Tesla rival VinFast looks to make in India
Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast Auto, a deemed Tesla rival that emerged as the world’s third most valuable carmaker last month, may soon set up a manufacturing unit in India, with Tamil Nadu and Gujarat on its radar for the foray, sources told ET.

Argentina’s growing lithium seector: India’s strategic partnership
As of September 2023, Argentina has two active lithium mines. Livent operates the Fénix mine in the province of Salta, while FMC Lithium operates the Hombre Muerto mine in the province of Catamarca. According to the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAMAR), Argentina has a vast lithium resource potential, and there are 14 lithium projects under construction or in the advanced exploration stage.

India’s annual EV sales expected to reach close to 20 million by 2030
Annual electric vehicle sales in India are expected to reach close to 20 million units by 2030 with bulk of the volumes contributed by electric two and three-wheelers. “Growth in EV volumes will be driven by increased model availability, positive customer sentiments, and push by governments,” according to Kaushik Madhavan, Vice President, and Global Head - Consulting, Automotive and Transportation, MarketsandMarkets Research.

Transport ministry finalising policy for using municipal waste in road construction: Gadkari
Source Credit: PTI, The Economic Times

Is being multi-fuel and fuel-agnostic the future of global sustainability?
In the pursuit of a sustainable green future, the world is at a crossroads. The urgency of climate change, resource depletion, and the need to transition away from fossil fuels have sparked a transformative shift towards a future characterised by diverse energy sources and fuel versatility. As nations seek to reimagine their energy landscapes, India emerges as a prime contender to lead the charge. With its burgeoning population, technological prowess, and diverse energy demands, India has the opportunity to become a global hub for multiple sustainable technologies, paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient world.  

Hydrogen in its element
Earlier this week, Tata Motors delivered two hydrogen fuel cell buses to Indian Oil — part of a june 2021 pact under which the automaker will provide the oil major 15 such buses, to be assessed as potential mass transport solution. The remaining 13 will be delivered over the next few months.

Toyota working on new mid-size SUV rivalling Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV700
Toyota’s partnership with Maruti Suzuki provided a much-needed breath of life to the former’s operations in India. The Maruti-rebranded models from Toyota like Glanza and Urban Cruiser were responsible for driving sales for the Japanese carmaker in the post pandemic period.

EV mode has new Suzuki Grand Vitara hybrid owners confused. Here's why
TOI Auto recently got in touch with, Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, to discuss the Grand Vitara’s success. Now that over 1 lakh vehicles are on the road, how have Maruti Suzuki customers responded to the hybrid tech and a premium SUV which sits between the Rs 10 to Rs 20 lakh price bracket.
 

Quiklyz sees evolving consumer demand and EVs drive vehicle leasing in India
The popularity and acceptance of leasing a vehicle versus buying a new or used car in India is definitely below global levels, but it’s estimated to grow from a percentage of new car sales to around 2-3 percent in the near term to up to 5 percent in an optimistic note believes Turra Mohammed, SVP & Head, Quiklyz a leasing and subscription arm of Mahindra Finance.

India-bound Kia Carnival facelift spied on test with radical styling updates
The Kia Carnival has been in production for about two and a half decades globally, with the third-gen version of the MPV having made its debut in India back in 2020. However, in the same year, the Kia Carnival had entered a new generation in the foreign markets, while Kia India continued to offer the previous-gen version here.
 

20% cars sold in metros run on alternate fuels; sales doubled in last 3 yrs
New Delhi: Twenty per cent of the total cars sold in the top metro cities in the country run on electricity, are hybrid, or use CNG as fuel, The Economic Times (ET) has reported. The growing acceptance of alternative fuel vehicles has resulted in clean-energy vehicle sales doubling in the last three years. Notably, high petrol and diesel prices appear to have played a pivotal role in inducing this shift.

Nissan Motor India expands network to 276 customer touchpoints
New Delhi: Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL) announced the expansion of its network in India to 276 touchpoints, with the launch of multiple new showrooms and service workshops across India.

Kia to expand capacity in India only after 2025
New Delhi: Kia India, the Indian subsidiary of South Korea’s Kia Corp., one of the leading sport utility vehicle (SUV) makers in India, will explore capacity expansion options only after 2025, despite its facility at Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh operating at more than 100% capacity, a senior company executive told Mint.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara waiting period: Variants with longest, shortest durations
Maruti Suzuki India today celebrated the first anniversary of its Grand Vitara midsize SUV as it achieved a one lakh sales milestone. Offering a claimed fuel efficiency of 27.97 kmpl, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is priced between Rs 10.70 lakh to Rs 19.20 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom).
 

