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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Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAMPL) has developed a hard carbon anode material designed for sodium-ion batteries used in grid-scale Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Developed through internal research and development, the graphite-free material provides an alternative for cell manufacturers as sodium-ion chemistry gains adoption due to the abundance of sodium and its lower environmental footprint compared to lithium extraction.

The material utilises coconut shell waste as its primary carbon precursor. Through pyrolysis and high-temperature carbonisation, this agricultural byproduct is converted into a disordered carbon structure with the interlayer spacing and nanopore architecture required for sodium-ion storage.

This bio-based manufacturing process eliminates dependence on graphite and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 percent compared to standard graphite anode production due to lower processing temperatures.

The microarchitecture of the hard carbon anode provides reversibility, cycle life, and charge-discharge capabilities required for grid applications undergoing repeated charge cycles.

The product launch follows commitments to sodium-ion cell production by global manufacturers, including CATL, alongside expanding research by cell manufacturers across Asia and India seeking components for energy storage systems.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, “The clean energy transition needs materials that are affordable, available and easy to scale, faster. Sodium-Ion is the right chemistry for energy storage and Hard Carbon is the right anode for it. The feedstock is something India has in abundance, the process is cleaner than anything that came before it, and the performance is where it needs to be for real-world grid applications. We are building for what energy storage will look like ten years from now.”

The introduction of the hard carbon anode is part of Epsilon Group's expansion into battery materials, which also includes silicon-graphite anodes and Generation III Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cathode active materials for lithium-ion applications. The expansion aims to establish manufacturing and export capabilities for battery components within India to support energy storage and electric vehicle sectors.

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French automotive supplier Valeo has been nominated by a major Indian automotive manufacturer to supply its Valeo Smart Safety 360 (VSS360) system for commercial vehicles.

The advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) is designed specifically for the Indian market and will be produced at Valeo's manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat.

The VSS360 is a ‘one-box’ ADAS solution that integrates radar fusion directly into a smart front camera. This design allows vehicle manufacturers to remove individual Electronic Control Units (ECUs), reducing costs and simplifying integration into existing vehicle architectures.

A significant technical feature of the system is the Univolt Camera, which is compatible with both 12V and 24V electrical architectures, allowing it to be used in vehicles ranging from Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) to heavy-duty trucks.

The system utilises three radars and one camera to provide a suite of safety and comfort functions, including:

• Moving Off Information System: Protects pedestrians and cyclists during vehicle pull-away.
• Blind Spot Information System: Monitors side zones for vulnerable road users.
• Standard ADAS Functions: Includes Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning.
• Driver Monitoring: Software that detects driver drowsiness and fatigue to mitigate accident risks.

The system has been tailored to meet upcoming General Safety Regulations in India and handles unpredictable traffic conditions common on Indian roads. It also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates to maintain software performance throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.

Marc Vrecko, CEO, Valeo Brain Division, said, "This award demonstrates how our high-end ADAS technology can perform in the world’s most demanding environments while drastically improving road safety. India is a cornerstone of our 'Elevate 2028' strategy and Valeo is committed to providing high-tech, scalable, and cost-optimised safety solutions that meet the specific requirement of Indian roads."

Jayakumar G, Group President & Managing Director, Valeo India, added, "This award marks an important milestone in expanding our ADAS portfolio in the commercial vehicle segment in India. By localising these advanced solutions, we aim to deliver highly competitive products tailored to our customers’ needs. Regulatory momentum is a key driver accelerating ADAS adoption and supporting our journey towards safer and smarter mobility in India."

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Hyundai Motor Group has expanded its Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE) in India by forming a consortium with 7 universities to conduct research into battery and electrification technologies.

This initiative adds IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, VNIT Nagpur and Tezpur University to the existing partnership established in 2025 with IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay.

The Group is managing 39 joint projects through these institutions, focusing on battery cell safety, energy density and diagnostic systems. Research is specifically directed toward battery designs and materials intended for the Indian environment.

Technical work also includes the development of an AI-powered Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) platform and advancements in Battery Management Systems (BMS).

To facilitate technical exchange, the Group has introduced a Korea Visiting Programme for researchers and a series of global conferences and forums. These programmes are designed to connect government, industry, and academic leaders to discuss emerging electric vehicle (EV) technologies and share technical insights between India and Korea.

Chang Hwan Kim, Head of the Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “By bringing together the distinguished professors and emerging researchers from these seven institutes, we can create powerful synergies that will yield immense value for both Hyundai and India's sustainable growth. I strongly believe that the Hyundai CoE will grow to become the premier expert network of the Indian academic community”.

The long-term objective of the project is to establish a research hub that provides solutions for the domestic automotive industry and supports the transition to electric mobility through local talent and institutional expertise.

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NXP Semiconductors has announced a collaboration with Quanta to launch a deterministic zonal networking solution designed for next-generation Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architectures.

The platform combines NXP’s S32 automotive processing platform with TrustMotion’s MotionWise middleware to provide predictable, real-time communication across vehicle networks.

The solution is engineered to solve a primary challenge for automotive manufacturers: ensuring precise timing across distributed compute and network components. By providing end-to-end determinism, the platform reduces the risk of errors during late-stage system integration.

The solution features an automated workflow for topology discovery and schedule generation designed to accelerate SDV program timelines. It combines NXP S32 processors, SJA1110 TSN-enabled switches and multi-PMIC power management into a single, validated system.

It provides low jitter and predictable latency across Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and in-vehicle networks, supporting Quality of Service (QoS). Thus making it scalable to support latency-sensitive applications including audio over Ethernet, high-performance compute (HPC) integration and real-time control.

Sebastien Clamagirand, SVP and GM, NXP Semiconductors, said, “Software defined vehicles require a fundamentally different approach to vehicle architecture – one that delivers deterministic timing across both compute and network at scale. We are helping OEMs overcome the limitations of legacy architectures, reduce integration risk and accelerate development of scalable zonal systems.”

Terrisa Chung, Vice-President and General Manager, Quanta, added, “Quanta’s Adaptive Zonal System is designed to deliver deterministic performance and system level scalability for next generation vehicle platforms. Working with NXP, we’re providing a ready to deploy foundation that helps our customers move faster while meeting strict timing, safety, and reliability requirements.”

The partnership aims to streamline the transition from domain-based designs to zonal E/E systems. NXP and Quanta have also confirmed they are working toward aligning this solution with the NXP CoreRide zonal reference system to support broader SDV integration in future vehicle programs.

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