Witnessing manufacturing modernisation since Maruti Udyog began producing cars in collaboration with Suzuki of Japan at Gurgaon in 1984, the Indian auto industry landscape has drastically changed. Opening up to automation with the installation of some of the best robots available at Kuka, ABB and others, the auto industry has left no stone unturned. Such has been the fervor that Tal, a Tata Motors company, launched a robot called Brabo in 2018 to make manufacturing processes involving the application of sealants, picking and placing of parts, welding and vision inspection reliable and easy to perform. Made with an eye on manufacturing process the world over, the Brabo was tested in over 50 work streams and has so far found use in sectors like lighting, aerospace, software, electronics, plastics, education and logistics sectors apart from the auto industry. Coming from an auto maker that installed 300 Kuka robots to automate the assembly of Sumo and Safari at its Pune plant in 2009, the Brabo has seen many rounds of development and application-preparedness since its launch.                

Smart manufacturing trend

Highlighting the smart manufacturing trend, the TAL Brabo robot with payloads of two and 10 kilos has also found favour with companies in Europe and other places. Highlighting the prowess of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), the robot is an example of the fast-changing manufacturing canvas. Producing about 1,286 engines per day, the Igatpuri plant of Mahindra & Mahindra became India's first carbon-neutral manufacturing facility by adopting smart manufacturing practices under Industry 4.0 in 2019. It invested in energy efficient technologies among others. It invested in recycling of water and other waste. It invested in solar panels to power some of its processes in the plant. An industry source expressed that the rapidly changing business environment the world over is providing impetus to smart manufacturing. It is driving efficiency enhancements and collaborations, he added. Emphasising on efficiency enhancements and collaborative efforts as key smart manufacturing drivers, an industry expert stated that technologies like AI, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automation, big data and 5G are the biggest triggers. They are touching every aspect of manufacturing, from sourcing of raw materials to final inspection, he quipped.  

Industry 4.0

As companies like Lincode (it has collaborated with Switzerland-based Global Automotive Alliance), specialising in AI-powered visual inspection with multiple patent-pending defect detection capabilities, find more and more takers in India, the smart manufacturing shift is continuing to take place despite disruptions. It has, in fact, gained speed in India with the race to successfully accomplish BS VI transition in the last few years. A source in the auto industry mentioned that BS VI transition led to manufacturers upping their global ambitions. Vinay Raghunath, Partner and Leader, Automotive Sector, EY India, averred in a report that automotive shop floors are evolving and adopting digital technologies. This, he added, is happening amid challenges like slowdown in demand, non-availability of labour, concerns on health and safety management on the shop floor. Witnessing disruptions relating to ROI among other factors, as Raghunath has informed, the Indian auto industry has been an early adopter of digital manufacturing techniques.  

Working to dial higher efficiency, expertise and superior productivity, the Indian auto industry has been overhauling existing assembly lines, erecting new ones and extensively re-evaluating its manufacturing processes and practices in view of smart manufacturing, especially from an automotive value chain point of view. Taking to Industry 4.0, it is leveraging AI and IoT-based manufacturing technologies to automate further – to engage in machine-to-machine communication (M2M) such that there is self-monitoring as well as self-diagnosing. Taking to Industry 4.0 to tackle unanticipated disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic, which has put well-oiled supply chains and production lines to the test and made it painfully clear that they in their current form are not as agile or resilient as expected, the auto industry is shifting to smart manufacturing in a big way. It is exploring and experimenting; it is finding new ways. It is doing so as it absorbs a significant change in technologies and products like electrification and EVs.

Operator 4.0 and hyper-intelligence

Investing heavily in data analytics infrastructure and capabilities, the auto industry is leveraging opportunities to digitally transform itself. It is defining the boundaries of physics for data-driven model. It is focusing on digital skills development. It is supporting the rise of Operator 4.0. Taking to collaborative robots that coexist with humans in a workplace, it is transforming its ways of manufacturing significantly. Drawing attention to the semi-conductor shortage and how the auto industry was affected despite using only 10 percent of the production, Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, explained that the rapidly changing consumer psyche is dictating a move to a completely different technological aspect. Emphasising on material technology, he said smart manufacturing is about digitising and achieving cost competitiveness. It was some two to three years ago that the Chennai-based CV maker began implementing smart manufacturing technologies to mitigate challenges. It took to modernising and digitising existing workplaces to address quality issues that are difficult for human beings to detect and acquire made-to-order or mass customisation capabilities. It took to equipping itself with an ability to expand and contract in tandem with the market conditions even as it took to modularisation of product lines.  

