Vitesco Technologies has opened its new plant, which will cater to the growing demand for highly efficient, low-emission technologies for internal combustion engines, as well as electrified and all-electric drive systems, at Talegaon, Pune. The company invested around EUR 30 million in the infrastructure, buildings and plant. Spread across 20 acres, the plant will employ 900 people.

Klaus Hau, Member of the Executive Board at Vitesco Technologies, and Anurag Garg, Managing Director & Country Head of Vitesco Technologies India Private Limited, attended the event. Initially, the new plant will cater to the two-wheeler market, followed by various powertrain solutions products such as engine management systems, sensors and actuators, as well as exhaust management components for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. “Building this factory was a major milestone for Vitesco Technologies, allowing us to provide better value to our clients in the Indian market,” said Hau during the inauguration event. “India plays a central part in our global growth strategy. The country's automotive industry is currently undergoing what is possibly the most significant transformation in its history. The objective is to achieve a twin technological transformation: from fossil fuels to renewable energy and from analogue to digital technology. We embrace this transformation and have already begun to design our strategic course. Also, with the new facility, we will be able to better respond to market demands and developments in the future,” he added. 

Like all Vitesco Technologies facilities, this cutting-edge plant in Pune meets its grid demand entirely through renewable energy. Furthermore, the site generates sustainable electricity. All-new photovoltaic systems have been installed, generating 03 GWh of solar energy. The present installed capacity is 2.6 MW, with the company aiming to raise it to 3.6 MW by the end of the year. With over 25 cobots and robots installed on the production lines and shop floor, the facility is also strongly pursuing automation, digitisation and Industry 4.0. 

Garg mentioned, “Our mission is to develop highly efficient, low-emission technologies for internal combustion engines and electrification technologies for all types of vehicles in India. For this, we built a futuristic plant – one that is intelligent, sustainable and predictive. With these key characteristics, we were able to construct this plant of the future in Pune. Several creative projects have been completed at this facility. These projects on digitisation, automation and sustainability across our manufacturing network have helped us to shape the Plant of the Future.” 

He further added, “Due to the growing carbon footprint, we also considered climate change while building this facility. I am delighted to say that the facility in Pune is operating at a carbon neutral level and has fully established itself as a driver of sustainability.”

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Dutch technology and map specialists TomTom has announced that its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harold Goddijn will step down from his role and the Management Board at the Annual General Meeting on 16 April 2026. The Supervisory Board has nominated Mike Schoofs, the current Chief Revenue Officer, to succeed him as CEO.

The transition also marks the end of Alain De Taeye’s term as a member of the Management Board. Following the meeting, the board will be reduced to two members: Mike Schoofs and Chief Financial Officer Taco Titulaer.

Goddijn, who Co-Founded the company in 1991 and has served as CEO since 2001, has been nominated to join the Supervisory Board. Under his leadership, TomTom transitioned from a consumer navigation start-up to a provider of location technology and mapping systems for the automotive and enterprise sectors.

Schoofs joined the company in 2005 and as the Chief Revenue Officer since 2023, he managed the global sales organisation and strategic partnerships across the automotive and platform segments.

The leadership change occurs as TomTom continues its shift towards AI-driven mapping and platform technology. The company has recently simplified its product portfolio and modernised its technology stack to serve automotive manufacturers and enterprise clients.

Harold Goddijn, said, “Building and leading TomTom has been the privilege of my professional life. We have built a company with deep technology, strong customer relationships, and extraordinary people. The time is right for the next phase of leadership. As the architect of our global commercial organization, Mike is uniquely positioned to lead the company forward. I am certain that under his leadership the company will continue to prosper.”

Mike Schoofs, stated, “TomTom has built a differentiated technology platform and strong customer relationships. My focus will be on disciplined execution, scaling our automotive and enterprise businesses, and delivering long-term value for customers and shareholders.”

Derk Haank, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, added, “I want to express our deep appreciation to Harold and Alain for their extraordinary entrepreneurship over more than thirty-five years. They built businesses from start-ups into a global leader in location technology, guiding the company through multiple profound transitions, from consumer navigation to automotive partnerships, platform technology, and today’s AI-driven mapping technology. Thanks to their vision, TomTom now stands on a strong foundation, with a simplified product portfolio, a modern technology stack, and a talented leadership team ready to lead the company into its next chapter of growth. We are pleased that Harold wishes to remain involved and intends to join the Supervisory Board.”

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RoboSense has announced that its EM4 and E1 digital LiDAR systems have been selected for the Robotaxi GXR. The vehicle is a joint development between WeRide and Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group, a subsidiary of Geely.

The Robotaxi GXR fleet is scheduled to commence production in Q3 2026. The companies plan to deliver 2,000 units to domestic and international markets.

The Robotaxi GXR utilises the GEN8 autonomous driving suite, which incorporates WeRide's Sensor Suite 8.0 (SS8.0). This system uses the RoboSense EM4 as the primary LiDAR and the E1 as the blind-spot LiDAR.

