Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 18 April 2026,Saturday
🏢 Industry
ISMA opposes cut in flex fuel vehicle incentives in CAFE-3 norms
The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has raised concerns over a sharp reduction in incentives for flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in the latest draft of corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE-3) norms, warning that the move could slow adoption of ethanol-based mobility at a time when the country is grappling with surplus production.
Hatches and sedans grew by just 2% in FY26, UVs dominate with 11% sales surge
NHAI asks banks to validate vehicle numbers on FASTag: Here's how to check
📝 Delhi CM flags scrappage; fitness at core of ₹4,000-cr EV policy push
📝 Auto GCCs shifting gears to power global mobility
📝 RideAsia EV: Powering the future of electric mobility in India
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Hyundai Motor Group scales up community initiatives in India across healthcare, education
Hyundai Motor Group Expands Social Contribution in India, Strengthening Korea-India Bridge
📝 Citroen Basalt X prices hiked by up to ₹40,000
📝 SUVs with ventilated seats under Rs 12 lakh: Hyundai Venue, Nexon & more
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Electric Car/SUV
Vinfast VF MPV 7 launched in India at ₹24.49 lakh
The Vietnamese brand’s three-row electric people-mover has a claimed 517-km range. It features a front-axle-mounted electric motor that puts out 150 kW and 28.5 kg-m, and is paired with a 60.13-kWh battery pack. Boot space ranges from 126 litres to over 1200 litres, depending on seat configuration. VinFast is also offering free public charging until March 2029, along with extended vehicle and battery warranties for buyers.
Tesla is preparing to launch six-seater model Y variant in India
Tesla Inc. is preparing to introduce a new, larger version of its global best-selling electric SUV in India as early as next week, according to people familiar with the matter.
Three-row showdown: VinFast vs the titans
Source Credit: Vikram Chaudhary, The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)
📝 Renault bets on EVs, hybrids to win over aspirational Indian buyers
📝 Chery QQ3 electric SUV design patent filed in India
📝 VinFast VF MPV 7: Features, colour options explained in detail
📝 Planning to buy VinFast VF MPV 7? Here's your complete EMI match
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🚗 Luxury
V8 Virtuoso: Audi
There was a moment somewhere along this drive where I entirely forgot there was a V8 engine mounted a few feet ahead of where I was seated. I’d settled into a rhythm, having memorised the layout of all of the SQ8’s essential controls, and I began to see why it exists.
📝 Ferrari brings Esperienza Ferrari to India for the first time at Buddh International Circuit
📝 India-EU FTA to boost Ferrari’s accessibility, act as demand catalyst: Regional Head
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles
Scania Commercial Vehicles opens corporate office in Bengaluru
Scania Commercial Vehicles India inaugurated its new corporate office in Bengaluru on Friday. It confirmed that its Regional Product Centre (RPC) in Narasapura remains fully operational with end-to-end capabilities and continues to support customers.
📝 Delhi CM flags off 200 e-buses, aims to expand fleet to 14k by 2029
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🎤 Interviews & Features
Motorcycle review: Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6
Source Credit: Vikram Chauhdhary, The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)
📝 Renault targets 5% market share by 2030 in India. Here's how
📝 Simple Ultra vs Ola S1 X+ e-scooters battle! Pricing, range & more compared
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Zelio E-Mobility appoints 26-year-old CA as CEO after IPO debut
Zelio E-Mobility, an electric two- and three-wheeler manufacturer listed on BSE, has appointed Divyanshu Agarwal as its Chief Executive Officer with effect from April 15, 2026.
2026 KTM 1390Super Duke RR unveiled
The Super Duke RR is the most extreme version of KTM’s flagship hyper-naked motorcycle, limited to just 350 units worldwide. Its 1350 cc LC8 V-twin produces 187 bhp and 14.7 kg-m, paired with extensive carbon fibre bodywork and forged wheels to cut weight to 189 kg. A new 8.8-inch TFT touchscreen adds navigation and telemetry, while the pared-back ‘Beast Mode’ display strips information to the bare essentials for focused, track-style riding.
