VinFast generates interest again to participate in EV manufacturing scheme (SPMEPCI)
New Delhi: Vietnam-based electric vehicle maker VinFast has said that the company would participate in the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI). The company said its participation should be permissible now with the latest announcement of $500 million new investment in Tamil Nadu. The SPMEPCI was approved by the Centre in June 2024. But, VinFast started investment from January 2024, and was not eligible for subsidies under the scheme and the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) declined its application.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen pitches for policy continuity, customs duty reforms
New Delhi: Policy continuity, infrastructure growth and a stronger electric vehicle ecosystem in the upcoming Union Budget will be critical for sustaining momentum in the automotive sector, according to Skoda Auto Volkswagen India MD and CEO Piyush Arora. The Pune-based brand, which manages the Indian operations of six brands, Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche, also emphasised the importance of customs reforms and bilateral trade agreements to support global integration.

Too early to assess durability of small-car demand after GST cuts: CEAT MD
New Delhi: Overall consumer trend still is towards buying SUVs and it is too early to say if the rise in demand for small car witnessed by automobile manufacturers in GST 2.0 era will be sustained, according to tyre maker CEAT Ltd MD and CEO Arnab Banerjee. The company is maintaining its guidance for a double-digit growth for the ongoing fiscal although GST 2.0 has provided an impetus, and it is looking to tap rural markets, specially for farm and two-wheeler tyres, Banerjee told PTI.

VinFast wins double prestigious awards at AUTO9 awards 2026
Gurugram, Haryana: VinFast received a double honor at the Auto9 Awards 2026, with the “New Entrant of the Year” award and the “Value for Money Car of the Year” award for the VF 6. The award, which honors the best automotive and motorcycle brands and products in the Indian market, recognizes VinFast’s strong progress since entering the market, its long-term direction in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, and its consumer-centric approach to building a product portfolio aligned with local preferences.

85,000 vehicles avail Rs 450 crore benefits under scrappage policy: Govt
Around 85,000 vehicle owners have availed incentives worth nearly ₹450 crore under the Centre’s voluntary vehicle scrappage policy, officially known as the Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme, the Ministry of Finance said on Sunday.

India likely to slash import tariffs on EU cars to 40% under trade deal: Report
European automakers accelerate India localisation ahead of EU trade deal
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Renault’s iconic SUV Duster to make a comeback and play key role in India strategy
Renault India’s SUV Duster, which was discontinued in 2021, will be back on the Indian roads. It will be re-launched with enhanced features on Monday evening at the Nehru Indoor stadium. The Chennai plant will restart the Duster production after it was stopped four years back due to poor market conditions then, sources said. The relaunched Duster will be the first product to be launched under the brand’s International Game Plan 2027 in India. The SUV will be a key pillar of its India-centric transformation strategy.

Top 5 reasons that helped Kia Sonet surpass 5 lakh unit sales milestone in India
Kia Sonet, one of the bestselling sub-compact SUVs in India, has crossed five lakh unit sales milestone in the country. The SUV has been playing a crucial role in Kia's domestic growth story since its launch. The Kia Sonet currently contributes close to 35% of the South Korean carmaker's domestic sales volume in the Indian passenger vehicle market. Beyond the Indian market, the Kia Sonet has also found success in the auto company's export map. The made in India Kia Sonet is exported to nearly 70% markets, including regions such as the Middle East and Africa, Central and South America, Mexico, and Asia Pacific markets.

Mahindra Thar in mind? Be ready to shell out more. Old vs new prices compared
If you have been planning to bring home the iconic Mahindra Thar, the three-door true-blue SUV that can take you anywhere, irrespective of the road condition, now you have to stretch your budget slightly. Just a few months after reducing prices following a GST rate cut during the last festive season, the homegrown auto giant has increased the price for its popular three-door SUV. The Mahindra Thar has become pricier by ₹20,000, and the new pricing is effective immediately.

Why Hyundai Motor India emerged as a Top Employer for the third year in a row
Hyundai Motor India got recognised as a Top Employer 2026, the third consecutive certification. The company scored higher than in 2025, securing the fourth position nationally and the top rank in the automobile sector, according to the Top Employers Institute.

Mahindra BE 6 EV catches fire in UP; company rules out battery fault
 

Land Rover Defender 130 at Rs 1.15 Crore? Check new expected prices of European luxury vehicles after duty cut
India’s elite luxury auto scene is changing gears just as the EU-India Free Trade Agreement proposes slashing import duties on qualifying European cars. As part of the new agreement, the Indian government could end up reducing the import duty from up to 110% to 40%, especially targeting CBU models above € 15,000 CIF within quotas. The change in the import duties will affect fully imported flagship cars from Germany, the UK, Italy, and beyond. Industry experts expect the new agreement to make these premium automotive solutions more viable for aspiring buyers. 

