Mercedes-Benz integrates Microsoft Teams and 365 Copilot into new CLA, transforming cars into mobile offices

Drawing a record 15,000 attendees and showcasing over 550 exhibitors, Automechanika Birmingham highlighted the accelerating innovation in collision repair and ADAS calibration tools, alongside major product launches and expanded global supply chain roles for Asian manufacturers.The recent Automechanika event in Birmingham, UK, really marked a significant milestone for the automotive aftermarket and collision repair tech scene, pulling in a record-breaking 15,000 visitors and showcasing around 550 exhibitors. Over the course of three lively days, the expo became quite the hub of innovation, learning, and networking. It really highlighted how quickly the industry’s changing—especially with all the complexities that come with the rise of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, or ADAS, in modern vehicles. There was plenty to soak in—over 180 hours of specialist talks, to be honest, covering everything from vehicle detailing, speedy diagnostic repair systems, to new techniques for small area repairs. These sessions offered some pretty priceless insights, especially into the current hurdles and what the future might hold for collision repair and regular vehicle upkeep. Industry groups like Solera and Thatcham Training contributed heavily to this educational lineup by sharing their expertise—think clean sanding tech, seam replication, and also rolling out the latest Cubitron II abrasive discs, which now come in superfine grits to really improve repair quality and cut down on time. Big-name companies across the automotive aftermarket space had a strong presence, with dedicated lounges and live demo zones. Brands like 3M, Indasa, AllData, Hella, Norton Abrasives, Prevost, Thatcham Research, Walcom, and Sagola all showed off their latest gear and tech designed to make body shops more productive. For example, 3M introduced some new clean sanding and seam replication systems, while Norton Abrasives demonstrated customized workstations aimed at smoothing out workflows. You could also check out Indasa’s new HT Ceramic abrasive line, which is making waves globally, showing just how much abrasive tech has advanced—pretty handy for prepping surfaces efficiently. Product launches were definitely a highlight—over 50 new items hitting the scene during the event. One standout was Snap-On’s new V2180 wheel alignment package, featuring these honed rotating hubs—aimed at making wheel alignment both faster and more precise, which is super important given how complicated vehicles are getting. Hella also showcased its next-gen ADAS calibration tool—an absolutely vital piece of kit because with more ADAS systems in cars than ever before, calibration needs to be spot-on to keep safety and performance levels high. And GS27 launched a Ceramic Rain Cleaner, adding to the variety of products meant to keep everyday vehicle maintenance in check. Another interesting aspect was how Asian manufacturers are really stepping up their game within the global supply chain for automotive parts. Their footprint’s definitely expanding—in parts, gaskets, abrasives—you name it—making them pivotal players worldwide. It’s kind of a sign of how globalized and complex the supply chain puzzle has become in the auto repair universe. Beyond just showcasing products, Automechanika Birmingham put a real focus on skills development and ongoing education. The workshops and training hubs were packed with folks eager to learn new repair techniques, diagnostic methods, and the latest tech. It was a pretty immersive experience—not just sitting and listening, but also watching live demos and panel discussions. Whether you were a technician, a workshop manager, or an OEM specialist, there was plenty to take away to stay ahead of the game and keep up with tightening regs and high-tech car tech. All in all, the event really sent a clear message: the industry is committed to moving forward—innovating, training, adapting. As vehicles become more advanced, especially with systems like ADAS, the aftermarket's got to keep pace—upgrading its tools, skills, and processes—to ensure that repairs are safe, effective, and up to OEM standards. It’s pretty fascinating, really—how quickly this whole scene’s evolving. Source: Noah Wire Services

Maruti Suzuki partners with Qualcomm to embed advanced Snapdragon Digital Chassis and Elite chips into its new electric vehicles, signalling a major leap in connected car technology for the Indian market.Maruti Suzuki, the biggest car manufacturer in India, has, as of now, made an official move to team up with Qualcomm. They're planning to incorporate the tech giant’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform into their upcoming electric vehicles, which are being specially designed for the Indian market. This partnership was confirmed publicly during Qualcomm’s “Snapdragon for India” event, where leaders from Maruti Suzuki and Qualcomm came together on stage — a symbolic moment showing the merging of automotive manufacturing with the latest digital tech. Now, the Snapdragon Digital Chassis isn’t just any ordinary suite; it’s a pretty comprehensive set of technologies aimed at making vehicles smarter. It covers a lot: from infotainment screens, digital dashboards, in-car connectivity with 5G and Wi-Fi, all the way to sophisticated driver-assistance systems, or ADAS. While they’re still ironing out details on how much of it Maruti Suzuki will implement initially, the idea is that they might adopt either the full platform or just some key parts, probably focusing on their electric vehicles and maybe even some high-end internal combustion models down the line. It’s a big jump in technology for them, aiming to keep pace in an automotive world that’s rapidly becoming more digital and connected. Interestingly enough, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis isn’t new to India. Several local car makers have already jumped on the bandwagon, using it in their flagship models. Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, for example, have integrated these technologies into their top-of-the-line vehicles. They’re leveraging cloud-connected services to facilitate real-time diagnostics, improve vehicle features, and even make development more data-driven. Take Mahindra’s new Scorpio-N SUV — it uses Qualcomm’s third-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms, which enable advanced features like driver monitoring and object detection, lifting safety and comfort to a whole new level. In addition to just infotainment and safety tech, the partnership with Qualcomm also involves integrating Snapdragon Elite automotive chips. These chips power a range of high-end features, including real-time driver monitoring and voice control interfaces, which rely on a pretty powerful processing setup involving the Oryon CPU, Adreno GPU, and Hexagon NPU. Basically, it marks a clear sign of Maruti Suzuki’s efforts to modernize its vehicle lineup with smarter, more interactive features that could change how drivers interact with their cars. This move isn’t just a trend — it’s fast becoming a must-have for automakers aiming to meet ever-changing consumer expectations and stricter regulations. From industry trends and recent happenings, it’s clear Qualcomm’s role in India’s automotive scene is growing. The Snapdragon Auto Day event, for instance, also highlighted Qualcomm’s efforts in two-wheeler connectivity with the Snapdragon Ride platform, showing how they’re scaling their smart mobility solutions across different vehicle types. For Maruti Suzuki, locking in this Qualcomm partnership is a big step forward — especially as they gear up to launch their first-ever EV. It’s not just about making the vehicle electric, but also ensuring it’s packed with next-gen digital infrastructure. This whole development ties into a bigger industry movement, where Indian automakers are increasingly embedding advanced semiconductor tech into their upcoming products, all in an effort to stay ahead. Tata Motors, for example, is pushing boundaries with really long EV warranties and integrated tech stacks, which intensifies the competition. For Maruti Suzuki, teaming up with Qualcomm is a strategic move to stay relevant and innovate ahead, keeping the company firmly planted at the top of the market. In sum, Maruti Suzuki’s official embrace of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis and Elite chips seems like a smart, calculated step — one that’s aimed at integrating intelligent vehicle systems into their future lineup. It’s a move that’s likely to establish a new benchmark in India’s automotive tech landscape, pushing the industry forward into a new era of connected, smart vehicles. Source: Noah Wire Services

