Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 28 Jan 2026,Wednesday
🏢 Industry
India-made 3 nanometre chips likely by 2032, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Vaishnaw was speaking after his meeting with the 24 chip design companies and startups that have been given the go-ahead under the flagship Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme.
India is strengthening advanced manufacturing sector: H D Kumaraswamy
Pune: The renewed focus on Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat is strengthening advanced manufacturing sectors that will define India’s future growth and global standing said Minister for Heavy Industries, H. D. Kumaraswamy. He inaugurated the 19th edition of the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT 2026) which is the flagship biennial event of The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) at the Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre (PIECC), Moshi.
German carmaker CEOs laud India-EU trade deal as opportunity for Germany
Berlin: The CEOs of Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes welcomed the finalization of a long-pending landmark trade deal between India and the European Union on Tuesday, saying that it represented an opportunity for Germany. The deal "is extremely important for Germany as an export nation, which we want to remain - we are very pleased that things are now moving quickly, that we are expanding multilateral relations rather than cutting them off," BMW Chief Executive Oliver Zipse told Reuters on the sidelines of a business conference organised by the Welt newspaper in Berlin.
India-EU rapprochement reinforces Renault’s investment strategy
India–EU FTA will help position India as export hub: Renault
The Financial Express
India-EU FTA likely to make premium luxury cars less expensive
India-EU FTA likely to make premium luxury cars less expensive
Mindgrove Technologies to launch designed-in-India chips for CCTVs in late 2026
No impact on mass market cars
India-EU FTA: Large market opens up, says Maruti Chairman RC Bhargava
📝 India-EU FTA landmark moment, to drive company's 'Make in India for world' commitment: Stellantis
📝 Trade pact with EU could be a boost for India’s auto sector– but there is a catch
📝 European carmakers gain major access as India eases tariffs under EU FTA
📝 EU carmakers face tough India market even after trade deal
📝 Indian carmakers slide on sharp tariff cuts for European imports
📝 Mahindra, Tata, Hyundai, other auto stocks fall up to 5%. Here’s why
📝 Auto companies fall on fear of more EU imports
📝 Bertone Runabout brings Marcello Gandini's 1960s sports car concept back to life
📝 South Africa mulls steep tariffs on vehicle imports from China, India to shield local industry
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🚗 ICE Car/SUV
Big win for Tata, Mahindra and Maruti: Europe opens doors to 6.25 lakh Indian cars
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is officially signed, and it brings good news for India’s auto enthusiasts. As part of the bilateral ties, India will be slashing import duties on European cars to 10% from as high as 110%.
Planning to buy Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition? Monthly EMI details explained
Mahindra Thar is certainly the most popular lifestyle SUV in India, and the Mahindra Thar Roxx comes as a more practical, family oriented five-door iteration of this model. Mahindra has now introduced a special edition iteration of the Thar Roxx, christened as Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition. Available in three variants, depending on different powertrain choices, the Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition is priced between ₹16.85 lakh and ₹18.35 lakh (ex-showroom).
Renault bets on a French CEO and an old favourite to kick-start its India comeback
French carmaker Renault SA believes the appointment of a French chief executive and the return of Duster, its former best-selling mid-size SUV, will be key to its revival in the Indian market.
Renault Duster rewires car development with AI and other emerging tech helping cut timelines
Chennai: As Renault launches its next-generation Duster, the French automaker is also expecting more models to follow suit and anticipates that its market share in India will rise to 3-5 per cent by 2030 from the present 1 per cent, Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Growth Officer Renault Group & CEO Renault brand, told businessline on Tuesday. “We cannot disclose how many [more] models we will launch. However, it could be in sub-four metre and in C segment,” he added. The new Duster SUV, despite delays due to Covid and other geo-political issues, has been brought out in a very short period of time and the CEO credits new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for it.
