Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 17 Jun 2025,Tuesday
🏢 Industry
Uttar Pradesh set to develop Rs 700-crore EV manufacturing park on 500 acres in Kanpur
The park will house units for manufacturing electric motors, chassis, steel parts, and lithium-ion cells. Facilities for assembling lithium-ion batteries, chargers, controllers, and electronic components will also be established. A dedicated research and development (R&D) centre will be a vital part of the project, driving innovation and facilitating advanced product development. This R&D unit is expected to contribute not only to local progress but also to the global advancement of EV technologies.
Indian auto industry remains steady in May 2025 with muted PV, marginal sales growth in 2Ws: SIAM
The Indian automobile industry reported a steady but subdued performance in May 2025, with negligible change in the passenger vehicle segment, a slight decline in three-wheelers sales, and marginal growth in two-wheelers, according to SIAM data released on Monday.
Rare earth magnet: Govt in talks at diplomatic, commercial levels
The government is engaged in both diplomatic and commercial discussions with China on supply restrictions on rare earth material, according to government sources. While the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and Ministry of commerce are in talks with their counterparts in China, the government is also facilitating the auto industry’s talks with the Chinese suppliers, said a commerce ministry official.
Hyundai starts engine production at Talegaon facility ahead of full operations
Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Monday announced that it has commenced production of passenger vehicle engines at its manufacturing facility in Talegaon, Maharashtra, according to an exchange filing.
Passenger vehicle wholesales marginally down at 3,44,656 units in May: SIAM
Passenger vehicle sales dip marginally in May
Tata Motors shares slide 5% after JLR flags flat cashflow, lower margins for FY26
Jaguar Land Rover lowers EBIT margin for FY26, Tata Motors shares fall
The Hindu Business Line
India engaged with China on rare earth minerals both commercially, diplomatically
Source Credit: ANI, The Tribune
IT companies, BPOs set target of 100% electric vehicle cab fleet by 2030
📝 Carrum Mobility expands fleet partnership with Uber Black in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai
📝 Auto sector shifts into high gear with 10.1% salary hikes in FY25
📝 MB Patil on a 10-day visit to Sweden, leads Karnataka delegation to EVS38 Summit
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Tata Harrier to get three engine options in FY26
Tata Motors will soon offer the Harrier in three different powertrains, including the recently launched all-electric version. Apart from the tried-and-tested diesel engine, the Harrier, followed by Safari, for the first time will be available in petrol. Showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo, Tata Motors will finally launch the new 1.5-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine (TGDi) with the Harrier. The Harrier turbo petrol is expected to break cover in Q4 FY26.
Skoda Kylaq SUV may get CNG powertrain, new variants.
Skoda Kylaq is the most affordable offering from the Czech carmaker in India. The sub-compact SUV has given Skoda access to a segment which is considered the most competitive space in the Indian passenger vehicle market. The Volkswagen AG-owned automaker that has been known as an affordable premium car manufacturer has entered the league of mass-market segment with the Kylaq.
Renault Kiger, Triber facelifts spotted testing, launch this year
Renault has a busy next few months. While the focus has been mostly on the new-gen Duster and its seven-seat sibling named Boreal that are going to launch next year, Renault is also working on the facelifts of Kiger and Triber which are expected to launch later this year. Test mules of the Kiger and Triber have been spotted on a few occasions over the past few months.
Maruti Suzuki partners with ESAF Small Finance Bank for vehicle finance
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Monday said it has partnered with ESAF Small Finance Bank to offer retail financing solutions for new cars, used cars, and commercial vehicles.
Mahindra XUV700 facelift spied testing for first time, design changes spotted
Mahindra is working on a mid-cycle facelift of the XUV700. This will be the first significant update to the XUV700 ever since it was first launched in 2021. Now, the facelifted XUV700 has been caught on camera for the first time. A test mule of the updated XUV700 completely wrapped underneath a camouflage has been spotted testing in a hilly region.
Nissan Motor India expands network with five new touchpoints in Rajasthan
In a bid to strengthen its regional footprints, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. inaugurated five new outlets in Rajasthan, taking its network to 283 customer touchpoints across the country.
Citroen C3 Sport Edition launched: Here’s what’s new
Citroen has launched a new limited edition version of the C3 in the market. Called the C3 Sport Edition, this new limited edition model of the crossover hatchback is priced at a premium of Rs 21,000 over the standard C3. The C3 Sports Edition is only available with the turbocharged petrol engine powered variants based on the Shine trim.
