Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 20 Jan 2026,Tuesday
🏢 Industry
China makes a move on lithium; will Indian EV makers suffer?
Kochi : A quiet policy shift in Beijing is threatening to push up electric vehicle (EV) prices in India, just as the EV industry's tax edge over combustion engines begins to fade.
Indian Govt mandates ‘AC-On’ fuel efficiency testing for all cars from October 2026
In a move to bridge the gap between laboratory-tested and real-world fuel efficiency, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a notification mandating that all passenger cars manufactured or imported in India must undergo fuel consumption testing with the air-conditioning (AC) system switched on. The new regulation will come into effect from October 1, 2026.
UP delegation to position state as EV manufacturing hub at Davos
Southern states hold the steering wheel in India's ePV transition
📝 Tata Motors PV shares fall over 4%. What’s triggering the selloff?
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
India-spec 2026 Renault Duster launching on January 26: India price, safety features, and everything to expect
The legendary Renault Duster is making a highly anticipated return to the Indian market after a four-year hiatus. The third-generation avatar is scheduled to be unveiled on January 26, 2026, coinciding with India’s Republic Day celebrations. Renault skips the second-generation global model of the Duster and brings a completely refreshed, modern take on the SUV that originally pioneered the compact/midsize segment back in 2012.
📝 Designer Gaurav Gupta debuts menswear flagship with MG collaboration, enters automotive design
📝 Court orders refund for cancelled vehicle booking
📝 2026 Skoda Kushaq arrives today: What buyers can expect!
📝 Skoda Kushaq facelift teased with DDLJ theme: What to expect
📝 2026 Tata Punch facelift: Top 5 key things to know
📝 New Honda Jazz racer concept unveiled for China with aggressive aero and styling
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Electric Car/SUV
📝 Toyota Urban Cruiser EV launching in India today: Check key features, likely price and other details
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🚗 Luxury
DRIVE YOUR MATCH: BMW India unveils its new Ad campaign
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles
📝 Small commercial vehicles rebound as pick-ups post double-digit growth
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🎤 Interviews & Features
Top 4 major updates expected on 2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift
Skoda India is all set to launch the new 2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift in the country on January 20, as the first car launch of the company of this calendar year. The 2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift has been teased on the automaker's social channels revealing the updated silhouette and lighting elements. The refreshed Skoda Kushaq is expected to come sporting an exciting design
Interview: Vinay Raina, chief commercial officer, JSW MG Motor India
"With the MG Windsor, we didn’t just launch a product but strengthened the broader EV ecosystem through customer-centric initiatives that built trust and confidence," Raina said. ‘The green number plate has become a symbol of aspiration’
📝 Buying used car vs new car: Pros & Cons explained
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Kawasaki Versys-X 300 gets up to ₹76,000 benefits. Know more
Kawasaki Versys-X 300, the most affordable adventure tourer of the Japanese two-wheeler giant in the Indian market is now available with exciting benefits as the company is aiming to phase out its unsold stock of MY25 models as well as ramp up the sales numbers. The Kawasaki Versys-X 300, which was available with cash discounts of ₹25,000 in December as part of the brand's year-end benefits along with range of free accessories, is now available with benefits worth up to ₹76,000.
Vida VXZ electric motorcycle nears production. Everything to expect
Hero MotoCorp, the biggest two-wheeler manufacturer in India, has patented the design of its upcoming electric motorcycle, the Vida VXZ, in India. Upon launch, the Vida VXZ is going to be the first ever electric motorcycle of the automaker that was showcased in concept avatar at the EICMA 2025. The design patent of the upcoming Vida VXZ hints that the electric motorcycle is nearing its production and likely to be launched in the country sometime later this year or in 2027.
Bajaj Pulsar 125, Pulsar N250, NS400Z become pricier. Old vs new prices compared
Bajaj Auto has increased the pricing of its highly popular and high in demand Pulsar range of motorcycles. The Bajaj Pulsar range of motorcycles that have been dominating the Indian two-wheeler market's sporty commuter and entry-level sport bike segment for decades, have become costlier between ₹461 and ₹1,460, depending on models and variants.
