Topic
Manufacturing
Manufacturing Google Pixel 10a Crowned Best Budget Pixel in WIRED's Updated 2026 Buying Guide
WIRED's updated buying guide names the Google Pixel 10a the best smartphone for the money, citing seven years of software support, a 6.3-inch OLED display, and a 48-megapixel camera. The guide, updated in August 2026, also covers the new Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5.
Manufacturing Botenz enters India with nut powder range, targeting 1.8 lakh consumers
Botenz, a food innovation company backed by investors from Montenegro, Bulgaria, Israel and Russia, is entering India with a nut powder range covering peanut, almond, cashew, pistachio and sesame. The company targets approximately 1.8 lakh consumers and 1,200-1,500 outlets across India within five years, with production scale-up planned.
Manufacturing JSW, SAIC weigh capital infusion to lift MG Motor India output to 1 million units
JSW Group and SAIC are discussing additional capital for MG Motor India to scale Halol plant capacity to 1 million vehicles annually from 220,000. The venture, deploying Rs 3,500 crore, launched the Tomahawk EV and PHEV ahead of Diwali, targeting 70% localisation by 2027.
Manufacturing Foxconn scouts 200-acre Gujarat land parcel for mobile and high-end electronics plant
Taiwan-based Foxconn is scouting more than 200 acres in India for a technology park and high-end electronics plant, with a site near Sanand in Gujarat under consideration, according to Business Today. The company has surveyed the plot and expects to finalise the location in the coming weeks, with other states also in contention.
Manufacturing India’s Next Fashion Opportunity Lies in Profitable Premium Brands, Not Scale at Any Cost
Vineet Gautam of 91Brands and Rajesh Narkar of Confluxe told the ETRetail ShopFWD Summit that India's fashion future depends on profitable premium brands, disciplined positioning, unit economics and technology rather than scale. They said demand is emerging beyond metros, with consumers in cities like Ajmer, Indore and Gorakhpur willing to pay for value-for-money propositions.
Manufacturing Tesla Faces Its Largest Recall Yet as China Targets Retractable Door Handles
China is recalling more than 2.9 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over electronic retractable door handles, marking the largest recall ever for Tesla and for China. The action also covers 1 million vehicles from eight Chinese automakers with flush door handles, plus nearly 50,000 imported Teslas for driver-monitoring issues.
Manufacturing Used Truck Supply Falls Below COVID Floor, Driving Strong Pricing and Carrier Gains
Used sleeper truck inventory has fallen below its COVID-era floor, pushing prices sharply higher and enabling carriers to sell aging equipment at a gain, according to Daimler Trucks Remarketing President Chris Backeberg. Microprocessor shortages from 2021-2023 and carriers holding trucks longer tightened supply, while day cab demand accelerates with port and intermodal activity. Backeberg sees tight supply continuing for 12 to 18 months.
Manufacturing Google Pixel Watch 5 Review: 20% Faster Chip, New Health Guardian Fitness Tools
According to WIRED, Google's Pixel Watch 5 is 20 percent faster than its predecessor and adds Health Guardian proactive wellness features. The revamped Strength Training experience includes a workout builder and rest timers, while prices start at $399 for the 41-mm model and $429 for 45-mm.
Manufacturing Seoul probes safety conditions at HD Hyundai following subcontractor deaths
South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor has deployed a 62-strong inspection team to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries after two fatal crushing accidents killed subcontracted workers within six days. The probe covers the Ulsan and Gunsan shipyards, company headquarters, and an ultra-high-risk plant, examining entrapment, collision, fall, fire, and confined-space risks. Labour minister Kim Young-hoon promised a "zero-tolerance" approach to companies where similar fatal accidents recur.
Manufacturing Escorts Kubota to Build ₹2,000 Crore Tractor and Construction Equipment Plant in UP
Escorts Kubota announced a ₹2,000 crore investment for a new manufacturing plant in YEIDA, Uttar Pradesh. The phased facility will add capacity of up to 60,000 tractors and 15,000 construction equipment units per annum, targeting both domestic and global markets.
