Over 1.40 lakh overage vehicles scrapped in financial year 2022-23
Over 1.40 lakh overage vehicles were scrapped in the financial year 2022-23 as against 4,923 deregistered vehicles in the 2021-22 fiscal, according to the Statistical Handbook-2023. The handbook containing data on socio-economic parameters of the national capital was released by the the Delhi government's Economic and Statistics department.

Wardwizard unveils 6 EV concept models at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
New Delhi: Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Ltd., a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, showcased concepts across electric two-wheeler segment under the brand name "Joy e-bike” and electric commercial vehicles segment under the banner of “Joy e-rik”, at the 10th Edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

Domestic auto sales grew 20% at 61,65,997 units in Q3
New Delhi: Total domestic annual sales of vehicles (PV+ 3W+2W+CV+Quadricycle) in 2023 were up 10% to 2,28,36,604 units compared to 2,07,92,824 units in 2022, the Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said on Friday.

SUV demand push PV wholesales past 40 lakh for first time in 2023
New Delhi: Passenger vehicle wholesales in India breached the 40 lakh mark in a year for the first time in 2023, riding on the back of robust demand for utility vehicles, industry body SIAM said on Friday. As per the latest data issued by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the overall passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers stood at 41,01,600 units, up 8 per cent from 37,92,444 units in the 2022 calendar year. Utility vehicle sales rose to 23,53,605 units last year, a jump of 22.4 per cent from 19,22,805 units in 2022. Similarly, van dispatches increased to 1,46,122 units in 2023 as against 1,32,468 units in 2022.

Delhi slips fehind B’luru in no. of pvt cars
New Delhi: It was the city’s boast once that it had more private cars than Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata combined. But Delhi no longer holds the record of having the highest number of private cars in an Indian city. With more than 23.1 lakh, Bengaluru has overtaken Delhi in this regard. Till March 31, 2023, Delhi had 79.5 lakh vehicles, of which 20.7 lakh were private cars.

Tata Motors commences production at Sanand plant it acquired from Ford
Tata Motors commences production at Sanand plant it acquired from Ford
The Financial Express

Passenger vehicle sales in local market reach new heights in 2023
Passenger vehicle wholesales breach 40-lakh mark in a year for the first time in 2023

Press Release : LMG Manufacturing GmbH inaugurates i-Force plant in Hoym, Germany, in a significant collaborative venture between BMW & Jaya Hind Industries Private Limited
Press Release: Force Motors

Tata Motor launches first vehicle from Sanand plant
 

Export performance of all auto segments subdued in Q3 FY24: SIAM
Domestic wholesales (dispatches to dealers) of vehicles across categories recorded one of highest-ever sales in the third quarter (Q3) in the current financial year, but the export performance of all segments has been subdued except for bit of recovery in two-wheelers (2Ws), said Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Friday.

Tata Punch EV off-road abilities showcased in video– launch on 17 Jan
Tata Motors is readying to launch its fourth electric vehicle (EV) in the form of Punch EV later this month. The company officially unveiled the all-electric derivative of Punch earlier this week which will be underpinned by an all-new dedicated EV architecture called acti.ev. 

Mahindra XUV400 Pro Vs Tata Nexon EV: Specs, features, price comparison
Mahindra launched the facelifted XUV400, rebranded as XUV400 Pro, yesterday with new features and a refurbished cabin. It is a battery-powered sibling of XUV300 and a direct rival to Tata Nexon EV. For reference, the Nexon EV also received a comprehensive facelift in September 2023.

Power from used batteries: How Bengaluru-based MiniMines can power 66-lakh EVs
In the age of information technology, demand is on the rise for battery-powered devices such as electric vehicles, laptops and mobile phones. While this has led to the development of lithium-ion batteries, equal focus has not been given to managing the waste generated by these batteries.

‘We are very excited about the emarketplace for energy-efficient appliances’: Vishal Kapoor
Chennai: 2023 was a year of consolidation for Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), says its CEO Vishal Kapoor. Kapoor, who also heads Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), is happy that energy efficiency has got the “landscape” and the “salience” that it deserves. 

Kia Sonet: Poetic success
There is not an iota of doubt that the Kia Sonet has changed the way we look at the sub-four-metre SUV/crossover segment. While it was far from the first car to be launched in that space, it was definitely the one that pushed the boundaries. From engine+gearbox combinations that were not available in that price bracket to certain features that were, until its arrival, reserved for segments above it, the Sonet had it all.

