SUVs domestic market share rises to 58% in August, cars decline to 38%
The growing preference for SUVs/UVs has been one of the most noticeable trends of the passenger vehicle market in India over the past few years. This has come at the expense of other body styles. While the overall passenger vehicle market grows, segments other than SUVs/UVs decline.

Powered by utility vehicles, PV dispatches to dealers increase 9% in August: SIAM
Passenger vehicle wholesales in the country rose 9% year-on-year in August on the back of strong demand for utility models, including SUVs, industry body SIAM said on Monday.

August 2023 auto wholesales grow 3.45% to 19,90,695 units
New Delhi: Total automobile wholesales in August 2023 reported a growth of 3.45% to 19,90,695 units with year-on-year sales in the green across the segments. In August 2022, the industry recorded total wholesales of 19,24,238 units. Total domestic wholesales for the month include passenger vehicles, two wheelers, three wheelers and quadricycles, according to the data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) .

NITI Aayog spearheads efforts to standardise battery swapping policy
New Delhi: The Centre is planning to initiate fresh consultations to finalise interoperable standards for battery-swapping policies, Business Standard has learnt. As part of this endeavour, NITI Aayog — public policy think tank of the Government of India has urged the Ministry of Heavy Industries to convene a meeting with industry stakeholders.

Delhi govt's Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0 to shift gears
New Delhi: Delhi government’s EV Policy 2.0, which is expected to be launched in a few months, may bat for retro-fitment to promote cleaner fuel.

Forget your cards and phone, soon your car will be able to pay for fuel, recharge FASTag directly
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital payments, 'pay by car' has emerged as the latest innovation. Amazon and Mastercard-backed ToneTag have launched a new service, integrating the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with your car's infotainment system, ushering in a new era of convenient and smartphone-free digital payments.

Making EVs affordable and green in India's journey to carbon neutrality
In its pursuit of carbon neutrality, India has made significant progress, considering its historical contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, which accounted for just 4% from 1870 to 2019. This places India in a relatively favourable position compared to many other nations. However, as emissions have risen in recent years, it is imperative for India to proactively tackle the complexities of sustainable development while simultaneously reducing its carbon footprint.

Nexon facelift SUV price leaked online. Here's what Tata Motors said…
Tata Motors is preparing to introduce two models this week - the 2023 Nexon SUV and the updated electric version. These vehicles are set to make their debut on Thursday, September 14. Prior to the official launch, there were social media leaks suggesting that the new Nexon SUV would have a starting price of ₹7.39 lakh (ex-showroom), which is approximately ₹60,000 lower than the current model.

2024 Tata Safari facelift spied– gets new alloy wheels
Tata Motors is often credited for constantly updating its lineup. The carmaker recently unveiled facelifted iterations of Nexon and Nexon EV slated to go on sale in the next few days. Post launch of both the updated subcompact SUVs, the homegrown carmaker is expected to launch facelifted models of Harrier and Safari.

2023 Hyundai i20 facelift: Top five things to know
Hyundai Motor India recently launched the i20 facelift in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs 6.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated premium hatchback is offered in five variants - Era, Magna, Sportz, Asta and Asta (O). The 2023 Hyundai i20 gets a few exterior and interior upgrades over its predecessor. Hyundai is offering a standard warranty of 3-year/1 lakh kilometres on the new i20. Here are top five things to know about the 2023 Hyundai i20.  

Honda aiming for 35 per cent growth in sales in 2023-24 with launch of SUV Elevate
The Japanese company has only two products from its portfolio, the City and the Amaze, in India so far.

2023 Hyundai i20 facelift vs Tata Altroz vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Price and specifications comparison
Priced between ₹6.99 lakh and ₹11.16 lakh (ex-showroom), the Hyundai i20 facelift is based on the third-generation model of the hatchback. While Hyundai has added a nip and tuck here and there to the car to call it a facelift, it is to see how the updated model competes with its rivals.

M&M offering discount of up to Rs 1.25 lakh on XUV400, Bolero, XUV300
New Delhi: Mahindra & Mahindra is offering a discount of Rs 1.25 lakh on its offerings such as XUV400, Marazzo, XUV300, Bolero, and Bolero Neo this September, Autocar India (ACI) has reported. The company offered these same discounts last month as well. However, M&M is not offering any discounts on its more famous cars, such as Thar, Scorpio N, and XUV700.

Hyundai i20 facelift now starts at Rs 6.99 lakh, drops the turbo-petrol
New Delhi: Hyundai has launched the facelift for its premium hatchback i20 in India at a starting price of Rs 6.99 lakh, which goes up to Rs 11.01 lakh for the top trim, Autocar India (ACI) has reported. Both prices are ex-showroom. The new i20 comes with a revised front and rear end design and a new interiors colour scheme.

