🏢 Industry
Red Sea still not a full blown crisis but Auto Inc takes the ‘cautious’ route
World trade is facing one of the most challenging times in history. Often referred as the Red Sea crisis, trade at the Gulf of Aden region is impacted due to attacks on ships by Yemen-based Houthi militants. This has far-reaching implications and is disrupting the supply chain for the automotive industry globally.
Cooper Corporation expands manufacturing operations in Satara
Maharashtra-based Cooper Corporation a leading engine, engine component and generator manufacturer has announced the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities with the inauguration of two state-of-the-art units in Satara.
PM: Great opportunity for MSMEs to be part of global supply chain
India’s MSMEs have a great opportunity to become a strong part of the global supply chain, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing MSME entrepreneurs in Madurai on Tuesday evening. Speaking at a programme titled ‘Creating the Future – Digital Mobility for Automotive MSME Entrepreneurs,’ he called upon entrepreneurs to enhance their capacity in line with the growing demand for electric vehicles.
Last day today to buy Bajaj Auto shares for INR 4,000 crore buyback
For those looking for an arbitrage trade opportunity, today is the last day to buy Bajaj Auto shares for participating in the INR 4,000 crore buyback offer. Shares of the leading player in the Indian 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler vehicle industry has more than doubled in the last one year and is trading near its all-time high price of INR 8,650.
Semicon is the new oil, India should give more sops for fab units: Qualcomm
Barcelona : India should beef up the quantum of its $10 billion financial incentive scheme to attract semiconductor fabrication majors, said Rahul Patel, Qualcomm Technologies’ group general manager for connectivity, broadband and networking.
Hyundai Motor India targets 100% use of renewable energy, RE100, by 2025
Source Credit: Agencies, The Economic Times
New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has reaffirmed its commitment towards sustainability by aiming to achieve the RE100 benchmark by 2025. The company now meets 64% of its energy requirements from renewable sources, and aims to reach the 100% mark ahead of most automakers in the country. RE100 is the global corporate renewable energy initiative by the Climate Group, bringing together hundreds of large and ambitious businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.
Emphasizing Hyundai’s steadfast focus on sustainability and energy conservation, Gopala Krishnan CS, Chief Manufacturing Officer at HMIL said, “Our operations are driven by a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment and our communities. We view this proactive role as an opportunity to contribute to long-term sustainable development goals. Our sustainability initiatives are focused on carbon neutrality and energy transition, circularity, clean tech products and services, operational eco-efficiency, and natural capital conservation. Our ‘Integrated Solutions to Climate Change’ initiative aims for carbon neutrality by 2045, with a sustainable operating system for future generations.”
📝 Tata's UK electric car battery plant to be in Bridgwater
📝 Plan to enter mass market EV segment in India: Skoda Auto
📝 BYD Seal EV bookings open, will launch on 5th March
📝 India central to global expansion plans of Skoda, all eyes on sub-compact SUV
📝 Anand Mahindra's epic reply to troll on competition with Tata Motors
📝 I don’t understand craze about valuation: Tata Sons’ N Chandrasekaran
📝 Tatas' investments in new ventures to cross $90b
Read More >>
🎤 Interviews & Features
Prices cut, but are EVs more economical than petrol cars?
Tata Motors recently slashed the price of its electric cars Tiago and Nexon by ₹70,000 and ₹1.2 lakh, respectively. Tiago EV now starts at ₹7.99 lakh (ex-showroom), whereas the starting price of Nexon is ₹14.49 lakh.
5 features new-gen Maruti Swift to borrow from Brezza
Launch of the fourth generation Swift in India is around the corner. If we are lucky enough, we might see the latest iteration of the sporty hatchback running on our roads in the next few weeks. Test mules of the new-gen Swift have been frequently spotted over the past few months.
Audio Interview: Update & Outlook 2024: The India Automotive Parts Manufacturing Industry
In the 11-minute Audio Interview, Mr. Mehta discusses these questions:
CEO's Take On 2024: Engineering skill set, enabling policies make India key player in global automotive value chain, says Rajesh Jejurikar
Edited Excerpts:
Bringing a plug-in-hybrid for India makes no sense for Skoda: Senior exec
What is your plan for participating in the EV market in India?
