Urgency grows in Motown India as rare earth deadlock deepens, call goes out to govt for help
The Indian automobile industry is facing a significant challenge due to recent restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on the export of rare earth magnets. These magnets are critical components in many applications, including passenger vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). Suppliers have been attempting to secure approvals from China through local vendors, but no approvals have been granted thus far, news agency PTI reported on June 8 citing industry sources.

Electric passenger vehicle sales cross 4% first time in May 2025: FADA
The contribution of electric passenger vehicle (EV) sales crossed 4 per cent in May, compared to 2.6 per cent of the same period of 2024, the data by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) revealed.

Tata Motors launches monsoon vehicle check-up camp across 500 cities
Tata Motors has announced the start of a nationwide Monsoon Check-Up Camp for its customers, which will be held from June 6 to June 20, 2025. The service initiative will be conducted across 500 cities through more than 1,090 authorised workshops.

Kolkata records highest vehicle regns for 5th mth in a row
May 2025 has logged the highest year-on-year monthly car registrations for the fifth straight month in Kolkata, triggering alarm among traffic planners and environmentalists about the cost of this sustained vehicular boom.

In a first in UP, 25 automobile dealers lose trade licenses for a month
In a first-of-its-kind action, the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department has suspended the trade licenses of 25 automobile dealers across the state for a month, citing continued failure to comply with vehicle registration procedures.

Over 27,000 vehicles booked in Delhi for using unusual fonts, symbols, and caste or community slogan on number plates
In a citywide crackdown, the Delhi Traffic Police have booked more than 27,000 vehicle owners in May 2025 alone for using defective or fancy number plates. The enforcement drive follows strict directions from the Delhi Police Commissioner to act against vehicles that do not follow number plate regulations, a TOI report stated.

Auto industry seeks govt help in expediting approvals for rare earth magnets import from China
As per the industry sources, various domestic suppliers have already sought approval from the Chinese government through their local vendors in China.

EV-olving realty
As India drives toward a greener future, the electric vehicle (EV) sector is emerging as a powerful catalyst for transformation in real estate. A new report by Savills India projects that the country will need 5,760-6,852 acres of land and up to $9 billion in real estate investments by 2030 to support EV manufacturing, battery production, and charging infrastructure. As India moves towards its sustainability goals, the infrastructure required to support this transition is poised to reshape the real estate and industrial landscape.

Toyota Fortuner becomes dearer with a price hike. Here's how much the SUV costs now
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has revised the pricing of the select variants of Fortuner. This move comes on the heels of the launch of the mild-hybrid variant of the Toyota Fortuner range, which was introduced at a starting price of ₹44.77 lakh (ex-showroom). Now, the three-row SUV has been slapped with a price hike, with the revision going up to ₹68,000. The revised pricing for the SUV is applicable to the standard Fortuner as well as the Fortuner Legender range.

In a first, CNG car sales race ahead of diesel
The auto industry is shifting gears as CNG car sales in FY25 surpassed those of diesel for the first time. According to Vahan data, 787,724 CNG cars were sold in FY25, compared to 736,508 of diesel. This is prompting nearly all major carmakers to enter the CNG space.

7-seater models riding high on boost from Indian families
Seating capacity matters when Indians choose their sport or multi-utility vehicle.

India-bound Renault Boreal (7-seat Duster) global debut on 10 July
Renault is placing high bets on the upcoming third generation Duster and its seven-seat sibling as the French carmaker tries to overcome a tough period it has been enduring for a long time. More than a month ago, it was confirmed that Renault will name the seven-seat version of Duster as “Boreal”, both based on the Dacia Bigster concept that made its debut in 2021.

Old car for a brand new SUV? Maruti’s Grand Vitara exchange offer explained
Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country’s leading automaker, is set to launch a new finance scheme aimed at customers looking to upgrade to an SUV with an affordable EMI plan. This could be the perfect opportunity for SUV enthusiasts to purchase the Grand Vitara, as Maruti Suzuki is offering EMIs as low as Rs 9,999 per month. The flexible scheme is specifically designed to help owners of sub-4-metre cars make the switch to the Grand Vitara.

