The pandemic is not yet over. Lockdowns will continue to halt the industries in the near future. Amidst these uncertainties and challenges, companies will compel to adopt the work from home culture. As learning is the part and parcel of growth and it cannot be stopped so long as businesses have desires to survive and grow, e-learning will rise as true saviour

With an average annual turnover of USD 2.75 trillion, the world automobile industry is one of the most significant contributors to global GDP. The industry is also known for creating massive employment opportunities and facilitating road transport. For decades, the automotive industry is considered as a cradle of technological as well as operational innovations, and the majority of players in this sector take regular initiatives to up-skill and re-skill their employees. As technology always paves a golden path for development, the onset of e-learning has proved that it is a boon for the industry.  

Towards a smooth track

The automobile industry has gone through rapid developments in the last two decades, be it the introduction of the electronic gearbox system or mass production of electric vehicles, every change brings along new opportunities as well as challenges. To train their employees about new products and procedures and raising their productivity, auto companies regularly organise customised training programmes. While conducting such training programmes, management often comes across two big challenges. These are ensuring the availability of a huge workforce in various geographical locations for a scheduled session and choosing programmes that may cater to the needs of employees from different departments. But, when the automobile companies switched to e-learning, these problems get easily resolved.

Now, using e-learning training modules, employees in any part of the world can access to bespoke training programmes tailored by industry experts and that too without any time limitation. Sometimes lack of proficiency in a particular language may cause hindrance in learners’ understanding, but e-learning platforms which provide curated content in multiple languages have also removed this barrier very effectively. As far as the cost-cutting is concerned, e-learning is effective in this direction, too. Unlike exorbitant conventions which incur a hefty cost in terms of thought leaders’ fee, location expenses, and a large amount on logistics, e-learning is absolutely frugal.

Benefits of multiple lanes

E-learning training programmes are useful in developing both hard and soft skills among employees. Detailed and interactive videos by the seasoned trainers can be replayed n numbers of time by an individual to derive maximum from a course module. Besides, s/he has the option to choose more than one online coach or subject matter expert. The content can be further customized to topics of business relevance depending on an organisation’s requirements. Moreover, with the unprecedented developments in region-specific virtual training programmes, the industry is receiving immense benefits of localised content in vernacular languages. Now, apart from OEMs, ancillaries and retailers are also training the workforce as per their specific needs and that too in their preferred languages. Hence, locally hired employees in showrooms and dealership networks are not facing any constraints while re-skilling/up-skilling themselves.

Safe to turn

After the outbreak of Coronavirus, not only the automobile sector but the entire world economy got afflicted with the lockdown. As businesses cannot be shut for a long, work from home emerges as the new norm. The pandemic is not yet over, in one part of the world or the other, lockdowns will continue to halt the industries in the near future. Amidst these uncertainties and challenges, companies will compel to adopt the work from home culture. As learning is the part and parcel of growth and it cannot be stopped so long as businesses have desires to survive and grow, e-learning will rise as true saviour.

Learning from test drive

An effective training programme is one which leaves a desirable impact on trainees and improves their performance. So, assessment always plays a pivotal role while gauging the outcome of training. E-learning training modules work better in this aspect, too. Empowered with great analytical tools, algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI), measuring the performance of a training programme is much easier in the case of e-learning. Moreover, based on efficacious feedback, desirable changes can be incorporated in future programmes. Hence, flexibility and customisation make e-learning unmatched in business and corporate training.

Heading into smart age

The pace at which the automotive industry is approaching towards smart and driver-less vehicle foretells that the future is going to be immensely dynamic and tech-driven. Hereby, employees of the automobile companies must have to cope with the change with gradual knowledge and skill development. Smart vehicles will be made by smart people and for smart training, e-learning modules will be the smartest choice for employers and employees.

(The authors is the Founder & CEO of SpeakIn)

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Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Plant has formalised a multi-institutional partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five esteemed engineering colleges from Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. This strategic alliance is designed to fortify the nexus between industry and academia, with a focused objective of developing a robust, industry-ready talent pool to meet future sector demands. The collaboration represents a significant investment in the human capital pipeline, directly linking academic output with corporate needs.

The collaborating institutions in this forward-looking initiative are SASTRA University, SRM TRP Engineering College, JJ College Of Engineering & Technology, Ma'din Academy and Nilachal Polytechnic. The partnership’s framework encompasses a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at mutual development. For students, it provides a structured pathway to employment, including placement assurances during their final year and enhanced campus hiring opportunities. To bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, the programme will facilitate organised industry visits to Apollo’s manufacturing facility, offering students firsthand exposure to modern production processes. Complementing this, a series of expert-led sessions, technical lectures and seminars will be delivered by in-house professionals from Apollo Tyres, ensuring the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry practices.

This symbiotic engagement yields significant strategic benefits for all stakeholders. Students gain invaluable industry awareness and confidence, while academic institutions enhance their curriculum's practical relevance. For Apollo Tyres, the initiative enables the early identification and nurturing of prospective talent, effectively streamlining recruitment and fostering a positive perception of manufacturing careers.

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German chemicals group Wacker Chemie lowered its full-year outlook after third-quarter profit fell by nearly a quarter, hit by weak demand and intense competition from China.

The Munich-based company, which makes silicones and polysilicon for semiconductors and solar panels, reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 112 million euros ($121.6 million) for the July-September period, down 23 percent from 145 million euros a year earlier.

