Clocking USD 74.1 billion turnover and a growth of 9.8 percent in FY2023-24 on a year-on-year basis, the Indian auto components industry body (the Automotive Components Manufacturers Association) ACMA has announced the finding of its ‘Industry Performance Review’ for FY2023-24. 

The report mentions that the turnover growth of the automotive component industry is influenced by factors such as the rise in consumption of increased value-added components, thrust on localisation and a market shift in terms of increasing preference for larger and more powerful vehicles. 

On the exports front, the report highlighted a growth of 5.5 percent to USD 21.2 billion in FY2023-24 as compared to USD 20.1 billion in the last fiscal. North America accounted for 32 percent of the exports with a growth of 4.5 percent. Europe accounted for another 33 percent with a growth of 12 percent. Asia accounted for 24 percent of the export market with the growth remaining flat. The key components that were exported in FY2023-24 were drive transmission and steering, engine components, body and chassis, suspension and braking systems etc. 

The report also stated that exports, with trade surplus (CAGR of export is twice that of the import) have remained study in the wake of political challenges. 

Witnessing a growth of three percent in FY2023-24 to USD 20.9 billion as compared to USD 20.3 billion in FY2022-23, imports were of the following nature: engine components, body and chassis parts, suspension and braking parts, drive transmission and steering parts.

Asia accounted for 66 percent of imports followed by Europe and North America at 26 percent and eight percent respectively, imports from Asia grew three percent and that from Europe by four percent. Imports from North America remained flat in FY2023-24. 

On the aftermarket front, the increased movement of vehicles and surge in demand for used vehicles led to buoyancy across segments. The turnover of the aftermarket in FY 2023-24 was USD 11.3 billion. In FY2022-23, it was USD 10.6 billion. The e-commerce sector involvement has led to the aftermarket witnessing gradual shift into organised trade. The digital route is also leading to higher penetration in the hinterland of the country.  

The supply to electric vehicles accounted for six percent of the auto components industry turnover of USD 74.1 billion. The Indian auto component industry is optimistic on the back of the robustness exhibited by the economy.  

Regarding the performance of the auto component industry, Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, “On the back of steady vehicles’ production in the country, a robust aftermarket and growth in exports, the auto component industry grew to Rs. 6.14 lakh crore (USD 74.1 billion) registering 9.8 percent growth in FY23-24, thus outpacing the turnover of Rs. 5.59 lakh crore (INR 55.9 billion) in the previous fiscal. Component supply to OEMs in the domestic market grew by 8.9 percent to Rs.5.18 lakh crore (INR 51.8 billion), with supply to the EV manufacturing industry accounting for 6% of the total component production in the country. Exports grew by 5.5 percent to USD 21.2 billion while imports grew by three percent to USD 20.9 billion, thus resulting in a trade surplus of USD 300 million. The Aftermarket, estimated at Rs. 93,886 crore (USD 11.3 billion) also witnessed growth of 10 percent.”  

Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA, and Chairman & Managing Director, Subros, mentioned, “It is pertinent to note that apart from increase in vehicle production, higher value addition from the component sector has led to growth in the auto components sector. On the front of trade, whilst overall merchandize exports from India witnessed degrowth in FY24, auto components exports have grown despite geopolitical challenges and increase in logistics costs. That apart, growth in imports has been comparatively lesser, leading to trade surplus, indicating thrust by the industry on front of localisation.”

“Steady growth in the vehicle industry has resulted the industry reaching pre-pandemic levels of performance in FY24 in most segments, however, the first quarter of FY25 witnessed somewhat slower offtake in vehicle sales, especially in PVs and CVs, given the high base, due to inclement weather conditions and elections. With strong macro-economic indicators, conducive government policies and over seven percent growth projected for the Indian GDP, we are hopeful that the auto components industry will continue to perform well in FY25,” she articulated. 

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Cars24 has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) models and agents across its business operations. The collaboration focuses on embedding AI into vehicle discovery, sales, financing and post-purchase engagement across all markets where the company operates.

Unlike traditional pilot programmes, the initiative involves the integration of OpenAI’s technology into production environments to manage high-volume workflows. The partnership aims to transition the platform from manual automation to systems that assist in decision-making and data retrieval.