Gippy Grewal calls out unprofessional Mahindra dealers, company addresses concerns
Gippy Grewal is a known face in the Punjabi film and music industry. The actor-singer is also known to have a long list of luxury cars both in Punjab as well as Canada, where he resides with his family most of the time. Recently, Grewal was in the news for something he isn’t commonly associated with.

Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai bullish on growth in export volumes in FY26
Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki expect robust growth in export volumes in FY26
The Hindu Business Line

AC norms bring chills to truck segment; to pinch pockets by up to 2%
 

Ride Fresh, Ride Safe: The Ultimate Guide to Helmet Cleaning & Care
The monsoon has arrived a bit early this year, and with the rains comes that inescapable humidity – a recipe for sweat and a less-than-fresh helmet experience. But let’s be real, even on a usual day, your helmet is basically a magnet for grime, dust, and all that hard-earned sweat. So, how do you keep it clean and fresh? Here are a few tips to help you out

Tested in Delhi Traffic: Why Kia Syros might be the ideal urban SUV
If Delhi-NCR’s streets could talk, they’d tell tales of honking autos, darting scooters, and the occasional cow playing traffic cop. I took the Kia Syros – the HTX+ variant in Intense Red colour – out one morning to see if this compact SUV could tame the madness of the region’s urban jungle, and maybe, even make it fun.

Rare Earth Elements crisis explained: China’s curbs threaten India’s auto sector
Call it turf wars or the battle of the egos as history remains our witness, the clash of tariffs between the U.S. and China goes all the way back to the Opium war in the 1830s-40s. Ever since then, there’s been friction between the two super powers  and today due to the Trump tariffs imposed on China, the latter has decided to hold the world for ransom with export restrictions on rare earth elements (REE), which is a crucial ingredient for pretty much everything we use starting from mobile phones, medical devices, weapons, automobiles and much more. Rare earth elements are more like the industry’s secret sauce as these spicy little materials make tech more compact, faster, tougher, and downright resilient.  

Maharashtra’s big transport shift: EV push, port-linked growth and Vadhawan as an economic catalyst
As India accelerates its shift toward cleaner mobility, smarter urbanization, and strategic maritime infrastructure, Maharashtra is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation.

How AI has played a key role in development of ADAS technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already started to penetrate at every level in a common man’s life and it is bound to shape the future of almost every industry including automobiles. AI will play a crucial role on multiple fronts in the global automotive industry but its actual application in a vehicle’s primary purpose, i.e., moving from point A to point B, will be implementation of more advanced autonomous technology.

What is in the box is out of the box: Kia Syros
 

Tractors carve fresh growth furrows across FY26 auto sector landscape
 

Hero Xoom 160 bookings to restart and deliveries to commence soon
The Hero Xoom 160 was launched earlier this year at the Bharat Mobility Expo, with a price tag of Rs 1.48 lakh. Bookings were also open, however, there have been delays and Hero now says that deliveries will commence from August, while dealers will start accepting bookings again.

Bajaj plans cheaper 125cc bike
Mumbai: After losing market share in the commuter motorcycle segment last year, Bajaj Auto aims to regain momentum with the launch of a cheaper entry-level 125cc bike in the coming months. The launch of the model, which is expected to cost less than the current entry-level price of ₹85,178 (ex-showroom), comes at a time when buyers are shifting away from the budget 100cc bike segment in favour of more powerful yet fuel-efficient motorcycles, such as those in the 125cc category.

Solomon R wins 2025 IDEMITSU Honda India Talent Cup
Demonstrating exceptional racing passion, the young riders of Honda Racing India delivered a strong performance in Race 1 of the first round of 2025 IDEMITSU Honda India Talent Cup CB300F in Chennai, showcasing their skill and high spirit on the track.

