Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 02 Jan 2026,Friday
🏢 Industry
Govt releases draft guidelines for Battery Pack Aadhaar to enable lifecycle tracking
The Centre has released draft guidelines for a Battery Pack Aadhaar system, a digital identity framework aimed at tracking batteries throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal.
Force Motors domestic wholesales up 49% in December at 2,952 units
Pune: Force Motors Ltd closed the calendar year 2025 on a strong note, reporting a 49 per cent rise in domestic wholesales in December 2025, according to company data. Domestic wholesales stood at 2,952 units in December 2025, up from 1,985 units in December 2024, reflecting sustained momentum across key mobility segments. The company, India’s largest van maker, said the December performance capped a positive trend seen through the quarter.
‘Brain drain’ from India could give way to a significant ‘brain gain’: Anand Mahindra
Mumbai: As education policies in the West evolve and visa regimes tighten, the long-standing “brain drain” from India could give way to a significant “brain gain”, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said on Tuesday, calling it a historic opportunity for the country.
JSW MG, M&M, Kia, Skoda drive strong growth in India’s 2025 vehicle sales: All you need to know
India’s automobile industry closed calendar year 2025 on a strong note, with major manufacturers reporting sales growth across passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and electric models, driven by improving consumer demand and a broader product push.
Auto registrations hit record 28 mn in 2025, EV sales steal the spotlight
In 2023, 24 million vehicles were retailed. Electric vehicles (EVs) had a great run through the year. More than 1.2 million electric two-wheelers were registered, and those accounted for 6.2 per cent of all two-wheelers sold. This is nearly 12 per cent higher than the 1.14 million sold the previous year.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles sales up 14.1 pc at 50,519 units in Dec
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles sales up 14.1% at 50,519 units in Dec
The Hindu Business Line
PLI Auto scheme attracts investment of Rs 35,657 cr, sales of Rs 32,879 cr till September 2025: Govt
Rs 35,657 crore invested under PLI Auto; Centre to invoke bank guarantees of defaulters
The Financial Express
Passenger vehicle wholesales surge 26% in December on GST cuts, discounts
Led by SUVs, passenger vehicle sales record 45.5 lakh units in CY25
The Hindu Business Line
‘Know your vehicle’ scrapped for new car FASTags from Feb 1
The NHAI said the post-activation KYV requirement had emerged as a major source of harassment for users, often leading to disruption in toll payments and unnecessary compliance burdens. With the new decision, the KYV process would no longer be required as a routine step for new car FASTags.
EV Policy 2.0: Delhi govt to meet five auto companies, Siam on Jan 2
As the national capital continues to choke under severe pollution, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has called for a meeting with five automakers and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) on January 2 to discuss the draft electric vehicle (EV) Policy 2.0, Business Standard has learnt.
V-GREEN and Roadgrid India announce strategic collaboration to expand fast electric vehicle charging Infrastructure across India
Chhattisgarh Auto Expo from Jan 20 with 50% road tax rebate to boost sales
📝 Indian auto industry closes 2025 on firm footing, broad-based sales growth reported in December
📝 'Motown to remain in fast lane on rural push & tax benefits': SIAM President
📝 Year Ender 2025: EV momentum, premiumisation and engineering innovation define India's auto sector
📝 Maruti, Mahindra, Tata put auto industry in top gear in December 2025 with strong double-digit growth
📝 NHAI to discontinue KYV process for all new car, jeep, van FASTag issuances from Feb 1
📝 Tamil Nadu extends 100% EV road tax waiver till 2027
📝 Delhi's new EV policy likely to focus on charging infra, R&D for stronger electric vehicle ecosystem
📝 Auto price hikes from January 2026: These cars and SUVs are set to cost more
📝 Carmakers post strong December sales on GST reform boost
📝 Auto sales traction continues in December with surging demand
📝 Petrol, diesel vehicles eat into EV pie after GST cut
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Nissan Tekton SUV teased again ahead of February debut. Top 3 facts we know
Nissan is gearing up to launch at least two major products in India in 2026. While in January, the Japanese auto giant will launch the Nissan Gravite MPV, in February, the OEM will introduce the Tekton SUV. Ahead of that, the automaker has teased the upcoming SUV on its social channel.
