Tesla scouts for its first India showroom locations, sources say
U.S. electric carmaker Tesla is looking at potential showroom locations in New Delhi and Mumbai ahead of plans to begin sales in India later this year, two people familiar with the discussions said.

FADA selects PremonAsia to conduct Dealer Satisfaction Study for Finance and Insurance
The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex national body of automobile retail in India has announced the start of Dealer Satisfaction Study for Finance and Insurance to be undertaken in association with PremonAsia, a consumer-insight-led consulting and advisory firm based out of Singapore.

GrowthCap Ventures invests in Advance Mobility
New Delhi: GrowthCap Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, has made its maiden investment in Advance Mobility. The investment signals GrowthCap Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation and driving growth within the rapidly evolving mobility industry.

OnEv aims to induct 500 electric three-wheelers and 100 electric four-wheelers in FY2025
Kissan Mobility (OnEv), a start-up based out of NCR, founded by Kamlesh Kaushik plans to introduce 500 electric three-wheelers (L5) and 100 electric passenger four-wheelers in the current financial year 2024-25, with a plan to scale it up to 2,000 EVs within two years.

Honda breaks ground for new spare parts warehouse in Karnataka
Japanese auto major Honda held the ground-breaking ceremony of its upcoming spare parts warehouse facility in Doddaballapura near Bengaluru, Karnataka. The new facility will be managed by Honda Cars India, and will support the spare parts operations for all Honda businesses including, Honda Cars India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, and Honda India Power Products.

India's passenger EV market will hot up in next 3-4 years
In 2023, India's passenger vehicle sales grew 10% YoY, but its electric vehicle (EV) sales nearly doubled to account for 2% of the overall PV sales.

Tesla partners Tata Electronics for sourcing semiconductors: Report
Electric vehicle maker Tesla which is expected to announce its ambitious plans for India this month, has already signed a strategic sourcing partnership with Tata Electronics for semiconductors as per a report by The Economic Times.

New-gen Maruti Swift launch in May 1st half: What’s in store?
After making its global debut at the Japan Mobility Show in November last year, the fourth-gen Swift will finally head to India in the first half of May. The latest iteration of the hatchback has been in development for a very long time and test mules of the same have been spotted on numerous occasions over the past few months.

In car fuel economy, India might catch up with Europe
New Delhi: In a move designed to contribute to India’s ambitious climate targets and lower carbon emissions, the central government is planning to introduce the next stage of norms for fuel economy or efficiency of automobiles.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift: What’s new?
Maruti Suzuki is preparing to debut the long-awaited 2024 Swift in May. The popular hatchback was showcased globally last year at the Tokyo Mobility Show, and its sedan variant, the Dzire, is set to appear in India soon. Even though the new Swift will launch in India next month, the hatchback remains one of the top five best-selling vehicles in the country. Here are five new features for the 2024 Swift.

2024 Jeep Wrangler facelift launch on April 22: Here’s all you need to know
After making its international debut last year, Jeep will bring the facelifted iteration of Wrangler to India soon. The Italian-American brand will launch the off-roading beast in a new avatar on 22 April 2024. The Wrangler is now available as a locally assembled CKD import in India. As part of the update, the 2024 Wrangler gets a refreshed styling and new features.

TSRTC struggles to attract passengers for its AC buses
At a time when Metro trains, ordinary and Metro Express buses in the city are running to capacity with passengers amid scorching temperatures, TSRTC is struggling to attract commuters for its AC bus services.

As popularity of e-rickshaws soar, govt mulls improvement in design for stability, passenger safety
As the number of e-rickshaws on the roads climb to almost 15 lakh with the humble vehicle becoming the chief mode of transport for last mile connectivity in both urban and rural areas, govt is now considering improvements in design for their stability and better passenger safety.

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE accessories revealed — Here’s what you need to make it a capable motorcycle
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is a capable motorcycle right out of the box, however, for those looking to make it more comfortable or capable, the motorcycle maker offers a host of accessories. While some are made for comfort, a few are to keep the motorcycle safe, and we list out the accessories one must choose to make their V-Strom better for on-road and off-road usage.

Suzuki Access 125 facelift spied for first time— Active 125, Jupiter 125 rival
Suzuki Access has been one of the best-selling 125cc scooters in India for a long time and continues to woo scooter buyers in India. Its sleek design and strong performance are its key USPs for its strong sales volume. The Access 125 often finds itself in the top three places in the best-selling scooters in India.

Yulu eyes global markets, upbeat about bonding with Bajaj Auto
New Delhi: Yulu, the shared mobility startup based in Bengaluru, plans to expand its franchise model beyond Indore where it has announced a partnership with Yuva Mobility.