Cars24 has already deployed OpenAI’s Enterprise APIs across several internal and customer-facing functions. According to company data, the integration has resulted in a 50 percent increase in support resolution through assisted troubleshooting and an 80 percent reduction in turnaround time for service workflows.

Current deployment statistics include:

• Customer Outreach: AI agents now manage 20 percent of outbound conversations.
• Internal Adoption: 85 percent daily active usage of ChatGPT Enterprise among the central workforce.
• Functionality: Teams utilise the tools for data analysis, code development, and the summarisation of operational cases.
• Accessibility: The Cars24 application is now available on the ChatGPT Store for conversational vehicle discovery.

The partnership is designed to reduce dependencies on manual processes in automotive transactions. By embedding models into core workflows, the company intends to shorten decision cycles for buyers and sellers. Future phases of the rollout will include expanding these AI experiences to additional languages and product lines.

Vikram Chopra, CEO and Founder, Cars24, said, “Automotive commerce is operationally heavy by nature with multiple checkpoints, fragmented information and high-consideration decisions. Over time, we’ve realised that incremental improvements aren’t enough; the system itself needs to become more intelligent. Our collaboration with OpenAI is a step in that direction. By embedding AI into core workflows rather than layering it on top, we can reduce manual dependencies, improve consistency and shorten decision cycles. We don’t see this as a short-term advantage, but as foundational infrastructure that will compound in efficiency and trust over the years.”

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Tata Technologies has announced a partnership with WITTENSTEIN High Integrity Systems (WHIS) to accelerate the development of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). The collaboration involves integrating WHIS’s SAFE RTOS into Tata Technologies’ automotive software stack.

The integration is designed to assist original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers in meeting functional safety standards, such as ISO 26262. The partnership focuses on the transition towards connected, autonomous, and electrified mobility by providing safety-certified architectures for complex vehicle ecosystems.

SAFE RTOS provides real-time performance and reliability, serving as a component within the Tata Technologies SDV platform. This allows for the development of software architectures that support the increasing centrality of software in vehicle design.

The partnership combines Tata Technologies' experience in automotive software with WHIS's embedded software solutions to address requirements for scalable and certified systems.

Andrew Longhurst, Managing Director, WITTENSTEIN High Integrity Systems, said, “Software is at the heart of the automotive industry’s evolution. Our partnership with Tata Technologies ensures that OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers can leverage SAFE RTOS to achieve the highest levels of safety and performance in their software-defined vehicle architectures.”

Nachiket Paranjpe, President – Automotive Sales, Tata Technologies, added, “By combining Tata Technologies’ expertise in automotive software development with WHIS’s proven safety solutions, we are empowering our customers to accelerate SDV adoption and deliver cutting-edge mobility experiences.”

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CATL and the BMW Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation on battery supply chain data exchange and decarbonisation. The agreement was finalised in Beijing during a visit by a German delegation including Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The partnership focuses on pilot projects for cross-border data transfer under the Battery Passport framework. The companies will collaborate on carbon accounting methodologies and tools to calculate the carbon footprints of power batteries.

The initiative utilises Catena-X, a standardised automotive data ecosystem, to align technical standards and policy frameworks. By testing Battery Passport applications, CATL and BMW aim to meet China-EU regulatory requirements and establish global data standards for the battery industry.

The cooperation is intended to improve digital management and ensure compliance with EU market access regulations regarding green product competitiveness.

The strategic relationship between CATL and BMW began in 2012. Previous collaborations have covered battery production, research and development and supply chain sustainability. This MoU shifts the partnership from product-level cooperation to institutional coordination for electric mobility.

CATL stated its intention to continue cooperation with international partners to use technology for the global energy transition and the sustainability of the automotive sector.

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The BMW Group is accelerating the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations by embedding artificial intelligence deeply into physical processes. A central focus of this strategy is Physical AI, a concept that unites digital intelligence with machinery and robotics. This integration allows systems like humanoid robots to function effectively within live production environments. For the first time, this approach is being introduced in Europe through a pilot project at the company’s Leipzig plant, where humanoid robots will be tested in the assembly of high-voltage batteries and component manufacturing. This initiative builds on a previous deployment at the Spartanburg plant in United States, where valuable experience was gained and is now being used to refine and scale the technology.

Artificial intelligence is already embedded throughout the BMW production system, underpinning functions such as digital twins, AI-supported quality assurance and autonomous transport in intralogistics. A unified data architecture serves as the foundation for this intelligence, enabling real-time access to consistent and standardised information across all manufacturing locations. This infrastructure supports the deployment of digital AI agents capable of autonomous decision-making in complex environments. When these agents are paired with robotic systems, they give rise to Physical AI, which represents a significant evolution in production technology.

The company views humanoid robotics as a strategic addition to its automation portfolio. These robots are particularly suited to tasks that are repetitive, physically strenuous or present safety risks. By deploying them in such roles, the company aims to reduce physical strain on employees and enhance workplace conditions. To drive this forward, a Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production has been established to consolidate expertise and facilitate knowledge sharing across the organisation.

A structured process governs the evaluation of potential technology partners. Candidates are assessed against criteria related to maturity and industrial applicability, followed by laboratory testing using real production scenarios. Successful tests lead to limited deployments under actual factory conditions before advancing to full pilot phases. This methodology ensures that only thoroughly vetted solutions are integrated into series production.

The Leipzig pilot is being conducted in collaboration with Hexagon, a longstanding partner specialising in sensor technology and software. Following theoretical and laboratory evaluations, an initial deployment of Hexagon’s humanoid robot, AEON, took place at the plant in December 2025. A second test phase is scheduled for April 2026, with the full pilot set to begin in the summer of that year. The robot’s human-like design allows for the attachment of various tools and grippers, making it adaptable for multiple tasks in battery assembly and parts manufacturing.

Earlier work at the Spartanburg plant provided critical insights into the practical application of humanoid robotics. In partnership with Figure AI, the robot Figure 02 was deployed in body shop operations, where it handled the precise placement of sheet metal parts for welding. Over 10 months, the robot supported the production of more than 30,000 vehicles, operating in 10-hour shifts and handling over 90,000 components. The pilot demonstrated that humanoid robots could perform high-precision tasks reliably and safely in a live production setting. It also highlighted the importance of early collaboration with teams responsible for IT infrastructure, safety and logistics. Seamless integration into the existing automation ecosystem was achieved through standardised interfaces, and employee reception was notably positive, aided by transparent communication from the outset.

The success of these initial deployments has paved the way for further collaboration. BMW and Figure are currently exploring additional applications for the next-generation Figure 03 robot, continuing to build on the foundation established in both United States and Europe.

Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production, said, “Digitalisation improves the competitiveness of our production – here in Europe and worldwide. The symbiosis of engineering expertise and artificial intelligence opens up entirely new possibilities in production,”.

Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President Production Network, Supply Chain Management at BMW Group, said, “Our aim is to be a technology leader and to integrate new technologies into production at an early stage. Pilot projects help us to test and further develop the use of Physical AI – that is, AI‑enabled robots capable of learning – under real-world industrial conditions. The successful first deployment of humanoid robots at our BMW Group plant in Spartanburg in the USA proves that a humanoid robot can function not only under controlled laboratory conditions but also in an existing automotive manufacturing environment.”

Michael Ströbel, Head of Process Management and Digitalisation, Order to Delivery at BMW Group, said, “We are delighted to deploy a humanoid robot for the first time in a pilot project at a plant in Germany. Following evaluation by our Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production, tests were carried out in the laboratory and at Plant Leipzig at the end of last year. This year, our focus is on step‑by‑step integration into our production system to explore a wide range of applications. The emphasis is on researching multifunctional use of the robot in various production areas such as battery manufacturing for energy modules and component production for exterior parts. With Hexagon, we have found a proven long‑standing partner with a highly innovative approach to humanoid robotics for this project.”

Felix Haeckel, Team Lead CoC Physical AI for Production, said, “At our new Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production, we are pooling our expertise to make knowledge on AI and robotics widely usable within the company. In recent years, we have built up an international team of experts that, in addition to in‑house research and programming, is dedicated to the gradual integration of AI into the existing production system. At the same time, our team in Munich is driving its own robotics research to set up, support and further develop pilot projects in the field of Physical AI at our plants.”

Arnaud Robert, President of Hexagon Robotics, said, “We are very pleased to be working with the BMW Group to advance the use of humanoid robots in real‑world environments.”

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