Motul India presented a comprehensive vision for the future of automotive fluids at SIAT Expo 2026, centred on innovation, sustainability and supporting the industry’s technological transition. The company’s exhibition was built around the event’s core theme of pioneering safe and sustainable mobility, demonstrating a strategic commitment to evolving alongside new vehicle architectures.

A cornerstone of this vision is the development of fluids for new propulsion systems. A keynote address by Dr Julien Plet, Global Head of R&D, elaborated on the critical role of innovative fluids for next-generation mobility. The company showcased its E-Gen series, engineered for the thermal management of electric vehicle components like motors, batteries and power electronics, positioning it as a critical solution for evolving electrified mobility. Simultaneously, for alternative fuels, Motul presented specialised lubricant formulations for hydrogen internal combustion engines, reflecting early and active research into diverse energy sources. This dual focus underscores a readiness to support the industry’s broad technological transition.

Further solidifying its technical credibility, Motul emphasised its race-to-road development philosophy. The exhibit featured OEM-validated products, including a lubricant with formal Mercedes-Benz approval and another born from collaboration with Toyota Racing Development. These examples illustrate how the company leverages the extreme demands of motorsport as a dynamic proving ground for future commercial technologies, rather than for immediate market launch.

Integral to its presentation was a strong sustainability narrative, exemplified by the NGEN lubricant range. This product line utilises base oils derived from re-refined materials, embodying circular economy principles and a long-term commitment to reducing environmental impact through responsible resource use.

Ultimately, by participating in the expo, Motul India reinforced its role as an innovation-led partner to the automotive ecosystem. With a robust global research backbone and deep industry relationships, the company showcased its structured approach to developing high-performance, sustainable fluids tailored to meet the specific demands of the Indian market as it advances.

Dr Plet said, “Motul’s research and development teams across geographies continue to focus on advancing lubricant performance for existing powertrains while developing technologies aligned with future mobility needs and local market conditions.”

Nagendra Pai, CEO, Motul India & South Asia, said, ‘’SIAT Expo is a key platform for future mobility, and Motul is proud to showcase its global innovation strength in India. By combining advanced technologies with local adaptability, Motul is ready to lead solutions across electrification, sustainability and alternative fuels.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has selected six startups from the 10th Cohort of its flagship Accelerator Program to co-create advanced business solutions.

The selected companies have been awarded paid Proof of Concepts (PoCs) to develop AI-based and technology-driven tools aimed at enhancing plant safety, streamlining product development and improving customer engagement.

The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Startup India’ program, providing growth-stage startups with mentorship and access to real-world industrial environments to scale their innovations.

The six start-ups selected include Goat Robotics, which is working on safe and efficient movement of materials within facilities. SheerDrive, which provides a real-time, market-linked used car price visualiser for transparent valuations. Schijnenn Digital is working on technologies to shorten the product design and development cycle. GenbaNEXT, an advanced material traceability system to support circular economy and recycling efforts. Swayatt Drishtigochar that provides predictive maintenance and safe operation of industrial equipment. And Swiftex, a sales assistance platform to help dealer executives engage customers more efficiently.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “As our operations continue to grow, the solutions that we are co-creating with these startups will enable us to further improve safety in our plants, help reduce product design and development lead time, and strengthen material traceability.”

Over the last seven years, Maruti Suzuki’s innovation programs have screened more than 6,800 startups. To date, the company has engaged with over 250 startups, and 34 have been officially onboarded as business partners. The company currently operates four distinct programs to support the startup ecosystem at various stages:

Accelerator: Focuses on growth-stage startups for co-creating technological solutions.

Incubation Program: Early-stage support in partnership with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore.

Mobility Challenge: For mature-stage startups to showcase cutting-edge mobility tech.

Nurture: A pre-incubation program for idea-stage entrepreneurs.

The integration of these new technologies, particularly in circularity and predictive maintenance, is expected to make Maruti Suzuki’s manufacturing and sales operations more future-ready as the company expands its production capacity in India.

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SPARX Group Co., (SPARX) has announced the establishment of the Mirai Creation Fund IV (Fund IV), with initial capital from major Japanese financial institutions and Toyota Motor Corporation. The fund targets total commitments of JPY 100 billion by March 2027 and is scheduled to begin investment operations in June 2026.

The fund marks a strategic evolution from its predecessors by integrating the investment scope of the Space Frontier Fund into the Mirai Creation framework. Consequently, Fund IV will focus on four key technology categories: Intelligent Technologies (including AI), Robotics, Carbon Neutrality and Space.

Fund IV is backed by five core participating companies – Toyota Motor Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank and SPARX – with an initial combined investment of approximately JPY 15 billion. The fund will be managed by SPARX Asset Management Co, a subsidiary of SPARX.

The fund aims to accelerate innovation by investing in unlisted venture companies, both within Japan and internationally, that possess transformative technologies. The inclusion of Space as a core category reflects a broader strategic integration, following the 2024 launch of the Space Frontier Fund II, aimed at leveraging space-related technologies to drive terrestrial growth and sustainability.

This move continues a decade-long partnership between SPARX and Toyota, which began with the first Mirai Creation Fund in 2015. Since then, the funds have raised over JPY 177 billion and invested in more than 150 companies globally, focusing on technologies that address critical social issues and promote human well-being

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced the launch of DesignXathon 2026, the second edition of its flagship automotive design challenge.

The competition is open to students from Indian and global design institutes based in India, offering a platform to showcase futuristic mobility concepts.

The theme for this year's challenge is ‘Envision an iconic vehicle, Gen Z and Alpha aspire to own in 2036.’ Participants are tasked with designing a vehicle tailored for the 2035-2040 period, focusing on lifestyle relevance, sustainability and the integration of design philosophy with emerging technology.

DesignXathon 2026 will have cash rewards of up to INR 450,000, the winners have the opportunity to secure a 6-month internship with the Maruti Suzuki design team. The top 25 shortlisted teams will receive direct mentorship from experienced automotive design professionals. The last date for application submission is 13 July 2026.

The inaugural 2025 edition saw participation from over 400 students across 70 institutes, with winners emerging from the MIT Institute of Design, VIT Vellore and Strate School of Design. Currently, eight students from the first edition are undergoing internships with the company.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Automotive design goes far beyond aesthetics; it is a blend of innovation, creativity, and fresh perspectives. I strongly believe that young minds play a pivotal role in challenging conventional design thinking and shaping the future of mobility. Through DesignXathon, we aim to nurture emerging talent and lay the foundation of a strong design ecosystem in India.”

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a transformative vision for India’s automotive and energy landscape, urging a strategic pivot toward alternative fuels and improved logistics to shield the economy from global volatility.

The Prime Minister was addressing a significant gathering in Telangana on Sunday, speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia energy crisis.

He emphasised that India’s automotive sector is central to navigating current geopolitical headwinds and highlighted the ‘unprecedented progress’ in ethanol blending, positioning it as a cornerstone of India’s sequential energy diversification strategy.

The Prime Minister detailed the government’s evolution in fuel management, noting that the initial push for universal LPG coverage has paved the way for a more sophisticated energy mix.  

The government is aggressively promoting CNG-based transport systems nationwide to provide a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to traditional liquid fuels.

"The need of the hour is to use petrol, gas, and diesel with great restraint," Modi asserted, framing energy conservation as a matter of national security. He noted that judicious consumption is essential to ‘save foreign currency and reduce the adverse effects of war crises.’

On the infrastructure front, the Prime Minister underscored the massive INR 1,750 billion allocation toward National Highway development. This 12-year investment trajectory has yielded significant results for the automotive and logistics sectors, particularly in southern India.

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