Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 21 Feb 2026,Saturday

🏢 Industry

BEE’s CAFE norms leave small cars without global-style safeguards
Small carmakers are set to face a sharp regulatory squeeze under the proposed third phase of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-3) norms, as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) plans a uniform 36% cut in fleet-average CO₂ emissions by the fifth year, irrespective of the car weight. The BEE has also removed the earlier 3 g/km relaxation for small cars, meaning small-car leaders like Maruti Suzuki will face the hardest hit.
How the VinFast VF 6 is winning over women drivers in India
Gurugram, Haryana, India (NewsVoir) With surround view, smart safety systems and strong warranties, the VF 6 helps drivers, especially women, manage India’s roads with a little more ease and a lot more confidence.
Tata Electronics to make Qualcomm Automotive Modules in Assam under new pact with US chip giant
Qualcomm, Tata Electronics partner to manufacture Qualcomm Automotive Modules in India
TCE Bets on Power, Metals, Semiconductor Projects for Growth
Mumbai : Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), a Tata Sons-owned design engineering consultancy, is seeing strong business growth as investments increase across power, metals, semiconductors and data centres in India.
📝  Long wait for EV subsidies ends, disbursal commences in Uttar Pradesh
📝  Belagavi witnesses a rise in electric vehicle adoption
📝  WTicabs charts three-phase overseas expansion; eyes ₹800 crore revenue in FY26
📝  NHAI plans full cashless tolling across National Highways from April 1, 2026
📝  India to commence production of rare-earth permanent magnet within this year: Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV

Planning to buy Volkswagen Tayron R-Line? Here’s your monthly guide
Volkswagen India has finally announced the pricing of its new flagship model, Volkswagen Tayron R-Line, which is priced at ₹46.99 lakh (ex-showroom). With the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line, the German auto giant has entered a diverse segment. The new performance-focused premium SUV seems to overlap buyers' considerations from multiple segments, instead of competing in a dedicatedly defined category.
📝  Cars24 launches India's first lifetime warranty on cars
📝  Tata Altroz, Nexon, Harrier, Safari offered with discounts of up ot ₹85,000 in February
📝  Hyundai Exter facelift spotted: What to expect at launch
📝  Mahindra Thar crashing into highway signboard real or fake? Here's the truth
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Electric Car/SUV

Punch EV facelift brings sharper pricing, flexible finance options
The updated Punch EV has been launched with prices starting from Rs 9.69 lakh (ex-showroom). The entry variant has been priced at around Rs 30,000 lower than before. Offered in six variants, higher trims get a new 40 kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed 355 km real-world (C75) range, up from around 280 km earlier. The certified range stands at 468 km. Entry-level variants continue with a 30 kWh battery. The company said the C75 figure is based on 12 billion km of accumulated driving data, with over 75% of customers achieving that range in regular use. 
2026 Tata Punch EV facelift vs Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Which electric SUV is VFM
Tata Punch EV has received its much-awaited facelifted iteration, which comes with a plethora of changes across the exterior and interior. Also, the powertrain has been upgraded with a bigger battery pack and improved range per charge cycle. The electric SUV has been launched immediately after the launch of the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, another much-awaited electric SUV that is the first-ever electric car from the country's numero uno carmaker.
Tata Motors launches new Punch.ev at ₹9.69 lakh, to offer 355 km real-world range
Tata Punch EV facelift launched in India: Top 5 features you should know
mint
https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/tata-punch-ev-facelift-launched-in-india-top-5-features-you-should-know-11771582937927.html
Tata Motors to widen BaaS beyond Punch.ev to lift entry-level EV adoption
 
📝  Tata Motors expects new Punch.ev to democratise adoption of entry-level EVs
📝  India's electric car market: Affordable EVs key to mass adoption, says Tata Motors MD Shailesh Chandra
📝  Tata Punch EV Facelift Launch Live Updates: Price, range, bookings & more
📝  Tata Punch EV new vs old: exterior, interior, battery size
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🚗 Luxury

📝  BMW M3 beware: 2026 Audi RS5 breaks cover with 630hp hybrid V6 and Quattro AWD
📝  China copycat again! Range Rover inspired EV showcased
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles

Ashok Leyland plans major expansion in Western India
Pune: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has announced a major expansion plan in Western India, including Maharashtra, with 30 new touchpoints to be added to its existing network of 150 touchpoints in the region.
📝  Electric buses account for 4.5% of FY26 sales as central tenders drive rollout
📝  JSW Greentech secures ARAI nod for first electric bus
📝  Kadamba Transport Corporation plans to procure 100 more electric buses
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🎤 Interviews & Features

