Return With A Bang

Apollo Tyres Launches A New Range Of Bias Tyres For SCVs

After three years, the Automotive Testing Expo will return to India in April 2023. The show will avail the platform to host the most up-to-date technologies in ADAS and autonomous vehicle testing, NVH measurement tools, test rigs, simulation packages, durability testing technologies, crash testing, dynamometers, emission measurement systems and dynamic assessment tools, as well as countless service providers such as proving grounds and test facilities. The German edition, which will take place between 13 and 15 June 2023 in Stuttgart, will be hosted on a bigger scale with expected exhibitors of more than 450.

In light of the evolving dynamics of the automotive testing industry, organisers of the upcoming Automotive Testing Expos in Germany and India are placing big bets on the events.

The Indian edition of the Automotive Testing Expo will take place between 18 and 20 April 2023 in Chennai, while the German edition will happen between 13 and 15 June 2023 in Stuttgart. Apart from these two editions, the show will be hosted in Korea, China and US.

Tony Robinson, Founder and CEO of UKIP Media & Events, said, “After three years, we are once again hosting the Automotive Testing Expo in India. It is a long gap. We received a terrific response when we announced a few weeks ago that we would return to Chennai in April 2023. Many very excited companies want to exhibit their new and existing technologies. We will find people in India who haven’t had a chance to see the new things available in the automotive testing industry. They will be very keen to come out and look at everything that’s on show in April next year. So we are excited.”

Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Automotive Test Systems, DEWESoft India Pvt Ltd, Keysight Technologies India Pvt Limited, MTS Systems Corp and National Instruments are others who have confirmed their participation. In 2020, the Indian edition of the Automotive Testing Expo hosted 125 exhibitors and the same number is expected for the upcoming edition.

The Germany show did not take place in 2020 and 2021 thanks to the Covid pandemic. However, the show came back in 2022, which Robinson terms as a ‘fantastic show’. “Visitors came to the show for three days to see the latest technology in action and to learn about their uses and advantages. I would expect it’ll be even more fantastic in 2023. We expect to see more people come in because this year there has been a transition between the pandemic and people coming out and feeling comfortable,” added Robinson.

The Stuttgart Automotive Testing Expo, which takes place concurrently with a show on ADAS and autonomous vehicle technology, is expected to include between 450 and 500 exhibitors. “As a result, all major players are back in operation and prepared to display. There will also be numerous new businesses and start-ups along with the established major automakers,” said Robinson. The last edition in Stuttgart witnessed over 300 exhibitors.

Leading companies such as Anthony Best Dynamics; Applus+ Laboratories; DEKRA; DEWESoft GmbH; Diversified Technical Systems, Inc.; dSPACE GmbH; Keysight Technologies; Link Engineering Company; MTS Systems Corporation; National Instruments Germany GmbH; Robert Bosch; Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG; Siemens AG; ZF Friedrichshafen AG; SGS; TUV SUD Product Service GmbH; Michigan Scientific; Photron and others will exhibit at the Stuttgart show.

Despite the challenges brought on by the Covid pandemic, the organisers are closely monitoring the shifting trends in the automobile and automotive testing industries, which aids in their show planning. “Our job is to make sure we keep an eye on the developments and track down the new businesses that are entering the market. And we always act in that way. We take care to stay in touch with the important figures in the field of automotive testing engineering. We are dealing with a highly specialised community, so it’s essential that we are tracking and communicating and discussing with the automotive testing teams that cover many different facets of engineering. Our responsibility is to establish connections with all of the new businesses that are entering the sector. When marketing an event, we are in touch with the right people. It’s not frightening; it’s just what we do,” explained Robinson.

The shifting focus of the global auto industry from ICE vehicles to electric, autonomous and shared vehicles presents a wide range of opportunities and challenges, and this transition reflects on automotive testing as well. “The automotive testing market is exciting and in transition. We have been in the automotive testing world for nearly three decades, and any industry will have a transition. There’s no evidence that the big players are dropping by the wayside. Companies that are very ICE testing-oriented are not likely to come out exhibiting. This is not a great period for them. But then again, the rise of the battery car and battery testing (and range testing) and a lot of other things that we’ve been talking about, like AI and simulation, are things that are bringing new companies in,” added Robinson.

