtaking. Enhanced strategic possibilities will come from a race energy capacity of up to 55 kWh and a remarkable 700 kw of regenerative braking. In a continued commitment to sustainability, the GEN4 chassis will be produced from 100 percent recyclable materials and will feature two distinct aerodynamic configurations – high-downforce for qualifying and low-downforce for races – to optimise performance.
Mahindra's ambition is to leverage this new regulatory chapter to build on its renewed momentum, chase incremental gains and establish itself as a confirmed championship contender against elite manufacturers like Porsche and Jaguar. This competitive platform also serves a broader purpose, aligning with the Mahindra Group’s sustainability initiatives. The team, the first in Formula E to earn the FIA’s Three-Star Sustainability Accreditation, has embarked on its ‘Planet Positive’ programme. This initiative is dedicated to driving positive impact in communities and economies, accelerating climate solutions and using the intersection of sport and technology as a catalyst for a better future.
R Velusamy, Chairman, Mahindra Racing, said, "Mahindra Racing has always been a symbol of our commitment to the Race to Road journey – where cutting-edge innovation on the track directly shapes the clean, intelligent and high-performance mobility solutions we deliver to customers. Formula E is a powerful platform for innovating new technology, giving us the ability to experiment, learn and advance electric powertrain efficiency, sustainable materials and software intelligence. As we step into the GEN4 era, our ambition only grows stronger. Continuing this journey till 2030 is a testament to our belief in the sport, in electrification and in India’s role in leading global sustainable mobility. We are proud to champion this future, and GEN4 represents an exciting new chapter for Mahindra Racing and the Mahindra Group.”
Frederic Bertrand, Team Principal, Mahindra Racing, said, “I’m delighted to share this announcement that Mahindra Racing will remain in Formula E as a manufacturer for the GEN4 era. As a team, we have been on a fantastic journey over the past two seasons. What we have built and achieved as a group has been exceptional, and with this announcement, we now have the platform to keep growing and developing and achieve even greater success in the future. None of this would be possible without our colleagues across the Mahindra Group. They have bought into the project and the vision, and we will keep working hard to not only make India proud but also showcase exactly why it has the potential to be a major player on the world stage in the automotive and technology industries. Their enthusiasm to ‘Scream Electric’ is hugely inspiring to the whole team, and we will continue to represent them with pride in this next exciting chapter of our Formula E story in the coming years.”
Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said, “We’re thrilled to confirm Mahindra’s long-term commitment to the GEN4 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. As one of our founding teams, Mahindra has been with us since the very beginning, consistently championing electric racing and innovation. Their bold vision for sustainable mobility and continued investment in advanced EV technology perfectly align with Formula E’s mission. Mahindra’s enduring presence not only strengthens our position in a key market but also reinforces Formula E’s role as a global platform for driving positive change. We’re excited to see what they’ll achieve in this next chapter of performance and progress.”
Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA, said, “Following the GEN4 reveal and the really positive sentiment reported, we are pleased to announce Mahindra as the sixth manufacturer to commit to Formula E’s GEN4 era. This is testament to the relevance of the road map we are implementing in Formula E for OEMs. GEN4 underscores just how far the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has come since 2014 and we are looking forward to continuing this journey with Mahindra as one of the founding teams and partners.”
Mahindra Charts Aggressive Decade Of Growth Across Auto, Farm, CV And Last-Mile Mobility Businesses
- By MT Bureau
- November 21, 2025
Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate Mahindra Group has unveiled an ambitious long-term roadmap across its core mobility and equipment businesses, detailing plans for accelerated growth in the automotive, farm equipment, commercial vehicle and last-mile mobility segments.
The strategy, presented at its Investor Day 2025, underscores the Group’s intent to leverage India’s expanding economy while deepening global market participation.
Mahindra expects its consolidated automotive business to grow 8x between FY2020 and FY2030, driven primarily by a stronger push in sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs).
The company aims to become the world’s fastest-growing SUV brand. Its product strategy is rooted in new-age platforms such as INGLO and NU_IQ, enhanced digital architecture under MAIA and Adrenox, and continued investment in safety and performance.
At present, Mahindra holds more than 26 percent revenue share in India’s SUV segment as of the first half of FY2026. Strong consumer traction for models including the Thar, XUV700, XUV3XO and the Born Electric (BE) series is expected to support the company’s international expansion to right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive markets across Europe, Australia, Africa and other regions.
