Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 13 May 2025,Tuesday

🏢 Industry

Uber takes 2W, 3W couriers to Delhi-NCR, Mumbai
Uber has officially launched Courier XL in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, expanding its logistics offerings to include delivery of large goods weighing up to 750 kg using three- and four-wheeler vehicles, beyond its pilot in Bengaluru. It now plans to expand the offering to other major cities. 
Toyota chief drops bomb: EVs are dirtier than you think
The automobile industry has been trying to find different ways to achieve a sustainable strategy, and currently, electric vehicles have been supported by many countries across the world, including India. India’s EV four-wheeler market share is projected to exceed 6%. With EVs getting a lot of support and subsidies in many markets, the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, Toyota, has a more pragmatic view on this by taking up sustainability and carbon neutrality in a diverse approach.
Tata Motors Q4 Preview: PAT may fall 36% YoY on higher costs; revenue to stay flat
Tata Motors is expected to report a mixed performance for the fourth quarter of FY25, with revenue growth remaining flat and margins likely to come under pressure, especially in its Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) business.
Improve facilities for vehicles, drivers in transport area: Punjab government
Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria inspected the Chandigarh Transport Area in Sector 26 here Sunday.
OPG Mobility rejigs management to boost EV expansion
OPG Mobility, formerly known as Okaya EV, has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Raushan Kumar as Executive Vice President and Sales Head for Solar System Solutions at Mtekpower, Sandeep Mathur as Vice President and Sales Head for Inverter & Battery Businesses at Mtekpower, and Amit Kumar Gupta as Associate Vice President for the OTTOOPG 3-Wheeler business.
Tata Motors set for a mixed performance in Q4 amid heightened competition
New Delhi: Tata Group chairman Natarajan Chandresekaran has reasons to worry about the flagship automotive business. For Tata Motors, the country’s third-largest passenger vehicle player, the battle on all business fronts is getting tougher. 
Mumbai’s traffic fix? Bike taxis to hit the streets this May
Mumbai is all set to brace the bike taxis, which could make their debut by the end of May. This could be the traffic relief the city has been waiting for some time now. Speaking to the Times of India, state transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said that the bike taxi service is likely to be introduced by the end of this month in Mumbai. In April, the Maharashtra Cabinet had cleared the proposal from the ride-hailing companies like Ola, Uber and Rapido. 
Maharashtra to pay ₹500 crore to private firm for closure of 22 RTO checkposts
Maharashtra government would first have to pay ₹504 crore as compensation to a private company before it shuts down 22 RTO border checkposts, an official release said on Sunday.
Electric vehicle charging app with real-time data, pay system on cards
 
Next stop for BluSmart's electric vehicles could be Everest Fleet
 
Gensol founders Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi resign
 
📝  Tata Motors shares rally 3% as investors eye dividend, JLR outlook ahead of Q4 results
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV

Tata Motors unveils Altroz facelift
Tata Motors has unveiled the new Tata Altroz, a refreshed version of its premium hatchback, ahead of its upcoming launch. The updated model includes new design elements, interior updates and added features, while continuing to be based on the ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) architecture.
Kumar Priyesh appointed Business Head and Director – automotive brands at Stellantis India
Stellantis India has appointed Kumar Priyesh as Business Head and Director – Automotive Brands. In his new role, Priyesh will lead the operations of Jeep, Citroën, and Leapmotor in India.
Skoda begins deliveries of new-generation Kodiaq across India
Škoda Auto India has commenced deliveries of the new-generation Kodiaq SUV across the country. The model, which marks the brand’s latest addition to its India portfolio, was unveiled earlier this year and is now available at over 280 dealerships for test drives. Prices for the new Kodiaq start at ₹46.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
India-bound Renault Boreal SUV spied for the first time
Renault has confirmed the name of the seven-seater Duster as Boreal. The new SUV is expected to make its debut first in Brazil, while the make-in-India SUV could officially break cover next year. Based on the Dacia Bigster, the Boreal was first caught doing test runs. Even though it was heavily clad, we have discovered some new information on the India-bound Boreal. 
Expect India PV wholesale growth at 1-2% in FY26, Maruti to outpace industry growth: Suzuki
On the outlook for FY2025-26 in India, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in an investor presentation said, "Although SUVs continue to be strong in the market, demand for compact cars continues to be sluggish, and the overall market for wholesale sales is expected to grow by (around) 1 to 2 per cent."
Maruti Suzuki to offer 6 airbags as standard in Alto K10, WagonR
Safety on top: Maruti Suzuki Arena models now come with 6 airbags as standard
The Financial Express
📝  Kia Carens Clavis launch date confirmed: Key highlights of Maruti Ertiga, Innova Crysta rival
📝  Hyundai Motor India Foundation expands Hyundai IONIQ Forest Agroforestry initiative
📝  2024 Honda Amaze 1.2 Petrol MT: Fuel efficiency tested in city & highway conditions
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Electric Car/SUV

