Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (Sona Comstar), a global provider of automotive technology solutions, has signed an agreement to acquire a 54 percent equity stake in NOVELIC, a Serbia-based company founded in 2012 and a provider of mmWave radar sensors, perception solutions and full-stack embedded systems.

The equity stake will be acquired for €40.5 million through a combination of primary and secondary purchases with a staggered payment structure in the ratio of 60:20:20 at closing, 12 months and 24 months, respectively. Sona Comstar states that the transaction values NOVELIC at an enterprise value (EV) of €64.5 million on a pre-money basis and €75 million on a post-money basis, with an implied valuation multiple of 26 times CY22 Estimated PAT. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q4 FY23 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Sona Comstar claims that the acquisition is expected to be EPS accretive for it from the first year and offers strong growth opportunities over the medium term. The acquisition of NOVELIC is accretive to Sona Comstar's management bandwidth, given a shared cultural commitment to innovation, technology and profitability, states the automotive technology solutions provider.

In line with its strategic roadmap, Sona Comstar is foraying into the ADAS sensor market. With the acquisition, Sona Comstar states that it has started building its third business vertical of ADAS sensors and software to address the megatrends of increasing vehicle autonomy and automation.

According to Sona Comstar, NOVELIC's mmWave radar technology is the best solution for in-cabin sensing due to its high accuracy, lower cost and privacy protection of occupants' privacy. Through its sophisticated radar design and signal processing algorithm, NOVELIC's in-cabin monitoring solution detects life presence (LPD), child presence (CPD) and seat occupancy (SOD) amongst others. As per Sona Comstar, NOVELIC's in-cabin solution is highly accurate as it works under all light conditions, detects vital signs (heart rate and respiration) and locates objects anywhere in the cabin. NOVELIC's mmWave radar-based solution removes the need for weight sensors and associated wiring harnesses, resulting in significant cost savings for carmakers. Unlike cameras, mmWave radar-based in-cabin sensing protects the privacy of occupants in the car, claims Sona Comstar.

The current NOVELIC team, led by its founders Darko Tasovac, Veljko Mihaljovic and Dr Veselin Brankovic, will continue to lead the operations, ensuring continuity while leveraging Sona Comstar's scale and customer access for business development. According to Sona Comstar, the founders will hold 46 percent equity in NOVELIC after the completion of the transaction. 

Commenting on the acquisition, Vivek Vikram Singh, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sona Comstar, said, “I am excited to welcome NOVELIC to the Sona Comstar family. With this acquisition, we have added market leading, in-cabin radar-sensing technology to our technology offering. Increasing vehicle autonomy and automation is an emerging technology revolution in our industry. As we had done with EVs in 2016, we are taking a meaningful early step in the direction of the electrified autonomous vehicles or e-AV. NOVELIC adds the hardware and software capabilities to design integrated systems for autonomous driving, including AI and ML as well as ASIC experience, to what we already have in mechanical, electric and electronic abilities. It is the beginning of building our third business vertical of sensors and software. In addition to its technology prowess, Novelic is unique in its approach to profitability and sustainable growth. In many ways, NOVELIC is like Sona in how we value money, technology and growth.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mihajlovic, Co-founder and CTO of NOVELIC, said, "NOVELIC was founded with a clear mission to develop end-to-end capabilities in mmWave radar technology and to commercialise it through various product lines. We started as a team of five, and today, we are over 160 people, among which 130 engineers and 10 PhDs developing product platforms at various European locations. We have managed to do it organically by providing value to our customers and generating and growing our revenue and profit year after year. For moving to the next phase of our growth, we are delighted to have a strategic partner in Sona Comstar which shares the same commitment to innovation and technology and will support us in scaling up our business. The moment we first interacted with the Sona Comstar team, we knew this was 'the one' because we had a great alignment of core values."

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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