2023 Hyundai i20 car loan EMI on Rs 1.6 lakh down payment: Details explained
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. recently introduced a mid-life facelift for the third-gen i20 in the Indian market, bringing along a few new design cues and features, while phasing out the 1.0-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol motor (118 hp/172 Nm). The Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza and Tata Altroz rival is now only offered with the 1.2-litre NA petrol motor (82 hp/115 Nm), available with a 5MT or an optional IVT automatic.

Honda Elevate deliveries commence, India’s cheapest automatic mid-size SUV
Honda Cars India Ltd has initiated mega delivery of its newly launched mid size SUV Honda Elevate. The first of these events saw the delivery of 100 Honda Elevate SUVs in Hyderabad to customers. This mega delivery event commences a series of similar events planned across major cities in coming days. Honda Cars India has planned to host several mega delivery events in various regions of the country.

2023 Tata Nexon EV facelift bookings commence: All you need to know
Tata Motors officially unveiled the new Nexon EV a couple of days back. The electric SUV is based on the facelifted version of its ICE-powered sibling with a similar design and features. The company has started accepting bookings for the Nexon EV facelift through its official website for a token amount of Rs 21,000.

BMW India launches 6 Series GT M Sport Signature at INR 75.90 lakh
New Delhi: BMW Group India has launched its latest addition, the BMW 630i M Sport Signature at INR 75,90,000. This vehicle, locally produced at the BMW Group Plant Chennai, is exclusively available in the petrol variant.

Audi India launches special edition Q8 at INR 1.18 cr
New Delhi: Audi India has unveiled a limited edition Audi Q8 just in time for the festive season priced at INR 1,18,46,000 (ex-showroom). This special edition Audi Q8 comes in three distinct colours: Mythos Black, Glacier White, and Daytona Gray, and it's available in limited quantities.

Olectra Greentech to double e-bus production to 3,000 by 2024
Olectra Greentech, one of India’s leading electric bus manufacturers, plans to double its yearly output to 2,500-3,000 buses from 1,250 at present, said KV Pradeep, Chairman and Managing Director. The total output of the company would be in the range of 4,000-5,000, as it also plans to manufacture electric tippers, he added.

JCB plans to increase exports of India-made construction gear
JC Bamford (JCB) Excavators, one of the world's largest manufacturers of construction equipment like backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers, aims to increase exports from its India unit this year to 45% of its output, up from 10% five years ago, a top executive said.

Kawasaki launches Ninja ZX-4R in India at INR 8.49 lakh
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R comes available in a single variant and there is only one colour on offer, which is the Metallic Spark Black. Like other models in Kawasaki India's portfolio, this one too comes carrying the racing DNA. The manufacturer claims that the Ninja ZX-4R offers a handling character that is similar to its bigger siblings, the Ninja ZX-10R and Ninjz ZX-6R.

KTM launches 2024 250 Duke and 390 Duke in India, priced at INR 2.39 lakh and INR 3.11 lakh
New Delhi: KTM, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, has introduced the 2024 versions of its popular Duke series in the Indian market, with the 2024 KTM 250 Duke starting at INR 2.39 lakh and the 2024 KTM 390 Duke priced at INR 3.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Customers can book both the models for a token deposit of INR 4,499, with the motorcycles set to hit the dealership floors in mid-September.

HMSI launches 2023 CB300F at INR 1.70 lakh, bookings open
New Delhi: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) Monday launched the OBD-II A-compliant 2023 CB300F priced at INR 1,70,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). It will beavailable in Deluxe Pro variant and three colours - Sports Red, Mat Marvel Blue Metallic & Mat Axis Grey Metallic.

Shema Electric launches new range of high-speed electric scooters
Mumbai: Shema Electric launched a new range of high-speed electric scooters to take on competition from rivals like Hero Electric and Ampere.

TVS Supply Chain Solutions reports increased net loss in Q1
TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited reported increased net loss at ₹65.3 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2023, against a net loss of ₹1.8 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Revenue was down 12 per cent to ₹2,342 crore (₹2,675 crore).

TVS Holdings appoints Sudarshan Venu as MD
TVS Holdings, formerly Sundaram Clayton has announced the appointment of Sudarshan Venu, as the company’s new Managing Director for a period of five years.

Global Road Safety Partnership to train 200 Maharashtra Highway Police officers on speed enforcement
The Highway Police Maharashtra State (HSP), in collaboration with the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), a partner under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), has launched a training series that aims to engage 200 officers across the 5 ranges of the Highway Police of Maharashtra State Police.

Driving the green future: How EVs and semiconductors pave the way
New Delhi: Driven by cutting-edge technology and innovation, the mobility landscape is undergoing a significant shift. India's electric vehicle (EV) market is poised for a substantial upsurge, with annual sales projected to cross one crore units by 2030, as stated in the Economic Survey 2022-23.

Batteries included: Amara Raja's game plan
Chennai/Hyderabad: We are in a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation," says Jayadev Galla, chairman and managing director of Amara Raja Batteries Ltd, India’s second-largest lead-acid battery manufacturer.

