Suzuki Swift ADAS trim gets 1 star rating in ANCAP crash test
The 2024 Suzuki Swift ADAS variant has received a 1-star rating in the Australian NCAP crash tests. This variant, which includes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), is available for sale in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Interestingly, the same Swift model scored 3 out of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

Uber launches women-only bike taxi service in Bengaluru, eyes pan-India expansion
Ride-hailing giant Uber India has introduced ‘Uber Moto Women’ in Bengaluru, marking its first women-exclusive bike taxi service globally. The service, which connects female riders with female drivers, is set to expand to other major metropolitan cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

ETAuto EV Conclave 2024: Policy consistency, R&D investments & localisation essential to lead in global EV adoption
New Delhi: To take a lead in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, India needs to focus on policy consistency, continued R&D investments, and supply chain localisation, industry leaders emphasised at the ETAuto EV Conclave 2024, held on December 11-12 here.

PV wholesale dispatches move up after retail slowdown in November
India's automotive industry witnessed mixed results in November 2024, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Passenger vehicle dispatches increased, while two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments experienced slight declines compared to November 2023. The growth in passenger vehicles indicates sustained demand post the festive season in October.

India has an inherent expertise to increase population & automobile numbers: Nitin Gadkari
India has an inherent expertise to increase population and automobile numbers, said Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at Times Network India Conclave on Friday.

Ex- Stellantis Aditya Jairaj joins Nissan as Regional VP North East region
Ex- Stellantis member, Aditya Jairaj has joined Nissan Motor Corporation as Regional Vice President North East Region. Jairaj was earlier working in Stellantis as Managing Director & CEO for a year and half. He was the Country leader for Stellantis Operations in India, and was heading Jeep operations too, stated his professional networking site, LinkedIn.

Dana India installs 30 solar streetlights; undertakes steps to boost road safety in Chakan
Dana India installed 30 solar-powered streetlights at Alandi Phata Chowk, Chakan in Pune. This improved lighting enhances visibility and reduces accident risks for about 3,600 villagers and travelers. To improve safety, Dana India added road safety signs and metal barricades in Chakan’s industrial area to control traffic and protect pedestrians. These measures will benefit around 2.5 lakh commuters daily and support Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.  The initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 7, 11, 13 and 17.

Amazon deploys 10K EVs in India
The Climate Pledge's Laneshift Initiative

Cars that reigned supreme in 2024

MG Windsor EV 

India's EVs, ancillary industries may see INR 3.4 lakh cr investment by 2030: Colliers
"Although the pace of EV adoption in the country has been commendable, it has not been as brisk as anticipated," the consultant pointed out.

Domestic passenger vehicle sales grow 1% on year to 27,26,709 units in April-November
 

Tata Motors shares dip after company announces 2% price hike on vehicles
Shares of Tata Motors fell 0.24 per cent to 784.50 on the NSE at 12:25 pm today. Tata Motors, India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, announced a price hike of up to 2 per cent across its entire range of trucks and buses, effective January 1, 2025.

Skoda Kylaq secures 10,000 bookings in 10 days
Skoda Auto India announces it has secured 10,000 bookings of their sub-4 metre SUV, the Kylaq, within 10 days of the opening of bookings. Building on its success, Skoda Auto India will launch a nationwide ‘Dream Tour’ with the Kylaq, engaging with customers in key cities. Beginning at the Chakan plant, three Kylaq SUVs will be heading off on different routes over 43 days, travelling across the entire country.

Shraddha Kapoor now owns a humble Maruti Swift
Shraddha Kapoor has established herself as a successful and bankable leading actor in the Indian film industry with over a decade long career. The Aashiqui 2 actress also has a penchant for automobiles. She is a proud owner of luxury cars like Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS and sports cars like Lamborghini Tecnica.

Kia Carnival surpassing of 400 deliveries in 2 months
Kia has announced to have delivered 400 units of its all-new Carnival Limousine within two months of its launch. It has received 3,350 bookings so far, with a waiting period of over six months. Priced at Rs 63.9 lakhs and available in a single trim, both colour options are in high demand. These numbers highlight strong customer confidence in the brand and the increasing popularity of this luxury recreational vehicle.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India begins production of Skoda Kylaq
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) announced the Start of Production (SoP) of the Škoda Kylaq at its manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.