Manufacturing Skoda CEO Seeks Joint Venture With Strong Local Identity for India EV Push
Skoda Auto will debut an electric vehicle in India in 2028, CEO Klaus Zellmer said, while the company accelerates talks to form a joint venture with a local partner. JSW Group is in negotiations to take a majority stake in Skoda's India unit. Zellmer expects the EV launch to make India one of Skoda's top three markets globally.
Manufacturing Preferred Popcorn to expand premium variants as India takes to Gourmet popcorn
Preferred Popcorn is expanding into premium mushroom popcorn variants in India as gourmet popcorn demand grows. The company supplies locally grown kernels from 16 acres across nine states through Chennai-based Gourmet Popcornica, after a 55 per cent import duty made imported kernels costly.
Manufacturing Central Dispatch Extends Biometric Security to Vehicle Pickup and Transfer
FreightWaves reported that Central Dispatch, owned by Cox Automotive, is rolling out Secure Vehicle Transfer, a biometric-based system that verifies carriers at pickup using geofenced, non-transferable digital credentials. The marketplace, which listed over 20 million vehicles last year, aims to close the manual gap in the vehicle release process.
India's chip story enters next phase: 5-6 semiconductor projects may go commercial by end of 2026
Read the full story for in-depth analysis.
Manufacturing Fairphone Brings Repairable, Modular Smartphone to US Market for $650
Fairphone has launched its repairable, modular Fairphone (Gen 6+) in the US for $650, with component prices as low as $20 and a 10/10 iFixit repairability score. The Dutch company is entering a carrier-dominated market where Apple and Samsung hold a duopoly, and CEO Raymond van Eck says discussions with major carriers are already underway.
Manufacturing Merino Wool Yields 4-5 Pounds per Sheep Annually, New Guide Shows Textile Buyers
WIRED's merino wool apparel guide shows textile buyers how to specify the fiber by GSM, maps merino weights to fleece equivalents, and details Nuyarn, a merino-nylon hybrid yarn. It also warns that cheaper wool may carry a higher carbon footprint. For apparel manufacturers, the report frames merino as a renewable but naturally limited input, with per-sheep yields of 4 to 5 pounds per year.
Manufacturing Ferguson Marine to Cut Quarter of Workforce Awaiting Promised Ship Orders
Ferguson Marine, Scotland's state-owned shipyard, is cutting 70 of 283 posts through voluntary redundancy as it awaits confirmation of four promised Scottish government vessel orders. The yard faces a gap in workload after completing MV Glen Rosa, with none of the promised contracts yet confirmed and due diligence still under way.
Manufacturing Govt Clears 31 Electronics Part Projects Worth Rs 7,877 Crore
The Indian government has approved 31 electronics component manufacturing applications worth Rs 7,877 crore under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme. The projects, involving Kaynes Technology, Dixon Technologies, Wipro and Motherson, will produce PCBs, camera modules, enclosures and other key inputs. The scheme has now attracted 106 proposals with committed investment of Rs 69,548 crore, exceeding its initial target.
Manufacturing Tesla Semi Demo Projects $0.65 Per-Mile Savings; Charging Gaps Linger
FreightWaves reports that Intracoastal Trucking's two-week Tesla Semi demo projects $0.65 per mile in fuel and maintenance savings. The carrier plans five trucks for 2027 if economics hold. However, charging infrastructure and real-world range remain challenges.
Manufacturing Amber Enterprises to Manufacture Oppo, OnePlus and Realme Smartphones in India
Amber Enterprises will begin producing smartphones for Oppo, OnePlus and Realme under a manufacturing collaboration agreement with Oppo Mobiles India. Trial production is slated for Q4 FY27, commercial production in Q1 FY28, with first-year output around 8 million units and second-year output of 15-16 million units.
