ContiTech, a Continental group sector, has officially introduced its new Reduced Dimension Spiral hydraulic hose series to the Asia-Pacific market. Designed specifically for construction, agricultural and mining machinery, this series aims to improve equipment efficiency through high-pressure capability, flexibility, a lightweight build and extended service life.

The hose incorporates a four- to six-layer spiral of high-tensile steel wire and an optimised synthetic rubber inner tube. This construction yields a more compact and lighter hose with a tighter bending radius, allowing for easier installation in space-constrained machinery like excavators and loaders. The reduction in weight and size contributes to lower system load and energy consumption while also simplifying logistics, installation and maintenance for improved efficiency across the value chain.

Engineered for extreme conditions, the series operates reliably in temperatures ranging from –40°C to +120°C. It maintains flexibility in deep cold and provides strong resistance to oil and swelling at high temperatures. A durable inner tube and weather-resistant cover ensure consistent performance in demanding settings, from arctic mines to high-temperature industrial plants, minimising environmental stress and the need for frequent maintenance.

The product line spans working pressures from 4,100 to 6,100 psi, complies with ISO 18752 CC class standards and carries MSHA flame-resistance certification, adhering to a 4:1 safety factor. This multi-pressure design allows equipment manufacturers to consolidate hose variants, simplifying inventory management, reducing storage costs and maintaining safety across diverse high-pressure uses. Standardisation further streamlines customer processes in assembly, procurement and upkeep.

Tailored for the Asia-Pacific region, the SRDS version features a reinforced synthetic rubber cover that excels in repeat bending applications. Its compound resists surface cracking in tough conditions, including low temperatures, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution. For more severe environments, the XRDS series includes an abrasion-resistant cover for enhanced protection against impacts, friction, and wear in mining, construction, and forestry, thereby extending service life and reducing downtime.

Aligning with its customer-focused approach, ContiTech applies its expertise in high-performance materials and manufacturing to provide safe, efficient and sustainable solutions. The company collaborates with industry partners to advance reliability, efficiency and sustainability across the construction sector.

Xin Song, Head of Mobile Industrial Solutions, Industrial Solutions APAC, ContiTech, said, “The construction, agriculture and mining industries are rapidly transforming towards greater reliability, lower emissions and smarter equipment systems. Leveraging over 150 years of materials expertise, ContiTech develops customer-centric solutions. The Reduced Dimension Spiral series was engineered with deep insights into industry challenges, delivering breakthroughs in lightweight design, space efficiency and extreme-environment adaptability while maintaining constant high-pressure performance. It helps customers reduce equipment load, improve energy efficiency and maximise value across the full equipment lifecycle.”

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German luxury and high-performance vehicle manufacturing company Porsche is reducing its Executive Board divisions from 8 to 7 as part of a strategic realignment. The Car-IT division will be suspended and integrated into the Research and Development division effective 1 July 2026. Dr Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development, will lead the expanded department.

Sajjad Khan, who managed the Car-IT division for two and a half years, will step down from the Executive Board on 19 June. He will continue to work with the company through a software partnership model.

During his tenure, Khan led the development of connectivity and infotainment systems, including the introduction of the Porsche Digital Interaction design language in the Cayenne electric. These technologies are being rolled out to other models, with specific versions for the Chinese market being developed in Shanghai.

The restructuring is intended to adapt the company to current market conditions and increase the speed of software development.

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, said, “Porsche is in a challenging phase of transformation. We need to realign the company and are consistently adapting our structures under the leadership of Dr. Michael Leiters to the changed circumstances — including at Executive Board level. I would like to thank Sajjad Khan for taking on responsibility for the company. We will continue to benefit from his professional expertise and in-depth knowledge of our structures in the future.”

Sajjad Khan, stated, “I am proud of what we have achieved as a team over the past two and a half years. In a constantly evolving market environment, however, it is essential to continuously review and adapt structures and processes. Porsche’s outstanding engineering expertise, combined with agile, results-driven software development, provides an excellent foundation for the future development of software components.”

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The 47th International Vienna Motor Symposium concluded at the Hofburg Palace, gathering 1,000 industry professionals and 50 exhibitors to discuss the future of propulsion. The event featured 100 presentations focused on achieving carbon neutrality through a range of technologies rather than a single solution.

A highlight of the symposium was the European premiere of China SAE’s Roadmap 3.0, a strategy charting China's automotive direction through to 2040. Professor Xiangyang Xu of Beihang University detailed the plan, which anticipates that 1/3rd of new vehicle registrations in 2040 will still feature electrified combustion engines.