Automating its cab panel pressing plant at Hosur in 2019, which increased the output by up to 66 percent, Ashok Leyland has been one of the many automotive OEMs globally that are investing in hyper-intelligent automation. A confluence of AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), hyper-intelligent automation is redefining not just Industry 4.0 but also Operator 4.0. It is facing challenges like the high initial acquisition cost in terms of tools, but that isn’t worrying players involved like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Catalytic Inc and Infosys Limited among others. Estimated to grow at a CAGR of 18.9 percent as manufacturers strive to reduce energy consumption, up quality and reliability, and control costs through predictability and data-driven unique insights, hyper-intelligent automation is turning out to be yet another finer aspect of smart manufacturing. It is proving to be a big enabler for automating repetitive tasks – to enhance efficiencies, to take to cloud computing to ensure significantly more flexibility and to achieve scalability and the ability to collaborate and reduce costs.

Increasing visibility, predictability and enhancing control on operations and inventory, hyper-intelligent automation is aiding effective decision-making. Supported by development of new technologies such as 5G, which according to a domain expert, promises the need for speed and flexibility along with the capability to eliminate network instability or downtime, hyper-intelligent automation is helping automotive suppliers like Rane Madras Limited to make efficiency, reliability and cost control gains. In 2018, the company adopted automated solutions of Mistubishi Electric Corporation for its new plant in Gujarat. It led to a significant decrease in energy consumption. Aiding smart manufacturing, technologies like hyper-intelligent automation and 5G are helping the auto industry to achieve resilience and immunity against future uncertainties. They are helping to integrate Information Technology (IT) systems used for data-centric computing with Operational Technology (OT) systems – for data readiness and cyber security, and for the development of digital talent. Technologies like hyper-intelligent automation and 5G are helping to develop cross-functional profiles like engineering-manufacturing, manufacturing-maintenance and safety-security.

Tackling disruptions and smart working environment

Looking at productivity gains, emerging competition and risk aversity in the globalised world as per the EY report, the auto industry is taking to smart manufacturing to achieve significant technology transformations like electromobility as well. Apart from the creation of a smart working environment, it is also looking at the use of new materials, new process guidelines and practices. With health also becoming a disruptive factor in recent times, the auto industry is looking at automation in processes like inbound logistics, production planning, sourcing, press shop, body shop, paint shop, quality control and outbound logistics through data visualisation. With sensors and analytics shaping up, the smart working environment in a factory is coming to include AI-based alerts and fully automated work floors. This is increasingly getting compounded by data collection, historical data and high-quality extensive data mining. Helping to guarantee ROI, smart manufacturing is helping to lower the ‘takt’ time. It is also ironically undermining the involvement of humans on the shop floor.   

Reducing the cost of computation, storage and connectivity, smart manufacturing is coming of age with plummeting prices of sensors, 3D printers and robots. Empowering cloud-based manufacturing techniques and a gradual increase in the understanding of emerging technologies, smart manufacturing is providing an advantage in terms of the ability to respond to market changes quickly. Taking to develop a new light-duty truck platform with export ambitions and flexibility in terms of left-hand drive and right-hand drive orientation, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd took to automating its welding line with robots at its Pithampur plant. It also took to robotising its windshield pasting station among others. Experiencing quality, consistency, efficiency and cost gains, the CV maker is also known to have reduced the takt time and energy consumption. As global ambitions and modularity strike in view of the ability to explore new export markets with a cost competitive BS VI product, the auto industry in India is using embedded sensors, RFID and GPS etc. for smart tracking. It is using smart manufacturing technologies to monitor parameters like temperature, pressure, vibration, machine rpm and flow rate.

Smart flexibility

As part of a shift to smart manufacturing, automakers and suppliers are resorting to flexible manufacturing and AR-based solutions to upskill. They are, in view of the technologies like connected vehicles and EVs, stressing on re-aligning their traditional manufacturing setups with that of the future. Emphasising on quality, resource optimisation, streamlining of business processes and adoption of new emerging technologies, they are closely evaluating the advantages of solutions like digital twins and rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing offer. With ROI on their mind, they are embracing smart manufacturing to move up the value chain.

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Rosmerta Technologies has launched a comic book titled ‘The Curious Bunch’ at the 3rd Edition of the CII National Conclave on Road Safety. The publication is designed to introduce road safety awareness to children.

The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s ‘4E’ strategy for road safety, which focuses on Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Emergency Care. The comic book aims to address the 168,000 road fatalities reported in India in 2022 by fostering safe habits at a school level.

The comic book uses illustrations to present road scenarios, including pedestrian conduct, school bus safety, traffic signals & the use of helmets, seatbelts and child restraint systems. By educating children, the company intends to influence the behaviour of parents and the wider community.