Kia to drive in all-new Seltos starting at Rs 10.99 lakh
Kia India will launch the all-new Seltos on Friday, setting pace for an extremely busy car launch month. Sources told FE that the next-generation Seltos will be priced starting Rs 10.99 lakh, ex-showroom, and the top-end variant will be priced Rs 19.99 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki prioritizes mini cars over bigger models
India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, is prioritizing the production of small cars like the Alto and Spresso, even if it means cutting output of bigger models, as it believes there is still growth potential for them in the world’s third-largest automobile market.
Hyundai Creta sold 2 lakh units in 2025. Key numerical facts
Hyundai Creta, the leading revenue churner for the South Korean automaker have registered over two lakh units in 2025. This made the Creta the first mid-size SUV in the country to record more than two lakh units in a single calendar year. Not only that, the Creta became the first car in India sized more than four metre in length to achieve this feat.
Tarun Garg takes charge as Hyundai Motor India MD & CEO
Tarun Garg becomes first Indian to lead Hyundai Motor as MD & CEO
The Hindu Business Line
Will Maruti Suzuki hike prices of small cars? Auto major issues statement
Maruti weighs price hike for small cars amid strong demand
The Financial Express
India's Mahindra & Mahindra posts 23% rise in December SUV sales
Mahindra & Mahindra posts 23% rise in December SUV sales
The Hindu Business Line
JSW MG Motor India 2025 sales up 19% at 70,554 units
JSW MG Motor India 2025 sales up 19% at 70,554 units
The Hindu Business Line
Hyundai to hike vehicle prices from January 1, 2026
Hyundai Motor India to hike prices by around 0.6% from January 1
The Hindu Business Line
📝 Hyundai Motor India sales rise 6.6% to 58,702 units in December
📝 Maruti Suzuki remains India's top passenger vehicle exporter
📝 Skoda Auto India 2025 sales up over 2-fold at 72,665 units
📝 Honda Cars India sales up 3.6% at 5,807 units in December
📝 Toyota Kirloskar Motor sales up 33% at 39,333 units in December
📝 Kia India sales up over 2-fold at 18,659 units in December
📝 Renault India stages H2 recovery with 18.2% growth; December 2025 sales surge 33%
📝 Maruti Suzuki’s December 2025 domestic sales climb 36.5% to 1.92 lakh units
📝 India-spec Renault Duster spied testing ahead of January 2026 unveil
📝 Toyota announces December offers up to ₹1 lakh on Hyryder Aero Edition
📝 Sonet, Seltos push Kia’s December sales up 105% YoY
📝 Major auto industry events and shifts that defined 2025
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Electric Car/SUV
Top 5 facts that make Mahindra XEV 9S value for money
Mahindra XEV 9S was one of the key model launched in India in 2025. The electric SUV is positioned as the flagship electric SUV of the brand, above the Mahindra BE6 and Mahindra XEV 9e. Also, the XEV 9S is the pure electric iteration of the XUV700, which is all set to be launched in a rebadged and revamped avatar christened as XUV 7XO on January 5.
In one year, VinFast went from a whisper to a roar in India's EV market
Electric 4-wheeler registrations leap 88 per cent y-o-y in calendar year 2025
The year 2025 saw a strong patronage of electric motor cars (e4W) by consumers with registrations - both battery-operated vehicles and pure Electric Vehicles - increasing by 88 per cent to 1,69,854 units, as against 90,525 units in 2024 and 73,280 in 2023, according to latest Vahan data.
