Hyundai Motor Group and Nvidia are deepening their collaboration to accelerate innovation in autonomous vehicles (AVs), smart factories and robotics with a new AI factory, powered by Nvidia Blackwell AI infrastructure. This partnership shifts focus from strategic software adoption to the co-development of core physical AI technologies.

The two companies plan to enable integrated AI model training, validation and deployment using 50,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs. In support of the Korean government’s initiative to build a national physical AI cluster, the collaboration involves an approximately USD 3 billion investment to advance the physical AI landscape in Korea. Key efforts include establishing Hyundai Motor Group’s Physical AI Application Center, the Nvidia AI Technology Center and physical AI data centres in the region.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 31^st October between the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, Hyundai Motor Group and Nvidia to formalise this collaboration.

Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, said, "For Korea to leap forward as a leading nation in AI, the advancement of physical AI is essential – a key initiative championed by the Ministry of Science and ICT. This inaugural step in public-private collaboration to foster physical AI is therefore incredibly significant. Korea has a strong foundation in manufacturing. By combining Korea's rich manufacturing data with Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI infrastructure, we expect to build a Win-Win model through collaboration with domestic companies, thereby accelerating innovative AI transformation (AX) in manufacturing across industries."

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “As we enter a new era of AI-powered mobility and smart factory, deepening our collaboration with Nvidia marks a pivotal step forward. Together, we are not only building advanced technologies but also laying the foundation for a robust AI ecosystem in Korea – one that fosters innovation, nurtures talent and positions us at the forefront of global AI leadership.”

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, Nvidia, said, "AI will revolutionise every facet of every industry. In transportation alone – from vehicle design and manufacturing to robotics and autonomous driving — Nvidia’s AI and computing platforms are transforming how the world moves. Together with Hyundai Motor Group — Korea’s industrial powerhouse and one of the world’s top mobility solutions providers— we’re building intelligent cars and factories that will shape the future of the multitrillion-dollar mobility industry."

Hyundai Motor Group will use the Nvidia Blackwell-based AI factory to deploy infrastructure that powers innovation across in-vehicle AI, autonomous driving, factory automation and robotics. The group is leveraging three Nvidia AI compute platforms:

• Nvidia DGX platform for large-scale AI model training.
• Nvidia Omniverse and Nvidia Cosmos for creating digital twins of manufacturing environments and testing AV software.
• Nvidia Drive AGX Thor as the AI compute for real-time intelligence in vehicles and robots.

The company will use the Omniverse Enterprise platform to develop factory digital twins to accelerate robot integration, optimise production and enable predictive maintenance. Inside vehicles, Nvidia DRIVE AGX Thor will provide compute power for advanced driver-assistance, next-generation safety features and in-vehicle AI experiences.

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the start of production for the new Volkswagen Taigun from its Pune facility. The model is part of the group's strategy to manufacture vehicles in India for both domestic and international markets.

The Taigun is produced with high levels of localisation at the Chakan facility. Since its introduction in 2021, the company has manufactured over 143,000 units of the model in India. Approximately 30 percent of this total production has been exported to global markets.

The vehicle is engineered to meet European driving dynamics and maintains a 5-star safety rating. The updated iteration includes design changes and features intended to improve convenience based on consumer feedback.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The start of production of the new Volkswagen Taigun underscores the maturity of our world-class manufacturing ecosystem in India. Our Indian manufacturing facilities are geared to deliver global-quality vehicles with high levels of localisation, enabling us to respond quickly to what customers demand in India and in export markets. The Taigun stands as a perfect example of this approach, engineered in line with Volkswagen’s global benchmarks and produced in India with a sharp focus on efficiency, quality, and safety. As we roll out the new Taigun, we are further solidifying India’s position as a strategic production and export base for the Group.”

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, added, “Since its launch, the Taigun has been instrumental in strengthening the brand’s SUV strategy. It has played a pivotal role in bolstering our product portfolio for discerning Indian buyers and their aspirations. The new Taigun is central to our strategic plan for the model line-up that will drive meaningful growth. The start of production for the new Taigun at our Chakan facility is a moment of great pride for us. It continues to signify our commitment to the Indian consumers who choose to own premium German-engineered products. We are certain the new Taigun will build on the success of its predecessor and elevate customer experience.”

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Chinese automotive major Changan Automobile and CAOA have inaugurated an automated production line in Anapolis, Brazil, marking the start of local assembly for the Changan UNI-T SUV.