📝 Mahindra Scorpio-N Automatic gets more affordable: Z4 AT launched at 17.4 lakh
📝 Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Bharat NCAP vs Global NCAP crash test results comparison. How are they different?
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Electric Car/SUV
Warren Buffett’s billion-dollar EV play backed BYD, so why not Tesla?
Warren Buffett’s long-standing investment in China’s BYD is emerging as one of his most consequential moves in the electric vehicle (EV) space, not only for its returns but also for what it says about the kind of electric future the billionaire believes in.
A new EV force in India: VinFast VF 7 and VF 6 will compete with Mahindra e-SUVs, Harrier EV
Vietnamese carmaker VinFast’s first two models in India – the VF 6 and VF 7 – will be premium electric SUVs, and will compete with Mahindra’s BE 6 and XEV 9e, as well as Tata’s Curvv EV and Harrier EV.
📝 VinFast tweaks sales plan ahead of its India debut
📝 EVs vs hybrids: Toyota Chairman's emission claims raise new questions
📝 Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara production plan recalibrated, 8,200 units to be built in Q1 and Q2 against 26,500 units planned
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🚗 Luxury
Mercedes not interested to participate in Centre’s scheme to promote manufacturing of electric cars
Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz has said that it was not interested in investing in the Centre’s Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) which the government notified recently.
Tata's JLR slashes FY26 EBIT margin guidance to 5–6% on higher EV investment, product transition
CEO Adrian Mardell described FY26 as a “year of transformation,” driven by planned launches of new-generation vehicles and the start of production of key electric models. These developments, he said, will exert pressure on margins and cash flows in the short term but are essential to setting the business up for sustainable growth. The lower margin forecast is attributed to several overlapping factors—elevated capital expenditure, working capital outflows linked to model changeovers, and upfront costs related to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing readiness across plants.
Mercedes-Benz hints at further price hike in September
Mercedes-Benz India to hike prices for third time this year
The Financial Express
📝 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC 'Celebration Edition' launched in India at ₹1.30 crore. Check details
📝 Actor Ram Kapoor buys Lamborghini Urus SE SUV worth Rs 4.57 crore: Details
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles
Daimler Truck opens new passage to ASEAN with India, Indonesia bonding
The recent inaugural of Daimler Truck’s plant in Indonesia on June 10 marks the beginning of a new chapter for its ASEAN business where the India operations will play a key role.
India's CV industry quietly begins shift to hydrogen-powered vehicles
Rajasthan govt plans 2,000 mini buses in Jaipur for transit boost
“At present, more than 850 mini buses are operating in the city, in which over 20,000 passengers travel daily. Now, the transport department has issued a notification to issue permits for operating them on 1170 new routes, and 1,50,000 passengers will be able to avail the facility,” a transport department official said. He added that the department will issue permits for mini buses on 16 routes of the city, and for 400 4-wheelers with seat capacity of eight to ten on eight routes.
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🎤 Interviews & Features
Rare earths: China is choking its own prospects of leadership
To what extent can the government help India’s auto industry import rare earth magnets from China? Though these have various uses, local makers of electric vehicles (EVs) have been reeling under Beijing’s export squeeze. Many vital rare earth minerals have lately been under a Chinese chokehold.
📝 Hyundai Alcazar gets more updates: Here's what's new?
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Govt orders bike taxi halt in Karnataka
The govt has directed bike taxi operators and two-wheeler ride-hailing platforms to cease their services from Monday in compliance with the high court order. Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy told TOI companies failing to follow the directive will face strict action.
Honda Transalp XL750 launched in India: Here’s how much it costs
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the much-awaited Transalp XL750 adventure tourer in India. Priced at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom), bookings for the middleweight adventure bike have commenced at all Honda BigWing dealerships across the country. Deliveries are slated to begin next month onwards.
Top five two-wheeler brands exported in May 2025
Exports play a major role for two-wheeler makers in India, such as Honda, Bajaj, TVS, and others. Month-on-month, most two-wheeler makers have seen an increase in exports, and this is primarily owing to some manufacturers building a few models in India to export them globally. Motorcycles such as the KTM Duke, Triumphs, and other commuter motorcycles and scooters are built here. That said, here are the top five two-wheeler brands that were exported in May 2025.