Maruti Suzuki receives show cause notice from GST authority
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd received a show cause notice from the GST authority for the period of July, 2017 to August, 2022, the company said in an exchange filing on late Friday evening. The notice has been issued demanding interest and impose penalty, besides appropriating Rs 139 crore tax which is already paid, it informed.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara clocks fastest 1 lakh unit sales in Mid-SUV segment
Designed for the modern age consumer, the Grand Vitara is a multi-product offering that has changed the SUV space in India. The Grand Vitara Intelligent Electric Hybrid is available with an e-CVT transmission and delivers the best-in-class fuel-efficiency of 27.97 km/l. It also comes loaded with a host of high-tech features such as colored Head-Up Display, 360-degree parking camera system, ventilated seats, etc.

EVs on the charge! Hyundai Ioniq 5 outsells 2023 target in 9 months, OEM prepares for some “catching up” in the EV game
With an ex-showroom price tag of INR 46 lakh, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV borders on luxury car price territory. However, that doesn’t seem to be a hurdle for customers in India, where aspirations and appetite for premiumness are on the rise. Hyundai Motor India said it sold 750 units of the EV launched in January, with deliveries practically beginning in April.

Skoda sub-Rs 20 lakh EV on cards for India, Tata Nexon.ev rival
A few months back, Skoda announced that it is working on multiple EVs for the Indian market. Recently, the Czech carmaker started operations in Vietnam with Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs being the first set of models to be launched in the market, as CBU products. This will be followed by the India-made Kushaq sometime in 2024.

Tata Punch EV to Nissan Magnite Kuro: Upcoming cars expected to launch in India in October
Nissan Magnite Kuro:

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV Review | An opulent amber gambler
Transition happens. Sometimes slowly; sometimes fast. At times, in style. Mercedes-Benz, the German carmaker that began its switch to electric vehicles (EV) sometime in 2016, formulating an EV-only strategy by the end of this decade, has been steadily building its luxury EV fleet.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 SUV Review: Techtonic shift
The secret to Mercedes-Benz’s success in India has been the top-down approach and the luxury car manufacturer isn’t easing off the pedal. After making quite a statement in the electric vehicle segment by first launching the EQS and then the EQB, Mercedes-Benz is looking to up the ante with the EQE SUV. Priced at Rs 1.39 crore, ex-showroom, the EQE SUV is more expensive than its luxury rivals, but the Stuttgart-based company believes that their customers don’t believe in getting a bargain basement deal rather they want a fully loaded state-of-the-art vehicle without any compromise. This is also the reason why Mercedes-Benz launched the top trim, the EQE 500 SUV in India. To get a first-hand experience of this all-electric SUV, we drove it on the picturesque roads of Gulmarg in Kashmir. 

BMW iX1 electric SUV sells out within hours on launch day
New Delhi: BMW India has announced that its recently-launched iX1 electric SUV experienced overwhelming demand in India, selling out for the rest of the year within just a few hours of opening bookings. The company had previously announced that the iX1 would be offered in India as a completely built unit (CBU), but precise sales figures for the launch day remain undisclosed. The BMW iX1 made its Indian debut with a price tag of INR 66.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

Aston Martin launches DB 12 at INR 4.59 cr
New Delhi: Aston Martin, on Friday, launched its latest addition, the Aston Martin DB 12, the successor of the DB 11 at INR 4.59 crore. According to the company, the DB 12 is an introduction to an entirely new class of cars, that is neither the Supercar nor the Grand Tourer, but a Super Tourer.

British brand Aston Martin sees high growth opportunities in Indian market
British luxury brand Aston Martin has big growth aspirations in the Indian market as it expects the number of high net worth individuals to grow at a rapid rate in the country, according to a senior company official.

BMW iX1 Vs Volvo XC40 Recharge Vs Kia EV6: Price, specs, features comparison
BMW launched the iX1 electric SUV in India which is based on the ICE-powered X1. Like the X1, the iX1 caters to the entry-level luxury SUV segment but in the battery-powered space. It competes against the likes of fully-electric luxury crossovers like Volvo XC40 Recharge and Kia EV6. Let us see how these three luxury EVs fare against each other.

Volvo XC60, XC90, S90 prices increased: Check out the new price list
Volvo S90

Mercedes EQE electric SUV, first drive review: Big bang for big bucks
Mercedes-Benz EQE: In the eyes of the beholder

British luxury carmaker Aston Martin to open new dealerships in India
Source Credit: Deepak Patel, Business Standard

New Delhi: Aston Martin, British luxury carmaker, will expand its presence in India by opening new dealerships as the number of high net worth individuals (HNIs) are expected to double in the country in the next five years, a senior executive said on Friday.

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC: The Ultimate Electric SUV for Your Diwali Delight!
? Welcome to our review of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC! ? In this video, we take a closer look at the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz electric SUV lineup. The EQE 500 4MATIC is a testament to the brand’s commitment to luxury, performance, and sustainability. ?♻️

Ashok Leyland bags order for 1,282 buses from Gujarat state road transport corp
Under the terms of the order, Ashok Leyland will deliver 55-seater fully assembled BS VI diesel buses in a phased manner. These buses are designed to provide exceptional passenger comfort and will feature the advanced iGen6 BS VI technology, featuring a robust 147 kW (197 hp) H-series engine, which in turn shall enhance safety and comfort, and reduce the overall cost of ownership (TCO).

Jammu smart city bags award for its e-rickshaw, e-auto project
The Central government under its Smart City Mission has felicitated Jammu smart city for its e-mobility project, which includes successful operations of e-autos and e-rickshaws, officials said on Thursday. The city got the award under urban environment category of India Smart Cities Awards Contest (ISAC) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Eicher Motors appoints 2 new independent directors
New Delhi: The Board of Directors of Eicher Motors Limited (EML) Friday appointed Tejpreet S Chopra, and Subramanian Madhavan as independent directors of the Company (Additional Directors) for 5 years each with effect from September 29, 2023, subject to the approval of the shareholders.

Shuzlan Energy joins with Transvolt Mobility to provide charging solutions for 1,000 e-buses
New Delhi: Shuzlan Energy Private Limited, a charging infrastructure provider, has partnered with Transvolt Mobility to provide EV Charging Point Operator (CPO) infrastructure for 1,000 e-buses.

Gensol Engineering secures order to lease over 500 electric cargo vehicles
Gensol Engineering Ltd has bagged an order worth INR 75 crore to lease out 500 electric cargo vehicles from a logistics firm, a company statement said. The work order came through subsidiary company Gensol EV Lease Pvt Ltd, Gensol Engineering said in statement on Thursday.

JSW Cement begins electric truck trials in logistics operations at production units
Currently, JSW Cement’s carbon emission intensity is 173 kg/Tonne which is about 30% of the global cement sector’s average of 590 kg/Tonnes. JSW Cement ranks first in the Sustainalytics ESG risk rating globally in the construction material industry group comprising more than 140 companies. From this pilot project, it is expected to avoid more than 150 tonnes of carbon emissions which is equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed annually by 6,000 trees.

Rising discount levels portent downcycle in truck vehicles, warn analysts
Commercial vehicle manufacturers in India are likely to see a decline in their profitability in coming months due to a resurgence of discount sales in the sector, warned analysts from IIFL Securites.

Ashok Leyland secures order from GSRTC, shares up
Ashok Leyland Ltd’s shares were up by 1.58 per cent after the company announced that it secured an order for 1,282 fully assembled buses from the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC). 

Yamaha MT-03 vs new KTM 390 Duke comparison
The Yamaha MT-03 has been on the top of the list for many enthusiasts and Yamaha has been teasing us by showcasing the motorcycles at many events. However, going by the reports, Yamaha is interested in launching the MT-03 in India later this year, and when it does, it will rival one key motorcycle, the KTM 390 Duke.

TVS MotoSoul to return once again this December. To clash with India Bike Week 2023
The biking and music festival witnesses multiple events for TVS customers. Right from the brand’s motorsport-related activities to customisation, personalisation and more, the two-day event has plenty of visitors occupied. Moreover, both days will host performances from top Indian and international artists. The previous edition also saw the company introduce its own helmet Bluetooth intercom devices.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India launches new Gold Wing Tour at INR 39.2 lakh
New Delhi:Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) Friday announced the commencement of bookings for its flagship motorcycle – the Gold Wing Tour priced at INR. 39,20,000 (ex-showroom, Gurugram).

Jawa 42 Dual Tone and New Yezdi Roadster launched in India: Prices start from Rs 1.98 lakh
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles has launched new variants of the Jawa 42 and Yezdi Roadster. The Jawa 42 gets a new dual-tone variant whereas the Roadster also features new colour options with other updates. The new models will be available at dealerships alongside the existing Jawa 42 and Yezdi Roadster models.
 

Hero Moto Corp to hike prices of select models by 1 pc from Oct 3
Hero Moto Corp on Friday said it will increase prices of select motorcycles and scooters by around 1 per cent from October 3. The company will make a marginal revision in the ex-showroom prices of select motorcycles and scooters, effective from October 3, 2023, the country's largest two-wheeler maker said in a statement.

The Bullet goes straight, but can it go sideways? Motorcycle Review: New Royal Enfield Bullet

For Decades, Royal Enfield Bullet was the trusted partner of riders who went beyond— Manali to Leh, Northeast, Nepal, Rajasthan — for no other motorcycle could take the beating those roads (or the lack of them) were capable of giving. The Bullet was also a workhorse — milkmen carrying 200 kg milk in cans upon cans fitted on it, or army men riding it over rocks.

The cult of cool: Making India fall in love again with Jawa and Yezdi
 

New KTM Duke 390: The loveable Hooligan’s redux
Most motorcycle buyers are varying degrees of enthusiasts in their hearts. Often, strapped for want of a bigger budget, they are settling for a lesser motorcycle, while eyeing another higher up in the hierarchy of motorcycling fun. There has been that cusp segment in the entry-to-mid engine displacement performance category that has managed to whet the appetite of a lot of these bikers.

mXmoto launches mXv Eco electric scooter starting at INR 85,000
New Delhi: mXmoto, an emerging player in clean mobility, has launched mXv ECO scooters for prices starting at INR 84,999 for the 80-100 KM/Charge variant, and INR 94,999 (both ex-showroom) for the 105-120 KM/Charge variant.

Uno Minda to enhance stake in JV firm to 76 per cent
Auto components maker Uno Minda on Friday said its board has approved enhancing stake in a joint venture firm to 76 per cent. The company's board has approved increasing stake in Minda Westport Technologies Ltd (MWTL) from 50 to 76 per cent by acquiring an additional 26 per cent stake from its joint venture partner Westport Fuel Systems Italia, Uno Minda said in a statement.

Lohum produces lithium in pure metallic form at scale
New Delhi: Lohum, India's largest producer of sustainable energy transition and battery materials through integrated recycling, repurposing, and refining, has become the first company outside China and one of 5 companies globally to produce Lithium in its pure metallic form at scale.

TVS SCS to enhance profitability through asset sale
Chennai: TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) on Friday announced two major asset sale transactions worth ₹72.62 crore. It has sold 4.5 per cent of its equity stake in TVS Industrial and Logistics Parks Pvt Ltd (TVS ILP), an associate company, to Lingotto Opportunity Fund LLP, for a consideration of ₹51.30 crore. It also announced the sale of Circle Express, through its UK Subsidiary RICO Logistics, to Winever Industries UK for a transactional value of ₹21.32 crore.

Eveready launches new Ultima high performance alkaline batteries
 

Centre hikes windfall tax on crude oil to Rs 12,000 per tonne
The centre on Friday hiked the windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil to Rs 12,000 per tonne from Rs 10,000 earlier. The new rates shall come into effect from September 30, 2023.

GreenCell Mobility inks green financing deal with Standard Chartered Bank for Surat E-Mobility project
New Delhi: Electric mobility player GreenCell Mobility on Thursday said it has signed a green financing deal with Standard Chartered Bank for its INR 125-crore Surat E-Mobility project. Surat E-Mobility project consists of 150 electric buses in Gujarat and aims to reduce 1 lakh tonne of CO2 emissions over the project lifetime, the company said in a statement.

L&T Finance to provide up to 100% loan on Ather EV's on-road price
 

Maruti now India’s biggest SUV maker as Grand Vitara completes 1 year
Speaking to Autocar India, Shashank Srivastava, the company’s senior executive officer, Marketing and Sales, said “The Grand Vitara’s achievement is even better than what the numbers suggest because for much of the last year, we had production issues as a result of the semiconductor shortage. Only from July did we see freer availability.”

New-gen BMW X2 teased ahead of global reveal
Coupe version of the existing X1 SUV

BMW R 1300 GS unveiled with more power, less weight
145hp, 149Nm, 1300cc boxer-twin

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV review: Packed with tech, but pricey
Source Credit: Autocar India

Aerodynamics reign supreme in the EV world and this especially holds true for Mercedes' line-up of EVs, all of which have been meticulously crafted within the confines of a wind tunnel. The critical factor at play here is that aerodynamic drag has a profound impact on an EV's range, and this impact intensifies exponentially the faster you go. Consequently, this phenomenon has given rise to a new breed of EVs from Mercedes – one that embodies sleek, low-slung and aerodynamic designs; a stark departure from the traditional shapes found in their internal combustion engine counterparts.

