Tata Motors shares down 3% as January sales dip 7% Y-o-Y
Shares of Tata Motors tumbled as much as 2.8% on Monday to INR 686.05 on the BSE after the automaker reported a 7% year-on-year decline in total vehicle sales for January 2025.

Maruti Suzuki, Eicher Motors shares rally up to 4% as January sales, exports show steady growth
Shares of Maruti Suzuki India and Eicher Motors surged up to 4% on Monday, after the automakers reported steady sales and exports growth in January, signaling sustained demand in the automotive sector. Maruti Suzuki’s stock rose 4% to INR 13,431.6 on the BSE, while Eicher Motors climbed 3% to INR 5,550.

Jan 2025 car dispatches show modest growth, demand remains muted
New Delhi: Carmakers have reported a lower single digit growth in dealer despatches in January 2025. For the top five manufacturers, which take up over 85% share of the domestic PV market, the tally stood at 3.52 lakh units, up 3% from 3.44 lakh units.

Court to decide validity of Kalyanis’ wills
In a development that will extend the timeline to resolve the dispute between the Kalyani family, the two wills filed for probate by Baba Kalyani, the chairman and MD of Bharat Forge, and his brother, Gaurishankar Kalyani, will now go to trial. The Kalyani brothers submitted two different wills from their mother, Sulochana Kalyani, for probate in Pune court.

How Volkswagen bumped into a $1.4 billion problem in India
Volkswagen vs Indian Government: A legal battle worth $1.4 billion
The Financial Express

Tax dispute puts its $1.5 billion investment in India at risk, says Volkswagen

The German car maker has filed a lawsuit against the Indian authorities, seeking to quash the “impossibly enormous” $1.4 billion tax demand, which it argues contradicts India’s import taxation rules for car parts, Reuters reported. The case is scheduled to be heard by the High Court in Mumbai on 5 February.

Make-in-India EV goal may take a hit

New Delhi: The reduction in the allocation for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for automobiles and auto components by 20% for FY26 will likely delay the indigenisation of India's electric vehicle (EV) sector and the accompanying reduction in costs. Moreover, just as in FY25, only a select few players—primarily the larger ones—will be able to claim incentives, according to Nikhil Dhaka, Vice president at Primus Partners. 

Suzuki Motorcycle sales rise 14%, Ashok Leyland's up 8% in January
 

Semiconductor industry surges by 18% to reach $626 billion, fuelled by AI demand
Rising demand for AI has spurred the growth of semiconductors in 2024 as the aggregate revenues reached $626 billion in 2024, growing 18.1 per cent from 2023. The trend seems to continue this year and the revenues are pegged to be at $705 billion in 2025, according to research firm Gartner Inc. “Graphics processing units (GPUs) and AI processors used in data centre applications (servers and accelerator cards) were the key drivers for the chip sector in 2024,” George Brocklehurst, VP Analyst at Gartner, said.

Nissan Motor India exports over 10,000 units of left-hand drive Nissan Magnite
Nissan Motor India is expanding its global reach by exporting over 10,000 units of the left-hand drive (LHD) New Nissan Magnite. The second wave of exports, comprising over 7,100 units, will ship in February 2025 to markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and select regions in Latin America and the Asia Pacific.

NueGo launches India's first fully electric sleeper AC bus for eco-friendly intercity travel
In a pioneering move towards sustainable mobility, NueGo, India's largest electric intercity bus service by GreenCell Mobility, has launched the country’s first electric AC sleeper bus service.

Eicher Trucks & Buses secures major order of 1,621 buses and 42 trucks from UPSRTC
Eicher Trucks & Buses, a part of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has received a large order from UPSRTC for 1,621 buses and 42 heavy-duty trucks. This order aims to modernise Uttar Pradesh's public transportation and supports the government's infrastructure development focus. The order includes a variety of vehicles: non-A/C buses, AC buses, CNG bus chassis, and trucks for logistics. The order was announced on February 3, 2025.

Tata Motors sees tailwinds for the commercial vehicle industry in Q4
Chennai Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle (CV) business head has expressed optimism about the commercial vehicle sector’s performance in the current quarter, citing encouraging signs such as improving utilisation levels, positive customer sentiment, and a rise in diesel consumption, all of which are expected to drive demand.

Challan not paid for 90 days? Be prepared for vehicle to be detained
Online challans were introduced as a measure to ease the inconvenience of people, however, the system has its own set of perils. With challans going digital,vehicle owners fail to pay traffic fines even months after being issued challans.  This leads to multiple penalties invoked on a single vehicle.

Driving the future: How design is shaping the next generation of mobility
In today’s automotive landscape, the shift to EVs represents a transformative blend of sustainability and technology. Designers are reimagining proportions, interiors, and aesthetics, prioritising sleek, contemporary designs that balance utility with emotional appeal. Central to this evolution is the digital cockpit, enhancing safety, comfort, and connectivity. These interactive environments redefine driving, offering real-time information and entertainment through ergonomic, streamlined designs. This fusion of style and innovation is shaping the future of modern vehicles.

