BASF Coatings has released its latest Color Report for Automotive OEM Coatings, revealing a shift in global vehicle colour preferences for 2025. The data indicates that green has become the fastest-growing chromatic colour, while gray has increased its share within the achromatic category.

The report finds that while white remains the dominant choice in India, there is a growing shift towards individual expression. Globally, the report identifies green as the fastest-growing chromatic colour and gray as a primary riser in the achromatic category.

According to the report, Indian consumers continue to favour white for its traditional appeal and resale value, yet nature-inspired aesthetics are gaining traction. Green now ranks among the top three chromatic colours globally, trailing only blue and red. While blue dropped by one percentage point and red declined to 3 percent of the total market, green continued a steady rise. Gray recorded an increase of two percentage points worldwide, whereas white saw a slight decline in other markets despite its stronghold in India. Solid finishes have also decreased globally, now representing 18 percent of the total market.

Florina Trost, Head of Design EMEA, BASF Coatings, said, “The green trend was already making waves in EMEA a few years ago. Different shades have been featured in our Automotive Color Trends collection, hinting at the huge variety of shades we see fitting to this movement today.”

The Americas showed an increase in chromatic paints by nearly two percentage points. While red and blue remain historically significant in this region, colours such as green, beige, brown and violet are gaining momentum.

Mark Gutjahr, Global Head of Automotive Color Design, BASF Coatings, said, “In 2021, brown and beige have been key colours of our trend collection. The sales now validate these early predictions and illustrate, how long-term trends continue to shape the market.”

In the Asia Pacific region, gray is trending upwards as white declines. Green is expanding its presence with a range extending from light tones to natural shades.

Chiharu Matsuhara, Head of Automotive Color Design for Asia Pacific, BAF Coatings, said, “In our past trend forecast, we have introduced a solid-like gray with subtle colour interference and highlighted an urban nuance green for adaptability. Today, gray strengthens while green expands across the region.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

American auto major General Motors and Chinese automotive major SAIC Motor have extended their joint venture agreement for 20 years, completing the renewal one year ahead of schedule, as per media reports.

The agreement enables the 50-50 joint venture, SAIC-GM, to continue operations through 2047. Formed in 1997, SAIC-GM has manufactured and delivered more than 20 million vehicles in China, which serves as General Motors' second-largest market behind the United States.

Under the extended agreement, SAIC-GM plans to introduce more than 30 hybrid and electric vehicle models in China by 2030 to expand its vehicle line-up.

John Roth, General Motors Senior Vice-President and President of GM China, said the extension reflects both sides' confidence in the long-term potential of the partnership.

GM China recorded second-quarter sales exceeding 357,000 units.

General Motors operates two joint ventures in China with SAIC Motor: the SAIC-GM entity and SAIC-GM-Wuling, a partnership involving SAIC Motor and Guangxi Automobile Group.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Mahindra Tractors, the leading tractor brand in India and a key entity within the Mahindra Group, has inaugurated a vibrant new brand campaign specifically for the Punjab market. The initiative, titled ‘Duniya Vich Ikko Lalkaar’, was formally launched at a Chandigarh event, headlined by the release of a high-energy music video named ‘Oh Ho Ho Ho’. This contemporary track is a reimagination of Sukhbir Singh’s iconic 1999 hit, ‘Ishq Tera Tadpave’.

The newly released video is a cinematic tour across Punjab, designed to visually represent the scale, advanced technology and robust power of Mahindra’s agricultural machinery. It features prominent artists, including the celebrated ‘Prince of Bhangra’, Sukhbir Singh, alongside rapper and director Parmish Verma. This launch serves as the initial phase of a larger, multi-platform campaign intended to resonate with local audiences by celebrating regional pride and a forward-looking mindset.

At its core, the campaign aims to honour the ambitious and entrepreneurial character of Punjab’s populace while underscoring the brand’s substantial legacy and deep ties to the region. The initiative recognises Punjab’s status as a globally significant agrarian hub and seeks to reinforce the trust that Mahindra has cultivated with local farmers through decades of collaborative growth and mutual progress.

This enduring relationship has allowed Mahindra to stay attuned to the evolving agricultural demands of the state. The company’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by its award-winning tractor platforms, including the NOVO, ARJUN and YUVO TECH+ series. These machines are specifically engineered to provide the power, performance and durability necessary to support the highly progressive farming economy prevalent across Punjab.