JSW Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra open to extended-range hybrids if EV incentives widen
New Delhi : Homegrown carmakers JSW Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are open to adopting range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) if India’s policy framework expands incentives beyond pure electric vehicles, even as experts warn against equating the technology with battery-electric cars.
📝 JSW MG Motor India sales rise 19% to 70,554 units in 2025 on steady ICE and EV demand
📝 Motor vehicle tax exemption for EVs to continue till Dec 2027 in Tamil Nadu: Minister
📝 VinFast pulls ahead of Hyundai and Kia in December 2025 EV sales
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🚗 Luxury
📝 Audi India ends 2025 with 4,510 retail sales, eyes sustainable momentum in 2026
Read More >>
⛟ Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicle makers report robust sales growth in December
India’s top commercial vehicle makers Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Eicher Motors posted strong growth in sales volume in December 2025, and the larger third quarter (Q3) of FY26, supported by GST 2.0 and the festive surge. Tata Motors reported the strongest increase with 24 per cent increase in December 2025 with volumes of 40,057 units as against 32,369 units in the corresponding period last year.
📝 Govt ends electric three-wheeler subsidies under PM e-Drive
📝 Tata Motors CV sales up 24% to 40,057 units in December 2025
📝 Ashok Leyland domestic sales rise 26% to 19,855 units in December 2025
📝 Govt app tells commuters to wait 19,280 minutes for MTC bus
📝 Telangana govt wants to make Hyderabad plastic-free, replacing diesel buses with EVs: CM
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🎤 Interviews & Features
Top 4 cars debuted in India in December 2025: New Kia Seltos to MG Hector facelift
The year 2025 was quite exciting for the Indian passenger vehicle market. The market witnessed some spectacular launches, comeback of iconic nomenclatures, exciting facelifts, and more. The last month of this calendar year too witnessed some exciting car debuts, including new models and facelifts, unveilings and launches.
Top 5 confirmed upcoming car launches in India in 2026
The Indian passenger vehicle market will see some spectacular car launches in the year 2026. If 2025 was not exciting enough for the automobile enthusiasts, the 2026 is certainly going to be one. Some of the carmakers have already announced and confirmed their upcoming launches, which will take place in the year 2026.
Want to renew your driving licence? Here is a complete guide for drivers in 2026
Renewing your driving licence (DL) in India is essential to stay legally compliant on the roads. A private (non-transport) driving licence is typically valid for 20 years from the date of issue or until you turn 40-50 years old (whichever is earlier), while commercial licences need renewal every 3-5 years. You can apply for renewal up to one year before expiry, and there’s a 30-day grace period after expiry without penalties. Delays beyond that attract late fees, and if expired over 5 years, you may need to apply afresh or retake tests.
Nissan Gravite could be a better product than Renault Triber. Here's how
Nissan is gearing up to launch its second sub-10 lakh car in the Indian passenger vehicle market, after the Magnite. Slated to be christened Nissan Gravite, the new Nissan model will launch as an affordable MPV, in line with the Renault Triber. This seven-seater Nissan Gravite MPV will be launched in January 2026 and sales will commence from March 2026. Upon launch, it is going to be another key product from the Japanese brand in the Indian market.
New Year 2026: Top 5 habits to follow to become a good driver
Driving is not just about maneuvering a car through the traffic and on highway. Also, it is not about pushing the accelerators to the floor. Rather driving is more about following good practices that ensures safety on the road, not just for yourself but for other fellow road users as well. You must be a good driver, but are you following these simple yet significantly crucial steps? If not, make sure to take a pledge to be a better driver in 2026.
📝 Six wishes for 2026: How to rethink mobility for an aspiring India
📝 I see the Hyundai Creta everywhere. Why is it so popular in India?