Sales fell 6 percent to 1.34 billion euros from 1.43 billion euros, weighed down by lower prices and unfavourable currency effects.

The results were broadly in line with analyst expectations, which had forecast sales of 1.37 billion euros and EBITDA of 101 million euros, according to Vara Research.

Wacker swung to an operating loss of 20 million euros in the quarter, from a profit of 30 million euros a year ago, whilst net income turned negative to 82 million euros, compared with a profit of 34 million euros.

“The chemical industry is under pressure – worldwide, but in Europe in particular. The economic situation is tense, and market demand is weak. At the same time, the market environment is changing, and competitive pressure is high – especially from China. And this is something that we are experiencing at WACKER as well,” Chief Executive Christian Hartel said.

“Like many other companies, we had to lower our full-year forecast in the middle of this year. Even though we closed Q3 in line with market expectations, sales and earnings were again down year on year in almost all business divisions,” he said.

Wacker launched a comprehensive cost-cutting programme in October aimed at achieving significant savings in production and administration, with implementation planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The company now expects full-year sales at the lower end of its previously forecast range of 5.5 billion to 5.9 billion euros, with EBITDA in the lower half of its 500 million to 700 million euro range. It also anticipates a negative net result for the year, significantly below the previous year.

The company’s silicones division, its most significant business, saw sales decline 7 percent to 673 million euros, whilst EBITDA fell 19 percent to 86 million euros. The polysilicon unit, which serves both solar and semiconductor markets, reported a 40 percent drop in EBITDA to 18 million euros, as low prices and exchange-rate effects offset strong hyperpure polysilicon performance in semiconductors.

Wacker’s workforce declined to 16,616 employees at the end of September from 16,724 three months earlier.

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Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres said it would cut 80 permanent positions and temporarily lay off about 650 workers as part of measures to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.

The company has begun personnel negotiations affecting roughly 1,700 permanent white-collar positions across its global operations, including group functions and all business units.

The temporary layoffs will affect blue-collar and white-collar staff at passenger car and heavy tyre production facilities in Nokia, Finland, for up to 90 days per person. These measures could be implemented by the end of 2026.

The permanent job cuts, targeting white-collar roles, may take effect by late 2025, the company said.

Nokian Tyres employed approximately 4,400 people worldwide at the end of September, with 2,045 staff based in Finland.

The negotiations will commence immediately in line with local labour legislation in each country where the company operates.

The announcement comes as tyre manufacturers face pressure from volatile raw material costs and shifting demand patterns in key markets.

Nokian Tyres, known for its winter tyres and premium products, has been restructuring its operations following geopolitical challenges that affected its Russian production and sales.

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Capitalising on a period of significant growth, Nexen Tire is strategically introducing two new passenger tyres, the N’Priz S and the N’Fera Sport, through a comprehensive two-stage launch. This initiative represents one of the company's most substantial product introductions, designed to engage key audiences from media to consumers through immersive, hands-on experiences.

The launch commenced earlier this fall with an exclusive Ride N’ Drive event at the Illinois Autobahn Country Club. There, participants had the opportunity to personally evaluate the new tyres across a variety of driving conditions, including autocross challenges and highway simulations. This direct testing allowed them to assess critical performance attributes such as handling and comfort while also facilitating valuable interaction with Nexen’s own engineering and product development teams.

The campaign now advances to a broader stage, moving to the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Nexen Tire America will host an extensive activation featuring a 240-foot booth where the N’Priz S and N’Fera Sport will be prominently displayed. The exhibit will include original equipment vehicles, motorsports trucks competing on Nexen tires and a dynamic schedule of live discussions with company leadership, technical experts and brand partners on the specially created Nexen Live stage. This platform will also serve to showcase the brand's latest progress in areas like tyre design simulation and electric vehicle development.

These two tyres are engineered to meet the distinct needs of different drivers, thereby broadening Nexen’s market reach. The N’Priz S is a grand-touring all-season tyre that is also EV-compatible, focusing on delivering a quiet, comfortable ride and reliable traction for daily commuting and long-distance travel. It incorporates advanced AI performance prediction and virtual simulation technology to optimise tread design and reduce cabin noise, alongside a specialised rubber compound aimed at enhancing tread longevity and overall efficiency.

In contrast, the N’Fera Sport is an ultra-high-performance summer tyre built for drivers seeking precision steering response and superior control in warm conditions. Its design prioritises direct feedback, confident wet-road braking and stability while still maintaining usability for spirited street driving. The N’Fera Sport is scheduled to arrive at dealers this fall, with the N’Priz S following in early 2026. Together, these launches underscore Nexen’s commitment to technological innovation and creating meaningful connections with the driving public.

Brian YoonSeok Han, CEO, Nexen Tire America, said, “Nexen Tire’s growth in the US is being fuelled by innovation and experience. We wanted people to feel what sets these new tyres apart, including how they handle, how they perform and how they represent our continued commitment to excellence. Ride N’ Drive gave us that direct connection with our partners, and now SEMA allows us to share that story on a global stage.”

Theresa Kapper, Director of Marketing for Nexen Tire America, said, “Launching the N’Priz S and N’Fera Sport through both Ride N' Drive and SEMA us to connect every piece of our story, from innovation and testing to excitement and scale. It’s about showing not only what these products can do, but what Nexen stands for as a brand. This rollout reflects the growth, energy and ambition driving Nexen Tire forward in the US market.”

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