CarSlice launches India's first tax-efficient luxury car subscription model on Republic Day
Mumbai: CarSlice today announced the launch of India's first tax-efficient, subscription-based luxury mobility model, introducing a new way for affluent consumers to access premium vehicles without the financial drag of traditional ownership. The Republic Day debut positions CarSlice as a response to growing demand for smarter, more flexible approaches to luxury consumption in India.

Commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland bats for more scrappage boost
 

Ashok Leyland says it is actively evaluating multiple opportunities across products
“The company continues to participate actively in almost all e-Bus tenders and remains open to engaging in future e-Ambulance opportunities, including those under government and institutional frameworks, as they evolve,” a senior official at Ashok Leyland said.

Rebadging woes for Suzuki, Toyota
The global partnership between Toyota and Suzuki was a masterstroke—Toyota got access to Suzuki’s expertise in building small cars (via Maruti Suzuki), and Suzuki got access to Toyota’s hybrid and electrification technology.

How Skoda-Volkswagen is reengineering its India ambition
In the high-stakes Indian car market, the Volkswagen (VW) Group has been a cautious giant for almost two decades. While competitors have flooded the market with budget-friendly EVs and feature-rich cars, the German conglomerate – which sells Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche brands in India – has maintained a measured approach.

Key 5 facts that make Royal Enfield Hunter 350 an appealing motorcycle
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a popular motorcycle in the 350 cc segment of the Indian two-wheeler market. The most affordable motorcycle of the Royal Enfield, the Hunter 350 is not sold as much as the iconic Classic 350, but certainly has grabbed a lot of eyeballs since its launch in August 2022. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 comes blending the classic torquey character of the Royal Enfield motorcycles with modern features.

E2W companies seek PM E-Drive subsidy extension beyond March 2026
 

Electric motorcycle makers expect some incentives from Centre
New Delhi: Electric motorcycle makers have demanded incentives as there are none for this segment of electric vehicles (EVs). Whether it was Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) between 2019 and 2024 or Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, all the incentives were majorly driven for electric scooters and three-wheelers, they said adding that there should be some announcements from the upcoming Budget too.

‘Customers prefer to ‘tech-refresh’ their existing cars’: Uno Minda’s Vishal Kaul on how Indians are reshaping the aftermarket accessories sector
India’s automotive landscape is presently undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by electrification, connected technologies, and changing consumer tastes. The auto aftermarket is evolving faster than anticipated, with consumers embracing next-gen technologies faster than expected. While auto makers are focused on upgrading existing models or replacing them with products that offer a better overall proposition, the auto aftermarket segment is where there is a lot of action happening.

Four years later, ACC PLI struggling to add capacity
New Delhi: Over four years since its launch, India’s Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive (ACC PLI) scheme is languishing. A mere 2.8 per cent of the targeted capacity has been added, garnering only about one-fourth of the targeted investments. In October 2021, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) launched the ACC PLI scheme to catalyse domestic cell manufacturing with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore ($2.08 billion). It aimed to attract large players by mandating a minimum investment of ₹1,125 crore ($129.3 million).

HPCL bets big on renewables and biofuels to meet 2040 net-zero target
 

These Indian highways have seen the fastest rise in EV charging stations
Chennai: The availability of fast-chargers along India’s major highways surged last year as the government and companies ramped up charging infrastructure amid growing electric vehicle (EV) penetration in the country.

DTC to set up EV charging hubs for buses and trucks at three Delhi depots
DTC begins setting up charging stations for commercial vehicles

Beyond the tailpipe: Centre moves to map life-cycle carbon emissions of all vehicles, end debate on norms
New Delhi : India plans to map the carbon emissions of every vehicle segment over their life cycles to assess their impact on climate and help prepare a clear policy aimed at making the country a globally competitive clean-mobility hub by 2047, two people aware of the developments said.

Air quality dips to ‘poor’ category in Delhi, rain likely today
 

ICICI Lombard puts safety first with multiple road safety initiatives
Source Credit: PTI, The Tribune
 

8 Steps to successfully file a bike insurance claim after an accident
 

Shriram Finance to redraw biz plan in FY27; to focus on new vehicles
 

2026 Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta: Specifications comparison
While the Hyundai Creta has been the reigning sales champ of the fiercely competitive mid-size SUV segment, the mid-lifecycle facelift for the Skoda Kushaq is here to try to challenge its supremacy. We compare the two SUVs in terms of specifications to find out if the updated Kushaq has a shot.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris Long Term Review, 3,500km report
We came away from the press drive of the new Maruti Suzuki Victoris with the impression that it was a well-rounded, feature-rich and competent midsize SUV. So, when the time came to undertake a 1,300km+ road trip with my friends, I thought I’d give this newest member of our long-term fleet a shot. Interestingly, it’s not the hybrid but the 1.5 petrol with the 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive in top-spec ZXi+(O) guise. 

