BHTC Starts Manufacturing Facility in Pune
- By MT Bureau
- June 23, 2022
Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH (BHTC), one of the world's technology leaders in the field of automotive displays/HMI solutions, climate control and thermal management, has announced the launch of its state-of-the-art fully integrated manufacturing facility in Pune. The company said in a statement that the new facility was inaugurated in the presence of Michael Jaeger, CEO, BHTC Group; Sudeesh Karimbingal, Managing Director, BHTC India; Kolja Kress, Group CFO & Board Member of BHTC India; Bernd Kuhlhoff, Executive Vice President Sales, BHTC Group; and Dr. Ralph Trapp, Executive Vice President Research & Development, BHTC Group.
The Pune facility is spread over an area of 120,000 square feet and employs around 300 people, the release said.
The company has already invested about EUR 10 million in India and has committed another EUR 8 to 10 million of investment until 2023. The new facility will cater to the increasing demands of local and global customers.
The facility in Pune already specialises in end-to-end product development and manufacturing of advanced HMI and Climate Control Panels for leading automotive OEMs in India and across the globe. The company has upgraded its manufacturing capability and capacity to produce world-class products out of India. The facility houses advanced testing and validation centre, global R&D centre, global IT and shared services, all under one roof.
Opening of their new facility underscores the strategic importance of India as one of the key pillars of BHTC’s global R&D network, the release said. BHTC’s engineers in India are already working on latest technologies and innovations for our local and global customers. With the expansions, BHTC aims to accelerate the global development activities in the coming months and ramp up its R&D strength to about 300 very soon.
Kress said, “BHTC is building on our long-term commitment to the Indian market. State-of-the-art facility will serve local and global customers of BHTC. 120,000 square feet integrated facility would house world class SMD manufacturing, advanced testing and validation centre, global R&D centre, global IT and Shared services, all under one roof. New facility will strengthen our local manufacturing capabilities, design and development of innovative climate control and HMI solutions.”
Karimbingal said, “We are proud to introduce our new facility in Pune and be part of the ‘Local for Global’ initiative by the Indian government. The investment in the new facility not only meets the increased demand for our products but is also having a positive cascading effect on employment generation and skilling at the same time. We are very well positioned to achieve our 2025 strategic goal – to be the market leader in India for Automotive HMI and climate control products. We aim to outperform the industry by growing over 15% CAGR next 5 years based on the already bagged strong order book. We see a growing demand for BHTC’s Display solutions in India with the augmenting demand for connected vehicles with increasing dependency on navigation systems, infotainment systems, and growing awareness of in-vehicle safety and comfort among Indian consumers.” (MT)
Ola Electric To Unveil India Inside Vision On 15th August
- By MT Bureau
- August 06, 2025
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric is set to host its annual event ‘Sankalp’ on 15 August, at its Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.
At the event, the company shared that it will unveil its ‘India Inside’ vision across products and technologies. This year, Ola Electric has made its event public inside the Gigafactory, which will be live-streamed on its official channels with more details to be announced soon.
Force Motors Launches AI-powered Connected Vehicle Platform, Sets Up Command Centre In Pune
- By MT Bureau
- August 05, 2025
Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has unveiled Force iPulse, its new connected vehicle platform designed to enhance operational intelligence and vehicle lifecycle management.
Developed in partnership with Intangles, the platform uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid analytics to provide insight into vehicle performance. It continuously analyses high-resolution data to predict issues, enabling the early detection of performance problems and component failures.
Unlike traditional monitoring systems, Force iPulse goes beyond simply reporting faults. It performs root-cause analysis on key subsystems, including the engine, powertrain and electrical and thermal systems, allowing for proactive intervention to prevent unplanned downtime. This enables fleet operators to make precise, data-backed decisions.
Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “At Force Motors, we believe in value-driven innovation, and this launch is yet another step in our mission to deliver superior, intelligent mobility solutions. Force iPulse is more than just a technological solution—it is a business enabler for our customers. It brings in transparency, improves efficiency, and ensures safety across operations, thereby equipping our customers with complete control over their fleet operations. We are confident that this new initiative will be well appreciated by both our customers as well as our partners and help take us another step forward in delivering our promise of customer delight.”
The platform, built on a secure cloud-native architecture, provides access to real-time and historical vehicle data on both mobile and desktop devices. It offers a unified view of operations, helping fleet managers detect inefficiencies, enforce best practices and optimise the total cost of ownership.
Furthermore, to support the new technology, Force Motors has established an Intelligence Command Centre at its headquarters in Pune. Manned by diagnostics experts, the centre provides remote vehicle monitoring, alert management and expert guidance. This is backed by a 24x7 support infrastructure.
Force iPulse is now available across Force Motors’ network of more than 300 dealerships. It will be a standard feature on all new commercial vehicles and can also be fitted as a certified aftermarket solution.
Faraday Future Begins Trial Production Of FX Super One MPV In California
- By MT Bureau
- August 04, 2025
California-based e-mobility company Faraday Future Intelligent Electric has commenced the trial production phase of its new FX Super One electric MPV at its Hanford facility.
The phase will focus on validating production processes, workflows and quality standards. Factory engineers and staff are also undergoing training to prepare for full-scale production. The next stage will involve engineering validation, including safety testing.
Unveiled in Los Angeles on 17 July, the FX Super One features Faraday Future’s Super EAI F.A.C.E. interface and its 6x4 Embodied AI Agent architecture. The model is positioned as a premium alternative to traditional large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.
The company has invested around USD 300 million in its 1.1 million-square-foot Hanford facility, which could be scaled up to produce over 30,000 vehicles per year with further funding and permits. The plant may also support multi-model assembly lines.
Faraday Future recently secured USD 105 million in new funding, expected to cover most of the FX Super One’s launch costs.
Founded in 2014, the company aims to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first and smart driving experience.
Schaeffler Introduces Radar-Based Hands-Free Vehicle Access Sensor
- By MT Bureau
- August 04, 2025
German tier 1 supplier Schaeffler has developed a hands-free access sensor that allows users to open and close vehicle trunks or sliding doors with a foot motion, without needing to press a button or use a remote. Based on Doppler radar technology, the system enables keyless and contactless vehicle access.
According to Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis, Schaeffler AG, “With the expanded portfolio of the Powertrain & Chassis Division, Schaeffler is positioning itself as a new provider of innovative sensor solutions for body applications. The hands-free access sensor is an example of Schaeffler’s growing, complementary product range following the merger with Vitesco Technologies – and marks another step toward our goal of becoming the world’s leading Motion Technology Company.”
The sensor activates when a person enters the radar field beneath the rear of the vehicle. It detects foot movements and analyses both speed and direction within a 60-centimetre range. Artificial intelligence is used in the calibration process, adapting the system to different vehicle models to improve detection accuracy and reduce false triggers.
Production of the sensor began in Europe at the end of 2024 for major automotive manufacturers.
Leif Reinhold, Head of the Powertrain Solutions Business Division at Schaeffler, responsible for the company’s sensor portfolio, said. “Schaeffler’s hands-free access sensor is a key component in the vehicle for intuitive access and also highlights our expanded sensor expertise in the market. We have been producing the hands-free access sensor in volume since the end of 2024 – in Europe, for major European automotive manufacturers. We also see additional growth potential in North America and China.”
Operating at a 24 GHz frequency, the sensor maintains performance in various weather conditions and temperatures ranging from –40 to 105 degrees Celsius. It connects to vehicle systems via a LIN interface and is suitable for various body styles including SUVs, minivans and sedans.
The sensor can be mounted either on the bumper or the chassis and is compatible with vehicles fitted with or without a trailer hitch. Installation involves a single screw-in component, removing the need for extra clips, brackets or antenna runs.
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