Mototech 2026 begins in Pune with focus on EV readiness and industry coordination

Pune, October 30, 2026: The seventh edition of MOTOTECH 2026 Pune, a conference and exhibition organised by OEM Update, began today. It was inaugurated by Dr Vijay Suryavanshi (IAS), Municipal Commissioner and Administrator of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Chairman of the Auto Cluster Development and Research Institute. Jitendra Patil, Maharashtra State Head of the EV Cell, and several well-known figures from industry were present.

The two-day event is being held on October 30 and 31, 2026, at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre in Chinchwad, Pune. Automotive manufacturers, technology providers, component suppliers, MSMEs and industry professionals have come together on one platform. This year's theme is "Factory of the Future for Next-Gen Mobility".

After a lamp-lighting ceremony, Dr Suryavanshi declared the event open. He described Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad as a leading hub of automotive manufacturing. He said MOTOTECH helps in the exchange of technology and in bringing industry players together, which supports industrial growth.

Dr Suryavanshi asked manufacturers, start-ups and MSMEs to make greater use of the Auto Cluster's product design and prototyping facilities. This is especially important for companies that do not have such facilities of their own. He invited industry to share their needs for additional machinery and infrastructure, including facilities related to electric vehicle manufacturing, so that future upgrades can match industry requirements.

Referring to an electric truck on display at the exhibition, he said electrification could change the face of commercial transport. He also spoke of an initiative by SKF, Tata STRIVE and PCMC to train young people in electric vehicle repair. In his view, skill development should not be limited to two-wheelers and passenger vehicles and must be extended to electric buses and trucks.

He reiterated that PCMC is ready to work with industry on infrastructure needs and local problems. He also asked companies to explore partnerships through the corporation's CSR portal.

Speaking of wider participation in industrial growth, he backed greater participation by women in technical training and entrepreneurship. He also spoke of expanding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. He said industry partnership plays an important role in the training and assistive technology facilities at Divyang Bhavan.

At the inaugural ceremony, Jitendra Patil said the automotive manufacturing experience of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, its skilled workforce and its vehicle testing capacity are a strong foundation for the move towards electric mobility. He welcomed MOTOTECH as a platform where EV manufacturers and other stakeholders can share experience and ideas and build contacts, especially at a time of major change in the automotive ecosystem.

Patil stressed that the EV Cell works to facilitate dialogue, understand industry problems and help coordination among the departments concerned. He asked industry to draw on the experience of veterans of the automotive sector while preparing for new technologies and manufacturing needs. He also stressed the importance of including women's perspectives in the development of the mobility ecosystem, including in vehicle design and wider participation in industry.

Over the two days, MOTOTECH 2026 Pune is hosting conference discussions on electrification, automation, cybersecurity and circular manufacturing, alongside technical exhibitions. The conference agenda includes logistics and supply chain resilience for automotive just-in-time production; green and circular manufacturing, from energy to extended producer responsibility; and the re-tooling of India's manufacturing value chain for electric vehicles and advanced automotive technologies. Sessions will also cover flexible automation for high-mix production, and the role of manufacturing execution systems, digital thread and industrial AI in connected factories.

The exhibition gives manufacturers and technology providers a chance to showcase their solutions, meet potential customers and explore partnerships. Building on earlier editions, the seventh MOTOTECH has come to Pune as a large conference and exhibition, to promote dialogue among industry, government and technology providers on the capabilities India's automotive manufacturing will need in its next phase. MOTOTECH 2026 Pune continues on October 31 at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, Chinchwad, Pune.