Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 15 Dec 2025,Monday
🏢 Industry
GST relief, festive rush fail to revive small cars as buyers flock to SUVs
New Delhi : Hopes that a landmark cut in federal taxes would provide a lifeline to struggling small cars like Maruti Alto, Spresso and Renault Kwid have been dashed, with latest sales data showing buyers continuing to favour bigger, more expensive vehicles.
📝 India needs multiple powertrain pathways to democratise EV adoption: JSW Motor CEO
📝 ‘Built for Bharat’ approach key to India’s global EV ambitions, says JBM Group’s Nishant Arya
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Skoda Slavia facelift spotted testing in India ahead of 2026 launch: Expected design changes, features and more
Skoda is reportedly preparing a mid-cycle update for the Slavia sedan, which currently ranks as the second best-selling car in its segment.
Mahindra XUV 7XO pre-booking begins today: Everything you must know
Mahindra XUV 7XO has been creating quite some buzz in the Indian passenger vehicle market. The SUV is essentially a revamped and rebadged iteration of the Mahindra XUV700. The carmaker is all set to launch this SUV on January 5 and ahead of that, pre-bookings for the XUV 7XO will commence from tomorrow, December 15.
4 Upcoming Hyundai cars expected to launch in 2026: Verna facelift, new Exter and more
Hyundai is set to have an eventful 2026 in the Indian market, with plans to roll out mid-life updates for its existing models and introduce an all-new global product.
2026 MG Hector set to debut in India on December 15: What to expect
Carmakers gearing up to hit refresh button as facelifts take priority
📝 Tata Sierra top-spec variant prices announced, go up to ₹21.29 lakh
📝 Debashis Neogi steps down from Renault Nissan Tech Centre India after 18 years
📝 Maruti Suzuki launches nationwide winter car care drive
📝 Hyundai Verna Facelift spied testing in South Korea: What to expect from the 2026 update
📝 Tata Sierra acceleration test: Is the new turbo-petrol quick?
📝 Mahindra unlocks "Add to Cart" option for BE 6 Formula E Edition; Bookings open on 14th Jan
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Electric Car/SUV
MG Windsor zooms past Tata to take EV crown
For the first time since electric vehicle (EV) sales took off in India in 2020, a non-Tata car will lead a calendar year’s sales. January-November 2025 sales data sourced from industry shows that it’s not Tata Motors’ Nexon EV or Punch EV, but the MG Windsor that is leading the sales charts.
📝 BYD India launches customer engagement programme
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🚗 Luxury
Mercedes to roll out CLA EV model in 2 months
The new CLA Mercedes Benz knows the music you like — be it ‘shabad kirtan’, pop or rock n’ roll — at different times of the day (or night). It adjusts the temperature on your car seat without being told, and can drive from Jalandhar to Jodhpur, all 688-km, on a single electric charge. When it hits the Punjab market in the next couple of months, it will cost buyers Rs 55-60 lakhs. Some say the price is worth the comfort, ease of driving and above all, safety features. Mercedes Benz hopes that the CLA, a “nearly C-class” car, will give the sustainably aware driver a different brand experience all of its own. The CLA is set to roll out in India in the next two months.
BMW to bolster MINI brand; looks to drive in new models, expand sales
BMW to bolster MINI brand; looks to drive in new models, expand sales
The Hindu Business Line
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🎤 Interviews & Features
India can emerge as global SAF export hub with low-carbon ethanol advantage: Triveni Engineering CEO
New Delhi: India is positioning itself as a potential export hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), leveraging surplus ethanol capacity and lower carbon intensity compared to rivals like Brazil, according to Sameer Sinha, CEO (Sugar Business) of Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd.
New Maruti Suzuki car launches in 2026: Brezza facelift, electric e Vitara, Fronx Flex Fuel and more
Maruti Suzuki is getting ready for a busy year in 2026, preparing to launch four new or updated models in the Indian market. After the launch of the Victoris SUV as the only launch of the year, Maruti Suzuki is marking a return to its aggressive product strategy with potentially four big announcements next year. The lineup highlights a major push into green mobility, featuring two new electric vehicles (EVs) and the automaker’s first flex-fuel vehicle.
Agency watch. Dentsu India’s true eigyo pitch to CMOs
India is one of the most important countries and one of the highest growth markets for dentsu outside Japan, says Takeshi Sano, CEO of dentsu Japan and Deputy Global COO of the network, who was in the country recently. Excerpts from a conversation in which Yuichi Toyoda, Global Practice President of Business Transformation (BX), who will take over as CEO of dentsu APAC from January 1, 2026, as well as Harsha Razdan, CEO, dentsu South Asia, and Hideyuki Hirai, Chief Client Officer, South Asia, joined in.
