Tata Motors has collaborated with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) to establish ‘Automotive Skill Labs’ at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). Till date, 25 fully equipped labs with essential tools have been set up across select JNVs in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 

With the capability to equip 4000 students annually with practical automotive skills, unique about this initiative is the industry academia cooperation. While 30 percent of the students that have enrolled are girls, the labs, other than aligning with the vocational courses envisioned in the ‘National Education Policy 2020’ are focusing on providing secondary and senior secondary students (studying in ninth and up to 12th standard) with essential subject knowledge, hands-on skills and valuable industry exposure within their school premises. 

Under the initiative, students can visit Tata Motors’ plants. They can interact with service and dealership professionals, attend lectures by industry experts to gain real-world experience and deepen their knowledge. 

The instructors at the labs are provided with the necessary training at the company’s plant locations as a testament to an immersive learning experience. In fact, such is the response that the students of the Pune Skill Lab have constructed an e-rickshaw. 

Upon successful completion of the programme, students receive joint certificates from Tata Motors and NVS. Post-schooling, the students can opt for a Diploma in Manufacturing Technology, including a full stipend and on-the-job training at Tata Motors’ manufacturing facilities. Alternatively, they can pursue a BTech in engineering – a 3.5-year executive education programme in collaboration with select engineering institutes – upon showing interest to continue at Tata Motors. They could look forward to getting a permanent employment after five years.

Underlining the need to bridge the skills gap in the automotive industry, Vinod Kulkarni, CSR Head, Tata Motors, said, “Our Automotive Skill Labs are empowering youngsters from the underserved communities with employable skills, relevant for the evolving automotive sector in India. It creates pathways for students in grades 9th – 12th to pursue higher education and secure employment opportunities. Contributing to the ‘Skill India Mission’, this programme instils innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, analytical mindset and critical communication skills amongst the students. The response from girl students has strengthened our commitment to empower future leaders who will contribute to India’s prominence on the global stage as envisioned by Viksit Bharat at 2047.”

 In 2023, over 1,600 students from this programme participated in the National Automobile Olympiad organised by the Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC). Of these, 17 succeeded in reaching the second stage of the competition.

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In a clear signal of its strategic intent to diversify and future-proof its business, Maruti Suzuki India’s Board of Directors have agreed to amend its Memorandum of Association (MoA) to enable expansion into a wide array of new-age mobility, sustainability and technology-driven segments.

The amendments go beyond just manufacturing and selling passenger vehicles, and now includes buses, vans, lorries, motorcycles, scooters and other motor-powered vehicles, as well as amphibious vehicles and those capable of travel on land, sea, air or any combination thereof. The scope also covers the production and sale of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), along with all associated components, accessories and technologies.

Additionally, the company may establish and operate facilities for testing, training and data processing to support its manufacturing and technology-driven activities.

The amended charter outlines a significantly broadened scope, allowing the company to manufacture and deal in a comprehensive range of vehicles – from traditional automobiles to drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and amphibious vehicles. This move opens up potential entry into emerging sectors such as aerial mobility and defence-grade UAV systems.

A key focus area is the electric mobility ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki India plans to develop and operate EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure, as well as engage in trading and distribution of alternative fuels such as compressed biogas and hydrogen. This aligns with India's push towards decarbonisation and adoption of cleaner transport.

On the sustainability front, Maruti Suzuki India aims to build capabilities in recycling and repurposing end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and industrial scrap, including metals, plastics and e-waste. It also plans to trade in carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, suggesting a move to integrate environmental instruments into its business model.

The amendments also allow Maruti Suzuki India to offer consultancy and R&D services in vehicle engineering, testing and certification, while supporting clients and regulators with testing grounds and infrastructure. Additionally, it can now provide supply chain, logistics and IT services – potentially transforming into a full-spectrum mobility and services enterprise.

With this expansive update to its foundational objectives, Maruti Suzuki India is preparing to transition from a conventional automotive business into a multifaceted mobility and sustainability-focused organisation, capitalising on upcoming opportunities in electrification, circular economy and next-gen transport.

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Continental's Automotive group sector will officially debut as the new, independent company Aumovio at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich this September. The newly formed technology and electronics firm, which consolidates Continental's automotive expertise into a more agile structure, will showcase its innovations from 9 September to 12 September.

