Budget 2025: Auto players urge subsidy continuity, tax reduction, enhanced localisation and upskilling of human resources
New Delhi: The red bahikhata in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's hands, to be presented on February 1, 2025, holds the hope of bringing new opportunities to the country with digitalisation, localisation and other advancements.

EV Industry eyes tax cuts, financial boosts, and infra upgrades in Union Budget 2025-26
As the Union government gears for the Union Budget 2025-26, players in electric Vehicles (EVs) have urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce transformative reforms that enhance affordability, infrastructure, and innovation in the sector to tackle both manufacturing and consumer-centric challenges.

How the Union Budget 2025-26 could change the electric vehicle landscape in India
As the Union government gears for the Union Budget 2025-26, players in electric Vehicles (EVs) have urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce transformative reforms that enhance affordability, infrastructure, and innovation in the sector to tackle both manufacturing and consumer-centric challenges.

Amid EV push, Tata Motors looks at hydrogen and LNG options
Source Credit: Swaraj Baggonkar, The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)

Toyota's tech, Suzuki's consumer expertise driving alliance in India
 

Re-think on. M&M, VW put JV plan on hold
India’s auto major Mahindra & Mahindra and Germany’s Volkswagen Group are believed to have put their partnership/joint venture on hold. While both companies claim to be working on “long term feasibilities”, sources said the joint venture has been put in cold storage. Sources said Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, which was leading the talks, is doing a “re-think”. The two companies have not been able to iron out differences, and Skoda is actively considering dropping out of the project.
 

Tata Nexon iCNG Red Dark Edition breaks cover
Tata Nexon is one of the most popular subcompact SUVs in the country. Along with petrol, diesel, and fully electric powertrain, Tata Motors also offers the Nexon with a factory-fitted CNG kit as well. Tata introduced the CNG-powered Nexon earlier in September 2024 at a starting price of Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

Skoda to drive back sedans, Czech brand focus on new generation Superb and Octavia RS
Skoda India is treading where no one is.

Hyundai Motor India surpasses 6.75 lakh connected car sales with Bluelink technology
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has sold over 675,000 cars with connected features since 2019. These features are available in 12 of their 14 car models in India, and utilise the Bluelink platform. This AI-based technology connects the vehicle to the user's mobile device. In 2024, connected car sales comprised 25.7% of HMIL's retail sales, a significant increase from 4.7% in 2019. The company aims to expand Bluelink's features and availability.

Skoda Auto gung-ho as Kylaq deliveries begin start
As Skoda Auto’s sub-4 metre Kylaq debuts in dealerships today, Petr Janeba admits that he is “extremely excited”.

Kylaq to be volume driver for Skoda Auto India: Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India
Skoda Auto India has said that the newly-launched small sports utility vehicle (SUV), Kylaq, was never meant for exports because it enjoys the local taxation that makes sub-four metre segment vehicles so big with the cess in India and it will be a volume driver too for it in the Indian market. However, since the demand are coming from some of the right-hand drive countries, the company has now plan to export it too, after meeting the demand here in the domestic market, a senior official has said.

Report: New-gen Tata Nexon EV with bigger battery coming this year
Tata Nexon is the one of the highest-selling fully-electric passenger vehicles in India. A well-rounded product with plenty of features and good performance at a decent price makes it one of the most enticing EVs to consider. First launched in early 2020 followed by a mid-cycle facelift in September 2023, the Nexon EV will soon receive a generation upgrade.

Confirmed: Kia Carens facelift, Carens EV to launch ahead of festive season
Kia is gearing up to strengthen its presence in the MPV segment with the upcoming update to the Carens and the introduction of the Carens EV. While the exact timeline for both vehicles remains under wraps, they are expected to debut ahead of the festive season later this year. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Carens and its all-electric counterpart.

EV market share will double in 2025: Vivek Srivatsa

New Delhi: Tata Motors, India’s largest electric carmaker, remains unfazed by potential market share pressures despite major competitors - Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai - launching/unveiling their much anticipated electric vehicles (EVs) in recent times.

Tata Motors’ three-pronged vision for future mobility
The emerging electric passenger vehicle industry in India may have already reached an inflection point. Anand Kulkarni, Chief Product Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, explains why the OEM thinks so, how the EV maker plans for its next phase of products on the global market focused Avinya platform, what the EV industry needs to grow, how the ADAS trend is evolving, and more, in this interview with ETAuto’s Sumantra Bibhuti Barooah.

Solar-powered car: Vayve Eva variants explained
The 2025 Bharat Mobility Expo saw some interesting concepts and launches, and one that made news was the Vayve Eva, India’s first solar-powered car. Launched at Rs 3.25 lakh ex-showroom, the Vayve Eva is India’s most affordable electric car. The Vayve Eva is available in three variants – Nova, Stella, and Vega – and here’s how the variants differ from each other and what each variant of the Vayve Eva gets.

