Tata Motors Kaushalya

Tata Motors, one of the leading automotive manufacturers, has shared an update on its Kaushalya Programme, an industry-led training initiative ahead of World Youth Skills Day.

The programme has enrolled more than 23,000 participants and achieved a 100 percent placement rate for over 5,000 graduates, including more than 50 international placements.

The initiative, launched in 2021, operates across manufacturing facilities in Pune, Jamshedpur, Lucknow, Pantnagar, Sanand and Dharwad. It provides a sponsored Diploma in Mechatronics through an earn-and-learn model. Participants receive training in areas such as automobile engineering, manufacturing technology, automation, IoT and Industry 4.0. Women account for 21 percent of the participants, with 25 percent of trainees from affirmative action categories.

Sitaram Kandi, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tata Motors, said, “India's manufacturing competitiveness and mobility ambitions will be shaped by the quality of its workforce. Through Kaushalya, we are investing in the next generation of skilled professionals by creating opportunities that combine technical education, industry exposure and real-world experience. The programme is helping young people build meaningful careers while strengthening the talent pipeline required for an increasingly advanced and technology-driven automotive industry. The strong placement outcomes achieved by our trainees demonstrate the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration in creating skills that are relevant, employable and future-ready. We remain committed to expanding the programme's reach and empowering more young people to participate in India's growth story.”

Programme graduates have secured positions across the Tata ecosystem and at other companies, such as Tata Steel Downstream Products, Tata Advanced Systems, Zydus, JSW Greentech, Subros, Spinny and Wipro. About 50 graduates have also been placed at a Jaguar Land Rover facility in Nitra, Slovakia.

Anita Kende Bethekar, a programme trainee currently placed with Jaguar Land Rover, said, “Coming from a remote tribal village in Maharashtra, a global career in the automotive industry once felt beyond reach. Tata Motors’ Kaushalya programme equipped me with the skills, exposure and confidence to pursue opportunities I had never imagined. Today, I am proud to be the first girl from my village and neighbouring region to hold a passport and build a career with Jaguar Land Rover in Slovakia. This achievement is not just mine; it is a source of pride for my family, my community and every young girl who dares to dream beyond her circumstances.”

Soham Ravindra Manmode, a trainee placed with Tata Motors Customer Support, said, “Coming from a financially challenged family in a small town, building a career in the automotive industry once felt like a distant dream. Tata Motors’ Kaushalya Programme changed that by enabling me to learn, earn and gain real-world industry experience simultaneously. The skills, confidence and exposure I acquired through the programme helped me build a rewarding career with Tata Motors. Today, I take pride in supporting my family and contributing to India's automotive growth story.”

Tata Motors intends for the programme to produce more than 5,000 industry-ready trainees each year to support the manufacturing and automotive sectors.

Cedric Ratinaud Becomes New Global Brand Head Of Nissan Motor Corporation

Cedric Ratinaud

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Cedric Ratinaud as the new Global Head of Brand, Nissan.

Ratinaud previously served as the Director of Creative and Campaigns for Global Communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, a role he held from April 2024. Prior to that position, he worked as General Manager of INFINITI Global Communications. His background includes two decades in the automotive sector across communications, marketing communications, and brand management roles.

His career at Nissan spans operations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for Nissan Motor Asia Pacific, operating out of Thailand.

TVS Supply Chain Solutions, Japan’s Sankyu Inc. Ink Strategic MoU

TVS SCS - Sankyu

TVS Supply Chain Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan-based Sankyu Inc. to collaborate across supply chain and engineering services.

As part of the agreement, Sankyu intends to acquire a 0.5 percent equity stake in TVS Supply Chain Solutions, subject to regulatory approvals.

The partnership combines TVS Supply Chain Solutions' logistics network in India with Sankyu's engineering capabilities and corporate connections in Japan. Initial operations will focus on serving manufacturing and industrial clients in India, where over 1,400 Japanese companies operate.

Future plans include expanding joint operations into regions across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and additional international markets where both firms hold established infrastructure.

To manage operations under the agreement, the companies will form a joint steering committee with representatives from both organisations to identify operational opportunities and oversee joint initiatives.

R. Dinesh, Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said, “This partnership represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen our capabilities and create greater value for customers. Sankyu's engineering expertise and deep relationships across the Japanese industrial ecosystem complement TVS Supply Chain Solutions' integrated supply chain capabilities, strong customer relationships and market presence. We share a strong commitment to long-term value creation, and together we are well positioned to deliver more comprehensive solutions, support the evolving needs of manufacturing and industrial customers, and unlock new growth opportunities across India and other strategic markets.”

Kimihiro Nakamura, President and CEO, Sankyu Inc, said, "Since our inception in 1918, Sankyu has been dedicated to supporting the progress of the manufacturing sector, underpinned by our core philosophy of valuing our people. We are profoundly honoured to enter into this partnership with TVS SCS, an organisation that shares our philosophy and commitment to the highest ethical standards. Our two companies possess a strong strategic alignment, and by integrating and complementing our respective strengths, we look forward to achieving collective growth in the global market and contributing to sustainable industrial development."

VinFast Elevates India Head Tapan Ghosh To Oversee Operations In Indonesia

VinFast - Tapan Ghosh

Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has expanded the role of its India Chief Executive Officer, Tapan Ghosh, to oversee operations in Indonesia, uniting the company's management structure across both regional markets.

Interestingly, Ghosh becomes Chief Executive Officer for VinFast Operations across both countries, making him the first executive from India to manage multiple markets for the Vietnamese company.

Since joining the Vietnamese brand in 2025 from Hyundai Motor India, Ghosh has managed local manufacturing setups, dealership distribution expansion and product strategies. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the development of a complete knock-down (CKD) assembly operation in Indonesia.

The dual-country manufacturing and distribution setup establishes operational hubs for VinFast across South Asia and Southeast Asia, supporting its strategy to expand production beyond Vietnam.

An Cong Hui Succeeds Li Shu Fu As Chairman Of Geely, Gan Jia Yue Becomes CEO

Geely

Chinese automotive major Geely Automobile Holdings has announced changes to its board of directors and executive leadership structure, effective 18 August 2026, as part of its succession planning framework.

Li Shu Fu has resigned as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director to focus on other business commitments. He has accepted an appointment as Honorary Chairman for Life, a role outside the formal corporate governance structure. Li remains a controlling shareholder of the company and confirmed that he has no disagreement with the board regarding his departure.

On the other hand, Executive Director An Cong Hui has been appointed Chairman of the Board. The board cited An's operational experience within the group and strategic alignment with the controlling shareholder entity as factors supporting the appointment. Independent non-executive directors will continue to oversee potential conflict management protocols under Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing rules.

Further board adjustments include the resignation of Li Dong Hui, Daniel, from the role of Vice-Chairman. He retains his seat as an Executive Director. Gui Sheng Yue has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role of Vice Chairman while remaining an Executive Director.

Following Gui's transition, Executive Director Gan Jia Yue has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Gan assumes responsibility for managing the group's operational activities and executing long-term business objectives.