Buying an electric vehicle? Here are the costs to consider
With petrol and diesel at around INR 100 per litre, electric vehicles are gaining traction. As per reports, India saw remarkable sales of electric vehicles in August of about 9% month-on-month growth to 1,26,324 units, while year-on-year figures were at a staggering 43%.

Refex to pump in Rs 240 cr to reach 2k EV fleet, expand to Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi
The Chennai-based Refex Group said that it will be investing Rs 240 crore in its green mobility venture- Refex Green Mobility- to expand its business of providing third-party employee transportation using electric vehicles (EV) across the country. The company, which launched its service in Chennai on Monday, after Bengaluru in March this year, is looking to take its EV fleet strength to 2000 in a year’s time by introducing its services to three new cities – Hyderabad, Pune and New Delhi.

Tata Motors launches vehicle scrapping facility in Surat, can recycle 15,000 vehicles per year
Tata Motors has announced the launch of its third Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF), in Surat, Gujarat. Named ‘Re.Wi.Re – Recycle with Respect’, this advanced facility was inaugurated by Mr. PB Balaji, Group Chief Financial Officer, Tata Motors. The state-of-the-art facility uses environmentally friendly processes and has the capacity to disassemble 15,000 end-of-life vehicles safely and sustainably each year. 

TN accounts for sale of 4 lakh EVs in country between Jan-Sep '23
Tamil Nadu is inching towards realising its goal of becoming an electric vehicle (EV) hub in the country as the state accounted for sale of four lakh automobiles out of the total 10 lakh EVs sold pan India between January and September this year, the government said on Monday.

ETAuto Smart Factory Summit 2023 to discuss about tech-driven manufacturing revolution in India on Tuesday
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from the experts, and to gain insights on a plethora of topics, including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and data analytics. The Economic Times Smart Factory Summit 2023 will provide a platform for networking and collaboration, bringing together manufacturers, technology providers, and other stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices.

ASDC and Andhra Pradesh SSDC join for placement-oriented skill training
New Delhi: Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (AP SSDC) during an event in New Delhi.

India's Jammu and Kashmir lithium reserves pique overseas interest
India's federally administered region of Jammu and Kashmir will auction its lithium reserves over the next few weeks, a government source with close knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

EV sales growth points to oil demand peaking by 2030- so why is the oil industry doubling down on production?
Electric vehicle sales are growing faster than expected around the world, and sales of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles have been falling. Yet, the U.S. government still forecasts an increasing demand for oil, and the oil industry is doubling down on production plans.

Micron’s USD 2.75 billion semiconductor plant construction begins in Gujarat
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June, he met chip-making company Micron Technology’s President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. At this meeting, the company announced its plans to build a new assembly and test facility in India. As promised, the US-based semiconductor manufacturer has laid the foundation for its INR 22,500 crore (USD 2.75 billion) chip assembly and test facility. This new plant, which is located in Sanand, Gujarat, marks a historic move for India as the country takes another step towards establishing itself as a global chip manufacturing hub.

Refex group expands Green Mobility biz; to add 10,000 EVs in 3 yrs
Chennai - The city-based Refex group engaged in diverse businesses has expanded its Green Mobility vertical here, a top official said on Monday. The company had launched the Refex Green Mobility Ltd business in Bengaluru in March this year and has now forayed into the Tamil Nadu market, Refex Group Managing Director Anil Jain said.
 

Argentina Invites Indian co.s to invest in lithium mining for direct sourcing
Addressing a PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Electric Vehicles Conclave on ‘Roadmap to India’s E-Mobility Journey – Translating Vision to Reality’, the Ambassador said that there were complementarities between India and Argentina regarding critical minerals like lithium and copper which are required for electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions. India has huge demand for these metals and Argentina has huge reserves of their minerals. He appealed that India should source lithium directly from Argentina rather than from China and reduce dependence on China. Presently, China is India’s leading supplier of lithium.

