Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 21 Jan 2026,Wednesday
🏢 Industry
ZF Group opens new EPB line in Chennai Plant; bullish about passenger car segment
The line, which will produce EPBs for passenger vehicles, will have a peak annual capacity of 80,0000 units. It will require seven employees to assemble the units from start to finish, with the company currently running one shift that it plans to expand to three soon.
Tesla India hiring in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi: Check eligibility and roles here
Tesla one of the largest EV makers has started hiring interns in several Indian cities, and the news has quickly grabbed attention online. For many college students, this is like a rare chance to work with one of the world’s most well-known electric vehicle companies. Even though Tesla has now launched cars in India yet, this move shows the company is rapidly building its presence in the country.
Centre links vehicle services with pending toll dues
New Delhi: The Centre has linked key vehicle-related services, including ownership transfer and fitness certification, with the clearance of pending toll dues on National Highways.
Rapido breaches Rs 1,000 crore income mark in FY25, losses shrink
Bengaluru-based ride-hailing unicorn Rapido, posted an operating revenue of Rs 934 crore in FY25, up 44% from Rs 648 crore in the previous fiscal, according to consolidated financials accessed from the Registrar of Companies. Including interest income of Rs 69 crore from investments, Rapido’s total income reached Rs 1,003 crore during the year.
Raana Semiconductors secures $3 million seed funding to build indigenous semicon ingot grower
📝 Budget 2026 could be the gear shift India’s auto industry is waiting for
📝 From demand to capability: Auto industry’s skill agenda for Budget 2026
📝 Global supply chains enter era of structural volatility: WEF
📝 Toyota: Weakening Re to push localisation, exports
📝 ETAuto Retail Forum 2026 kicks off today; spotlight on digital, omnichannel and new-age mobility
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Volkswagen lines up Tayron to re-enter three-row SUV space
The new Volkswagen Tayron will go on sale in India by March 2026 as Volkswagen’s new flagship SUV for the market. The three-row SUV will be locally assembled using CKD kits, marking a strategic shift in the brand’s India approach from chasing volumes to protecting margins and improving revenue. The Tayron will also fill a key portfolio gap that opened up after the exit of the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace in 2021. For Volkswagen, the model represents an attempt to re-establish relevance in the premium three-row SUV category, a space where it has been largely absent for over four years.
MG Majestor to debut on Feb 12 challenging Fortuner, Kodiaq. What to expect
MG Motor India is gearing up to launch its new flagship SUV, the MG Majestor in the country on February 12. Upon launch, the MG Majestor will be the new flagship offering of the brand in India, possibly sitting above the MG Gloster in the carmaker's product lineup. The Majestor would come sharing a similar three-row seating layout, similar powertrain choices and a plethora of features, just like the MG Gloster. However, the upcoming SUV is expected to make the game one notch up from what the MG Gloster offers now.
Skoda bets on India growth story; looks to expand product range, diversify export markets
India now fourth-largest market for Skoda
The Financial Express
📝 Skoda Kushaq 2026 facelift: Check expected price, changes to exterior, cabin features, variants and more
📝 Skoda Auto India unveils refreshed Kushaq; pre-bookings open at ₹15,000
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Electric Car/SUV
Toyota taps Maruti JV for first electric car launch in India
Mumbai : Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the local arm of Japan's Toyota Motor Corp, will leverage its model-sharing partnership with Maruti Suzuki India to bring its first electric car to the country, becoming the last major automaker to enter the battery-powered mobility in the world’s third-largest car market.
Toyota enters India EV market with Urban Cruiser Ebella electric SUV
Toyota’s long-awaited EV entry arrives with the Urban Cruiser Ebella
New Indian Express
Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella launched: Check price, features, design, battery, booking date and other details
Toyota lines-up Urban Cruiser Ebella with focus on ownership assurance
The Financial Express
'India’s EV market just starting, we’re not late,' says Toyota as it unveils Urban Cruiser Ebella
Hybrid champion Toyota finally brings an electric car to India. But is it too late?