Key specifications of the LiDAR units include:

• EM4 (Primary LiDAR): A digital LiDAR system capable of customisation up to 2,160 beams. It features a detection range of 600 metres and increased point cloud density to improve hazard identification at high speeds.
• E1 (Blind-spot LiDAR): A solid-state digital LiDAR with a 120deg x 90deg Field of View (FoV). It is designed to eliminate near-field blind spots and is mass-produced for automotive use.

The combination of long-range and near-field sensors is intended to maintain performance during rain or fog. This configuration provides 360-degree coverage around the vehicle.

At present, WeRide operates commercial services in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Beijing and Guangzhou. As of January 2026, the global fleet reached 1,023 vehicles. With the addition of the 2,000 GXR units scheduled for delivery this year, the total operational fleet is expected to exceed 2,600 vehicles.

RoboSense claims that it maintains partnerships with over 90 percent of leading Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving companies. The company provides the perception hardware for various platforms within the global robotaxi sector.

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Bengaluru-based Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) has appointed Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Raghavendra Vaidya, who has transitioned to the role of Global Chief Information Officer at Daimler Truck.

In his new position, Kodakkal will oversee the expansion of engineering and digital capabilities at the Bengaluru hub. His remit includes the acceleration of innovation in coordination with the global product engineering, technology and IT teams of Daimler Truck.

Kodakkal joins DTICI with 30 years of experience in technology, engineering, and research and development. He previously served as Global Head of Integrated Technology and Vice-President at Whirlpool Corporation, where he managed R&D operations and digital transformation strategies. His career has focused on the delivery of connected and intelligent technology solutions within multinational organisations.

DTICI serves as a strategic hub within the global Daimler Truck ecosystem, focusing on software, digital platforms and IT operations. The centre supports the parent company’s objectives in developing sustainable and connected transportation solutions.

Key focus areas for the new leadership include:

• Global Collaboration: Aligning Indian engineering output with international product cycles.
• Digital Platforms: Scaling software-defined vehicle technologies and IT infrastructure.
• Innovation Delivery: Transforming research into scalable automotive applications.

Thomas Ulm, Chairman, Daimler Truck Innovation Center India, said, “Radhakrishnan brings deep expertise in technology and engineering, complemented by strong global leadership experience and a proven ability to build and scale innovation. As DTICI continues to play a central role in Daimler Truck’s global engineering and IT network, we are confident that his leadership will further strengthen DTICI’s position as a trusted innovation and delivery hub across the global Daimler Truck ecosystem. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Raghavendra Vaidya for his outstanding leadership and strategic vision. Under his guidance, DTICI has grown into an integral part of Daimler Truck. We look forward to continuing our strong collaboration in his new role as CIO of Daimler Truck.”

Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, stated, “I am excited to step into this role and build on the strong foundation that has been established. The automotive industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation and there’s no better time to be part of it than now. DTICI has grown into a pivotal technology and innovation hub for Daimler Truck, driven by exceptional talent in India. I look forward to collaborating closely with colleagues across the globe to deliver solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and future-ready.”

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TIP Group has announced the appointment of Maurice Meijer to the newly established position of Chief Digital and Information Officer. This strategic role underscores the increasing significance of digital innovation, data management and technology in advancing the company’s long-term Strategy 2030 objectives. As TIP expands its footprint as a comprehensive transportation services provider across 17 European nations, the integration of digital solutions is viewed as essential to fostering operational efficiency, business growth and superior customer engagement.

In his capacity as CDIO, Meijer will lead the formulation and execution of the group’s digital and technological roadmap. His responsibilities encompass overseeing digital platforms, enhancing data analytics capabilities, managing IT infrastructure and strengthening cybersecurity protocols. The goal is to build resilient, scalable systems that align with TIP’s future ambitions.

Meijer joins with a robust background in board-level technology leadership. He previously served as Chief Technology and Information Officer at Nederlandse Loterij, where he spearheaded major digital transformations across various brands and platforms. Prior to that, he held key roles in digital strategy, product development and operations within both the technology sector and public institutions. Additionally, he is involved in supporting early-stage tech startups as an investor and founding partner.

His educational credentials include executive programmes at Nyenrode University and INSEAD, along with a degree in international business management. Meijer is recognised for blending strategic commercial insight with practical technological expertise.

Arjen Kraaij, President & CEO, TIP Group, said, “Digitalisation is central to TIP’s future success. With Maurice, we are bringing in a strong business and technology leader who will help us simplify complexity, strengthen our digital foundations and accelerate execution across the Group. His leadership will be instrumental as we translate our Strategy 2030 ambitions into practical, value-creating solutions for our customers and our teams.”

Meijer said, “I’m really looking forward to joining TIP at this important stage in its journey. With strong foundations, great people and clear ambitions under Strategy 2030, there’s a lot to build on. At the same time, we’re ready to take the next step by accelerating our shift towards more digital solutions. By embracing digital, data and AI in a focused and practical way, we’ll turn opportunities into solutions that truly improve the customer experience and make day-to-day work simpler, smarter and more effective for both our customers and our teams.”

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