Airbags did not open in Scorpio SUV: Case registered against Anand Mahindra, 13 others in Kanpur
A person has filed a complaint against industrialist Anand Mahindra and thirteen employees of  Mahindra& Mahindra company in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The complaint has serious allegations which include fraud as well.

Vehicle scrapping policy is a win-win for all: Nitin Gadkari

Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, on Monday, urged the auto industry to pump in investments in setting up automated testing centres and registered vehicle scrapping facilities and firm up discounts for individuals who scrap their vehicles. The move, he said, will push up the automotive sale in the country, have economic benefits and will encourage individuals to opt for vehicle scrapping. 

Addressing a stakeholder consultation on vehicle scrapping, minister Gadkari called upon all stakeholders to come forward and support the vehicle scrapping policy, saying it is a win-win situation for all.

Citroen C3 Aircross vs Kia Carens vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga/XL6: Specs, price comparison
The Citroen C3 Aircross is India's most affordable three-row SUV, with no direct rivals in sight as of now. However, given its pricing and specs, it will face competition from similarly priced six- and seven-seater MPVs, including Maruti Suzuki Ertiga/XL6 as well as the Kia Carens.
 

Discounts more for cars like Alto, Celerio, Ignis & Espresso where supply is greater than demand: Shashank Srivastava, Maruti
Shashank Srivastava, ED, Maruti Suzuki India, says “Maruti Suzuki had just one SUV which was the Brezza in the entry SUV segment earlier. Very recently, we have introduced three more products, the Vitara, the Fronx and the Jimny also and in the MPV sector, we have introduced Invicto. As a result our share in the SUV market has been going up. Last year it was 12% but this year in August, for example, we could touch 24% market share. In fact, we became the number one manufacturer both in July, August and also on the cumulative basis. So the target which we had set for ourselves – to be number one in SUV manufacturing company in the country – we have achieved ahead of time.”

I went grey in one year after launching Scorpio. We are used to teething troubles: Anand Mahindra
He is an avid fan of Shah Rukh Khan. Remember his tweet when SRK was seen with a Yezdi motorcycle in his latest blockbuster Jawan? “Legends ride on Legends.” As this correspondent met M&M chairman Anand Mahindra at his office in Mumbai’s Colaba for an interaction, the first thing he asked me was whether I have watched Jawan and whether I like SRK. For the next 20 minutes or so, Mahindra talked about social media, two-wheelers, the Classic Legends partnership, the Thar, and much more.

Edited excerpts:

Hyundai Creta facelift, rival to Kia Seltos, spotted again. Features and interior details revealed
According to the latest spy shots, the interior of the new Creta SUV. It confirms that the upcoming model will get an all-black interior with dual-tone seats. One of the changes seen inside is headrest for all three passengers at the rear. The dashboard of the Creta test mule was heavily covered, without revealing any detail. However, it is expected that the Creta facelift will come with a dual-screen setup like its Korean sibling rival Kia Seltos. One can also see two USB type-C charging ports at the rear along with AC vents.

Toyota Rumion CNG bookings temporarily halted due to large order backlogs
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has officially confirmed that it has temporarily halted accepting bookings for the CNG version of Rumion due to long impending backlogs. The rebadged Maruti Ertiga was unveiled by Toyota last month, while prices were officially announced earlier this month.

Tata Safari SUV fire: Carmaker explains why the SUV burst into flames
The incident took place in Ludhiana last week. They gray Safari SUV was partially damaged in the fire at a parking lot of a housing society. The owner of the SUV, while raising the issue, said, “I was owning this Tata Safari top end variant, all through serviced and maintained by Authorised Tata dealer only, caught fire while it was parked." He also said that the SUV did not have any aftermarket modification, which is one of the biggest reasons for such fire.

2023 Tata Nexon SUV waiting period extends up to 8 weeks
Tata Motors recently launched the much-awaited Tata Nexon facelift to the Indian market. The price for the new Nexon facelift starts from Rs 10 lakh and goes up to 18 lakh (ex-showroom). Interested individuals can book the SUV by visiting their nearest dealership or by online.
 