Bajaj Auto Q3 Preview: PAT may rise 6% YoY; volumes, higher ASPs to aid revenue growth
Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto will see high single-digit revenue growth in the third quarter, supported by a marginal rise in volume and average selling prices (ASPs). The quarter saw a recovery in global markets, but the domestic volumes continued to be weak.

TVS Motor plans to enter electric 3-wheeler cargo vehicle segment
TVS Motor, a leading player in the two and three-wheeler segment, is planning to make a foray into the electric cargo vehicle space, an official said on Monday. The company, which launched its electric three-wheeler passenger vehicle in the eastern metropolis, is hoping to roll out the cargo variant during the last quarter of the current financial year.

Bajaj Pulsar N160 new base variant leaked: Here’s what’s new!
The Pulsar brand of motorcycles is the primary breadwinner for Bajaj Auto in the two-wheeler segment for over two decades now. With at least a dozen models in this range, Bajaj constantly keeps updating the Pulsar lineup to keep up with customer expectations. The two-wheeler manufacturer is set to bring another change in the Pulsar range soon.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 records 5 lakh sales milestone
Royal Enfield launched the Hunter 350 in August 2022 and created a revolution by bringing a new generation of riders to the fold. Targeted at a younger section of buyers, the Hunter was the first proper roadster in the new 350cc J-series platform. The company through a press release has now informed that the Hunter has crossed 5 lakh sales.

Top 5 Royal Enfield Motorcycles you can’t miss
Royal Enfield is gearing up to make a massive splash in the market with an exciting lineup of motorcycles, ranging from the iconic 350 cc models to the powerful 650 cc variants, while also stepping into the electric two-wheeler space for the first time. Whether you’re a fan of classic thumpers, modern performance machines, or cutting-edge electric mobility, Royal Enfield has something for everyone. Here’s why their upcoming offerings are truly worth the wait.

Hero Xoom 160 vs Aprilia SXR 160: Maxi scooter comparison
Maxi scooters in the 150–160cc segment are slowly gaining popularity. Yamaha introduced the Aerox 155 a few years ago, making it the first scooter in India to sport a liquid-cooled engine. The scooter went up against Aprilia’s SXR 160, which borrows its idea from its larger siblings. Now, we have a new one — the Hero Xoom 160.

Sundram Fasteners Q3 profit marginally rises to ₹120 crore on cost controls
Chennai: Leading auto parts maker Sundram Fasteners has reported a marginal increase in its standalone profit after tax at ₹120 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with ₹116 crore in the year-ago quarter, helped by cost control measures.

Endurance Technologies is stock pick of the week as 3 factors are driving its revenue growth
Auto component manufacturer Endurance Technologies is expected to report 12.5% and 28.9% year-on-year growth in the revenue and PAT respectively in the December 2024 quarter, according to the estimates of analysts compiled by Reuters-Refinitiv. The performance will be supported by improvement in India 2W production volumes, decent growth in EU business and raw material costs’ stability.

Wheels India reports 79% rise in Q3 net profit at ₹23 cr
 

VoltUp secures USD 8 mn funding from EM Impact Capital
VoltUp, an Indian Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and battery-swapping startup, secured USD 8 million in seed funding, bringing their total raised to USD 18 million. This round, led by EM Impact Capital, will fuel VoltUp's expansion of battery-swapping stations and MaaS offerings, furthering electric vehicle adoption in India. The funding underscores market confidence in VoltUp's technology and its potential to revolutionize electric mobility, particularly in last-mile delivery and quick commerce.

Hike allocation for upskilling initiatives in Budget to create future-ready workforce: Tata Tech
Key growth drivers such as smart manufacturing, AI, digital transformation, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs) require strong government backing through incentives for R&D, skill development, and infrastructure enhancement, he noted.

India's finished steel imports from China hit 7-year high in April-Dec
India's finished steel imports from China touched their highest levels in at least seven years during the first nine months of the financial year that began in April, according to provisional government data reviewed by Reuters on Monday.

JSW Group to invest Rs 2,600 cr to develop 2 copper mines, concentrator plant in Jharkhand
JSW Group to invest Rs 2,600 crore in copper mines, plant in Jharkhand
The Financial Express

Oil falls as Trump repeats call for OPEC to cut prices
Oil prices slipped on Monday after U.S. President Trump called on OPEC to reduce prices following the announcement of wide-ranging measures to boost U.S. oil and gas output in his first week in office.

Exicom and ChargeZone partner to deploy 500+ high-power EV charging stations
What does it indicate?

HPCL partners with Delhivery for widespread distribution of lubricants
A step to boost supply chain

IndianOil Q3 profit plunges 77% to ₹2,147 crore on forex, inventory losses
 

Battery swapping industry needs incentives
The recently released “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Battery Swapping and Charging Stations” by the Ministry of Power is a commendable step. They are designed to put in place a regulatory framework governing all battery swapping and charging stations.

2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 range priced from Rs 12.75 lakh
Triumph has launched its latest Speed Twin 1200 models, with the standard variant priced at Rs 12.75 lakh and the higher-spec RS variant at Rs 15.50 lakh. Both models share the same engine, overall styling, and most features. The main difference comes down to the cycle parts. 

