By SEMA News Editors
French President Emmanuel Macron Attends Groundbreaking at Sage Automotive Interiors Facility
Sage Automotive Interiors, a provider in the automotive interior materials industry, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new geotextile collaboration between the French government, Occitanie Géotex and Sage at the company's Laroque d'Olmes, France, plant site.
The groundbreaking event was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, executives from Sage and Occitanie Géotex, plus other government officials and community leaders. Occitanie Géotex, a French manufacturer developing a local and sustainable alternative to synthetic geotextiles and imported natural fibers, is building its new facility at a site contributed by Sage.
"Sage is proud to partner with Occitanie Géotex and the French government on this innovative project, and we are honored by the presence of the President of the Republic," said Dan Russian, president and CEO, Sage Automotive Interiors. "As a global leader in automotive interiors, this natural fiber geonets project marks a strategic and fundamental step for our future. This project is perfectly aligned with our values and commitments, particularly in terms of corporate social and environmental responsibility."
As a foundational component of this project, Sage sold the brownfield site at their Laroque facility for the symbolic price of one euro. This helped pave the way for today's groundbreaking of the geotextile production unit, which will help shape the future of the Pays d'Olmes region and beyond.
"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sage Automotive Interiors and its representatives who are here today for their invaluable assistance," said Victor Lamego, CEO, Occitanie Géotex. "This project, with which we have partnered since its inception, is the result of close and constructive local, human, technical and industrial collaboration with Occitanie Géotex, even before the company was officially established."
Occitanie Géotex is a French manufacturer based in Ariège, specializing in the design of biodegradable geotextiles and geonets from natural fibers, mainly hemp grown in the Occitanie region. The company is developing a local and sustainable alternative to synthetic geotextiles and imported natural fibers, with applications in multiple industrial sectors.
"It is important to remember that this factory will be built on a former SAGE industrial site," added Lamego. "This close partnership, which began during the development of our products, aims to continue within a framework of industrial and commercial synergy."
For more information, visit sageautomotiveinteriors.com.
Polestar: Emissions Per Sold Car Cut by 31% in Five Years
Polestar, the Swedish electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announced that the company has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions per sold car by 31% since 2020, according to data published in its "2025 Sustainability Report."
The reduction in emissions per sold car since 2020 reflects the company's focus on increasing renewable energy use related to battery production and manufacturing, and use of low-carbon materials. Over the past year, increased volumes of Polestar 4, the company's lowest carbon footprint car to date, has also been a significant factor, alongside the expansion of renewable energy across key European markets, which drives down use-phase emissions. Europe remains Polestar's largest market, representing more than 75% of sales. Polestar continues to stay below its emissions reduction curve, heading towards its goal of becoming a climate-neutral company by 2040.
"If you are not reducing emissions while growing, you are choosing not to," said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller. Electrification delivers clear value for customers: lower running costs, lower emissions and greater peace of mind, as volatile oil prices and fuel scarcity mean pump anxiety is increasingly replacing range anxiety. As clean electricity scales, electric vehicles are becoming not just the sustainable choice, but the smarter, more reliable one."
For more information, visit polestar.com.
Smart Eye Secures Additional Interior Sensing AI Order with Major Japanese OEM
Smart Eye, a developer of driver monitoring system (DMS) and interior sensing software for the automotive industry, has secured an additional order with a major Japanese vehicle manufacturer to add interior sensing artificial intelligence (AI) to two existing vehicle programs.
The order was secured in collaboration with a global Tier 1 supplier and builds on the vehicle programs announced in April 2025, when Smart Eye was selected to deliver DMS software for two new vehicle models. The new agreement adds interior sensing AI to both of those vehicle models, further expanding Smart Eye's role within the program.
Interior sensing AI combines driver and occupant monitoring capabilities, enabling the vehicle to better understand activity and occupant status throughout the cabin. The new order reflects growing demand for solutions that combine driver monitoring with broader in-cabin sensing, and expands Smart Eye's role within an existing customer program.
Production of the models featuring Smart Eye's interior sensing AI is scheduled to begin in mid-2027.
"This is the third OEM choosing cabin monitoring from Smart Eye" says Martin Krantz, CEO and founder of Smart Eye. "We are once again upselling interior sensing to our DMS customers. This is a solid trend that we expect will accelerate"
With this additional order, Smart Eye's Interior Sensing technology has been selected for a total of 12 car models by multiple OEMs.
Visit smarteye.ai for more information.