Sudarshan Venu: The young industrialist steering TVS Motor towards a global, electric future
At age 36, Sudarshan Venu is set to become one of the youngest industrialists in India to be appointed as the chairman of a large and diversified industrial house. “Entrepreneurship runs in his veins, and he was always in a hurry to get into business,” said a long-time observer of the TVS Group.

Hyderabad to get 65,000 new eco-friendly autos as Telangana lifts decades-old permit cap
 

For ZF, differentiation is key in electric amid Chinese onslaught
Mumbai: Peter Laier was quite candid when asked if there were lessons to be learnt for his company from Chinese electric vehicle makers.

Rare earth magnets: India hurries to set up new supply chains for key EV component as China curbs exports
 

Electric vehicles: Why change is needed and how to make it happen
There are three key reasons why countries need to electrify their vehicle fleet. One is climate change. The transport sector guzzles massive amounts of oil (petrol and diesel) and globally contributes roughly 15 per cent of annual carbon dioxide emissions. Zero-emission vehicles, or electric vehicles (EVs), replace oil with electricity, which is ideally generated in renewable-energy plants, and are seen as the solution. The second reason, which is more important for Indian cities, is that replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with zero-emission ones will reduce local pollution. And third: It will save us valuable foreign exchange because oil consumption will lessen.

No new petrol, diesel fleet vehicles in Delhi-NCR from Jan 2026: CAQM
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced that starting January 1, 2026, no new petrol or diesel vehicles will be allowed to join the fleets of cab aggregators, delivery companies, and e-commerce firms operating in Delhi-NCR. The rule applies to light commercial vehicles, goods carriers, and two-wheelers used for deliveries, reports PTI.

Aprilia Tuono 457 track review: Raising the bar
We recently took the Tuono 457 to the CoASTT High Performance Centre for our annual track day, and even though I missed out on testing it on the street, hopping on it at the track was worth the wait. It was so impressive, in fact, that it deserved a standalone story of its own.

Opinion: How will KTM change after the Bajaj takeover?
We finally have a clear answer to KTM’s future – Bajaj has ensured that it will survive! Regardless of how you feel about their bikes, you have to admit that it is good news when a leading motorcycle manufacturer is saved from the brink.

Porsche 911 Carrera track review: Starting from the bottom
This feels familiar. This time last year, I was right here, at the CoASTT high-performance centre, sweltering heat searing my skin, with the keys to a 911 in my hands. I was giddy with excitement then, and I am once again now.

Porsche 911 Carrera vs BMW M4 Competition: Specifications comparison
The Porsche 911 Carrera and BMW M4 Competition, despite being base variants of their respective sports cars in India, pack serious outright performance. Our comparison looks purely at the claimed figures and compares the Porsche and BMW rivals on paper. Without much further ado, here's how they stack up in performance, as well as price.

2025 Defender Octa India review: Hardcore performance SUV
The Land Rover Defender Octa made landfall in India last month with a starting price of Rs 2.59 crore (ex-showroom), while the limited-run ‘Edition One’ is tagged at Rs 2.79 crore. It is not just the most powerful and extreme Defender ever built but also the most expensive. In fact, it costs a hefty Rs 1.07 crore more than the Defender V8, previously the priciest variant at Rs 1.52 crore. But make no mistake: this isn’t just another cosmetic special or a new trim line with a catchy name. The Octa has been thoroughly re-engineered from the ground up.

Hyundai Exter, Verna facelifts to launch in 2026
The Hyundai Exter sub-compact SUV and the Verna mid-size sedan are set to get mid-cycle facelifts by next year. Both models had launched in India in 2023, and the arrival of refreshed models just 3 years after indicates Hyundai India is accelerating its product lifecycles.

Toyota Innova Hycross or Maruti Invicto: which MPV to buy?
Surat: The Maruti Suzuki Invicto and the Toyota Innova Hycross are essentially the same vehicle under the skin — they share the same platform, powertrain, and basic features. However, the Hycross commands a higher price and stronger demand primarily due to the Toyota badge, which carries greater brand equity and a reputation for long-term durability.

