In what comes as good news for the Indian automotive industry, competitors trained by the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) secured five Medals for Excellence at the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September 2026.

The event featured more than 1,400 participants from 70 countries, with India fielding a contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skill categories. Team India recorded a Top 10 global finish with six Silver Medals and 20 Medals for Excellence overall. The ASDC prepared candidates through training programmes, hands-on practice, exposure visits and competitions organised in collaboration with industry and academic partners.

The ASDC-supported participants awarded Medals for Excellence were Pavan Bhadravati Suresha in Additive Manufacturing, Kaif Khan in Car Painting, Md Seraj in Automobile Technology, Mallinath and Suhan Mascarenhas in Industry 4.0 and Abhishek Somanna Shignalli alongside Vinay Muttayya Hiremath in Robot Systems Integration.

Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson, ASDC, said, "This stellar performance at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is a proud moment for ASDC and a testament to the immense talent of India’s youth. Winning Medals for Excellence across advanced automotive domains reflects our relentless commitment to aligning skill training with global standards. Our young champions have proved that Indian automotive talent is second to none."

Prasanna Pahade, CEO, ASDC, said, "Securing five Medallions across critical futuristic skills like Industry 4.0, Robotics, and Additive Manufacturing reaffirms the impact of ASDC's industry-aligned curriculum and intensive mentorship. The benchmark perfection demanded at WorldSkills validates our mission to build a future-ready workforce for the global mobility sector."

Training support for the participants was provided by industry organisations and institutes including Maruti Suzuki India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, FANUC India, Axalta Coating Systems India, Festo India, SHINING 3D, Autodesk, NAMTECH, International Automobile Centre of Excellence, NTTF and Synoptic Skills Studio.

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FORVIA and Great Wall Motor (GWM) have signed a global strategic cooperation agreement to expand their partnership beyond China into international markets.

The agreement encompasses collaboration across technological innovation, industrial operations, supply chain management, sustainability and workforce development. Under the framework, FORVIA will leverage its technology portfolio and manufacturing footprint across seating, clean mobility, electronics and lighting to support Great Wall Motor's international expansion. The partnership focuses on deploying localised production models and supply chain infrastructure across automotive markets globally.

Martin Fischer, CEO, FORVIA, said, "Chinese automakers are becoming major global players and are reshaping competitive dynamics across the industry. As they expand internationally, success will increasingly depend on the ability to combine local innovation with global execution. This is where FORVIA brings distinctive value. By combining Great Wall Motor’s growth ambitions with FORVIA’s technology leadership, industrial footprint and local-for-local execution model, we are creating a platform for long-term growth and innovation across the world's key automotive markets."

Zhao Guoqing, COO and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Great Wall Motor, said, "Globalisation is at the core of Great Wall Motor's strategy. We are continuously advancing our ecosystem-driven globalization and comprehensively strengthening our global operations and localised service capabilities. Having a partner that both understands the Chinese market and brings global industrial footprint and technology depth is essential to Great Wall Motor's global development. FORVIA has deep expertise across seating, clean mobility, electronics and lighting, and its ability to combine global footprint with local operations aligns closely with Great Wall Motor's development needs. We look forward to building on this agreement as a starting point to achieve deeper win-win cooperation in technology innovation, supply chain synergy and global market expansion."

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The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has named Mark Colson as its next President and CEO, with his appointment taking effect on 1 December 2026. Colson will become the 10th leader to hold the position since the organisation was founded in 1933.

Colson brings more than two decades of experience as a trucking association leader and advocate for motor carriers and industry professionals. He is expected to draw on that background to build lasting coalitions, recognise the contributions of trucking workers and unite the industry around a cause promoting the highest standards of professionalism.

Since 2019, Colson has led the Alabama Trucking Association as President and CEO, engaging with policymakers in Montgomery and Washington to advance industry priorities and highlight trucking's economic and supply chain significance. Previously, he held several leadership roles at the Business Council of Alabama, including Interim President, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs, and Chief of Staff, collaborating closely with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Within the ATA Federation, Colson has served on the Strategic Priorities Committee and the Truck PAC Board of Directors, as well as the American Transportation Research Institute's Research Advisory Committee. In July 2026, his state association peers elected him Vice Chairman of the Trucking Association Executives Council. He also chaired the TAEC task force that produced the seven-point Trucking Resurgence action plan, released in December 2025 to address regulatory gaps exploited by noncompliant carriers and unqualified drivers. Colson is a Huntingdon College graduate, where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for football, and holds an MBA from Troy University. He serves on Huntingdon College's Board of Trustees and Executive Committee.

Colson said, "This is a unique moment for ATA to make a renewed commitment to the trucking industry and the professionals who call our industry home. It's a commitment built first on earned trust, a sense of family and purpose, and an unrelenting passion to fight for the issues that matter most to trucking. The values that trucking leaders and professionals hold dear were instilled in me at an early age in my family's second-generation tyre shop, Blow-Out Tire Company, where I grew up changing truck tyres. They have followed me throughout my career fighting for the hard-working men and women throughout our industry, and it is a privilege to continue that fight alongside the team and members of ATA.

