South Korean auto major Kia India and its supplier partners will invest USD 2 billion to establish a second manufacturing facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The new facility is scheduled to commence production in early 2030. It will add an annual installed capacity of 200,000 units, taking Kia India's combined production capacity beyond 600,000 units per year.

Spread across 465 acres for Kia and its suppliers, the facility will handle stamping, welding, painting and assembly operations for models across internal combustion engine and electric vehicle powertrains.

The project is expected to generate approximately 12,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, adding to the 24,237 personnel employed across the company's existing 945-acre plant, which holds a production capacity of 430,000 units annually. With the addition of this facility, cumulative investments by Kia and its suppliers across both plants in the state will reach USD 5 billion.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “India is central to Kia’s long-term growth ambitions, and the trust our customers have placed in us since we began operations in Anantapur has been instrumental in our journey. Our second manufacturing plant marks a significant new chapter, strengthening our ability to respond to customer demand with greater speed and flexibility, while supporting the introduction of new models across ICE and EV powertrains. As we enter our next phase of growth, we remain committed to contributing to India’s automotive ecosystem and building on the strong foundation we have created here. This will further expand our Made-in-India footprint, strengthening our ability to serve both domestic and overseas markets.”

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ContiTech is expanding its research and development capabilities at its Surface Solutions facility in Pune through investments in a dedicated Colour Lab and prototype development infrastructure, alongside the addition of four roles to its local engineering team. The company has also appointed Alok Pandey as Head of Plant Management Pune to oversee site operations.

The Colour Lab will handle colour development, colour matching, appearance evaluation and material testing for vehicle interiors. While primarily serving automotive manufacturers in India, the facility will also support development projects across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. Coupled with prototype testing equipment, the site will enable validation of surface materials for passenger cars and two-wheelers.

Alexander Scholz, Head of Business India, Surface Solutions at ContiTech, said, “India is a key growth market for our business and an important pillar of our long-term development strategy. As automotive manufacturers increasingly seek localised development support, faster response times and closer technical collaboration, these enhanced local capabilities will help us better support our customers' evolving needs. This investment reinforces our ‘In India, for India’ approach and reflects our confidence in the continued growth potential of the Indian automotive industry.”

Burak Uzel, Head of Design, Surface Solutions at ContiTech, said, “Automotive interiors have become a key differentiator for vehicle brands. Customers increasingly expect premium, comfortable and individualized interior experiences, while OEMs seek innovative and sustainable material solutions. This investment will strengthen our ability to develop and validate colour concepts locally, enabling closer collaboration with customers and supporting the next generation of interior design and material solutions for the Indian market.”

Jan-Philipp Behrndt, Head of Operations Automotive Plants, Surface Solutions at ContiTech, said, “The expertise and dedication of our local teams are key to our success. With the planned expansion of our R&D organization, enhanced technical capabilities and strong local leadership, Pune will continue to grow as an important contributor to our global innovation network. I am confident that the team's expertise and commitment will support our future growth and create additional value for customers.”

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ultraviolette Automotive is strengthening its senior leadership with the appointment of Abhijit Singh Brar as Head of Marketing.

In this role, Brar will oversee brand positioning, product launch strategies and demand generation as the electric motorcycle manufacturer expands its product portfolio across India and export markets.

Brar brings more than two decades of experience across consumer and automotive sectors. He previously spent over eight years at Royal Enfield, where he established the domestic marketing function and subsequently led marketing operations across Europe, North America, Australia, Latin America and Southeast Asia, managing product introductions and market entries.

Prior to joining Ultraviolette, he held marketing and business strategy positions at Lodha, following earlier brand and commercial leadership roles at Bacardi and Diageo.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette Automotive, said, "We are excited to welcome Abhijit to Ultraviolette at a significant stage in our growth journey. His role in shaping Royal Enfield's brand journey and supporting its successful expansion across global markets will be particularly valuable as we broaden our product portfolio and reach new segments of riders. Alongside his extensive experience across consumer industries, he brings a deep understanding of consumer aspirations and a proven ability to build brands at scale. We look forward to leveraging his expertise to further strengthen Ultraviolette's position and accelerate our next phase of growth in India and international markets."

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Maruti Suzuki India has concluded the second edition of DesignXathon, an automotive design competition for students. The event drew participation from over 450 students across more than 70 design institutes in India and abroad, who were tasked with creating concepts for a vehicle that Generation Z and Generation Alpha consumers would aspire to own in 2036.

Following evaluation rounds and mentorship sessions led by Maruti Suzuki's Design Studio personnel, 10 finalist teams presented 1:8-scale prototypes during the finale at the company's India Design Studio in Gurugram.

Team IED Torino won the competition, while teams from the National Institute of Design in Gandhinagar secured the first and second runner-up positions.

The three winning teams received cash prizes and six-month internships at Maruti Suzuki's India Design Studio, with teams ranked fourth through tenth eligible for internship consideration pending evaluation.

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Customer aspirations, lifestyles and automotive technology are evolving. I believe young minds, with their fresh perspectives and unconventional thinking, will play an important role in shaping the future of mobility. As the world’s third-largest passenger vehicle market, India has immense young talent and creative potential to shape the future of mobility. At Maruti Suzuki, we are committed to connecting this talent with the industry. Through DesignXathon, we aim to foster open innovation and collaboration, nurture emerging designers, and lay the foundation for a strong design ecosystem in India. I congratulate the winning teams for their innovative concepts, bringing together technology and sustainability and commend all participants for their creativity and enthusiasm.”

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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has appointed Martin Pohanka as its new Head of Design. He joined the brand in 2017 and has served as Head of Design Creation since 2023, overseeing interior, exterior, user interface, user experience and colour & trim development.

Pohanka studied industrial design at the Pforzheim University of Design and began his career as a freelance industrial designer in 1997. He joined Audi in 1998 before moving to Porsche in 2001 to work across interior and design functions, later serving as Chief Designer of Interior Creation at Jaguar Land Rover in the UK between 2015 and 2017.

His design portfolio includes the Porsche 911, Boxster, and Macan, the Land Rover Defender and Range Rover, as well as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models including the Multivan, ID. Buzz, Transporter generation and Amarok.

Karsten Franz, Head of Technical Development, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said, “Martin Pohanka knows our brand, our products and above all the specific requirements of our customers extremely well. He has already played a major role in shaping the design of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in recent years. With his extensive international experience and his clear understanding of how to combine functionality with emotional design, he is the right person to consistently evolve our design language.”

Stefan Mecha, CEO, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said, “Design is a crucial part of the identity of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Our vehicles have to work in everyday use and inspire at the same time. Martin Pohanka combines both. He knows the DNA of our brand and, together with his team, has already provided important impetus for our current products. I am delighted that he will take overall responsibility for design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles going forward.”

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