Haryana-headquartered Neolite ZKW Lightings, an automotive lighting manufacturer, has filed a Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an initial public offering (IPO).

The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth up to INR 4 billion and an offer for sale (OFS) of INR 2 billion by existing shareholders, including Rajesh Jain, Neokraft Global Private and ZKW Group.

The company intends to allocate the net proceeds from the fresh issue to expansion and financial goals. This includes a new greenfield facility at an estimated investment of INR 1.5 billion in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. An estimated INR 790 million towards plant, machinery and electronic expansion at current sites. Furthermore, INR 650 million towards repayment or prepayment of borrowings.

Founded in 1992, Neolite ZKW holds a 34.43 percent market share in India's commercial vehicle lighting segment for FY2025. The company maintains a strategic alliance with the ZKW Group, a subsidiary of LG Electronics.

The company operates three manufacturing units in Bahadurgarh and Pune, serving over 40 OEMs including Tata Motors, Stellantis and Daimler. Its portfolio includes 830 SKUs, with a focus on LED and electric vehicle (EV) lighting solutions.

For FY2025, the company reported INR 5.12 billion in revenue, of which exports contributed 55.08 percent share. The net profit for FY2025 came at INR 528.24 million, as against INR 155.85 million in FY2023. The order book as of 31^st October 2025, stands at INR 1.71 billion.

At present, the company exports to over 50 countries, including regions in North America and Western Europe, positioning it as a significant Indian exporter of automotive components.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has released the retail sales data for January 2026, which saw the overall industry report a healthy 17.61 percent growth over January 2025.

Last month, a total of 2.72 million vehicles were sold, as compared to 2.31 million vehicles a year ago, and 2.02 million in December 2025. Barring construction equipment (-21.09 percent YoY), all segments posted a healthy growth.

Two-wheeler sales in the country grew by 20.82 percent YoY to 1.85 million units, which saw rural markets contributed 56 percent of this volume, while urban demand grew by 22.19 percent, indicating a recovery beyond festive periods. The passenger vehicle sales at 513,475 units, up 7.22 percent YoY was primarily driven by rural demand at 14.43 percent, as compared to 2.75 percent growth witnessed in the urban segment.

Commercial Vehicles segment grew 15.07 percent to 107,486 units, which saw Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) grow by 14.94 percent YoY and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) by 14.61 percent YoY, driven by replacement demand and infrastructure projects.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “January’26 has delivered a strong, broad-based start to the calendar year, with overall vehicle retail at 27,22,558 units, registering 17.61 percent YoY. The growth was powered by continued post-GST momentum, healthy rural cashflows on the back of harvest and weddings and sustained demand visibility across mobility and freight.”

Growth to remain positive

The outlook for February 2026 remains positive, with 72.56 percent of dealers expecting continued growth. Market sentiment is supported by the recent Budget’s focus on infrastructure and agriculture, alongside stable interest rates.

For the February-April period, 79.70 percent of dealers anticipate growth. Two-wheeler demand is expected to be sustained by wedding season purchases and EV adoption, while commercial vehicle sales are predicted to benefit from financial year-end buying and infrastructure activity. Potential constraints include model-specific supply shortages and possible disruptions related to upcoming elections in select states.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held the 20th Styling & Design Conclave and the 18th Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) in Goa on the theme of ‘Collaborative Creativity: Building India’s Mobility Design Ecosystem’.

The event gathered designers, industry experts and academics to discuss vehicle aesthetics, form and consumer expectations. During the event, SIAM launched a white paper titled ‘Evolution of Automotive Design in India.’

The conclave focused on the necessity of building design capabilities through partnerships between the automotive industry and academic institutions.

The 18th edition of the ADC featured 53 students from various design colleges. Participants presented concepts focused on future mobility needs, providing a platform for entry-level designers to showcase innovation in vehicle styling.

Speakers across two sessions addressed the integration of aesthetics with functionality, material innovation and sustainability. Discussions highlighted the shift toward design-led differentiation in the Indian market.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “Meaningful mobility solutions emerge from the confluence of sustainability, desirability, and affordability. These three essential pillars that must work together to address local needs while aligning with evolving environmental priorities.”

G Sathiyaseelan, Chairman, SIAM Styling & Design Group and Design Director, Ashok Leyland, said, “Understanding user experience must go beyond acknowledging problem areas and be rooted in empathy and a solution-driven mindset, with a clear focus on enabling gender-sensitive transportation and strengthening last-mile connectivity to create truly inclusive mobility solutions.”

Andreas Kurbos, Founder & CEO, StudioKurbos, added, “As design continues to evolve globally, India’s story can achieve stronger resonance by drawing from its rich culture and legacy. With design tools becoming increasingly democratised, identity becomes a powerful differentiator, making it essential to deeply understand audiences and co-create distinctive user experiences, while strengthening design education to shape the future of design.”

Saurabh Singh, Co-Chairman, SIAM Styling & Design Group and Senior VP, Maruti Suzuki India, added, “Shaping India through thought-provoking and emotionally engaging dialogue is essential to spark deeper conversations and meaningful action, and the country must set its sights on a bolder, more ambitious vision for its automotive future.”

The sessions included contributions from design leads at Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Stellantis, Royal Enfield, Greaves Electric Mobility and Kiska. Topics included the use of bio-sourced polymers, digital modelling and the development of next-generation styling for electric vehicles.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kia Connect has named Olivier Pascal as President and Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 January 2026. He brings over 15 years of automotive industry expertise to the position, having most recently acted as General Manager of Connected Cars, where he led European initiatives for connected vehicle experiences and data development. His career includes leadership across engineering, sales, marketing and technology functions at various dealership, regional and global levels. In his new capacity, Pascal will oversee the company’s connectivity, digital, data and charging strategies, emphasising customer experience, innovation and sustainable growth throughout Europe.

This leadership transition sees Marc Hedrich and Pablo Martínez Masip departing from their positions as President & CEO and COO, respectively. During their tenure, they were instrumental in driving strategic and operational performance across European markets. Hedrich moves to the role of President for Kia France, while Martínez Masip continues as Vice President of Product and Marketing at Kia Europe.

Kia Connect is dedicated to enhancing the customer journey through a fully integrated digital ecosystem, which now supports nearly two million users. The platform combines connected car services, digital mobility solutions and charging infrastructure, aligning with Kia’s broader shift towards software-defined and electrified mobility. Central to this ecosystem is the Kia App, launched last May, which consolidates connectivity, charging and ownership services into one interface. The app provides features such as remote status checks, vehicle diagnostics and charging control, with regular over-the-air updates introducing continual improvements informed by user feedback.

A recent December update introduced a 3D visualisation feature for the EV9 model, allowing drivers to view an accurate digital representation of their own vehicle’s configuration, including exterior colour and wheel design. This addition aims to create a more intuitive and tangible connection between the driver and their car through the app. Following an evaluation period, Kia intends to extend this 3D visualisation to other electric vehicle models in 2026.

Pascal said, “Kia Connect’s mission is to make every driving and charging journey smarter, safer, more convenient and more personal. In 2026, we will deliver tangible value for our B2C and B2B customers and partners, higher-quality features, a truly personalised digital experience, scalable B2B services and a robust charging solution. By combining innovation, unique customer experiences, responsible data use and operational rigour, we will build sustainable growth and a platform that supports Kia brand differentiation and business success in Europe.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Caterham and Motul have solidified their ongoing collaboration with a new long-term agreement, blending Caterham’s focus on lightweight sports cars with Motul’s extensive expertise in advanced lubrication, honed over more than a century and a half. The alliance was celebrated publicly at Rétromobile 2026 in Paris, where a 2005 K-Series and a 2025 Super Seven 2000 were displayed on Motul’s stand. Under the renewed partnership, every new Caterham Seven produced at the company’s Dartford headquarters will leave the factory using Motul lubricants, spanning all models from the road-going 170 to each race car competing in the five Caterham Motorsport UK Championships.

Further deepening the relationship, Motul will take on the role of title sponsor for the Caterham Seven Championship UK in 2026, the brand’s premier national racing series. Known globally for its high-performance, motorsport-oriented fluid solutions, Motul brings decades of experience supporting automotive reliability and competitive success. Its technical innovation and research capabilities, proven through partnerships with major events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally, ensure that its products meet the most demanding requirements, making Motul a natural and strategic partner for Caterham’s engineering and racing ambitions.

Ali McColl, Global Head of Marketing, Caterham, said, “This partnership is a significant milestone for Caterham, aligning our brand with a world-renowned leader in lubricants and fluid technology, reinforcing our commitment to performance across both our road and race cars. Motul brings a depth of experience in performance and efficiency that few other partners can offer. This agreement also marks an exciting new chapter for Caterham Motorsport. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, we are proud to unveil the Motul Caterham Seven Championship UK as the new name for the pinnacle of Caterham racing in the UK.”

Andreea Culcea, Chief Brand & Communication Officer, Motul, said, “We are proud to renew our partnership with Caterham, a brand renowned for its exceptional sports car expertise. Since 2019, our collaboration has been driven by shared values of performance, craft and precision. At Motul, we are developing tailor-made solutions designed to unlock the full potential of our partners’ machines. Working alongside a manufacturer like Caterham, where hand-crafted, limited-production cars are born from deep engineering know-how and passion, reflects our vision of authentic partnerships.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!