Hyundai Motor India has showcased its Manufacturing Excellence through the origins of the all-new i20, a Masterpiece of Human Centric Engineering. With unassailable standards and processes, the company has created the all-new i20 that is perfected through a prudent use of Industry 4.0 and Automation.

Ganesh Mani S, Director – Production, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Our focus has remained on ensuring supreme levels of manufacturing excellence. This has perfectly culminated in the all-new i20, delivering robust and reliable performance. With our 24-year rich manufacturing heritage of ‘Make in India’, the all-new i20 is yet another benchmark brand from Hyundai that is an edge above the rest.”

THE ROBUST SUPERSTRUCTURE:   

• Featuring an extensive application of 66 % Advanced & High-Strength Steel, Hyundai has created a Robust Superstructure to enhance crash worthiness and make the car lighter.
• This super structure is created, using 5,400 Tons Stamping at the Press Shop
• Incorporating an Online Condition Monitoring systems to monitor machine vibration, Hyundai offers enhanced process quality, changing shapes of metal in elegant curves & creases.  
• The use of advanced Digital gauge to check the Panel thinning distribution - Crack, Neck Prediction methodology that helps in manufacturing ZERO Crack panels. 
• Hyundai has used ‘High quality grade coils’ for sculpturing aesthetics and modern look of the all-new i20.
• Use of 3D scanning of Parts – to analyse and strengthen the press panel parts accuracy and precision

THE IMPECCABLE APPEAL:

• The all-new i20’s dynamic and futuristic appeal is created at the Body Shop on the Global Body Build Line.
• Using technology enabled high-quality welding process that features over 450 4^th Gen Robots offering 100 % Weld Automation with over 4,000 welding spots in each car, and more than 70 cars being processed every hour
• Robots on the Line offer a glimpse of the flawless manufacturing process that gives a definitive shape to the origins of the all-new i20.
• Body shop has three stage advance quality conformation where our quality system is enable with ‘Quality 4.0 techniques’
  • Intelligent weld monitoring
  • Real time weld quality confirmation system [Colour tip sensor]
  • Real time sealer quality confirmation system
• In house Data scientists in shop floor apply Deep learning techniques for Quality confirmation of Mastic Sealer through Vision Inspection system

THE VIBRANT CHARISMA:

• Vivid and striking colours of the all-new i20 are curated at the Paint Shop where High Throw Power 7^th Generation Electro Deposition Paint is applied for long lasting Rust Warranty and corrosion resistance.
• The vibrant charisma of the all-new i20 is processed in seamless automation line that features 72 Robots ensuring the conformity to supreme quality standards and long lasting stylish & glossy looks.  
• Using an Anode Cell Current Monitoring system, Hyundai has enhanced the paint application quality through an Online Current monitoring method.

THE DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE:

• Through immense research, hours of design, validation and testing of multiple iterations of operating condition, the all-new i20 has been prepared to offer rip-roaring performance.
• To give these engines robust performance, Hyundai has employed technologically superior treatment that enhances its performance on road.
• The in-house Endurance lab tests the performance with load condition for 849 Hours and without load condition for 5 lakhs cycles for transmission systems, and over 350 hours for the Engine system, to ensure enhanced durability
• Hyundai also employs a Cold Test Bed that is an eco-friendly way of testing the engines over 15 parameters, without burning fuel. It is a fully automated system in which 100% of the produced engines are tested before assembling in vehicles.

• At the Powertrain Shop, Hyundai manufactures both diesel & petrol engines using 700 CNC Machines with Integrated SPC (Statistical Process Control).
• With High Speed Vision (60 frames/ minute) 58 Engine parts are verified, offering robust Quality for a Pleasurable Driving Experience.