Tata Tiago EV updated: Here’s what’s changed
Tata Motors is the undisputed leader in the passenger electric vehicle market in India, commanding a market share of almost 50 percent of total sales. A major reason for this is the fact that Tata was one of the first mass-market brands to launch an EV in India. This happened with the introduction of Tiago EV and Tigor EV in 2019.

Mercedes-Benz recalls Maybach S class India: Here’s why
Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall for the Maybach S-Class in India. The German marque has recalled 386 units of the Maybach S680 and 1 unit of the standard S-Class. The affected W223 lineup is currently on sale in the market since its launch in 2021. As per the SIAM voluntary recall website, Merc has issued a recall on 27 November 2024.

G-Class apart: Mercedes-AMG G 63
There’s no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, formerly known as the G-Wagen, has reached an iconic status that many carmakers can only wish for their cars. Its tenure as a model line has been one of the longest, and it’s nearly unbelievable how Mercedes-Benz has managed to keep the G-Class this characterful without giving up on modernity. The latest updates, added to the car not too long ago, aren’t revolutionary, but these ensure that you don’t feel short-changed as a Mercedes-Benz customer. However, is that enough, especially in 2024, where one can’t rely just on legacy and brand value to sell a car? We find out in our latest first-drive review of the refreshed Mercedes-AMG G 63.

Tata Motors to hike truck and bus prices by 2% starting January 1
Come January and Tata Motors commercial vehicles will cost more. The company has announced a 2% price hike on its trucks and buses, starting January 1 due to higher input costs. This will be applied to all models and variants of the trucks and buses, though the exact price will vary by model.

Ashok Leyland announces 3% price hike, effective January 2025
Ashok Leyland to hike prices by up to 3% from January 2025

Toyota Camry — New vs old differences explained
The new Toyota Camry goes on sale in India, priced at Rs 48 lakh, ex-showroom. This is an increase of Rs 1.83 lakh over the previous model, and when we look at what’s changed, the price hike is negligible. The new Toyota Camry is completely new, and here’s how it compares with the older-gen Camry Hybrid that was on sale in India.

A Royal Enfield store without motorcycles!
On Friday, motorcycle company Royal Enfield launched an exclusive apparel brand store in Gurugram, Haryana. Only the second such store in India (the first one was launched in Pune some months ago), it stands out because it sells everything but motorcycles/We talked to Yadvinder Singh Guleria, chief com-mercial officer, Royal Enfield, who shared the rationale behind this new range of brand store: 

TVS’ new 300cc engine compared against the 310cc unit — what’s different?
TVS has grabbed headlines again for two reasons — for the new 300cc liquid-cooled engine showcased at MotoSoul and the new adventure motorcycle snapped testing. Both have a connection as the engine will be powering the new adventure motorcycle that TVS will be launching soon. So here’s a closer look at the new TVS RTXD4 engine and how it differs from the current 310cc power plant.

Triumph Bobber TFC limited edition breaks cover
Triumph has taken the covers off a limited edition model of the Bobber which was launched in 2017. Called the Bobber TFC (Triumph Factory Custom), only 750 units of this model will be produced worldwide and each unit will carry a distinct plaque and a unique badging to distinguish it from the standard Bobber.

Royal Enfield Scram 440 vs Himalayan 450 comparison
Royal Enfield has confirmed that the new updated Scram 440 will make its debut in January 2025. The two-wheeler manufacturer showcased the Scram 440 recently at Motoverse 2024 in Goa. We take a look at Royal Enfield’s off-road lineup, the Scram 440 and the Himalayan 450. 

Hero axes three motorcycles: Is the 200cc platform finished?
Hero MotoCorp is gearing up for a big reveal at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in January, where it’s expected to showcase a host of new motorcycles. However, ahead of the highly anticipated launch, the two-wheeler giant has decided to streamline its portfolio by discontinuing three models: the Passion XTEC, Xtreme 200S 4V, and Xpulse 200T 4V.