Manufacturing Ferrari's First Electric Car Luce Fetches Record $40m at Sotheby's Charity Auction
Ferrari's first all-electric production car, the Luce, sold for $40m at a Sotheby's charity auction in California, setting a record for a new car at auction. The car, designed by Sir Jony Ive, faced criticism after its May launch yet raised more than 35 times its usual price. All proceeds benefit the Ferrari Foundation's educational programmes.
Manufacturing Charging ahead: What farmers need to know before switching to EV tractors
Electric tractors are emerging as a cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective alternative to diesel models, according to Agri_TIO. The report advises farmers to assess operational needs, battery range, charging infrastructure, and long-term ownership costs. State-level incentives and financing schemes can further reduce adoption costs.
Manufacturing From Sugar Mill to Biorefinery: India Hits 20% Ethanol Blending Five Years Early
India achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025 — five years ahead of target — according to The Hindu BusinessLine. Sugar mills are now repositioning as integrated biorefineries, with government policy backing multi-feedstock distilleries and by-product streams including CBG, PDM, PLA and captured CO2. The first cooperative multi-feedstock CBG plant in a sugar-mill ecosystem was inaugurated in Maharashtra in 2025.
Commodities NITI Aayog report: India chemicals exports could hit $81 billion by 2030
A NITI Aayog report says India's chemicals industry could target exports of up to USD 81 billion by 2030, including USD 45 billion in specialty chemicals. Achieving the target requires 10-11% consumption CAGR and 14% production CAGR over five fiscal years. The report identifies US and Brazil as key export markets and recommends policy interventions to close infrastructure and technology gaps.
Technology India’s Semiconductor Push: PM Modi Says 3 Plants Producing, 7–8 More Coming Up
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has begun production at three semiconductor manufacturing plants, with seven to eight additional facilities expected over the next several years. The government's second-phase semiconductor mission, Semicon 2.0, has an outlay exceeding Rs 1.27 lakh crore, with 12 approved projects and over Rs 1.64 lakh crore in committed investment.
Manufacturing India's tractor boom masks slow farm mechanisation as electrification takes root below 7 kW
India posted record tractor wholesales in FY26, but overall farm mechanisation remains at 47%. The fastest-growing equipment segment is small walk-behind machines of 1.5–7 kW, where electrification is arriving first, supported by policy and unique motor physics.
Manufacturing Magnum Deploys AI-Equipped Freezers and Glow-in-Dark Lollies to Beat Ice Cream Cost Shocks
The Magnum Ice Cream Company, spun off from Unilever last year, is automating its cold chain with AI-equipped fridges and cutting freezer energy use by 40% since 2010. The world's largest listed ice cream maker is also launching niche products like a glow-in-the-dark lolly as it navigates five years of commodity and energy price volatility.
Technology India launches Semicon 2.0 with Rs 1.27 lakh crore to become global semiconductor hub
India has approved Semicon 2.0 with an outlay of over Rs 1.27 lakh crore to build an integrated semiconductor and AI ecosystem. The plan backs 12 chip projects worth over Rs 1.64 lakh crore, targeting 70-75% domestic demand coverage by 2029 as the global AI-driven semiconductor supercycle accelerates.
Manufacturing UK Considers Cutting 2030 EV Sales Target After Car Maker Pressure
The UK government may cut its 2030 electric vehicle sales target from 80% to as low as 50% after pressure from car makers, the BBC reported. A consultation running until late October will weigh lower targets, hybrid allowances, and extended flexibility for manufacturers.
Manufacturing Volvo Trucks OTA Updates Cut 100,000 Downtime Days, Save $60 Million
Volvo Trucks North America raised OTA software update compliance from 25% to over 80% of its 200,000-truck connected fleet, eliminating more than 100,000 days of downtime and saving roughly $60 million. Predictive maintenance cut problems by 70% and unplanned stops by 24%, according to FreightWaves.