Renault unveils new-generation Duster; bookings open, price to be declared in March
Renault aims to lift India market share to 3-5% by 2030, says CEO
📝 Maruti Suzuki Q3 Preview: PAT seen rising up to 35% YoY. 5 key parameters to watch
📝 Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Tech Package launched: Price, features explained
📝 MG’s Fortuner rival Majestor teased: Launch date, design and more
📝 With Duster unveil, Renault to bring new models every year
📝 Mahindra Thar Roxx Star edition on-road prices in top cities of India: Delhi, Mumbai and more
📝 Anand Mahindra remembers his mother’s Fiat, “Blue Bell,” and the early days of Indian automobiles: “Special for me…”
📝 Skoda Kylaq drives growth as production hits 50,000 units within a year in India
📝 5 key highlights of the new Renault Duster worth noting
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Electric Car/SUV
📝 Tyre overheating, not battery fault, behind BE 6 incident: Mahindra
📝 BYD weighs India expansion as hundreds of car orders pile up
📝 'Safety utmost priority': Mahindra responds to its EV catching fire in UP's Gulaothi
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🚗 Luxury
FTA to aid demand, not disrupt luxury car market: Santosh Iyer
The proposed India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is unlikely to materially alter luxury car pricing in the near term, but could play a meaningful role in supporting demand, portfolio flexibility and long-term supply-chain integration, according to Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.
Used luxury car market may benefit from higher new-car volumes
The India–EU FTA is unlikely to weigh on prices in the used luxury car market and could, in fact, strengthen the segment over the medium term by expanding supply, improving liquidity and accelerating upgrade cycles, according to dealers.
Luxury cars unlikely to see price cuts in wake of India-EU FTA
The India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) is unlikely to lower prices for most European cars sold in India, given heavy localisation and the low import duties on completely knocked-down (CKD) kits. Carmakers such as Volkswagen, Skoda, Renault, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi already have manufacturing facilities and assembly lines in India, shielding them from heavy import duties.
No price reduction; India-EU FTA to drive tech innovation in auto sector: Mercedes-Benz India chief Santosh Iyer
No price cut from India-EU FTA; auto tech innovation to rise: Mercedes
Business Standard
India–EU FTA unlikely to cut luxury car prices, auto parts emerge big winners
Luxury car prices unlikely to come down
The Financial Express
India-EU FTA: Mercedes to Lamborghini, luxury cars likely to get cheaper
📝 Interview | Lexus India's Hikaru Ikeuchi on channel expansion, EVs
📝 Avis India launches chauffeur-driven luxury van rental service
📝 Mother of all deals! Will India–EU FTA lower luxury car prices?
📝 Gear up to drive cheaper European luxury cars on Indian roads
📝 India-EU FTA sealed: Will BMWs and Mercedes be more affordable?
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⛟ Commercial Vehicles
📝 Delhi's public buses to go all-EV within 3 years, says CM Rekha Gupta
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🎤 Interviews & Features
Top 5 features of 2026 Skoda Kushaq: Panoramic sunroof to new automatic gearbox
The 2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift that was introduced in the Indian market just a few days back, comes as the latest contender in the compact SUV segment. Skoda has introduced several meaningful upgrades to the Kushaq to keep it relevant. The Kushaq has been one of the key revenue churners for the Czech carmaker, especially under its India 2.0 product strategy. With the new updated version of the SUV, the Skoda Kushaq is expected to become more appealing to the consumers.
2026 Renault Duster in mind? Booking, dimension, powertrain detailed
Renault Duster, one of the highly in-demand and most popular automotive nomenclatures in India that was discontinued in the country few years back, has made a grand comeback on January 26. The 2026 Renault Duster, wearing a completely redesigned styling, a plethora of advanced technology-aided fresh features have taken the game up. The new Duster that comes in sync with the French carmaker's contemporary design philosophy, aims to be a major crowd puller for the brand.
India’s EV ride: Consistency in execution holds key
📝 Hero Xtreme 125R vs TVS Raider vs Honda CB125 Hornet: Engine, features, price
📝 New Renault Duster 2026 vs Kia Seltos: Specification comparison
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🏗 Construction & Agriculture
How global tractor brands stack up against Indian majors
India’s tractor market growth in CY25 masked a mixed performance among premium and global manufacturers, with selective gains for some multinational players offset by market share losses for others, even as domestic leaders tightened their grip on volumes and distribution according to latest FADA release.
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🏍 EV/ICE Two Wheelers
Top 5 facts propelled TVS iQube to surpass 8 lakh unit sales milestone
TVS Motor Company's bestselling electric scooter, the TVS iQube has surpassed the eight lakh unit sales milestone in the Indian market in December 2025. This has underlined the TVS iQube's position as India's largest selling electric scooter. Also, with the growth pace, the sales of the iQube is thriving, the EV could soon cross one million unit sales milestone.
