Uttarakhand to levy 'green cess' on vehicles entering state
The Uttarakhand govt is all set to implement a green cess on vehicles entering the state from other states, following the model adopted by neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. As per a notification issued on Friday, the cess would be collected at toll plazas through FASTag, with amounts ranging from INR 20 to INR 80. Electric vehicles and cars fuelled by CNG will be exempted.

BigRock Motorsport dominates Ceat ISRL Ahmedabad leg
The Ceat Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) received an overwhelming response in Gujarat, as the city played host to the second round of the racing league. The BigRock Motorsports team dominated the track, as Matt Moss of BigRock Motorsports riding the Kawasaki secured first place in the 450cc international race.

BLive becomes Zomato's largest EV partner, strengthens ties in South
New Delhi: BLive, a multi-brand EV platform, has expanded its collaboration with Zomato, leading online food delivery brand, in the southern region.

Maruti Suzuki aims to debut electric air copters in 2025, eyes global market
Maruti Suzuki is now poised to soar into the skies with its latest venture – electric air copters. With a vision to pioneer new mobility solutions, the company is gearing up to introduce compact air taxis designed to transport up to three passengers, including the pilot, reported TOI.

ETAuto Connected Vehicle Summit '24: Accelerating connected vehicle revolution to future frontiers
In a world where all advancements open new doors while presenting unique challenges, at the forefront is not only an optional opportunity but an indispensable necessity. Join us at ETAuto Connected Vehicle Summit 2024, where knowledge meets action, and innovation paves the way ahead. Let's navigate the challenges, accelerate innovation, and drive the future of connected vehicles together.

Are EVs environment friendly: The problem of lithium & nickel extraction, battery recycling
As per NITI Aayog 80% of 2 wheelers and 3 wheelers, 40% buses, and 30% to 70% of cars in India will be EVs by 2030. Against this, “between 2019-20 and 2020-21, 2 wheeler EV rose by 422%, 3 wheelers by 75%, 4 wheelers by 230% and Electric Buses by1200%,” said Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways.

Will Tata’s Curvv ball strike out Hyundai?
New Delhi: On the evening of 29 January, billionaire stock broker Motilal Oswal created a flutter when he declared on microblogging platform X that he would henceforth shun foreign goods in favour of locally produced ones, starting with the purchase of a new Tata Safari, a sport utility vehicle (SUV). Oswal used the hashtag #vocalforlocal, a catchphrase popularized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and tagged Modi along with Tata group chairman emeritus Ratan Tata in his post.

Leveraging plastics and composites for a sustainable automotive future
In the last decade, the automotive industry has witnessed a remarkable shift towards using plastics and composites. This transformative journey has been revolutionary, as we’ve observed an ever-increasing reliance on these materials in vehicle manufacturing. This shift’s implications are far-reaching and set to redefine the future of the automotive landscape. Global Electric Vehicle Plastics market is expected to grow from $3.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $12.6 billion in 2027, at a CAGR of 27.9% during the forecast period.

How to mitigate challenges in the EV manufacturing space
In multiple instances, India has showcased its readiness to move forward on the Sustainability agenda. The transport sector which has been traditionally based on ICE vehicles, undoubtedly, is the major constituent of India’s gigantic carbon footprint. In tandem, a fundamental shift towards greener mobility alternatives has created a massive disruption in the Indian mobility landscape with electric mobility emerging to the forum as the frontrunner. 

Opinion: Will Gen AI spark the next major disruption in automotive ER&D?
Gen AI's capabilities in image design, content creation, summarization, and conversational agents have led to its adoption across various industries, including retail and advertising. Companies like Adobe have introduced their own Gen AI tools as a supplement to their existing design software, while others have integrated enterprise AI solutions to boost internal productivity. Despite this, the manufacturing sector, and specifically product engineering and development (ER&D), has witnessed a more cautious approach to Gen AI adoption, primarily limited to proofs of concept in customer service and training.

CEO’s Take on 2024: Hyundai India expects consistent and sustainable growth next year - Un Soo Kim
Edited excerpts:

Nissan records 1 lakh unit sales of Magnite, launches ‘Nissan One’ web platform
Nissan has launched  a new web platform named ‘Nissan One’ in India. It coincides with Nissan selling 1 lakh units of Magnite in the country ever since it was first launched in 2021. The subcompact crossover is currently the only offering from the Japanese carmaker in India.

MG Motor India partners with Cheil India, launches ‘Unbelievable Delight’ campaign
MG Motors annnounced to partner with Cheil India to introduce a new campaign for the brand, inspired by the ‘Unbelievable Delight’. Alongside traditional advertising channels such as print, radio, and digital, the multimedia campaign is anchored by a series of three thematic films.