Upcoming Toyota SUV to be built at brand’s new third plant
Source Credit: Autocar India

Toyota is reportedly looking to build a third car plant in India that will increase its annual production capacity to 5 lakh units, up about 30 percent from the current 4 lakh units, according to a Reuters report. This new plant will have an annual production capacity of 80,000-1,20,000 units that's scalable up to about 2 lakh units. The existing plants are situated at Bidadi, Karnataka, and the third one is also reportedly being planned at the same site.

Third plant to have 80,000-1,20,000 production capacity initially

Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch comparison: Lightweight champs
Source Credit: Autocar India

Having carved a niche within the sub-4-metre compact SUV segment, the Tata Punch has made quite an impression on the sales charts. With its SUV-esque styling and clever packaging, it has become Tata Motors’ second-bestselling car (after the Nexon).

EVs Will Hit Detroit Harder Than a UAW Raise
What kind of raise can Detroit afford to give auto workers? It depends partly on when American car buyers go electric.

UAW makes new counter proposal to Chrysler parent Stellantis -union
The United Auto Workers made a new counter-proposal to Chrysler-parent Stellantis on Thursday, just one day before the union is set to strike additional Detroit Three automotive facilities without serious progress in ongoing labor negotiations.

Tesla's deliveries expected to fall on plant shutdowns, soft demand
Tesla may miss estimates for third-quarter deliveries due to planned factory shutdowns and soft demand that led the automaker to boost discounts, several Wall Street analysts warned in the run-up to the report that could come as early as Sunday.

Trouble mounts for Tesla, sued for racial discrimination by US Civil Rights Agency
Tesla has been previously accused by former employees of ignoring complaints of racial discrimination at its Fremont factory. While the company has strongly denied such charges, it is the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that is taking on the Elon Musk-led company. It has been alleged by the agency that Tesla has subjected Black workers ‘to severe or pervasive racial harassment’ while also taking retaliatory action against those who registered official complaints.

BMW redesigns R 1300 GS bike for on and off road dominance
New Delhi: BMW is set to introduce the new R 1300 GS motorcycle aiming to outpace the competition with its enhanced product substance, reduced complexity, and decreased vehicle weight.

‘No real intent to get…’, GM and Ford CEOs blast UAW leaders as strike escalates against Detroit Three
Hours after the union escalated the strike that has now entered its third week, the chief executives of GM and Ford blasted Union Auto Workers leaders on Friday. However, UAW chief Shawn Fain responded in kind as he expanded the first-ever simultaneous strike against the Detroit Three. 

In bitter legal battle, Tesla denies fatal crash was due to its Autopilot system
Elon Musk’s electric vehicle-maker is trying to fend off claims it’s liable for a 2019 wreck when a Model 3 in Autopilot mode suddenly swerved off a freeway and burst into flames, killing a 37-year-old man in the driver’s seat and injuring two passengers, after it slammed into a tree.

Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition with 177 bhp unveiled: Check what's special
Brabus 1300 R is based on the KTM's 1290 Super Duke R Evo. The motorcycle will be offered in two colourways - “Onyx Black" and “Diamond White". Both colourways come with Frozen Gold accents and a carbon package.

USD 1 bn metals SPAC deal backed by Glencore, automakers collapses
A USD 1 billion metals deal by blank-cheque fund ACG Acquisition Company has been terminated following delays when the different sides, which included a leading global miner and top automakers as anchor investors, tried to revise it, ACG said on Thursday.

Porsche unveils the 911 GT3 R rennsport
A unique collector's item, limited to 77 units, distinguishes itself with its distinctive body design. The Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport combines a powerful appearance with modern design elements, paying homage to the brand's motorsport history while maintaining essential performance factors of the original GT3 model, like air resistance and aerodynamic downforce.

Tesla sued by US agency over alleged harassment of Black factory workers
A U.S. civil rights agency sued Tesla Inc on Thursday, claiming the electric carmaker has tolerated severe harassment of Black employees at its flagship Fremont, California, assembly plant, in charges similar to cases brought by the state and by Tesla employees.

Mitsubishi to pack up and ship out of world's largest car market
 According to a report in Nikkei Asia, Mitsubishi now wants to pull out of a partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group with which it had a joint venture since 2012. While GAC is the majority partner with 50 per cent stake, Mitsubishi has a 20 per cent stake and the remaining is with trading house Mitsubishi Corp. The company fared reasonably strong till 2018 when it sold around 1.40 lakh units in the market. But the subsequent years have been unkind with barely 38,000 deliveries in all of 2022.