Most affordable cars with sunroof under Rs 10 lakh
Sunroofs have become a desirable feature for Indian car buyers and many of them are ready to pay a premium to get this feature in their new car. This is despite the fact that India experiences a sub-tropical climate for most parts of the year. Let us look at some of the most affordable cars with electric sunroofs on sale in India.

Nissan announces exclusive festive offers for Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra and Gujarat
New Delhi: Nissan Motor India (NMIPL) has unveiled a host of offers for its customers in Maharashtra and Gujarat, to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. These special offers are valid for September and provide incredible savings on the purchase of the ‘Big, Bold, Beautiful’ SUV Nissan Magnite, the official Car of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Kia India to hike Seltos, Carens prices by up to 2% from Oct
New Delhi: Automaker Kia India on Thursday said it will increase prices of Seltos and Carens by up to 2% from October 1, according to a senior company official. However, the company will not hike the prices of its entry-level model Sonet.

MG Motor mulls options for setting up a second India plant
MG Motor is looking at the possibility of setting up a second plant in India, news agency PTI reported on September 21 quoting an official of the company.

MG Hector diesel has better resale value than Creta, Seltos, XUV700, XUV300 and Harrier SUVs: Study
MG Hector was adjudged the best diesel SUV with highest resale value by Droom, an e-commerce platform. It conducted a study on seven models. The key factors that helped Hector beat the likes of Creta and Seltos were its engine, fuel efficiency as well as the comfort features it offers. MG Hector diesel variants are offered with a 2.0-litre unit. The engine comes mated either to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. It can generate 167.67 bhp of power and 350 Nm of peak torque. The study found that Hector SUV offers up to 21 kmpl of fuel efficiency. In comparison, SUVs like Creta or Harrier offered up to 18 kmpl.

Kia Seltos SUV, Carens MPV to cost more from October. Check price hike details
Kia had launched the updated Seltos SUV in July this year at a starting price of ₹10.89 lakh (ex-showroom). On Wednesday, the carmaker introduced two new variants of the SUV to meet demands ahead of the festive season. The two variants, priced between ₹19.40 lakh and ₹19.60 lakh, will sit right under the top-spec variant of the SUV priced at ₹19.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Though Kia has not specified which variants of the Seltos will receive price hike. However, a 2 per cent price increase could see the base variant's cost go up by more than ₹20,000. In case of top variant, the price could increase by up to ₹40,000.

Mahindra Scorpio-N, XUV700 and Thar see drop in waiting period ahead of festive season. Check availability
Mahindra Scorpio-N:

Eight Maruti Suzuki models make to the Top 10 PV list in August 2023
 

BYD rolls out 500,000th Atto 3 in 19 months of launch
The Atto 3 was the first global product for BYD. The electric SUV is based on the manufacturer's e-Platform 3.0 and it has received a 5-star rating for the Euro NCAP crash test.

What ails the electric vehicle minnows? Branding, cost competitiveness
 

Govt extends mandatory fitness testing of transport vehicles through ATS till Oct
The mandate for fitness testing, originally announced under rule 175 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) 1989, has seen a significant adjustment in the timelines. Previously, the government had declared that heavy goods vehicles and passenger motor vehicles must undergo fitness testing through a registered Automated Testing Station (ATS) starting from April 1, 2023. However, for medium goods vehicles, medium passenger motor vehicles, and light motor vehicles designated for transport purposes, the deadline had been postponed to June 1, 2024.

MC’s proposal to get 100 e-buses evokes mixed response
The civic body’s attempt to get 100 e-buses under the PM e-Bus Seva Scheme has evoked a mixed response from city residents.

Montra Electric and Exponent Energy join to launch 15-minute rapid charging E3Ws
New Delhi: Montra Electric, the EV brand of Murugappa Group, and Exponent Energy, an energy-tech startup, has announced a partnership to develop rapid charging electric vehicles in the 3-wheeler segment.

Made-in-India: Triton EV to launch 3.5 tonne electric pickup trucks for domestic and Middle-East market
Known for its commitment towards smart mobility innovation and clean energy-run vehicles, Triton EV (TEV) is all set to announce a major introduction of 3.5T Triton EV Pickup Truck for Indian and Middle East Market from TEV's EV range.
 