THE PARADIGM OF QUALITY:

• To drive enhanced convenience and confidence, Hyundai’s assembly lines are ready to convert robust shells into fully functioning cars in the Assembly Shop.
• Here 80% of the car’s parts are fixed, preparing it through a 100% systemized 3 stage dynamic tightening confirmation that features:
  • Electric tool tightening 700+ dynamic joints per car (safety and critical parts)
  • Re-confirmation system across all the line (Trim, Chassis and Final line)
  • Tightening quality and Sign-off interlock to ensure zero defect vehicle rollout
• Additionally, systemized part feeding method is used for maintaining quality in feeding and assembly operation using:
  • Global Part Traceability Information System
  • Advanced Part Management System
  • Mobility Sequence Feeding System
  • Trolley Scheduling System
• Through a 324-point check in HIDIS (Hyundai Integrated Digital Inspection System), Hyundai is ensuring the highest levels of conformation to quality standards.   
• Each and every vehicle that rolls of the assembly line - right from the stage of panel press to complete vehicle roll out is thoroughly inspected by over 500 quality in-charge experts.
• Vehicle final inspection method is digitally enabled for assembled part specification/ type verification.
• The all-new i20 then undergoes a dynamic road test on 18 drive tracks for various road driving conditions as well as a unique leak test that is equivalent to driving through rain/water pressure that exceeds the heaviest recorded monsoons, with a shower condition of 60mm per minute or 3,600mm per hour at a pressure of 3bar.

The all-new i20 has been developed to create a Masterpiece of Human Centric Engineering that encompasses Human, Machine and Emotions, offering Quality Time to its Valued Customers.

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TomTom, the location technology specialist, has announced the appointment of Mike Schoofs as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Management Board. The decision was formalised following approval by shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM also confirmed the appointment of Co-founder and former CEO Harold Goddijn to the Supervisory Board, alongside Joep van Beurden, while Derk Haank was reappointed as a member.

Schoofs joined TomTom in 2005 after holding positions at KPN-Orange and Samsung. During his tenure, he has served in various commercial leadership roles globally and within specific regions. In 2023, he assumed the role of Chief Revenue Officer, where he managed the company’s commercial strategy and expanded its enterprise business footprint. A Belgian national based in Amsterdam, Schoofs also serves as an advisor to several European startups.

The leadership transition occurs as the company focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence within location intelligence and the provision of data for its partners. TomTom’s strategy remains focused on scaling its commercial presence across all business segments under the new executive structure.

Derk Haank, Chairman of TomTom’s Supervisory Board, said, “Mike brings extensive commercial leadership experience and deep knowledge of TomTom’s business, built over more than two decades with the company. We are confident that he is well positioned to lead TomTom in its next phase.”

Mike Schoofs, said, “I’m excited to lead TomTom at a moment when location intelligence is reaching a decisive turning point, accelerated by AI and the growing need for trusted, real‑world data. I look forward to creating lasting impact for our customers and our partners.”

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IVECO BUS Academy is incorporating virtual reality (VR) into its training curriculum to support the maintenance and operation of electric vehicles across Europe. The initiative follows a year in which the academy trained 6,100 people across 800 sessions in 2025. This integration aims to address the technical skills required for high-voltage vehicle systems while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

The use of VR technology allows trainees to perform maintenance procedures in a simulated environment, eliminating physical risks associated with incorrect handling of electrical components. The immersive system enables repetitive practice of technical operations and reproduces complex scenarios that are difficult to simulate in conventional training environments. By utilising these tools, the academy seeks to improve knowledge retention and the long-term proficiency of technical teams.

The academy provides training tailored to the requirements of transport operators, updating its content to reflect changes in energy sources, vehicle technology and industry regulations. These programmes are delivered both at the academy's facilities and on-site at customer premises. The deployment of VR is intended to reduce downtime for vehicle fleets by improving the diagnostic capabilities of service personnel.

Teresa Magno, IVECO BUS Academy, said, “At IVECO BUS Academy, we know that delivering sustainable mobility extends far beyond the product itself. A vehicle is only truly efficient when it is supported by the right services. Fleet availability also relies on the expertise of skilled teams. As technologies evolve, so do the competencies required for diagnostics. With these new educational tools, IVECO BUS Academy confirms its ambition to provide comprehensive solutions, where training becomes a real driver of performance, safety and customer satisfaction.”