Rosmerta, a provider of mobility solutions, currently operates technology systems for automated driving tests and AI-based monitoring. The launch of ‘The Curious Bunch’ marks an expansion of its activities into the education pillar of the national safety framework.

Dr Rajesh Mohan, DCP, Gurugram Traffic, said, “When we educate children and instil strong moral and ethical values, the impact travels far beyond the classroom. Children naturally share what they learn. They question, they explain, and they influence conversations at home. In many ways, they become powerful advocates, encouraging their parents to be more aware, more responsible, and more engaged. Over time, this awareness translates into action, because parents are also drivers, commuters, and decision-makers on the road.”

Ravi Krishnamoorthi, Group President, Rosmerta Technologies, said, “Every road accident statistic hides a parent’s anxiety. In 2022 alone, India reported over 168,000 road accident fatalities, according to government data. Road safety is not merely about compliance; it is about compassion and collective responsibility. When a child understands why a red light matters or why a helmet can save a life, they don’t just learn a rule - they become ambassadors of safety within their families and communities. Through ‘The Curious Bunch’, we aim to nurture this awareness early, because the habits we shape in children today will define the safety culture of our nation tomorrow.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, in partnership with the Transport Department of Tamil Nadu, has announced the commissioning of seven Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in the state. The facilities were inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin.

The tracks are located at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Coimbatore (Central), Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Madurai (North), Sivagangai, Dindigul, and Tiruchirappalli (West). These sites form part of a Memorandum of Agreement to automate ten tracks across the state, with the remaining three at Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Marthandam scheduled for operation shortly.

The ADTTs are designed to evaluate applicants for two-wheeler and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licences. The system removes human intervention from the evaluation process to ensure objective testing according to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).

Key technical components include:

• Video Analytics: High-definition cameras to monitor vehicle movement and path adherence.
• Sensors: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Harnessing AutoMobiles for Safety (HAMS) technology.
• Identification: Face-recognition systems to verify candidate identity.
• Results: Integrated IT systems that generate test results automatically based on real-time data.

The carmaker has commissioned 56 ADTTs across eight states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Bihar. Following the completion of agreements with Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, the company’s footprint is expected to reach 81 tracks nationwide.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “As part of Maruti Suzuki’s road safety initiatives implemented across multiple states, we are partnering with the Government of Tamil Nadu to strengthen the driver licensing evaluation process through the deployment of 10 Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs). Equipped with high-definition cameras and advanced analytics, these ADTTs enable a comprehensive, efficient, and transparent assessment process. It eliminates any human bias and ensures that only skilled drivers are awarded a license.”

“According to data shared by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, India witnessed 1.77 lakh road accident deaths in 2024. Promoting disciplined driving practices and ensuring rigorous driver evaluation are vital to prevent road accidents and augment road safety across the country,” he said.

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BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles, will once again serve as the headline sponsor for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) Annual Dinner in 2026. This marks the third consecutive year the company has supported the prestigious event, which is set to take place on 4 March 2026 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London. The dinner is widely recognised as the premier gathering for professionals across the rental, fleet management and leasing sectors.

Through its ongoing sponsorship since 2024, BYD reaffirms its commitment to this vital segment of the UK automotive market. The company’s expanding presence was underscored in 2025 by the introduction of several new models, including the SEALION 7, DOLPHIN SURF, SEAL 6 Saloon and Touring and the ATTO 2. These launches contributed to significant sales figures, with 21,824 units delivered to fleet customers and 5,964 to the rental sector. The momentum has continued into 2026 with the debut of the SEALION 5 DM-i, while the ATTO 2 DM-i and ATTO 3 EVO are expected to arrive shortly. Supporting this growth is a dedicated UK fleet team of 11 specialists, offering tailored product and service expertise.

The BVRLA represents around 1,000 member organisations, ranging from SMEs to large public companies, all operating within or alongside the UK’s vehicle rental and leasing industries. By engaging with government and upholding professional standards, the association enables its members to provide safe, sustainable and accessible transport solutions. This year’s Annual Dinner will feature the presentation of the Industry Hero Awards and live entertainment from award-winning comedian Tom Ward, celebrating excellence across the sector.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) convened the 7th SIAM CSR Conclave in New Delhi, themed ‘CSR Partnerships – From Shared Vision to Shared Value’. The event brought together industry leaders, CSR practitioners, policymakers, NGOs and development experts to explore collaborative models for driving inclusive growth and national development.

The inaugural session, titled ‘CSR as National Development Catalyst - Building the Nation, Responsibly’, featured key dignitaries who set the tone for discussions on sustainable nation-building. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, welcomed attendees and highlighted the automobile industry's extensive national presence, emphasising its responsibility to engage communities sustainably. He linked industry efforts to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, noting that businesses must look beyond sectoral growth to include social development across the country. The session included a screening of SIAM CSR initiatives and the release of the SIAM CSR Compendium, showcasing member companies' key projects.