Manufacturing E20 petrol: Carmakers' internal data flags contamination in 18 states; SIAM complaint withdrawn
Internal data from Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra flagged elevated chloride and moisture contamination in E20 petrol samples from 18 Indian states. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers withdrew its complaint to the government after saying some figures required authentication. The dispute highlights fuel-quality concerns in India's E20 rollout.
Manufacturing GoPro Mission 1 Pro Tops Wired Action Camera Picks as MicroSD Shortage Hits
Wired's updated action camera review picks the GoPro Mission 1 Pro as its top model and drops the GoPro Hero 12 Black on value. The review also reports a microSD card shortage that is pushing up prices for storage accessories, with 512-GB cards ranging from about $110 to $165. Accessories from GoPro, Insta360, DJI, and Yallsame are detailed with prices.
Manufacturing India Extends Electric Two-Wheeler Subsidies Till March 2028, Caps Incentive at Rs 5,000
India has extended electric two-wheeler incentives under the PM E-DRIVE scheme until March 31, 2028, offering Rs 2,500 per kWh capped at Rs 5,000 per vehicle. The government is also working on interest-subvention and credit-guarantee mechanisms to close the financing-cost gap for electric trucks.
Manufacturing Razer Naga V3 Pro Keeps Iconic Shell, Adds Third Button and Updated Internals
WIRED's review of the Razer Naga V3 Pro details how the gaming peripheral preserves the Naga line's long-standing shell while adding a third mouse button and updated internals. The review highlights the mouse's comfort-focused design and Razer's strategy of maintaining silhouette and upgrading components.
Manufacturing WIRED Tests Dehumidifiers: Midea 20-Pint Cube Tops List at $190
WIRED's updated buying guide tested a field of portable dehumidifiers for humid summer conditions, naming the Midea 20-Pint Cube ($190) as its top pick. The guide also covers the Eva-Dry Renewable Mini E-333 ($25), the Aeocky Rhea-001 ($300), and warns that Midea's 50-pint cube is no longer recommended.
Manufacturing Akshay Jatia drives Westlife Foodworld toward 500th McDonald's as revenue climbs 12%
Westlife Foodworld, operator of McDonald's in West and South India, is closing in on its 500th restaurant with 482 outlets across 79 cities, while FY27 revenue grew 12% year-on-year to ₹736 crore, according to ETRetail. CEO Akshay Jatia outlines the company's shift from a restaurant-first model to an omnichannel consumer brand as it marks 30 years in India.
Trade Borderlands Mexico: USMCA Gives Mexico an Edge as Global Trade Barriers Rise
Mexico is experiencing a technology-driven export boom, with Chapter 84 machinery exports doubling to roughly $200 billion, according to BBVA México. The country now supplies a record 17% of U.S. imports in early 2026, surpassing China as the leading supplier of advanced technology products. The USMCA gives Mexico a tariff advantage as global trade barriers rise.
Tractor sales grew 28% in July on better monsoon, rural demand
Read the full story for in-depth analysis.
Manufacturing The food fortified frontier: Corporate India’s next major FMCG growth engine
Endeva research identified Indian food processors redefining fortification as a strategic growth lever. ShyamaTara Rice Mills and Kaleesuwari Refinery invested in automation, quality control and traceability, making nutrition a competitive differentiator in the FMCG market.
Manufacturing Parag Milk Foods to invest ₹105 crore to double Go Cheese manufacturing capacity by FY28
Parag Milk Foods Ltd. approved a ₹105 crore capital expenditure to double its Go Cheese manufacturing capacity from 60 to 120 metric tonnes per day by FY28. The expansion, funded through internal accruals and debt, aims to meet rising demand for cheese and whey protein products. IMARC Group forecasts India's cheese market will grow from ₹129 billion in 2025 to ₹620 billion by 2034.