Planning to buy Royal Enfield Hunter 350? Here's your monthly EMI explained
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is one of the most popular models in the 350 cc motorcycle segment in India. Not as popular as the iconic Classic 350 from the same manufacturer, but the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has been finding an increasing level of penetration in the segment. The Hunter 350 is the most affordable and entry-level product in Royal Enfield's motorcycle lineup.
📝 TVS’ first electric motorcycle design patented in India: What to expect
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⚙ Components
Raymond Limited posts 18% revenue growth in Q3, driven by aerospace and auto components
Mumbai: Raymond Limited reported a robust performance for the third quarter ending December 31, 2025, with total income rising 18 per cent year-on-year to ₹580 crore from ₹493 crore in the same period last year.
After SCL Mohali, Tata's Dholera plant to help startups build prototype chips
After the state-owned Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, Tata Electronics’ upcoming semiconductor plant in Dholera will provide fabrication support to chip startups for design tape-outs, Union electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday.
📝 Uno Minda to showcase future-ready aftermarket portfolio at Automechanika Delhi 2026
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🌇 Allied Industries
NITI Aayog calls for tighter norms to fix India's waste tyre recycling gaps
📝 Tyre industry flags natural rubber shortage, seeks government intervention
📝 Emerald Tyre to acquire 65% stake in South Africa's SA Rubber Engineering to scale global footprint
📝 India-EU FTA to boost steel trade, low-carbon cooperation: Indian Steel Association
📝 India hopeful of preferential treatment for its steel exports under EU's new regulations
📝 Hindalco announces Rs 21,000-cr aluminium smelter expansion in Odisha
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants
Canada to supply LNG, LPG, crude; India to export refined fuels
Source Credit: Rakesh Kumar, New Indian Express
New Delhi: Canada will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and crude oil to India, while India will export refined petroleum products to Canada, according to the Canada–India Ministerial Energy Dialogue held on Tuesday.
ONGC scouts technical service provider for western offshore fields to boost output
📝 India targets $100 bn oil and gas investments by decade-end: Modi
📝 India saves $19.3 bn in forex via ethanol blending; eyes 100 GW nuclear by 2047: Puri
📝 HPCL seeks Venezuelan crude to boost heavy oil runs
📝 Indian Oil to Raise Brazilian Crude Purchases as Russian Imports Slow
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EV Charging
📝 EV charging stations will be mandatory at fuel pumps on MSRTC land: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik
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🌍 Emissions/Environment
Despite rain, AQI slips to ‘very poor’ in Delhi
Govt aims to cut air pollution in NCR by 15-20% within a year, says Environment Minister
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💸 Finance & Insurance
NITI Aayog bats for GST relief, insurance push to boost vehicle scrapping
📝 Total Loss in Car Insurance: What It Means and How Payout Is Calculated
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📖 Magazines
TVS iQube crosses 8 lakh sales milestone
TVS’ bestselling electric scooter, the iQube, has crossed the 8 lakh wholesales milestone in the domestic market, underlining its position as India’s largest-selling electric scooter. The milestone was achieved in end-December 2025, with TVS dispatching 35,177 units that month. This also marked the fourth consecutive month of iQube wholesales exceeding 30,000 units.
TVS eFX 30 electric motorcycle design patented in India
TVS Motor Company has registered a design patent in India for its eFX 30 electric motorcycle concept, which was first unveiled at EICMA 2025 in Milan last November.
Toyota Hyryder Tech Package launched
Toyota India has launched a new Tech Package for its Hyryder midsize SUV. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Tech Package essentially adds some features and safety kit, which come from the brand’s official accessories list. The Tech Package is available on all Hyryder variants and costs Rs 29,499 more than the variant it is based on.
Updated Triumph Tiger 1200 spotted testing
The Triumph Tiger 1200 has been spotted testing for the first time. Interestingly, not on the road but on an off-road trail - revealing a few design and feature updates.
2026 Renault Duster vs rivals: Specifications compared
The Renault Duster, which was discontinued in 2022, has returned to the midsize SUV segment, a category it helped establish in 2012. Currently, this space is dominated by popular models such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Kia Seltos and Toyota Hyryder. Does the newly revealed third-generation Renault Duster have what it takes to compete with its well-established rivals? Let’s compare the specifications of all the midsize SUVs to find out.
Why 2026 could be the Creta’s toughest year with Sierra, Duster and Seltos
The Creta is the jewel in Hyundai’s portfolio, much like the Innova is for Toyota. In many ways, it is as big as – or even bigger than – the brand itself in India. While Hyundai sells a wide range of models, the company’s volumes have increasingly leaned on the Creta in recent years. Over 35 percent of Hyundai’s 2025 sales came from the Creta alone, with the rest spread across eight models; nine, until the Tucson was discontinued late last year. When a brand depends this heavily on one model, any pressure on the bestseller can quickly ripple through the entire business, and that is exactly what could intensify through 2026.
Renault plans aggressive product push with new models every year
Renault is looking at a fundamental reset in its strategy for India, with plans to bring new products every year. The brand believes speed of new product development and launches are critical to remain competitive in India.
New Renault Duster: All your questions answered
Renault India has finally revealed the new Duster, one of the most important models for the brand here. The next-generation midsize SUV gets new powertrains, several feature upgrades and design changes, and upon launch, it will take on the likes of popular nameplates such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder and Tata Sierra. Below, we've rounded up and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the Renault Duster from our readers.
India EU FTA: Import duties slashed to 10 percent on European cars
India and the European Union (EU) have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) under which tariffs on imported European cars will gradually reduce from 110 percent to 10 percent for an allocation of 2,50,000 vehicles a year. This will effectively reduce the prices of cars imported from Europe as completely built units (CBUs). The pact also states that duties on auto components will be completely abolished after five to 10 years. Reportedly, only ICE-powered vehicles will benefit from the agreement first, while EVs will see similar tariff cuts after five years.
2026 MG Majestor teased ahead of February 12 launch
In the run-up to the Majestor’s launch on February 12, JSW MG Motor India has released a teaser video showcasing just its exterior. To slot above the MG Gloster, the carmaker’s current ICE flagship, the new MG Majestor three-row SUV will rival the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and Skoda Kodiaq.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 750 new spy shots reveal fresh details
Fresh spy images have emerged of the Royal Enfield Continental GT 750 out on test overseas, and they reveal a few new details
BYD Seal recalled in India over possible battery issues
BYD India has issued a voluntary recall to replace the high-voltage battery of the Seal, according to the brand’s service centre technicians. While the exact number of units recalled has not been disclosed yet, the brand has requested all BYD Seal customers in the country to have their cars checked by authorised technicians for a possible fault with the Seal’s Blade battery. Here is what we know about this issue so far.
New Renault Duster: Differences with global-spec model explained
Around three years after production of the first-generation Duster ended, Renault India brought back the nameplate in the form of the third-generation Duster. While several global markets got the second-gen model, the French carmaker skipped it entirely for India. The India-spec 2026 Duster that has been revealed boasts several distinct differences when compared to its foreign counterparts. Renault has taken note of what Indian buyers want in terms of design and features in their midsize SUV, and it has tried to implement the same. Let us take a look at those – both on the outside and inside.
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📰 International
India stops China's request for WTO dispute panel on car, renewables measures, says official
General Motors’ core profit rises in Q4
General Motors (GM) reported a higher fourth-quarter core profit on Tuesday on stronger sales of its affordable crossover SUVs and pickup trucks throughout the year, sending the shares of the Detroit automaker up about 6% in premarket trading. Its pre-tax earnings on an adjusted basis rose about 13% to $2.84 billion compared with about $2.51 billion a year ago. The firm said it expects an annual adjusted core profit of $13 billion to $15 billion, a range whose midpoint exceeded analysts’ expectation of $13.39 billion, according to LSEG data.
📝 EVs overtake petrol cars in EU sales for first time
📝 Eaton to spin off Vehicle and eMobility businesses, focus on electrical and aerospace
📝 OPMobility signs deal to explore buying Hyundai Mobis' lighting business
📝 Volkswagen to recall over 44,000 US vehicles over battery fire risk
📝 Auto parts supplier LKQ explores strategic options, including sale
📝 USA rare earth shares surge on report of Trump administration investment
📝 Vietnam's auto manufacturer to establish $130 mn EV battery plant with China's BYD
📝 VinFast teams up with Autobrains to develop low-cost self-driving tech
📝 Musk's self-driving ambitions key for Tesla results
Read More >>
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