From Baleno to Swift: Top 5 best-selling hatchbacks in Jan 2024
Hatchbacks aren’t the most desired body-style, even for first-time car buyers. Yet few of them continue to rake in healthy sales volume on a monthly basis. A total of 3,93,471 cars were dispatched to dealerships across the country which resulted in a 14% YoY growth and a 37% MoM growth.

Toyota scraps mid-size C-segment SUV, eyeing alternatives
As part of the expansion of its India lineup, Toyota had announced the development of a new C-segment mid-size SUV for the Indian market some time ago. This SUV was supposed to bridge the gap between the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the flagship Fortuner. However, recent developments suggest that the Japanese carmaker has opted out of this project. 

Maruti Suzuki Tour range sales hit 5 lakh units
Maruti Suzuki Tour range achieves 5 lakh sales milestone

Top 5 SUVs sold in January 2024, Tata Punch tops chart; check the full list

Resultantly, the SUVs account for almost 50 per cent of the total market share. This article shares with you the 5 best SUVs sold in January 2024.

Skoda Enyaq electric SUV set to hit Indian roads from February 27, 2024
Skoda Auto India is gearing up for a significant milestone as it prepares to launch its first electric vehicle, the Enyaq, in the Indian market on February 27, 2024, reported HT Auto. This move signals the company's entry into the electric vehicle (EV) segment in the country. The Enyaq, originally unveiled globally in 2022, is set to make its way to India through the Completely Built-Up (CBU) route.

To Protect and Shield: Meet BMW 7 Series armoured vehicle
How many times have we read the Los Angeles Police Department’s motto, Protect and Serve, in Hollywood movies or TV shows? I’m sure a countless number of times. BMW also believes in and has upped the ante by providing armoured protection to its VVIP clients like heads of state, royal family and business tycoons.

2025 Aston Martin Vantage makes global debut– fastest V8 Vantage yet
Aston Martin knows a thing or two about making fast cars, some seriously fast cars. Among its expansive arsenal is the Vantage– one of the fastest road-legal cars around the world. The British marque has now provided this speed demon a comprehensive upgrade including refreshed exterior and interior along with additional oomph.

Opinion: Between well-designed incentive programs and their implementation
Two years ago, India had less than 1000 eBuses on the road. Today, there are 5700 in operation, and another 7000 in various stages of contracting and delivery. After the success of the Grand Challenge tender that aggregated demand of 5500 electric buses across state transport utilities and homogenized the tender conditions into providing mobility as a service, India’s electric bus program became a thing. The then CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant was quick to up the target to 50,000 eBuses, a number that today has become common parlance in documentation, regularly quoted in conversations and the press.

Brokerages bullish on Hero MotoCorp, find out why?
Shares of Hero MotoCorp fell 5.7% to Rs 4,627.55 but the brokerages stand bullish on the stock with a “Buy” recommendation. 

Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles showcases Jawa 350 Blue at Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai
New Delhi: Commemorating Mahindra’s annual Blues Festival, a festival of Blues music, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles showcased its new Jawa 350 Blue at its experience zone. This new colour will soon make its way to the showroom floor, the company said.

Decent Q3, but bumps ahead for Hero
Hero MotoCorp Ltd’s shares hit a 52-week high of ₹4,949.05 apiece in early trading hours on Monday, but proceeded to close nearly 5% lower with broader markets remaining weak. While the two-wheeler maker’s December-quarter (Q3FY24) results were decent, the road ahead appears anything but smooth.

KTM maker rejigs Bajaj partnership

The Indo- Australian Alliance of Bajaj Auto and Pierer Mobility (formerly !mown as KTM) will restructure their operations in India. This will be done in tandem with the expansion of its product portfolio and positioning India as the exclusive manufacturer of entry KTM bikes, globally. Stefan Pierer, CEO, Pierer Mobility, said, our strong alliance with Bajaj has lasted for 17 years. For the upcoming year, we have agreed to separate the distribution part of the organisation for KTM in India.' Pierer, who was speaking in a post earnings call added that the new set-up willpush new kinds of products into the country, including off-road bikes (for example, dirt bikes),which are currently not sold in India. We are going to appoint an MD (Managing Director) with experience (and) with knowledge of the off-road segment because the Indian market is the fastest growing in the premium segment. Pierer added India is the third-biggest market for KTM in the world after Europe and North America In 2023, Pierer Mobility sold nearly 66,000 motorcycles of KTM and Husqvarna brands in India, representing a share of 17% of its global market. Its volumes in India grew by more than 28% compared to 2022. Around 74.2% of Pierer Mobility is owned by Pierer Bajaj, in which the Bajaj Group holds a 49.9% star. Pune-based Bajaj Auto produces KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles having engines in the 125-390cc segment from its plant in Chakan, near Pune. 