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🏗 Construction & Agriculture
Coimbatore-based Propel Industries gets orders from West Asian nations for electric tippers
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
X440 T review: Has Harley found its Hero in the mass market?
Two years ago, Harley-Davidson collaborated with Hero MotoCorp to develop smaller, affordable motorcycles. The first model was the X 440 – it was more Hero than Harley, and didn’t have the latter’s road presence or the iconic design.
📝 Yamaha files YZF-R2 trademark in India, hints at new supersport between R15 and R3
📝 Hero takes November 2025 motorcycle lead with a 25% year-on-year sales jump
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⚙ Components
Global headwinds may hit growth prospects of auto parts suppliers
📝 Mexico duty hike to add cost pressures for auto component exporters: ACMA
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🌇 Allied Industries
MRF Tyres bags 2025 FIA European Rally Championship title
Chennai: MRF Tyres has secured the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) Team Title at the FIA Awards Gala. This is the third time that the Chennai-based tyre manufacturer has secured the top position at the annual season-closing ceremony organised by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). It had bagged the title for the first time in 2022, followed by a second win in 2023.
Studds expects to double premium helmet revenue share in 2 years: MD
📝 Delhi govt to focus on safe battery recycling, disposal in EV policy
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
Underinvestment risks future oil price spikes, ExxonMobil's Joshi warns
New Delhi: Oil companies must ramp up investment in exploration and production to meet future demand, Prasanna V. Joshi, a senior ExxonMobil executive, said, while cautioning that output increases by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) could lead to a near-term glut.
Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs
📝 Parliamentary panel flags oil import dependence, urges diversification amid geopolitical risks
📝 Kuwait sees fair oil price at $60-$68 a barrel, says oil minister
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🌍 Emissions/Environment
Delhi’s air quality turns ‘severe’ as AQI reading soars to 497
📝 GRAP Stage IV imposed in Delhi: What’s closed, what’s open amid ‘Severe+’ toxic air
📝 CAQM sets up expert panel to tackle vehicular pollution in Delhi-NCR
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💸 Finance & Insurance
Factors to consider while buying travel insurance for your trip
📝 Does engine capacity decide your bike insurance premium?
📝 Acko to join wave of tech IPOs with $300-400 million listing plan
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📖 Magazines
Honda Activa vs TVS Jupiter comparison: Sense and Sensibility
The scooters you see here are two of the highest-selling two-wheelers in India and really require no introduction. Moreover, chances are, if you’re in the market for a brand-new scooter, you’re probably looking at one of these – the Honda Activa and the TVS Jupiter. We’ve ridden these two around Mumbai for a fair few days to determine which one deserves your money.
New Kia Seltos: Missing features offered by rivals
The mid-size SUV segment has seen quite a buzz in the last part of 2025, mainly because of the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and the Tata Sierra, as well as the unveiling of the new-generation Kia Seltos. Among these, the Seltos is the most recent offering, which gets a fully revamped exterior and interior design. However, it still lacks some convenience features that are offered by its rivals. Here are the details:
2025 Maruti Dzire long term review, 10,000km report
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire has long been India’s favourite compact sedan, a car that promises big-car comfort and small-car convenience, wrapped in the carmaker's tried-and-tested reliability. Over the past several months, I’ve lived with a 1.2-litre petrol manual Dzire, using it mostly for my daily home-to-office commute across Mumbai’s infamous Western Express Highway. It’s been my everyday companion through the chaos of peak-hour traffic and the occasional weekend grocery run. And after a good few thousand kilometres behind its wheel, here’s what it’s been like.
2025 Maruti Dzire long term review, 10,000km report
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire has long been India’s favourite compact sedan, a car that promises big-car comfort and small-car convenience, wrapped in the carmaker's tried-and-tested reliability. Over the past several months, I’ve lived with a 1.2-litre petrol manual Dzire, using it mostly for my daily home-to-office commute across Mumbai’s infamous Western Express Highway. It’s been my everyday companion through the chaos of peak-hour traffic and the occasional weekend grocery run. And after a good few thousand kilometres behind its wheel, here’s what it’s been like.
Mahindra Scorpio N facelift launch in early 2026
The Mahindra Scorpio N is set to get a facelift, which is expected to launch in India in the first quarter (January-March) of next year. The mid-lifecycle refresh for the large ladder-frame SUV will be Mahindra’s second facelift to launch in 2026, following the XUV 7XO, which is essentially the updated XUV700.