Bike taxi drivers in Bengaluru plead for relief as Karnataka ban begins
📝 Honda XL750 Transalp 'built for any terrain' launched in India; Check features, price and booking details
📝 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp launched in India at ₹10.99 lakh. Check details
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
Russian oil freight rates to India ease further, proposed EU curbs may reverse trend
However, as the price of Russia's flagship Urals crude has fallen below the cap, Western shipowners have been able to return to its oil market.
China's crude steel output falls, keeping industry on track for cuts
China's crude steel output slipped sharply in May compared to the prior year, surprising analysts and keeping steelmakers on track for lower production this year in line with Beijing's push to cut output in the sector.
India reviewing global oil supply situation on a daily basis, says Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
Brent Crude slips 1%, all eyes on output from Iran; India’s Petroleum Minister assures, ‘no need to worry’
The Financial Express
Any escalation in Middle-East crisis or sharp rise in crude prices will impact India's oil marketing companies: report
New Delhi: Any further escalation in the Middle-East crisis or a sharp rise in crude prices could pose a serious risk to earnings, especially for Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and gas companies.
📝 How will the surge in crude oil prices affect various sectors?
📝 Bioenergy can cover 50 pc of India's fossil fuel consumption in 5 years: Nitin Gadkari
📝 Trade With Iran, Israel Threatened Of Disruption, Freight Rates May Go Up
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🌍 Emissions/Environment
Road dust pollution mitigation project to cost Rs 2,388 crore
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📖 Magazines
5 most affordable 1000cc motorcycles in India
With a plethora of options now available at lower price points from various brands, the dream of owning a litre-class motorcycle is more attainable than ever. Here’s a look at the five most affordable motorcycles with engine capacities of 1000cc and above on sale in India today.
Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2, F77 SuperStreet launched in ten European countries
Ultraviolette Automotive has launched its F77 line-up in ten European countries, becoming the first Indian electric two-wheeler brand to establish a retail presence across these many nations in the region. The F77 Mach 2 and F77 SuperStreet will now be available in Germany, France, the UK, Ireland, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Here are India's most affordable hybrid cars, SUVs
There is no doubt that the future is electric, but the electric vehicle adoption so far has been slower than anticipated. At the same time, interest in strong hybrids has been on the rise as they are extremely fuel-efficient, and rule out the inconvenience of long charging times. What also helps is that the road tax exemption on hybrid vehicles is on par with EVs in some states, making them more accessible. Below is a list of hybrid vehicles under Rs 50 lakh, which includes sedan, MPV and SUV body styles.
Tata Harrier EV AWD off-road experience: 4x4 with an electric twist
The new Tata Harrier EV can go places where no other Harrier has gone before. And that’s been made possible by 4x4. The range-topping Harrier EV (marketed as dual motor QWD, or quad-wheel drive) features a motor each on the front and rear axles, enabling all-wheel drive. We got a taste of the capabilities this arrangement has unlocked – both off-road and on it – over what Tata Motors dubbed ‘Quad Day’.
2025 Le Mans: Kubica seals Ferrari’s third straight win
The #83 AF Corse Ferrari – driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Philip Hanson – stormed to victory at the 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating out Porsche and both factory Ferrari cars. With this, AF Corse becomes the first customer team to win Le Mans in 20 years. This also hands Ferrari its third consecutive Le Mans victory, with a third different crew.
2025 Tesla Model S, Model X updated with more range, new features
Tesla has launched model year updates for its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in overseas markets. Both EVs now come with minor design changes, improved ride comfort, new features, an extra colour option, and a steep price increase of $5,000 (Rs 4.30 lakh) across all variants.
Renault Group boss Luca de Meo resigns
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo will be stepping down from the role on July 15. The 58-year-old Italian joined Renault from Seat in January 2020. At the helm for over five years, he was responsible for key decisions at Renault as well as other subsidiaries of the group. Reports suggest that Kering, parent to luxury fashion brand Gucci, is set to name De Meo as its next boss.
MG ZS EV prices slashed by up to Rs 4.44 lakh for limited period
MG Motor India has slashed prices of the ZS EV for a limited period on the occasion of the brand completing six years in the Indian market. The MG ZS EV price range now starts from Rs 16.75 lakh, which is a reduction of Rs 13,000 for the base price. The bigger news, however, is that the top-spec Essence trim is now more affordable by a whopping Rs 4.44 lakh, and is now priced at Rs 20.50 lakh (ex-showroom).