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📝 China escalates trade dispute, challenges India’s EV policies at World Trade Organisation
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🚗 Luxury
Lamborghini India sells 111 units in 2025; SUV deliveries up 17 pc YoY
Lamborghini India sells 111 units in 2025; SUV deliveries up 17% y-o-y
The Hindu Business Line
Lamborghini posted record 2025 deliveries but India sales declined
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles
Tata Motors wants to stick to its profitable growth strategy even as rivals chip market share
Tata Motors Ltd, the commercial vehicle business of the Tata group, wants to continue focusing on growing profitability on the back of its product range, even as rivals including Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and VE Commercial Vehicles grow market share.
Tata eyes bid for 6,000 e-buses without joining price wars
Tata Motors to bid for 6,000 e-buses, but rules out price war
The Financial Express
E-trucks reach diesel cost parity in 3-5 years, says Tata Motors CV
📝 Tata Motors aims to expand global CV presence with next-gen technology
📝 Wheels coming off: Delhi sees one public bus accident every 2-3 days
📝 Tata Motors (CV) block deal: BNP Paribas picks up Rs 152 crore stake as Goldman Sachs sells
📝 India’s long-haul travel goes electric
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🎤 Interviews & Features
India’s SUV moment homegrown brands rewrite the rules
For decades, India’s passenger vehicle hierarchy followed a predictable script. Maruti Suzuki dominated the mass market with scale and reliability. Hyundai sat securely in second place, balancing design flair with efficiency. Homegrown brands—primarily Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors—operated on the fringes, strong in utility vehicles and entry segments but rarely central to aspiration. SUVs (sport utility vehicles) existed, but they were either rugged workhorses or niche lifestyle machines.
📝 Urban Cruiser vs e‑Vitara vs Creta Electric compared: How they differ in price, design, features, battery and key specs
📝 Audio Interview | CES 2026 in review: The global auto industry & new developing technologies
📝 Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Specifications comparison
📝 Skoda Kushaq facelift vs Hyundai Creta spec comparison: What’s different?
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Buying Bajaj Chetak C25? Here's your monthly EMI guidebook
Bajaj Auto launched the Chetak C2501 or Chetak C25 in India just a few days back, as the most affordable model of the brand's Chetak series of electric scooters. The all-new Bajaj Chetak C25 comes as a practical electric scooter, commanding an asking price of ₹91,399 (ex-showroom). While there are several electric scooters available in the market at a similar price point, offering better specifications, Bajaj Auto is betting big on this model to grab a larger chunk of the market pie.
Bajaj Chetak C2501 gets a ₹4,299 discount. But, there is a catch…
Bajaj Auto launched the Chetak C2501 earlier this month in India as the automaker's most affordable electric scooter. The entry-level Bajaj Chetak electric scooter was launched at a price of ₹91,399 (ex-showroom). Now, the homegrown two-wheeler giant has announced an early bird discount offer for the first set of customers.
📝 CBR650R bike owners alert: Honda issues recall over potential wiring short circuit, free inspection offered at BigWing dealers
📝 Misconceptions on costs, range slow India’s EV adoption: Ola Electric study
📝 Honda Motorcycle recalls CBR650R and CB1000 Hornet SP in India over potential defects
📝 Ducati adds Italian flair to India’s superbike garage; brings Panigale V4 Tricolore at ₹77 lakh
📝 Ola Electric Mobility shares tank 7%, down for 10th consecutive session. What’s triggering the fall today?