Top 5 sports bikes under ₹2 lakh: Yamaha R15 V4, KTM RC 125 and more
For motorcycle enthusiasts seeking the thrill of performance and the elegance of a sports bike without overspending, the Indian market offers several exciting options under ₹2 lakh. These bikes strike an ideal balance between affordability and performance, making them excellent choices for riders with a budget. As per a report from HT Auto, here are five standout models that combine stylish designs and dynamic capabilities. 

Indian Navy, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles conclude 'Ride of the Marakkars' rally; becomes first group of motorcycles to cross Atal Setu
 

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350: A Classic twist
Not just as a State but also as a way of life, Goa is quite unique. It’s definitely more characterful than other popular tourist locations, its susegad lifestyle is distinctly more alluring, and the great mix of nature and modernity is second to none. Goa is also a favourite choice among automotive manufacturers. Many first-drive events take place in Goa, and some companies like it so much that they end up naming their products after this perennially sunny State. The latest one to go down that route is Royal Enfield, which has introduced a new iteration of its very successful Classic 350 motorcycle. We take the new Goan Classic 350 for a spin to understand if it deserves the premium over the regular iteration of the Classic 350 and why.

ARAI plans INR 100 cr capex in 2025 to boost testing infra
The Automative Research Association of India (ARAI) plans capital expenditure of INR 100 crore to further develop advanced testing labs and overall infrastructure in 2025 across the country.

DEG partners with JK Tyre for sustainable production expansion in Madhya Pradesh
New Delhi: JK Tyre & Industries (JK Tyre) on Thursday said that Germany-based DEG—Deutsche Investitions—und Entwicklungsgesellschaft will provide a long-term loan of Euro 30 million to expand production capacities at the company’s site in Madhya Pradesh.

Oil Ministry backs allocating OID cess for ONGC, OIL to boost exploration efforts
New Delhi: The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) is in favour of allocating a portion of the Oil Industries Development Cess (OID cess) to ONGC and Oil India (OIL), which will help in providing more capital to these companies to enhance exploration & production (E&P) activities.

Centre tells NMC to speed up projects under N-CAP, INR 40 cr funds lie unused
Centre has directed the Nashik Municipal Corporation to speed up projects under the National Clean Air Programme (N-CAP) to ensure at least 70% utilisation of the total INR 87 crore received under the initiative so far by March 2025.

ISMA moots subsidy to create additional 770 cr litres of ethanol capacity
 

Maruti e Vitara vs Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: design, specs, features compared
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV was recently revealed globally, and we pit it against its sister model, the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara. These ground-up electric SUVs look very similar to their concepts and will rival the MG ZS EV, Tata Curvv EV, the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and the Mahindra BE 6e upon launch.

1,000hp Mercedes-AMG electric SUV previewed ahead of 2027 debut
The first pictures of the Mercedes-AMG electric super-SUV prototype, which was previewed last month in a sketch, are finally out. Underpinned by the brand new AMG.EA architecture, the electric GT SUV, which is likely to be its name in production avatar. The SUV will be the second model to be built on this platfom after a four-door coupe, photos of which were released earlier this year. Launching in 2027, the SUV will rival the Lotus Eletre and the upcoming Porsche Cayenne electric.

Tata Nexon EV, Curvv EV purchased this month get free charging
Tata Motors, according to our dealer sources, is offering free charging for customers who buy the Nexon EV or Curvv EV between December 9 and December 31, 2024. The scheme was also available during the festive season between September 10 and October 31.

Skoda Kylaq Classic base variant sold out in first batch
Skoda’s smallest SUV, the Kylaq, has gathered 10,000 bookings since bookings opened on December 2. Additionally, Skoda India has also announced that it has stopped accepting bookings for the entry-level Kylaq Classic variant as it's sold out. Prices for the Kylaq range between Rs 7.89 lakh and Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mercedes-Benz to launch 5-seater EQS 450 SUV on January 9
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the EQS 450 SUV and G 580 with EQ technology on January 9. The latter will be a CKD offering, and incidentally, India is the first market outside the US to assemble the EQS SUV.