Under the leadership of CEO Philipp von Hirschheydt, Aumovio will present its technologies in four themed areas: safe, inspiring, connected and autonomous. The company's goal is to shape the future of mobility by focusing on key technologies.

Highlights from Aumovio's exhibition will include:

Green Electric Caliper: An energy-saving brake module designed for electric vehicles, which is lighter than conventional calipers and doesn't require hydraulic fluid. It is designed to increase a vehicle's range, lower costs and minimise carbon emissions.

Next-Generation Corner Module: A compact chassis unit that integrates the engine, brake system, steering, and suspension. This system's ‘by-wire’ architecture and 150-degree wheel-specific steering are optimised for software-defined vehicles, offering greater manoeuvrability and design freedom.

Xelve System: A scalable, modular hardware and software system for assisted and automated driving (Level 2 to Level 4). The system is customisable for a wide range of vehicles and includes functions for automated parking and AI-supported driving.

Road to Cloud Platform: An integrated platform that provides a complete infrastructure for manufacturers to develop and operate software-defined vehicles, including standardized operating systems, over-the-air updates and cybersecurity.

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JSW Motors, the new business vertical of the JSW Group, has inked a strategic partnership with KPIT Technologies, which it shared aims to redefine future mobility in India.

The partnership will leverage KPIT’s expertise in software and systems development to strengthen JSW Motors’ vision to disrupt the domestic automotive market through innovation and global collaboration.

For the unversed, JSW Motors is investing USD 3 billion over the next five years to develop and manufacture electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in India. The company’s first New Energy Vehicle (NEV) is set to debut on the Indian roads in the second half of FY2026. It is also establishing a manufacturing hub spread across 630 acres in Bidkin, Maharashtra.

Kishor Patil, CEO & MD, KPIT Technologies, said, “KPIT is proud to partner with JSW Motors in their ambitious journey to transform India’s automotive landscape.  Our experience across global vehicle programs and SDV positions us uniquely to contribute to JSW’s vision. This partnership reflects our strategic focus on the Indian market and our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that enhances customer experiences and accelerates clean mobility. The partnership will include KPIT bringing advanced competencies in electric propulsion systems, battery innovation, and SDV architectures that enables continuous feature upgrades and superior consumer experiences.”

Ranjan Nayak, CEO of JSW Motors, said, “We plan to build world-class automotive products in India by integrating the best of technologies from across the globe. KPIT’s expertise in software and systems development is a cornerstone of our strategy to deliver best-in-class, technologically-advanced, high-performance, and sustainable vehicles. Together, we aim to energise the Indian auto ecosystem and set new benchmarks for innovation and customer satisfaction. Leveraging its global best practices and technical capabilities, KPIT will set-up a dedicated center of excellence for JSW Motors.”

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Suzuki R&D Center India (SRDI), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has won the Grand Prize in the ‘Sustainability & Go Green efforts’ category at the recently held Innovatopia Awards in New Delhi in July 2025. The event was organised by the Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI).

The company was recognised for its proposal to use Suzuki’s Versatile micro e-Mobility Platform concept to address operational and environmental challenges in India’s airport cargo sector. The idea focused on improving the efficiency and automation of cargo transport at airports while reducing CO2 emissions by replacing diesel-powered tow tractors.

Suzuki’s micro e-mobility platform, originally developed using motorised wheelchair technology, is used as a base for various robotic applications. The company is exploring its use across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and home delivery and in this case, for air cargo operations.

Keku Gazder, Board Member of ACFI, said, "SRDI's recognition at the ‘Innovatopia Awards’ for ‘Sustainability and Go Green efforts’ is a testament to the power of cross-sector innovation. As the only non-air cargo company honoured at the ACFI Conclave 2025, their work reflects a shared commitment to a greener future. "

Masahiro Ikuma, Managing Director, SRDI, said, "Suzuki aims for an infrastructure mobility closely connected with people’s lives, and is working to solve social issues in India through diverse mobility solutions. By utilising the versatile micro e-Mobility Platform concept, we aim to deepen our partnership with the air cargo industry and address emerging social challenges through innovative solutions in India."

Suzuki and SRDI plan to continue studying ways to implement the proposal.

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