Suprajit Closes Kongsberg Automotive’s LCD unit Acquisition
- By MT Bureau
- April 07, 2022
Suprajit has announced that it concluded the acquisition of the Light Duty Cable (LDC) business unit from Kongsberg Automotive ASA.
The company said in a release that all the four LDC related entities are now 100 per cent owned subsidiaries of Suprajit through Suprajit USA, Inc.
Ajith Rai, Founder and Chairman of Suprajit, said, “We heartily welcome all the employees of LDC to Suprajit Family on the conclusion of acquisition of LDC. It is heartening that Suprajit will emerge not only as a global leader in mechanical control cable systems but will aspire to become most preferred supplier in the world. Our combined manufacturing footprint in India, China, Hungary, USA and Mexico, with engineering centres in Novi (USA), Wichita (USA), Tamworth (UK) and Bangalore (India), along with the engineering support in multiple countries, will give Suprajit group a deep-rooted presence in this business. With 400 million annual cable capacity, Suprajit will have the capability to emerge as a `one stop shop for cables’ in the world. We are excited about the opportunities, this acquisition will bring to Suprajit.”
The company said the total employee strength of LDC is around 1300. The sales for the calendar year 2021 was USD 85 million with operating EBITDA margin of about 8 per cent. The Enterprise Value of the transaction is USD 42 million. Suprajit said that it expects the business to exceed USD 100 million in the next couple of years with double digit EBITDA.
Suprajit said it used a portion of cash available with the company and balance through debt to complete this transaction, leaving behind a significant cash surplus with the company.
Mohan N S, Managing Director and Group CEO, said, “Our strategy of Cables beyond India and in India beyond cables has been pursued with a clear focus. With this acquisition, we have demonstrated our ability to scale up to world-class levels. We have also expanded our management bandwidth to manage plants in various geographies to serve our customers across the globe and truly become a global player”.
Akhilesh Rai, Director and Chief Strategy Officer, said, “LDC will form the fulcrum of a global Suprajit. Our strong push into systems through Suprajit Tech Center, along with our access to global customers and global platforms, will be a transformative acquisition for Suprajit as we move to support our customers in a holistic manner, from cables today to actuation technologies tomorrow.”
LDC has marquee global customers in the automotive, non-automotive and two-wheeler businesses including Tesla, Fiat, Land Rover, Mercedes, Honda, STIHL, Shiroki, Adient, Husqvarna, Lear and Magna. Suprajit said it will also emerge as a global leader in the control cable business with a strong global footprint to serve any customer in all of these segments. LDC has a complimentary manufacturing footprint, customer base, product and technology.
Suprajit will also acquire the actuation technology through this transaction, making Electro-Magnetic Actuators (EMA), a new product segment for the group.
Jim Ryan, President, Suprajit USA, said “I am happy to welcome the team at LDC into the Suprajit family and I look forward to the work ahead of us to ensure that the combined value of the companies, for all stakeholders, is greater than just the sum of the two individual parts.” (MT)
Ola Electric To Unveil India Inside Vision On 15th August
- By MT Bureau
- August 06, 2025
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric is set to host its annual event ‘Sankalp’ on 15 August, at its Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.
At the event, the company shared that it will unveil its ‘India Inside’ vision across products and technologies. This year, Ola Electric has made its event public inside the Gigafactory, which will be live-streamed on its official channels with more details to be announced soon.
Force Motors Launches AI-powered Connected Vehicle Platform, Sets Up Command Centre In Pune
- By MT Bureau
- August 05, 2025
Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has unveiled Force iPulse, its new connected vehicle platform designed to enhance operational intelligence and vehicle lifecycle management.
Developed in partnership with Intangles, the platform uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid analytics to provide insight into vehicle performance. It continuously analyses high-resolution data to predict issues, enabling the early detection of performance problems and component failures.
Unlike traditional monitoring systems, Force iPulse goes beyond simply reporting faults. It performs root-cause analysis on key subsystems, including the engine, powertrain and electrical and thermal systems, allowing for proactive intervention to prevent unplanned downtime. This enables fleet operators to make precise, data-backed decisions.
Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “At Force Motors, we believe in value-driven innovation, and this launch is yet another step in our mission to deliver superior, intelligent mobility solutions. Force iPulse is more than just a technological solution—it is a business enabler for our customers. It brings in transparency, improves efficiency, and ensures safety across operations, thereby equipping our customers with complete control over their fleet operations. We are confident that this new initiative will be well appreciated by both our customers as well as our partners and help take us another step forward in delivering our promise of customer delight.”
The platform, built on a secure cloud-native architecture, provides access to real-time and historical vehicle data on both mobile and desktop devices. It offers a unified view of operations, helping fleet managers detect inefficiencies, enforce best practices and optimise the total cost of ownership.
Furthermore, to support the new technology, Force Motors has established an Intelligence Command Centre at its headquarters in Pune. Manned by diagnostics experts, the centre provides remote vehicle monitoring, alert management and expert guidance. This is backed by a 24x7 support infrastructure.
Force iPulse is now available across Force Motors’ network of more than 300 dealerships. It will be a standard feature on all new commercial vehicles and can also be fitted as a certified aftermarket solution.
Faraday Future Begins Trial Production Of FX Super One MPV In California
- By MT Bureau
- August 04, 2025
California-based e-mobility company Faraday Future Intelligent Electric has commenced the trial production phase of its new FX Super One electric MPV at its Hanford facility.
The phase will focus on validating production processes, workflows and quality standards. Factory engineers and staff are also undergoing training to prepare for full-scale production. The next stage will involve engineering validation, including safety testing.
Unveiled in Los Angeles on 17 July, the FX Super One features Faraday Future’s Super EAI F.A.C.E. interface and its 6x4 Embodied AI Agent architecture. The model is positioned as a premium alternative to traditional large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.
The company has invested around USD 300 million in its 1.1 million-square-foot Hanford facility, which could be scaled up to produce over 30,000 vehicles per year with further funding and permits. The plant may also support multi-model assembly lines.
Faraday Future recently secured USD 105 million in new funding, expected to cover most of the FX Super One’s launch costs.
Founded in 2014, the company aims to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first and smart driving experience.
Schaeffler Introduces Radar-Based Hands-Free Vehicle Access Sensor
- By MT Bureau
- August 04, 2025
German tier 1 supplier Schaeffler has developed a hands-free access sensor that allows users to open and close vehicle trunks or sliding doors with a foot motion, without needing to press a button or use a remote. Based on Doppler radar technology, the system enables keyless and contactless vehicle access.
According to Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis, Schaeffler AG, “With the expanded portfolio of the Powertrain & Chassis Division, Schaeffler is positioning itself as a new provider of innovative sensor solutions for body applications. The hands-free access sensor is an example of Schaeffler’s growing, complementary product range following the merger with Vitesco Technologies – and marks another step toward our goal of becoming the world’s leading Motion Technology Company.”
The sensor activates when a person enters the radar field beneath the rear of the vehicle. It detects foot movements and analyses both speed and direction within a 60-centimetre range. Artificial intelligence is used in the calibration process, adapting the system to different vehicle models to improve detection accuracy and reduce false triggers.
Production of the sensor began in Europe at the end of 2024 for major automotive manufacturers.
Leif Reinhold, Head of the Powertrain Solutions Business Division at Schaeffler, responsible for the company’s sensor portfolio, said. “Schaeffler’s hands-free access sensor is a key component in the vehicle for intuitive access and also highlights our expanded sensor expertise in the market. We have been producing the hands-free access sensor in volume since the end of 2024 – in Europe, for major European automotive manufacturers. We also see additional growth potential in North America and China.”
Operating at a 24 GHz frequency, the sensor maintains performance in various weather conditions and temperatures ranging from –40 to 105 degrees Celsius. It connects to vehicle systems via a LIN interface and is suitable for various body styles including SUVs, minivans and sedans.
The sensor can be mounted either on the bumper or the chassis and is compatible with vehicles fitted with or without a trailer hitch. Installation involves a single screw-in component, removing the need for extra clips, brackets or antenna runs.
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