Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. is set to open a new plant in Harohalli, Karnataka, India, to meet the growing automobile production in India.

Built on a total land parcel of approx 40,000 square metres, with a building area of approx 18,000 square metres, the new plant is a branch plant of Toyoda Gosei South India Pvt Ltd. The company has pumped in INR 2.05 billion for this project. The plant is expected to have a staff of approx 580 people and will begin production of safety systems, such as airbags and steering wheels, and interior and exterior products, such as console boxes and pillars, from 2026. Armed with collaborative robots and karakuri technology, the automated plant will feature automated transport machines, energy-efficient electric moulding machines and solar panels.

India is one of Toyoda Gosei's main markets. As the car industry grows quickly, there is an increasing need for airbags, one of the company's primary products, against a backdrop of rising traffic deaths. In recent times, manufacturers have been boosting their manufacturing capacity for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) due to their rising popularity. The company intends to enhance the safety and comfort of mobility in society by utilising its research and manufacturing network inside the nation.

RRP Electronics Limited has announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AMB (Taiwan) to produce advanced memory modules of technologies such as SPI NAND, MICROSD, EMMC and SSD. 
Projected to generate US$ 25 million in annual revenue, the signing of MoU marks yet another milestone in the push for local manufacture of semiconductors in India for consumption in various electronic products across sectors like automotive, FMCG and others.   
The MoU encompasses comprehensive technology sharing, including package structure details, substrate designs, test programme development and tool design support. With extended capacities starting from 2GB onwards, the new memory solutions will cater to increasing demand in the global electronics market.
Speaking on this landmark collaboration, Rajendra Chodankar, Chairman of RRP Electronics Limited said, “RRP Electronics is thrilled to partner with AMB, Taiwan. Through this association, we will deploy cutting-edge technology at our state-of-the-art OSAT facility, ensuring our products are ready to serve leading corporate giants like Samsung and other major players. This collaboration sets the stage for delivering US$25 million in revenue annually and further positions us as a global leader in semiconductor innovation.”
The production will take place at RRP Electronics’ 40,000 sq. ft. OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility located in Mahape (Navi Mumbai), which became operational in September 2024. To meet growing demand, the company is also expanding its manufacturing footprint with new production lines at its upcoming plant at MIDC, Taloja, expected to commence operations within the next two years.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) has released the automotive retail sales data for November, which saw a total of 3,208,719 vehicles sold across categories, marking a 11.2 percent growth over November 2023.

This saw two-wheelers clocking its best-ever performance for the month at 2,615,953 units, up 15.8 percent YoY, three-wheeler at 108,337 units, up 4.2 percent YoY, passenger vehicles sales at 321,943 units, down 13.7 percent YoY, tractors sales at 80,519 units, up 29.8 percent YoY and commercial vehicles sales at 81,967 units, down 6 percent YoY.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, stated, “While November was initially expected to build on its prior momentum, particularly due to the marriage season, dealer feedback suggests that this segment underperformed overall expectations. Although rural markets offered some support, primarily in the two-wheeler category, marriage-related sales remained subdued. The late occurrence of Deepawali at the end of October also caused a spillover of festive registrations into November, affecting the month’s sales trajectory.”

He shared that while November sales in certain segments were at record high, the marriage season’s contribution fell short of expectations, offering only limited relief from rural India.

The passenger vehicles sales in particular faced notable headwinds, on the back of weak market sentiment, limited product variety and insufficient new launches, compounded by the shift of festive demand into October.

“Although rural interest was present, it failed to significantly improve sentiment.

Inventory levels have reduced by about 10 days, but to remain high at around 65-68 days. FADA continues to urge OEMs to further rationalise inventory so that the industry can enter the new year on a healthier footing, reducing the need for additional discounts,” stated Vigneshwar.

On the CV sales he explained that the segment also struggled due to restricted product choices, older model issues, limited financier support, and the absence of major festivals in November following a strong October.

“External elements such as elections, a slowdown in coal and cement industries, and weak market sentiment also weighed heavily on this category,” he said.

Going forward he expects that with the prospects of a bumper Kharif harvest is likely to temper food inflation and the broader macroeconomic environment appears will improve, potentially aiding consumer sentiment in the months ahead.