Robinson asserts that the complexity of automobile testing technologies and systems is drastically increasing, pushing the industry for automotive testing very hard. The newest products, services and technology are displayed at the automotive testing expos to help test, development and validation projects move more quickly. Robinson further explained, “The word I tend to use is fidelity. Automotive testing is a relatively young industry; if you go back even to the 1960s and 1970s, a lot of automotive testing was done in real life – physical testing of cars, natural crash testing of cars with human drivers. As the computer and IT industry developed and blossomed, a fascinating automotive test and development engineering industry grew. Higher and higher levels of fidelity are required in automotive testing for infinite and finite environments. We’re in an environment where everything is pushing automotive. Obviously, the electric and hybrid vehicles and batteries themselves need a lot of testing. The range needs a lot of testing. Autonomous vehicles push the boundaries to a completely new level. The growing penetration of software, sensors and AI is giving rise to a whole new range of companies that can enter the industry.”

“In a number of our shows, we have low-cost, smaller booths to enable starts-up and innovation companies, new companies to come to the event without having to spend a lot of money,” added Robinson.

Toyoda Gosei Achieves Automotive SPICE Level 2 For Software Development Quality

Toyoda Gosei Achieves Automotive SPICE Level 2 For Software Development Quality

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. recently received independent verification from third-party certification body SGS Japan Inc. confirming that it has reached capability Level 2 under the Automotive SPICE international standards, which evaluate the quality of automotive software development. This achievement reflects a major step forward in the company’s software engineering practices.

As next-generation software-defined vehicles become more common, where performance increasingly depends on digital systems, developing software that enhances product value has grown essential. Toyoda Gosei has responded by integrating electronic components with its traditional rubber and plastic products. The company has therefore established structured processes and strengthened its software development systems, which serve as the foundation for creating advanced products.

Specifically, within an interior lighting project, the company has achieved capability Level 2 in Automotive SPICE international assessment standards, confirmed by a third-party organisation that the company’s software development processes demonstrate systematic execution and proper management, achieving a uniform level of maturity. Moving forward, Toyoda Gosei aims to continue producing higher value products that contribute to more comfortable mobility spaces.

Geely Auto Launches i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid Technology

Geely i-HEV

Chinese automotive major Geely Auto has officially launched its i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid technology, which enters mass production immediately with the system slated for deployment across several models this year, including the Preface, Monjaro, Starray, and the fifth-generation Emgrand.

The technology utilises an artificial intelligence system and a dedicated hybrid powertrain to address historical gaps in fuel efficiency and smart feature integration.

The i-HEV system is built upon the i-CMA architecture, a hybrid-optimised version of the CMA platform that centralises the control of driving, cockpit and chassis functions.

A primary feature is the AI Cloud Power management system, which monitors exterior data such as temperature, humidity and altitude to optimise petrol-electric energy distribution. The company reports that this self-optimising strategy improves energy efficiency by more than 10 percent, while the engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 48.41 percent.

By decoupling the internal combustion engine (ICE) from the electric motor, the i-HEV adopts a motor-led layout designed to provide an electric-drive experience without external charging. The electric motor delivers up to 230kW, allowing the vehicle to operate on electricity for approximately 80 percent of the time. Performance data indicates a claimed zero to 30 kmph acceleration time of 1.84 seconds and a top speed of 66 kmph in electric mode.

The i-CMA architecture incorporates physical separation between oil and electric systems to enhance safety. Battery protection is managed through the Geely Battery Safety System, which includes a liquid-cooled battery with an IP68 resistance rating. The system is capable of real-time prediction for over 50 fault types.

Jerry Gan, CEO, Geely Auto Group, said, “Energy diversification is a strategic foresight for Geely Auto. A company’s true strategic focus is ensuring every path leads to the future, which tests the technological depth and powerful energy resilience of our entire system. The new i-HEV perfectly embodies this resilience, serving as a powerful testament to how artificial intelligence can elevate hybrid efficiency and performance to new industry standards.”

Tsuyo Among Deeptech Delegation To Japan Amid EV Expansion

Tsuyo Manufacturing

Tsuyo Manufacturing (Tsuyo), an electric vehicle (EV) powertrain manufacturer, has been named as one of 15 Indian startups selected to represent the country in the deeptech category as part of the CII CIES Startup Delegation to Japan 2026.

The selection allows Tsuyo to engage with Japanese corporations during a period of increased EV expansion in Japan, aiming to establish long-term collaborations in engineering and supply chain integration.

The company specialises in electric powertrain solutions for three-wheelers, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial applications, with a portfolio ranging from 0.5 kW to 400 kW.

Till date, Tsuyo has sold more than 200,000 motors and maintains partnerships with over 50 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The firm operates two manufacturing facilities in Greater Noida and focuses on research and development in collaboration with institutions such as the IITs and NITs.

In addition to its international engagement, Tsuyo recently received Single Window Clearance from the Government of Karnataka for a 20-acre manufacturing and validation campus in the Dharwad–Hubli region. This facility is intended to serve as a hub for the design, testing and large-scale production of powertrain components, reducing the domestic industry’s reliance on imported technology.

Vijay Kumar, Founder and CEO, Tsuyo Manufacturing, said, “Being selected for the CII CIES delegation is a proud moment - not just for Tsuyo, but for the evolution of India’s deeptech ecosystem. At Tsuyo, we see ourselves as a new age EV deep tech startup focused on co-creation, where innovation is built collaboratively across borders. India has the potential to engineer and scale world-class EV powertrain technologies, designed for real-world conditions and global applicability. Japan represents a strong strategic partner with its legacy of engineering excellence and disciplined manufacturing culture. Through this engagement, we aim to explore joint development opportunities, enable deeper supply chain integration, and contribute to the broader ‘Build India’ vision by strengthening local capabilities with global collaboration. Our approach to co-creation goes beyond technology - it extends to building robust supply chains, advancing futuristic mobility solutions, and aligning with the high standards of Japanese engineering. This is how we believe India will transition from being a growing EV market to a globally competitive EV technology hub.”

Ola Electric Intros S1 X+ E-Scooter With In-House 4680 Bharat Cell

Ola S1 X+

Ola Electric has introduced the S1 X+ 5.2 kWh electric scooter, featuring the company’s indigenously developed 4680 Bharat Cell. The company claims that the launch marks the first time this cell technology has been integrated into a mass-market product. The e-scooter is available at an introductory price of INR 129,999 until 15 April.

The S1 X+ 5.2 kWh utilises an 11 kW mid-drive motor and an integrated motor control unit, providing a claimed top speed of 125 kmph and an IDC range of 320 km. It features a brake-by-wire system and front disc brakes. The use of the Bharat Cell reflects the company's strategy of vertical integration, which encompasses cell development, battery pack engineering and vehicle manufacturing.

Currently, Ola Electric’s portfolio includes the Gen 3 S1 scooter series and the Roadster motorcycle range. The S1 Gen 3 line-up consists of the S1 Pro+ and S1 Pro in various battery configurations, while the mass-market segment includes the S1 X+ and S1 X variants. The Roadster series is offered in X+ and X configurations with battery capacities ranging from 2.5 kWh to 9.1 kWh.

“With S1 X+ 5.2 kWh, we are taking our 4680 Bharat Cell to the mass market at scale. The same technology platform we built for our most advanced products is now powering a scooter designed for much wider EV adoption. This is exactly what vertical integration enables - the ability to innovate deeply, scale quickly, and bring our best technology to more and more customers, faster. S1 X+ 5.2 kWh is where performance, range and scale come together, and is another important step towards making EVs accessible to every Indian,” the company said in a statement.