European automotive Group Stellantis recently hosted 300 suppliers in Paris to discuss its faSTLAne 2030 strategy. The convention included supplier partners, regional leadership and global purchasing executives, focusing on collaboration and execution for the European market.

The event outlined the company’s vision for growth and product renewal. Leaders stressed that achieving these goals requires accountability across the value chain.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO for Enlarged Europe & European Brands and Head of Stellantis Pro One, said, "Europe is entering a pivotal period as we execute our long-term strategy and bring an exciting wave of products and technologies to market. Success depends on our ability to execute together. Our suppliers are essential partners in that journey, helping us deliver the quality, innovation, and competitiveness our customers expect. By working as one team, we can strengthen our performance and position Stellantis for long-term success in Europe."

A recurring theme was the necessity of collaboration and communication between Stellantis and its supply base to support product launches and operations.

Monica Genovese, Chief Purchasing Officer, Stellantis, said, "Creating value starts with strong partnerships. Our suppliers are critical contributors to every vehicle, every launch, and every customer experience. We are committed to being a Customer of Choice by strengthening engagement, listening to feedback, and working together to solve challenges. The path to achieving our objectives is built on trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to execution."

Quality was identified as a core component of the business strategy, with leaders noting that suppliers influence the customer experience from production to long-term reliability.

Stephane Dubs, Senior Vice-President, Purchasing, Enlarged Europe, Stellantis, said, "Quality is a shared commitment across our entire ecosystem; it is not the responsibility of only one team or one organisation. Every decision we make impacts the customer experience. Together with our suppliers, we must continue to raise the bar on cost competitiveness, quality, responsiveness and execution to strengthen customer loyalty and ensure the success of our brands."

The convention offered suppliers direct access to the company’s purchasing teams to align on future priorities.

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Cars24, one of the leading vehicle buying and selling marketplaces, has removed its traditional levels, grades and job titles, replacing them with a structure called ‘Flatland’. Under this model, all employees share the title of ‘Builder’, shifting the focus from organisational rank to the problems they own and the outcomes they produce.

The company stated that this change is a response to the impact of AI on organisational structure. By removing hierarchy, Cars24 aims to improve decision-making and coordination.

Vikram Chopra, Builder at Cars24, said, “Hierarchy was one of humanity's greatest inventions. It helped organisations scale when information was scarce. AI fundamentally changes that equation. Today, intelligence and context are increasingly available to everyone. The role of an organisation is no longer to move decisions up and down layers. It's to help exceptional people solve exceptional problems together. Flatland is our attempt to build an organisation for that reality.”

Under Flatland, leadership is defined by execution and customer impact rather than position. Policies regarding benefits and assets are no longer linked to rank but to role requirements and universal benefits.

The company reports that it has tested this model over the past 18 months, resulting in a 50 percent YoY increase in revenue per employee in the second half of FY2026 and a contribution of nearly 300 basis points to EBITDA. Cars24 currently operates in India, the UAE and Australia, and reports reaching global profitability this year.

“We don't believe removing titles automatically creates a great culture. Culture comes from behaviour. Flatland simply removes the shortcuts that let people mistake position for contribution. We want the person closest to the problem to feel empowered to solve it regardless of where they joined or how long they've been here,” concluded Chopra.

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Germany-headquartered world’s largest chemical producer BASF has completed the transaction with Carlyle involving its coatings business, which now operates as Surventis.

The deal, which reached an enterprise value of EUR 7.7 billion, concluded on 30 June 2026 following regulatory approval with BASF receiving pre-tax cash proceeds of approximately EUR 5.8 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, BASF retains a 40 percent equity stake in Surventis, which includes the automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment operations. This transaction, combined with the divestiture of the decorative paints business in 2025, values the former Coatings division at EUR 8.7 billion.

Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, said, “This successful closing marks a key milestone in the execution of our Winning Ways strategy aimed at unlocking the value of our standalone businesses. By holding a 40 percent equity stake, we will continue to participate in the future value creation of the coatings business while sharpening BASF’s strategic focus.”

Anup Kothari, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE, added, “We are convinced that the new ownership structure provides an excellent foundation for future profitable growth of Surventis. We wish the former BASF Coatings employees every success as they move forward into their future as an independent company.”

BASF has accounted for the coatings business as discontinued operations since September 2025. From July 2026, the 40 percent stake in Surventis will be treated as a financial investment accounted for using the equity method.

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Pune-headquartered global product engineering and digital services company Tata Technologies and automotive component supplier Tenneco have signed an agreement to expand their partnership, committing to technical development and digital innovation.

The collaboration, which began in 2021, is based at Tata Technologies’ Global Engineering Center in Pune. It focuses on product development and operations through the use of engineering, digital technologies, and AI.

The agreement was signed by Jon Bagrosky, Chief Administrative Officer of Tenneco, and Warren Harris, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Technologies.

As part of the understanding, Tenneco plans to invest over USD 100 million in this engagement over the next five years.

Jon Bagrosky, said, “This next phase builds on the strong foundation we’ve established with Tata Technologies and reflects the continued importance of India as a strategic growth region for Tenneco. By expanding this partnership, we are strengthening the capabilities, scale and agility needed to support our customers, respond to evolving market needs and deliver long-term value across our global business.”

Warren Harris, said, “Tenneco has been a valued strategic partner, and this expanded engagement reflects the strength of our shared commitment. As Tenneco accelerates its mobility transformation journey, we are proud to bring together deep domain expertise, digital capabilities, and business transformation experience to support Tenneco’s global growth agenda.”

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced a cumulative investment of over INR 32 billion in Andhra Pradesh.

The announcement was made as the company held a foundation stone ceremony for its second Global Parts Centre (GPC) in Tirupati, which involves an investment of Rs 7.5 billion.

N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, said, “Hero MotoCorp has been a valued partner in Andhra Pradesh's growth journey, and particularly in the transformation of Rayalaseema. Its decision to establish the Global Parts Centre in Tirupati is a strong endorsement of our state's progressive policies, world-class infrastructure, investor-friendly ecosystem, and our commitment to the Speed of Doing Business. Over the years, Hero MotoCorp's presence has generated thousands of jobs, strengthened local supply chains, enhanced skills, and accelerated economic growth across Rayalaseema and Andhra Pradesh. We are delighted to see this partnership grow even stronger. This landmark investment will create new opportunities for our youth, strengthen the industrial economy of Rayalaseema, and further establish Tirupati as one of India's leading manufacturing, mobility and logistics hubs. As Rayalaseema emerges as a major centre for industry, innovation and advanced manufacturing, partnerships like these will play a defining role in shaping its future. We deeply appreciate Hero MotoCorp's continued trust in Andhra Pradesh and look forward to working together to build a future-ready, globally competitive industrial ecosystem that drives innovation, creates quality employment, and delivers sustainable prosperity for all.”

Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, "At Hero MotoCorp, we have always believed that business growth and nation-building go hand in hand. The foundation stone of our second Global Parts Centre in Tirupati marks an important milestone in our journey and reflects our deep confidence in India’s future and Andhra Pradesh’s vision for growth. By transforming Tirupati into a future-ready manufacturing and electric mobility hub, this investment will enhance our global supply chain, support our expansion across markets, and reaffirm our commitment to 'Made in India, for India and the World.' It is deeply meaningful to mark this milestone on the birth anniversary of my father, our Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal. He believed in building enduring institutions and always preparing for the future. It is deeply meaningful to mark this milestone on the 103rd birth anniversary of my beloved father, our Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal. A true visionary, he championed the belief that great institutions are not just built to survive the present but are actively sculpted to lead the future. This Centre is a humble tribute to his vision, values and enduring belief in India’s potential. I am certain that this new Centre will proudly carry forward his legacy of enterprise, purpose and service to the nation.”

The Global Parts Centre is expected to support domestic and international operations. The company plans to scale the annual production capacity of the Tirupati plant to between 1.2 and 1.5 million units. The expansion is projected to create 4,000 jobs.

Furthermore, Hero MotoCorp also introduced two community programmes the ‘Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal Heroes of Tomorrow Scholarship’ to provide tuition coverage for students pursuing engineering degrees at state IIITs. And the company would deploy VIDA electric scooters and providing safety training for women police personnel in the Tirupati district.

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