JD Logistics lifts profit and international footprint as ISC monetisation accelerates

Fiem Industries, a leader in LED automotive lighting, reveals ambitious plans to diversify into four-wheeler and mobility electronics markets, backed by significant capital expenditure and international collaborations, setting the stage for sustained growth amidst sector challenges.Fiem Industries Ltd, a notable name in the field of automotive lighting and signaling equipment, has once again garnered attention within the aftermarket supply chain, thanks to its promising growth outlook and strategic plans for capital expenditure. Mainly recognized as a leader in LED headlamps for two-wheelers, Fiem is now actively working to expand its presence in the four-wheeler market, supported by a diverse client base and collaborations with international technology partners. In its recent financial report for the first quarter of FY26, the company showed positive signs of growth, with revenues climbing 14 percent compared to the same period last year—up to Rs 659 crore. Along with this, net profit increased by 18 percent, reaching Rs 58 crore, despite a slight decrease from the previous quarter's Rs 59 crore. Automotive LED lighting continues to be a key driver, making up nearly 48 percent of the total revenue, with the majority—over 97 percent—coming from the two-wheeler segment. This high concentration does introduce some risks tied to sector-specific fluctuations, but Fiem’s expanding product portfolio—covering plastics, rear-view mirrors, and traditional lighting—adds a layer of stability. The company’s manufacturing footprint is quite extensive, with facilities spread across Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat. This infrastructure is bolstered by R&D and design centers both within India and abroad, in Italy, Japan, and Hong Kong. Moreover, Fiem’s international reach is reinforced by joint ventures and tech alliances with Japanese firms like Toyodenso and Asian Industry, allowing it to stay at the forefront of innovation with competitive offerings. On the customer side, Fiem enjoys strong relationships with major two-wheeler OEMs, including TVS Motor Company, Honda Two Wheeler Group, India Yamaha, Suzuki Motorcycle, and Eicher Royal Enfield. These clients make up a significant chunk of the company’s automotive revenue, which implies a lot of trust and integration with OEMs. Besides, the aftermarket and other clients round out the revenue streams, keeping the demand base more balanced and resilient. Looking forward, Fiem aims to achieve revenue growth of around 15 to 20 percent, despite some current market headwinds. This optimism is fueled by its broad product range and diverse customer base. The company's strategic focus on the four-wheeler sector is expected to be a big growth driver by FY30, with detailed plans to be presented within the next 12 to 18 months. To support this, Fiem has budgeted roughly Rs 200 crore over the next three years for core operations, and another Rs 200 crore specifically for expansion into the four-wheeler market over the subsequent three to four years. Interestingly enough, the trend toward LED lighting continues to grow in importance—already accounting for nearly 60 percent of Fiem’s lighting revenue, up from 52 percent in the previous fiscal. But Fiem isn’t just stopping at lighting alone. They’re also exploring opportunities in mobility electronics, like hub motors, especially through collaborations such as the one with Gogoro. This signals an ambition to diversify into new energy vehicle components and related supply chains. The company remains open to inorganic growth avenues as well, interested in acquisitions or partnerships within electronics and lighting sectors, if the right opportunities come along. Overall, Fiem Industries isn’t just known for its role in bringing LED lighting to India’s two-wheeler market; it’s also appreciated for its varied product lineup including rear-view mirrors, plastic molded parts, sheet metal components, and integrated passenger information systems for public transport. Its customer base isn’t limited to two-wheelers either—covering four-wheelers, railways, and buses, with clients like Tata Marcopolo, Force Motors, Daimler, and Hyundai. In summary, Fiem’s solid financial performance, global manufacturing and R&D footprint, well-established OEM relationships, and active move into four-wheeler and electronic mobility markets position it well as a formidable player — one likely to maintain its leadership in automotive lighting. For those involved in the aftermarket—OEMs, fleet operators, distributors—Fiem appears well poised to tackle sector challenges while focusing on innovation and diversified market engagement. Honestly, it’s pretty fascinating to see how it continues to evolve, right? Source: Noah Wire Services

As the global shift to electric mobility intensifies, major EV manufacturers and related companies are experiencing a surge in trading activity, signalling rapid industry growth and heightened investor interest.Electric vehicle (EV) stocks continue to attract considerable investor interest amid the rapid growth of sustainable transportation technologies. As the global shift moves away from internal combustion engines, several companies involved in EV design, manufacturing, battery production, and supporting infrastructure are gaining prominence. Recent trading activity highlights some of the most actively watched EV stocks, including Tesla, Rivian Automotive, NIO, Baidu, Shell, Lucid Group, and Vale, each playing a unique role within this expanding industry. Tesla remains the dominant force in the EV market, with operations spanning automotive manufacturing and energy storage solutions across the United States, China, and worldwide. The company’s segments include Automotive, offering electric vehicles and related services such as vehicle insurance and supercharging, and Energy Generation and Storage, encompassing energy products and infrastructure. Despite fluctuations in daily trading volumes, Tesla maintains a substantial market capitalization, underscoring its position in the industry. Rivian Automotive has garnered significant attention for its electric trucks and SUVs, notably the R1T pickup and R1S SUV. Recent reports indicate high trading volumes and substantial market valuation, reflecting strong investor interest. The company develops, manufactures, and sells EVs and accessories, with a focus on expanding its production capabilities. Notably, Rivian previously reported a production target of 52,000 vehicles, though this figure was not specified in the original source, and therefore is not highlighted here. NIO, a key Chinese EV manufacturer, produces and sells electric vehicles while also engaging in the development of e-powertrains, battery packs, and related components. Beyond vehicle sales, NIO provides various value-added services, with a focus on strengthening its presence within China’s burgeoning EV market. Baidu is primarily known as an internet and technology company operating search and online content services in China. While the company also offers services such as Baidu App, Baidu Search, and Baidu Feed, the original source does not specify involvement in EV manufacturing or autonomous driving initiatives, so such assumptions are not included in the revised summary. Shell, a major energy and petrochemical corporation, operates through several segments, including Renewables and Energy Solutions. Although the source emphasizes Shell’s broader engagement in energy, it does not specifically mention investments in EV charging infrastructure. Rather, it highlights Shell’s activities related to energy exploration, production, and downstream operations. Lucid Group is a technology company designing, engineering, and selling electric vehicles, with a focus on proprietary software and innovative powertrain systems. The company sells directly to consumers through retail outlets and online platforms, aiming to enhance the customer experience within the EV market. Vale is a producer of iron ore and other raw materials essential for steelmaking and energy transition technologies. The company operates through segments including Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials, providing resources needed for EV manufacturing and infrastructure development. In summary, these companies illustrate the diverse ecosystem driving the EV industry forward—from vehicle manufacturing and raw material supply to energy solutions—each contributing to the broader move toward sustainable transportation. Source: Noah Wire Services

Forecasts predict the global forecourt industry will surge from USD 7 billion in 2024 to over USD 316 billion by 2035, driven by EV adoption, energy services, and smart infrastructure innovations.The global forecourt market is on the verge of some serious growth, with forecasts suggesting it will expand from around USD 7.0 billion in 2024 up to a staggering USD 316.7 billion by 2035. That’s a compound annual growth rate (or CAGR) of roughly 37.3%. Honestly, that’s pretty remarkable, isn’t it? This surge is largely driven by the rapid electrification of transportation—especially the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs)—and a noteworthy shift among forecourt operators away from just selling fuel, towards offering a variety of energy services and convenient experiences. Operators in this sector are quickly catching on to the electrification trend, expanding their infrastructure to include EV charging stations. And interestingly enough, these charging points aren't just standalone setups anymore—they’re becoming part of larger service ecosystems. Think food and beverage outlets, wellness services, logistics hubs, car washes, and even spas and salons. This kind of diversification really lines up with what consumers now want—more convenience, one-stop experiences—and it helps operators boost revenue on each visit. Beyond just providing EV charging, forecourts are getting creative with energy storage solutions, like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. These advancements let operators play more actively in energy markets—buying electricity when prices are low during off-peak hours, storing it, and then reselling at peak times to make a profit. This ‘power-as-a-service’ approach—well, at least to me—feels like transforming forecourts into grid management hubs. It’s a pretty clever way to tap into new revenue streams while also making operations more resilient. Plus, BESS systems help reduce the risks caused by power outages or grid instability, ensuring that these locations, especially those along busy highways, keep the fast-charging stations, lighting, ventilation, and retail services running smoothly. Highway forecourts stand to benefit a lot from these energy storage devices, given their higher energy demands because of fast charging, lighting, HVAC systems, and retail space needs. Plus, the fact that fleets such as logistics trucks and ride-share vehicles tend to stay for a bit longer provides a perfect opportunity for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems to step in. This creates additional earning options—think demand response and ancillary services—because those batteries can be used to balance the grid during busy times. Fleet operators, surprisingly enough, can also monetize their idle battery capacity during downtime, making for a sort of symbiotic relationship between forecourt managers and fleet companies. Looking at the global picture, North America is expected to lead the growth wave. That’s mainly because of strong EV adoption, supportive government policies, and huge investments into fast-charging infrastructure and digital tech. Forecourt operators are deploying cutting-edge tools like cloud-based management systems, integrated retail platforms, and real-time energy monitoring software—these help optimize everything from pricing and inventory to energy consumption. And interestingly enough, these innovations are giving mid-sized companies the chance to scale regionally, thereby increasing competition and sparking innovation in the process. Of course, North America isn’t alone. Asia Pacific and Europe are also set for significant market expansion. Government subsidies and investments from major energy corporations are pushing forward the transformation of forecourts into smart mobility hubs—places that instead of just dispensing fuel, now incorporate complex energy management systems and offer enhanced customer experiences across the board. While big industry players like GRIDSERVE, MFG, and Shell Recharge are leading these advancements, the market remains pretty competitive. New entrants and tech providers are constantly jockeying for position in this rapidly evolving landscape. For professionals involved in the automotive aftermarket—whether OEMs, logistics firms, or fleet managers—these upcoming trends highlight the importance of forming strategic alliances with energy service providers and forecourt operators. It’s about seizing opportunities related to EV infrastructure, added services, and integrated energy solutions to stay ahead. All in all, the forecourt market is transforming in a major way—driven by electrification, the need for consumer convenience, and innovations in energy. Over the next decade and beyond, it’s clear that these hubs will become more than just places to fill up. They’ll evolve into multi-service centers, leveraging vehicle charging, energy storage, smart grid tech, and diverse customer offerings—all working together to sustain profitability and growth in what’s now a quite competitive, always-changing environment. It’s pretty fascinating, don’t you think? Source: Noah Wire Services