Škoda Auto enters Vietnam with imported vehicles, CKD production to start next year
New Delhi: Škoda Auto on Monday entered the Vietnamese market on Monday. A celebratory event took place with representatives of the Vietnamese and Czech governments alongside Škoda’s local distribution and the production partner, TC Group.

MG Hector, Hector Plus prices slashed by up to Rs 1.37 lakh
MG Motor has announced a massive price reduction for its Hector recently. The 5-seater mid-size SUV has witnessed a drop in prices by up to Rs 1.29 lakh depending on the variant on offer. Available in seven trim levels, namely Style, Shine, Smart, Smart EX, Smart Pro, Sharp Pro, and Savvy Pro, updated prices of Hector start at Rs 14.73 lakh (ex-showroom).

2024 Kia Sonet facelift spied with Seltos-inspired tail lights, alloy wheels and more
Launched back in 2020, the Kia Sonet sub-4m SUV has completed over three years in the Indian market, and it seems like the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon rival is now ready to receive a mid-life makeover. A test mule of the 2024 Kia Sonet facelift has been spied on test yet again, helping us with high definition images of the upcoming car's design details.
 

Jeep India launches compass 4x2 Diesel Automatic
Jeep India has made a significant move in the country’s SUV market with the launch of the Compass 4x2 Diesel Automatic. This new variant of the Compass offers an enticing blend of performance, efficiency, and affordability, making it an appealing option for SUV enthusiasts across India.

Hyundai Creta facelift SUV spotted testing again! What to expect
Hyundai Motor is gearing up to unveil the facelifted version of its popular Creta SUV in India. As the anticipation builds, the Korean automaker is testing the compact SUV, which holds the title of India's highest-selling SUV in its segment. Recently, spy shots of the heavily camouflaged test mule have emerged, shedding light on various aspects of the upcoming Creta, including its features and interior design, offering enthusiasts a sneak peek before its expected launch early next year.

Honda Elevate achieves milestone of 200 deliveries in a single day in Chennai
 The SUV is available in four variants - SV, V, VX, and ZX. In terms of design, it comes with a boxy front profile and a large black radiator grille, LED headlights, integrated LED DRLs, LED taillights, black fog lamp housing and large wheel arches housing sporty 17-inch alloy wheels.

BYD rolls out 500,000 th Atto 3 in 19 months: What made this EV a hit
In terms of safety, it gets ADAS, 360-degree camera, ABS, ESC, traction control, hill descent control and seven airbags. The EV also gets regenerative braking and Vehicle to Load function with a power output of 3.3kW.

Hyundai to use Continental’s V-shaped display for Kona EV
German tier 1 supplier Continental has started supplying V-shaped displays to Hyundai Motor Co for its Kona series.

What is driving India’s luxury car market boom?
There has been a remarkable surge in demand for luxury cars, especially among individuals aged 35 to 40. Over the past two years, the purchasing power of these buyers has grown exponentially. Even with luxury cars starting at around ₹50 lakhs, many buyers are not hesitating to spend more, with some even crossing the ₹ 1 crore mark.

Mercedes to phase out ‘EQ’ branding for EVs: Officials
New Delhi: The decision to drop EQ branding by Mercedes-Benz AG from the next generation of electric cars will be applicable in India as well and the move signals that electrification is the future of the company, an official said.

BMW to launch iX1 electric SUV in India on September 28: Expected price, range, features explained
BMW is expected to launch the iX1 electric SUV in India in xDrive30 variant. It will come with a dual electric motor setup which helps the electric SUV to generate up to 313 bhp of maximum power and 494 Nm of peak torque. The electric motors will offer power to all four wheels of the iX1. It is capable of sprinting from zero to 100 kmph in 5.6 seconds and offers a top speed of 180 kmph.