Strengthening leadership in LCV segment
The LCV business, where Mahindra commands 54.1 percent volume share in vehicles under 3.5 tonnes (as of H1 FY2026), is set to be another pillar of growth. The product range has broadened through the Supro, MaXX and Veero platforms, including CNG and electric variants. The company is also preparing for wider adoption of lifestyle pickups, led by the upcoming Global Pik Up.
Mahindra’s LCV strategy emphasises best-in-class total cost of ownership, reduced downtime, enhanced comfort and technology integration, with the segment also targeted for eightfold revenue growth during the decade.
Farm business
Mahindra, the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume, has outlined plans for threefold revenue growth in its farm equipment division between FY2020 and FY2030.
The Indian tractor market has continued to shift towards higher horsepower models, particularly in the 40–50 HP range. Mahindra aims to consolidate share in this segment through newer platforms including Yuvo Tech+, Swaraj Protek and Next-Gen ranges. Improvements in crop profitability and a more favourable price environment for tractors are expected to support industry expansion.
Mechanisation levels in India remain uneven, with significant headroom in sowing, crop care and harvesting equipment. Mahindra is expanding its farm machinery portfolio while leveraging its extensive dealer network and manufacturing footprint. The division, already a business exceeding INR 10 billion, is poised for rapid scaling.
Mahindra continues to build presence in key global markets:
- Brazil: 8 percent share in the sub-120 HP category, and about 20 percent in sub-50 HP
- North America: more than 10 percent share in sub-20 HP; upcoming launches to deepen penetration
- ASEAN: early progress with about 4 percent share in pilot territories
Electrification, autonomy, precision agriculture and pay-per-use technology services form the next frontier for Mahindra’s farm business.
Targeting Top-Three Position in ILCVs
Following the acquisition of SML Isuzu, Mahindra is advancing a strategy to be among the top-three player in India’s intermediate and light commercial vehicle (ILCV) market. The domestic CV industry is projected to grow from approximately INR 15,000 billion in FY2025 to nearly INR 20,000 billion by FY2031, supported by infrastructure development, logistics modernisation and GST-driven reforms.
Mahindra aims to expand its presence in ILCVs, while pursuing a selective play in the heavy commercial vehicle category. The strategy benefits from combined advantages across product development, sourcing, aggregates, telematics and network coverage. The company expects up to sixfold revenue growth in its CV business during the decade.
Last-Mile Mobility
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility (MLM) is shaping an aggressive electrification-led growth plan, targeting sixfold revenue expansion and a cumulative one million electric vehicles on the road by 2031. EV sales climbed to 78,678 units in FY2025, led by the Treo series, which remains India’s top-selling electric three-wheeler.
The division has:
- Strengthened its engineering capabilities with a 400-member product development team
- Commissioned a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Telangana
- Expanded production capacity two-fold
- Developed proprietary battery, motor and telematics systems
The product roadmap includes advanced electric three-wheelers and electric four-wheelers tailored for last-mile applications, along with plans to expand exports to more than ten markets. Mahindra’s EV fleet has cumulatively saved over 300 million litres of fuel and prevented more than 185 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Across all mobility segments, Mahindra’s plan is anchored in product leadership, technology integration, capital discipline and global expansion. A stronger focus on electrification, platform consolidation, digital interfaces, manufacturing efficiency and customer-centric service models is expected to underpin the Group’s growth trajectory.
- Murugappa Group
- Arunachalam Vellayan
- Coromandel International
- EID Parry
- EXIM Bank
- Kanoria Chemicals & Industries
- Indian Overseas Bank
Murugappa Group’s Former Chairman Arunachalam Vellayan Passes Away At 72
- By MT Bureau
- November 18, 2025
Chennai-based conglomerate Murugappa Group has announced the passing of Arunachalam Vellayan (1953–2025) following an illness.
Vellayan was the Chairman Emeritus of Coromandel International and the Former Chairman of the Murugappa Group. He is survived by his wife, Lalitha Vellayan, his sons, Arun Vellayan and Narayanan Vellayan, and his grandchildren.
The Former Chairman dedicated several decades to the Group, providing strategic direction across its businesses. His approach to value creation helped strengthen and expand the Group, contributing to its reputation as a respected conglomerate.
He served on the Boards of various Murugappa Group companies, including as Chairman of Coromandel International and EID Parry.
Outside the Group, he served on the Boards of entities such as Kanoria Chemicals & Industries, EXIM Bank and Indian Overseas Bank.
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