Maruti Grand Vitara sales cross 2.5 lakh units since launch
Maruti’s flagship SUV, the Grand Vitara, has surpassed the 2.5 lakh unit sales mark since its launch on September 26, 2022. It was the fastest in the midsize SUV segment to reach the 1,00,000 and 2,00,000 unit sales milestones.

KTM drops MV Agusta amid financial crisis
KTM's parent company, Pierer Mobility AG, has severed ties with MV Agusta amid financial woes. It had acquired the company early this year.

KTM 390 Adventure S, 390 Enduro R unofficial bookings open in India
KTM dealers have begun accepting unofficial bookings for the upcoming 390 Adventure S and 390 Enduro R, showcased at IBW. While KTM hasn’t announced the price or specifications of either motorcycle, customers have already started lining up for its arrival.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 gets Rs 45,000 off this month
Kawasaki 2024 year-end discount details 

Hero XPulse 200T, Xtreme 200S discontinued amid poor sales
Hero has discontinued two 200cc models in one fell swoop: the XPulse 200T 4V and the Xtreme 200S 4V. Despite multiple updates, both bikes failed to achieve strong sales, which likely prompted Hero to take this decision.

Hyundai Alcazar diesel review: The one to buy?
Despite the bleak future of diesel engines, the demand for a three-row SUV with a diesel engine is still strong. And so, while the recently updated Alcazar got all the modern frills and features, it also continued with a diesel mill. Hyundai has also priced both the turbo-petrol and diesel variants at par, and that might put some buyers in a dilemma, but there are some caveats before you start calculating the running costs and fuel economy.

BMW M3 electric previewed with camouflaged prototype
BMW’s M performance division has revealed the first set of camouflaged images of the M3 electric prototype (codenamed: ZA0), and it looks inspired by BMW’s Neue Classe Vision Concept showcased last year. Notably, this follows sightings of the standard i3 Neue Klasse sedan in November. BMW plans to expand the Neue Klasse line-up with models like the M4 EV and iX3 M by 2028, catering to a range of performance needs.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalled in India for potential fire risk
As per SIAM’s vehicle recall database, Mercedes-Benz India has issued a recall for select units of the seventh-generation of the S-Class' Maybach version. The recall affects the W223 line-up that's been on sale since 2021. The recall was prompted by the software in the luxury sedan’s engine control unit (ECU) not meeting current specifications.

Volkswagen's board leaning away from closing big plants in Germany, media report says
Volkswagen's supervisory board is leaning away from closing large plants in Germany to tackle the automaker's cost crisis, a report by business monthly manager magazine said on Thursday, though no final agreement has been reached.

VW offers 14% wage hike over four years to Tennessee factory workers
Volkswagen said Wednesday it is offering its newly unionized workers at its Tennessee assembly plant a 14% wage increase over four years and profit sharing.

Baidu, Geely's EV venture faces uproar after it says needs fresh funds
The CEO of China's Ji Yue Auto was surrounded by people demanding to know how they would be paid, videos posted online on Thursday showed, a day after the EV maker said it would streamline operations to cope with fierce market competition.

Stellantis to extend stoppage at Mirafiori plant until January 20, says union
Stellantis will extend the stoppage of car production at its Italian Mirafiori plant by a further two weeks, until January 20, the head of the FIOM-Cgil trade union at the site said on Thursday.

Stellantis will be compliant with 2025 EU carbon rules, carmaker's Europe chief says
Stellantis will be compliant with European Union targets for 2025 intermediate carbon reduction, aiming to increase electric vehicle (EV) sales or potentially to cut production of petrol vehicles, the company's European head said on Thursday.

2-0 Hyundai Partners with Google to Revolutionize In-Car Navigation and Infotainment
South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it will join hands with Google to strengthen its automotive software system and deliver next-generation navigation and infotainment experiences for drivers.

Global EV sales hit third consecutive record high
Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose for a seventh consecutive month in November, jumping 32% year on year for a third consecutive record high, data from market research firm Rho Motion showed on Friday.

China's Nio, behind on growth targets, aims to tighten cost control
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio will seek to improve efficiency and cost control as it seeks to spur sales growth that is two years behind schedule, its CEO said on Thursday.

Continental to unveil Intelligent Vehicle Experience Car at CES 2025
Continental's CES 2025