📝 2026 Bajaj Pulsar 125 launched in India; Prices start at Rs. 89,910
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⚙ Components
📝 ACMA welcomes RBI interest subvention for export credit
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🌇 Allied Industries
📝 Green steel to be long-term aspiration rather than imminent shift for India, says ICRA
📝 Amara Raja appoints Narayan S Choudhary as Chief Operations Officer
📝 GoodEnough Energy to invest Rs 750 crore to scale battery factory to 25 GWh in three years
📝 CEAT to invest ₹1,314 crore to add 3.5 million tyres capacity by H1 FY28
📝 Ceat gains traction in Europe: CEO
📝 NSUT plans to strengthen EV technology training
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
India's growth, stable crude prices favourable for both producers and consumers: IOCL Chairman
📝 HPCL to buy $3 billion worth of LNG from UAE’s ADNOC Gas under 10-year pact
Read More >>
EV Charging
The EV impediment: How unreliable public chargers are cooling India’s electric shift
“Most public chargers I end up using don’t deliver the charge they advertise on the app,” says Jatinder Singh, the owner of a premium electric SUV whom I met at a ChargeZone EV charging hub on the outskirts of Dharwad, Karnataka.
Read More >>
🌍 Emissions/Environment
How favourable weather led to the lifting of Delhi’s strictest pollution curbs
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the centre’s pollution watchdog, on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) revoked curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the capital witnessed an improvement in air quality.
‘An air purifier is the most effective way to ensure cleaner air, especially in cities with variable pollution’
In an interview with TNIE, Bradley Fishwick, Senior Design Engineer at Dyson, shares key things to keep in mind when purchasing an air purifier, how to take care of it for long-lasting performance, and why indoor pollution is equally harmful to people.
CAQM revokes GRAP-IV across Delhi-NCR
Source Credit: The Pioneer
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday revoked Stage-IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire Delhi-NCR. The decision was taken by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP after Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) fell to 378 on January 20. The AQI fell from 410 a day earlier and 440 on January 18, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Stage-IV had been imposed on January 17 following a sharp deterioration in air quality.
📝 Govt adds 4 new sectors to mandatory greenhouse gas reduction regime
📝 Why you can expect better AQI forecasts
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📖 Magazines
Skoda Kodiaq RS review: Big Bear
We already have the second generation Skoda Kodiaq on sale in India, but the RS version has never been offered here. That is set to change, as Skoda has confirmed the Kodiaq RS will arrive by June 2026. Unlike the regular Kodiaq, the RS will be a CBU import, which means it will command a premium price.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella revealed in India
Toyota India lifted the covers off its first EV for India, the Urban Cruiser Ebella. The badge-engineered sibling of the Maruti e Vitara will compete in the midsize electric SUV segment upon launch, going against the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6 and Vinfast VF6. Bookings for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella have opened today.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella variants and features explained
Toyota has taken the wraps off the Urban Cruiser Ebella, its first EV for India. A badge-engineered version of the Maruti e Vitara, the Ebella gets a different front-end while looking similar to its Maruti sibling for the most part. The Urban Cruiser Ebella will be offered in three trim levels, which are E1, E2 and E3, and paired with either a 49kWh or a 61kWh battery pack, depending on the trim you go for. Let’s dive deeper into the Urban Cruiser Ebella range.
Toyota Ebella vs Maruti e Vitara: Similarities and differences explained
The Maruti e Vitara and its badge-engineered sibling, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella, are the most-awaited electric vehicles from the two carmakers. The two have collaborated on ICE models such as the Baleno-Glanza, Fronx-Taisor and Ertiga-Rumion, but this marks the first time fully electric vehicles have emerged from the partnership. Keep reading to see how the Maruti and Toyota EVs are similar and where they differ.
5 things to know before buying the Kawasaki Z650
The Kawasaki Z650 combines the manufacturer's aggressive Sugomi styling with accessible performance. While it doesn't boast the same sales figures as its bigger sibling, the Z900, it's still an impressive motorcycle. If you're in the market for one, here are answers to some questions you might have.
2026 Tata Punch facelift Bharat NCAP results revealed
Tata revealed during the Punch facelift’s recent launch that the updated SUV scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. Now, Bharat NCAP has released the Tata Punch’s crash test ratings and scores.
Skoda Kodiaq RS India launch confirmed by June 2026
Skoda India has announced that it will launch the Kodiaq RS performance SUV by June 2026. The Kodiaq will be the first SUV to get an RS version in India. It gets sportier cosmetic bits for the exterior and interior, and a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre TSI engine.
