Technology company Continental’s ‘Women for Manufacturing’ programme, launched as a 150th anniversary initiative, was aimed at women empowerment through targeted campaigns and programmes. 

The company said in a statement that the project was rolled out in Bengaluru and Gurugram in June 2021. The programme focuses on three target groups – high school girls, ITI and engineering students, and unemployed women from underprivileged sections of society. The programme is planned to be extended to other industry hubs in a phased manner, including associations with various governmental and non-governmental organizations and industry bodies as necessary, the press release said. 

Prashanth Doreswamy, President and CEO, Continental India, said, “Statistics show that in India, women’s workforce participation rate is low, and the manufacturing industry has a lower rate compared to many other industries. COVID had an additional impact, resulting in further decline in female employment. Our Women for Manufacturing initiative hopes to bridge the gender gap in the manufacturing industry. We need more women in the manufacturing sector, and organisations should support the ecosystem to enable this.” 

Studies show that women comprise about 12 per cent of India’s manufacturing sector. Socio-economic and cultural conditions are some of the many reasons why such disparity exists, but also lack of awareness, relevant education, and wrong perceptions about the manufacturing industry. 

Manufacturing industry is often wrongly perceived as unsuitable for women. Continental’s Women for Manufacturing programme focuses on building awareness, visits to plants for first-hand experience of work conditions, safety, inclusive practices, advancements in automation and smart technologies, creation and increasing opportunities and career options through training, internship, and placements, and mentoring and counselling for participants and their key family members to address societal stereotypes. 

The major component of the programme is a certification programme for employable age women, which includes 320 hours of training, including hands-on machinery operations, factory exposure sessions and plant tours. At the end of the certification program, which comes under the Capital Goods Skill Council and course level NSQF level 3, the candidates are provided with mentoring, interview preparation support, and placement support. Several manufacturing companies in and around Bangalore and Gurgaon have already hired the women who underwent the certification program, taking the placement to 100 per cent for the completed batches. Additional batches for the certification are currently underway. 

Continental also recently launched a programme Launch-pad to hire and develop women who were on a career break as part of a long-standing effort to promote gender diversity and equal opportunities. (MT)

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Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced the new Bolero range with prices starting INR 799,000 (ex-showroom), with the new top-end B8 variant priced at INR 969,000 (ex-showroom). The new Bolero Neo starts at INR 849,000 (ex-showroom), with the new top-end N11 variant at INR 999,000 (ex-showroom).

With a history of 25 years and over 1.6 million customers, the Bolero remains a versatile SUV, navigating diverse terrains from city streets to rural landscapes, offering adaptability and value.

The new Bolero features a new grille, fog lamps and diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, the Bolero offers a new 17.8 cm touchscreen infotainment & music system, steering-mounted controls and leatherette upholstery with better seat comfort. The RideFlo ride and handling tech gives better stability and control, with improved suspension. The Bolero is powered by the mHAWK75 engine delivering power of 55.9 kW and 210 Nm torque, with body-on-frame construction. The company has also introduced a new Stealth Black colour, along with existing colours.

On the other hand, the new Bolero Neo combines toughness with urban style. It features a sleek new grille with horizontal accents and dark metallic grey R16 alloy wheels. Interior theme options are Lunar Grey and Mocha Brown. Comfort features include leatherette upholstery and better seat ergonomics. It has a 22.8 cm infotainment system, a rear-view camera and a USB C-type charging port. The RideFlo tech, along with MTV-CL and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD), ensure smooth rides. It is powered by the mHAWK100 engine delivering power of 73.5 kW and 260 Nm torque and includes cruise control and Multi-Terrain Technology (MTT) for better traction. New colours include Jeans Blue and Concrete Grey, plus three dual-tone options.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Bolero has stood the test of time, earning its place as one of India’s most versatile and tough SUVs for over 25 years. Building on this enduring legacy, the new Bolero range has been thoughtfully designed to meet the aspirations of a dynamic and rapidly evolving New India. With a perfect blend of toughness, contemporary styling, enhanced comfort, and modern features, the new Bolero and Bolero Neo deliver a powerful SUV experience that shines equally in urban environments and challenging terrains.”

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JCBL Armouring Solutions, a provider of armouring solutions in India, is entering the luxury car protection segment. The company stated it has worked on premium vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover and Defender, giving protection while maintaining vehicle performance.

India’s luxury protected vehicle segment is reporting growth at a 15–20 percent CAGR. JCBL stated its technology provides ballistic protection while preserving vehicle elegance and dynamics. The company serves VVIPs, celebrities and individuals with high net worth. It focuses on lightweight armouring that keeps strength, agility and comfort after the protection process.

Each vehicle is tested at accredited labs, including the NFSU Ballistic Research and Testing Lab and complies with certification standards from VRDE, ICAT and DRDO. The company’s R&D centre is approved by DSIR and it holds a DIPP license.

Rushank Doshi, CEO, JCBL Armouring Solutions, said, "Luxury should never come at the cost of safety. We are redefining secure mobility in India’s luxury car segment, ensuring top-tier protection without compromising elegance, performance, or craftsmanship. This reflects JCBL Group’s commitment to excellence, innovation and world-class engineering."

JCBL Armouring Solutions also reinforces vehicle components, including suspension and braking systems, to maintain performance and dynamics. Security features include run-flat tyres, bullet-resistant glasses and a reinforced structure. The company offers aftersales services, including maintenance, upgrades and training for customers on handling protected vehicles.

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Kia India has announced a significant change to its leadership team, naming Sunhack Park as Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and Joonsu Cho as Chief Business Officer (CBO).

As the new CSO, Park will head Kia India’s sales strategy, focusing on sustainable growth, improving operational efficiency and expanding the brand’s market reach. He brings over 28 years of international automotive experience, having held key leadership positions at Kia Headquarters in South Korea, the Middle East & Africa (MEA) and India.

Cho, in his role as CBO, will be responsible for crafting business strategies, overseeing production planning and export logistics, leading cross-functional teams and forging strategic alliances to ensure operational excellence. He has over 32 years of leadership experience from global roles in Australia, the UK and Europe.

Sunhack Park, said, “I am privileged to take on the role as Chief Sales Officer. This is an exciting phase for the brand as we continue to expand our presence in a dynamic and evolving market. My focus will be on driving sales growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and strengthening our dealer and partner ecosystem.”

Joonsu Cho, said, “I am honored to assume the role of Chief Business Officer. Kia India has made remarkable strides in the market, and my priority will be to develop and execute robust business strategies that support sustainable growth and operational excellence.”

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RattanIndia Enterprises-owned Revolt Motors, a leading electric motorcycle brand, is strengthening its leadership team and has appointed Raghava Rao as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO).

Rao, a seasoned industry leader, comes with over two decades of diverse experience across the automotive sector, spanning two-wheelers, tractors, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

Prior to joining Revolt Motors, he has held senior leadership positions at Kinetic Engineering, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Piaggio Vehicles and TI Clean Mobility (Montra Electric).

Roy Kurian Joins Revolt Motors As President

Rao has expertise in channel sales, customer support, customer experience and market insights, with a proven track record of driving business growth and customer success.

Anjali Rattan, Chairperson, RattanIndia Enterprises, said, “We are delighted to welcome Raghava Rao to the Revolt family. His deep expertise in the automotive industry and proven leadership across multiple business functions will play a crucial role in accelerating our growth journey and further strengthening Revolt’s position as India’s No.1 electric motorcycle brand.”

Rao is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business (General Management Program), holds a B.Tech degree from BITS Pilani, and a PGCSM from XLRI Jamshedpur.

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