Hyundai's Manufacturing Excellence Eased Making All-new i20

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Ganesh Mani

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 4th 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 7th 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.

Bharatsure Raises INR 60 Million, Partners Battery Smart To Provide Insurance For EV Stations In India

L-R: Bharatsure Co-Founders Anuj Parekh and Sanil Basutkar.

Bharatsure, an insurance technology start-up focussing on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solution, has raised INR 60 million from Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) and other investors including Capital A and Atrium Angels. The start-up is focusing on providing health security and insurance penetration by partnering with seamless group and embedded insurance distribution solutions firms.

The company has also announced a new partnership with Battery Smart, a leading battery swapping network company focussing on two-wheelers and three-wheelers to provide natural calamity insurance exclusively for its EV station partners. The idea is to provide coverage against incidents such as fires, floods, earthquakes and storms alongside personal accident coverages to individuals.

Bharatsure shared that it has doubled its revenues in FY2025, breaking even at CM3 and is progressing toward EBITDA profitability end-FY206. It is targetting INR 1 billion in revenue by FY2028 and INR 10 billion by FY2034.

Mitesh Shah, Co-founder, IPV, said, “As India moves towards a greener and sustainable future with the widespread adoption of EVs, and the infrastructure that supports it, it is time that we adapt our insurance frameworks to suit the changing needs. Bharatsure’s futuristic mindset and farsight offers financial protection and peace of mind in the face of unexpected events. In a world that doesn’t always go according to plan, insurance doesn’t just offer protection, it also carries the burden of social responsibility.”

Anuj Parekh, Co-Founder & CEO, Bharatsure, said, “These station partners play a frontline role in advancing sustainable mobility, and we’re proud to design coverage that genuinely addresses their needs. The funding allows us to further develop our infrastructure too.” 

Sumi Jain, AVP – Network Strategy and Operations, Battery Smart, said, “Our station partners are at the heart of our operations. This insurance partnership is not just about protecting assets, it’s about empowering the individuals who are driving India’s EV revolution. Together with Bharatsure, we are fortifying the backbone of our network.” 

China’s Chery Automobile Tech To Power JSW Group’s EV Brand

JSW - Chery

JSW Group, a leading business conglomerate in India, is said to have inked a pact with China-based automotive brand Chery Automobile, as per a report by Bloomberg.

The report stated that, as per the agreement, JSW will pay a one-time technology transfer fee and royalties to Chery for its passenger vehicle technology. Furthermore, JSW will utilise the technology and launch a new EV brand in India by 2027.

At present, JSW Group holds 39 percent stake in MG Motor India and has been looking to further raise its stake in the company. It also aims to expand its presence in the automotive industry in not only passenger vehicle and electric vehicle segment, but also enter the commercial vehicle segment.

Bloomberg News further stated that Chery and JSW had disputed the accuracy of the news report but acknowledged that the pact was providing components.

JSW furthermore said that the ‘core technology will be developed in-house with the help of companies such as KPIT Technologies and LTIMindtree.’

Maruti Suzuki India - DPIIT

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to support startups in the automobile and mobility sectors.

The partnership aims to leverage Maruti Suzuki's industry expertise and infrastructure to help startups recognised under DPIIT's 'Startup India' initiative. Selected startups will gain access to mentorship, business insights and a platform to validate their technologies. They will also be connected with incubators, accelerators and investors to help them scale their solutions.

This collaboration is a significant step towards reinforcing the government’s 'Startup India' and 'Make in India' initiatives.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “India is home to a vibrant and growing startup ecosystem. Through this partnership with DPIIT, we will be able to further accelerate our efforts to support promising startups to create technology-led solutions in the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. This collaboration is a step forward in our commitment to the Government’s ‘Startup India’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. We thank DPIIT for partnering with us in this initiative.”

Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, "Maruti Suzuki’s legacy of innovation, scale and deep industry knowledge makes it a vital partner for India’s startup ecosystem. This MoU is a step towards creating a robust platform for startups to transform ideas into market-ready mobility and manufacturing solutions, reinforcing India’s leadership in next-gen industrial innovation."

Md. Alam Ansari, Deputy Director, Startup India, DPIIT, said, "Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki reflects DPIIT’s commitment to nurturing high-impact startup engagement in the mobility and manufacturing space. We look forward to enabling startups with the support they need to succeed at scale, both in India and globally."

Maruti Suzuki has been actively engaged in the startup ecosystem for six years, screening over 5,220 startups and partnering with 28 to date through its various innovation programs.

Meta Materials Circular Markets Launches Carbon Credit Methodology For Vehicle Recycling

MMCM

Meta Materials Circular Markets (MMCM) has launched what it claims is the world’s first carbon credit methodology for recycling end-of-life vehicles (ELVs)in partnership with global certification body Cercarbono. The methodology was unveiled during the Asia Climate Summit.

The new framework, titled Recovery and Recycling of Materials from End-of-Life Vehicles, enables carbon credit generation through structured dismantling and recycling of materials such as metals, plastics, and glass. The recycled outputs replace virgin raw materials, reducing emissions and promoting circularity within a certified climate finance structure. The formula was unveiled in association with Cercarbono, a leading global environmental project certification standard during the Asia Climate Summit.

MMCM is a joint venture between NCDEX e-Markets (NeML) and MTC Group. The methodology forms part of Cercarbono’s Carbon Programme and covers eligible materials such as aluminium, steel, copper, plastics (ABS, PET, PP, etc.) and container glass cullet.

Nitin Chitkara, CEO, MMCM, said, “his milestone is deeply personal for all of us at MMCM. What started as a bold idea, rooted in Indian innovation was shaped and strengthened by the many hands and minds who believed in its potential. As we converge efforts towards building circular and low-carbon economies, this is a pivotal moment for us to present Made-In-India as a standardised methodology on a global forum, carrying the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. Our partners, Cercarbona, played a crucial role in refining every layer of the methodology, making it not just technically sound but globally relevant and ready to implement. With the launch of the ‘Recovery and Recycling of Materials from End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs),’ we’re introducing a formula that is a practical, proven path to circularity.”

Yashodhan Ramteke, Carbon BU Head at MMCM, said, “The official release of the ELV Carbon Credit Methodology marks a breakthrough for the automotive industry. These credits are not just high-integrity, they come directly from the OEMs’ own end-of-life vehicle value chain. By enabling measurable emission reductions from the recovery, dismantling and recycling of vehicles, this methodology empowers auto companies to take real ownership of their Scope 3 emissions. It’s a practical, circular and scalable climate solution built for the sector – by the sector.”

Alex Saer, CEO of Cercarbono, said “This methodology delivers a concrete response to the growing challenge of vehicle waste. By enabling carbon finance for regulated recycling systems, we not only reduce emissions but also prevent the environmental harm caused by uncontrolled scrapping practices. It’s a climate solution rooted in circularity and equity.”

The methodology applies to Climate Change Mitigation Projects (CCMPs) operating in Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) and supports both greenfield and expansion initiatives. It calculates emissions reductions by comparing recycled material emissions with baseline emissions from virgin production. Only materials transformed into chemically and functionally equivalent substitutes are eligible.

It includes conditions for compliance, traceability, monitoring, exclusion of informal-sector practices, and certification under Cercarbono’s EcoRegistry platform.

ELVs are a rising source of industrial waste, often dismantled in informal scrapyards lacking proper infrastructure, which can lead to pollution from hazardous substances. The new approach provides a regulated, accountable alternative.