Tata Motors delivers hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses to Indian Oil
Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, Monday delivered two Hydrogen Fuel Cell-powered (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL),

IndianOil unveils India's first green hydrogen-run bus that emits just water
New Delhi: India's top oil firm IOC on September 25 unveiled the nation's first green hydrogen-powered bus that emits just water as it takes the lead in bringing out unrivaled tools to replace fossil fuels.

Altigreen Propulsion Labs aims 20 per cent market share amid rising electric cargo vehicle penetration
 

Hero MotoCorp announces price of Karizma as introductory offer gets over
With the introductory price of the reintroduced motorcycle Karizma XMR ending on September 30, manufacturer Hero MotoCorp on Monday announced the new price of the bike. It kept the per unit ex-showroom price of the new Karizma XMR at Rs 179,000.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 vs Triumph Scrambler 400X comparison
There have been several new motorcycle launches in the sub-500cc segment in the last few weeks, and there are more to come, especially the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the Triumph Scrambler 400X. The two motorcycles have kept fans eagerly awaiting their launch.

MotoGP Bharat 2023: Top 5 moments from inaugural edition of Indian Grand Prix
The inaugural edition of MotoGP Bharat came to an end on Sunday with the same gusto that matched the excitement of India hosting the premiere motorcycle racing championship on its soil for the first time. The event also marked the return of Buddh International Circuit (BIC) into the racing fold after a decade.

“Why give up on a good product?”: Anand Mahindra’s belief in Jawa-Yezdi and its ‘classic’ co-founder
“Woh to hai albela, hazaaron main akela

Hero Karizma XMR 210 price to increase by ₹7,000 from this date
 Launched late August, the premium motorbike brought back the successful ‘Karizma’ nomenclature to the two-wheeler giant's product lineup after four years. The modern iteration retains some signature styling elements from the original model that was introduced back in 2003. This helps hold on to the nostalgia that the name brings along with it.

Hero MotoCorp hikes prices of Karizma XMR, shares down
Hero MotoCorp has increased the prices of Karizma XMR. Starting from October 1, 2023, the new price will commence at ₹1,79,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Hero MotoCorp’s EV brand VIDA launches campaign ‘Make Way’
VIDA, Hero MotoCorp’s EV brand, has launched the campaign ‘Make Way’ for its electric scooter VIDA V1. As per the company, the campaign features a thematic brand film and product films which will be followed by print and various on-ground activations.

Gear Head Motors unveils L 2.0 series electric cycle
Gear Head Motors (GHM), an EV technology provider, has launched – the L 2.0 Series Electric Cycle, priced at Rs 24,999 onwards. As the world moves to redefine how we move and connect, the L 2.0 Series Electric Cycle from Gear Head Motors is a product at an affordable price point. It is designed to cater to the diverse needs of modern commuters, cycling enthusiasts, and eco-conscious individuals.

FAME subsidy extension will help E2W industry reach inflection point: Lectrix MD
Chennai: As the government has been instrumental in pushing electric vehicle adoption, it should extend the FAME subsidy scheme for another year to help the industry achieve an inflection point and build a robust supply chain, said K Vijaya Kumar, MD & CEO, Lectrix EV Pvt Ltd, an EV start-up, which is part of the diversified SAR Group.

Lectrix EV plans to double Manesar unit capacity in 6 months
 

Shyam Metalics & Energy Ltd to make aluminum foil for lithium-ion cell manufacturing
Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited, an integrated metal producer on Monday announced its entry into energy storage sector with battery-grade Aluminum foil, a critical component in Lithium-ion cells.

Fine on tyre companies: Supreme Court seeks CCI's reply on MRF plea
The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on an appeal by tyre maker MRF Ltd challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's December order asking the antitrust watchdog to reconsider and re-calculate the fine it imposed on tyre companies for alleged cartelisation and price manipulation.

