German tier 1 supplier Continental’s Gurgaon plant has attained a new production milestone of producing 10 million Electronic Brake Systems (EBS) and 100 million Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS), two components integral to the safety of a vehicle. 

The EBS portfolio comprises Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for passenger cars and Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) for both, passenger cars and two-wheelers. It provides directional stability and steerability of the vehicle whereas, ABS aims to avoid locking of the wheels and keeps the vehicle steerable during braking. Additionally, the signals from the WSS are required for control systems like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The company states that over 1.3 million people loose their lives in road accidents worldwide every year and more than 50 million are injured. In India, 53 accidents and 19 deaths occur every hour, or an average of 1,264 accidents and 42 deaths daily due to road crashes, according to a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways report in 2023. To enhance road safety in the country, ABS technology was made mandatory in 2019, followed by a proposal for ESC in 2022 by the government.  

Sukhdeep Sandhu, Head of Safety and Motion, Continental Automotive India said, “Safety is non-negotiable. At Continental, we have consistently brought relevant technologies to the market for our customers, helping make vehicles and thereby our roads safer. Our expertise in active and passive safety systems is a key driver in reducing the number of traffic-related fatalities, injuries, and road accidents”.

“Localisation is at the core of company’s strategy in India. Supported by legislations which have played a huge role in ensuring vehicular safety, we have been able to localise both production and R&D, ensuring greater value to our customers in the market. Customers in India are proactive in their adoption approach towards safety technologies”, he added.

Continental’s ‘Vision Zero’ is focussing on ensuring zero road fatalities, injuries and crashes, through technologies, components and systems and ongoing innovations.

The tier 1 supplier is also one of the largest manufacturers of WSS in India. Apart from catering to leading OEMs in India, these components are also exported to other Asian and European regions.

Anudeep Garg, Head of the Gurgaon plant, Continental Automotive India said, “We are proud to achieve this milestone and continue to focus on localisation. As a Tier 1 supplier, we follow global manufacturing standards and have adopted several advanced technologies to create a digital shopfloor. Additionally, industry 4.0 technologies enable us to not only maintain product quality and enhance efficiency but also to effectively streamline our supply chain. We aim to increase the manufacturing capacity of EBS and WSS in double-digit percentages in the next three years for both passenger vehicles as well two-wheelers.” 

Continental’s ‘in the market, for the market’ approach has seen its entire value chain from R&D to design and production being localised. This way Continental is focusing on enabling easy access to safety products by adapting globally proven technologies to suit the local market. Wide-scale production offers economy of scale and ensures cost advantage, thereby contributing to increased democratization of safety features in vehicles across segments in India.

It was in 2016, when Continental set up assembly lines in Gurugram for Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems for two-wheelers and passenger cars. In 2018, it commenced production for ABS and ESC Electronic Control Units (ECU) at its Bengaluru plant. In the subsequent year, the company achieved the production milestone of one million ABS and ESC ECUs at its Bengaluru plant, and in 2020, reached a milestone of 50 Million Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS) at its Manesar plant. Additionally, Continental entered into a joint venture with Japanese firm Nisshinbo Holdings in 2022, to localise machining for valve blocks for Electronic Brake Systems (EBS) in India. 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nissan Motor India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles, has achieved a significant milestone, exporting its 1.2 millionth vehicle from India. This accomplishment, the company said, reinforces its ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ philosophy and highlights India's importance as a strategic export hub for Nissan’s AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania) region.

The 1.2 millionth vehicle was a new Nissan Magnite B-SUV destined for the GCC region, and was flagged off by Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, at the Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu.

Since beginning export operations, Nissan Motor India has shipped a diverse range of models, including the Nissan Magnite, Nissan Sunny, Nissan Kicks and Nissan Micra, to markets across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

The introduction of the new Nissan Magnite expanded the company's global export footprint to over 65 countries in both Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) markets.

“We are proud to celebrate yet another historic milestone of exporting 1.2 million Nissan vehicles from India. This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our teams and the trust of customers across the world in our Made-in-India cars. The Nissan Magnite continues to be a global success story, representing our focus on design, quality, and innovation that transcends borders,” said Vatsa.

The new Nissan Magnite has received a 5-star Global NCAP rating for Adult Occupant Protection and 3 stars for Child Occupant Protection. The company is also preparing for the upcoming launch of its new global C-SUV, the Nissan Tekton, which will be introduced in India next year and also exported to select international markets.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Automotive component supplier Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., has announced a new investment of INR 3.45 billion (USD 42 million) to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, India. This commitment includes an immediate investment of INR 450 million and an additional INR 3  billion over the next three years to support advanced telematics and next-generation automotive connectivity programmes.

This latest funding brings Harman’s cumulative investments in the Pune plant to INR 5.54 billion (USD 67 million) since its inception in 2014. The expansion is expected to create 300 new jobs in Pune by 2027.

The expansion, inaugurated by CEO Christian Sobottka, adds 71,505 square feet of built-up area, boosting the plant's production capacity by 50 percent. By 2027, the facility is poised to deliver an annual output of 4 million car audio components, 1.4 million infotainment units and 800,000 million Telematics Control Units (TCUs).

The facility will now manufacture the Harman Ready Connect, a pre-developed, all-in-one Telematics Control Unit co-developed with Samsung. This commitment, the company states strengthens the Government of India’s vision to ‘Make in India, for the World’ by positioning the country as a hub for advanced automotive manufacturing.

The Pune plant supplies all major Indian OEMs, including Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India and Mahindra & Mahindra, alongside export customers in Europe and North America.

Christian Sobottka, CEO and President of Automotive, Harman, said, “This investment is a clear signal of our commitment to India. Pune is not just adding capacity - it’s building the future of connected cars. From 5G telematics to sustainable manufacturing, India’s talent and innovation strength make it central to Harman’s global automotive growth.”

The Pune facility also remains a leader in the company's sustainability journey. It currently uses on-site solar installations that generate over 317,000 KWh of electricity annually and is progressing toward 100 percent renewable electricity use by 2030.

Krishna Kumar, Managing Director & Automotive Head, Harman India, said: “India is where Harman designs, builds and exports the next generation of in-car experiences. From connected infotainment to immersive audio to telematics and connected safety solutions, our engineers here don’t just serve India - they serve the world. That’s why India sits at the heart of Harman’s global automotive strategy.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyoda Gosei Co, and Kansai Paint Co, have partnered to develop an in-mould coating technology that can be applied to the mass production of large plastic automotive exterior parts. This marks the first time in Japan that this technology is applicable to large exterior components, which have a high level of difficulty in production.

In-mould coating involves forming and painting large plastic parts inside the mould itself, a process typically restricted to smaller products.

The development uses Toyoda Gosei's proprietary mould technology for large parts and paint material design technology developed through the collaboration. This new process achieves a seamless appearance with a high level of smoothness on the painted surface, allowing for new moulding designs.

Other benefits include:

• Improved Durability: The use of urethane paint makes abrasions less noticeable.
• Environmental Reduction: A drying furnace is no longer necessary, which the company states reduce CO2 emissions during production by approximately 60 percent.

The first large painted products using this technology are scheduled for market launch in spring of 2026. Toyoda Gosei plans to expand this technology to its international production sites as a pillar of its new decorative technologies.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Indian Army's Fire & Fury Corps has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbornics Defence & Space (ADSL), part of the JCBL Group, to establish a New Generation Vehicle (NGV) Repair Hub and Warehouse. The facility will be located inside the 14 Corps Zonal Workshop in Leh.

The initiative aims to boost the Army’s logistics readiness by setting up a dedicated OEM warehouse and repair facility for New Generation Vehicles within the Army’s premises.

The ceremony was held at Headquarters 14 Corps, Leh, and was presided over by Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Corps Commander, 14 Corps. Brig Nipoon Sood, Brig EME, 14 Corps, formally signed the MoU on behalf of the Army.

Under the collaboration, the JCBL Group (ADSL) will provide its expertise in defence manufacturing, support, training, retro-modification and R&D know-how through the NGV Hub framework.

The Group shall also maintain stocking of fast-moving spares for vehicles and equipment supplied to the Indian Army. Additionally, it will supply parts and components of war stores, which it provides to the Ordnance & EME Channels of Indian Army, through its group companies.

The Indian Army plans to expand this presence of industry warehouses to three more forward locations of the 14 Corps Area of Responsibility in the future.

Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Corps Commander, 14 Corps highlighted that this partnership between Indian Army and Industry would significantly enhance the operational readiness of 14 Corps. He further stressed the need to ensure that Army units fully exploit the presence of Industry Warehouses at these forward locations of Ladakh.

Rishi Aggarwal, Managing Director, JCBL Group, said “The JCBL Group takes pride in being the Industry Partner of the Indian Army. This fresh collaboration with the Fire and Fury Corps of the Northern Command is very special to the Group since it is the most operationally committed formation of the Defence Forces. We compliment Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Corps Commander, 14 Corps for his exceptional vision of incorporating the Industry at Field Formation Level thereby ensuring a significant amelioration of equipment availability and Operational readiness.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!