Corrit Electric raises INR 5 cr from angel investor Porush Jain
New Delhi: Corrit Electric, a prominent electric vehicle startup, has raised INR 5 crores in funding from Porush Jain, the founder of Sportskeeda.com. An angel investor and entrepreneur, Jain has demonstrated his confidence in Corrit Electric's mission of delivering clean, affordable, and efficient electric two-wheelers to the Indian market through this investment, the company said.

Ola Electric faces a bumpy road ahead
As Ola Electric, the electric vehicle (EV) maker backed by SoftBank and Tiger Global, prepares to hit the public market in the coming months, it is also generating a flurry of news. Recently, Reuters reported that the company was looking to bid for lithium blocks being auctioned by the government, which could help it secure a key raw material for batteries and strengthen its vertical integration.

Samvardhana Motherson Q3 FY24 PAT up 61% to INR 733 cr
Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman, Motherson said, “These results reflect the good performance of our business divisions. Our team's unwavering commitment to our core values of customer satisfaction and operational excellence has helped us deliver good results consistently. Reduction in Net Debt is important for us as we continue strengthening our financial position and pursuing strategic growth opportunities. We remain focused on delivering sustainable and profitable growth, creating long-term value for our shareholders, and positively impacting our customers, employees, and communities where we operate.”

Spark Minda partners Japanese supplier to manufacture smart vehicle access systems, bags order from two-wheeler maker in India
Minda Corporation, the flagship company of Spark Minda has announced that it has partnered with a Japanese global supplier to manufacture smart vehicle access systems.

Bharat Forge posts strong Q3; Baba Kalyani cautions growth may moderate in FY25
Bharat Forge’s Q3FY24 net profit has come in strong at Rs 377.8 crore, up 31% YoY from Rs 289.1 crore in Q3FY24. The revenue for Q3 too is higher at Rs 2263.3 crore, up16% YoY from Rs 1952.1 crore in Q3FY23 supported by favourable product mix and focus on cost optimisation.

iVOOMi introduces upgrade programme for its E2W range at INR 2,999
New Delhi:Electric two-wheeler (E2W) company IVOOMi has introduced a Vehicle Upgrade Program for its latest cloud-connected e-scooters at an introductory price of INR 2,999.

Hiroshi Yoshizane appointed as Bridgestone India MD
Bridgestone India, part of the Bridgestone Corporation, today announced Hiroshi Yoshizane will take over as its new Managing Director. He will succeed Stefano Sanchini, who will be moving into the role of VP Consumer Replacement for Europe.

Apollo Tyres: At the mercy of margin amid muted demand
Apollo Tyres Ltd managed to sail through the December quarter (Q3FY24), but bleak demand prospects led investors to book profit in its shares. The stock slipped about 5% on Friday – a swift fall from the 52-week high of ₹557.90 seen the previous day.

BPCL plans an oil trading desk in Singapore, Dubai
State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) is planning to open a trading desk in Singapore or Dubai to expand its global reach, sourcing, and trade in crude oil as well as finished products, according to industry officials aware of the development.

Tata Motors signs MoU with Bandhan Bank for CV financing solutions
Rajesh Kaul, Vice President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors, said, "We are delighted to announce our partnership with Bandhan Bank through this MoU, which represents a major milestone in our commitment to providing seamless financing solutions to our customers. This partnership reflects our commitment to providing accessible and efficient financial solutions, empowering our customers to achieve their business goals with ease. Together, we look forward to driving greater convenience and support for our valued commercial vehicle customers."

Mahindra readying entry level XUV700 MX petrol automatic
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Mahindra XUV700 petrol will get an automatic gearbox-equipped version of its entry-level MX variant, according to a Type Approval Certificate issued by ARAI. The MX trim is offered in manual form only in both petrol and diesel engine options, with an automatic gearbox currently only available with the AX3, AX5 and AX7 variants of the XUV700. This trim for the five-seater SUV is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Top 5 most powerful bikes under Rs 3 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

The KTM 390 Duke and the Royal Enfield 650 twins have always been at the forefront of bang-for-buck motorcycling in India but today, a new one of any of those will comfortably set you back upwards of Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Fret not, for here we’ve compiled a list of 5 bikes that still cost under Rs 3 lakh while also offering a decent level of performance. 

Tata Curvv to launch by mid-2024
Source Credit: Autocar India

Shortly after the Tata Curvv made its debut in close-to-production guise at the Bharat Mobility Expo, our sources have confirmed that the company will launch the EV iteration sometime in the second quarter of FY2025 (July-September 2024). The diesel-powered Curvv will follow in 3-4 months’ time, which means the launch could be around Diwali this year, and the petrol will be the last to arrive.

Hero forecasts double-digit growth in two-wheeler industry in FY25
Source Credit: Autocar India

Hero MotoCorp’s CEO Niranjan Gupta projects the two-wheeler industry to grow by double digits in the next fiscal year. This growth will be driven by the premiumisation trend, particularly seen in the 125cc+ segments. Our sister publication Autocar Professional learns that major two-wheeler manufacturers anticipate the product volume to rise by 7-10 percent during FY25, with the 125cc+ segment expected to perform higher.

BYD Seal EV spied in India; bookings open
Source Credit: Autocar India

BYD’s next product for India, the Seal sedan, has been spotted on the outskirts of Chennai. Sources tell us that the Seal sedan will go on sale sometime in early March 2024, however, dealers have already begun accepting bookings unofficially. The Seal EV sedan made its India debut at last year's Auto Expo 2023.

BMW 7 Series Protection: a close look
Source Credit: Autocar India

BMW has been in the high-security game for about 45 years, and this 7 Series Protection is the latest from that stable. Soon to be available in India with prices rising far above the standard 7 Series’ Rs 1.70 crore (ex-showroom), the sixth-gen Protection is meant to transport those who need the highest level of protection, like foreign dignitaries; heads of nations; and CEOs, MDs and directors of multi-billion dollar corporations. We had the opportunity to get a close look at the new 7 Series Protection (also called the G73), and here’s what we found.

BNCAP to boost car, SUV safety in India
Source Credit: Autocar India

August 22, 2023 was a landmark date in the history of the Indian automobile sector with the government taking a major initiative of boosting vehicle safety in the country by launching the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) for determining new car safety. The Bharat NCAP regime came into effect from October 1, 2023.

Limited edition Audi RS6 Avant GT wagon revealed
Source Credit: Autocar India

Audi has unveiled the RS6 Avant GT as a limited-run celebration of its V8 super-estate as it embarks on a wide-reaching electrification programme. The special edition will be limited to just 660 examples worldwide, and gets performance-enhancing aero tweaks, bespoke carbon-fibre body panels, an outlandish retro livery and a marked price increase over the standard car.

Aston Martin Vantage facelift revealed; gains 155hp and a new interior
Source Credit: Autocar India

Aston Martin has revealed a comprehensively overhauled version of the Vantage, which arrives as part of a wide-reaching revamp of the British firm’s sportscar line-up.

Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 could be held between January 17 and 22
Source Credit: Autocar India

After the success of the first edition of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, the government and the industry are considering hosting the second edition next year between January 17 and 22. The Expo will be held across multiple venues in Delhi-NCR, including Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi Convention Center and India Expo Mart.

New Renault Duster revealed, gets unique styling bits
Source Credit: Autocar India

Renault has taken the wraps off the all-new Duster SUV that was showcased late last year badged as a Dacia. Its Renault-badged counterpart gets slight styling tweaks, as can be seen in these official pictures.

Maruti Suzuki doubles SUV, MPV production in January 2024
Source Credit: Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki, which is witnessing surging demand for its range of SUVs and MPVs, has ramped up production to meet said demand. The carmaker manufactured a total of 2,00,767 vehicles in January 2024, an increase of 13 percent year on year (January 2023: 1,78,429 units). Of its five vehicle sub-segments, production of utility vehicles (UVs) saw the highest year-on-year (YoY) growth – the 58,226 units are a 100 percent increase over January 2023’s 29,097 units. Maruti currently has eight models in its UV portfolio comprising the Brezza, Grand Vitara, Fronx, Jimny, XL6, Ertiga and the new Invicto.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 X launched at Rs 11.83 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

After revealing the revamped Scrambler 1200 line-up, Triumph has listed the more accessible 1200 X on its Indian website at Rs 11.83 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

Xiaomi unveils futuristic interior design for its debut electric vehicle, the SU7
Xiaomi has pulled back the curtain on the first official images of its inaugural electric vehicle, the SU7, slated for release later this year. With an exterior glimpse revealed last year under the codename "Speed Ultra," hinting at a performance-oriented model poised to challenge the Tesla Model S, the SU7 is set to make its grand debut at the forthcoming Beijing Auto Show in April.

France halts subsidised EV lease programme after strong demand
The French government said on Monday it was halting for the rest of this year a programme to subsidise low earners leasing an electric car, after demand far exceeded initial plans.

Tesla trims Model Y prices in US to grow sales amid rising competition from China
Elon Musk-run Tesla has temporarily slashed the prices of some of its Model Y vehicles in the US through the end of February as competition from China rises.

Crowd sets Waymo self-driving car ablaze in San Francisco
A crowd vandalized a Waymo self-driving vehicle and set it on fire by throwing a firework inside the car in San Francisco on Saturday, said Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet.