Archive · 22 Jan 2026
ARAI Expands Testing for Global Automakers
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is now attracting global car companies to test their vehicles in India.
This is a big change because Indian car companies used to send their vehicles abroad for testing.
ARAI is also expanding its services to include testing for drones, trains, and other machines.
They have new facilities coming up, like a battery testing lab and a smart city test environment.
ARAI is also hosting a big event called SIAT 2026 in Pune to show off their new technologies and testing capabilities.
This makes India a important place for car companies to test and develop their new vehicles.
ARAI is attracting global automotive OEMs to test vehicles in India, reversing the trend of Indian OEMs sending vehicles abroad.
ARAI is diversifying into testing for rail, metro, aerospace, defense, drones, white goods, mining machines, and construction equipment.
New facilities include a battery testing lab, cylinder testing facility, ADAS test track, Smart City test environment, and High Energy Impact Test Facility.
ARAI will host the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT 2026) in Pune from January 27-30, 2026.
ARAI has tested and validated 55 vehicles in the last one and a half years, including products from Toyota, JLR, Stellantis, and Vinfast.
- Who
- Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and its Director Reji Mathai
- What
- Expansion of testing services for global automotive OEMs and new facility developments
- When
- Ongoing, with new facilities being inaugurated at SIAT 2026 from January 27-30, 2026
- Where
- Pune and Bengaluru, India
- Why
- To attract global automotive companies for testing and validation, and to enhance capabilities in automotive safety, sustainability, and next-generation mobility solutions
- Organization
- Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)
- Key Personnel
- ARAI Director Reji Mathai, Senior Deputy Director Vijay A. Pankhawalla
- Testing Services
- Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, trucks, buses, tractors, construction equipment, electric vehicles (EVs)
- Emission Certification
- Diesel, petrol, CNG, LPG, hydrogen, fuel cells
- New Facilities
- Battery testing lab, cylinder testing facility, ADAS test track, Smart City test environment, High Energy Impact Test Facility
- Event
- Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT 2026)
- Event Dates
- January 27-30, 2026
- Event Location
- Pune, India
- New Facility Location
- Bengaluru, India
- Vehicles Tested
- 55 vehicles in the last one and a half years
- Companies Tested
- Toyota, JLR, Stellantis, Vinfast