KTM, Husqvarna available with 5-year warranty
KTM has announced that it has extended its warranty for up to 5 years i.e. two-year standard warranty and a three-year extended warranty on all purchases of its KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles. Additionally, it will provide roadside assistance to its customers and bike enthusiasts for 1 year at no additional cost. All its models and variants will be eligible for these offers. 

Bajaj Pulsar N250 Vs Pulsar NS200: Which one to choose?
Bajaj recently launched the updated Pulsar N250 with a series of upgrades over the existing model. The Chakan-based bikemaker also retails another Pulsar in the same price range and specs as the N250 in the form of Pulsar NS200. While both of them carry the same ‘Pulsar’ brand name and similar specs, they are meant for a distinct set of buyers.

Yulu partners Zeco Mobility for expanding operations in Kochi
Yulu, one of India’s largest shared electric two-wheeler mobility has launched its services in Kochi in partnership with a city-based firm, Zeco Mobility.

Ola reduces prices of S1X variants, cheapest scooter to now come at INR 69,999
Ola Electric has once again slashed the prices of S1X variants. The cheapest model now costs just INR 69,999.

EV motorcycle maker Raptee rolls out first bike from Chennai plant; may sell at ₹2.5 lakh
Co-founded by four engineers, Raptee was launched in 2019 as an electric alternative to the mid-premium motorcycle market. The company’s full-stack electric motorcycle runs on high voltage powertrain technology for high performance of the two-wheeler. This is a technology that typically drives the passenger car industry.As a result, Rapteeclaims its motorcycles are compatible with CCS2 charging points, and can be charged in the points currently used for electric cars.

Electric 2W sales crash
Source Credit: Swaraj Baggonkar, The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)

Ola Electric rolls out lower prices of S1 X range to challenge Ather’s Rizta

This comes at a time when EV major Ather has announced the launch of its family scooter, Rizta, at a starting price of ₹1,09,999 per unit.

Ola becomes first EV maker to beat legacy petrol player

OLA Electric has become the first EV startup to clock more sales in a month than a legacy petrol two-wheeler player, highlighting the rising trend of EV adoption. The seven-year-old Bengaluru-based company, which sells electric scooters under the S1 umbrella brand, beat the 39-year-old Indian entity of Japanese giant Yamaha last month. Yamaha is yet to enter the electric two-wheeler space. Ola Electric sold 53,320 units in March, while Yamaha sold 52,418 units during the month, as per registration data shared by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA). Ola and the rest of the electric two-wheeler (e2W) industry saw a marked rise in sales volumes in March after consumers advances their purchases to escape the cut in central subsidy from April 1. The e2W segment recorded registrations of 140,000 units in March,a jump of 62%year-on-year. 

Varroc appoints Fritz Abraham as CTO for India operations
Tier 1 supplier Varroc has appointed Fritz Abraham as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for India operations. The company says he will be instrumental in steering the Varroc’s technological vision, driving innovation, and enhancing its competitive edge in the market.

Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd.’s shares up on receiving order worth ₹270 crore
Ramkrishna Forgings Limited’s shares were up by 2.87 per cent after the company announced securing an order valued at ₹270 crore for the Vande Bharat Train Set. This order is to be supplied to the BHEL-TRSL consortium. The company informed, the scope of this project entails the development and validation of the Bogie Frame for the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Train Set. With the order encompassing 32 train sets, each comprising 16 coaches, Ramkrishna Forgings Limited is expected to produce a total of 1,024 bogie frames.

Bharat number plate: What are the benefits, and how to apply or be eligible for it?
Indians have a habit of looking at a vehicle’s registration plate first, and every now and then, some even shell out way more than their vehicle to get a fancy number. However, every once in a while, we see a plate that’s completely out of the ordinary. This is mostly the Bharat series number plate. For those wondering what this is, here’s a detailed explanation, and how you can get one.

Crude oil prices may rise, but LS polls will cushion the blow to Indian consumers
New Delhi: With a fresh round of tensions now beginning in West Asia between Iran and Israel, crude oil prices will be the biggest casualty.

Tata Power's EV charging network crosses 10 cr green kilometres
New Delhi: Tata Power on Monday said that it becomes the first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider to power 10 crore (100 million) green kilometres spanning public, semi-public, bus/fleet and home charger segments across the country.

Oil demand growth slows to 1.6 mb/d, non-OPEC+ set to boost output by 1.6 mb/d in 2024: IEA
New Delhi: Global oil demand growth is losing momentum, increasing by only 1.6 million barrels per day (mb/d) in the first quarter of 2024, down 120,000 barrels per day (kb/d) from previous forecasts, due to weak deliveries in OECD countries, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly report.

Ola S1 X now starts at Rs 69,999
Source Credit: Autocar India

While every other EV manufacturer has increased the price of its products due to the new EMP scheme, IPO-bound Ola Electric has bucked that trend and reduced the prices of its S1 X line-up.

VinFast India likely to begin innings with VF 5, VF e34 e-SUVs
Source Credit: Autocar India

VinFast, the Vietnamese EV maker, is likely to enter the Indian market with two completely built import models – a compact SUV and a crossover hatchback – in the second half of FY2025. Sources say the EV specialist will be applying for the new EV policy announced by the Government of India and avail the benefits of importing a couple of models.

BMW CE 02 exports begin; manufactured by TVS
Source Credit: Autocar India

TVS Motor Co, which has a long-standing strategic partnership with BMW Motorrad, has kicked off exports of the BMW CE 02 electric scooter. TVS began manufacturing the jointly-developed CE 02 in October 2023.

Aston Martin petrol engine cars to continue well into 2030s
Source Credit: Autocar India

There will “always be demand” for combustion-engined cars, according to Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll, who has pledged to keep selling them for as long as he is legally allowed to. Aston Martin recently pushed back its plans to launch its first electric car and has increased investments in plug-in hybrid technology accordingly.

Toyota Innova Hycross GX (O) launched at Rs 20.99 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Toyota Innova Hycross petrol has a new top-spec GX (O) variant, which is priced between Rs 20.99 lakh-21.13 lakh, and is available in seven- and eight-seater configurations. Compared to the previous top-spec Hycross petrol GX variant, the GX (O) adds more features. This launch also confirms our report of the Innova Hycross petrol getting a new top-spec trim and deliveries are set to commence today.

Suzuki Access 125 facelift spotted for the first time
Source Credit: Autocar India

The popular Suzuki Access 125 got its last update in 2016, just before the BS4 emissions norms kicked in and it's been largely unchanged ever since. Now, however, a test mule of what seems to be a facelifted Suzuki Access 125 has been spotted testing.

Honda Elevate based WR-V gets dog friendly special edition
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Honda Elevate, which is made in India and exported to Japan as the WR-V, has a new pet-friendly special edition in the Asian market. At a fair in Tokyo meant to ‘enrich life for people and pets’, the Japanese company introduced the WR-V accessorised by Honda Dog, which has official accessories from the Honda Access brand.

New Renault Duster, Nissan SUV India line-up to be petrol-only
Source Credit: Autocar India

Renault and Nissan recently confirmed the launch of two new SUVs, which includes the all-new Duster and its Nissan counterpart for late 2025. Both models will also get seven-seater derivatives that is expected to go on sale by late 2026, with the alliance releasing a joint teaser for both models. Company sources have told us that the engine options for all four SUVs are likely to be limited to a pair of turbo-petrols.

Mercedes-Benz C 300 petrol to replace C 300d in India
Source Credit: Autocar India

Mercedes-Benz India is all set to rejig the C-Class sedan’s line-up by replacing the current range-topping C 300d variant with a new C 300 petrol variant in the second quarter of 2024. The rationale behind this variant rejig is a shift in demand from diesel to petrol in the luxury sedan segment.

All KTM, Husqvarna bikes come with 5 year warranty now
Source Credit: Autocar India

KTM India has announced that it is now offering a five-year warranty on all KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles purchased from April 1, 2024 onwards. The company previously offered a two-year warranty as standard. All motorcycles now get the standard two-year warranty, along with an additional three-year warranty, for no additional cost. Apart from the extended warranty, KTM and Husqvarna are also offering customers a free one-year RSA (roadside assistance) package. 

6 new Royal Enfields incoming
Source Credit: Autocar India

Amid rising global competition – Royal Enfield – the largest midsize motorcycle maker in the world is upping the ante in FY25 with its biggest product onslaught ever.

Xiaomi’s Success Means More Trouble for Battered China EV Stocks
Xiaomi Corp.’s roaring entry into the electric vehicle market is dimming the recovery outlook for China’s beaten down auto startups.

US opens probe into 3,322 GM Cadillac Lyriq EVs over loss of brake assist
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Monday it has opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate claims related to loss of brake assist for 3,322 GM Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicles.

Tesla to lay off more than 10% of its staff
Tesla will lay off more than 10% of its workforce, tech publication Electrek reported on Monday, citing an internal memo.

Germany's Scholz in China: we want fair auto market but no dumping
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday pressed his case for an open and fair European market for Chinese cars but warned against dumping, overproduction and intellectual property infringements as he spoke to a group of students in Shanghai.

Auto distributor Inchcape to sell UK retail business for USD 431 mn
British automotive distributor Inchcape said on Monday it had agreed to sell its UK retail operations to Group 1 Automotive UK for 346 million pounds (USD 431.43 million) in cash, following a strategic review it kicked off earlier this year.

BP's EV charging arm cuts jobs, reduces global ambitions
BP has cut over a tenth of the workforce in its electric vehicle charging business and pulled it out of several markets after a bet on rapid growth in commercial EV fleets didn't pay off, company sources said.