Guest of Honour Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee, IAS (Retd.), Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, traced CSR's evolution from charity to statutory obligation, calling for CSR 2.0 with fresh thinking, technology adoption like AI for verifiable data, third-party evaluation and professionalisation. He urged the automobile sector to prioritise waste management, process re-engineering and carbon capture, insisting that CSR must move from the backroom to the boardroom with robust governance.

Puneet Anand, Chairman of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Associate Vice President & Vertical Head at Hyundai Motor India Ltd., noted India's pioneering CSR legislation has mobilised nearly INR 2.2 trillion from about 800 organisations. He stressed the need to move beyond the statutory two percent threshold towards measurable outcomes, skill development, community resilience and replicable district-level models through collaboration.

Other contributors to the session included Prabhakant Jain, CSR Head of D S Group; Yashpal Sachar, Vice President (Corporate Affairs) at Ashok Leyland Ltd.; Tarun Agarwal, Sr Vice President & Head-CSR at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and Sulekha Kaul, Partner at Vaish & Associates Advocates, who shared insights on impactful CSR models.

Rajeev Taneja, Co-Chair of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Vertical Head – CSR Operation at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Ltd., delivered closing remarks, emphasising CSR's centrality to inclusive growth. He called for evolution from compliance to conviction, with intentional, measurable collaboration focused on empathy, dignity and tangible change, supported by transparency and alignment with national priorities.

A thematic session on ‘Educational and Corporate Outreach towards CSR Pillars’ was moderated by Anuj Guglani, Founder & CEO of WAF Group, addressing environmental rejuvenation, road safety, education, health, sanitation and skills development. Session Chairman Rajendra Raut, Co-Chair of the SIAM CSR & Community Services Group and Director (Corporate & Govt. Affairs) at JSW MG Motor India, identified education as the enabling force strengthening all CSR pillars, advocating for partnership and co-creation over donor-recipient approaches. Presentations followed from Sanchita Vaish, Lead Specialist-Global Entity Governance & CSR Lead (India) at Baker Hughes; Praveen Karn, Group Head Sustainability & CSR at Minda Group; Dr Veenu Shankar, Assistant Professor at Delhi Technological University; Anjali Makhija, CEO of S. M. Sehgal Foundation and Dr Chitra, CEO of Indian Head Injury Foundation.

A panel discussion on ‘NGO & Corporate Perspective on Successful Collaboration Models towards CSR Execution’ was moderated by Mugdha Mishra, Editor of Auto Media Strategy at Autocar India. Panellists included Arindam Lahiri, CEO of ASDC; Rahul Bansal, Head of Private & Public Sector Partnerships at UNICEF; Shailendra Singh, Director of Dhartie Warriors Foundation; Pritika Chand, Corporate Head at Jindal Stainless; Prabhu Nagaraj, Head – Corporate Affairs at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. and Co-Chairman of the SIAM Skilling Group; Ajay Bhatt, Head-Comm., Ex. Affairs, Sustainability & CSR at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.; Saurabh Sharma, Head CSR & ESG at Hyundai Motor India Ltd. and Runa Ahlawat, General Manager at JSW MG Motor India. They emphasised collaboration's importance in CSR execution.

The day's highlight was a Fireside Chat on ‘CSR Partnerships – From Shared Vision to Shared Value’, moderated by Mugdha Mishra, where Guest of Honour Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee reiterated the need for sustainability practices like waste management, process re-engineering and carbon capture in the automobile industry.

The conclave concluded with an Award Ceremony recognising outstanding CSR contributions. Puneet Anand delivered opening remarks. SIAM CSR awards were distributed by dignitaries including Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee; Alok Jaitley, President – SAFE & EVP at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.; Puneet Anand; Rajeev Taneja; Rajendra Raut; Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM and Prashant K Banerjee. Awards under Skill Enhancement and Education went to Kedman Skilled India Foundation (Honda) and Centum Foundation (Mahindra & Mahindra). Healthcare & Sanitation awards were presented to Karma Healthcare Trust (Hyundai) and Sparsha Trust (Toyota). Road Safety awards recognised Learning Links Foundation (Ashok Leyland) and The TSL Foundation (Mahindra & Mahindra). Environmental Rejuvenation awards honoured Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (Škoda Auto Volkswagen) and NAAM Foundation (TATA Motors).

The conclave reaffirmed SIAM's commitment to collaborating with governments, industry leaders and stakeholders to advance sustainable mobility and contribute to India's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, aligned with its mission of building the nation responsibly.

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