📝 Why soaring vehicle sales is bad news
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🏗 Construction & Agriculture
📝 Mahindra Farm Equipment sales jump 37% to 30,210 units in December 2025
Read More >>
🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Buying an electric motorcycle in 2026? Top 5 factors to consider
Despite the dominance of the electric scooters, the Indian electric two-wheeler market is witnessing a gradual growth of the electric motorcycles, fuelled by the aspirations of new generation riders. The exciting designs in a crowd of mundane looking electric scooters, silent riding performance, instant torque, and low running costs have been enhancing the value proposition of the electric motorcycles in the country.
e2W registrations rise 27.5% in December; TVS leads, others step up chase
Based on Vahan numbers for December, TVS has taken a substantial lead over its rival Bajaj Auto by grabbing more than a fourth of the total e2W market (at 26.7 per cent share). Bajaj Auto lost momentum in December after a big push in sales in October and November, when it hit 25,698 vehicle registrations with a 22 per cent share. In December, its registrations fell to 18,790 and market share dropped to 20 per cent, but it still held on to the second spot. This window has given an opportunity to Ather Energy to close in on Bajaj Auto, and the gap between the two is clearly narrowing down. Ather recorded 17,052 registrations in December, which accounted for 18.2 per cent of the market. In November, the gap between the two was of 5,213 vehicles, which has now come down to 1,738 vehicles.
TVS Motor Company sales jumps 50 pc to 4,81,389 units in December
TVS Motor sales jump 50% to 4.81 lakh units in December 2025
The Hindu Business Line
Ola Electric reports higher market share in December on Hyperservice rollout
Ola Electric records 9,020 vehicle registrations in Dec
The Hindu Business Line
A bike collab that’s finally come of age
Ola Electric's market share rises in December after service overhaul
Mint explainer: What does the two-wheeler braking system mandate mean?
New Delhi: India’s two-wheeler market has just logged a record year, crossing 20 million units in sales, but the milestone comes with a fresh bout of regulatory uncertainty. Manufacturers are still awaiting a formal notification on the Centre’s proposal to mandate anti-lock braking systems (ABS) on all two-wheelers below 125 cc from 1 January.
📝 Hero MotoCorp sales surge 40% to 4,56,479 units in December
📝 From new Bullet to BMW GS: Two-wheelers set to launch in India in January 2026
📝 Royal Enfield domestic sales jump 37% in December 2025
📝 Odysse Electric sales zoom 133% in December 2025 on strong e2w demand
📝 Ducati India pins hopes on India–EU FTA to offset 40% GST hit on premium bikes
📝 Ducati XDiavel V4 deliveries begin
📝 Zongshen RC700 emerges as new inline-four sportsbike to rival Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Read More >>
⚙ Components
Acquisitions, order book to drive growth for Samvardhana Motherson
In addition to better-than-expected September quarter results, rising trend of higher content per vehicle, market share gains and the recent acquisition have led to gains for the auto components major.
📝 Partnr plans to nearly triple dark stores to 350–400 in two years
📝 Govt extends safeguard duties on imports of steel products for 3 yrs to curb dumping
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🌇 Allied Industries
Carmakers flex dealer, service networks to drive growth beyond metros
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
Russian oil still reaches India despite US sanctions, December intake slips
New Delhi: Russian crude continues to flow into India despite US sanctions on two major Russian oil companies -- Rosneft and Lukoil – albeit in much lower quantity than earlier. Thanks to India’s private refiners, who continue to import Russian crude with modified operating strategies, and supplies from entities other than Rosneft and Lukoil, Russian oil remained among India’s top sources of crude oil in December 2025. According to commodity market analytics firm Kpler, imports were around 1.2 million barrels per day (Mbd), the lowest level since December 2022.