PM Modi's biofuel initiative set to wean the world off oil dependency: Minister Hardeep Puri
India will show the world a new path on biofuels through the Global Biofuels Alliance, stated Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs. As a tangible outcome of the G20 presidency, it will help strengthen India's position globally, Puri said.

Gazpromneft-Lubricants, Enso Global Trading expand partnership to supply lubricants in India
Gazpromneft-Lubricants and Enso Global Trading, one of the world’s leading trading companies have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to broaden the distribution of lubricant assets across the South Asian region. The partnership provides for regular supplies of base, motor, hydraulic and gearbox oils for sale in India.

EV stakeholders call on government for rapid increase in charging infrastructure
“We stand at an inflexion point in the transportation industry, where going from Point A to Point B has to be done sustainably, with environmental consciousness,” an EV insider said.

Bajaj Finance plans to enter new car, MFI, tractor finance segments
Mumbai: Bajaj Finance is planning to offer car loans, tractor, and microfinance loans in the next few years due to the bright growth prospects of the Indian credit market, Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finserv Ltd, said.

No worries about Jio's foray into financial services : Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman of Bajaj Finserv
Mumbai: Bajaj Finance is not worried about the entry of a 'big brother' into financial services as the market is large enough for everyone to co-exist, said Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman of Bajaj Finserv, the holding company for various financial services of the Bajaj Group.

‘Bajaj Finance to provide SME, 4-wheeler loans’
Bajaj Finance is planning to enter the micro, SME, four-wheeler and tractor finance areas, apart from adding 1,000 more branches over the next two to three years, said its Chairman, Sanjiv Bajaj, on Monday.

Honda Elevate waiting period hovers around six month mark
While the Elevate, Honda’s made-for-India SUV, went on sale on September 4, 2023, Honda dealers had started accepting bookings two months earlier from July 3, 2023. The Honda SUV already commands a waiting period of around six-months, according to Kunal Bhel, VP marketing and sales, Honda Cars India.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R launched at Rs 8.49 lakh, more expensive than Versys 650
We were the first to break the story about Kawasaki bringing the Ninja ZX-4R to India, and the little inline-four screamer has just been officially launched at Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom, India). At this price, it is even more expensive than the Versys 650 adventure tourer, and only Rs 71,000 less than the much larger Z900 street naked, which is also an inline-four.

Tata Nexon vs Nexon EV: design, feature differences explained
Tata Motors recently unveiled the facelift for both ICE and EV versions of the Nexon ahead of their price announcement on September 14. Unlike the pre-facelift models that were largely similar apart from the obvious difference under the skin, the facelifted Nexon and Nexon.ev are now a little more differentiated on aspects such as styling and features. Let’s take a closer look.

New KTM 390 Duke launched at Rs 3.11 lakh, bookings open
KTM has launched the Gen 3 390 Duke in India, priced at Rs 3,10,520 (ex-showroom, Delhi). This makes it about Rs 13,000 more expensive than the bike it replaces, which is still listed at Rs 2,97,475 on the KTM India website.

BMW 6 Series GT M Sport Signature launched at Rs 75.90 lakh
BMW has launched a new variant of the 6 Series Gran Turismo, the 630i M Sport Signature, at Rs 75.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The new trim is only available with the petrol engine and also gets a few new features.

Audi Q8 limited edition launched at Rs 1.18 crore
Audi India has launched a limited-edition version of the Q8 SUV for Rs 1.18 crore (ex-showroom, India). This special edition costs around Rs 11 lakh more than the Q8 Celebration trim (Rs 1.07 crore) and will be available in limited numbers. While Audi recently revealed the Q8 facelift globally at the Munich motor show, the Q8 limited edition is based on the outgoing model.

US, Vietnam sign deal on semiconductor supply chains
The United States and Vietnam, on Sunday, signed a deal on semiconductor supply chains to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Hanoi, in support of the US industry.

Automotive industry better placed to tackle future disruptions says Capgemini
The automotive industry is now more confident to tackle future supply chain disruptions says a report from Capgemini Research Institute. The report christened ‘The automotive supply chain: Pursuing long-term resilience’ finds that after witnessing disruptions in the last few years, automakers have been forced to rethink, restructure, and refinance their supply chain management.

Tesla supercomputer likely to boost market value by USD 600 bln
Tesla's Dojo supercomputer could power a near USD 600 billion jump in the automaker's market value by boosting the adoption of robotaxis and its software services, Morgan Stanley analysts said.

Stellantis reports progress in talks with auto workers and plans to make another offer Monday
Stellantis is reporting progress in talks with the United Auto Workers union with just three days left before contracts expire with Detroit's three automakers.

BMW to invest USD 750 mn in UK plants to take Mini fully electric
BMW said on Monday it will invest 600 million pounds (USD 750 million) at its UK plants to take its iconic Mini brand all-electric by 2030, a fresh boost for Britain's car industry after years of Brexit-related uncertainty.