Sheth, Hanspal win at Speedverse Tarmac Autocross V2.0
Venom Motorsportz held its Speedverse Autocross competition for the first time on Tarmac at the Raymond Track in Thane. From a stock Celerio to a modified Accord and Octavia RS, along with two tuned AMGs, the event was a spectacle for car aficionados. The event also featured people of varying ages,The event also featured people of varying ages, with the youngest being 18 year old Veer Sheth, who secured multiple victories, and the oldest being 71 year old Pradeep Nair, who won the 2051cc to 2550cc class.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC long-term review, 1,500km report
This bright yellow motorcycle you see here is not just special to me because it’s the first vehicle I bought with my own money, but also because it arrived right on time to count as a birthday gift as I completed 30 revolutions around the sun. Frankly, I have always been a car guy, but if there’s one motorcycle I’ve lusted for since childhood, it’s the Triumph Speed Twin. Nothing is more quintessentially motorcycle to me than one with a classic teardrop tank, round headlamps and spoked wheels. 

Top 5 most powerful single cylinder bikes in India
Think of a single-cylinder motorcycle and the first things that will come to mind is a simple, hardy and barebones commuter or a relaxed, old-school retro. However, that stereotype is all but true for these motorcycles we have listed out today. Here are five of the most powerful single-cylinder machines on sale in India.

7 things to know before buying the Vida VX2 Go 3.4kWh
The Vida VX2 Go 3.2kWh is the brand’s most affordable offering that gets the larger battery pack from the Plus variant. Here are a few things to know before buying the VX2 Go 3.4kWh.

Tata Sierra vs Harrier: Whose top trim offers more features?
The Tata Sierra and Harrier are two of the most popular SUVs in India, both offering petrol and diesel engine options. As seen with other Tata cars, both SUVs are loaded with features to the brim. But which one offers the better feature suite and value for money? Let’s find out.

All you need to know about the Renault Duster ahead of its debut
The Renault Duster is set to make a comeback in India tomorrow, on Republic Day 2026, bringing back the nameplate after it was discontinued in early 2022. The new-gen midsize SUV will also mark Renault’s return to one of India’s most competitive SUV segments.

2026 Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Sierra: specifications compared
The recently updated Skoda Kushaq and the Tata Sierra are two of the newest models in the over-crowded midsize SUV segment. In just a couple of months’ time, the new Sierra has already established a firm footing in the segment with its head-turning design, new-age features and wide lineup of powertrain options. The Kushaq, meanwhile, gets new features and a more contemporary design with this facelift, but does it have enough to take on the what is arguably the hottest nameplate in the segment? Here, we compare both SUVs to paper to see which one stands out in terms size, specs and also features.

Yamaha Fascino 125, RayZR 125 recalled over brake issue
The recall covers 3,06,635 units of the RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid and Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid scooters manufactured between May 2, 2024, and September 3, 2025.

Alpinestars SMX6-V3 Goretex boots review
The latest SMX-6 boots retain their sporty protection, but take a step towards being more road focused.

Yamaha XSR 155 vs KTM 160 Duke Real World Efficiency Compared
The KTM 160 Duke is a naked streetfighter and the successor to the 125 Duke, which was discontinued in India. On the other hand, the XSR 155 is what Yamaha calls retro sport motorcycle as it shares its chassis and engine with the popular R15 and MT-15. The 160 Duke makes use of a 164.2cc single-cylinder engine that produces 19hp at 9,500rpm, 15.5Nm of peak torque at 7,500rpm, and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Meanwhile, the XSR 155 gets a 155cc, single-cylinder engine putting out 18.4hp at 10,000rpm, a peak torque of 14.2Nm at 7,500rpm, and mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

2025 Audi Q5 long term review, 9,000km report
The Audi Q5 currently on sale in India is the 2021 update of a 2018-generation car, so yes, it’s at the very end of its lifecycle. Moreover, the new-generation Q5 is already on sale abroad. However, I don’t think there’s been a car that has impressed us so much at this late a stage in its life. 

Ather 450 Apex: 3 reasons to buy and 2 to skip it
The Ather 450 Apex is the most evolved and advanced version of the 450X platform, showcasing how far Ather has pushed its technology. With the 2025 update bringing new features, it's positioned as a premium offering for enthusiasts. If you're considering the 450 Apex, here's what works in its favour and what might give you pause.

Skoda Kushaq facelift vs Maruti Victoris specifications compared
The 2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift introduces a bevy of styling updates, additional features, and a new powertrain option over the outgoing model, allowing the Czech carmaker to push back against newer entrants in the midsize SUV space more effectively. One of those new entrants is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which launched in September 2025. Spec sheet to spec sheet, how does the Kushaq facelift stack up against the Victoris? Let’s find out.

Skoda board member Martin Jahn on the brand’s roadmap for India
Skoda India has recorded its best year yet in 2025 with 107 percent growth, and it is carrying this momentum into 2026 with the launch of the upgraded Kushaq. We catch up with Martin Jahn, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at Skoda Auto, to discuss how the company is navigating India's unique challenges. He addresses the crucial balance of maintaining Skoda’s signature build quality while managing costs in a market that remains tough on profitability.

What to expect from upcoming Skoda Kodiaq RS?
Skoda India has confirmed it will launch the Kodiaq RS performance SUV by June 2026. This will be the first Skoda SUV in India to wear the RS badge, sitting above the standard Kodiaq with sportier cosmetic updates and a stronger mechanical package.

2026 Renault Duster to get a strong-hybrid engine by Diwali
Renault is finally gearing up for a proper comeback in India, and the next-generation Duster is set to lead that charge. The new Duster will take on rivals like the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, while also going up against strong hybrid competitors such as the Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Victoris. Apart from the turbo petrol engines that were expected, Renault has also confirmed that the new Duster will be offered with a strong hybrid powertrain from Diwali 2026 onwards. Called the E Tech system, Renault says it draws from its experience and expertise in Formula 1.

TVS Ntorq 150 road test, review
If you already own a 125cc scooter and are looking to upgrade, or simply want something quicker than most scooters on Indian roads, your shortlist would probably include the Yamaha Aerox 155, Hero Xoom 160 and Aprilia SR 175. TVS has now entered this space with the Ntorq 150 – a scooter that builds on the popularity of the Ntorq 125 while promising more performance without compromising everyday usability. While we had a brief taste of it earlier on TVS’ test track, this review is based on our first proper real-world experience, and that’s where the Ntorq 150’s character truly comes through.

Ferrari SF 26 revealed for 2026 F1 season
Ferrari is the latest manufacturer to unveil its 2026 F1 challenger. Rather than a show car, Ferrari has unveiled early renders of the SF-26, described by the Italian team as a “complete rethink of the car’s architecture” for the new rules overhaul.  This was followed by a private shakedown at the Fiorano circuit.

What to expect from the upcoming MG Majestor
Based on the SAIC Group’s Maxus D90 offered in markets like China, Australia and the Middle East, the upcoming MG Majestor is a full-size body-on-frame SUV. The 2026 MG Majestor is slated to become the brand’s new flagship offering in India, and would thus be positioned above the existing Gloster. Let us look at what we know about the Majestor before its launch on February 12.

Norton Atlas GT Spotted Testing In India For The First Time
An Instagram user has spotted a new motorcycle testing and it appears to be the upcoming Norton Atlas GT. The Atlas adventure bike is the more accessible model in the new Norton line-up and will be made entirely in India.

India EU FTA: European cars to get cheaper
After a years-long bout of negotiations, India and the European Union (EU) are reportedly close to announcing a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Under the terms of this FTA, cars built in Europe that qualify for certain criteria would see an immediate drop in import duties when sold in India – from up to 110 percent to 40 percent – with more reductions planned in the coming years. India signed a similar FTA with the UK last year.

5 most affordable adventure bikes in India
Adventure motorcycles are one of the most versatile formats for Indian riding conditions. Their higher ground clearance and longer-travel suspension make them better suited to tackle our challenging road surfaces, while the neutral, upright riding position will keep you comfortable over long days in the saddle. You don't have to spend a lot of money to own one either. Here's a list of the most affordable adventure bikes currently available in India.

Opinion: Is exporting enough to make a brand truly global?
2025 has been a very good year for Indian automobile exports. Every Indian brand has outdone itself over the previous year. The standout performance has been in South Africa, where, according to a report by the market intelligence firm Lightstone, nearly half of all four-wheelers sold were connected with India. They were either Indian brands like Mahindra or Tata, or were cars from the Maruti Suzuki stable rebadged as Toyotas. The Celerio is the Vitz, the Baleno is the Starlet and the Fronx is the Starlet Cross.