Auto Inc set for an over 2 million expansion spree as carmakers zero down plant plans
The country’s top carmakers—Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, and Tata Motors PV Ltd—with installed capacity of 5.4 million cars, are looking to increase their capacity by up to 39% to 7.5 million cars by 2030 as they look to cash in on one of the world's fastest-growing car markets.

Baya Systems expands Bengaluru Engineering Hub to scale AI, Automotive and HPC innovation
Bengaluru: Baya Systems has opened its expanded engineering hub in Bengaluru to scale global engineering capacity as demand for AI infrastructure accelerates.  In less than two years, Baya Systems’ Bengaluru operation has strengthened into a major global engineering hub, playing a central role in the development and delivery of the company’s software-defined semiconductor fabric technologies that power scalable, high-performance, chiplet-based systems for AI and HPC systems worldwide.  

Tesla showcase at ACKO Drive in Bengaluru open to public from Jan 15-31
 

Kerala charges ahead of bigger states in 2025 personal EV adoption
 

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India sales surge 36% to 1,17,000 units in 2025
Skoda VW India posts 36% domestic sales growth in 2025
The Financial Express

VinFast ends 2025 on a high and hits the ground running in 2026
Source Credit: PTI, The Tribune

‘We will not chase volumes or enter a price war’: Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India
Mercedes-Benz India heads into 2026 with a sharper focus on value, localisation and top-end growth after ending 2025 with sales of 19,007 units. The company’s strategy includes 12 launches and local assembly of the GLS Maybach. Santosh Iyer, managing director and CEO, Mercedes Benz India tells Akbar Merchant and Geeta Nair.

India to be 1st country outside of US to roll out GLS Maybach model: Mercedes-Benz India MD
Mercedes-Benz begins local production of Maybach GLS in Pune; first outside US
The Hindu Business Line

“India will be first assembly hub outside US for GLS Maybach”, Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India
Source Credit: The Financial Express (Delhi Print Edition)

Changing gears: Mercedes-Benz turns growth wheel towards ultra-luxury
In a year when India’s luxury car industry grew a modest 1.6 per cent to around 52,000 units, and market leader Mercedes-Benz India saw volumes decline by nearly 3 per cent, the German luxury carmaker posted its best-ever revenue and profitability in its 25-year history in the country. The performance underscores the company’s strategic pivot towards top-end luxury vehicles, even as broader market growth remained muted.

Electric three-wheelers power India's EV transition -- and L5 is leading the charge
New Delhi: India's electric mobility story is no longer confined to two-wheelers and premium passenger cars. At the heart of the country's clean transport transition lies a quieter but far more consequential shift: the electrification of three-wheelers. From shared passenger mobility to last-mile cargo, electric three-wheelers have become the backbone of India's urban and semi-urban transport ecosystem--and within this space, the L5 segment is rapidly emerging as the industry's growth engine.

Maharashtra dethrones Delhi as India’s top electric bus market in 2025
New Delhi: Electric bus (e-bus) sales in Maharashtra jumped by over 60% in 2025, helping the state overtake New Delhi as India’s largest e-bus market, as states push to expand green public transport and cut carbon emissions.

Planning to buy 2026 Tata Punch facelift? Check your powertrain options
Tata Punch in its latest avatar that was launched on January 13 has become more appealing, not only through the revamped design, but also thanks to the updated feature list and new powertrain options. No wonder, Tata Motors has left no stones unturned in making the Punch more appealing for the consumers by enhancing its value proposition, which comes priced from ₹5.59 lakh (ex-showroom), with the list going up to ₹10.54 lakh (ex-showroom).

Royal Enfield January price hike: Continental GT, Bear 650, Super Meteor, Classic 650 and others get costlier
Royal Enfield has quietly revised the prices of its entire 650cc motorcycle range, effective from January 2026. The price increase, ranging from Rs 3,321 to Rs 4,323 across various models, depends on variants. Royal Enfield is attributing the price hike to rising production costs driven by higher raw material prices and inflation. The trend was earlier spotted across two of its 350cc models, which also saw a price hike earlier in january

Ola Electric opens 4680 Bharat Cell platform to enterprises and startups
Ola Electric has opened its in-house developed 4680 Bharat Cell and battery pack platform to third parties, spanning households to enterprises across energy, healthcare, defence and robotics.

Bajaj Auto launches Chetak C25 electric scooter priced at ₹91,399
Bajaj Chetak launches affordable Chetak e-scooter at Rs 91,399
The Financial Express

KRAFTON India, Royal Enfield team up for 2026 to bring bullet 350 and continental GT 650 as rideable motorcycles in BGMI

New Delhi: KRAFTON Indiaand Royal Enfieldtoday announced a landmark partnership that bridges two of India’s most influential cultural domains - mobile gaming and motorcycling. The collaboration debuts Royal Enfield’s iconic Bullet 350 and the OG cafe racer Continental GT 650 as rideable motorcycles inside BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), offering an unprecedented blend of automotive heritage and interactive entertainment.

“Inka Product Hi Hero Hai”: Actor Pratik Gandhi calls Oben Electric a ‘Superhit in the making’ on Zee TV Ideabaaz

“Bike looks amazing, and I’m really proud that it’s a Made-in-India electric bike for the world. Itni smooth hai, sach mein performance se hi Rorr karegi yeh bike. Superb product,” Pratik said on the show.

Bajaj Auto plans to take Chetak EV scooters to over 100 countries
 

Planning to buy 2026 Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350? Key changes to note
 

Auto component industry grows 6.8% in H1FY26; trade balance slips into deficit
The domestic auto component industry grew 6.8% year-on-year to $41.2 billion during the April–September period of FY26, according to industry body Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).

Impact of US tariffs likely to be felt in H2 amid uncertainties over new contracts: ACMA
US tariffs unlikely to hit auto parts industry until FY27: ACMA
The Hindu Business Line

US auto firms hesitant to acquire parts from Indian manufacturers
 

TVS Supply Chain Solutions appoints Vikas Chadha as Global CEO
 

Indian oil majors strike it rich again in Abu Dhabi block
Indian Oil–Bharat Petroleum JV makes second oil discovery in Abu Dhabi
The Financial Express

Uttar Pradesh sets up 2,316 EV charging stations in five years
 

CAQM teams inspect 127 Faridabad roads
The ongoing inspection by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) regarding steps taken to control pollution in NCR found that while a substantial number of road stretches in Faridabad exhibited low or no visible dust, several stretches require focused attention.

Severe cold and dense fog disrupt life in Delhi-NCR; air quality plummets
 

Speed vs Thruxton vs Scrambler: Which 400cc bike is right for you?
With the launch of the Triumph Thruxton 400, the brand’s 400cc line-up has grown to five distinct models. In this article, we break down what sets each one apart and help you figure out which Triumph 400 is right for you.

India-spec Volkswagen Tayron R-Line revealed
Volkswagen has unveiled more details about the India-bound Tayron. The 7-seater SUV will be the brand's flagship SUV for the Indian market, and will sit above the Tiguan R-Line SUV. The Tayron marks Volkswagen's re-entry into the premium three-row SUV space after the discontinuation of the Tiguan Allspace in 2021. 

Gadkari proposes mandatory V2V communication by end of 2026, but is it viable?
Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has said the government plans to introduce vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology and make it mandatory by the end of 2026. The system will allow vehicles to share safety alerts directly with each other to help prevent collisions. The announcement came after a two-day meeting of state transport ministers and senior officials from 28 states and Union Territories, where broader road safety reforms were discussed.

TVS Orbiter Road Test, Review
TVS recently expanded its EV portfolio with the introduction of the Orbiter. It carries a competitive price tag and is positioned as a balance between practicality, connectivity and comfort. We find out how it performs in the real world. 

New Tata Punch vs old model: Differences explained
To broaden the appeal of the Tata Punch, one of the brand's bestselling SUVs, the 2026 facelift brings several exterior, interior and safety upgrades. The mid-lifecycle update also adds a new turbo-petrol engine option, shared with the Nexon and Curvv. The new Tata Punch is priced between Rs 5.59 lakh and Rs 10.54 lakh, ex-showroom, compared to the outgoing model's Rs 5.50 lakh-9.30 lakh range.

Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trims: Features and Prices compared
The Tata Punch is one of the most popular subcompact SUVs in India, and it recently received a facelift that brought forth comprehensive updates inside and out. However, the Hyundai Exter remains a formidable rival to the Punch, so let’s see how their top-spec trims – SX(O) Connect and Accomplished+ S, respectively – compare on the value front.

Simple One Gen 2 Review: Better, but not perfect
The Simple One that we got to experience for this ride was the top-spec variant with a 5kWh battery pack. The Simple One also gets a 4.5kWh option and the Simple One S is the entry level model with a 3.7kWh battery pack.

Renault Filante revealed as brand’s new flagship SUV
The Renault Filante has been unveiled as the French brand’s flagship SUV as part of its EUR 3 billion 2027 International Game Plan. The Filante marks Renault’s attempt at entering the luxury crossover segment, where the automaker will contend with the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Lexus. While it is still a global model, the Renault Filante is especially meant for South Korea and the Middle East, our sister publication Autocar UK noted.

Skoda Peaq name confirmed for production-spec Vision 7S
The production-spec version of the Skoda Vision 7S concept, which was showcased at the 2025 Auto Expo, will be called Peaq, the carmaker has now confirmed. To serve as Skoda’s EV flagship, the 7-seater SUV is expected to be the zero-emission equivalent of the Kodiaq. Interestingly, Skoda has so far used an E-start, Q-end naming strategy for its electric SUVs – Enyaq, Elroq and Epiq – but the Peaq is the first model to break this.

Mahindra XUV 3XO EV: All your questions answered
The Mahindra XUV 3XO EV is the brand’s smallest and most affordable EV. It is a direct adaptation of the ICE-powered XUV 3XO, and is effectively a replacement of the XUV400. Mahindra is offering the XUV 3XO EV with a single battery option, two trims and a features set identical to its ICE counterpart. So, if you are in the market for a compact electric SUV, here’s everything you need to know about the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV.

2026 Modern Classic Car Rally to be held on January 31
The 2026 Modern Classic Car Rally is back for its 4th edition, promising more excitement and entertainment than ever before. The rally will be held from January 31 to February 1 at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

Which variant of the 2026 Tata Punch should you buy?
Tata has launched the new Punch subcompact SUV with a redesigned exterior, revised interior and feature additions. Additionally, the Punch gets a new CNG AMT powertrain combination and a powerful new turbo-petrol engine from the Nexon. The new Punch is offered in eight trims, namely Smart, Pure, Pure+, Pure+ S, Adventure, Adventure S, Accomplished and Accomplished+ S.

4 improvements new Tata Punch brings over its predecessor
Tata has launched a mid-life facelift for the Punch subcompact SUV, bringing not only a revised exterior and new features but also new powertrain options – something rarely seen with facelifts. New to the line-up are a CNG AMT version and the much-needed turbo-petrol engine from the Nexon with significantly more power. Let’s dive deeper into the improvements that the new Punch has over its predecessor.

“We won’t get into a price war”: Mercedes Benz India MD and CEO
Mercedes-Benz India has closed 2025 with sales of 19,007 units, which is a 2.85 percent decline from the previous year. However, the company says it has posted its best-ever year in terms of revenue, thanks to an aggressive focus on its top-end models. 

Mercedes India sales drop by nearly 3 percent in 2025
Mercedes-Benz India has announced its sales figures for the previous year, and its 12-car strong launch plans for 2026, beginning with the locally assembled GLS Maybach and the EQS SUV Celebration Edition. While the German luxury marque still leads the sales charts, the margin between Mercedes and second-placed BMW has reduced significantly to just 1,736 units in 2025, compared to 3,844 units in 2024. This is a result of Mercedes sales falling by 2.85 percent year-on-year (19,007 units in 2025 compared to 19,565 units in 2024), while BMW India posted its highest-ever sales of 17,271 units, recording a 15.05 percent increase over 2024’s 15,012 units.

India-made Mercedes-Maybach GLS launched at Rs 2.75 crore
Mercedes-Benz has launched the made-in-India Maybach GLS at Rs 2.75 crore, marking a significant price drop compared to the fully imported model’s price tag of Rs 3.17 crore. Alongside this, the brand has also launched the Maybach GLS Celebration Edition at Rs 4.10 crore.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Celebration Edition launched at Rs 1.34 crore
Mercedes-Benz has launched a new Celebration Edition of the EQS SUV, priced at Rs 1.34 crore for the 5-seater version and Rs 1.48 crore for the 7-seater version (both prices ex-showroom, India). The Celebration Edition essentially brings a sporty AMG Line trim for the base EQS 450 variant. The German luxury carmaker also claims that the EQS SUV was the highest-selling luxury EV in its top-end vehicle category.

Mahindra XEV 9S, XUV 7XO log 93,689 bookings combined on first day
Mahindra has announced that the XUV 7XO and XEV 9S together received 93,689 bookings within the first four hours on January 14, 2026. The carmaker said the figure was recorded as of 2.00pm and translates into a booking value of over Rs 20,500 crore.

Royal Enfield Motorcycles to be introduced in BGMI video game
KRAFTON India and Royal Enfield have announced a partnership that will debut Royal Enfield’s iconic Bullet 350 and the Continental GT 650 cafe racer motorcycles inside Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). Royal Enfield also showcased a custom-built Continental GT 650 inspired by the video games tactical and war-ready aesthetic.

JSW ties up with Chery to launch Jetour T2 in India
JSW Motors Limited, JSW Group’s independent passenger mobility division, is all set to launch its first automobile in India this year, and our sources tell us the first model to arrive will be the Jetour T2 SUV. JSW has ambitions of being a carmaker in its own right, and the T2 will thus be launched independent of the company’s joint venture with MG – JSW MG Motor India. Notably, it would carry a JSW badge and model name instead of the Jetour branding. The SUV will be assembled at the brand’s upcoming greenfield manufacturing plant in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, and it should be in showrooms by the third quarter of this year.

Honda Elevate price hiked by up to Rs 60,000
Honda India has increased prices for most of its model portfolio, specifically the Elevate, City hybrid and Amaze. This comes amid a wave of recent price hikes from other mass-market carmakers like Skoda and Toyota.

2026 Honda Africa Twin revealed
Honda has announced new colour schemes for the 2026 model year CRF1100L Africa Twin range. The updates apply to all variants of the adventure motorcycle, including the standard model, Electronic Suspension variant and the Adventure Sports version.

"Punch sales will hit a new peak": says Tata Motors boss
Ever since its launch in 2021, the Punch has been a strong seller for Tata Motors, and in 2024, it became India’s largest-selling car and, incidentally, the first non-Maruti car in over 40 years to sit at the top of the sales chart. Last year, however, it slid to the number 10 position. 

10 most affordable cars with 360 degree camera
Cars with 360-degree cameras have quickly been gaining popularity as a must-have safety and convenience feature. They show a full surround view of the vehicle using cameras located at the front, sides and rear, helping drivers manoeuvre better in tight spots, through traffic, and while parking.

Bajaj Chetak C2501 launched at Rs 91,399
Bajaj has expanded its Chetak electric scooter portfolio with the launch of the new C2501 model, priced at Rs 91,399 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). The C2501 is now the entry point to the Chetak line-up, with a much more affordable price, lower range and top speed, while also being much lighter and more approachable.

Bajaj Chetak C2501 vs rivals: price, range and charging times compared
Bajaj has added a new entry point to its electric scooter portfolio with the launch of the Chetak C2501, which is now the smallest model in the Chetak range. It is a ground-up model that sits apart from the 3001 and 35 Series, with no shared platform, components or hardware. Although it carries forward the familiar Chetak design identity, the C2501 is noticeably more compact and pared-back in its execution. Here’s a look at how it compares, on paper, with rival electric scooters from other Indian manufacturers.

Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus review: Honest to the core
A tough-as-nails, body-on-frame Mahindra SUV that can seat up to nine adults, uses the Scorpio’s diesel engine and has ‘Bolero’ in its name sounds like a recipe for sure-shot success. The vehicle in question, originally known as TUV300 Plus, rebranded (in 2024) as the Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus, priced between Rs 10.77 lakh and Rs 11.80 lakh. This places it above the sub-4-metre Bolero Neo (Rs 8.49 lakh-Rs 10.49 lakh) and below the Scorpio Classic (Rs 12.98 lakh-Rs 16.70 lakh). But should you be interested in one?

Tesla to offer self-driving software only on monthly basis from Feb 14, Musk says
Tesla to stop selling Full Self-Driving feature from February 14, new buyers will get subscription-only model
The Financial Express