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🚗 Cars / SUVs
Mahindra launches Thar Earth edition starting at INR 15.4 lakh
New Delhi: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s leading SUV manufacturer, has launched its Thar Earth edition starting at INR 15.4 Lakh (MT variant).
2025 Honda CR-V with hydrogen fuel cell makes global debut
Honda has revealed the new CR-V powered by a hydrogen fuel cell in the United States of America. The 2025 CR-V e:FCEV is America’s first production plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle and has been jointly developed by Honda and General Motors.
📝 Profit is not the main target for India: Skoda Auto board member
📝 Maruti Swift facelift to Hyundai Creta N Line: Cars expected to launch in March
📝 Confirmed: Mahindra Thar 5-door to get RWD powertrain on higher variants
📝 Skoda Kushaq Explorer Edition showcased. Check what's different
📝 Skoda Kushaq Explorer Edition: Top things to know
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Electric-Cars / SUVs
Skoda Auto plans entry into affordable electric vehicles segment in India
Mumbai: Czech automaker Skoda Auto is targeting to enter the mass segment in India with electric vehicles (EVs). The company is exploring all options including partnering with local companies to penetrate the EV segment in the country.
Global giants eyeing entry-level EV segment in India
Despite the premium positioning of their brands, global automotive companies are venturing into the core affordable electric car market in India. ln the sub- Rs.15 lakh segment, both Skoda Auto and Kia are set to introduce new models, aiming to challenge the dominance of market leader Tata Motors.
Gensol says it has approval for its flagship two-seater electric car
GEVPL is a subsidiary of BSE-listed Gensol Engineering Ltd, one of India’s largest green energy engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and advisory companies. GEVPL is entering EV manufacturing for the first time.
📝 Subscription vs ownership: Which model can boost India's electric mobility dream?
📝 Is this the world's tiniest EV? Moped license valid to drive this Swiss car
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🚗 Luxury Cars
Bren Garage gets India’s first Ferrari Purosangue
Well-known celebrities own exotic cars, but how about becoming a celebrity because of owning exotic cars? Well, most automotive enthusiasts know Bengaluru-based Boopesh Reddy, the real estate tycoon who owns some exotic wheels. His latest addition is the Ferrari Purosangue, the first one in India.
📝 EV adoption in luxury segment will be faster than mass segment: Volvo
📝 Hidden legacy of a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K unveiled in Mumbai's historic collection
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🏍 2/3 Wheelers
Royal Enfield Scram 450 spotted testing alongside Roadster 450
There are plenty of Royal Enfield motorcycles in development currently and we often get to spot them on the roads. The Chennai-based bikemaker is in process to expand the 450cc lineup which saw its first launch in the form of the new Himlayan 450 a few months back.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS Series launched — Here’s all you need to know
Bajaj has launched the updated Pulsar NS 125, 160, and 200 models in India, priced at Rs 1.04 lakh onwards. The three motorcycles in the Pulsar NS series, the NS 125, NS 160, and NS 200 get some notable upgrades compared to the previous models, and here’s all you need to know about them.
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🚲 Electric 2/3 Wheelers
Sokudo Electric launches 3 E2Ws; aims to capture 15-20% market shares
New Delhi: Sokudo Electric India, an electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched two FAME-II-compliant electric scooters - Select 2.2 priced at INR 85,889, Rapid 2.2 at INR 79,889, and one Non-RTO model named Plus (powered By Lithium) at INR 59,889. The company anticipates its new electric scooters to capture 15-20% of the market, the company said.
Don’t choke EV growth
Electric two-wheeler (e-2w) penetration in India is expected to rise only marginally from 5.8 per cent in FY23 to 6 per cent in FY24. Around 80 per cent of these are high speed two-wheelers that can run at more than 50 km/hour and compete with their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. In the case of electric 3-wheelers (e-3w), while penetration is expected to rise to 58 per cent in FY24, increasing from 52 per cent in FY23, 85 per cent of these are low speed e-rickshaws, mostly running on lead acid batteries.
📝 Krutrim, AI tool launched by Bhavish Aggarwal, picks Ather as best e-scooter
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⚙ Components
ACMA successfully concludes Transforming Mobility 2024 Global Summit & Expo
The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing India’s auto component manufacturing industry has concluded the 4th edition of its ‘Transforming Mobility 2024 -Global Summit & Expo’, marking a significant step forward in redefining mobility and positioning India at the forefront of EV components manufacturing and innovations.