Audio Interview| Update & outlook 2025: The India automotive parts manufacturing industry
In the 12-minute Audio Interview, Mr. Mehta discusses these questions:

TVS Motor names Gaurav Gupta as President for India 2-wheeler biz
New Delhi: JSW MG Motor India’s Chief Growth Officer Gaurav Gupta has joined as the President of Domestic Operations at TVS Motor Company.

Want a Harley? Trump’s tariffs could make it easier to own one
Call it what you will—the Trump tariffs threat or the Government of India scoring brownie points ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trip to the U.S. Regardless of the reasons behind this, the bottom line is that luxury motorcycles are about to become much more affordable. This includes global brands like Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, BMW, and more. The good news is that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed cuts to the basic customs duty (BCD on the import of completely built-up units (CBUs, semi-knocked down (SKD), and completely knocked down (CKD units of motorcycles. Let’s take a closer look at what this means for buyers.

2-wheeler market sees mixed Jan; Royal Enfield, TVS gain, Hero, Bajaj slip
 

JRG Automotive acquires SEFI’s two-wheeler plastics division to expand market reach
JRG Automotive Industries Pvt Ltd has acquired the two-wheeler functional plastics division of Stanley Engineered Fastening India (SEFI), a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker. The deal includes two manufacturing units in Manesar (Haryana) and Bangalore, specialising in injection-molded plastic components for two-wheeler OEMs, construction equipment manufacturers, and Tier-1 suppliers. The undisclosed transaction expands JRG’s geographic footprint and production capacity.

Tube Investments plans ₹170-crore expansion in fine blanking products biz
Chennai: Murugappa Group’s engineering company Tube Investments of India proposes to invest ₹170 crore in greenfield and brownfield capacity expansion programmes. The board has approved a capital investment of about ₹170 crore to enhance capability and serviceability with regard to the fine blanking business by establishing a greenfield facility in western India and expanding of existing manufacturing facility in southern India. The project will be primarily funded through internal accrual and is expected to be completed by FY26, the company said.

India demands practicality in connected vehicle features
New Delhi: As connectivity becomes an integral part of vehicle development, it is crucial to understand how it affects the end consumer and thereby balance the benefits of connectivity with the cost it adds to the vehicle.

ARAI gears up for future mobility: Advancing standards, alternative fuels and AI-driven testing
As India accelerates towards sustainable mobility, making significant strides in alternative fuels, battery safety, and emerging vehicle technologies, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has been at the forefront of these developments, playing a crucial role in standardisation, testing, and innovation.

'Forced' to import certain steel grades: Automobile manufacturers
 

Government initiates bidding process for 10 GWh ACC batteries
Ministries of Heavy Industries (MHI) and New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) have initiated the bidding process for the balance 10 GWh capacity for Grid Scale Stationary Storage (GSSS) applications under the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage Production. “Bids for the same are in advance stage of finalisation,” sources at MHI told businessline.

Trump's tariffs to have limited impact on oil, gas prices, says Goldman Sachs
The new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China are likely to have a limited near-term impact on global oil and gas prices, Goldman Sachs said in a note on Sunday.

South Korea’s exports of gasoline, diesel hit record high in 2024
The four leading refiners in the country — SK Energy Co., GS Caltex Corp., S-Oil Corp. and Hyundai Oilbank Co. — shipped 111.89 million barrels of gasoline and 211.66 million barrels of diesel in 2024, according to the Korea

Petroleum Association.

GRAP 3 restrictions revoked in Delhi-NCR, stages 1 and 2 measures continue – Check what is allowed, what is not
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday (February 3) lifted Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, effective immediately. However, measures under GRAP Stage I and II will remain in place to control pollution levels, according to the latest report from the CAQM.

Fog reduces visibility in Delhi; AQI remains in ‘poor’ category
 

Sundaram Finance Q3 profit climbs 16% to Rs 349 crore
Sundaram Finance on Monday reported a 16% year-on-year rise in its standalone net profit to ₹349 crore for the quarter ended December. On a sequential basis, the net profit saw a modest rise from ₹340 crore.

VW Tiguan, Taigun, Virtus get up to Rs 4.2 lakh off on MY2024 stock
Volkswagen India has increased discounts on unsold MY2024 units of the Tiguan, Taigun, and the Virtus sedan. Depending on the variant, customers can avail of flat cash discounts, an exchange bonus, a scrappage bonus (they can’t be clubbed), and loyalty bonuses. What’s more, the brand is offering attractive benefits on fresh MY2025 units, too. Here’s a look at what’s on offer.

Volkswagen sues Indian authorities for USD 1.4 billion tax notice: Report
Volkswagen has sued the Indian authorities to quash the USD 1.4 billion (over Rs 12,000 crore) tax demand, according to a Reuters report. Volkswagen’s India unit, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd has also told the Mumbai High Court that the said tax dispute puts at risk the group’s investments of USD 1.5 billion in India and will also hamper the foreign investment climate.

Kia Syros vs compact SUV rivals: price, specifications comparison
The Kia Syros, named after an island in the Mediterranean Sea, was launched last week with prices starting from Rs 9 lakh, ex-showroom. Deliveries of the SUV are slated to begin in the coming days. The Syros will take on Kia’s own Sonet and other compact SUVs like the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite and Maruti Brezza. We compare the nine compact SUVs on paper to see if the Syros has an edge.

Budget 2025: Import duty on big bikes reduced
The government announced a reduction in basic customs duty on the import of motorcycles, including complete built units (CBUs), semi-knocked down (SKD) and completely knocked down (CKD) units, in the Union Budget.

BMW iX1 LWB review: Space over pace
More than the surprise India debut of this long-wheelbase iX1 at Auto Expo 2025, it was the price it was launched at that caught us all off guard. We’ve been conditioned to believe that EVs must be more expensive than their ICE counterparts; call it a technology tax, if you will. But, at Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the iX1 LWB costs Rs 1.8 lakh less than the petrol X1 (as well as all its EV rivals), while delivering much greater room in the back seat. The price is for the first six months of production only, and is the result of local assembly, this being the first BMW EV to be brought in as a CKD.

2025 KTM 390 Adventure vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Specification compared
KTM has revealed the specs of the 2025 390 Adventure, and we have all the details to pit it against its chief rival, the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Both models, in their latest guise, get a new engine and an updated list of features.

Kia Syros variant-wise price, features, transmissions explained
Kia kicked off February with the launch of the Syros. As for ex-showroom prices, the Kia Syros petrol variants lie in the Rs 8.99 lakh to Rs 15.99 lakh and diesel variants in the Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 16.99 lakh brackets. To know which Syros variants get a panoramic sunroof, seat ventilation, ADAS and other features, keep reading. Also, the variant-wise price list of the Syros, along with the transmission on offer, has been added. 

Top 10 EVs with the longest claimed range in India
It’s safe to say that the EV scene in India is no longer in its nascency. Consumer interest in EVs has been increasing thanks to steady growth in charging infrastructure, more affordable and accessible pricing, zero emissions and expanding choice across all price ranges. However, range anxiety continues to stand in the way of many buyers looking to purchase an EV.

Hero MotoCorp’s EV business becomes fully independent unit
Hero MotoCorp announced on Friday that it would move EV and Emerging Mobility Business Unit (EMBU) into a fully independent unit from February 1. The EMBU was created by the automaker in 2019 to drive innovations in emerging mobility, including electric vehicles.

FanCode to stream MotoGP in India
FanCode has secured the digital streaming rights for MotoGP in India as part of a three-year deal. Starting in 2025, FanCode will stream all MotoGP sessions – practice, qualifying, sprint, and the main race – in the country.

Mercedes W196 R auctioned as world’s most expensive F1 car
An extremely rare 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen has been sold at auction for 51 million euros, or approximately Rs 458 crore, becoming the most expensive Formula 1 car ever auctioned. Notably, it is one of the only four known complete examples fitted with a factory-built streamlined bodywork. The bidding took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (in Germany) by RM Sotheby on February 1, 2025. Details about the buyer were not immediately revealed.

Hyundai Exter, Aura, i20 get discounts of up to Rs 68,000
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios: Upto Rs 68,000 off

RACR riding school to take place on March 14, 15 and 16

RACR School: levels and pricing

Volkswagen counts on talks to avoid trade conflict after Trump tariffs
Volkswagen is counting on talks to avoid trade conflict, Europe's biggest carmaker said on Sunday, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China.

Global car industry in firing line of Trump's tariffs on Mexico, Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and a fresh 10% duty on those from China from February 4, demanding those countries stop the flow of fentanyl and the flow of immigrants in the case of Canada and Mexico, into the United States.

Stellantis adopts simpler internal organisation as CEO search continues
Stellantis announced changes on Monday aimed at simplifying its structure and speeding up processes, as the automaker presses ahead with a reorganisation it started after former CEO Carlos Tavares left in December.

Asia automakers lead the decline as region takes a beating from Trump tariffs
Shares of Japanese and South Korean car makers and their suppliers led declines in Asia on Monday, as exporters across the region were walloped by U.S. President Donald Trump's introduction of sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.

Mexican farmers, auto-parts makers urge dialogue with US
Mexican agricultural and auto-parts producers called Sunday for "dialogue" to head off the trade war prompted by US President Donald Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada.

Japanese shares tumble as US tariffs cloud global economic outlook; automakers skid
Japanese shares fell more than 2% on Monday, with automakers leading the decline, as concerns over the global economy mounted following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.

Electric cars take 96% of Norway market in January
Almost 96% of new cars registered in Norway in January were electric, close to the Scandinavian country's goal of selling only zero-emission vehicles as of this year.