Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 08 Dec 2025,Monday
🏢 Industry
India makes its bets as AI chip race hots up; startup costs may fall
When reports in late November said that Meta Platforms (the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) may use Google’s in-house Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for its upcoming data centres, it knocked down Nvidia’s stock nearly 3 per cent. It also reignited the debate over whether Nvidia, the world’s chip leader, is finally facing credible competition. Nvidia was quick to respond, publicly welcoming Google’s progress while asserting that its own chips remain “a generation ahead of the industry”.
Facelifts to beat new cars in 2026
Source Credit: Akbar Merchant, The Financial Express
Past gets a second drive as Indian carmakers revive legacy nameplates
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
📝 Tata Sierra prices revealed: Range from ₹11.49 lakh to ₹18.49 lakh
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Electric Car/SUV
Hyundai Creta Electric vs Maruti Suzuki eVitara: The big switch
The electric vehicle (EV) segment is heating up, with Maruti Suzuki set to launch its first EV, the eVitara. Its biggest competitor will be Hyundai Creta Electric, launched earlier this year. Both these cars are similar in size, but differ in terms of battery, range, and acceleration.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara vs Mahindra BE 6: Bharat NCAP safety rating comparison
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, which is one of the most awaited electric SUVs in India has recently undergone crash testing by the Bharat NCAP. The carmaker has revealed that the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara scored five-star rating at the Bharat NCAP crash test. Upon launch, it will compete with some tough rivals, including the Mahindra BE 6, which is the most affordable from the homegrown carmaker's Born Electric series of SUVs, and also another EV that scored a five-star rating in Bharat NCAP crash test.
The not-so-secret pillar behind VinFast's rise and rise again
📝 EVs relevant, but India a multi-powertrain market: Skoda
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🚗 Luxury
📝 Rene Gerhard to head BMW Group Asia from February 2026
📝 Vicky Kaushal adds ultra-luxurious Lexus LM350h 4S to his garage
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🎤 Interviews & Features
Bridging the talent and skill gap is crucial: Sandeep Kumar, Chief Executive, L&T Semiconductor Technologies
With a fabless-first model, a revenue target of $1 billion within the next four to five years, and a pipeline of over 50 Indian and global customers, L&T Semiconductor Technologies (LTSCT) is building products focused on MEMS sensors, power ICs, and silicon carbide components, positioning India to lead, not follow, in the global chip industry. Its chief executive, Sandeep Kumar, speaks to Sudhir Chowdhary on their growth plans and skilling initiatives. Excerpts:
Compact yet capable; India’s best small SUVs
IT’S A visual delight, and expensive, just like authentic Korean gimbap. The cabin quality, featuring plastics that rival vehicles twice its price, sets it apart. Key features are all-door power windows with a one-touch auto up/down function, ventilated seats, Bose speakers, and air purifier.
Neeraj Kanwar of Apollo Tyres: Always in motion
In October, when the Indian cricket team walked on to the pitch in Ahmedabad during the Test series against West Indies with the Apollo Tyres logo on their shirts, it was a moment of intense pride for Neeraj Kanwar. “It’s not just a logo. It is India’s cricket team jersey that sports Apollo Tyres," he says.
📝 ETAuto Tech Talks | Interview with Maruti Suzuki's CV Raman
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🏗 Construction & Agriculture
📝 Call of duty infuses fresh energy into local gear makers
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Harley-Davidson X440 T vs Royal Enfield Classic 350: Does Harley stand a chance against the Classic now?
The launch of the Harley-Davidson X440 T variant at an ex-showroom price of Rs 2.79 lakh makes the fiercely competitive middleweight cruiser segment buzzing with excitement. Dominated by the Royal Enfield Classic 350, which recently received a price cut owing to the GST 2.0 revisions, the X440 T, with all its upgrades and refinements, expects to woo customers with its slightly modern aesthetics. It even tries to take away attention from the Triumph Speed T4.
Hero and Harley-Davidson rev up 2026 strategy with new X440 T and CVO line-up
Deepening their partnership, Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have unveiled additions to their model line-up. On Saturday, they announced the launch of the tech-loaded X440 T, alongside the introduction of Harley-Davidson’s ultra-premium Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models: the CVO Street Glide and the CVO Road Glide.
📝 MotoSoul 2025: TVS Ronin Agonda launched, Celebrates 20 Years of Apache with RTX 300 anniversary edition
📝 Harley-Davidson X440 T launched at ₹2.79 lakh - What’s actually changed?
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⚙ Components
📝 Copper industry seeks curb on cheap imports
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🌇 Allied Industries
Ceat looks to strengthen global play; focuses on developing tyres to suit different markets
CEAT gears up for global push, eyes on developing tyres to suit different markets
The Hindu Business Line
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
📝 Russia’s vital oil trade with India is down, but not out
📝 India adds record 31.25 GW non-fossil capacity so far in FY26: Pralhad Joshi
📝 Oil holds at two-week highs on expected US rate cut, geopolitical risks
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🌍 Emissions/Environment
Delhi govt sets up high-level panel, expert group to check air pollution
📝 "Government active on every front:" Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on controlling pollution in the city
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💸 Finance & Insurance
📝 Freeing TP motor cover rates a collective good
📝 Step on Gas. How freeing Third Party motor insurance rates will benefit society and drive insurance penetration
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📖 Magazines
12 car warning lights explained
You have probably seen warning lights in the form of small icons glow momentarily in a car's instrument cluster. But if any one of them stays on, chances are something is not right – it could be an overheating engine, an electrical problem, or something else. Some of them look straightforward, others can throw you off.
3 reasons to buy the Triumph Speed T4 and 2 to skip
Triumph’s Speed T4 stands as the most affordable product from the British manufacturer and undercuts the relatively affordable Speed 400. The Speed T4 is based on the Speed 400 but gets a few changes such as a reworked engine, conventional front fork and organic pads. Here are three reasons to consider the T4 and two to skip.
8 cars that merit more sales
There are hundreds of car models on sale in India, spanning multiple segments and price brackets. However, among those are a few that simply do not get the attention they deserve, whether it be from prospective buyers or the brand itself. Read on to know the cars in question and why we think they are not selling as many units as they should.
TVS Ntorq 150 Fuel Economy Tested and Explained
The TVS Ntorq 150 uses a 149.7cc, single-cyl, air-cooled engine putting out 13.2hp at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 14.2Nm at 5,500rpm (including 0.7Nm from iGO electric boost). The scooter has two ride modes, Street and Race, each with a different mapping. In our fuel efficiency tests, we kept the scooter in the Street mode for both our runs.
Rynox Apex Evo jacket review
The Rynox Apex Evo is positioned as the brand’s most focused supersport-style riding jacket yet. At first glance, it looks and feels premium with Invista Cordura fabric, stretchable panels all around, elbow and shoulder sliders, and loud Rynox branding on the chest area. As soon as I tried it on, it was the snuggest fit I have experienced. The jacket eliminates the use of velcro adjusters on the arms, giving a precise and secure fit, and while tucking down, you do not feel the jacket forming a big bulge at the front of the stomach. The only adjustment for fit is at the waist area, which I did not even need to use, as it was fitting perfectly right out of the box.
Maruti Alto: 25 years and nearly 5 million cars sold
The iconic Maruti Alto has turned 25, and with 4.7 million cars sold, it is safe to say that the Alto has made a massive impact on the Indian automotive industry as well as Maruti and Suzuki’s bottom line. The car that has changed the way India drives. However, it doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves, so here’s a spotlight on the company’s unsung hero. Come with us as we take a look at every single generation of Alto sold in India, see how it evolved over the years and what made it such a success.
5 things to know before buying the Honda NX200
The Honda NX200 made its debut in early 2025 and is essentially a rebadged version of the CB200X it replaces. That said, it did introduce a few updates, including updated emission compliance and some added features. If you’re considering the Honda NX200, here are answers to some of the questions you might have.
6 things to know before buying the Suzuki Gixxer 250
The Gixxer 250 is the street naked sibling of the SF 250. It shares its fundamentals with that bike but features different styling and a single-piece handlebar. Here are a few things to know before buying one.
Mercedes G-Class experience at Graz: G Wiz
Nothing screams ‘military roots’ than having your own hangar at a former military airport. Welcome to the G-Class Experience Centre in Graz, Austria. Located at the Graz International Airport, the experience centre occupies a few aircraft hangars and 1,00,000 square metres of purpose-built terrain designed to push the G-Class to its limits. So, forest trails, 45-degree rocky slopes, 35-degree muddy side inclines, 850mm deep water trenches; it’s all here to be experienced. You’re guided by the facility’s brilliant instructors in a bevy of Gs, from the diesels and AMGs to the electrics.
Norris crowned 2025 F1 champion at Abu Dhabi GP
Lando Norris clinched his maiden F1 title after finishing third at the Abu Dhabi GP. All three title contenders made it to the podium at the final race of the season, with Max Verstappen taking victory ahead of Oscar Piastri. But P3 was enough for Norris to win the title by two points.
MG Gloster, ZS EV, Comet get up to Rs 4 lakh in year end discounts
JSW-MG Motor India has launch a new Midnight Carnival offer, which brings massive discounts and benefits to its entire line-up. As is usually the case, year-end discounts are on the higher side to clear current inventory to make space for next year's models, so without further digression, here's how much you could save on your new MG car or EV.
Button: Piastri should follow McLaren team orders at Abu Dhabi GP
It all comes down to the Abu Dhabi GP, with either Lando Norris, Max Verstappen or Oscar Piastri set to be crowned 2025 F1 world champion.
Harley Davidson X440 T launched at Rs 2.79 lakh
Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have added a new flagship to their co-developed premium motorcycle lineup with the launch of the H-D X440 T. Positioned above the existing variants, the X440 T is priced at Rs 2.79 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and features a reworked rear end along with a set of new electronic aids.
Alpinestars Supertech goggles review
Ever since Alpinestars got into the MX helmet game, it only made sense for them to introduce their own line of motocross goggles. The company now has a full range available, and what you see here is the top-of-the-line Supertech Vision Vista goggle.
Kia Vision Meta Turismo Concept revealed
Barely a day or so after Kia teased a futuristic prototype on social media, the Vision Meta Turismo Concept has been officially revealed. The car, which was unveiled at Kia’s 80th anniversary, pays tribute to the touring era of the 1960s while also indicating where the brand’s future models might be headed.
Opinion: Brand salience defines success, not market share
The means are as important as the end. We were taught this in school. Social scientists and strategists have espoused the same for sustainable structures, societies or businesses. Yet, why do leaders in the automobile world always obsess about the end rather than the means? Why do they only talk about market shares at motor shows?
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