Maharashtra transport dept issues SOP for registration of vehicles from other states
Talking to PTI, state transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said, "Earlier, there was no set procedure for registration of vehicles from other states, and at RTOs, clerks would make entries of transferred vehicles on the Vahan portal and senior clerks would approve it."

Tata Steel, Tata Motors gain in special stock market session
New Delhi: Tata Steel, Tata Motors were the top Sensex gainers on Saturday in a special stock market session.

India to be on high-stake global stage of chip makers in 5 years: IT Minister Vaishnaw
New Delhi: India will join the high-stake global stage of semiconductor manufacturing in the next five years as it combines design capabilities with $10 billion of incentives to draw manufacturers to set up new fabs and units that will cut dominance of Taiwan, South Korea and China, said IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Auto Wholesales in Feb: PV dispatches at new high, 2Ws grow in double-digits, CVs muted
New Delhi: Dispatches of passenger vehicles (PVs) and two- wheelers during February were in green and reflected a positive trend. However, sales of commercial vehicles (CVs) remained muted.

EVs are still to get on to the fast lane
Despite the buzz, electric vehicle adoption in the country seems slow and the transition from fossil fuel looks hazy. True, several car launches in 2024 are expected to be electric. But the mass adoption of EVs will come much later than sooner. A recent KPMG report, “Getting real about the EV transition,” observes rather succinctly, “It’s still an exciting and rewarding journey, but it may take longer, and the ride won’t be smooth.”

Tata Motors secures No.2 spot, vrooms past Hyundai again
The clash of the titans continues as Tata Motors managed to sneak ahead of Hyundai Motor India in monthly sales to become the second most successful passenger vehicle manufacturer. According to the reports shared by both automotive giants, Tata Motors’ total PV sales in the domestic market stood at 51,267 units and Hyundai recorded 50,201 units in February 2024. 

SUV sales in the fast lane for Maruti as small cars sputter
New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki isn't a small car company anymore. Its domestic sales in February grew 8.7% to 160,271 units, but this growth came on the back of utility vehicles (UVs) and not passenger cars.

MG Motor India reports sales of 4532 units in Feb— Comet, Astor, Hector, ZS EV
MG Motor India announced its retail sales numbers for February 2024, totalling 4532 units. The company registered a growth of 18% over the previous month, January 2024, with 3,825 units sold during the same period last year. In December 2023, the company’s retail sales were at 4,400 units, resulting in a 13% YoY growth over December 2022.

India's used car market size to touch USD 100 bn-mark by 2034: CARS24 CEO
Indian used car market is expected to touch the USD 100 billion-mark in the next ten years on the back of rising disposable incomes and a growing middle class, according to CARS24 Co-Founder and CEO Vikram Chopra. As per the findings of the Gurugram-based online used car marketplace, there are changes in market dynamics with customers opting for frequent upgrades when it comes to cars.

Hyundai cranks up the SUV push; takes cautious approach on exports
Hyundai did not just register highest-ever Creta sales in February but the model has also contributed to the bulk of pending bookings for the Korean auto major. The share of SUVs are increasing and rural buy is picking up pace even as exports hit a slightly bumpy track.

Ultra rich chase INR 1 crore-plus supercars on luxury drive
Luxury carmakers are increasingly rolling out models priced north of INR 1 crore as the country’s growing ultra-high net worth (UHNW) population seeking discerning experiences snap up such supercars like never before.

Tata Motors delivers green trucks to Tata Steel
Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer has flagged off its next-generation, green-fuel powered commercial vehicles to Tata Steel.

Commercial vehicle sales see signs of moderation, February sales down 2%
The commercial vehicle wholesales in February 2024, came at 79,733 units, which is 2 percent lower than 80,354 units for the same period last year.

Driving with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Survive
We all remember the Jetson’s Flying Car – the sleek and stylish technological marvel designed to navigate the skies effortlessly Equipped with a sophisticated AI system that handled navigation, communication, and even entertainment for the family. While we may not be able to fold a car into a suitcase for a long time, today’s cars boast several high-tech features that have become a must-have for customers. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, personalised experience in cockpit like seat configuration, entertainment content, dashboard lighting, and Park Assist, once perceived as gimmicks, have now become essential features akin to seat belts.

Why the Astor couldn't be the Creta MG hoped
On October 11, 2021, MG Motor India launched a midsize SUV that was ahead of its time —with Level 2 semiautonomous driving, and a robot-like device on the dashboard serving as a personal assistant. Called the Astor and priced from Rs.9.78-16.78 lakh, ex-showroom, it was more affordable than Hyundai Creta (Rs.10.16- 17.87 lakh), Kia Seltos (Rs.9.95-17.79 lakh), Skoda Kushaq (Rs.10.5-17.6 lakh) and Volkswagen Taigun (Rs.10.5-17.5 lakh) — and with the kind of features on offer, it was far more value for money. 

How crash tests make our cars safer – Trial by fire
Of the 100-Odd car models in India, only 13 have received 5-star crash safety rating by Global NCAP (the agency that crashes cars into a barrier to rate how safe these would be in the event of an accident). Of these 13, one is by Hyundai (Verna), two Volkswagen (Virtus and Taigun), two by Skoda (Slavia and Kushacj),three from Mahindra (XUV300,XUV700 and Scorpio N), and five from Tata Motors (Altroz, Nexon, Punch, Harrier and Safari). "Getting 5-star safety for five models wasn't an overnight job: Mohan Savarkar, Chief Product Officer,Tata Motors, told FE. We've been working for years towards this goal.  Last year, Tata crash tested 150 cars at its facility in Pune,and every crash has made its models safer. Apart from these five, the remaining 'Tata line-up has 4-star rating. Compare that to popular models like Maruti Suzuki Swift and Wagon R(2-star rating) or the Alto (0 stars). 
 

India's microchip leap: The tough part lies ahead
India’s over-arching ambition to play in the big league has found partial expression with the government’s approval of three semiconductor foundries to be set up by the private sector. This will not only pitchfork the Indian economy’s global rankings, but also help the country acquire strategic autonomy in a key global technology supply chain. The three investment proposals—all in partnership with foreign companies—come on top of US-based Micron’s project that broke ground in 2023; the four units will hopefully help establish a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India, with the combined investment of over ₹1.5 trillion providing the building blocks for the critical semiconductor value chain of design, fabrication, assembly, testing, marking and packaging. Key among these proposals is the partnership between Tata Electronics and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation for a ₹91,000-crore fabrication plant with a capacity of 50,000 wafer starts per month. This chip capacity will grant traction at last to India’s long-standing quest for self-sufficiency in semiconductors, or near freedom from reliance on overseas suppliers. Just as the US, China and other countries are betting, local microchip-making can support and fuel our advancement as a technology superpower.

Accelerating India’s shift to clean mobility
As the global community confronts the pressing issues arising from climate change, the automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation solutions. Within India, the discourse on the efficiency and viability of electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles has gained significant traction. Both technologies offer promises of environmental efficiency and long-term economic viability, positioning them as compelling alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Hero MotoCorp sales grow 19% in Feb— Splendor, Destini, Karizma, Glamor
Hero MotoCorp recorded a total sales volume of 468,410 units in February 2024, inclusive of domestic sales and exports. This translates into a robust 19% growth over the corresponding month (February 2023), when it had sold 394,460 units.

Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility opens new assembly line in Jharkhand
Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility (WIML), a leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers under ‘Joy e-bike’ brand and three-wheelers under the ‘Joy e-rik’ brand has inaugurated its new assembly line facility for electric two-wheelers in Deoghar, Jharkhand.

Hero Vida V1 Plus vs competition comparison
The electric scooter segment was kick-started by startups and slowly, mainstream manufacturers joined, such as TVS, Bajaj, and Hero. The latest in the segment is the Hero Vida V1 Plus, launched at Rs 1.15 lakh ex-showroom, which is Rs 30,000 more affordable than the V1 Pro.

Ather's Rizta family scooter coming this April 6: Here's what we know so far
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Ather Energy is all set to introduce its latest electric scooter, the Rizta, on April 6th. The company has sent out invitations for its upcoming Community Day 2024, which will mark the unveiling of their first family scooter.

Ola S1 Pro, S1 Air & S1 X+ to be offered with discounts till March end
Ola Electric extends discounts S1 Pro, S1 Air, and S1 X+ till March 2024: Check all offers
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Iron & steel industry pins hope on budget announcements
With the beginning of Punjab assembly’s budget session, optimism has surged in the Mandi Gobindgarh and Fatehgarh Sahib’s iron and steel industry, which has been anticipating positive announcements and relief measures. The industrial community, particularly small-scale enterprises, eagerly hopes for a revival after enduring “neglect and challenges” in the recent years.

Car leasing player Avyens eyes 8-10 per cent fleet growth in 2024
The Indian car leasing market comprises approximately 90,000 vehicles. The projection of Ayvens aligns with the rising trend of car leasing as businesses seek more flexible and cost-effective mobility solutions. Ayvens caters to the corporate segment, offering tailored leasing packages to meet the needs of various enterprises.
 

JG Chem Leads in Zinc Oxide, but its Zing Carries Some Risks
JG Chemicals, a supplier of zinc oxide used in the tyre, pharmaceutical and ceramic industries, plans to raise INR 251 crore through an IPO. Of this, INR 165 crore is a fresh issue of shares that would be used for investment in its subsidiary, setting up an R&D centre in Andhra Pradesh, working capital funding and loan repayment, while the rest INR 86 crore is an offer for sale by its founders. Post-issue, the promoter holding will drop to 71% from 100%.

Oil climbs 2%, notches weekly gains ahead of OPEC+ decision
Oil prices rose 2% on Friday and posted weekly gains as traders awaited an OPEC+ decision on supply agreements for the second quarter while also weighing fresh U.S., European and Chinese economic data.

Jaguar C-X75 supercar made road legal by Callum
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Jaguar C-X75 has finally been made road-legal, some 14 years after it was revealed. Design company Callum, launched in 2019 by award-winning ex-Jaguar designer Ian Callum, has heavily re-engineered one of the original stunt cars used in the James Bond movie, Spectre.

First Toyota electric SUV for India to launch in second half of 2025
Source Credit: Autocar India

Late last year, Toyota previewed its future midsize electric SUV with the Urban SUV concept. It is essentially Toyota’s version of the Maruti eVX, and will also be the Japanese carmaker’s first EV for India. Maruti's EV is set to launch by March 2025, and we can now confirm that Toyota’s version will follow six months later, which means the production version of the Urban SUV concept will hit showrooms in India by September-October 2025.