📝 TVS Motor takes Apache Racing Experience to Nepal
📝 Ampere targets budget EV buyers with Magnus G Max scooter
📝 Mysuru sees spike in registration of EV two-wheelers
📝 Yulu holds road safety rallies in Bengaluru and Delhi
📝 Ola Electric CFO Harish Abichandani resigns; Deepak Rastogi appointed successor
📝 Planning to buy a family e-scooter? Check these popular models for daily commutes
📝 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Limited and Road Glide Limited revealed with updates
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⚙ Components
📝 NBC Bearings to invest 30% in Ahamani India
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🌇 Allied Industries
Himadri Speciality Chemical begins talks with prospective global buyers for lithium-ion battery component
Kolkata: Speciality chemical conglomerate Himadri Speciality Chemical, which is planning to commission its proposed ₹1,130-crore Odisha plant during this year-end for producing lithium-ion battery component materials, has started talks with prospective global buyers. The Odisha plant will produce lithium iron phosphate which is a key material for making lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs).
CEAT posts ₹155 crore profit in Q3; revenue rises 26%
CEAT bets on volumes to offset margin pressure in Q4
The Financial Express
TVS Infrastructure Trust closes first tranche of its ₹1,100 crore NCD programme
📝 Steel companies' profits may dip despite volumes as prices stay weak
📝 Himadri Speciality Chemicals Q3 profit rises 36% to ₹192 crore
📝 Ceat gains traction in Europe: CEO
📝 Nalco eyes foray into rare earths, magnesium, chromite amid critical minerals push
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
📝 Chain reaction: Rosneft on radar, new Russian oil suppliers pop up for India
📝 India’s retreat from Russian oil sends China’s Urals imports to a nearly three-year high
📝 India's MRPL scouts for Venezuelan oil as it halts Russian imports
📝 Gulf Oil Lubricants ties up with ACE, Ammann India and XCMG to expand infra play
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EV Charging
📝 Indofast Energy, Nexus Select Malls launch battery swapping stations at malls in Bengaluru
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🌍 Emissions/Environment
CAQM flags widespread failures in GRAP implementation
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has flagged serious and widespread failures in the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.
With 3 severe days in a row, worst Jan AQI spell in 5 yrs
‘Severe’ air quality continues in Delhi with AQI at 410
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💸 Finance & Insurance
📝 Kinetic ties up with Hero FinCorp, Bajaj Finserv, CleverPe to boost EV financing
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📖 Magazines
Vinfast looking to localise batteries in India; three new EVs due in 2026
Vinfast says it is working to increase localisation for its India operations and is in talks with battery makers for the same. The development comes at a time when the Vietnamese EV maker is preparing to expand its India line-up with three new electric models in 2026, starting with a 7-seat MPV, likely the Limo Green. Vinfast has also said it plans to double its dealership count this year.
All you need to know about Toyota Urban Cruiser EV ahead of launch tomorrow
Toyota is set to launch the Urban Cruiser EV on January 20. The SUV will be Toyota's first-ever EV for the Indian market and is essentially a badge-engineered version of the Maruti e Vitara. Ahead of its launch, here's everything you can expect from the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV.
7 things to know before buying the Vida VX2 Plus
The Vida VX2 is the brand’s most affordable offering. The Vida VX2 looks different from the V2 and has more of a family-centric design with smooth, flowing lines as opposed to the layered panel on the V2. Here are a few things to know before buying the VX2 Plus.
ARAI fuel efficiency tests should account for AC use: Govt
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a change in how fuel efficiency is officially tested for cars in India. As per a draft notification, all passenger cars will need to undergo fuel-consumption testing with the air-conditioning system switched on as well as off to better reflect real-world use.
Kia Carens Clavis EV vs Mahindra XEV 9S real world range comparison
The Mahindra XEV 9S and Kia Carens Clavis EV are three-row EVs that, despite their different body styles, have overlapping price ranges depending on the variant. We’ve put their respective top-spec trims through our exhaustive tests to find out which of the two delivers a higher real-world range.
Kia Syros variants and features explained
The Kia Syros is the Korean manufacturer’s second sub-4m SUV offering after the Sonet and is offered in both petrol and diesel guises. Prices of the petrol variants range from Rs 8.67 lakh to Rs 15.29 lakh, while the diesel variants cost between Rs 10.14 lakh and Rs 15.94 lakh. Keep reading to know more about the powertrain details, which Syros variants get popular features such as a panoramic sunroof, seat ventilation and ADAS, as well as the complete price list.
Which Kia Carens Clavis variant should you buy?
The Kia Carens Clavis is the facelifted version of the regular Carens MPV but with a more premium slant. The Carens Clavis features comprehensive exterior styling updates over the regular Carens MPV; these include revised LED rear light bar and headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers and new 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it has subtler updates on the design front but lots of feature additions. Let’s take a look at the Carens Clavis range.
2026 Tata Tiago EV facelift spied testing
Tata’s upcoming Tiago EV facelift has been spotted testing on public roads for the first time. Cloaked in full-body camouflage, this is the second update to the Indian brand’s most affordable EV since its debut back in 2022. While Tata Motors is yet to reveal any details, spy shots of its facelifted electric hatchback’s test mule give us some insight into what we can expect from the 2026 Tiago EV.
What to expect from Skoda Kushaq facelift reveal tomorrow
Skoda India has been drip-feeding teasers of the Kushaq facelift, which is set to be revealed on January 20. The Skoda Kushaq, introduced in June 2021, was the brand’s first model under its India 2.0 reboot. Keep reading to find out everything we know so far about this Skoda midsize SUV.
Kawasaki Versys-X 300 available with benefits of up to Rs 46,000
Of late, India Kawasaki Motors has been offering discounts on a variety of its models, and the Versys-X 300 is one of them. However, the latest offer on the smallest Versys couples a flat discount with some free original Kawasaki accessories.
New Maruti Suzuki Gujarat plant to be brand’s fifth in India
Maruti Suzuki India Limited and the Government of Gujarat have formalised an investment agreement for a new manufacturing facility in Khoraj. According to ANI, Maruti Suzuki has committed Rs 35,000 crore to the project.
Maruti Victoris exports to foreign markets begin
Maruti Suzuki has commenced exporting the Victoris to various foreign markets from the ports of Mundra and Pipavav in Gujarat. The first batch had India’s largest automaker shipping just over 450 units of its new midsize SUV under the ‘Suzuki Across’ nameplate, meant specifically for various emerging markets.
Updated Bajaj Pulsar 125 revealed
Last month, Bajaj launched an updated Pulsar 150, introducing a fresh look and added features to one of its longest-running models. Now, a Pulsar 125 with similar updates has been spotted, suggesting that a launch is around the corner.
Ampere Magnus Grand Max electric scooter launched at Rs 94,999
Greaves Electric Mobility is on a steady upward trajectory with its Ampere brand, and the company routinely features in the top six OEMs in terms of monthly electric two-wheeler sales. Now, it has launched a new affordable electric scooter in the form of the Magnus Grand Max, priced at Rs 94,999 (introductory, ex-showroom, India).
Hero Vida VXZ electric bike design patented in India
After teasing, announcing and subsequently unveiling the VXZ concept at the 2025 edition of EICMA, Vida – the electric subsidiary of Hero – has now patented the design of the VXZ concept, revealing a few key design details.
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📰 International
📝 Australia's Syrah Resources buys more time for Tesla graphite supply deal
📝 Germany includes cars with range extender in EV subsidies programme
📝 Elon Musk says he has not sold Tesla stock in last three year, here’s what SEC filing reveals
📝 Tesla poised to be early winner as Canada opens door to Chinese-made EVs
📝 Volvo EX30 Cross Country debuts at Montreal International Auto Show 2026
📝 Custom Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT set to feature in Resident Evil Requiem
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