Next-gen Toyota RAV4 leaked ahead of debut
The Toyota RAV4 SUV is due for a full model change later this year. A leaked image has surfaced online from China, showing the new RAV4’s final design in its production avatar.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 crosses 5 lakh sales milestone
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has crossed the 5 lakh unit sales milestone in a little under two and a half years since its launch. The Hunter has been a popular model, owing to its affordable price and its relatively light kerb weight (both aspects in the context of other Royal Enfields).

Government proposes doubling tax rebate for scrapping BS-II or older vehicles
The Government of India has proposed doubling the rebate up to 50 percent in one-time tax on the purchase of new vehicles in lieu of scrapping the ones with BS-II or earlier emission norms. The development was confirmed via an official draft notification issued on January 24, 2025.

Bajaj Dominar 400 to get same display as Pulsar NS400Z
The Dominar 400, the flagship motorcycle under the Bajaj brand, was last updated in 2021. It seems like Bajaj will soon introduce a minor update on the Dominar 400 because the bike has been spotted with the same LCD display as the Pulsar NS400Z. 

Here are India’s 10 most fuel-efficient petrol compact SUVs
The compact SUV segment is one of the most hotly contested in the Indian car market because, for many buyers, the high-riding appeal of an SUV in a smaller, more affordable package is too good to pass up. However, fuel efficiency is just as important to Indian car buyers. With manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai, Skoda, Renault, Nissan, Mahindra, Kia and Tata all competing for a slice of the compact SUV pie, it can be a bit difficult to ascertain which of them offers the most frugal option.

Tata Nexon CNG Dark price starts at Rs 12.7 lakh
Tata Motors has silently introduced the Nexon CNG Dark, which is available in three variants and is priced between Rs 12.70 lakh and Rs 14.70 lakh. As its name implies, the Nexon CNG Dark gets an all-black exterior finish – from the metallic bits and paint job to the alloy wheels – and a blacked-out interior theme.

Osamu Suzuki posthumously conferred with Padma Vibhushan
Osamu Suzuki, former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan – India's second-highest civilian honour. Suzuki passed away aged 94 on December 27, 2024, after being at the helm of the automobile giant for over 40 years. Back in 2007, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to the Indian economy. Notably, he was the only foreign national on the list of seven awardees.

Mercedes G-Class electric vs G 63: what’s different?
Mercedes-Benz recently launched the G 580 in India at an ex-showroom price of Rs 3 crore. It is essentially an all-electric version of the iconic G-Class, and on the face of it, it doesn’t look far removed from its ICE sibling. It even carries over the ladder frame chassis from the regular G 63, but it is the powertrain that completely sets the two models apart – the G 580 uses a new-age quad electric motor setup while the G 63 makes do with an old-school, twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Here, we are going to explore how the G 580 and G 63 stack up against each other on paper.

Kia Seltos accounts for 46.5 percent of brand’s total India sales
Kia India, which began selling its cars in India in August 2019 as a virtually unknown brand has maintained its 8 percent contribution to global sales in CY2024. During the last year, Kia India, which sold 2,45,000 units, contributed 7.93 percent to Kia Corporation’s global sales of 30.8 lakh units, slightly down on the 8.25 percent it had accounted for in CY2023.

Indian Sport Chief RT revealed
Indian Motorcycles has revealed the latest addition to its Chief Cruiser line-up for 2025, the Sport Chief RT, which is the sportiest model.

Toyota SUV, MPV sales see highest growth of 43 percent in April-December 2024
India’s passenger vehicle (PV) market is set to surpass the 4-million-unit mark for the second fiscal year in a row, with 31,39,288 unit sales in the April-December 2024 period. In FY2024, India PV Inc had registered record wholesales of 42.1 lakh cars, SUVs, MPVs and vans, an increase of 8 percent over FY2023. This growth has been enabled by the consistently growing contribution of the utility vehicle (UV) sub-segment.

Honda ZR-V hybrid being considered for India launch
Honda is considering bringing the ZR-V SUV to India’s highly competitive market, where it has been struggling to maintain its foothold with its line-up of just three models. While a definitive timeline is not clear, we expect Honda to bring the ZR-V here by the end of the year or early next year, according to what our sources say.

Dr Pawan Goenka awarded Padma Shri on Republic Day
Dr Pawan Goenka, former managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra and current chairman of INSPACe, has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in the ‘Trade and Industry’ category. He has been honoured for his contributions to strengthening India’s space sector and his role in developing state-of-the-art automotive capabilities in the country.

258kph: Autocar India sets new Indian top speed record with Ultraviolette F99
Autocar India and Ultraviolette Automotive have set an India Book of Records Title for Fastest Speed Achieved by an Indian Motorcycle (EV) with the Ultraviolette F99.

Troubled European carmakers to talk fines and EVs with EU
Europe's biggest carmakers will converge on Brussels for talks this week as the EU seeks to chart a way forward for an embattled industry struggling to cope with Chinese competition and climate rules.