Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, is no more. Admitted to the Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai, the 86-year-old Tata Group patriarch passed away in the late hours of 9 October 2024 due to age-related ailments.

Spearheading the entry of Tata Motors into passenger vehicle manufacture rather than be a commercial vehicles manufacturer only, Tata took over the mantle of Tata Sons as the umbrella organisation of Tata Group of companies in 1991 from JRD Tata.

Chairman emeritus of the USD 130-billion salt-to-software group, Tata was always passionate about automobiles and aeroplanes as much as he was caring about animals. A skilled aviator who would fly a plane himself, Tata was also a philanthropist. 

Highlighting an ability to risk by acquiring business such as Corus Steel of UK, Jaguar Land Rover of UK (from Ford Motor Company) and develop products such as the Nano for the common people, Tata messaged on ‘X’ that the recent rumours circulating regarding his health should not be considered as he was undergoing check-ups for age-related medical conditions and was in good spirits

He was admitted to the hospital on 7 October 2024 with age-related medical conditions. He has left behind him robust organisations in the form of Tata Motors and others, which have set an example of how success is achieved and how benchmarks are set. 

Tata Motors began its journey in the late 80s in the passenger vehicle space with the Tata Estate, Sierra and later the Indica against the competition  that was superior in their abilities to make cars.  Tata drove Tata Motors from what looked like a failure to the success that it today enjoys in the passenger vehicle domain by building capabilities starting with the passnger vehicle factory within the company's Pune premises. 

While projects like the Nano peoples’ car were very close to his heart and an outcome of the ambition to provide the ‘middle-class’ families a safe mode of personal transport, Tata was quite passionate about cars himself.

While he was often seen driving a Honda City in Mumbai near ‘Bombay House’ (the Tata Group headquarters) and the NCPA where he launched the Indigo Marina estate based on the Indica platform, Tata loved loved fast cars and flying his own plane.

Born on 28 December 1937 to Naval Tata and Soonoo Commisariat, Tata was raised by his grandmother Navajbai Tata along with his younger brother Jimmy. He completed his degree in architecture in 1962 from Cornell University, New York. He did an advanced management programme at the Harvard Business School in 1975.

On the advice of JRD Tata, Tata turned down a job offer from IBM to join the family business and began his stint as an apprentice on the shop floor of Tata Steel, shovelling limestone and handling the blast furnace.

Taking charge of the National Radio & Electronics Company (Nelco) in the late 70s along with the Mumbai-based Empress Mills, Tata was the fourth generation in the dynasty.

Successfully steering the Tata Group out of the rough winds that it got into when some of the business such as Tata Telecom went down, Tata stepped down on 28 December 2012 on turning 75. He passed the reigns over to Cyrus Mistry as his successor.

As relations between Mistry and Tata soured, Tata moved ahead to take over the leadership of the Tata Group on 24 October 2014. He put N Chandrasekaran, who was then heading TCS, in the commanding position as the Tata Group chairman in January 2017.

South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor India has outlined a new investment of INR 6.94 billion towards stamping tool and panel production for vehicles.

The passenger vehicle maker aims to strengthen its domestic footprint along with the foundation of manufacturing by establishing the infrastructure of stamping tool.

This the company believes will drive stability in its supply chain as it will be able to have in-house access to stamping tool and the manufacturing of vehicle panels.

Currently, Hyundai Motor India works with over 194 vendors that has enabled it to localise more than 1,238 parts. This has enabled the company to save around USD 672 million in 2019. In fact, the company’s newest electric vehicle offering the Creta Electric SUV already comes with about 92 percent localised parts.

Kobelco Construction Equipment India (KCEI), a subsidiary of Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery Co, has attained a new production milestone in the country.

The company recently rolled out its 20,000th made-in-India excavator from its plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. What’s more, the company as part of its India outlook has also announced setting up a new R&D facility, which will focus on developing new technologies, engineering solutions, customisation and product innovation.

At present, the Sri City facility has a production capacity of 3,000 units per annum and supplies excavators for both domestic and 16 international markets. The company claims it currently enjoys over 25 percent market share in India.

Takemichi Hirakawa, Managing Director & CEO, Kobelco Construction Equipment India, said, "Reaching the 20,000th excavator production milestone reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality construction equipment. India has emerged as an important manufacturing base for Kobelco, meeting both domestic demand and expanding our global footprint. As part of our long-term growth strategy, we remain aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and continue to invest in R&D, strengthening our capabilities."

Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, has unveiled its new brand identity, which it shared marks its transformation from a materials supplier to an engineered solutions provider.

The new identity represents its focus from just being a supplier of metals to a partner with a focus on closing the ecosystem loop right now from sourcing, refining, co-developing and recycling. The company has also outlined an ambitious INR 450 billion towards strengthening aluminium, copper and specialty alumina business.

In an event held in Mumbai, the company displayed its new range of solutions targeted for various industries including B2C, B2B and even B2G. For the automotive industry the company is looking to work together with automakers and suppliers, especially supporting the transition towards lightweighting vehicles and electrification.

Interestingly, the company has also commenced what it claims is India’s first e-waste recycling plant by Birla Copper and a 100MW renewable energy project in Odisha.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group unveiled the new identity and said, “Today, Hindalco is a mini conglomerate in itself, with 52 plants across 10 countries producing a diverse portfolio of high-quality products that contribute to the global economy. We are committing INR 450 billion across aluminium, copper and specialty alumina businesses to deliver both upstream and next-generation high-precision engineered products”. 

“Hindalco’s new identity reflects our role as a catalyst for change, a problem solver and a co-creator of new solutions that power progress across industries. And above all, it embodies our commitment to always being a force for good,” added Birla.

The new logo features a bold and dynamic ‘H,’ which the company shared represents forward momentum and reinforces its role in shaping India’s industrial and sustainable future.

Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco Industries, added, “This marks a pivotal moment in Hindalco’s journey as we transition from a metals manufacturer to an innovation-driven solutions provider. Our investments in advanced materials, circular economy solutions, and cutting-edge applications will redefine manufacturing in India and beyond. The new brand identity, Engineering Better Futures, reflects our core principles: Sustainability, Circularity, Durability and Precision Engineering. These pillars form the foundation of our transformation, ensuring we create a lasting impact for generations to come.”

Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its new 4,800 buses per annum manufacturing facility near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

The new facility spread across 75 acres can manufacture the complete range of Ashok Leyland diesel buses along with Switch Mobility’s electric buses. The facility features a Nalanda learning center and an advanced service training center. The plant was inaugurated by Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Human Resource Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Furthermore, the auto major as a symbolic gesture also handed over the keys of the Switch electric double-decker bus to the government of Andhra Pradesh as part of its commitment to promoting sustainable public transportation. The event saw participation from M Ram Prasad Reddy, Minister of Transport, Sports, Youth Affairs; T G Bharath, Minister of Industries; V Balashowry, MP, Krishna District; Y Venkata Roy, MLA, Gannavaram Constituency; Ashok P Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Group – India and Shom Ashok Hinduja, President Alternative Energy and Sustainability, Hinduja Group, along with dealers, customers, suppliers and other dignitaries.

 “This is a prestigious occasion for Andhra Pradesh. We are delighted to welcome Ashok Leyland to our growing industrial ecosystem. This plant strengthens our reputation as an emerging manufacturing hub and will play a crucial role in providing employment, enhancing skill development, and boosting the overall economy of the State,” said Nara Lokesh.

Dheeraj G Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, “Inspired by the vision of the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who has crafted a progressive industrial policy for the State, we are excited to be in Andhra Pradesh and our relationship with this State has been over several decades now through Ashok Leyland and other Hinduja Group entities. The inauguration of the new plant marks the beginning of yet another chapter for Ashok Leyland in this vibrant State, where our Group is committed to explore more opportunities for driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and generating prosperity in the region.”

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, added, “With inauguration of the new plant, Ashok Leyland will further consolidate its position as No.1 bus brand in India and among the top 5 globally. This facility will help us cater to the growing demand for fully built buses in India. Production in the new plant has just commenced and owing to our large order book, the plant will start operating at 100 percent capacity from day one. The new plant is equipped with state-of-the art equipment with high levels of automation signifying our commitment to making products of highest quality standards.”