Skoda Kushaq facelift unveiled
Skoda has pulled the covers off the Kushaq facelift, with pre-bookings now open and the price announcement set for March. The new Kushaq features revised exterior styling, a more premium interior, a longer list of creature comforts, some much-needed additions and a new powertrain option.
Lamborghini India reported sales of 111 cars in 2025
Lamborghini sold 111 units in India in 2025, translating to a drop of 1.13 percent compared to the volumes it managed in 2024. Despite the slowdown in India, the luxury Italian automaker sold 10,747 units globally in 2025, representing a 0.56 percent growth over 2024 in its overall sales. Providing the necessary lift to Lamborghini’s overall sales volume was likely the 800hp Urus SE
Top 5 bikes between Rs 8 and 10 lakh with highest power-to-weight ratio
In the Rs 8-10 lakh range, you gain access to higher-capacity triple and inline-four engines, offering a notable step up in performance. Here are the top five motorcycles in this price band, ranked by their power-to-weight ratio.
Honda unveils new F1 engine for Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team
Honda showcased the all-new RA626H powertrain in Tokyo today, which will power the Aston Martin F1 car for the 2026 season. This formally launches the partnership between the Japanese engine supplier and the British racing outfit. This marks Honda’s full-time return to the Formula 1 championship – as an engine supplier – as the sport enters a brand-new era of technical regulations.
Ducati Panigale V4 Tricolore launched at Rs 77 lakh
Ducati has brought the ultra-exclusive Panigale V4 Tricolore to India, priced at a staggering Rs 77 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The Tricolore comes draped in the colours of the Italian national flag and features numerous exclusive parts as well as finishes over the ‘standard’ Panigale V4.
Bajaj Chetak C25 Gets Rs 4,299 Early-Bird Discount
Bajaj has commenced retail sales of the all-new Chetak C25 across Chetak showrooms in India, introducing a limited-time early-bird discount of Rs 4,299 for the first 10,000 customers. Priced at Rs 91,399 (ex-showroom Delhi), the electric scooter is now available at an effective price of Rs 87,100.
Updated Bajaj Pulsar 125 launched at Rs 89,910
Bajaj Auto has launched the updated Pulsar 125, bringing with it an LED headlight and LED turn indicators, along with refreshed colour schemes and graphics.
Audi F1 2026 livery unveiled
Audi has revealed the livery for its debut F1 season. The R26 F1 racer shown at the launch event, held at Kraftwerk Berlin, was only a show car displaying the team’s visual identity. Audi has already completed an early shakedown of the R26, and fans can expect to see some more clear images of the car once testing officially gets underway.
TVS hires former JLR tech boss Nick Rogers
Amid a strong global push and aggressive expansion plans for the Norton brand, TVS Motor Company is set to bring Nick Rogers, the former tech head of Jaguar Land Rover, into its senior leadership team of Engineering and Technology.
Skoda Kushaq facelift vs old model: Differences explained
Almost five years since it first launched, the Skoda Kushaq has received a substantial facelift that brings forth updates to its exterior, interior, features list, and even powertrain options. How does the refreshed Kushaq precisely differ from its pre-facelift avatar, though? We delve into the details.
8 upgrades new Skoda Kushaq facelift gets over its predecessor
After being on sale since 2021, the Skoda Kushaq has received its first facelift in India. This mid-cycle update has rendered it with a slightly redesigned exterior and cabin, and has equipped it with some new features and improvements to make it more competitive in its segment. Here’s a list of all the updates the Kushaq facelift gets over the outgoing model.
Read More >>
📰 International
📝 Germany brings back electric car subsidies to boost market
📝 Portugal's Lifthium wins $210 million grant for lithium refinery
📝 Honda Motor to re-enter Formula 1 in 2026 as power unit supplier with Aston Martin
📝 Tesla restarts Dojo 3 programme, Musk seeks engineers via three-bullet challenge
📝 Renault 2025 sales volumes Increased 3%
📝 U.S. orders fade, Chinese sales people face tough grind in new markets
Read More >>
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