At GIIAS 2025, BYD unveiled its largest and most immersive booth yet in Indonesia, combining VR and AR technologies with the launch of the advanced e-Platform 3.0. Showcasing a diverse electric vehicle lineup and a new lifestyle brand concept, BYD is pushing the boundaries of EV innovation and education in Southeast Asia’s automotive scene.At GIIAS 2025—the biggest and most eagerly awaited automotive event in Indonesia—BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, really stole the show. The company drew lots of attention from folks in the industry, tech lovers, and everyday consumers. They brought a pretty comprehensive display of their electric vehicle offerings and lifestyle products, making their booth a real stand-out. The overall design and presentation weren’t just eye-catching—they showcased BYD’s dedication to pushing the envelope in electric mobility, sustainability, and engaging their customers in new ways. It kinda reminded everyone that they’re serious about leading in this space. The BYD booth itself had this cool, futuristic vibe, stretching over nearly 3,000 square meters—making it one of the largest at GIIAS. The layout was carefully planned, splitting the space into different interactive zones where entertainment, learning, and tech merged seamlessly. One of the biggest hits was the BYD Vision zone, which used VR (Virtual Reality) tech to give visitors a truly immersive experience. People could put on VR headsets and, wow, explore vehicle features and innovations as if they were right inside the cars. Naturally, this led to long lines and a lot of excitement, with folks eager to see everything firsthand. They also introduced AR (Augmented Reality) tech that displayed detailed info about their latest models’ specs and design nuances. This cutting-edge tech approach really cemented BYD’s status as a front-runner in EV innovation. A major highlight was their reveal of the e-Platform 3.0—this is an advanced electric vehicle platform, you see, supporting better chassis performance and overall vehicle efficiency. It’s a core piece of their latest models, showing that BYD remains committed to foundational automotive tech, especially something that helps improve powertrain integration and keeps the ride smooth and responsive. Alongside these technical displays, they also showcased original car parts with a touch of elegance. This allowed industry insiders and tech enthusiasts alike to get a glimpse of the engineering complexity involved in BYD’s EVs—a chance to appreciate the craftsmanship beneath the surface. When it came to the vehicles themselves, the lineup on display was pretty extensive. You had models like the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, M6, and the recently launched Atto 1—some painted in a bright yellow that really grabbed attention. They even set up a test drive zone, featuring nearly ten EVs, so potential buyers and fleet managers could actually try out the cars’ performance themselves. This is a smart move, especially for decision-makers considering electrification for their fleets. Plus, the booth showcased the high-performance Yangwang U9 supercar, which features the cutting-edge e⁴ Platform with four independent electric motors and BYD’s unique DiSus X suspension system. This supercar could do some wild stuff—like ‘tank turns’ and wheel movements timed perfectly to music—highlighting BYD’s blend of luxury, high tech, and sporty performance. But it wasn’t just about vehicles. BYD also promoted a broader lifestyle concept through its “BYD Lifestyle” zone. Here, visitors could check out eco-friendly bags, tumblers, and character merchandise—all designed to reinforce the idea that sustainable living isn’t just about cars, but about a whole lifestyle. They also teamed up with Pi-ma! to create a series of smartphone cases inspired by automotive themes—featuring futuristic designs and natural landscapes, marrying tech with everyday products. This isn’t just about selling cars—BYD is positioning itself as a lifestyle brand that appeals to environmentally conscious folks of all ages and backgrounds. Education played a key role, too. BYD wanted to help demystify EV technology and make it more accessible. Visitors could see clear displays showing powertrain systems and read up on the benefits of EVs—like energy efficiency, safety, and lowering environmental impacts. They also offered interactive EV driving simulations, making the whole learning process fun and practical—kind of like giving visitors the skills and confidence needed to support EV adoption, especially in Indonesia’s fleet and aftermarket sectors. Looking at the bigger picture, BYD’s booth at GIIAS 2025 was a clear statement of their focus on innovation, product variety, and education. They combined advanced digital experiences—like VR and AR—with real-world test drives and engaging learning tools, positioning themselves as a key player in Indonesia’s transition to electric mobility—and, really, in Southeast Asia overall. It’s pretty clear that they’re determined to shape the future of transportation here, and I think they’re well on their way. Source: Noah Wire Services