Maruti Suzuki brands remain top choice for used car buyers in 2023: CARS24
The wheels of change rolled across Indian roads in 2023 — the Indian government’s introduction of its own Bharat NCAP ratings put the importance of safety in cars front and centre, which went hand in hand with the road network continuing to expand. Car buyers meanwhile, displayed faster adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) sand there was a surge in demand for SUVs, and affection for pre-owned cars continued to grow.

Ahead of launch, Hyundai Creta design sketches released
The new Creta is one of the most eagerly awaited vehicles in India, and ahead of its launch, Hyundai has released the vehicle's design sketches. Key takeaways from this set of photos are a completely new front and rear, with conventionally placed headlights, a large grille (similar to what we’ve seen on the Tucson and Venue), and an LED light bar ‘connecting’ the headlamps. Similarly, the taillights will also be conjoined. The upcoming Hyundai Creta is a facelift of the existing car, and it’ll continue with the same platform. There will be three engines to choose from, namely a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel. Some standard safety features will include six airbags and disc brakes on all four wheels.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility begins production at Sanand factory in Gujarat
New Delhi: Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors, one of India’s leading automobile companies, Friday announced the start of production of passenger vehicles at its new factory in Sanand, Gujarat.

MG Motor India introduces Astor 2024 at a starting price of INR 9.98 lakh
New Delhi: Morris Garages (MG), a British automobile brand with a 100-year-old legacy, Friday launched e MG Astor 2024, said to be India’s most advanced SUV in its class.

Proposal for INR 35,000 cr new plant to be placed before board of directors in 3-4 months: Bhargava
New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India has begun implementing its vision of nearly doubling total production capacity in about seven years, from the current 2.2 million units annually to 4 million by 2031.

Saurabh Vatsa to join Nissan India as Deputy MD
New Delhi: In a significant development, Saurabh Vatsa, former Brand Head of Citroen India, is set to join Nissan Motor India Private Limited as Deputy Managing Director, sources confirm.

MG Motor recognises exceptional students of CAEV program at G H Patel College of Engineering & Technology
MG Motor India presented the MG Hector SUV to the students of the CAEV (Connected Autonomous Electric Vehicles) programme at G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology college in Anand, Gujarat.

Hyundai discounts in January – Get benefits up to Rs 2 lakh
As the new year begins, Hyundai is offering discounts and benefits on multiple models, valid till the 15th of January 2024. These discounts and offers are valid for multiple models, from the entry-level Grand i10 Nios to the range-topping Hyundai Tucson. Let’s take a detailed look.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India sells 145,713 units in 2023
As the calendar turns to 2024, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) domestic sales stood at 101,465 units, crossing the 100,000 units sales milestone for two consecutive years.

Kia launches the new Sonet at an introductory price of INR 7.99 Lakhs
New Kia Sonet launched at Rs 7.99 lakh
The Financial Express

McLaren 750S makes India debut– priced at Rs 5.91 crore
McLaren is ramping up its presence in India and has now launched the 750S in the country. A successor to the 720S, the British performance car brand has priced the 750S at a whopping Rs 5.91 crore (ex-showroom). It comes as a fully imported model under the CBU route and is available in two derivatives– Coupe and Spider (hardtop).

Bigger and better
A large SUV from a German carmaker sounds normal these days, but things were very different when the first-generation GL came out. It was unlike anything Mercedes-Benz had sold in the past — even the G-Wagen, which has been on sale since time immemorial. That’s because the GL — and the GLS which followed — was aimed at a very different market. More modern, a little less idiosyncratic, and definitely aimed at a wider target group, the GLS soon found success in the Indian market, like it did abroad. The Maybach-badged, super-luxurious iteration of the GLS has gained popularity among the affluent few, but what about the ‘standard’ version, you might wonder? It’s called the S-Class of SUVs and there has to be some substance to that.

Super sports car segment in India to register 30 pc growth this year: McLaren Automotive
Super sports car segment in India to grow by 30% in '24: McLaren Automotive

Tenders floated for procuring electric buses under central scheme: Minister
New Delhi: The government has floated tenders for procuring electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. Under the scheme, 10,000 electric buses will be provided to 169 cities under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Domestic tractor sales see marginal increase in 2023, exports decline
Chennai: Domestic tractor sales witnessed a very marginal increase in 2023, while tractor exports reported a double-digit decline. Total tractor production dropped below one million units after clocking more than a million units for two consecutive years. During 2023, tractor demand was steady, despite uneven monsoon and associated challenges. Total tractor sales in the domestic market stood at 9.15 lakh units in 2023, when compared to 9.12 lakh units in 2022, according to data provided by the Tractor & Mechanisation Association (TMA). 

Domestic two-wheeler sales up 16% in December 2023
In December 2023, domestic two-wheeler sales registered a growth of 15.9 percent, having sold 12,11,966 units, as compared to 10,45,052 units sold in December 2022. In the two-wheeler category, motorcycles accounted for sales of 7,68,402 units, while scooters accounted for 4,05,274 units, both witnessing YoY growth.

Ola Electric sold over 8K e-scooters to its parent firm till Dec 2023: Report
New Delhi: Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric reportedly sold more than 8,200 scooters to its parent company ANI Technologies till December 2023, which plans to launch and expand its electric bike taxi service in several Indian cities, a media report has said.

Bajaj Auto eyes podium finish in electric two-wheeler market
Bajaj Auto is aiming for the second spot in the electric two-wheeler market on the back of the recently launched 2024 Chetak variants, Urbane and Premium. 

Ride-sharing: After Lyft, HERE to lift-off Uber
Have you spent a really long time waiting for your Uber? That may soon change, as this week the world’s largest ride-sharing platform chose HERE Technologies to drive its mapping and geolocation functionalities and improve pick-up and drop-off locations.

Oil prices up 2.5% after US, Britain strike Houthi targets
Oil prices rose more than 2.5% on Friday as the United States and Britain carried out air and sea strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to attacks by the Iran-backed group on shipping in the Red Sea.

India has navigated global challenges quite well to ensure availability and affordability of petrol: Puri
 

Kia Seltos long term review, 5,000 km report
Source Credit: Autocar India

The new Seltos entered our long-term fleet two months ago and almost immediately proved why Kia is a company that punches above its weight. Often seen as the underdog within the Hyundai Motor Group, Kia has aggressively sought to break free from Hyundai’s shadow by putting that little bit extra in its cars, be it with stylish design, cabin quality or tech. It’s simply amazing how much Kia has packed into the facelifted Seltos, which is its bread-and-butter model. We have with us the top-of-the-line GTX+ version equipped with all the bells and whistles, and powered by the 160hp, 1.5 turbo-petrol and a 7-speed DCT. 

'Sudden reduction of FAME subsidy has cost us a year's growth': Ather CEO
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tarun Mehta, CEO of Ather Energy, says that the FAME-II subsidy is necessary for a few more years before it can be gradually reduced. He says that a sudden reduction of subsidy has already cost Ather Energy one year’s growth in 2023, and he fears that if the subsidy is discontinued in March this year, it would affect the industry for another year or two. 

Branded Content: Stories in the sand
Source Credit: Autocar India

India is full of moving, evocative, fantastic tales, with the most valorous of them often set in our borderlands. These regions have bravely engaged with, and often held off, invaders for centuries, and many of these tales have been immortalised in folklore, songs, and more recently, films. We are in one such land that has been, over several centuries, as much about resistance as about royalty and colour. Yes, we are in Rajasthan – the land of the brave – as part of Maruti Suzuki’s Trails & Tales series, and we are seeking out stories in the sands.

Hyundai Ioniq 5-based Mobion concept can crabwalk
Source Credit: Autocar India

Hyundai has showcased a unique concept based on the Ioniq 5 EV called the Mobion that can crabwalk. Developed by its parts group, Hyundai Mobis, the concept gets an e-corner system that helps it turn all four wheels independently.

Hero Mavrick 440 new teaser previews fresh design cues
Source Credit: Autocar India

Building up to the launch of its most premium motorcycle, Hero has released a new teaser that previews the new Mavrick 440’s design language. The teaser confirms that an H-shaped Daytime Running Lamp (a Hero hallmark now) will be present inside the round headlight, as seen in a previous instance.

Kia Sonet facelift launched at Rs 7.99 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

After making its global debut in December, Kia has launched the Sonet facelift with prices ranging from Rs 7.99 lakh-15.69 lakh and deliveries scheduled to begin by mid January. Kia has given the Sonet mild cosmetic changes and feature additions to help it in the crowded compact SUV segment.

Citroen C3 Aircross automatic to launch by January-end
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Citroen C3 Aircross has found very limited appeal in our market with just one powertrain on offer. An automatic gearbox has sorely been missing from the line-up, let alone the fact that it is rather sparsely equipped. Well, Citroen will finally be fixing one of these aspects – the automatic gearbox-equipped C3 Aircross is slated to launch by the end of this month. Our dealer sources suggest prices will be lower than the entry-level automatic variants of rivals.  

