Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB has announced a new collaboration with Polmotors, a tier 1 supplier focusing on low-emission products, for exploring the potential of fossil-free materials in demanding automotive applications.

The partnership will see Polmotors explore manufacturing components using SSAB’s decarbonised steel.

SSAB is working on two unique decarbonised steels and aims to largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations. It has already introduced SSAB Zero, which is based on recycled steel and made using fossil-free energy. The company claims that it has also successfully produced the world’s first fossil-free steel. It works with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron- and steel production, replacing the coking coal traditionally used for iron ore-based steelmaking with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide emissions in steel production.

On the other hand, Polmotors closely works with the likes of Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Peugeot, Citroen, Jeep, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and Opel among others, to introduce high-performance components which are not only lighter but also greener.

Maciej Grabos, CEO, Polmotors, said, “Polmotors sees the future of fossil-free steel. And the potential competitive advantage of being an early adopter, positioning ourselves to meet the anticipated market demand from premium automotive OEMs. We design and manufacture crash management systems (CMSs) for these customers, such as bumpers and rally bars, so choice of materials is crucial. Polmotors looks forward to joint R&D – working with SSAB and the OEMs – for the implementation of new steel grades in our products.”

Robert Lewandowski, Key Account Manager, SSAB, said, “Polmotors recently celebrated its 35thanniversary. I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to meet them 20 years ago and observe how an initially small, Polish-owned enterprise turned into a global Tier1 supplier. Decarbonisation of the automotive industry requires cooperation across the supply chain where Tier 1 companies play an important role”.

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JSW MG Motor India has started production of the MG Majestor, its D+ segment sport utility vehicle (SUV), at its manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat.

The SUV features a four-wheel-drive (4WD) system and triple differential locks to manage traction and control across terrain conditions. It is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine paired with an electronic drivetrain and includes advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for vehicle safety and control.

Pre-reservations for the vehicle have opened at a price of INR 41,000 on the company's website, with early customers receiving priority delivery timelines and vehicle previews.

The Halol assembly plant utilises automated manufacturing processes and quality control systems to handle the assembly of the vehicle's chassis, body panel alignment and mechanical components.

To support the vehicle rollout, the carmaker is introducing its ownership programme, which includes a 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranty package, 5-year roadside assistance service contract and 5 labour-free scheduled maintenance services.

Biju Balendran, Deputy MD, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The commencement of production of the MG Majestor marks a significant step for us as we move closer to introducing a new benchmark in the premium SUV space. With the Majestor, we are bringing together strong engineering, advanced capability and a commanding presence, aligned to the evolving expectations of customers. Built at our Halol facility with advanced processes and stringent quality systems, the Majestor is engineered to deliver high standards of durability, performance and reliability. We are confident it will resonate strongly with customers looking for both capability and refinement in their next SUV.”

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Yamaha Motor Co, has established the Robotics Business Support Division as a dedicated sales and service facility for its robotics operations in Gurugram, Haryana.

The facility operates within Yamaha Motor India Sales (YMIS), the entity responsible for the company's motorcycle and automotive product sales in the country.

The division was created to reinforce sales and service operations for Yamaha-branded robot products, streamline internal business processes and support further investment. The facility will initially focus on surface mount technology (SMT) assembly systems and industrial robots. Over the longer term, the company plans to build the necessary technical structures to handle semiconductor back-end processing equipment.

The Gurugram facility features a dedicated showroom designed to display Yamaha Motor’s robotics technologies. This space allows clients to view products and technical solutions firsthand, helping them assess application methods for their respective production sites. Through this initiative, the company aims to increase its brand recognition and capture a larger share of the expanding Indian manufacturing and robotics automation markets.

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German automation and technology company Durr has launched Qflex, a system designed to decouple automotive drying ovens from specific heat sources. This development allows manufacturers to change energy sources, such as natural gas, electricity, or hydrogen, without requiring structural modifications to oven systems.

Durr plans to equip its oven range with centralised heating technology, focusing on two systems: EcoInCure and EcoSmartCure. The variable heating circuit enables operators to switch energy sources based on availability or cost.

The system uses a heating module that supplies heat to zones through a circuit. Operators can modify the heating module to change energy sources or integrate high-temperature storage units.

Dr. Heiko Dieter, Product Manager at Durr, said, “It is impossible for anyone to predict today what source of energy will be available in plentiful supply and at a reasonable cost tomorrow. If, for example, the gas supply is interrupted at short notice, there is a risk of costs increasing and even production being interrupted. Energy-flexible ovens guarantee an alternative supply in this case. If a source of energy is no longer economical, operators can switch to another source with minimal effort – without having to interfere with the oven’s structural fabric. Choosing a hybrid system also makes it possible to automatically switch to the cheapest energy source depending on the time of day.”

The EcoInCure oven uses a transverse design. The EcoSmartCure uses a longitudinal mode of operation with a stop-and-go principle. This allows for temperature control by heating bodies in phases, which reduces thermal stress on parts. Both systems are single-level designs intended for integration into new builds or existing plants.

The EcoSmartCure is undergoing tests for industrial use.

“The strong customer interest and two projects already underway confirm to us that we have hit the mark with this new development. Energy flexibility is no longer a distant vision. The Qflex technology in our ovens now offers a solution for responding flexibly to volatile energy markets and changing conditions in automotive production,” concluded Dr. Dieter.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has commenced production at its second manufacturing plant at Kharkhoda.

With this, the company has expanded its production capacity to 2.65 million units per annum across Gurugram, Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana and Hansalpur in Gujarat.

The new facility can manufacture 250,000 units, which takes the total production at Kharkhoda to 500,000 units per annum combined. It will produce the company’s popular Brezza and Victoris SUVs.

The expansion is part of Maruti Suzuki India’s expansion strategy to meet customer needs, and once fully operational the Kharkhoda facility will produce a million units per annum, making it the biggest four-wheeler manufacturing location for Suzuki globally.

For FY2027, Maruti Suzuki India aims to add 500,000 units capacity.

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