Crude oil prices to remain low in 2026 due to surplus production and supply demand mismatch: Report
📝 Petrol, diesel, LPG consumption show above average increase in December
📝 GAIL Gas cuts CNG, PNG prices after pipeline tariff rationalisation
Read More >>
🌍 Emissions/Environment
📝 More cars, more bikes, more smog? Delhi’s record vehicle sales in 2025 ring alarm bells
📝 Why PM2.5 exposure is lowest in metro, highest in autos
Read More >>
💸 Finance & Insurance
Surya Loan announces plans to launch EV Loans for India's growing electric mobility market
Read More >>
📖 Magazines
Upcoming car launches and reveals in January 2026
With the new year just around the corner, automakers are busy planning car launches for January 2026. At the forefront are homegrown brands Mahindra and Tata Motors, with the latter set to launch four models (including an EV). We are also expecting the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s first-ever EV, while Kia’s top-selling midsize SUV will hit showrooms after undergoing a generational update. Nissan and Renault are set to reveal a new model each in January 2026 – the latter reviving a popular nameplate after nearly four years.
Two-wheeler sales surpass 2 crore units in 2025
Two-wheeler registrations in India reached 2.02 crore units in 2025, representing around 7 percent year-on-year growth.
BMW F 850 GS: Riding High In The Balkans
There’s something magnetic about the open road. The rumble of engines, the throttle steady in your hand, the horizon widening with every curve – it’s a feeling every biker knows. But when that journey unfolds with a group of kindred spirits, the experience deepens. It stops being just about the miles and becomes a story of friendship, freedom, and discovery.
2025 Recap: Major Milestones in the Two Wheeler Industry
The year saw record sales milestones, a long-awaited brand revival, a major acquisition and important policy changes. Here is a list of the important happenings in the two-wheeler industry in 2025:
5 things to know before buying the Triumph Trident 660
The Triumph Trident 660 is the British brand’s most affordable motorcycle above its India-made 400cc range. Updated for 2025 with a handful of meaningful feature additions, the Trident 660 is now a more compelling proposition than before. If you’re considering one, here are answers to some of the most common questions.
2026 Kia Seltos review: Revolution or evolution?
The Seltos isn’t just another midsize SUV. It’s the model that ushered in a pretty much unknown Kia brand into India in 2019, established the company as a major player and took on the segment champ, the Creta, often emerging victorious in the monthly sweepstakes. Six years on, it’s time for a new generation. So can the new car build on its predecessor’s achievements and make the cut in what is still a crowded and hotly contested space?
New Kia Seltos launched at Rs 10.99 lakh
The new-gen Kia Seltos has officially gone on sale at a starting price of Rs 10.99 lakh (introductory). Bookings for the new Seltos have been open since December 11 for a token amount of Rs 25,000, and deliveries will commence from mid-January.
TVS CMD Sudarshan Venu is Autocar Professional Person of the Year 2025
The global two-wheeler industry is undergoing a rare shake-up. TVS Motor has overtaken Yamaha and now ranks among the world’s top three two-wheeler makers by volume. The Chennai-based automaker has also claimed the top spot in India’s electric two-wheeler market. TVS’s rise is the result of years of steady market-share gains under the leadership of its 36-year-old chairman and managing director – and our sister publication Autocar Professional’s 2025 Person of the Year – Sudarshan Venu.
6 things to know before buying a Kawasaki Ninja 650
The 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 650 was recently launched in India and the bike is now E20 fuel compliant.
KTM RC 160 leaked ahead of launch
The 160 Duke came in as a replacement for the erstwhile 125 Duke, and we were also expecting an RC iteration of the 160 Duke. Now, an image of the RC 160 has surfaced on the internet. Here’s a breakdown of all the things we see.
Royal Enfield Flying Flea S6 design patent filed in India
Royal Enfield has patented the design of its Flying Flea S6 scrambler in India. This marks the brand’s second electric model under the Flying Flea sub-brand, following the C6 roadster that is slated to launch next year.