LIB partners VoltUp to supply over 5 lakh lithium-ion batterie
LIB a leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer in India has signed an agreement with VoltUp, a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) start-up, to provide 50,000 lithium-ion batteries in 2024, followed by an additional 500,000 batteries over the subsequent three years.

APAC auto braking systems market to record 2.8% CAGR over 2023-28: GlobalData
GlobalData's latest report, “Global Sector Overview & Forecast – Braking Systems,” reveals that the braking systems market in APAC is estimated to reach 302.8 million units and 348.2 million units by 2028.

Continental delivers V-shaped display to Hyundai Kona
Continental has delivered V-shaped displays to equip vehicle manufacturer Hyundai. The technology company’s state-of-the-art display solution will now be part of the new Hyundai Kona series, which is in the market now. The display offers a two-in-one solution as it combines the two screens of the instrument cluster and centre information display under one glass surface.

Catalysing decarbonisation of trucks through H2ICE
Emergence of hydrogen in the Sustainable mobility spectrum

Future of our transport will be on green hydrogen: Hardeep Singh Puri
Under this initiative, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) has embarked on a meticulously designed program to conduct operational trials of 15 Fuel Cell buses powered by Green hydrogen.

Russia lifts export ban on low-quality diesel, marine fuel
The Russian government has approved some changes to its fuel export ban, lifting the restrictions on fuel used as bunkering for some vessels as well as diesel with a high content of sulphur, a government document showed on Monday.

Oil prices rise, tight supply back in focus
Oil prices rose on Monday as investors focused on a tighter supply outlook after Moscow issued a temporary ban on fuel exports while remaining wary of further rate hikes that could dampen demand.

Tata Capital launches instant digital sanctions for CV Loans
To offer this solution, Tata Capital has partnered with the major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to ensure customers get a wide choice while buying new Commercial Vehicles.

Indonesia, Vietnam energy transition financing under JETP
Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) discussions on the early retirement of coal-fired power plants in Indonesia may have hit a snag as a local official said on Monday that western countries are not ready to finance such projects.

Rating: Bajaj Finance: Strong AUM growth outlook
Bajaj Finance (BAF) on September 22 informed of its upcoming board meeting scheduled for October 5. The purpose of this meeting is to deliberate on a proposal to raise funds, which may include options such as a preferential issue and/or qualified institutional placement (QIP), subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Lexus long range EV teased ahead of Tokyo Motor Show debut
New Lexus EV concept sports a low-slung fastback look

Hero Karizma XMR prices to go up by Rs 7,000
Karizma XMR was launched at Rs 1.73 lakh

Here are most efficient hybrid SUVs, cars on sale under Rs 50 lakh
Here, we have listed the most efficient strong-hybrid cars and SUVs currently on sale in the country under Rs 50 lakh, although do note that the list is based on ARAI efficiency figures claimed by manufacturers, and real-world figures could be different depending on driving style, road conditions and more.

Bajaj Pulsar N150 ready for launch
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Pulsar N160 has been a success for Bajaj, with good acceptance from customers as well as winning numerous awards, including our own Bike of the Year award in 2022. However, its smaller sibling, the P150, has gotten off to a tougher start and it appears that Bajaj has come up with a new motorcycle to make the 150 platform more appealing to buyers.

Kia Sonet facelift interior updates revealed in spy shots
Source Credit: Autocar India

Kia is gearing up to launch the Sonet facelift in India, and new images show the exterior and interior of the upcoming compact SUV. The design of the Sonet facelift will fall in line with the recently refreshed Seltos and other global models.

BMW iX1 India launch on September 28
Source Credit: Autocar India

BMW has officially announced that they will launch the iX1 electric SUV in India on September 28, eight months after the new X1 was launched. This will make it the fourth electric model in BMW’s India line-up following the i4 sedan, iX SUV and the i7 luxury sedan.

More affordable Bajaj Chetak EV spied testing
Source Credit: Autocar India

Bajaj has been working on a low-cost version of its Chetak EV for some time now and this scooter has just been spied testing. 