"State trucking associations and the dedicated staffs that support them are the boots on the ground when it comes to advancing and defending the trucking industry. It's been an honour to learn from my fellow state executives, and I'm excited to continue working with them to unleash the full strength of the Federation. We are on the verge of a trucking resurgence, but we must keep fighting and advocating as our industry leaders continue to climb out of one of the deepest and longest freight recessions in history. We must meet them where they are, listen to their concerns and do everything we can to help them and their people be successful."

Greg Hodgen, ATA Chairman and CEO of Groendyke Transport, said, "For more than 90 years, ATA's mission has been to give trucking a strong voice in the decisions that shape its future. Mark will build on that foundation, bringing fresh energy and a clear vision for advancing our industry's priorities and delivering even greater value for our members."

Derek Leathers, incoming ATA Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, said, "The decisions made in Washington don't stay in Washington. They affect how we operate, how we invest and how we serve our customers every day. Our industry needs a strong, unified voice at the table to make sure policymakers understand those realities and fight for policies that enable trucking to keep America moving."

Chris Maxwell, Chairman of TAEC and President and CEO of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, said, "Few trucking companies operate within the borders of just one state, which is why the ATA Federation matters so much. When bad ideas emerge in one state, they have an impact on motor carriers across the entire country. The partnership between ATA and the state associations is one of our industry's greatest strengths, and Mark understands firsthand what makes it so powerful."

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BendPak will stage an expansive dual-location exhibit at the 2026 SEMA Show, headlined by an opening-day outdoor tailgate in the Silver Lot at Booth #80043 on 3 November, beginning at 1 p.m. The centrepiece of that event is the global debut of the company’s Valor C10 custom truck, a build that merges classic C10 styling with contemporary engineering and supercharged performance. A live DJ, refreshments, giveaways and a roster of prominent automotive influencers will round out the tailgate atmosphere.

Beyond the truck reveal, BendPak is using both official SEMA locations to introduce a broad slate of lifting and garage equipment spanning its Ranger, QuickJack, Cool Boss, APEX, JackPak, MaxJax and Ergochair brands. Visitors to the Silver Lot display can examine the Valor C10 alongside the new products, while the Upper South Hall Booth #36129 inside the Las Vegas Convention Center offers hands-on demonstrations of next-generation shop solutions.

Among the outdoor highlights are the MaxJax MAX7 two-post lift, which now incorporates BendPak’s proprietary Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System and three additional inches of lifting height, along with MaxJax accessories such as a portable mounting base that eliminates the need for permanent anchors and a turf kit for lawn equipment. A preview of the forthcoming Mobi-EVS2600, the latest addition to BendPak’s EV battery pack and powertrain lift table line, will also be available.

The indoor showcase centres on the OctaFlex 12DPS, described as the only eight-arm two-post lift in the world, designed to streamline cab-off repairs, EV battery replacement and other demanding jobs and now shipping. BendPak is also presenting its APEX range of affordable, no-frills car lifts, ramps and wheel service equipment, together with Vortex bead seaters that simplify tyre bead seating even on changers lacking a built-in system.

Several products will appear at both locations. New BMW-specific AutoPucks join existing universal, Tesla and Corvette jack pad adapters engineered to engage OEM-recommended lifting points. QuickJack caster kits, the first OEM versions designed to ease movement and precise positioning of QuickJack lifts beneath vehicles, will also be displayed. SEMA-only pricing and ordering incentives on BendPak lifts and garage equipment are available throughout the week.

BendPak equipment will additionally support partner displays, custom builds and feature vehicles elsewhere on the show floor, including at Battle of the Builders and the SEMA FutureTech Studio. The SEMA Show runs 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the traditionally trade-only event opening to the public on 6 November.

Jeff Kritzer, President and CEO, BendPak, said, “Everyone on our team is a car and truck enthusiast, so when it came time to debut the Valor C10, we knew we had to drop the tailgate, put on some music and hang out with the community that inspires us. SEMA is all about spotlighting the coolest builds, but it’s also about equipping the shops that bring them to life. Alongside the truck, we’re bringing a massive lineup of new gear across both booths. For us, this week is about celebrating where custom car and truck culture is right now and showing where we’re taking equipment engineering next.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has partnered with the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) to open an automotive skill development centre at Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute in Kurla, Mumbai.

The initiative forms part of a four-centre regional programme spanning Mumbai, Faridabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata to train 360 candidates under corporate social responsibility (CSR) operations.

The Mumbai facility will provide training for 150 candidates across three job roles, covering four-wheeler service technology, service advisory and sales. The curriculum combines classroom instruction, practical training and workplace exposure delivered without financial cost to participants. Additional partners including the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) support the initiative to align workforce capabilities with dealership and retail requirements.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, said, "At Kia India, we view skill development as an important enabler of inclusive growth and long-term industry advancement. Our partnership with ASDC is aimed at creating meaningful pathways for young people by providing access to structured, industry-relevant training without any financial burden. By integrating classroom instruction with practical learning and workplace exposure, the programme will help candidates develop capabilities aligned with the evolving needs of the automotive sector. The initiative reflects our commitment to creating sustainable value for communities while contributing to a stronger and future-ready mobility ecosystem."

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