Manufacturing New 300W Laptop Power Banks From EcoFlow, Anker, ReelCharge Show Portable Battery Advances
WIRED's latest review of laptop power banks highlights three models above 20,000 mAh from EcoFlow, Anker, and ReelCharge. The leading units deliver 300W via USB-C with fast dock recharging, while supporting multiple charging protocols and capacities up to 27,650 mAh.
Manufacturing WIRED Names Insta360 Link 2C Pro Best Webcam After Testing 15 Models
WIRED's Luke Larsen tested more than 15 webcams side-by-side and named the $200 Insta360 Link 2C Pro the best overall, citing superior low-light performance, a magnetic aluminum mount, and natural contrast. It surpassed the $200 Logitech MX Brio and the $349 Obsbot Tiny 3. The review was updated in August 2026 with Dell Pro 5 and Dell Pro 7 webcam testing details.
Manufacturing Cheap Gaming Laptops Mostly Poor; Three Models Stand Out as Worth Buying
WIRED's August 2026 testing found that most cheap gaming laptops are not worth buying, with prices rising $400–500 over older models. Only three systems — Lenovo LOQ 15, MSI Cyborg A15, and Alienware 15 — earned recommendations. The review also flags power-adapter and display-quality compromises in other budget options.
Manufacturing Plastic-Free Coffee Brewers Sell Out as Manufacturers Rethink Injection-Molded Parts
WIRED's review of the Ratio Eight Series 2 ($799) and Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer ($480) shows a small-appliance niche moving from injection-molded plastic to 304 stainless steel, borosilicate glass, and medical-grade silicone. Simply Good Coffee has sold out production runs more than once since launching its plastic-free machine last year, signalling demand for plastic-free food-contact surfaces. Material substitutions raise production costs but open a differentiation strategy for OEMs.
Manufacturing PACCAR recalls 5,919 trucks over electrical defect in power distribution center
PACCAR is recalling 5,919 model year 2027 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks after oil contaminated power distribution centers supplied by PKC Group North America. The defect can cut engine power, brakes, lights, wipers and defroster without warning. PACCAR notified NHTSA on July 27 and plans dealer/owner notifications Sept. 25.
Manufacturing International Motors to Lay Off 1,341 at Ohio Plants as Roshel Acquires Operations
International Motors will lay off 1,341 employees at two Springfield, Ohio, facilities when its asset sale to Roshel closes Oct. 2. Roshel plans to turn the site into a U.S. production hub for commercial, specialty and armored vehicles. The contract manufacturing deal that sustained the plant expires Sept. 30, 2026.
Manufacturing Shark PowerDetect Speed Named WIRED's Top Cordless Vacuum, Outperforms Dyson Models
WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell selected the Shark PowerDetect Speed as her top cordless vacuum, citing a 350-watt motor that performed best on sand and thin rug tests and matched more expensive Dyson models on thick rugs. The new model is lighter, slimmer, and cheaper than the original PowerDetect, with an optional self-emptying and charging base station.
Manufacturing Samsung Foldable Pre-Orders Jump 30% as New Form Factor Builds Momentum
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 logged pre-orders 30% ahead of last year's models, according to Bloomberg. The Fold 8 accounts for nearly half of all pre-orders ahead of an August 7 launch, with Apple and Google foldables due this fall.
Manufacturing BenQ GV50 Projector Delivers 1080p Ceiling Projection in 4.6-Pound Design
According to WIRED, BenQ's GV50 is a battery-powered portable projector marketed for ceiling projection at a $599 price. It offers 1080p video, Google TV, and a 4.6-pound frame, but lacks 4K, HDMI eARC, and Dolby Atmos. WIRED calls it a good buy with known trade-offs.
Manufacturing Charity rebrands more than 1,000 surplus garments a year to save them from landfill
Swindon-based clothing charity Dressability alters and redistributes more than 1,000 branded garments a year, saving new coats, fleeces and other apparel from landfill. The project, launched after a delivery of coats from a company that ceased trading, now supplies organisations in Liverpool and Ukraine, with surplus garments sourced from Osnic Embroidery.
