Indian Transport Ministry urges vehicle owners, DL holders to update mobile number on Vahan, Sarathi portals: Here’s how
Vehicle owners and driving licence (DL) holders across India are being strongly advised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to proactively update their mobile numbers on the official Vahan and Sarathi portals. This simple step is hailed as a critical step to avoid disruptions in accessing vital online services and receiving important government notifications.

Delhi govt plans to allow private EVs and BS-VI cars to operate as taxis; shared rides planned
The Delhi government said on Friday that it is working on changes to the rules that would allow privately owned electric vehicles and BS-VI compliant cars to run as taxis in the national capital. Officials also said ride-hailing platforms have agreed to start shared taxi services and women-driven cabs within the next month.

Semiconductor projects under DLI scheme showing signs of growth
New Delhi: Projects supported under the government’s Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme are scaling rapidly, with 16 tape-outs, 6 ASIC chips, 10 patents, over 1,000 engineers engaged, and over 3x private investment leveraged. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) DLI Scheme under the Semicon India Programme aims to build a self-reliant, globally competitive chip design ecosystem. As many as 24 DLI-supported chip design projects target strategic sectors, including video surveillance, drone detection, energy metering, microprocessors, satellite communications, and IoT SoCs, according to a press release by the Press Information Bureau on Sunday.

Stuck with a dead EV on the highway? Govt plans roadside rescue hubs
New Delhi: India is considering setting up dedicated control and command centres for electric vehicles (EVs) on access-controlled expressways, offering services such as real-time roadside assistance, charging points, and technical support to ease range anxiety and enable long-distance travel, two officials aware of the matter said.

Maruti Suzuki posts record production of 22.55 lakh vehicles in 2025
Maruti Suzuki India Limited produced a record 22.55 lakh vehicles in calendar year 2025, the highest annual output in its history, marking the second consecutive year the country’s largest carmaker has crossed the 20-lakh-unit milestone. The production volume includes vehicles for domestic sales, exports and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplies, including models rebadged for Toyota for India and overseas markets. The milestone comes amid sustained demand in the domestic market and steady growth in exports. The Fronx, Baleno, Swift, Dzire and Ertiga were Maruti Suzuki’s top five models by production volume during the year. Of these, the Dzire emerged as India’s best-selling car in 2025, while the Ertiga, Swift and Fronx also featured among the top-selling models.

SUV demand holds steady in used market despite GST-led price cuts
 

Hyundai Venue gets new HX5+ trim at ₹9.99 lakh. Know your possible monthly EMI
Hyundai has expanded the variant lineup of its popular sub-compact SUV, the Hyundai Venue, which was updated in November 2025. The new variant of the Hyundai Venue, christened HX5+, comes priced at ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned between the HX5 and HX6, the latest variant has been added to the lineup with an aim to offer more features and a better value proposition to the customers. With this, now the total variant count of the Hyundai Venue stands at nine: HX2, HX4, HX5, HX5+, HX6, HX6T, HX7, HX8 and HX10.

BYD India hikes Sealion 7 Premium price by Rs 50,000
BYD India has announced a Rs 50,000 price increase for the Sealion 7 Premium, effective January 1, 2026. The company said the Performance variant will continue to be offered at its existing price. Following the revision, the Sealion 7 Premium, which features an 82.56 kWh battery pack, will be priced at Rs 49.40 lakh (ex-showroom), up from Rs 48.90 lakh. The Sealion 7 Performance variant remains unchanged at Rs 54.90 lakh. BYD India said all bookings made on or before December 31, 2025 will be honoured at the earlier prices.

EV penetration in luxury car segment dips in GST 2.0 era as conventional engine version gains traction
EV penetration slips in luxury car segment under GST 2.0
The Hindu Business Line

Sonalika records robust performance with highest ever December overall sales of 12,392 tractors

New Delhi: India's tractor export brand Sonalika Tractors has concluded the calendar year 2025 on a powerful high as the brand has recorded its highest-ever December overall sales of 12,392 tractors. The new performance peak marks as a perfect culmination of the landmark year defined by record breaking performances and new milestones. Sonalika’s latest performance highlights the brand’s consistent focus on delivering performance driven solutions engineered for varied Indian farm conditions. Fully loaded with new age technologies and design, every Sonalika tractor is a symbol of robust quality that offers operational reliability and long term value for farmers.

Replacement demand, GST reset likely to boost sales in MHCV segment
 

High EV costs? Government plans cheaper loans to accelerate India’s private electric bus rollout
New Delhi: As private electric bus operators struggle to secure affordable credit, the Centre is working on a new financing scheme that could lower borrowing costs by routing funds through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), according to two government officials aware of the development.

New Kia Seltos review: The art of car
In the highly-competitive midsize SUV segment, Kia India has stopped playing defence – with the new Seltos, it wants to win. Is it that amazing a car? We tested it on and off the road.

‘Industry to focus on innovation, quality’: Prasan Firodia

Excerpts:

Legacy players set to secure lead in electric two-wheelers
The electric two-wheeler market is moving into a phase where execution, service depth and affordability levers are likely to shape competition more than early-mover advantage. Sales trends from 2025 marked a clear turning point, and industry executives and analysts expect competition in 2026 to centre on reliability, financing models and service coverage rather than headline innovation alone.

Export to Venezuela less than 1% of total exports: Bajaj Auto
Export to Venezuela less than 1% of total exports: Bajaj Auto
The Hindu Business Line

Ola’s triple-unicorn ride runs into speed bumps
In 2024, Bhavish Aggarwal presided over a rare feat in Indian startups — running three unicorns in parallel. Krutrim, the group’s AI venture, crossed a $1-billion valuation; Ola Electric listed at a valuation of about $4.5 billion; and Ola Consumer, formerly Ola Cabs, was valued at around $2 billion. By the end of 2025, much of that optimism dissipated, with all three businesses facing execution challenges.

Country’s second-largest battery maker wants to crack North American market
New Delhi: The country’s second-largest battery manufacturer, Amara Raja Energy and Mobility Ltd, is betting on expansion in the US market as part of its bid to double the share of revenue from exports in the next five years.

Allison Transmission completes $2.7 billion acquisition of Dana’s off-highway business
Allison Transmission Holdings said it has completed the acquisition of Dana Incorporated’s Off-Highway Drive & Motion Systems business for approximately $2.7 billion, strengthening its presence in the off-highway and industrial mobility segments.

ONGC’s first CCS pilot to store CO2 in depleted wells at Gujarat's Gandhar field
New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plans to store captured carbon dioxide in depleted wells at Gujarat's Gandhar oilfield, marking the company's first full-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) pilot and a major step in its decarbonisation strategy. The pilot will use two abandoned onshore wells to inject around 100 tonnes of CO2 per day into subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs, officials said.

Government seeks weekly oil import data from refiners as India eyes US trade deal
Source Credit: The Telegraph

The Centre is seeking weekly disclosure of Russian and US crude oil purchases from refineries, signalling India’s intent to clinch a trade deal with the US.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlights India's growth to 132 Compressed Bio Gas plants
 

India's LNG-powered trucks and fuel retail underperformed in 2025
The performance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in India last year was not encouraging from the environment point of view. Outlets selling LNG, which, the oil industry says, has the potential to transform fuel use by 2030, and trucks running on this fuel have underperformed. Unlike China, which has witnessed scorching growth, the Government of India does not offer any incentives for LNG in transport, industry sources said.

Transport ministry proposes Aadhaar-like number for EV battery traceability
Source Credit: New Indian Express

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is proposing a mandatory identification system for electric vehicle batteries through a unique 21-character “Battery Pack Aadhaar Number” (BPAN), aimed at ensuring end-to-end traceability across the battery lifecycle. The move is intended to bring greater transparency, accountability and sustainability to India’s rapidly expanding electric mobility ecosystem.

CAQM conducts massive enforcement inspection in Nuh; 105 units inspected
 

Yamaha R2 India launch in 2026
The Yamaha R15 has been a runaway success in India ever since it came out in 2008 and has been instrumental in cementing the tuning fork brand’s reputation in our market. We have now learned that Yamaha India is gearing up to introduce the R2 sportbike, intended to be a step up from the R15. The bike will be launching in the coming months in time for the festive season and will be made in India.

6 things to know before buying the KTM RC 200
The KTM RC 200 is a fully faired sport bike positioned above the Duke 200. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Maruti Alto K10, S-Presso sales nearly double
The GST 2.0 reforms that came into effect in September last year have provided a fresh wind in the sails for Maruti Suzuki as its volumes in the fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December) surged 22 percent year on year (YoY). The company’s sales in the first three quarters of 2025 (January to September) were down 3 percent over the year-ago period. What has helped provide new impetus to the volumes is the reviving demand for its small cars and other hatchbacks. 

Next-gen Suzuki Gixxer models in the works
The 150-160cc sporty commuter bike space has seen a flurry of new entrants in the past few years with new entrants from TVS, Bajaj, Yamaha and other big players. In the meanwhile, Suzuki’s Gixxer models - which have been out since 2019 in their current guise - continue to soldier on more or less unchanged for over half a decade. Now we have learnt that Suzuki is working on a brand-new platform for both the 150cc and 2550cc Gixxer models.

Tata Punch facelift teased with turbo-petrol engine before January 13 reveal
Tata Motors has teased the Punch facelift via its official social media handles. Closely matching what we predicted in a previous article, Tata also confirmed that the latest avatar of its sub-4-metre SUV will be unveiled on January 13, 2026. Let us now look at some of the design and technical aspects of the 2026 Tata Punch, as revealed in the official teasers.

Only petrol car sales decline in 2025; CNG, EV, diesel and hybrid see growth
Petrol is the only powertrain type to lose market share in 2025, dropping from 59.4 percent to 53.3 percent, even as overall passenger vehicle sales rose to 45.8 lakh units (estimated), about 6 percent higher than the previous year. CNG, EVs, diesel and hybrids all gain ground, suggesting buyers are looking beyond petrol for lower running costs.

The Great Migration: Attending IBW 2025
People don’t like change. Especially when it involves taking away a laid-back weekend by the coastline with succulent seafood and the promise of a cold one at the end of a long, tiring day. So, when India Bike Week had no choice but to move its annual congregation from Goa to a little hill station in Maharashtra, there was, understandably, some discontent. However, over the course of two days, the otherwise fairly sleepy town of Panchgani was flooded with thousands of bikers carrying the very spirit that would have made this festival feel the same, irrespective of where in the country it took place.

Sedans hold ground against rising SUV sales in 2025
Passenger vehicle sales grew to around 45.8 lakh units in 2025, up about 6 percent year on year (YoY). SUVs continued to expand their lead, crossing 55 percent market share, but sedans showed a small rise in market share despite fewer new launches and sustained pressure from the SUV segment.

Maruti leads India car exports for fifth straight year in 2025
Maruti Suzuki exported 3,95,000 vehicles in 2025, its highest-ever tally in a calendar year, growing over 21 percent year on year (YoY). The carmaker also remained India’s top passenger vehicle exporter for the fifth consecutive year, shipping 18 models to over 100 countries.

New localised Honda electric scooter in the works
It is fair to say that Honda’s foray into the EV market hasn’t panned out as the company would have wanted with fairly slow sales of its Activa e: and QC1 models. Sales eventually shrank to a halt with the company even stopping manufacturing of these scooters some months ago. Now we have learned that to mount a fresh charge on the burgeoning Indian electric scooter market.

Nissan Rogue drive to Utah's Badlands: Deep into the canyons
I was stuck so badly that the ominous python of fear started uncoiling in my stomach, threatening to bring on panic that would fuddle all rationale. I was in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument area, a 2,656-square-mile expanse of canyonlands with minimal infrastructure – a waterless region so inhospitable that it was the last to be mapped in the continental US.

Exploring the Everglades in a Lexus RX 500h: Die another day
I am standing up to my thighs in murky water and surrounded by cypress trees, partaking in an activity called ‘slogging’ – a sloshy hike in the swamps of the Everglades National Park. I’ve got over the rude shock of the cold water and am now striking a cheerful pose that suggests an air of carefreeness. It’s a sham!

Honda City gets discounts of up to Rs 1.33 lakh this January
Honda has revealed the January 2026 discounts that are on offer on the Elevate, City and Amaze. These include a cash discount, exchange and loyalty bonuses, corporate benefits and even some discounts on accessories such as ambient lighting and 360-degree camera. Honda is also offering a discount on a 7-year/unlimited km extended warranty, which it claims is an industry-first offering.

Legacy and loyalty: Attending MotoSoul 2025
Five years ago, I walked around Hilltop in Vagator, taking in the sights and sounds of the inaugural edition of TVS MotoSoul – an event that had sufficient promise to become a worthwhile annual gathering of the brand’s most passionate ambassadors. Five years later, I’m happy to report that MotoSoul has lived up to that promise.

Legacy and loyalty: Attending MotoSoul 2025
Five years ago, I walked around Hilltop in Vagator, taking in the sights and sounds of the inaugural edition of TVS MotoSoul – an event that had sufficient promise to become a worthwhile annual gathering of the brand’s most passionate ambassadors. Five years later, I’m happy to report that MotoSoul has lived up to that promise.

Mahindra XUV 7XO: All you need to know ahead of launch tomorrow
About four-and-a-half years after introducing the XUV700, Mahindra is now preparing to launch its successor, the XUV 7XO. Just to recap, the XUV 7XO is essentially the XUV700 facelift. While pre-bookings for this midsize SUV began on December 15, 2025, its official reveal is slated for January 5, 2026. Without further ado, here is all that we know about the new Mahindra XUV 7XO.