The ceremony was attended by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, signaling a phase of industrialisation and mobility investment in Brazil.

The inauguration initiates a USD 950 million investment cycle for 2026-2028, which adds to the earlier USD 570 million invested since 2023. Total investment in the Anapolis facility reaches USD 1.52 billion with the plant now equipped to have an annual production capacity of 90,000 units.

The UNI-T was developed over three years by a team of 200 Chinese and Brazilian engineers. Key technical features include:

• Powertrain: A 1.5 Turbo GDi BlueCore Flex engine, calibrated by CAOA to operate on any ethanol-petrol blend.
• Testing: The vehicle underwent 200,000 km of durability testing across various Brazilian climates.
• Digital Features: A localised Portuguese voice control system and connected cockpit tailored for the domestic market.
• Future Roadmap: Changan plans to introduce hybrid and electrified variants, supported by the federal government's MOVER programme.

The company expects to open over 60 dealerships across Brazil during 2026 to support its expanded sales footprint.

Zhu Huarong, Chairman, China Changan Automobile Group, said, "For Changan, Brazil is not only a place to invest, but a land where we committed to building a long-term future."

Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho, Co-President, CAOA, added, "The UNI-T represents far more than a new model. It demonstrates that Brazil can establish itself as a global hub for high-technology automotive engineering and production."

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Bengaluru-headquartered electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ultraviolette Automotive has announced a 5-year investment plan to expand its manufacturing operations in Karnataka.

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka during the ‘Invest Karnataka’ Conclave in Bengaluru, securing proposed incentive support through the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The EV maker has announced a two-phase expansion strategy to increase domestic production and support global export requirements:

Phase 1: An investment of INR 2 billion to enhance existing capacity and manufacturing at the current Bengaluru facility.

Phase 2: The establishment of a new production plant in Karnataka with an annual capacity of 150,000 units.

The plan aims to deepen local manufacturing, create employment and accelerate research and development within the electric vehicle sector. Ultraviolette currently produces the F77 performance motorcycle and the X-47 Crossover, utilising proprietary battery technology.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Ultraviolette intends to expand its Indian retail presence from 40 to 100 cities by the end of 2026. Internationally, the company has entered 12 European countries and has scheduled further expansion into Asian and Latin American markets.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette Automotive, said, “Karnataka has been central to Ultraviolette’s vision of Making in India for the World. This proposed manufacturing expansion reflects our confidence in the state’s forward-looking EV ecosystem, talent, and policy support. The combination of infrastructure readiness, proactive governance, and long-term incentive visibility creates a strong foundation for Ultraviolette’s next phase of growth.”

Niraj Rajmohan, CTO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette Automotive, added, “Karnataka has been home to Ultraviolette’s R&D journey from the very beginning. The state offers a unique combination of deep engineering talent, strong supplier networks, and close proximity to key industrial and manufacturing hubs. What makes this especially meaningful for us is that we have built world-class products here proving that with the right talent, ambition, and ecosystem, innovation can be created right here in Karnataka.”

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Octillion Power Systems has announced that its India division has manufactured its 100,000th electric vehicle (EV) battery system. The milestone unit was produced on 20 March 2025 at the company’s ‘Pune Two’ facility for a passenger SUV developed by an Indian automotive manufacturer.

Since commencing Indian operations in 2017, Octillion has expanded from a single facility in Pune to three manufacturing sites across Pune and Gujarat. The company currently operates over 300,000 square feet of production space.

At present, the company’s annual energy production is expected to reach 8 GWh by 2026. The division supplies battery systems for passenger cars, trucks, buses and two-wheelers and three-wheelers. The company recently announced the build-out of its third major facility in Halol, Gujarat, to support a domestic supply chain and mass-scale quality control.

Paul Beach, Global President, Octillion, said, “Reaching 100,000 units made in India is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. This milestone reflects the trust our clients place in us to deliver safe, durable, and innovative batteries on time replete with exceptional value. Our position is strengthened as we expand in India and continue driving forward: product innovation, market growth and a more resilient supply chain.”

Nikhil Parchure, Senior Vice-President, Octillion, commented, “Our ambition in India is to enable cleaner, more sustainable transportation to help combat the pollution affecting our cities and communities. Reaching 100,000 packs is proof of our India team’s extraordinary dedication to this mission. We deeply appreciate our customers’ trust and we take pride in knowing that vehicles powered by Octillion batteries reflect the ingenuity and excellence of India.”

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