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara acceleration, charging time revealed
At the recent sales call, R C Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki announced that the much-awaited e Vitara will be launched in September. According to a report by Auto Express, the online automotive website has come across performance figures of the e Vitara and its charging time.
MG Windsor EV price compared: How it fares against key electric SUV rivals
 
📝  PPS Motors Launches MG Windsor PRO in Hyderabad
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🚗 Luxury

New BMW X3: Low centre of gravity, high level of adrenaline
Elon Musk is known for his fascination with the letter ‘X’ – he renamed Twitter as X, his space exploration company is called SpaceX, and even his son’s name is X Æ A-Xii.
📝  Mercedes cars in India to get costlier by up to Rs 12.2 lakh from this date: Here’s why
📝  Mercedes Benz hikes prices in India over rising forex rates
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles

Coal to Clean: Adani rolls out India’s 1st hydrogen-powered mining truck
Adani Enterprises has launched India’s first hydrogen-powered truck for mining logistics in Chattisgarh. This is the first major step taken by the company to replace its diesel trucks with these eco-friendly trucks. The truck can transport up to 40 tonnes and has a driving range of over 200 km. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai launched the first truck in Raipur, which will transport coal from the Gare Pelma III Block to the state’s power plant.
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🎤 Interviews & Features

Top 5 Tips to protect your Car from extreme summer heat
It is the middle of May and the summer sun is beating down hard on us. But it is not just the living creatures like us, our favourite machines on wheels also face the excruciating heat. With temperatures reaching beyond 50 degree celsius in certain parts of the country, it becomes very important to take good care of your cars.
‘Our goal is zero-accident mobility,’ says Manu Saale, Mercedes-Benz R&D India CEO
As India progresses rapidly towards smarter mobility, the integration of AI into road safety enforcement and accident analysis is reshaping strategies to ensure safer journeys. Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), which is the largest research and development centre for the luxury carmaker outside of Germany, plays a key role in the development of technologies like connected, autonomous, and electric in the world of mobility. MBRDI’s Bengaluru facility is pioneering technologies tailored for India’s diverse road and traffic conditions. Manu Saale, MD & CEO at MBRDI speaks to Sudhir Chowdhary on how the R&D teams are infusing Indian innovation into every Mercedes-Benz car globally.

Excerpts:
📝  2025 Skoda Kodiaq deliveries begin in India. Check price, features and specifications
📝  Carlos Ghosn predicts trouble ahead for Nissan-Renault Alliance amid shrinking ties
📝  Kia Carens Clavis caught your attention? Here's a breakdown of features across variants
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🏗 Construction & Agriculture