Manufacturing ICAR’s African Swine Fever vaccine to bolster India’s biosecurity
ICAR announced an indigenously developed live attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever, developed at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal. The vaccine comes after ASF outbreaks in Assam and Mizoram caused an estimated ₹1,258 crore in combined losses. ICAR said the vaccine will help reduce pig mortality, minimise economic losses and improve farmers' livelihoods.
Manufacturing Hatsun Agro Product plans ₹1,000 crore capex in FY27 to expand dairy production, retail network
Hatsun Agro Product, India's largest private sector dairy company, plans ₹1,000 crore capex in FY27 for milk procurement, distribution and production facility upgrades. The target is 2.4 crore daily packs within two years, up from 1.84 crore.
Manufacturing Dyson Gen5Detect Tops WIRED's Vacuum Tests; V16 Piston Animal Follows at $850
According to WIRED, the Dyson Gen5Detect ($949) is the top-scoring cordless vacuum in its updated side-by-side tests, followed by the Dyson V16 Piston Animal ($850). The $500 Dyson V10 Konical scored above more powerful models, making it the best-value pick. WIRED's comparison details suction power, run time, and filtration across six models.
Ati Robotics Built a Mostly China-Free Robot as FCC Bans Chinese Robotics Imports
US regulators have moved to ban Chinese-made robots, opening an opportunity for startups with diversified supply chains. Ati Robotics assembles its robots in India and says two best-selling models have almost no Chinese parts. But battery cells, harmonic drives and a lidar sensor keep China in the mix.
Manufacturing Govt aims to raise weavers’ annual income to Rs 6 lakh, launches handloom tech centre
The Indian government has launched a Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology at IIT Delhi, aiming to raise weavers' annual income to at least Rs 6 lakh. The centre will focus on loom modernisation, AI tools and skill development, training 1,000 professionals over five years. Five digital initiatives, including Handloom 4.0 and Threads of Valour, support the modernisation push.
Manufacturing India's Proposed Tax Amendments Extend Electronics Exemption to 2040-41
According to Business-Today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's proposed tax amendments would replace 'electronic goods' with a defined list of 'specified electronic goods' and extend the related tax exemption to 2040-41. The bill adds a new customs bonded area exemption for electronic components, rationalises offshore fund conditions, restores dividend tax neutrality for REIT and InvIT investors, and proposes a 15-year rough diamond sale exemption.
Logistics July Manufacturing PMI Hits Four-Year High of 55.6; LTL Carriers Report Rising Tonnage
The ISM Manufacturing PMI jumped to 55.6 in July, the highest reading in four years, signaling sustained industrial expansion. LTL carriers reported July tonnage up 5.1% year over year, with ArcBest, XPO, and Old Dominion beating seasonal trends. Shippers face slower supplier deliveries and low customer inventories.
Manufacturing Microsoft raises Xbox Series X price by £170 as memory chip costs climb
Microsoft has raised Xbox console prices worldwide, with the Series X disc edition rising £170 to £670 and the baseline Series S up 43% to £430, citing rising memory and storage chip costs. The move follows similar increases from Sony and Valve, driven by AI-fueled demand for RAM and graphics components, according to BBC reporting.
Business India's Manufacturing Growth Slows to Near 5-Year Low as HSBC PMI Dips to 53.5
India's manufacturing expansion slowed to a near five-year low in July, with the HSBC PMI falling to 53.5 from 54.2. The reading remained above the 50 expansion threshold, supported by resilient export orders and improved supply chains, though hiring and domestic demand moderated.
Nothing Ear (3a) Named Among Best $100 Earbuds in WIRED Review
WIRED's review of the Nothing Ear (3a) finds the $100 earbuds offer stylish design, bass-rich sound, and unique Audio Snapshot recording, though ANC and Spatial Audio fall short. The device, Nothing's eighth earbud, features a 12-mm driver, 32 MB storage, and an LED battery indicator.