Mahindra Scorpio N Namibia drive: offline in the desert
My red Scorpio-N blitzed across Damaraland’s scrub plains, leaving a billowing dust cloud in its wake. We had stopped to shoot photos and videos while the rest of the convoy had carried on at 90kph. Now, I was gunning Mahindra’s mHawk 2.2 litre CRDi engine to catch up. The convoy’s dust cloud in the distance, the striking landscape of Damaraland bordered by Brandberg (the fire mountain), and the Scorpio eagerly charging up the corrugated gravel road fuelled my imagination. At one moment, I was Lawrence of Arabia routing the Turks at Aqaba, and the next, I could be Erwin Rommel bearing down on the beleaguered British at Tobruk. My colleague, Mrityunjay (MJ), was momentarily struck with panic as I, caught up in my fantasies, bellowed war cries in Arabic and German.
550 Hyundai Creta SUVs sold on average every day in 2025
Hyundai sold 2 lakh units of the Creta in 2025, thereby recording the highest-ever annual sales for the midsize SUV in a single calendar year. The Creta’s success story has really set a template for how a product should be designed and packaged for the Indian market, but a sales milestone of 2 lakh units in a single year is quite unprecedented for a midsize vehicle. Only a select few sub-4m vehicles, mostly hatchbacks, have previously sold more than 2 lakh units in a single year.
Yamaha XSR155: Top 3 reasons to buy and 2 to skip
At long last, Yamaha India has finally launched the XSR155 in our market and after having ridden it we can confirm that it really does ride as good as it looks - for the most part, at least. Here are the top 3 reasons why it needs to be on your radar and two that will make you look elsewhere
An in-depth look into how armoured cars are built: Armour all
Armour and protection have been part of Indian history from as far back as the Bronze Age. Helmets, large metal breast-plates, chainmail and thick layers of leather have all been used for protection in battle. Survival depended on shielding the human body from harm, and that, in many ways, is basically what we are still doing today with armoured cars and SUVs.
BMW iX1 LWB vs Mini Countryman Electric performance comparison
Among the entry-level luxury EVs, the BMW iX1 LWB and Mini Countryman Electric share a lot. Both eSUVs are powered by a 66.4kWh battery and come with a front-axle-mounted motor that produces 204hp and 250Nm. In fact, these EVs are based on the BMW Group’s FAAR (Frontantriebsarchitektur) platform and can be considered badge-engineered twins, so much so that the BMW and Mini have an identical claimed 0-100kph time of 8.6 seconds. We find out which offers more real-world performance, the BMW iX1 eDrive20L or the Mini Countryman Electric.
India is a market Nissan remains committed to: CEO Ivan Espinosa
Amid a global reset and product rebuild, Nissan’s new CEO says India is a market the company remains committed to, as it evaluates hybrids, EVs, and a phased expansion beyond the Magnite.
New Renault Duster spy shots show India-spec details
After being absent in India since 2022, the Renault Duster is making a comeback in its third-generation avatar, whose test mule was spotted recently with India-specific stylistic changes. Renault will debut the new Duster on January 26, 2026.
2025 recap: Autocar India specials
2025 has been wonderful not only for the Indian automotive space but also for us at Autocar India. This year, we had the opportunity to be part of the record books again, experiencing a 50,000cc monster truck and organising a 300kph NATRAX run with 12 supercars. Here’s a list of 5 things that stood out for us during the year:
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📰 International
China's BYD logs global record EV sales in 2025
Beijing: Chinese auto giant BYD sold 2.26 million electric vehicles last year, a company statement showed Thursday, setting a new record for any firm globally.
Nexteer sponsored automotive chassis-by-wire standards research group meeting, advancing steer-by-wire standards in China
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and SUZHOU, China, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in advanced steering and motion control technologies, recently sponsored a Coalition Meeting of the Automotive Chassis-by-Wire Standards Research Group in China, to advance the country's national Steer-by-Wire (SbW) standard.
Samsung Electronics secures major deal to power BMW's next-gen EV
📝 Before EVs became political, there was the Toyota Prius
📝 Porsche to recall over 173,000 US vehicles over rearview camera image issue
📝 Platinum set for biggest monthly gain in 39 years on EU auto policy boost
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