The 5^th edition of ACMA Automechanika (New Delhi) 2024, held in collaboration with Messe Frankfurt and as part of Bharat Mobility Global Expo, attracted a footfall of 35,000 business visitors. 

Bringing automotive aftermarket players under one roof at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the three-day event along with Bharat Mobility Global Expo, which was supported by ACMA. SIAM and various other organisations with EEPC India as the coordinator, turned out to be a conglomeration of the entire mobility ecosystem. 

Displaying new technical and technological capabilities and innovations, over 500 exhibitors from more than 12 global markets made it to the event. They showcased over 10,000 aftermarket products, offering a diverse range of aftermarket solutions. 

Catering to two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and agricultural vehicles, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi – featuring over 1500 product categories and 10 distinct segments – served as a complete hub for automotive wholesalers, distributors, and traders dealing in parts and components.

The event also featured dedicated country pavilions from automotive powerhouses such as Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Highlighting an age of collaborations, the automotive aftermarket fair complemented OEMs, which found their way to Bharat Mobility Global Expo and the suppliers of auto components to the OEMs, many of whom also have a sizeable aftermarket business. 

Unique perhaps was the presence of electric vehicle component suppliers at both the show – the ACMA Automechanika 2024 show and Bharat Mobility Global Expo. They reflected on the rising adoption of electric vehicle technology and a transition towards sustainable mobility solutions that are less emitting and more efficient. 

A Global Automotive Aftermarket Research report prepared by ACMA in collaboration with Ernst & Young and released during the event highlighted that the Indian automotive aftermarket has reached USD 10 billion in calendar year 2023 with an anticipated growth to USD 14 billion by 2028. The report covers 39 countries and narrows down its focus to 10 major export markets, identifying over USD 35 billion worth of export opportunities.

Shradha Suri Marwah, President – ACMA, and Managing Director, Subros Ltd, mentioned that the success of ACMA Automechanika 2024 is a testament to the India’s tech capabilities and innovation within the automotive aftermarket. “As we stride towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, this event serves as a platform for showcasing India's immense growth potential in the global automotive landscape,” she averred. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said that the ACMA Automechanika 2024 has once again proven to be a resounding success, showcasing the vibrancy and potential of India's automotive aftermarket on a global stage. This event, held in conjunction with the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, exemplifies the comprehensive transformation underway in the automotive industry, evolving towards a mobility-centric ecosystem.” “As India emerges as the sweet spot in the global market, propelled by robust macroeconomic fundamentals, the success of our auto industry across various segments underscores the nation's automotive prowess,” he added. 

Of the opinion that the auto component industry continues to thrive, reflecting the resilience and innovation within our ecosystem, Mehta elaborated, “ACMA remains steadfast in driving this momentum forward, fostering partnerships and paving the way for India's leadership in the global auto aftermarket."

Uber, one of India’s leading ride-hailing platforms, is introducing pet-friendly (dogs, cats and other pets) ride options for customers in Delhi and Mumbai under ‘Uber Pet’.

The company first introduced the Uber Pet option in Bengaluru last year, which is now being extended to two more cities. This will allow customers who wish to travel with their pets to book a cab on-demand or reserve a ride in advance. Uber has also partnered with Heads Up for Tails, a pet care brand, to provide special discounts for customers booking their rides to the store.

Shweta Mantri, Head, Rider Verticals, Uber India and South Asia, said, “We’re excited to bring Uber Pet to Delhi and Mumbai, offering even more flexibility for pet owners to travel with their furry friends. After listening to the feedback from pet parents, we’re now offering the option to book Uber Pet on-demand, making travel with your pets easier than ever. Our collaboration with Heads Up for Tails ensures that pet parents have an even more enjoyable experience, with great perks at HUFT stores. Together, we’re making travel with pets not just easier, but more fun too!”

Rashi Sanon Narang, Founder, Heads Up For Tails, added, “At Heads Up For Tails, we’ve always believed that pets are family, and every pet parent deserves a seamless, joyful experience when stepping out with their furry family. We’re delighted to join forces with Uber Pet to bring pet-friendly travel to new heights in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Our partnership is all about enhancing the pet parent experience – from seamless rides with Uber Pet to exclusive in-store perks that make every journey more rewarding. Together, we're committed to making every adventure with your pets safe, fun, and effortless!”

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has partnered Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Utkrisht Society for Safe Haryana (a society belonging to Haryana State Police) to implement an Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) in Gurugram.

This move is part of the automakers' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which will see Maruti Suzuki India install and maintain ITMS at 23 junctions across 4 road stretches covering 40 km in Gurugram.

The system will be supported by approximately 400 cameras and radar systems integrated with GMDA system.

Shyamal Misra, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, said, “With the rapid development of Gurugram, the challenges associated with traffic have increased multi-fold in the city. I am sure that Maruti Suzuki’s initiative will be helpful in effectively detecting traffic violations, improving law enforcement, and enhancing road safety.”

