The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) in partnership with the Alloy Steel Producers Association (ASPA) conducted the 3rd Automotive Raw Materials Conclave and Exhibition in Delhi recently. Held under the theme ‘New Age Materials - Challenges And Opportunities’, the conclave brought together key stakeholders to discuss the transformative potential of advanced materials in the automotive industry. 

Providing insights on how efficiencies can be brough in and how sustainability and circularity could be deployed in case of next-generation materials, the event focused on cutting-edge materials in context with vehicle design, safety and sustainability. It also focused on challenges such as commodity price fluctuations, geo-political instability and geographic material concentration in terms of the transition from traditional raw materials to the new age materials. While a PwC Report presented at the conclave stressed on the above factors, the conference saw experts and industry leaders speak about the convergence of multiple factors like improved vehicle performance and enhanced safety standards in terms of new material choices in components for automotive applications. 

Gopalakrishnan Ganesan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India, said, “We've witnessed remarkable progress in the automotive and steel industries over two decades, complementing each other and aligning with government goals. The PLI Scheme for Steel has been a driving force, especially for alloy steel in fostering innovation. The Government, the Steel Industry and the Automotive industry, together need to forge a self-reliant innovative future, creating ground-breaking products in advancing the nation.” 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, expressed, “In this era of rapid technological evolution and environmental consciousness, the automotive sector finds itself at a critical juncture. The convergence of electrification, autonomous driving, and the pressing need for eco-friendly transportation necessitates a radical rethinking of raw materials.” “At ACMA, we firmly believe that challenges are opportunities in disguise. The complexities that lie ahead, from securing a stable supply of critical minerals to scaling up the production of new-age materials, present us with opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and create lasting impact. This conclave provides us with an ideal platform to forge partnerships, share knowledge, and collectively shape a sustainable roadmap for the industry,” he added.  

The key themes explored during the 3rd Automotive Raw Materials Conclave and Exhibition were, 

Advancements in lightweight materials and their impact on fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability.

High tensile strength alloys and their contributions to vehicle safety and performance.

Sustainable manufacturing practices and their role in reducing the automotive industry's ecological footprint.

Emerging trends and innovations in automotive materials, presenting opportunities for growth and competitiveness.

Sunil Kakkar, Senior Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., and the chief guest of the event averred, “In the rapidly transforming automotive industry, we see significant challenges and opportunities. The regulatory environment in India is aligning with global norms, and trends like connected, autonomous, shared, and electric mobility are shaping the industry’s future. Despite the pandemic, the industry has shown resilience, and our unsaturated market offers vast growth potential. Collaboration between steelmakers and the automotive industry is crucial to meet the safety, emission, and light-weighting needs of the industry. We are committed to a greener, safer, and more innovative future, embracing ESG measures for a sustainable ecosystem.” 

Several alloy steel manufacturers also displayed their next-generation products at the event.

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Bengaluru-headquartered electric vehicle major Ather Energy has announced that its fast-charging network ‘Ather Grid’ has surpassed 400 charging points across Tamil Nadu. This expansion aims to alleviate range anxiety for EV owners and support the growing adoption of electric vehicles in the state.

With charging stations now in 38 cities, including tourist destinations like Coonoor and Rameswaram, the network connects key travel routes such as Coimbatore to Bengaluru and Chennai to Pondicherry. The company also noted that a total of 480 fast charging points are available in the state, which includes over 50 LECCS (Light Electric Combined Charging System) chargers. Developed by Ather, the LECCS standard allows different brands of light EVs to use the same charging network.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Tamil Nadu has been one of our earliest markets and ever since we entered the state in 2019, we have been investing in building a reliable charging network there. Charging has often been seen as one of the key barriers, and it’s something we’ve focused on solving from day one. Crossing 400 fast chargers in Tamil Nadu is a reflection of that commitment. It’s about giving riders the confidence that a charger is never too far away. As our retail footprint grows, the charging network will continue to scale alongside it, making EV ownership truly seamless.”

The company has partnered with local businesses like Coffee Day Global and Ganga Sweets to deploy these charging points. This expansion is part of Ather's broader national effort, which has seen the establishment of over 3,300 fast-charging points across India. The chargers can provide up to 15 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes, making it more convenient for riders on the go.

In addition to its charging infrastructure, Ather maintains a strong presence in the state with 44 experience centres and 42 service centres in 35 cities, offering comprehensive sales and after-sales support.

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Bengaluru-headquartered premium electric two-wheeler company Ultraviolette Automotive has announced a strategic investment from TDK Ventures, the venture capital arm of Japan’s TDK Corporation, along with participation from backing from existing investors Zoho Corporation and Lingotto (previously Exor Capital), among others.

With this TDK Ventures joins the likes of Qualcomm Ventures, Zoho Corporation, Speciale Invest, Lingotto (Formerly Exor Capital), and TVS Motor Company as a strategic investor in the EV company. It also counts the likes of Sriharsha Majety (Co-founder & CEO, Swiggy), Ankit Nagori (Co-founder, Cure Foods; former Chief Business Officer, Flipkart), Aprameya Radhakrishna (Co-founder, TaxiForSure), and Dulquer Salmaan (renowned actor and automotive enthusiast) among its early backers.

At present, Ultraviolette sells the F77 electric motorcycle and is gearing up to expand its product offerings along with manufacturing, research and distribution network globally.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said, “Mobility is undergoing a radical transformation, and at Ultraviolette, we are leading that change through cutting-edge innovation. Our partnership with TDK Ventures fast forwards our efforts, from advanced battery platforms to intelligent vehicle systems. This collaboration not only accelerates our vision of future ready mobility but also reinforces our commitment to delivering electric vehicles that are aspirational and globally relevant.”

Niraj Rajmohan, CTO and Co-founder of Ultraviolette, said, “Through this partnership with TDK Ventures, Ultraviolette will continue to innovate in deep-tech to shape the future of mobility. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries in building safer, smarter, and a more efficient electric mobility eco-system.”

Ravi Jain, Investment Director, TDK Ventures, said, “We look forward to bringing our TDK Goodness to Ultraviolette and their ambitious plan to design the next generation of energy efficient and performance EV 2W platforms. TDK Ventures is excited to support Ultraviolette in their relentless pursuit of growing their global reach."

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In a significant step toward creating a global ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) ecosystem, Geely Holding Group’s aerospace subsidiary, Geespace, successfully launched 11 new satellites into orbit on 9 August 2025. The launch took place in Shandong Province, China, and marks the fourth successful orbital deployment for the company's Geely Future Mobility Constellation (GEESATCOM).

With this latest launch, Geespace now operates 41 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), bringing it closer to its goal of having 72 satellites in operation by end-2025. The company plans to accelerate deployments over the next two months to reach 64 operational satellites, which will establish comprehensive global satellite IoT coverage.

The GEESATCOM project is a key part of Geely's vision to build an integrated space and earth mobility ecosystem. The LEO satellite network is designed to provide highly reliable, wide-coverage communication services for various strategic industries, including:

• Connected vehicles and urban air mobility
• Emergency response and maritime operations
• Energy infrastructure

This network will support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected vehicle platforms by providing crucial data for precision positioning and connectivity. Geespace has already established partnerships with telecom operators in over 20 countries and its proprietary satellite communication chips and high-precision positioning modules are now in mass production across Geely's vehicle portfolio.

To further demonstrate the technology, Geely is providing high-precision positioning and emergency satellite communications for official vehicles at the World Games 2025 Chengdu, showcasing the practical applications of its satellite infrastructure in real-world scenarios.

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Kia India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer in the country, has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with ASDC (Automotive Skill Development Council) to promote automotive skill training in the country.

The partnership will promote a 30-day training model module combining classroom-based theoretical learning and practical on-the-job experience. The course includes 15 days of foundational training at ASDC-certified training centers covering core automotive concepts and dealership functions. In addition, it will also feature Kia-specific process to familiarise candidates with brand standards, systems and product knowledge. The curriculum will provide students with 15 days of experiential learning at authorised Kia dealerships under expert supervision.

Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “This collaboration with ASDC represents a pivotal step in Kia India’s commitment to shaping a future-ready ecosystem, one that is anchored in skilled human capital and elevated customer experience. By creating a robust talent pool through structured training and certification, we are not only empowering India’s youth with meaningful employment but also reinforcing our dealer network with professionals who embody Kia’s values of quality, care, and innovation. Ultimately, this initiative will translate into a more seamless, informed, and rewarding journey for every Kia customer across the country.”

The co-developed learning model aims to provide candidates with the technical know-how and workplace readiness to be effective from day one. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will undergo an evaluation at the ASDC centre, get certificate jointly awarded by Kia India and ASDC, and eligible for the direct recruitment by Kia dealerships into Sales and Service roles.

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