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IndiGo Ventures has completed a INR 100 million strategic equity investment in Sarla Aviation, marking a formal entry into the Indian electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sector.

The funding was part of a recent round led by Accel and Nikhil Kamath. The partnership is intended to establish an infrastructure for air taxi operations across India, specifically targeting transport corridors between zero and 300 kilometres.

Sarla Aviation is a startup focusing on the development of hybrid-electric aircraft platforms. The firm operates a private eVTOL demonstrator and employs an engineering team with previous experience at international firms including Lilium, Joby and Volocopter.

By utilising electric flight technology, the company aims to provide transport services for airport transfers, inter-city commutes and emergency medical runs at lower costs than traditional helicopter services.

The collaboration pairs Sarla's hardware development with the operational infrastructure of IndiGo, India's largest airline. At present, IndiGo operates over 2,000 daily flights across 85 airports and maintains a national network of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. This investment aligns with global trends where major carriers, such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have backed eVTOL manufacturers to secure future urban air mobility solutions.

Beyond passenger transport, the investment is expected to influence the domestic aerospace supply chain, including the production of composites, avionics and battery systems. Potential routes identified for future operations include Bengaluru Airport to Electronic City and Gurugram to Noida, which could see transit times reduced from over 90 minutes to approximately 15 minutes.

Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder & CEO, Sarla Aviation, said, “IndiGo’s investment marks a turning point — not just for Sarla, but for the future of how India moves. For decades, Indians have accepted that distance means delay, that geography is a constraint you live with. We believe that era is ending. Having IndiGo — the airline that made flying accessible to hundreds of millions of Indians — stand behind this vision gives it a weight and credibility that we could not have built alone. India has always dreamed big. Now we have the partners to match the dream.”

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German technology company Robert Bosch has announced its 2030 strategy, prioritising technological leadership in automation, electrification and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate a challenging global economic environment.

Despite geopolitical tensions, the group reported 2025 sales revenue of EUR 91 billion, a slight increase from the previous year. For 2026, the company expects sales growth of 2–5 percent and an improved EBIT margin from operations between 4–6 percent.

The 2025 financial results were impacted by structural and personnel adjustments, resulting in provisions of EUR 2.7 billion. These measures reduced the EBIT margin from operations to 2 percent, down from 3.5 percent in 2024. However, the group maintained a high level of investment, dedicating EUR 12 billion to research, development and capital expenditure. Bosch remains a prolific patent applicant, registering approximately 6,300 patents in 2025.

A primary focus for the company is the advancement of sensor technology and automotive software. The global market for sensors is projected to exceed USD 440 billion by 2031, and Bosch is positioning its BMI5 sensor platform for applications in robotics and automated driving.

In the mobility sector, the firm secured orders worth EUR 10 billion in 2025 for driver assistance solutions and central vehicle computers. The group also expects to deliver more than 7 million components for electric vehicles this year.

The company is diversifying its reach through regional partnerships, including a joint venture with Tata AutoComp Systems in India to manufacture electric motors and axles. In the consumer goods sector, artificial intelligence is being integrated into products such as home appliances and professional power tools to drive sales.

To support future investments and improve capital market access, Bosch will begin publishing interim consolidated financial statements. The group's equity ratio remains high at 41.6 percent, with a positive free cash flow of EUR 300 million recorded in 2025. Total headcount saw a slight reduction of 1 percent during the year, ending with 412,774 associates worldwide.

Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch, said, “Bosch can deliver the future – even under unfavourable conditions. 2026 will be a year of progress. As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping the trends of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as this also paves the way for profitable growth in our business. An important prerequisite for this are the cost-cutting effects of the structural measures we have already initiated and innovations in all business areas.”

Markus Forschner, Member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer, Robert Bosch, said, “Competitiveness is the foundation for profitable growth – it secures our investments for the future. This strengthens our resilience in the face of upcoming challenges and at the same time boosts our investment capacity for the future.”

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