Ather 450 S long range coming soon
Source Credit: Autocar India

Ather refreshed its line-up this August with the introduction of the new, more affordable 450 S. Homologation documents now suggest that this scooter is about to get a new sibling.

Tesla Powerwall battery storage facility proposed for India
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tesla is looking to make and sell battery storage systems in India and has submitted a proposal to  officials seeking incentives to build the Powerwall battery storage factory, according to a report by Reuters. Alternatively, the American EV giant has also been in talks for weeks about setting up a new electric vehicle factory in India to build a car priced around USD 24,000 (approximately Rs 19 lakh), with discussions overseen directly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Auto CEOs Make About 300 Times What Their Median Worker Is Paid. Here’s How That Stacks Up.
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain has criticized the Big Three automakers for the raises given to their CEOs in the past few years, saying wage gains for rank-and-file employees haven’t kept pace.

Ford pausing construction of Michigan battery plant amid contract talks
The move comes as the company is in the midst of national contract talks with the United Auto Workers union, which wants to represent workers at battery factories and win them top wages.
 

EU car group calls for urgent action on post-Brexit trade rules
The European Union and Britain need to take urgent action to postpone rules for electric vehicles traded between the bloc and the UK that will trigger 10% tariffs, Europe's car industry group said on Monday.

Thailand expects Tesla, Google, Microsoft to invest USD 5 bn: PM Srettha Thavisin
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Sunday the country expected to receive investment of at least USD 5 billion from Tesla, Google and Microsoft.

‘No turning back now’: Nissan plans to switch to fully-electric cars in Europe by 2030
Nissan Motor Company has said that it plans on going fully electric, and selling only Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Europe by 20303. The announcement by Nissan came after several other carmakers including its partner Renault have already committed to going all-electric in Europe by 2030. Ford and Stellantis are also planning to be fully electric in Europe by 2030 while Volvo is planning to only sell EVs globally by 2030. 

German transport minister rejects punitive tariffs in EU's China EV probe
German Transport Minister Volker Wissing has rejected possible punitive tariffs as a result of the European Commission's investigation into Chinese electric vehicle (EV) subsidies.

Ford offers Unifor wage increases up to 25%
Ford Motor has offered Canadian union Unifor wage increases of up to 25% in its tentative agreement, the union said on Saturday. The agreement provides a 10% wage increase for the first year followed by increases of 2% and 3% through the second and third year and a USD 10,000 productivity and quality bonus to all employees on the active roll of the company, Unifor said.

Canadian autoworkers ratify new labor agreement with Ford
Canadian autoworkers ratified a new labor agreement with Ford Motor Co. on Sunday, averting a threatened strike and potentially setting a precedent that could play out in the United Auto Workers' strike at automaker facilities in the U.S.

Bavarian village opens way for key BMW factory
A sleepy Bavarian village on Sunday gave the green light to BMW's plan to build a huge battery factory there, removing a key obstacle for the German automobile giant on its drive towards electromobility.

State-run ports seek oil spill centres, immigration facility

An immigration facility at the Puducherry port, regional oil spill response centres in five states and removing submarine oil and gas pipelines in Mumbai are among the requests from state maritime boards that are being considered by the Centre. Most state government-controlled maritime boards want improved support for their ports along with better facilities to help them gain more cargo and passenger volumes.

Toyota triples EV production target to 600,000 units in 2025, aims to rival Tesla and BYD
 The report has stated that Toyota is aiming to increase its sales multi-fold in the US market where its pure EV sales are a fraction of what Tesla retails. Also, sales of Toyota EVs in the US are considerably lower than Ford and General Motors. Toyota might be among the top electrified vehicle sellers in the US, but the pure EV sales appear bleak. But with as many as 10 new Toyota and Lexus electric cars in the pipeline, which could launch by 2026, the automobile group is planning to catch up with its rivals.

UK’s fossil fuel car ban delay leads to uncertainty over investments