Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 15 April 2025,Tuesday
🏢 Industry
No more petrol two-wheelers in Delhi: What EV Policy 2.0 means for you
The Delhi Government’s draft EV Policy 2.0 seems to be the final nail in the coffin for petrol and diesel-powered two-wheelers and even three-wheeler CNG autos. The draft also has taken an aggressive target to achieve 95% of new EV vehicle registrations by 2027. The writings on the wall as the government is seriously falling short of its aim to achieve 25% of vehicles electric by 2025 as the data shows only 13- 14% has been met. We take a look at how this will affect your and my wallets.
Experience Jeep Meridian and future mobility at Connected, Autonomous & Electric Vehicle EXPO 2025
Speaking about the event, Kumar Priyesh, Brand Director, Jeep India shared, "We're thrilled to be part of the Connected, Autonomous & EV EXPO 2025, a definitive platform that brings together the brightest minds and boldest innovations shaping the future of mobility. At Jeep India, we see connectivity as the bridge between heritage and the future--empowering the Jeep Range from the Compass to the Flagship Grand Cherokee delivers more than just a drive, but a truly intelligent, secure, and personalized experience. As the industry evolves toward software-defined vehicles and advanced mobility ecosystems, our focus remains on integrating cutting-edge technology without compromising the core values of adventure, capability, and trust that define Jeep. We look forward to engaging with AutoTech leaders and enthusiasts alike at this exciting convergence of ideas and innovation."
Uber enters 3W, 4W logistics via Courier XL
Ride-hailing platform Uber has expanded its same-day courier service with Courier XL, designed to send larger packages via three or four-wheeler vehicles. Before this, the company offered same-day courier service through two-wheelers.
End-of-life vehicles in Delhi: 17 facilities asked to deposit scrap value of unclaimed vehicles today, warned of action otherwise
It added that the department will take strict action – such as disengagement, debarment and blacklisting of the RVSFs.
To ride out of crisis, BluSmart looks at hybrid model
In a bid to address its growing financial challenges as well as shore up revenues, electric ride-hailing startup BluSmart Mobility is looking to shift to a hybrid operational model by joining hands with Uber India while continuing to operate under its own brand. Sources familiar with the development said that the partnership will allow a portion of BluSmart’s fleet to fulfill demand through Uber Green, Uber’s electric vehicle (EV) vertical.
Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto to Ola Electric: Key reasons why HSBC cut target prices for many auto stocks
Auto Stocks: The earnings performance of most Original Equipment manufacturers (OEMS) is likely to remain muted during the January-March 2025 quarter or Q4FY25. The passenger vehicle sales growth remains in the slow lane, as does that of two-wheelers. The commercial vehicles and tractor sales, too, have been a mixed bag. Against this backdrop, analysts are not very hopeful about the earnings performance of these companies.
Automobiles to pharma & healthcare: Earnings winter to persist in Q4FY25
Automobiles
* Volume growth moderated across most segments barring tractors, which had the benefit of a lower base
Trump tariffs may open new opportunities for India, says Skoda Auto Volkswagen official
‘Tariff war can be a catalyst for bilateral trade pacts,’ says Piyush Arora
The Financial Express
Delhi Cabinet to discuss draft EV policy today
Govt to set fresh target of 30% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030
Cost of semiconductor chips per vehicle to double to USD 1200 by 2030 due to tech advancement: NITI Aayog
Jitendra EV plans to invest up to ₹125 cr in 5 years
"In the next five years we are planning to invest around ₹80 crore to ₹100 crore on R&D and product development and another ₹25 crore on manufacturing," he said.
📝 India has potential to be key player in automotive global supply chain: NITI Aayog report
📝 Auto recap, April 14: Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line launched, 2025 Hero Splendor launched
📝 ‘Tariffs are not good, we are proponents of free trade’
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Volkswagen India launches Tiguan R-Line SUV at ₹48.99 lakh
Volkswagen India launched the Tiguan R-Line, its flagship SUV, at an introductory price of ₹48.99 lakh. The new model, built on the MQB EVO platform, comes with the 4EVER Care programme, which includes a four-year warranty, roadside assistance, and three free services.
Nissan eyes 4-fold growth in domestic mkt in 2 years
Nissan Motor India that sold 99,000 units, including 28,000 units in the domestic market and 71,000 units in exports, in 2024-25, is targeting double the sales in two years with half of it coming from the domestic market. That is almost a four-fold growth target in the domestic market in two years.
Kia Syros scores 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating; becomes fourth car of 2025 on the list
Kia Syros has become the latest entrant in the list of passenger vehicles in India that have scored a five-star safety rating in the Bharat NCAP crash test. With this, the Kia Syros has joined the likes of other models such as the Mahindra BE 6, Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra Thar Roxx, Mahindra XEV 9e etc. Also, with this test result, the Kia Syros becomes the fourth passenger vehicle in India in 2025 to score a perfect five-star rating in the Bharat NCAP crash test.
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Electric Car/SUV
Tata Curvv EV Dark Edition launched at Rs 22.24 lakh: Here’s what’s new
After launching the Curvv Dark Edition a couple of days ago, Tata Motors has now launched the Dark Edition model of Tata Curvv EV. The Dark Edition of the all-electric coupe SUV is available in single variant based on the top-spec Empowered +A trim which is priced at Rs 22.24 lakh (ex-showroom), making it Rs 25,000 dearer than the former.
📝 MG Cyber X SUV teased ahead of 2025 Shanghai Motor Show global debut. Check details
📝 MG Windsor EV surpasses 20,000 sales mark in six months: Here's what makes it famous
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🚗 Luxury
While budget buyers hold back, India’s wealthy push luxury car sales to new highs in FY25
Rising food inflation and falling wages have prompted urban consumers to hold back their car purchase plans in FY25, as evidenced by muted sales in the mass-market segment. However, the wealthy class continued their luxury shopping spree, with demand for premium cars remaining strong throughout the fiscal year.
Nidhi Kaistha appointed as Head of Lamborghini India
Italian super luxury automaker Automobili Lamborghini on Monday said it has appointed Nidhi Kaistha as Head of Lamborghini India. In her new role, Kaistha will oversee sales, marketing and after-sales operations in India, the sixth-largest market in the Asia Pacific region, the automaker said in a statement.
Epic Fail? Social Media tears apart BMW M3 electric
BMW M3 is one of the sportiest and most desirable road cars a petrolhead aspires to own. However with increasing strangulation of combustion cars around the world, especially in Europe, car manufacturers have no other choice but to look towards an electric future. And the same is about to happen to its beloved M3.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe facelift India launch in mid-2025
BMW is all set to launch a facelifted 2 Series Gran Coupe in India soon. According to a recent Autocar India report, the updated version of the entry-level sedan from the Bavarian automaker will make it to India by the middle of 2025. With sportier intent and revised dynamics, the updated 2 Series Gran Coupe gets more features than its predecessor.
BMW India to organise drifting training programme in Maharashtra
BMW Group India is launching the BMW M Drift Academy, a performance training programme focused on drifting, between April 26-27, 2025, at Raymonds compound in Thane, Maharashtra.
📝 India could benefit from free trade in long term: Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles
Electric bus makers gear up for Delhi’s full fleet electrification
New delhi: Electric bus makers like Tata Motors Ltd, PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Ltd and JBM Auto Ltd are likely to get a lift from the proposed electric vehicles policy of Delhi, India's largest electric bus market.
📝 Ad-wrapped bus? It’s revenue vs road safety in Delhi
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🎤 Interviews & Features
2025 Skoda Kodiaq variants, colours explained: Launch on April 17
Skoda is all set to launch the 2025 Kodiaq in India on April 17, and the updated SUV will be the carmaker’s most premium offering in India. The Kodiaq will also compete with its German sibling, the Volkswagen Tiguan, which will be launched in India today. We have seen several bits of information on the new Kodiaq over the last few days and today, let’s discuss the variants and the colour options the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq will come in.
What will it take for EVs to truly take off in India?
In this episode of BusinessLine’s State of the Economy Podcast, host Ronendra Singh is joined by Som Kapoor, Partner and Leader for Future of Mobility and Retail at EY India, for a conversation on how India’s mobility sector is rapidly evolving. Som begins with a bold statement: “Mobility in India, all over the world according to me, will change more in the next 5 years than it’s changed in the last 50.” He unpacks the trends behind this shift—from the rise of alternative fuels and electrification to the way people are rethinking car ownership.
We plan to set up 34 GW capacity by FY28, hit Rs 3,000 cr solar revenue this year itself: Shekhar Singal, MD, Eastman Auto and Power
Eastman Auto and Power, a power solutions company, expects that out of the Rs 6,000-7,000 crore revenue, solar business would be between Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore this year itself, its Managing Director, Shekhar Singal told ETEnergyWorld in an exclusive interaction.
Top 5 Safest Budget Friendly Cars under 10 Lakh
Cars are getting safer, no doubt, even the budget ones. After Tata made the five-star safety rating standard for mass-market cars, others soon took notice. Nowadays, a five-star safety-rated vehicle is the norm. So if you are looking for a vehicle under Rs 10 lakh and safety is a key concern, here are the top five vehicles you need to be seeing.
After hours with Sudhir Mehta, Chairman, Pinnacle Industries Ltd
The Job
‘Tariff war can be a catalyst for bilateral trade pacts,’ says Piyush Arora
The global tariff war started by the US can make India look favourably at bilateral trade agreements, which would help bring in new global products and the latest technology to the domestic market, says Piyush Arora, MD and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVIPL). Speaking with Swaraj Baggonkar on the sidelines of the launch of the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line in Mumbai, Arora further says the company will go ahead with its proposed Rs 12,000-crore investment plan in Maharashtra.
📝 Confirmed: Next-gen Kia Seltos to debut with hybrid powertrain. Check details
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🏗 Construction & Agriculture
Tractor Industry rebounds with 8% growth in FY25; outlook remains positive
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Bajaj Platina 110 revealed ahead of launch: What to expect?
The 2025 Bajaj Platina 110 has officially arrived at the dealership ahead of its official launch. The Platina lineup is available in two options —100 cc and 110 cc. Earlier, the Platina 110 version was available in ABS and non-ABS, but the former was scrapped. Here is all you need to know about the 2025 Platina 110.
Suzuki Motorcycle India ties up with Flipkart for two-wheeler bookings
Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Ltd. has partnered with Flipkart to facilitate online bookings for Suzuki motorcycles and scooters. The collaboration is aimed at offering hassle-free digital buying experience to the customers.
📝 Vespa introduces new luxury scooter portfolio
📝 Hero Splendor Plus updated with OBD2B complaint engine. Now priced at ₹78,926
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🌇 Allied Industries
Why one network, one data model is key to intelligent mobility
For Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) to thrive and scale sustainably, they must mirror the evolutionary trajectory of computers and the internet. In the early days, computing was characterised by proprietary silos, but it evolved through the adoption of middleware standards, unified data models, and interoperable APIs.
India has potential to emerge as global hub for IP-led innovation: Accel Partner Prashanth Prakash
"There are a lot of opportunities for founders who have the capability to imagine and envision what products India and the world need. There is limitless headroom for entrepreneurs," he said.
📝 'Software-defined vehicles more safe & economical'
📝 Greaves Cotton appoints Parag Satpute as Managing Director & Group CEO
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
Opec trims oil demand forecast for the first time since December amid trade tensions
The cartel of world’s largest oil producers Opec has cut its 2025 global oil demand growth forecast on Monday for the first time since December, citing the impact of data received for the first quarter and the tariff measures announced by the United States.
Oil glut, EV surge, focus on renewable energy: India’s energy titans reveal what’s next for Oil & Gas industry
New Delhi: Global oil demand is flattening, diesel growth in India is stagnating, and the world is sitting on a 9 million barrels/day surplus—these were some of the key signals from India’s top oil and gas executives at a high-powered panel marking the 24th Foundation Day of Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC).
Driving change – Flex fuels and grain ethanol to power India’s green future
India’s transition to cleaner energy sources has entered a pivotal phase with the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, a key pillar of the nation’s strategy to cut crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions and uplift rural economies. At the core of this programme lies grain-based ethanol—a domestic, renewable and scalable solution that has the potential to revolutionise both the agriculture and energy sectors. The future of this revolution, however, hinges on more significant adoption of flex-fuel technologies and sustained support for maize and other grain production.
EV adoption poses a financial risk for India’s leading automakers, power grid needs a reboot: Imperial College study
📝 Amid tariff brawl, oil prices may not fall to 2015-16 level: BPCL
📝 Diesel demand growth falls to lowest since pandemic
📝 Bioenergy summit to be held in Delhi on May 8-9
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🌍 Emissions/Environment
Delhi's new anti-pollution moves: Will they be enough?
Every winter, Delhi makes headlines for all the wrong reasons. Thick smog covers the city, pollution levels skyrocket, and air quality drops to hazardous levels. It's a crisis that returns year after year, and while the government takes action during these peak months, the bigger question remains: are we doing enough, and more importantly, are we doing it all year round?
Ggn only NCR city in red zone, air 'very poor'
Air quality in Gurgaon was the worst, and the only one to exceed the 300-mark, among all 211 cities for which data was available from across India on Sunday.
📝 Delhi petrol pumps get cameras to scan vehicles, no fuel for old car policy to kick in soon
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💸 Finance & Insurance
📝 N. Chandrasekaran changed Tata Capital. Now, the company is prepping for an IPO
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📖 Magazines
Volkswagen Tiguan new vs old: price, performance, features, design
Volkswagen India has launched the third-generation Tiguan R-Line, its flagship model, at an introductory ex-showroom price of Rs 49 lakh. In addition to exterior and interior updates, the new Volkswagen SUV is more powerful. Keep reading to discover how different the latest Tiguan is from its predecessor.
Tata Curvv EV Dark Edition price starts at Rs 22.24 lakh
The Tata Curvv EV line-up now has a new Dark Edition, priced at Rs 22.24 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The all-electric Curvv is the second Tata EV to get the all-black exterior and interior treatment after the Nexon EV. Based on the top-spec Empowered+ A trim featuring a 55kWh battery pack, this new version of the Tata SUV is Rs 25,000 costlier than the standard model.
Every Dark Edition SUV under Rs 15 lakh in India
The popularity of SUVs is at an all-time high in the Indian car market, with most of the top-selling models falling under Rs 15 lakh. As personalisation is also important to consumers, manufacturers offer a variety of colour options for their SUVs, and black is a popular choice – so much so that some brands have bespoke “dark editions” with a blacked-out colour scheme for the exterior and interior. We compiled a list of every dark edition SUV you can buy for under Rs 15 lakh.
New gen Volkswagen Tiguan India price starts at Rs 49 lakh
The latest generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan has been launched in India at an introductory price of Rs 49 lakh. Serving as Volkswagen India's flagship SUV, the third-gen Tiguan will be offered here in a sole R-Line variant, that too in limited quantities as a full CBU (completely built unit) import.
Every Dark Edition SUV from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh in India
Several Indian car brands have introduced ‘Black Edition’ variants for their SUVs. With a blacked-out exterior and cabin, these models are targeted at buyers looking for a distinctive look over the standard line-up.
F1 2025: Piastri takes commanding Bahrain GP win to join title fight
Oscar Piastri cruised to victory at the Bahrain GP, becoming the first repeat winner this season and handing McLaren its first-ever triumph at the Bahrain International Circuit. With this, Piastri has also eaten away at teammate Lando Norris’ title lead, and is now just three points adrift.
Autocar Track Day: best driver’s cars from 2025 at the CoASTT circuit
Last year, after a successful and exciting inaugural Autocar Track Day at the new CoASTT racetrack in Coimbatore, expectations for 2025 were sky-high. The line-up might not have as many low-slung cars as last year, but a track day is always fun. This year, front of the row were a full-fledged F3 racer and the new Porsche 911 Carrera. Sedans comprised the 727hp BMW M5, the V8-powered Porsche Panamera GTS and Audi’s S5 and RS 5.
Every SUV tested by Bharat NCAP so far
Introduced by the Central government in 2023, the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) has taken over the responsibility of Global NCAP to conduct crash tests and award scores to cars sold in the country. The government hopes this will help buyers make more informed purchase decisions. Since its inception, BNCAP has tested 16 vehicles, primarily SUVs, and here are the results detailing how each SUV performed.
Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini revealed
Ducati has unveiled yet another special edition based on the Panigale V4 S. The Panigale V4 Lamborghini marks the third collaboration between these famed Italian brands. Just like previous Lamborghini editions, this, too, is limited to 693 units worldwide.
Hero Super Splendor Xtec OBD2B update priced from Rs 88,128
Hero Splendor Xtec OBD-2B update launched
Hero Glamour with OBD2B update launched at Rs 86,698
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📰 International
EV battery fire suppression technology developed in South Korea
Hyundai Mobis said on Monday it has developed a new electric vehicle (EV) battery safety technology that automatically discharges fire suppressant in the event of a battery cell ignition to prevent fires from spreading to adjacent cells.
China March iron ore imports drop to 20-month low, missing expectations
China's iron ore imports in March fell slightly from the prior month to a 20-month low, defying analysts' expectations that monthly shipments would pick up as weather-induced supply disruptions eased. The world's largest iron ore consumer brought in 93.97 million metric tons of the key steelmaking ingredient last month, the lowest since July 2023, according to the data.
Trump signals possible auto tariff reprieve to help carmakers shift supply chains
“I'm looking at something to help some of the car companies with it,” Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office. The Republican president said automakers needed time to relocate production from Canada, Mexico and other places, "And they need a little bit of time because they're going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time. So I'm talking about things like that.” Matt Blunt, president of American Automotive Policy Council, an association representing Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, said the group shared Trump's goals of increased domestic production.
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