Delhi bus fleet to be fully electric by 2028, says Transport Commissioner Ashish Kundra

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday signed an agreement with Ashok Leyland’s EV arm Switch Mobility for 950 low floor 12-meter electric buses.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 specs leaked ahead of launch on 1 Nov
The upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has been making quite a lot of noise ahead of its launch scheduled for 1 November, 2023. The new Himalayan has been in development for a very long time and has often been spied testing in recent months. Ahead of its official launch, specs of the upcoming Himalayan have been leaked on the internet.

Honda CB 200X vs Hero Xpulse 200 4V vs Suzuki V-Strom comparison
The 200cc adventure motorcycle segment is a popular category as it offers the right balance between power and practicality while being a great platform to hone one’s skill. The category’s most popular motorcycles are the Hero XPulse, the newly-updated Honda CB 200X, and the Suzuki V-Strom.

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 details leaked: Dimensions, Engine specs
Royal Enfield is burning the midnight oil to launch the next-generation Himalayan soon and is expected to showcase the Shotgun 650 at EICMA 2023 in Milan. Last month, a report confirmed that the Shotgun 650 has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 2024. Recently, the bobber received the green signal from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the document has been leaked revealing the motorcycle’s engine specifications and dimensions.

Commuter motorcycles to premium rides: Global brands lead the way
Mid-sized premium motorcycle sales are poised to grow fivefold within three-four years, as India’s motorcycle market, traditionally dominated by commuter bikes for daily transportation, shifts toward high-performance models with advanced styling and features, Diego Graffi, chairman and managing director of Piaggio India, said in an interview.

Piaggio looks to enhance premium play; forays into bike segment with Aprilia RS 457
Italy's Piaggio Group aims to enhance its presence in the premium two-wheeler segment in India, as more and more customers seek feature-rich options for mobility requirements, according to a top company executive. The company, which is present in India through a wholly-owned subsidiary -- Piaggio Vehicles, has forayed into the growing mid-size bike segment by unveiling Aprilia RS 457.

Now, you can take a Royal Enfield bike on rent in over two dozen cities. Here's how
In a good new for bike enthusiasts, you can now take the Royal Enfield bike on rent. As per a TOI report, Royal Enfield has unveiled 'Royal Enfield Rentals,' a program that collaborates with motorcycle rental operators throughout India. This will enable riders to conveniently rent and experience Royal Enfield motorcycles across the nation.

Honda launches Repsol Editions of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125
Gearing up for the maiden Grand Prix of Bharat, Honda has launched the 2023 Repsol Editions of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. Priced at Rs 1.40 lakh and Rs 92,300 respectively, these new Limited Edition Repsol models will be available at all Honda Red Wing dealerships across the country.

Ducati Multistrada V4 rival BMW R 1300 GS adventure bike teased, global debut on September 28
BMW has already confirmed the ‘R 1300 GS’ name so expect a bigger displacement motor at play here. The teaser image shows the motorcycle in action with spoked wheels and dual disc brakes. The front face though looks slimmer than before and we expect the bike to become slightly more compact than its predecessor. Previous spy shots have hinted at a new and prominent beak under the headlight, which we expect to see on the motorcycle.

Aprilia RS 457 unveiled in India— KTM RC 390 rival
Aprilia has officially unveiled the new RS 457 in India which also marks the Italian brand’s re-entry in the country’s motorcycle market. The sports bike had recently made its global debut 10 days back. The bike is designed and developed at Aprilia’s headquarters in Noale, Italy, along with developmental inputs from the Indian team.

Aprilia RS 457 unveiled, to launch in India soon: 5 things to know
Aprilia RS 457: Powertrain

TVS announces India’s first electric racing championship for two-wheelers
TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship will debut at the 4th round of Indian National Motorcycle Road Racing Championship (INMRC). The first round of the championship will witness eight participating riders who are hand-picked. Participants will ride atop TVS Apache RTE race motorcycles which are specially developed for this championship.

Amid festivities, HOP LEO and LYF electric scooters available with benefits up to ₹4,100
The HOP electric scooters offer a range of up to 125 kilometers, get 72V architecture, high performance motor to climb any slope with loading capacity of 180 kg. These scooters get a boot space of 19.5 liters, connecting features such as Internet, GPS, and mobile app for connectivity, among others.

Ola EVs replace ICE support at MotoGP Bharat
Ola Electric has forged a strategic partnership with the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Great Noida, which is set to host the inaugural MotoGP Bharat event from September 22- 24. As part of this collaboration, Ola will provide a fleet of its revolutionary S1 scooters for use during the MotoGP event.

TVS Motor Company launches E2W Racing Championship with Apache RTE motorcycle
New Delhi: TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of India's first-ever electric two-wheeler racing championship, today. The company is making a step forward in motorsports and reaffirms TVS Motor Company's commitment to sustainable mobility solutions as it becomes the first Indian manufacturer to enter into the world of EV motor racing.

Montra Electric, Exponent Energy to launch 15-minute charging electric three-wheelers
Montra Electric, the EV brand of Murugappa Group, and Exponent Energy, an energy-tech startup, have announced a partnership to develop rapid charging electric vehicles in the three-wheeler segment.

TI Clean Mobility in pact with Exponent for fast-charging electric 3W
Chennai: TI Clean Mobility Pvt Ltd, the electric vehicle arm of Murugappa Group’s engineering firm Tube Investments, is planning to introduce an electric cargo three-wheeler by early next year. It has announced a partnership with Exponent Energy, an energy tech start-up, to develop electric three-wheelers with the capacity to get charged in 15 minutes.

Auto component makers chalk out investment plans to capture EV market
With electric vehicles gaining traction, auto-component makers like Sundram Fasteners, MM Forgings, India Nippon Electricals and UCAL, among others are drawing up plans to grow their business in this segment.

Uno Minda's launches premium alloy wheel range from Rs 5,990: What's special
Uno Minda has introduced a new premium range of alloy wheels in the Indian aftermarket in collaboration with Kosei Aluminum Co. Ltd., a Japanese alloy wheel designer and manufacturer. The new range of Uno Minda alloy wheels are available in a variety of sizes and designs, as well as compatibility with radial and regular tube tyres.

The different categories of alloy wheels include Sharp, Space, Wonder, Wave, Shark, and Vega. Uno Minda says that the new alloy wheel range is entirely made in India, starting from design all the way to manufacturing, and have been engineered using LPDC and GDC technology. The new alloy wheel range from Uno Minda comply with the IS-9436/38 safety standard, and have said to have undergone X-ray testing and carry ICAT approval. Hence, they are claimed to be 100% leak-proof.
 

Indian company challenges Chinese dominance with 25,000 million tonnes EV battery materials
Under the guidelines of the partnership, Lohum will recycle and repurpose an estimated 200,000 batteries in Nepal and extract re-usable EV battery material such as lithium, nickel and cobalt to the tune of 25,000 million tonnes. This will happen over a period of 5 years with an aim to make Nepal energy-abundant and self-sustaining. Nepal’s objective is to take a foundational step towards diversifying its sources of clean energy and move away from its dependence on Chinese materials. The move is also aligned with India's commitment towards affordable and inclusive energy for all nations worldwide and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

JSW in talks with LG Energy Solution to make EV batteries in India: Sources
New Delhi: Indian steel-to-energy group JSW is in early stage talks with Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) about jointly manufacturing batteries in India, two sources told Reuters, as it presses ahead with plans to build electric vehicles locally.

Lohum partners with Nepal to supply EV battery materials
New Delhi: Indian battery materials producer, Lohum, has entered into a partnership with several of Nepal's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem entities associated with MG, Stellantis, and Tata EV brands. The extended collaboration will cover other brands such as Volkswagen, Suzuki, Renault, and Mahindra EVs, among others.

Natural rubber consumption up 9%, production increases 8%: Rubber Board
Kochi: The domestic consumption of natural rubber in the country has reached a record high in 2022-23 at 1,350,000 tonnes, up 9 per cent from the quantity of 1,238,000 tonnes consumed during 2021-22, according to M. Vasanthagesan, Executive Director of the Rubber Board.

Bus-tracking start-up Chalo looks to expand international presence
Bus-tracking and digital ticketing start-up Chalo is eyeing several international markets such as central and north Africa, South America, Middle East and eastern Asia after their recent launch in Philippines and Thailand yielded a good response.

Mahle needs to grow its share in Asia, India to grow as a market and software technology base: CEO Arnd Franz
“It's just really amazing how you can, with an interior camera, measure skin temperature, see sweat appearance, measure heart rate, blood pressure, and other parameters. And all those are parameters of wellbeing.” Arnd Franz, CEO & Chairman, Mahle Group, told ETAuto. It’s a complex and innovative solution driven by advanced software technology.

India processes 12.2% more crude in August; Indigenous production and consumption on the rise: Report
India processed 21.9 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil in August 2023, reflecting a 12.2% increase from the same month in the previous year, according to data released by the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the Ministry of Oil.

Statiq, NPCL to set up over 300 EV charging stations in Greater Noida: Details
Electric vehicle (EV) charging service provider Statiq has inked a pact with Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL), a power distribution company operating in Greater Noida to set up EV charging stations in the area. As part of this partnership, the duo will set up EV chargers in residential complexes as well as public spaces across Greater Noida.
 

EV rush makes oil marketing companies think beyond oil

Mumbai: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) - Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation - are facing a new challenge these days with every electric vehicle sold in the country eating into the sale of liquid fuel - petrol and diesel.

Kinetic Green and SBI partner to provide finance schemes For E3Ws in North India
Pune: Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions Limited, a leading manufacturer of electric two and three-wheelers in India, and State Bank of India (SBI), Chandigarh Circle, have entered a strategic partnership to offer financing for Kinetic Green’s present and future range of electric three-wheelers in North India.

CSB Bank enters into partnership with Daimler India for CV financing program
New Delhi: CSB Bank Ltd has announced its strategic partnership with Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV) to offer specialized vehicle-financing solutions. This collaboration marks a significant step towards offering enhanced support to dealerships and customers, while fostering growth and innovation within the sector.

Jeep expects return to 1000-plus monthly sales with new Compass, Meridian variants
This was also long overdue as, with the discontinuation of the petrol engine earlier this year and lack of an affordable automatic variant in the line-up, Compass’ sales were deeply hurt, selling just about 200-300 units a month on average.

Aprilia RS 457 pre-bookings open soon
In attendance were Aprilia's MotoGP racers Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro, who both played a role in the development and testing of the machine. Also present was Diego Graffi, CEO & MD at Piaggio India, but Aprilia was not very forthcoming with details and plans for the RS 457.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift takes shape, coming next year
Alcazar facelift to have major cosmetic tweaks

Upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 to get 40hp engine
Source Credit: Autocar India

There has been a steady stream of leaks of the highly anticipated Himalayan 450, and the latest one gives us some important details.

Tata Nexon vs Maruti Brezza, Fronx: mileage compared
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tata Motors recently launched the Nexon facelift with comprehensive exterior and interior updates, but mechanically, it has remained largely unchanged except for the petrol engine receiving a couple of new gearboxes. The company has now revealed the ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of all the powertrain options.

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 dimensions revealed; smaller than Super Meteor 650
Source Credit: Autocar India

It’s no secret that Royal Enfield is due to launch the Shotgun 650 and the recently filed government homologation documents give us an idea of how big the bike will be.

VinFast to deliver EVs to Europe this year as EU probes China rivals
Vietnamese electric vehicles maker VinFast plans to ship its first EVs to Europe this year after receiving regulatory approval, its chief executive told Reuters on Thursday, as the European Union considers imposing tariffs on its Chinese rivals.

State in talks with TSMC on advanced packaging: Arizona governor
The US state of Arizona is in talks with Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC on advanced packaging, state governor Katie Hobbs said on Tuesday, which is crucial for the manufacturing of artificial intelligence (AI) chips.

Chip packaging is the next battleground for tech lead: CEO, Cadence Design Systems
The US should invest more in cutting-edge semiconductor packaging to ensure it leads in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Cadence Design Systems Inc. Chief Executive Officer Anirudh Devgan said.

For Tesla and Musk, auto strike carries benefits and risks
The United Auto Workers strike against the Michigan automakers would seem to be nothing but good news for Tesla, the electric vehicle maker that has upended the industry and stolen customers from Ford Motor, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns Jeep and Ram.

UK postpones ban on new IC-vehicle sales to 2035, Auto Inc shares concerns
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak has kicked off a storm by taking a softening stance on the Green Agenda the government had announced including the postponement in the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035.

China's Nio calls for 'open attitude' amid EU subsidy probe
The head of Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio said on Thursday he hoped all governments could have an open attitude rather than be isolationist, after the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese-made EVs last week.

Tesla supplier Hota to build first US factory in New Mexico
Tesla supplier Hota Industrial Mfg. Co will invest USD 99 million to build its first plant outside of Asia in the U.S. state of New Mexico, the Taiwanese company said on Wednesday, citing greater emphasis on regional production in supply chains.

US auto workers' strike: Ford, GM and Stellantis say union's demands too high
Talks continued between union representatives and company management on the sixth day of a coordinated walkout, a day after Ford averted a strike by Canadian workers. But there were few signs of significant progress, with Detroit automakers increasingly outspoken in rejecting the UAW's demands that include a 40% pay hike, a 32-hour work week and an end to a tiered wage structure that pays newer workers less.

Lexus open to idea of developing an all-electric pick-up truck in future
Takashi Watanabe, President of Lexus, recently revealed the idea of an all-electric pick-up truck isn't exactly outlandish and that the brand would be open to it in the future if it is what customer preference necessitates. Lexus is owned by Toyota, a company that has a rich heritage of offering models like the Hilux, Tacoma and Tundra. So if and when a Lexus pick-up truck does hit concept lines, how much will it draw inspiration from these models? Very little, perhaps.

Republican contender DeSantis slams EVs, climate "fear" in energy speech
Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis pledged on Wednesday to slow America's transition to electric vehicles, repeal regulations related to environmental, social and governance considerations and dramatically ramp up domestic fossil fuel production if he were elected.

UAW workers strike at Mercedes supplier ZF's plant in Alabama
On Wednesday, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union announced a strike involving 190 employees at ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Group), a key supplier for Mercedes-Benz, located in Alabama. The primary issues at the center of this labor dispute pertain to workers' demands for increased compensation and improved healthcare benefits.

UK move to extend net zero target to 2035 upsets EV makers, environmentalists
New Delhi: The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is delaying a part of the net zero climate action target to keep the consent of British people towards the process of switching to net zero. This leads to the extension of the set target for five years from 2030 to 2035. Sunak has also announced that the ban on new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be enforced from 2035 instead of 2030.
 

Netradyne opens office in San Francisco, sees demand for safer CV fleet tech
Netradyne, a leading provider of artificial intelligence (A.I.) and edge computing solutions focused on safety and driver coaching for commercial fleets has opened its newest office in San Francisco.

Jeep maker Stellantis makes a new contract offer as auto workers prepare to expand their strike
General Motors and Stellantis announced fresh layoffs Wednesday that they blamed on damage from the United Auto Workers strike, and the labor standoff grew more tense just two days before the union was expected to call for new walkouts.

How France aims to discourage buying of Chinese EVs
France on Wednesday published new eligibility rules for electric car incentives to exclude EVs made in China, even though carmakers in Europe do not have more affordable rival models on the French market.

EU countries debate weakened new car emissions proposal
EU countries are debating a compromise draft for new emissions regulations on combustion engine vehicles that waters down limits, monitoring and delays the start date for the cuts, a document showed on Wednesday.

UAW, Detroit Three automakers in standoff as wider strike looms
Detroit's Big Three automakers and the United Auto Workers remained far apart in labor negotiations on Wednesday, less than 48 hours before the union's deadline to make significant progress or escalate a strike with new work stoppages.

Auto industry slams Britain's petrol car ban delay and confusion
Carmakers, which have invested billions on electric vehicles, slammed Britain's move to delay a 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, saying it would disrupt supply chains and slow the transition to greener cars.

California truck drivers ask Gov. Newsom to sign job-saving bill as self-driving big rigs are tested
California lawmakers, union leaders and truck drivers are trying to steer Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom toward signing into law a proposal that could save jobs as self-driving trucks are tested for their safety on the roads.

Lawyers who sued Tesla board for excess pay want USD 10,000 an hour
A legal team that forced Tesla's directors to agree in July to return more than USD 700 million in compensation to the automaker for allegedly overpaying themselves are now seeking a huge payday of their own.

Google updates Android Auto, introduces audio calls on Zoom, WebEx
How to download or update Android Auto:

UAW Urges Automakers to Cut Reliance on Temp Workers

The use of temporary factory workers at the Detroit car companies has long rankled the United Auto Workers union, which wants fewer of them and a faster path to full-time status.