Madame Ruiping Wang of Geely Auto supported this view, stating that every technological solution is required to reach neutrality goals.

In the electric vehicle segment, Mercedes-Benz demonstrated the range of the new EQS, completing a 620-kilometre journey from Stuttgart to Vienna with 21 percent battery charge remaining.

PowerCo SE, the battery subsidiary of Volkswagen, reported that serial production of its ‘standard cell’ began in Salzgitter in December 2025.

Stefan Pischinger of RWTH Aachen University projected that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) could reach a 45 percent global market share by 2035 under favourable conditions.

The symposium also highlighted advances in internal combustion engine efficiency and alternative fuels:

AVL List presented an engine achieving 48 percent thermal efficiency.

Porsche detailed a direct oil-cooling system for high-output electric motors in the Cayenne Electric Turbo.

Horse Powertrain introduced a petrol engine platform designed specifically for range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), a segment that saw 1.2 million sales in China last year.

Alpine CEO Philippe Krief discussed the potential revival of in-wheel motors.

Hydrogen remains a focus for both direct combustion and fuel cell applications. Professor Helmut Eichlseder of Graz University of Technology emphasised the importance of hydrogen research for industrial resilience.

Industry leaders expressed concerns regarding European competitiveness. Niklas Klingenberg of TRATON noted the need for harder work to remain competitive in Europe, while Matthias Zink of Schaeffler and CLEPA spoke on the challenges of navigating EU legislative environments. The 48th International Vienna Motor Symposium is scheduled for 21–23 April 2027.

Professor Bernhard Geringer, President of the organising Austrian Society of Automotive Engineers (OVK), and host for the annual symposium, said, “The big picture – from cradle to grave in terms of energy and propulsion – is what matters most.”

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Ferrari has secured the highest distinction from Germany’s Red Dot Award organisation, as the Ferrari SC40 earned the Red Dot: Best of the Best honour within the Product Design category. Additional triumphs for the Ferrari Amalfi, 849 Testarossa, 849 Testarossa Spider, 296 Speciale and 296 Speciale A further reinforced the manufacturer’s design prowess.

Now in its 72nd year, the Red Dot Award stands as a premier industrial design competition celebrating breakthrough work. Ferrari’s cumulative tally over the past 12 years has reached 35 Red Dot wins, a feat no other automaker has matched since the prize was established in 1955. Since 2015, the jury has presented Ferrari with 13 Best of the Best awards, including for the FXX-K, 488 GTB, Ferrari J50, Portofino, Monza SP1, SF90 Stradale, Daytona SP3, Purosangue, Vision GT, Roma Spider, 12Cilindri and 12Cilindri Spider, F80 and the SC40.

This year’s Best of the Best accolade also draws attention to the exclusivity and remarkable value of the Special Projects programme, where a limited number of clients work directly with Maranello’s designers and aerodynamicists to create a personalised One-Off Ferrari.

Visitors to the Museo Ferrari in Maranello can currently view the car’s full-scale styling buck, a key artifact from the design process. The display reveals how the model’s proportions and surfaces took shape before production, emphasizing the defining volumes and graphic details that give the vehicle its identity. The buck serves as a tangible bridge between the initial design phase and the final One-Off creation.

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Kia Europe has appointed Dante Zilli as Marketing Director, effective 1 May 2026. He will report to Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President of Product, Brand and Customer Experience. The move supports Kia’s ongoing electrification transformation.

Zilli will lead brand strategy and integrated campaigns across key customer touchpoints. His responsibilities include product launches, brand consistency and customer engagement. He brings international leadership experience in marketing, commercial operations and customer experience, having worked in six countries and several regional headquarters, offering strong insight into European market dynamics.

Zilli joined Kia Europe in 2021 as General Manager of Communications and then Customer Experience. He succeeds David Hilbert, who returned to Kia UK as Sales Director. Hilbert helped implement Kia’s brand transformation and ‘Plan S’ strategy in Europe, including campaigns for the EV6, Car of the Year 2022, and the PV5, International Van of the Year 2025, which also set a Guinness World Record.

Zilli said, “I am honoured to take on the responsibility of continuing to build the Kia brand in Europe, building on a period of strong product launches and sustained momentum. I look forward to further advancing our ‘Movement that Inspires’ philosophy to strengthen customer engagement and deliver increased value and relevance across European markets.”

Masip said “Dante combines international marketing expertise with a strong record within Kia Europe. His proven leadership across communications and customer experience ensures continuity in our marketing approach while further strengthening the alignment between brand, product and customer engagement across Europe.”

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