5 things to know before buying the KTM 390 Adventure
The KTM 390 Adventure is one of the most capable adventure-touring motorcycles in its class, offering strong performance and a comprehensive features package. Despite the recent price increase following the GST revision, it remains a compelling option for riders looking for an adventure motorcycle. If you're considering one, here are answers to the most common questions buyers usually have.
3 reasons to buy the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 300 and 2 to skip it
The Kawasaki Ninja 300 has been on sale in India since 2013, and the 2025 update brought a fresh paint scheme, updated graphics, and a revised headlamp setup. At its price point, the Ninja 300 remains one of the most affordable twin-cylinder sportbikes in the country. If you're considering buying one, here are three reasons it's worth considering, and two reasons it might not be the motorcycle for you.
2025 River Indie: Incremental updates
The Indie is River's - a bangalore based startup - first product that has been on sale since 2023. For 2025, River has updated the Indie and changed its final-drive that has resulted in weight reduction. While at it, River has also increased the ground clearance and swapped the earlier handlebar for a narrower one. Let see if these changes have affected the Indie positively?
Nissan sub-4m MPV: what to expect
Nissan has confirmed that its rival to the Renault Triber will debut in India on December 18. The compact model will slot into the affordable three-row segment and will share its platform with the Triber while getting Nissan-specific styling and features. The upcoming Nissan MPV could be called the Gravite, as the manufacturer filed a trademark for the name in 2023.
Two Mahindra SUVs launching in 2026
Mahindra’s portfolio welcomed new entrants like the all-electric XEV 9e, BE 6 and XEV 9S, along with the Thar facelift and Thar Roxx into its fold over the past 18 months or so. The Indian auto major, however, is not expected to introduce any new nameplates in 2026. The year is not going to be a completely dull one as Mahindra is planning to launch the XUV700 (now the XUV 7XO) and Scorpio N facelift. Here is what prospective buyers can expect from these two SUVs in 2026.
22 cars, ONE automatic gearbox: Aisin's 6-speed transmission
Japanese auto parts maker Aisin may not be a household name in India, but its contribution to some of the most popular cars in our market cannot be understated. The company, which has a production facility in Haryana and is set to expand manufacturing in India with a new Maharashtra plant, supplies a variety of powertrain components to many carmakers, from the locally-produced eAxle for the Maruti e Vitara (jointly developed by BluE Nexus, Aisin, and Denso) to automatic gearbox units for many brands.
Buying a used Maruti Baleno: What to look out for
GOOD FOR: Easy to drive, Spacious interior
Yamaha XSR155: Too late, but not too little
Despite being on sale overseas since 2019, Yamaha has only just launched its neo retro roadster the XSR 155 in India. Based on the same platform that underpins the R15 and MT-15, this bike offers a more comfortable and less polarising addition to that family.
5 fastest 0-100kph motorcycles under Rs 3 lakh
At Autocar India, we've put dozens of motorcycles through our testing protocols using a GPS-based data logging system. What we’ve come to find is that you don’t need to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get access to some properly quick machines. Here are the 5 fastest bikes we’ve tested under Rs 3 lakh, ranked by their 0-100kph times.
New Hyundai cars and SUVs launching in 2026
2025 has been a year of major launches for Hyundai, where it introduced models like the Creta Electric, Alcazar facelift, and the new-generation Venue. The Korean manufacturer is expected to continue this run in 2026 as well, where it is expected to introduce mid-life updates to three of its models, alongside the debut of a globally available product. Here’s the list of all the upcoming Hyundai cars that are expected to be offered in India in 2026:
Me and my cars: Viraj Dhond
What are you driving and why?
Tata Sierra price revealed for top spec variants
Tata has disclosed pricing details for the top-spec Accomplished and Accomplished+ trim levels of the new Sierra. Since launching the midsize SUV on November 25, Tata has been unveiling Sierra prices in phases, and with this announcement, we now know its full pricing spectrum.
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📰 International
📝 Automakers and dealers face Chinese pricing crackdown
📝 Volvo Cars urges EU to resist pressure to scrap fossil-fuel autos ban
📝 High-end car sales sink in China as its economy slows, taking a toll on European automakers
📝 Geely launches $284 million facility providing automotive safety tests
📝 Ford turns to stepped-up tech and cooperation with police to thwart F-150 pickup thieves
📝 Spain urges EU not to weaken 2035 combustion engine ban
📝 EU to scrap planned ban on combustion engines: EPP's Weber
📝 First Brands seeks access to customer payments held up in bankruptcy
📝 Czech billionaire Kretinsky to buy central European used-car dealer Aures Holdings
📝 SEAT says EU's rethink on 2035 combustion-engine ban could help EV transition
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