Not just nostalgia: Kinetic
As far as talking points go, Kinetic chose an easy one to revive its story as a credible scooter manufacturer. Its design reincarnation of the two-stroke Kinetic Honda DX, a scooter that was the talk of the town about three decades ago, has been a good ice-breaker, surely. Is that all there is to the new DX, though? A sepia-tinted experiment with nostalgia? Fortunately, no.
📝 How Bajaj re-engineered Triumph’s 400cc bikes in record 6 months to beat GST changes
📝 7 upcoming Ducati motorcycles that will launch in India
📝 Simple Ultra electric scooter launched at ₹2.34 lakh, gets 400km range
📝 Yamaha Fascino: 5 things to know about the newly updated scooter
📝 Triumph Thruxton 400 in mind? Colours and features explained for buyers
📝 Updated Yezdi Scrambler set for April 23 debut: What to expect
📝 Simple Ultra Vs Ather 450 Apex: Price, features and Range Comparison
📝 Bajaj Dominar 400 with350 cc engine released
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⚙ Components
Bosch Chairman Stefan Hartung bets on India even as group delays margin targets, cuts jobs globally
Robert Bosch GmbH Chairman Stefan Hartung on Thursday described India as a “pillar of stability” for the group, as the industrial major acknowledged a delay in its global profitability targets and ongoing workforce restructuring. Speaking at the company’s annual media briefing, Hartung said India remains a large market and one of the few globally that continues to expand, with growth expected to persist in the years ahead.
Bosch sees strong order visibility as it bets on safety with Chassis acquisition
Bosch Limited is seeing strong demand visibility in India, with a “very full” order book even as it moves to strengthen its play in vehicle safety through a key acquisition.
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🌇 Allied Industries
Global steel demand set to rise despite West Asia conflict risks
Though the ongoing West Asia conflict poses a risk, the global steel demand is poised to rise marginally by 0.3 per cent to 1,724 mt in 2026. This will be followed by an accelerated growth of 2.2 per cent in 2027 to reach 1,762 mt, according to the short range outlook (SRO) released by World Steel Association. However, the ongoing West Asia conflict might have a negative impact on the demand of that region in 2026.
📝 Govt notifies India's first chip fabrication plant by Tata Semiconductor at SEZ Dholera
📝 Stellantis, Microsoft ink five-year pact to deploy AI across operations, vehicles
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
Crude oil futures fall over 2% to ₹8,396/barrel as Trump signals Iran deal
📝 Indian Oil Corporation boosts auto LPG supply 3x amid Bengaluru fuel crisis
📝 Oil Prices Fall Over 10% as Strait of Hormuz Reopens; Wall Street Rallies
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EV Charging
Telangana plans to set up EV charging stations in PPP mode across State
📝 Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission relief sparks EV infra boom at petrol pumps
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📖 Magazines
📝 Audi, SAIC will jointly develop future models under new China brand
📝 Prolonged Middle East conflict could slow growth, says SIAM President
📝 All electric midsize SUVs ranked as per ARAI-claimed range
📝 Renault targets 2 billion euros in annual exports from India by 2030
📝 Tata Sierra vs Curvv: diesel-automatic performance comparison
📝 Royal Enfield targets record sales in 2027
📝 Volkswagen Taigun vs Renault Duster: Whose top trim offers more value?
📝 Simple Ultra launched at Rs 2.35 lakh with 400km IDC range
📝 Chinese AUDI’s third product will be a sedan due in 2027
📝 Mercedes-Benz reveals interior of upcoming C-Class EV
📝 2 reasons to buy the Yamaha EC-06 and 2 not to
📝 Royal Enfield expands Classic 500 scale model line-up
📝 Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari: Diesel AT performance compared
📝 Toyota unveils the 2026 Yaris Cross facelift
📝 KTM 890 Adventure R review: Wild style
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📰 International
📝 Honda to shut down at least one joint venture car plant in China, say sources
📝 Ford recalls about 1.4 million pickup trucks over gearshift issue, says NHTSA
📝 Mercedes investors warn luxury focus could hamper China recovery
📝 Screens galore: Mercedes-Benz reveals C-Class EV interior ahead of April 20 debut
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