Tata starts building Nexon at former Ford plant in Gujarat
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tata Motors’ electric subsidiary, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM), has announced that it has begun production of electric vehicles at its new Sanand facility in Gujarat. The new facility was acquired from Ford India on January 10, 2023 and is spread over an area of 460 acres.

Tata Punch EV launch on January 17
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tata Motors revealed the all-electric Punch in India last week, and we now have a confirmed launch date – January 17. It's Tata’s fourth all-electric model and is the first to be underpinned by the new Gen 2 EV architecture that Tata calls acti.ev (read active). Bookings are already underway for a token amount of Rs 21,000.

MG Astor prices now start at Rs 9.98 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

MG Motor India has rejigged the Astor SUV’s line-up, with a new entry-level Sprint variant starting at Rs 9.98 lakh. The Creta-rivalling midsize SUV tops out at Rs 17.88 lakh for the top-spec Savvy Pro variant. The Astor also gets new features on its top-spec trim, and now has the most affordable starting price among all midsize SUVs in the country.

McLaren 750S launched in India at Rs 5.91 crore
Source Credit: Autocar India

McLaren has launched the new 750S supercar in India, with prices starting from Rs. 5.91 crore. Essentially a replacement of the 720S, the 750S is available in both Coupe and Spider guises in India. McLaren claims it is their lightest and most powerful series-production car yet, and makes notable advances in weight-saving, performance and aerodynamics over the outgoing 720S.

Tesla Berlin to stop most output for two weeks due to Red Sea disruption
Tesla will suspend most car production at its factory near Berlin from Jan. 29 to Feb. 11, the company said on Thursday, citing a lack of components due to shifts in transport routes because of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

Stellantis Ventures invests in startup Tiamat for sodium-ion battery technology
New Delhi: Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund of Stellantis N.V., has announced its participation as a strategic investor in Tiamat, a France-based company that is developing and commercializing sodium-ion battery technology.

Jaguar Land Rover's Design Director, Massimo Frascella, steps down
New Delhi: Massimo Frascella, the visionary Design Director of Jaguar Land Rover, has officially stepped down from his position, currently in the midst of serving his notice period, according to industry insiders familiar with the situation.

International Battery Metals leases lithium filtration plant for US production
International Battery Metals on Thursday said it leased its portable direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant to a customer that aims to begin producing the metal needed for electric vehicle batteries inside the United States within six months.

Audi delivered 1.9 million vehicles globally in 2023, EV sales at 178,000 units
German luxury carmaker Audi ended 2023 on a strong note with sales of 1.9 million vehicles globally, up 17.4 percent, which includes 178,000 electric vehicles, up 51 percent YoY.

'Remarkable' surge in auto insurance costs fans US inflation
Even as U.S. inflation has eased in the last year, an unusual culprit has emerged in recent months as a surprise force in preventing consumer prices from falling even further: auto insurance.

EU investigators to inspect China's BYD, Geely and SAIC in EV probe
European Commission investigators are to inspect Chinese automakers in the coming weeks as part of a probe into whether to impose punitive tariffs to protect European electric vehicle (EV) makers, three people involved in the process said.

Cheshire Council approves UK's largest hydrogen hub by EET Hydrogen
Cheshire West & Chester Council approved EET Hydrogen for the construction of the UK's largest hydrogen production hub consisting of two plants (HPP1 and HPP2), located at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The phased development targets a capacity of 350MW for the first plant (HPP1), 1,000MW for the second (HPP2), and an overall target capacity exceeding 4,000MW by 2030.

UK supermarket Sainsbury's launches EV charging business
British supermarket group Sainsbury's has launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging business, targeting over 750 ultra-rapid charging bays in over 100 store car parks by the end of 2024.

New year brings bad news for Chinese EV makers. Here's why
Source Credit: Bloomberg, Hindustan Times 📝  With Heliox purchase, Siemens eyes high growth in truck, bus EV chargers - exec
📝  Car subscription firm Finn raises USD 110 mn to speed shift to electric fleet
📝  Tesla is raising factory worker pay as auto union tries to organize its electric vehicle plants
📝  EV maker Lucid's quarterly production, deliveries fall, shares tumble
📝  Biden awards USD 623 mn to states, local governments and tribes to build EV charging network
📝  Canada finance minister, Honda met on potential EV project
📝  Rental giant Hertz dumps EVs, including Teslas, for gas cars
📝  Hertz will sell electric cars after being burned by Tesla's price cuts
📝  Tesla, Volvo Car pause output as Red Sea shipping crisis deepens
📝  ‘China’s auto exports surged 63.7% in 2023’
📝  EV maker Lucid recalls over 2,000 luxury sedans due to faulty component
Read More >>