Hyundai Palisade hybrid SUV coming to India in 2028
Hyundai is set to bolster the upper end of its Indian product line-up with the launch of the Palisade SUV in 2028, Autocar India can exclusively confirm. Much like the Hyundai Bayon compact SUV, the Palisade is yet another global model that the Korean carmaker plans to introduce in India by 2030 as part of an aggressive 26 product launch onslaught. Where the Bayon will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, though, the Palisade will slot in as Hyundai’s flagship model for India.

Hyundai India's 26 product launch onslaught by 2030 decoded
Hyundai is preparing for a decade-defining product blitz, with 26 new models lined up by 2030 across internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and electric vehicle (EV) segments. This marks the company’s most ambitious expansion strategy since it entered the Indian market in 1998. With its long-held No. 2 position under pressure and rivals like Tata and Mahindra rapidly gaining ground, Hyundai is now responding with a sweeping, multi-powertrain, multi-segment game plan.

Hyundai Bayon to get new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine in India
Hyundai is planning to bring the Bayon compact SUV to India next year, and it’s expected to be powered by a brand-new 1.2-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, Autocar India can exclusively confirm. As we reported last year, the Bayon is a global model that’s built on the same platform as the i20, and will serve as Hyundai’s rival to the popular Maruti Suzuki Fronx in India when it launches here in mid-2026.

Hyundai developing locally-built 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine for India
Hyundai is developing an all-new 1.2-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TGDi) engine that will play a pivotal role in powering its future hybrid and compact crossover models. The new four-cylinder powertrain is being designed for high fuel efficiency and compatibility with electrified architectures, aligning with the company’s broader shift toward multi-powertrain offerings across the mainstream segment.

Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition revealed as limited-run swansong
Honda has introduced the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition as a final send-off for the hot hatchback in the European market. The current FL5 Civic Type R is being discontinued in the UK and Europe due to its non-compliance with the stricter 2026-bound Euro 7 emission regulations, and Honda is bidding farewell to the model with a 40-unit special edition to celebrate its 28-year production run. Keep reading to learn everything the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition brings to the table, and also for an update surrounding the rumoured launch of the performance hatch in India.

Hyundai Creta vs Maruti Grand Vitara: which has the better petrol engine?
 

Tesla shares caught in the middle of Musk-Trump breakup
When President Donald Trump won the election in November, investors viewed Tesla Inc. as one of the biggest winners. That bet now seems to be on shaky ground after investors watched the once formidable alliance dissolve in real time. Simmering tensions over Trump’s signature tax-and-spending bill erupted into a public war of words on Thursday, with Trump mulling an end to government contracts and subsidies for Tesla and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Musk said he would decommission a SpaceX aircraft used by the US, only to walk back his threat later in the day.

Trump to sell his Tesla car as feud with Musk carries risks for both: Report
US President Donald Trump planned to sell the red Tesla car he said he bought in March, according to local media reports.

Tesla shares gain after $152 billion selloff, but Trump-Musk truce uncertain
Tesla shares recouped some losses that had been triggered by a spat between CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump, even though a truce appeared uncertain on Friday as a White House official said the president was not keen on talking to his former ally.

Porsche will not shift car assembly to US
Porsche has no plans to shift any part of its production process to the U.S., a spokesperson said on Friday, dismissing a Bloomberg report saying the company was considering such a move to mitigate the effects of tariffs.

China says it may speed up rare earths application approvals from EU
China is willing to accelerate the examination and approval of rare earth exports to European Union firms and will also deliver a verdict on its trade investigation of EU brandy imports by July 5, its commerce ministry said on Saturday.

Billion-dollar battery plant pauses construction amid electric vehicle and tariff uncertainty
A Japanese company has halted construction on a $1.6 billion factory in South Carolina to help make batteries for electric BMWs, citing "policy and market uncertainty."