ELGi mulls a long-term spend of over ₹500 crore to consolidate manufacturing into a single site
Chennai: ELGi Equipments Ltd, a leading manufacturer of air compressors, is planning a long-term investment of ₹500-crore plus to shift its current manufacturing operations inside Coimbatore to a large campus outside the city, a move that is expected to help the company achieve better efficiency.
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🌇 Allied Industries
Quantum Energy partners Battery Smart for battery swapping tech
Quantum Energy, an electric two-wheeler company has inked a strategic partnership with Battery Smart, one of India’s largest and fastest-growing battery-swapping network for electric two- and three-wheelers.
Greaves to launch top of the line model in its quest to 'democratise' electric mobility; taps connected tech to enhance competitiveness
New Delhi: Greaves Electric Mobility will launch a top-of-the-line connected two-wheeler to democratize electric mobility by offering advanced features at an affordable or no additional cost, a top official of the company said.
Inntot Tech claims 500,000 units milestone for its in-car tech
Kerala-based software-defined radio and in-cabin audio technology start-up Inntot Technologies has announced a milestone of achieving 500,000 deployments in the automotive segment. The company says its solutions have been deployed by multiple major car manufacturers due to its superior performance and cost-effectiveness.
Revitalising EV battery recycling for sustainable growth
As India progresses towards the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) over traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, attention is turning to the management of EV batteries at the end of their lifespan. This dual scenario presents the EV industry with both challenges and opportunities. While facing limitations in advanced recycling technology and resource availability, there exists the potential to yield considerable value from efficient battery recycling, thereby enriching the entire EV ecosystem.
📝 Continental presents ContiConnect Lite for digital tyre management
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🌢 Fuels, Lubricants & Charging Stations
Oil market 'comfortable' at current prices, says Vitol CEO
Global crude oil markets are expected to be fairly stable this year at around USD 80 a barrel, Russel Hardy, CEO of oil and gas trader Vitol, said on Tuesday.
New sanctions threaten Russian oil sales to India
Fresh U.S. sanctions on Moscow threaten to dent Russian oil sales to India, the biggest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, and complicate efforts by Indian state refiners to secure annual supply deals, three industry sources familiar with the matter said.
📝 Tata Group's massive push to EV, plans to build biggest battery factory worth Rs 40000 crore in…
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💸 Finance & Insurance
Shriram Finance to replace UPL in Nifty 50 from March 28
Shriram Finance will replace UPL Ltd in the Nifty 50 index effective March 28. UPL has been removed from Nifty 50 pursuant to its exclusion from Nifty 100 index, a parent index for Nifty 50. Shriram Finance has been included in Nifty 50 index as it has the highest six month average free-float market capitalisation within eligible universe as a replacement to UPL.
CarDekho's Rupyy expands horizon: To finance used commercial vehicles in FY25
Rupyy, the digital lending and used car financing platform of CarDekho Group, plans to expand into the used commercial vehicles financing segment to boost its market share in FY25, according to a senior executive.
Read More >>
📖 Magazines News
Volvo EX90, EX30 EV SUVs' India launch confirmed for 2025
Source Credit: Autocar India
Volvo currently sells two EVs in India – the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge – and in a recent interaction with the media, Jyoti Malhotra, MD, Volvo Cars India, has confirmed that the company will double its portfolio by 2025 with the launch of the EX30 and EX90 born electric SUVs. Malhotra even went on to say that the company is actively looking at local assembly of both EVs.
Mercedes EQS facelift teased showing traditional grille
Source Credit: Autocar India
The updated EQS has been teased ahead of its debut and the EV luxury sedan will now come with not one, but two grille options. Apart from the slightly updated version of the standard “panel grille”, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a traditional grille as part of a wider overhaul designed to reverse the flagship EV's sales slump.
Renault Megane e-Tech spied in India
Source Credit: Autocar India
The Renault Megane E-Tech has been spied in India for the first time. The Megane E-Tech is the French brand’s answer to the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric, and is sold in many European markets.
Royal Enfield 450cc roadster spied testing, appears production ready
Source Credit: Autocar India
The 450cc roadster based on the Royal Enfield Himalayan platform has been spotted testing once more, and it looks quite close to being finished this time around.
Tata Motors battery factory will be located at Somerset, UK
Source Credit: Autocar India
Tata Motors is all set to commence construction of Europe’s biggest EV battery factory at Somerset in the UK. The EV battery plant will be located in Bridgewater, Somerset, owner Tata Group has today confirmed, with construction to begin imminently, ahead of battery production starting in 2026.
Suzuki Motorcycle India's 1 millionth unit is an Access 125
Source Credit: Autocar India
Suzuki Motorcycle India has achieved its one million two-wheeler’s production milestone within FY23-24. The one millionth unit, a Suzuki Access 125 in Pearl Shining Beige, came off the production line at the Kherki Dhaula plant in Gurugram, Haryana. Furthermore, Rajneesh Kumar Mehta, Executive Vice President of Production, Suzuki shared that Suzuki has surpassed its original installed capacity of 1 million units a year due to the rising two-wheeler demand in the Indian market .
Royal Enfield Classic 650, scrambler spotted testing again
Source Credit: Autocar India
Royal Enfield, apart from working on its new 450cc platform, is also working toward expanding its 650cc platform and to that end, the Classic 650 and the upcoming 650cc scrambler were spotted testing together on our Indian roads.
McLaren Artura Spider revealed as brand's first hybrid convertible
Source Credit: Autocar India
McLaren has revealed the Artura Spider as its first drop-top hybrid, ushering in more power and a raft of chassis and aerodynamic upgrades that will also be used on an updated version of the coupé.
Skoda board member Martin Jahn confirms mass market EV for India
Source Credit: Autocar India
Martin Jahn, Member of the Board for sales and marketing at Skoda, says India is a very important market for the company, having broken into the top three markets for the brand globally. The company will be entering the mainstream compact SUV market in 2025, which will help the brand cater to new customers and bring in more sales.
Mercedes-Benz GLA vs BMW X1 comparison: Diesel duel
Source Credit: Autocar India
If you’re in the market for your first luxury car, need the added ground clearance only a crossover or SUV can get you, and must have a diesel, your choice is down to the two models you see here. In the Portimao Blue corner, we have the third-gen BMW X1 that went on sale last year. And in the Spectral Blue corner, we have the second-gen Mercedes-Benz GLA that has just been updated. But which is the one that gets you more for your money?
BYD Seal EV bookings open officially ahead of March 5 launch
Source Credit: Autocar India
BYD Auto India has begun accepting bookings for the Seal EV sedan, though the brand has not revealed the booking amount yet. BYD is leveraging its position as the official partner and official e-mobility partner of the UEFA European Football Championship 2024 (UEFA EURO 2024) by offering customers an opportunity to attend a UEFA match.
Read More >>
📰 International News
Volkswagen Group UK joins forces with Ecobat to recycle EV batteries
Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Ltd. (VWG UK) has signed an agreement with Ecobat, the global leader in battery recycling, to collect and recycle electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The deal helps VWG UK close the loop to promote a circular energy economy and ensures the UK’s largest automotive Group is doing all it can to boost sustainability.
US biofuel credit prices hit 3-year low, expected to stay weak, EIA says
U.S. biomass-based diesel and ethanol compliance credit prices have slumped to three-year lows on declining feedstock costs and are set to stay low as renewbale diesel output rises, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday.
Toyota gives no answer to union demands at second wage talks
Toyota Motor did not respond to the trade union's wage demands in the second round of pay talks held on Wednesday, Kyodo news reported.
US unveils USD 366 mn for clean energy in underserved, remote areas
The Biden administration on Tuesday said it would spend USD 366 million to fund 17 clean energy projects in rural and remote areas of the U.S. to boost reliability and ease high electricity bills.
Elon Musk has the last laugh as charge runs out of Apple’s ‘Project Titan’
That was Elon Musk taking a jibe at Apple a decade back soon after its plans to enter the electric vehicle and autonomous driving space took shape. He went even further to call Apple a ‘Tesla Graveyard’, saying ‘if employees don’t make it at Tesla, you go to work at Apple’. These were his responses when queried on whether he was worried about competition to Tesla from Apple in an interview in 2015.
Elon Musk says long-delayed Tesla Roadster coming next year
Tesla has finished designs for its long-delayed Roadster electric sports car and intends to begin shipments next year, chief executive Elon Musk said.
Polestar plans to have a line-up of five performance EVs by 2026
Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, is accelerating the shift to sustainable mobility and planning to have a line-up of five performance EVs by 2026.
Nissan plans addresses ‘Taxi Driver Shortage’ in Japan with autonomous ride-share program: All details
Nissan Motor Co. is set to launch an autonomous vehicle ride-share service in Japan within the next three years, addressing the shortage of taxi drivers in the country, particularly as the population ages. The automaker plans to initiate a trial service in Yokohama using a Serena-based vehicle, with the goal of expanding the program nationwide by the fiscal year 2027, as announced by Kazuhiro Doi, the Vice-President of Nissan Research and Advanced Engineering, during a briefing at the company's Yokohama headquarters.
Tesla aims to ship Roadster cars next year, Musk says
New Delhi: Tesla will aim to ship its Roadster electric sports car next year, the electric vehicle maker's CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday.
Monolith appoints Jim Shaw as head of sales in North America
Monolith, artificial intelligence (AI) software provider to the world’s leading engineering teams, has made a key US-based management appointment to satisfy growing auto industry demand for AI-guided battery test and validation software.
Maserati Korea takes over operations from Forza Motors
Maserati and Forza Motors Korea (FMK), the official importer of Ferrari and Maserati vehicles in Korea, is announcing the transition of Maserati operations in the country to Maserati Korea.
Brembo brakes for all the 2024 Formula 1 grid
In Formula 1 since 1975 and with over 500 Grand Prix victories using their own braking systems, the company has developed new braking systems customized for each team and will supply most of the single-seaters with hydraulic (calipers, master cylinders and by-wire units) and friction components (carbon discs and pads).
Apple shuts down electric car project, to focus on Generative AI
In a surprising development, Apple has shut down its highly ambitious electric car project. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the American technology giant has canned Project Titan which kickstarted in 2014. The decision, disclosed internally on Tuesday, surprised nearly 2000 employees working on the project.
Bosch teams up with Microsoft to explore new frontiers for road safety with generative AI
Germany: It’s a scenario that no driver ever wants to see: a ball rolling out into the road. The chances are it will be followed immediately by a child in hot pursuit, oblivious to any traffic. But while human drivers can assess this situation using their contextual knowledge, today’s assisted and automated driving systems still have to learn how to do it.
Dymag, Hankuk Carbon and Hyundai showcase new carbon hybrid wheel
Dymag, a world leader in lightweight wheels for the automotive industry, and its strategic partner, composites material specialist Hankuk Carbon, together with Hyundai, have showcased an advanced all-new carbon hybrid wheel on the new Hyundai IONIQ 5 N NPX1 concept.
Cupra boosts EV accessibility with CUPRA Born price reduction
Cupra has increased the accessibility of its first fully electric model, Cupra Born, by reducing prices by GBP 2,350 across the range coupled with a suite of electric vehicle (EV) purchasing incentives.
BYD amps up brutal China EV price war with bigger discounts on new car versions
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD on Wednesday unveiled lower-priced new versions of its Han sedans and Tang SUVs, deepening a protracted and brutal price war in the world's largest auto market with even larger discounts than those in 2023.
China's Changan in talks to take over struggling EV maker Human Horizons, report says
China's state-owned Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd is in talks to take over struggling Chinese electric vehicle maker Human Horizons, financial news outlet Yicai reported on Wednesday, citing Changan Chairman Zhu Huarong.
Aston Martin delays first electric car as losses narrow
Aston Martin is delaying the launch of its first electric car because of a lack of consumer demand, it said on Wednesday, as record prices for its luxury and special edition models helped the British carmaker shrink annual losses.
📝 Honda reveals 2025 Honda CR-V e plug-in hydrogen fuel cell EV in US
📝 Nissan to commercialize autonomous-drive mobility services in Japan by fiscal year 2027
📝 Mercedes recalls over 1 lakh SUV models in US over multiple suspected issues
📝 iPhone-maker Apple stops work on electric car, Tesla CEO reacts
📝 Toyota recalling 381,000 Tacoma pickups because parts can fall off rear axles, increasing crash risk
Read More >>
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