Tata Punch EV vs Punch petrol: Key differences in price, performance, features, and more
With the launch of the facelifted Punch EV, Tata Motors now sells both the electric and petrol versions of its Punch hatchback, which is now equipped with the latest design trends and features in early 2026. The facelifted Punch EV starts at Rs 9.69 lakh (ex-showroom), while the petrol (ICE) Punch facelift arrived earlier in January 2026, with prices beginning at Rs 5.60 lakh (ex-showroom). Regardless of the chosen powertrain, both models share similar design inspirations, strong safety credentials, and feature-rich cabins, but differ only in running costs and ownership experience.
Ciao Bella: Toyota
Toyota’s electric journey in India has taken a decisive step forward with the Urban Cruiser EBella. It represents the company’s carefully measured entry into all-electric mobility, built around collaboration, localisation and, above all, long-term dependability.
Top 5 facts that made Kia Seltos so popular
Kia Seltos has been one of the most popular and bestselling SUVs in India since its introduction in the country in 2019. The Kia Seltos, which was the first product of the brand in India, has been one of the automaker's strongest performers in the country. Now, the SUV has clocked six lakh unit sales milestone in the country since its launch. This testifies to the model's strong market acceptance in the highly competitive and in-demand mid-size SUV segment of the Indian passenger vehicle market.
Top 5 reasons why Nissan Gravite can give the OEM a stronger footprint in India
Source Credit: Vikram Choudhary, The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)
📝  Tata Punch EV Facelift 2026 launch: Check price, range, battery, features, colour options, dimensions
📝  Did Tata Motors just target Maruti at Punch EV event? Here's what happened
📝  5 cars I would choose if I were buying my first car today
📝  5 affordable 7-seater SUVs I would buy in 2026
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers

Planning to buy Yamaha XSR 155? Genuine potential accessory list detailed
Yamaha India launched the Yamaha XSR 155 neo-retro sport motorcycle in India in November last year. It was launched at an introductory price of ₹149,990 (ex-showroom), which is applicable till the end of February 2026. The Yamaha XSR 155 was built on the same chassis as the highly popular faired entry-;evel sportbike Yamaha R15 and naked streetfighter Yamaha MT-15. The XSR 155 grabbed the attention of the consumerd withing a short span of time after launch, thanks to the design language, features on offer and the power-packed performance it promises.
Bajaj decides to manufacture a new 350-CC Engine
Source Credit: Deccan Chronicle

Although, Bajaj didn’t specify about their triumph line-up, it can be estimated that, triumph would be the only company under Bajaj’s wing that would be affected at a maximum rate because almost all of their motorcycles are above the 350cc segment
Motorcycle Review Honda CB125 Hornet - Golden forks, platinum pricing
Source Credit: Vikram Chaudhary, The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)
Ola Electric shares sink to all-time low in trade; down 55% in one year
 
Breaking Habit
In a segment where familiarity sells by the lakh every single month, trying to stand out is less about being better and more about being different enough to be noticed. This is a space ruled by habit, where buyers return to the same showroom almost on autopilot, trusting a formula that has worked for decades. For Hero, breaking into this rhythm hasn’t been about a single strong swing, but persistence. The Destini 110 is the brand’s third attempt at cracking the 110cc scooter code.
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants

India reiterates stance on Venezuelan crude, cites commercial viability
India on Friday reiterated that it is exploring the possibility of buying crude oil from Venezuela if it is commercially viable, reaffirming the government’s previously stated position in response to comments by the United States envoy.
📝  India's oil import shift signals structural energy security pivot: GlobalData
📝  Big Oil is on the global boil again
📝  "This is not about India; US doesn't want to see anyone buying Russian oil": Sergio Gor
📝  U.S. negotiating with India on Venezuelan oil sale to help diversify its sources, says Envoy Sergio Gor
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🌍 Emissions/Environment

CAQM issues C&D waste rules: Collection points every 5 sq km | Latest News Delhi
According to the directives, municipal bodies and development authorities must establish waste collection and processing facilities, ensuring that at least one collection point exists every 5 sqkm within their jurisdiction, in accordance with the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2025.
Expanding green cover key to improving Delhi-NCR air quality: Supreme Court
 
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💸 Finance & Insurance

📝  ‘Product & channel diversification key to cut distribution costs’, says Naveen Chandra Jha , MD & CEO, SBI General Insurance
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📖 Magazines

📝  Which 2026 Tata Punch EV variant should you buy?
📝  Tata Punch EV new vs Old: Differences explained
📝  Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Price, specifications, features compared
📝  Tata launches Punch EV facelift at Rs 9.69 lakh
📝  Production-ready Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6 spotted testing
📝  New variant of TVS-built Norton Atlas spotted testing in India
📝  Power of the chip matters more than power of the engine, says Visteon CEO
📝  Honda SP 125 price and variants explained
📝  Ducati Multistrada V2 S review: The full Ducati experience
📝  Tata Sierra: from birth to rebirth
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📰 International

📝  China's Zeekr premium brand enters Italian car market
📝  Motor racing-Honda battery issue adds to Aston Martin's testing woes
📝  Cobalt stocks drop at Wuxi exchange in scramble for electric vehicle battery material
📝  Tesla unveils cheaper Cybertruck model in US, cuts Cyberbeast price
Read More >>


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