Parikshit Ghosh, Sr Vice President & Head – Marketing & National Business Operations, Mahindra Tractors, said, “Mahindra Tractors is a global brand born in India, trusted by farmers across markets and recognised for its power, technology and performance. Through Duniya Vich Ikko Lalkaar, we are celebrating the shared spirit of ambition, confidence and global influence that defines both Mahindra Tractors and Punjabi music. This is an expression of our global offerings, bringing together culture and creativity to connect with audiences in a way that is contemporary and unmistakably Punjabi.”

Sukhbir Singh said, "Growing up, Mahindra Tractors was a common sight on farms, and over the years I have watched this brand become a global success story while staying deeply connected to Indian farming. This journey of Mahindra Tractors resonates strongly with me personally. I am delighted to collaborate with this powerful brand on Duniya Vich Ikko Lalkaar. It was exciting to recreate my song with these campaign lyrics that celebrate the passion, pride and global influence that both Punjab and Mahindra Tractors share."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to introduce Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in motor vehicles across India.

Under the proposed regulatory schedule, vehicles in categories L, M and N manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 that are fitted with V2V hardware must comply with Automotive Industry Standard 230 (AIS-230). Compliance and mandatory installation of V2V communication systems conforming to AIS-230 will be required for all manufactured vehicles in categories L, M and N from 1 October 2028.

V2V systems enable vehicles to exchange data regarding speed, position, direction and acceleration. The technology provides alerts for safety scenarios including emergency braking, forward collision risks, lane changes and approaching emergency vehicles beyond line-of-sight visibility, acting alongside Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The technical framework operates on Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology utilising the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency spectrum. The Department of Telecommunications exempted this frequency band from licensing requirements via notification G.S.R. 466(E) on 10 June 2026, following recommendations from a dedicated Intelligent Transportation Systems task force.

The AIS-230 standard was finalised following the 56th meeting of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules Technical Standing Committee on 7 May 2026. The standard defines requirements for factory-installed On-Board Units, covering radio performance, receiver sensitivity, Global Navigation Satellite System positioning accuracy, electromagnetic compatibility, cybersecurity provisions and power supply operations. The framework also supports safety alerts including Emergency Brake Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Wrong-way Driving and Emergency Vehicle Alert.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German steel and technology group Salzgitter has agreed to sell its subsidiary Klockner DESMA Elastomertechnik to German-French industrial group NAME & MAWI Partners S.A.S. (NMP). The transaction forms part of Salzgitter's corporate portfolio adjustments under its ‘Salzgitter AG 2030’ strategy.

The company has not disclosed the financial terms of the transaction, while the completion of the sale is expected in autumn 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Headquartered in Fridingen, Baden-Württemberg, Klockner DESMA Elastomertechnik operates within Salzgitter's Technology Business Unit. Founded in 1965, the company manufactures injection moulding machines for rubber and silicone products, employing more than 500 people globally. Its product scope includes mould systems, cold runner systems and automation equipment used across automotive manufacturing, power distribution, medical technology and infrastructure sectors.

Gunnar Groebler, CEO, Salzgitter, said, "The decision to sell Klockner DESMA Elastomertechnik follows a careful strategic review and forms part of the group’s consistent portfolio management.”

The idea is to advance the implementation of its 2030 Group strategy while creating long-term and sustainable prospects for its portfolio companies.

Groebler noted that Salzgitter is convinced Klockner DESMA Elastomertechnik will have ‘strong conditions for further development under its new owner, NMP.’

He concluded that the transaction ‘benefits both the company and its employees by providing a clear vision for the future.’

NMP, headquartered in Weil der Stadt, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, operates 10 companies with 500 employees across Germany, France, Switzerland and Slovakia. The group specialises in splitting, skiving and cutting machinery for materials used in the leather, rubber, footwear and packaging sectors.

Narith Meksavanh, CEO, NMP Group, said that group’s strategic focus on quality and customer service has supported steady growth over the past decade.

He added that NMP is seeking to ‘expand production capacity and strengthen its international sales network in order to meet growing customer demand.’

The acquisition serves both as an opportunity and a solution that will help NMP address industrial challenges by using the capabilities available at DESMA’s locations.

The combined operations further strengthens its market position, particularly in high-growth markets such as the United States, India and China.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!