“However, the immediate December outlook derived from dealer feedback is mixed. Category-wise Expectations:

Two-wheelers: Dealers suggest that while some buyers remain hesitant—either awaiting new-year models or influenced by subdued post-festive sentiment—others could be drawn by potential year-end discounts and stable rural demand. Although momentum may not be robust, incremental schemes and easing inflation could lend mild support, placing two-wheeler on a cautiously positive footing.

Passenger vehicles: In the passenger vehicles segment, heavy discounting and improved product availability are expected to help offset weak consumer sentiment and a general year-end lull. While some customers are deferring purchases for new-year models, overall interest could pick up due to aggressive offers and end of year promotions. This sets a tone of cautious optimism, with a moderate chance of improved sales compared to November.

Commercial vehicles: The commercial vehicles category faces a more challenging environment. Factors such as subdued infrastructure activity and customers holding back for newer model-year vehicles continue to dampen demand.

“Nonetheless, selective OEM schemes and year-end offers may provide a limited lift. On balance, while the CV segment’s expectations are not uniformly positive, there is some hope that targeted incentives and stable financing conditions could prevent a sharper decline. In sum, while the near-term outlook for December is not overwhelmingly strong across segments, it leans towards stability with pockets of potential growth, underlining a sentiment that remains overall remains cautiously optimistic.

Representational image: David McBee/Pexels

German technology company Continental has produced ATE SecuBrake, the first sustainable brake fluid free of any hazardous substances subject to labelling. It not only exceeds the requirements for DOT 4 brake fluids but is also suitable for electric vehicles.

ATE SecuBrake is the first available product in the new ATE New Original line. 

Tim Lunkenheimer, head of aftermarket product management for hydraulic brake systems at Continental, said, "ATE SecuBrake underscores our commitment as a premium manufacturer to break new ground in product development for the aftermarket. Workshops can make an important contribution to sustainability by increasingly using more eco-friendly products."

The company says the ATE SecuBrake is certified according to the mass-balance standard. The starting point, ethylene, is derived mainly from renewable raw materials. With over 80 percent of raw materials obtained from renewable sources, it has got much lower CO2 footprint than with conventional brake fluids.

The ATE SecuBrake also contains no borate esters, eliminating the need for hazardous substance labelling according to the EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) and the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations.

British design and engineering studio Callum has selected Aqua Mist as its Colour of the Year 2025. The colour a fresh pastel blend of green and blue, it says is not only vibrant and optimistic but also promotes relaxation and tranquillity.

The company says Aqua Mist represents renewal and innovation in a fast-changing world. The refreshing, soothing hue combines the calm of blue with the rejuvenation of green, perfect for creating peaceful, balanced spaces.

It is for the first time Callum has introduced the Colour of the Year 2025, which it says will become an annual forecast of colour trends from its growing team of colour, material and finishes experts.

Charlotte Jones, colour, material and finishes designer at Callum, said, “Aqua Mist offers a fresh, calming energy. Its soft and cool undertones are associated with tranquillity and openness, providing a balanced base that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Its versatility means it is suited to a number of applications, materials and surface textures, while layering with Callum’s specially-selected balancing colours creates a fun, energetic vibe.

Recent projects and collaborations have given us valuable insights into the needs, preferences and experiences of a variety of customers, particularly those who rely on well-considered inclusive design to enhance accessibility and comfort. We want the Callum Colour of the Year to spark conversations about how colour resonates with the emotional needs of customers and can help shape spaces and products that elicit deeper emotional responses.”

Ian Callum, Design Director, Callum, said, “Every design team in the world looks at future aesthetics to stay relevant and appeal to ever-evolving consumer tastes. Plus, it’s creative and a lot of fun. The Callum Colour of the Year 2025 is the first time we’ve made any of our forecasting work public.”

The company has identified a concise complementary palette, which sees Aqua Mist being balanced with Neon Riot and Midnight Tide, to create a playful, dynamic trio that offers an energetic yet approachable look, ideal for designs that need both vibrancy and sophistication - perfect for playful brands.

Callum stated that Neon Riot is an attention-grabbing hot pink, which brings energy, fun and vibrancy to the palette by adding a pop of brightness. Midnight Tide on the other hand is a rich, deep blue, that grounds the other two colours with its darker, more intense shade, making the overall palette feel balanced and mature.

The combination of Aqua Mist, Neon Riot and Midnight Tide in automotive projects it believes can create a bold, futuristic and attention-grabbing aesthetic, especially for brands or models aimed at trend-conscious audiences