Ford and Renault Group have announced a landmark strategic partnership that will expand Ford’s electric vehicle offerings to European customers, significantly enhancing competitiveness for both automakers in a rapidly evolving European automotive landscape. 
A cornerstone of the partnership is an agreement for the development of two distinct Ford-branded electric vehicles based on the Ampere platform, leveraging Renault Group’s strong EV assets and competitiveness. These two e-vehicles will be produced by Renault Group in the North of France, illustrating Ampere ‘ElectriCity’s’ modern manufacturing capabilities and expertise.
Designed by Ford, developed with Renault Group, the two cars will feature distinctive driving dynamics, authentic Ford-brand DNA and intuitive experiences. They mark the first step in a comprehensive new product offensive for Ford in Europe. The first of the two vehicles is expected in showrooms in early 2028.
In addition to collaborating on EVs, Ford and Renault Group have also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a European light commercial vehicle collaboration. Under this LOI, the partners will explore the opportunity to jointly develop and manufacture Ford and Renault branded selected light commercial vehicles (LCVs).
François Provost, CEO Renault Group said: "Renault Group is proud to announce a new strategic cooperation with Ford, an iconic car manufacturer. This partnership shows the strength of our partnership know-how and competitiveness in Europe. In the long term, combining our strengths with Ford will make us more innovative and more responsive in a fast-changing European automotive market."
Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company said: "The strategic partnership with Renault Group marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the future business in Europe. We will combine Renault Group’s industrial scale and EV assets with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable, and distinctly Ford in spirit."

Combining strengths
The companies will take advantage of the proven capabilities and competitiveness of Renault Group’s Ampere platform, EV manufacturing ecosystem and industrial capacities in the North of France (ElectriCity) to produce two all-new Ford-branded electric passenger vehicles.
By joining their expertise as major players in Europe, in innovation, design, software, and service delivery, Ford and Renault Group will aim to address industry challenges and better serve customers in both the retail and commercial vehicles segments.
The Ford and Renault Group strategic partnership will combine decades of experience in the light commercial vehicle segment, as well as the industrial scale and extensive supply base of both companies, creating a formidable force poised to drive innovation and efficiency in the European market.
 

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American seating major Adient has announced the launch of ModuTec, a seating design intended to alter the manufacturing process for vehicle interiors. The solution utilises modularity to simplify assembly and increase the potential for automation within production facilities.

The ModuTec system moves the build of seat modules offline. These completed units are then sequenced into the main Just-in-Time (JIT) production line. According to the company, this method reduces final assembly time from minutes to seconds. By shifting from integrated, labour-intensive processes to a modular workflow, the system aims to lower costs and reduce the factory floor space required for seat production.

The design allows for the integration of components before the seat reaches the main line, which supports higher levels of automation. Beyond manufacturing efficiency, the modular approach is intended to assist with vehicle serviceability, as it enables easier upgrades or repairs at the dealership level. The architecture also addresses engineering criteria and craftsmanship standards while seeking to improve seat comfort and warranty outcomes.

Griffin Brown, Vice-President of VAVE, Innovation, Mechanisms BU, Americas, Adient, said, "ModuTec will fundamentally change how seats are made going forward. By balancing all aspects of cost efficiency, engineering criteria and manufacturing best practices, ModuTec is a bold step in the direction the industry needs today and into tomorrow."

The introduction of ModuTec follows an analysis of the requirements of automakers and consumers. Adient expects the solution to set a new standard for efficiency and modular design within the automotive seating sector.

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Maruti Suzuki India, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation and the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced that it is set to acquire land from the Government of Gujarat for the construction of a new production facility.

The decision follows a basic agreement reached with the state government in January 2024 to establish a second manufacturing base in the region.

The site in Sanand covers approximately 1,750 acres valued at INR 49.6 billion. Once operational, the facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1 million units.

The company cited Gujarat’s supply chain, infrastructure and proximity to ports as factors for the selection. The location provides access to highway and railway networks, supporting its function as both a domestic production base and an export hub for vehicles.

Current and Planned Production Capacity

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Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country, has opened a new integrated manufacturing facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The greenfield facility, located near Lucknow Airport in Sarojini Nagar, was inaugurated by Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, alongside Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and H D Kumaraswamy.

The 70-acre site is designed to produce 5,000 vehicles annually, with a primary focus on electric buses and other green mobility solutions. The facility employs a workforce predominantly from Uttar Pradesh, including a high percentage of women. To support its sustainability goals, the plant features rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and zero-discharge water systems.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, "The inauguration of this new plant marks the beginning of an important new chapter for Ashok Leyland in the vibrant state of Uttar Pradesh. Our Group remains deeply committed to unlocking further opportunities that drive economic growth, create meaningful employment, and foster long-term prosperity in the region. This manufacturing plant reaffirms our resolve to help shape the future of India’s commercial vehicle industry, and we are confident that it will make a strong contribution towards employment generation while advancing sustainable mobility. With this new plant, we are preparing ourselves for the future and take one step further to achieve our Net Zero emission goals."

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, "As one of India’s largest and most progressive states, Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development, making it a natural partner in our green mobility journey. This coupled with Ashok Leyland’s ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2048 has been a key catalyst for establishing this state-of-the-art facility in Uttar Pradesh. Equipped with most modern technology and high levels of automation, the plant reflects our focus on world-class quality and innovation. With a strong emphasis on electric buses, this facility marks a significant step towards building a cleaner, future-ready mobility ecosystem for India.”

The plant's logistics are managed using battery-operated vehicles to maintain its status as a green facility. This expansion aligns with Ashok Leyland's target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2048 and supports the state of Uttar Pradesh's transition toward electric transportation.

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Bharat Forge and Germany-based Agile Robots have agreed to explore a collaboration to develop AI-driven robotics and industrial automation. The partnership combines Bharat Forge's domain expertise with Agile Robots' automation solutions to deploy technology for the automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics industries.

The agreement focuses on civilian industry and manufacturing. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies will co-develop and offer solutions in manufacturing, industrial CPG and logistics for markets in India and Southeast Asia. The partnership also aims to develop vision and AI-based robotic systems to enable autonomous ‘dark’ factories.

Amit Kalyani, Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said, “This strategic collaboration with Agile Robots is a reinforcement of Bharat Forge’s ambition to provide state-of-the-art intelligent robotic and automation solutions across multiple industries while driving manufacturing efficiencies at home. Manufacturing in India is on a steep growth path, and I am very excited that with Agile Robots we are going to deploy bespoke, modular and intelligent automation solutions across the sectors.”

Rory Sexton, Executive Director, Agile Robots, said, “By partnering with Bharat Forge, Agile Robots is strengthening its position in India's rapidly growing manufacturing sector. Combining Agile Robots’ proven leadership in AI driven robotic automation with Bharat Forge’s sectoral expertise will allow us to improve the efficiency and precision of entire production systems.”

The collaboration intends to set up capabilities for bespoke solutions while utilizing existing Agile Robots technology. By integrating AI into production systems, the companies aim to improve precision and efficiency across manufacturing sectors in the region.

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