India’s automotive testing sector is dramatically transforming as it races to bridge the gap with global standards while confronting distinctive local challenges. In an extensive interview with Tyre Trends, two industry leaders discuss how India is navigating this critical transition period in its automotive evolution.

Dominic Cundy, Managing Director of Automotive Testing Expos at UKi Media & Events, and Sagar Bendre, Head of Crash Barrier Testing at NATRAX (National Automotive Test Tracks), provide detailed insights into the current state and future trajectory of India’s automotive testing landscape.

UNIQUE CHALLENGES

India’s diverse and extreme climate creates unique testing requirements that set it apart from other major automotive markets. “India’s extreme weather variations, including high temperatures, monsoons and dust-heavy environments, and a wide range of road quality require testing protocols tailored to these unique challenges. OEMs do develop a vehicle considering all these conditions,” Bendre explains.

The pressure to maintain affordability while meeting increasingly stringent standards presents another layer of complexity. “The Indian market’s focus on affordable vehicles puts pressure on manufacturers to minimise testing costs while maintaining compliance with stringent safety and emission standards,” says Bendre.

This balancing act between cost and compliance has become increasingly challenging as India adopts stricter safety and emissions standards.

The gap between India’s testing capabilities and those of other major automotive nations stems from multiple factors. Bendre notes that specialised facilities for advanced testing remain limited compared to developed markets. “India lacks sufficient facilities for advanced crash testing, real driving emissions (RDE), EV battery safety and autonomous vehicle testing, which are more established in developed countries,” reveals Bendre.

This infrastructure gap has historical roots. “India’s focus on automotive testing infrastructure began relatively recently compared to countries like Germany, US and Japan, which have decades of advanced R&D and testing experience,” Bendre explains. The rapid pace of regulatory changes has further complicated the situation as testing facilities struggle to meet new requirements.

MARKET EVOLUTION AND INDUSTRY RESPONSE

The growth of India’s automotive testing sector is reflected in the expanding scope of industry events such as the Automotive Testing Expo India. Cundy provides perspective on this evolution: “When the show (Automotive Testing Expo India) was first launched in 2010, it attracted 72 exhibitors and 2,173 visitors. This contrasts with the 2023 figures, with 153 exhibitors and 5,138 visitors.”

This growth reflects not just increased market size but also growing technological sophistication. To maintain relevance, industry events have had to evolve rapidly. “We maintain constant communication with suppliers to learn about their latest offerings and innovations and encourage exhibitors to prioritise showcasing their newest products during the event. We also partner with industry leaders, influencers and innovators in the region,” Cundy explains.

The Automotive Testing Expo India organiser partners with startups and emerging brands, which are typically at the cutting edge of innovation and offer the latest products. In addition, their knowledge partner, ARAI, offers valuable insights into the current market demands and challenges.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE IMPACT

The transition to electric vehicles is driving significant changes in testing requirements. Bendre outlines how testing facilities are adapting to this shift, noting increased emphasis on battery safety, thermal management and charging infrastructure compatibility.

Major manufacturers are making significant moves in this space. Cundy highlights recent developments: “Mahindra’s EV initiative includes launching five new EVs on a new platform called INGLO. They are partnering with VW, which is supplying components. Skoda is currently undertaking a big initiative in India, which includes the development of new vehicles in the country.”

SAFETY STANDARDS AND TESTING EVOLUTION

Road safety remains a critical concern driving testing requirements. “There is a big push in India to improve road safety, with Bharat NCAP 2023 launching, because there are still high numbers of road deaths despite advances in technology,” Cundy notes. The limited availability of crash testing facilities has historically forced manufacturers to send vehicles abroad for testing, adding time and expense to the development process.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Government support is crucial in advancing testing capabilities. “Government initiatives like the NATRAX project and private investments will enhance the availability of state-of-the-art testing facilities across the country. NATRAX is developing all future testing, such as ADAS, EV performance, road safety furniture, crash barriers, crash cushions etc.,” Bendre explains.

The implementation of new regulations is driving further development. Bendre points to the implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS6) and upcoming updates like BS6.2 as key factors increasing demand for sophisticated emissions testing capabilities.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

The industry is increasingly embracing digital solutions to enhance testing efficiency. “The use of digital twins, simulation tools and AI-driven predictive testing is reducing time and costs for physical prototypes,” Bendre notes. This technological integration is helping bridge the gap between testing requirements and available physical infrastructure.

A critical challenge facing the sector is the shortage of skilled professionals. “A shortage of skilled professionals trained in advanced testing methodologies, particularly for EVs and connected vehicles, hinders the growth of India’s testing ecosystem,” Bendre acknowledges. However, he sees this changing through partnerships with global testing agencies and investments in workforce training, which will help bridge expertise gaps and elevate India’s standing as a global automotive testing hub.

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Nokian Tyres has announced the promotion of Tiina Frazer to Senior Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Communications, effective 1 August 2026. In addition to her new executive role, she will join the company’s Management Team, operating from the headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, and reporting directly to President and CEO Paolo Pompei.

Frazer originally joined the Finnish tyre manufacturer in September 2025 as Vice President for the same functional area. Her professional background includes a tenure as Vice President of Brands and Marketing at HKFoods Finland Oy, along with prior senior leadership roles at Lumene, Roche Pharmaceuticals and Fiskars, bringing extensive cross-industry experience to her expanded responsibilities.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am delighted to welcome Tiina to the Nokian Tyres Management Team. Her experience in building impactful brands make her an excellent addition to our team as we continue to strengthen our premium position in our key markets.”

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Fornnax Technology has taken a decisive step to strengthen its European footprint by formalising a service partnership with industry veteran Lukas Baur of NOBA Maschinenservice. The agreement, ratified by company CEO Jignesh Kundaria, transitions the Indian manufacturer’s support model from remote coordination to an on-the-ground operational presence. This strategic alignment is designed to address the growing demand for immediate technical intervention across the continent’s recycling sector.

Based in Worbis, Germany, Baur commands a fully integrated service infrastructure that includes a 1,000-square-metre workshop fitted with a 5-tonne crane system, a dedicated hydraulic bay and specialised tooling for bearing replacements. His mobile response unit comprises 12 Mercedes Sprinter vans and a workforce of 24 certified technicians, enabling rapid deployment across a 1,000-kilometre radius. This setup guarantees that Fornnax customers can expect emergency assistance within 24 hours of a service call.

Baur’s professional history spans over 20 years of hands-on work with prominent shredder brands such as Eldan, Lindner and Vecoplan, giving him intimate knowledge of the operational challenges faced by European plant operators. His decision to join forces with Fornnax was driven by the manufacturer’s distinctive combination of competitive pricing, rugged construction and advanced wear-resistant engineering. He recognised that the current market turbulence – marked by tight margins, postponed capital expenditures and a dwindling labour pool – demanded a partnership capable of delivering both technical depth and logistical speed.

Under the new arrangement, Baur assumes full responsibility for the entire equipment lifecycle, covering system commissioning, scheduled upkeep, urgent breakdown recovery and the supply of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical components. He has also expressed a long-term vision to transform his Worbis facility into a regional spare parts consolidation centre, particularly if Fornnax opts to stock inventory at that location. To match anticipated growth, he plans to augment his fleet and technician count by two to three units annually.

This collaboration signals Fornnax’s broader commitment to building a dedicated European service network rather than relying on generalized support structures. With Baur’s proven capabilities now formally integrated, the company aims to deliver faster resolution times and technically nuanced assistance that aligns with the high-throughput demands of modern recycling operations. The partnership ultimately positions Fornnax as a formidable contender in the European shredding equipment landscape, with service excellence as its cornerstone.

Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax, said, "We strongly believe that by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction index, we can build long-term relationships with our customers. Higher customer satisfaction leads to greater trust, which significantly increases repeat orders and ultimately drives sustained growth in our sales revenue."

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Apollo Tyres is accelerating investments in manufacturing technology, artificial intelligence and international expansion as the company seeks to strengthen its position in premium tyre markets while expanding its global production footprint.

The tyre maker said its long-term strategy, branded Momentum 2.0, is centred on financial discipline, product premiumisation, manufacturing expansion and sustainability, following a year in which it outperformed the industry across several segments and delivered strong international revenue growth.

The company has reinforced its global manufacturing network, operating six manufacturing facilities across India and Hungary and two global R&D centres in Chennai and the Netherlands. Its products are now sold in more than 100 countries, supported by continued investments in research, development and an expanding global distribution network.

Apollo is also increasing investment in digital manufacturing, describing technology as a key driver of future competitiveness. During FY26, the company rolled out its Advanced Manufacturing Execution System (AMES) across major manufacturing plants, enabling real-time production monitoring, end-to-end traceability and greater integration between factory operations and enterprise systems.

To accelerate digital transformation, Apollo established a dedicated AI Innovation Unit that is developing artificial intelligence and machine-learning applications for manufacturing, engineering and business operations. The company said generative AI and agentic AI assistants are being deployed to improve simulations, operational planning and enterprise-wide decision-making, positioning AI as a core element of future factory operations.

Research and development remains another strategic investment priority. Apollo said it invested INR 460.87 million in R&D during FY26 while establishing advanced DoJo Centres at its Chennai and Andhra Pradesh facilities to strengthen engineering capabilities and accelerate product innovation.

International manufacturing continues to underpin Apollo's export ambitions. The company's Gyöngyöshalász plant in Hungary has become a strategic hub for serving European markets, allowing Apollo to manufacture closer to customers while strengthening supply-chain resilience amid evolving global trade dynamics.

Management said Europe remains a key growth market, particularly in premium passenger car tyres, while North America offers opportunities through higher-value products. During the year, Apollo expanded its dealer network by adding more than 250 dealers across the United States and Canada, strengthening distribution for the Vredestein brand and improving access to replacement markets.

Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, energy price volatility and changing trade policies, Apollo said it would continue investing in innovation, operational efficiency and manufacturing excellence rather than slowing capital deployment.

Looking ahead, the company said it will maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy while continuing investments in product innovation, brand building, manufacturing efficiency and digital transformation, with a strong focus on improving return on capital employed and supporting sustainable long-term growth in both domestic and export markets.

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CEAT will invest about INR 12.05 billion to expand its manufacturing capacity by roughly 53,000 tyres a day over the next five years, as the RPG Group company prepares for sustained demand growth while reporting a weaker first-quarter profit.

The investment, which will be implemented in phases through the end of FY2031, will be financed through a mix of internal accruals and debt. The expansion comes as CEAT's existing manufacturing facilities are operating at around 95 percent capacity utilisation, with the company stating that production at its Nagpur two-wheeler tyre plant is approaching full utilisation. The additional capacity could be created through greenfield and/or brownfield expansion, depending on internal assessments.

The capital expenditure announcement accompanied CEAT's results for the quarter ended June 30, which reflected resilient revenue growth but pressure on profitability.

Standalone revenue from operations rose 18.2 percent year on year to INR 41.63 billion, from INR 35.21 billion a year earlier. However, net profit declined 27.4 percent to INR 980 million, compared with INR1.35 billion in the corresponding quarter last year. Profit before tax fell to INR 1.32 billion from INR 1.81 billion.

Material costs increased sharply to INR 28.80 billion from INR 22.39 billion a year earlier, reflecting continued input cost pressures, while finance costs and depreciation also rose. Total expenses increased to INR 40.46 billion, compared with INR 33.63 billion in the year-earlier period.

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