Hyundai Aura: your questions answered
Launched in 2020, the Hyundai Aura is essentially a successor to the Xcent compact sedan. The Aura last received a facelift in 2023, with design updates and new features, and remains a great alternative to the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze, and the Tata Tigor. If you’re interested in the Aura, we’ve compiled a list of every prevalent question surrounding the compact sedan with detailed answers.
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 price hiked
In 2023, Royal Enfield moved the Bullet 350 over to the J-platform engine, making it the last of the 350s to do so. Since then, there have been some revisions to its pricing structure, and we’ll break it down here.
2025 Honda XL750 Transalp launched at Rs 11 lakh
Honda has launched the 2025 XL750 Transalp at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom, Haryana). Its price remains unchanged compared to the outgoing model, but it receives a few new features.
2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed review: Luxury SUV embraces its sporty side
Happy tenth birthday to the Bentley Bentayga! It’s hard to believe the SUV has been around this long, and over the years it has seen many powertrains, a much-needed facelift, and the addition of an extended-wheelbase version. But while it was a pioneer of sorts when it was launched, a decade on, the market is flooded with super-luxury sports SUVs.
2025 F1: Russell wins Canadian GP as Norris, Piastri collide
George Russell defeated Max Verstappen to win the Canadian GP and hand Mercedes its first win of the 2025 F1 season. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli finished third, securing his maiden F1 podium result.
Eurogrip Tyres announces partnership with Honda Taiwan
Eurogrip, the two-wheeler tyre brand from the TVS Group, has officially integrated into Honda Taiwan’s after-sales service network. The partnership was announced on June 12, 2025, marking the Indian tyre manufacturer’s expansion into Taiwan’s motorcycle market.
Citroen C3 Sport Edition launched at Rs 6.44 lakh
Citroen India has introduced a limited-run Sport Edition for its C3 hatchback. Available for Rs 21,000 on all three variants: Live, Feel and Shine, the new edition features exclusive exterior and interior styling bits. The carmaker is also selling an optional Tech Kit for Rs 15,000, which adds a wireless charger and a dashcam.
Blu Armor C20 helmet intercom launched at Rs 10,000
BluArmor has launched its most affordable helmet mesh intercom yet – the C20. With an introductory price of Rs 7,000, it features the same rear-mounting design and form factor as the flagship C50.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor spotted testing with new rear suspension
After Royal Enfield updated the Hunter 350 recently, it seems that the company is working on an updated version of its flagship, the Super Meteor 650. A test mule of the updated Royal Enfield cruiser has been spotted overseas, and there’s a lot to dissect.
Royal Enfield Classic 650 vs BSA Gold Star 650: price and specifications compared
A few months back, Royal Enfield launched the long-awaited Classic 650, and outside of its twin-cylinder brethren, its closest rival is the BSA Gold Star 650. Here’s how Royal Enfield’s biggest Classic shapes up against the 21st-century ‘Goldie’ on paper.
Skoda Kushaq facelift spied with new design details
A facelifted version of the Skoda Kushaq was recently spotted in test mule form on Indian roads, sporting a handful of new styling tweaks. Skoda launched the Kushaq in 2021 as the Czech carmaker’s contender in the bustling mid-size SUV segment. With popular rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos having received facelifts in the past few years, though, the aging Kushaq is due a comprehensive refresh as well.
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📰 International
BMW Group scales virtual factory to streamline production planning
The BMW Group industrialised its Virtual Factory in a move aimed at accelerating production planning across its global manufacturing network. As of June 2025, the company had been scaling the use of digital twins across over 30 of its production sites, replacing many real-world trials with simulations.
Kering shares up, Renault down as CEO de Meo quits the carmaker
Shares in Kering rose in early trading on Monday while stocks in Renault fell after reports the French carmaker's CEO Luca de Meo was poised to become the new chief executive of the luxury goods maker.
Japan's Ishiba heads to G7 to press Trump to drop auto tariffs
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba heads to Canada on Sunday for trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, hoping to persuade him to drop trade tariffs that have imperilled Japan's auto companies and threaten to undermine his fragile government.
British carmaker JLR trims FY26 margin forecast on US tariff concern
British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover lowered its fiscal 2026 earnings before interest and taxes margins forecast to 5 per cent
📝 Tesla Model S and Model X updated with better range and design tweaks. Check details
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