Tractor industry kicks off FY26 on positive note with April sales growth
 
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers

Hero MotoCorp Q4 Preview: PAT may jump 8% YoY; revenue growth to be modest
Two-wheeler (2W) demand remained subdued in the fourth quarter with volume growth declining slightly YoY. Despite the weak volume performance, ASP for bikes is expected to improve, driven by a favorable product mix, especially in the 125cc segment. This mix change is anticipated to support a modest growth in overall revenues.
Triumph Scrambler 400 XC launched at Rs 2.94 lakh
Triumph Motorcycles has launched its fourth 400 cc bike, the Scrambler 400 XC, priced at Rs 2.94 lakh, ex-showroom. The company’s 400 cc lineup now comprises the Speed T4, Speed 400, Scrambler 400 X, and the new Scrambler 400 XC. The flagship 400 XC costs Rs 27,000 more than the Scrambler 400 X.
The tale of two breakups: How TVS rebuilt itself and what Hero needs to do to stay on top
Nvidia founder Jensen Huang once said something unusual to Stanford graduates: “I wish upon you ample doses of pain and suffering.”
📝  2025 Honda CBR 650R, CB 650R launched in India: Price, highlights & more
📝  Harley Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost unveiled, celebrates 35 years of Fat Boy legacy
📝  Stripped-Down Version of Triumph Scrambler 400 X spotted being tested in Germany. Is it coming to India?
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⚙ Components

Things in a flux but see light at the end of tunnel: Bharat Forge on Trump tariffs
Last week, the top management of Sona BLW Precision Forgings spoke of a silver lining in the long term for Indian parts’ makers but also admitted that the short term remains difficult. Now Bharat Forge has echoed a similar sentiment.
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🌇 Allied Industries

📝  India proposes retaliatory duties against US on steel, aluminium duties at WTO
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants

Smart manufacturing: Engineering the oil & gas transition to net zero
We are living in a defining era for the oil and gas industry where efficiency, innovation, and sustainability are no longer buzzwords but cornerstones of long-term viability. The industry that once symbolized industrial might is now being reimagined as a catalyst for clean energy evolution.
Govt seeks first right to buy oil & gas under exigency clause
The government will hold “pre-emption rights” over all crude oil and natural gas produced in the country in case of a national emergency, the oil ministry said in its latest draft regulations on petroleum and natural gas rules.
📝  Oil prices climb 2% to two-week high on US-China tariff reductions
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🌍 Emissions/Environment

📝  CAQM calls for transition to cleaner vehicles in Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution
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💸 Finance & Insurance

Credifin introduces startup loans to boost EV entrepreneurship
Credifin Limited, a Jalandhar-based NBFC listed on the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India, has launched a new EV startup loans product to promote entrepreneurship in the electric vehicle sector across India. The company aims to support individuals and companies looking to establish dealerships or other EV-related businesses by providing loans up to ₹50 lakh, potentially increasing the amount based on individual needs.
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📖 Magazines

Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Review: The ultimate luxury roadster reimagined
Welcome to Ibiza, the playground of millionaires and billionaires, and the perfect setting to test something as exclusive—and expensive—as the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680. But this isn’t just another Maybach. In fact, it’s a piece of history reborn: for the first time since the 1930s SW38, Maybach has ventured into two-door territory with this roadster. Customers have been asking for a two-door Maybach for years, and Mercedes' uber-luxury brand has finally delivered.
BMW CE 02 accounts for 65 percent of Indian electric scooter exports
TVS Motor Co, which manufactures the BMW CE 02 and the popular iQube at its Hosur factory, accounts for 86 percent of total made-in-India electric two-wheelers shipped to overseas markets in FY2025. It was followed by Ather Energy, which exported 805 e-scooters, and Bajaj Auto, which despatched 125 Chetaks.
Triumph Scrambler 400 XC launched at Rs 2.94 lakh
Triumph has launched the Scrambler 400 XC, a higher-spec version of the Scrambler 400 X, at an ex-showroom price of Rs 2.94 lakh. For an extra Rs 27,000 over the 400 X, the Scrambler 400 XC gets cross-spoke wheels, additional accessories and three new colours.
Tata Altroz facelift unveiled with new design, more premium interior
The Tata Altroz facelift has finally broken cover, marking the first major update to the premium hatchback since its January 2020 launch. This facelift brings comprehensive changes to the Altroz’s styling, interior layout and feature list, while retaining the existing powertrain line-up. The Altroz facelift will be available in five variants, namely Smart, Pure, Creative, Accomplished S, and Accomplished+ S.
Kia Carens Clavis price announcement on May 23
Prices for the Kia Carens Clavis will be announced in India on May 23. Bookings for the new MPV have already begun since May 9 for a token amount of Rs 25,000 on Kia’s website and at its dealerships. The new Kia Carens Clavis is essentially an updated and more premium version of the regular Carens which will be sold alongside the regular MPV. It will be available in both 6-seat and 7-seat configurations, as well as petrol and diesel engine options.
MG BaaS sees growing demand from Tier III cities
MG Motor India’s Battery-as-a-Service (Baas) rental scheme is seeing some traction in our market, with the brand claiming that the number of buyers opting for the scheme is increasing, with a surprisingly higher adoption rate from Tier-III markets. The rental scheme allows buyers to purchase MG EVs at a much lower initial cost.
Kia Carens Clavis vs Maruti, Toyota MPVs: size, powertrains comparison
Kia India has revealed the Carens Clavis as a more premium version of the Carens MPV, on which it is based. Except for the Carens Clavis price, which will be announced on May 23, almost all other key details have been made official. Given the higher positioning and upgrades, the Clavis MPV will be pricier than the Carens. Notably, eight out of nine Kia Carens variants have been discontinued to make way for the new Clavis. As for rivals, the 2025 Carens Clavis goes against the Toyota Rumion, Maruti Ertiga and XL6.
Skoda Enyaq RS facelift revealed as sporty range topper with 340hp
Just five months after revealing the Skoda Enyaq facelift and Enyaq Coupe, the Czech brand has taken the wraps off the cars’ sportier RS versions. Along with RS-specific (read: sportier) changes to the exterior and interior, the Enyaq RS and its coupe sibling feature a larger battery pack and higher output figures than the standard models.
2025 MotoGP: Zarco takes a surprise French GP win
In a whirlwind twist of events that included the entire grid opting to swap bikes during the warm-up lap, changing weather conditions, and more drama during the sighting lap, Johann Zarco ultimately prevailed in front of his home crowd to take victory in the 2025 French MotoGP race. 
Honda Navi leads in scooter exports
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), which has a stranglehold in the domestic scooter market, continued its dominance of the export scooter market with shipments of just under 3.12 lakh units. This translates into a strong 35 percent YoY growth – an addition of over 80,000 units over FY2024’s 2.31 lakh units.
Fronx, Jimny and Elevate among top three SUV exports in FY2025
FY2025 saw the best-ever exports of made-in-India SUVs and MPVs to date. A total of 362,160 units of SUVs and MPVs were shipped to markets overseas, marking an increase of 54 percent year-on-year (FY2023: 234,720 UVs). Maruti Suzuki has retained its position as the top exporter from India, while the Fronx compact crossover was the highest exported model.
Ducati Diavel V4 RS leaked, launch expected in 2026
Ducati is readying a spicier version of its Diavel power cruiser. And just like the Multistrada V4 RS, it could use the Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine derived from the Streetfighter and Panigale models. 
Volkswagen Tayron 3-row SUV spied in India for the first time
An undisguised test mule of the Volkswagen Tayron was recently spotted for the first time in India. Slated to launch here in the latter half of 2025 as a successor to the now-discontinued Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron will mark Volkswagen’s re-entry into the 3-row premium SUV space.
Updated Yezdi Adventure launch postponed
A few weeks ago we reported that Classic Legends would launch an updated version of the Yezdi Adventure on 15 May. The company has now communicated that the launch event has been postponed.
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📰 International

Polestar narrows quarterly loss on cost-saving push, improved demand
Swedish electric-vehicle maker Polestar reported a 31per centreduction in its quarterly loss on Monday, in a sign that the company's efforts to cut costs across its business and push sales of its higher-priced models were bearing fruit.
Struggling Nissan to cut 10,000 more jobs
Nissan plans to cut 10,000 more jobs worldwide, Japanese media reported on Monday, a day before the struggling carmaker was expected to report a record annual loss of around $5 billion.
Tesla Robotaxi trademark denied, called very “generic”
In what comes as a heavy blow to Tesla fully autonomous driving capabilities, the trademark “Robotaxi” has been declined. The American EV maker has been using this name to refer to its long-promised self-driving vehicles. A near-production prototype of the same broke cover in October last year. 
📝  CATL to launch at least $4 billion Hong Kong listing
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