Vikas Arora, IPS, Police Commissioner, Gurugram, said, “The stretches identified as part of this initiative have high traffic density and proportionately high traffic violations. The advanced technology solution by Maruti Suzuki will help us digitally capture the violations and eliminate subjectivity. This will help enhance surveillance on these road stretches and improve road safety in Gurugram. In addition, it will also be useful in detection and prevention of crimes.”

Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, added, “We thank GMDA and Gurugram police for entrusting us with this responsibility to strengthen the traffic enforcement process in Gurugram. Our initiative will support the Gurugram Police to promote road safety and create a culture of compliance and safe driving.”

“Road accident is an area of grave concern in India. Over 1.7 lakh lives were lost in road accidents in 2023 in the country. This translates to one death every three minutes. Human errors are a prominent cause of road accident fatalities. Electronic traffic surveillance and subsequent enforcement of road safety regulations will discourage dangerous driving and traffic violations. Over time, this will lead to improved compliance in the city,” added Bharti.

Pearl Academy, one of India’s leading creative education institutions, conducted its first-ever live masterclass on the Metaverse campus, which was led by legendary car designer Maurizio Corbi.

The masterclass, held simultaneously on the Pearl 2.0 Metaverse Campus and on-ground at Pearl Academy’s Delhi West Campus, showcased the institution’s innovative approach to blending technology with education.

Corbi has over three decades in the automotive design industry and has played a key role under Pininfarina’s banner and has also been behind the design of Ferrari models such as the F355, 456, 550 and Ferrari California.

The automotive industry veteran shared with students the intricate process of car design, providing insights from his decades of experience.

He mentioned his love for sketching on paper but also highlighted the transformative role of AI in modern design. “Today, the new frontier is AI –  you don’t need paper or markers anymore. Technology is reshaping how we create, but the passion and vision behind the design remain timeless,” he explained.

“Product design, especially in the automotive industry, is driven by passion – a passion that must come from within. To all the talented students at Pearl Academy, I say that your potential is immense, and the future is bright. India’s automotive industry is growing rapidly, and with it comes countless opportunities for young designers to make their mark. It was a wonderful experience visiting Pearl Academy and interacting with such passionate and creative students,” said Corbi.

Aditi Srivastava, President, Pearl Academy, said, “At Pearl Academy, we believe that design is not just about creating products—it’s about shaping lifestyles. We are honoured to welcome the legendary Maurizio Corbi, whose work with Ferrari has defined luxury, innovation and timeless design. Ferrari is more than a car; it is a global lifestyle that represents passion, precision and excellence. This masterclass is even more special as it marks our first-ever session in the Metaverse, reinforcing our commitment to pushing creative boundaries and embracing the future of education. By bringing industry legends like Maurizio Corbi into immersive learning spaces, we continue to inspire our students to think beyond convention and design for the future.”

Bengaluru-headquartered electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy has expanded its R&D and testing capabilities at its Product Testing & Validation Centre – The Juggernaut – in Begur, Bengaluru.

The facility spread across 38,692 sqft, will allow the EV maker to validate durability and safety across vehicle, system and component levels, including on-road endurance. It features dedicated labs for structural durability, battery testing, electrical & electronics reliability and vehicle environment testing.

At present, Ather has three R&D facilities in Bengaluru, Karnataka. As of December 2024, Ather Energy said it invested INR 2,388 million or 15 percent of its revenue from operations for R&D. Moreover, 46 percent of its workforce is dedicated towards R&D, which involves design, development and testing of electric two-wheeler products, software for scooters, charging infrastructure and accessories. It currently sells the Ather 450 lineup and the Rizta catering to various customer needs.

The new expansion houses a 4 DOF Road Simulator/MTS 334 road load simulator, for targeted testing of systems like suspension frames, enabling early bug detection, faster design optimisation and lower change costs. The MTS 334 road load simulator can replicate real-world two-wheeler riding conditions, compressing a 100,000 km endurance test into just 15 days, which otherwise the company claims would take about 10 years to cover on road.

Using multi-stress factor testing and a feedback loop from field data to test cases, Ather Energy aims to continuously refine its validation processes to improve real-world performance. The data-driven tests not only improves accuracy, but also enables engineers to predict and address potential failure points before they reach customers. In addition, it also conducts battery validation tests including thermal performance test, water wading test, drop test and vibration and thermal cycling to tune the battery for performance and safety.

Swapnil Jain, Co-founder & CTO, Ather Energy, said, “EVs are radically different from ICE vehicles and are a relatively new technology, so it is important to thoroughly test all the components of the vehicle. At Ather, we have made significant investments in R&D over the years and have developed processes & standards for testing to deliver quality products. Our products go through rigorous tests that are designed around Indian riding conditions and extreme usage scenarios, reflecting how customers use our scooters. With the expansion of The Juggernaut, we are scaling up our testing capacity & capabilities, enabling us to accelerate innovation and product development, while maintaining our focus on performance, quality and reliability.”

The company currently has two manufacturing plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, one each for vehicle assembly and battery manufacturing and an upcoming third manufacturing facility in Bidkin, AURIC, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra.