Govt unveils automated driving test tracks in 6 dists
The state transport department on Wednesday inaugurated automated driving test tracks (ADTTs) in six districts — Angul, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Ganjam. It will judge the driving ability of DL applicants with the use of technology.

FAME 3 subsidy may exclude electric cars, Rs 500 crore infusion for stop-gap funding in FAME 2 likely
The Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) 3 scheme is in its final stage of discussions before the government formally announces the validity of the policy.

End of the road for FAME-II scheme for EVs drives up e2W, e3W demand
The central government provides incentives for the sale of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers under the FAME-II scheme, which is due to end in March. Subsidies under the scheme would be available for electric vehicles sold until March 31, 2024, or until funds are exhausted, according to officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
 

Zypp Electric plans to deploy 2000 women rider partners in a year, and at least 20,000 women delivery partners in 2 years
New Delhi: Zypp Electric, a leading tech-enabled EV-as-a-service platform, has announced an initiative to empower women within the green mobility sector, in connection with the International Women's Day 2024.

EVs are not the sole solution for auto industry, says Toshihiro Suzuki
New Delhi: Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, is not entirely sure if electric is the proverbial magic wand for the auto industry to meet the sustainable development goals.

Terra Charge and Prisum Rove Cabs join to set up station with 71 chargers in Ghaziabad
New Delhi: Terra Charge, an EV charging infrastructure development company, has announced a strategic partnership with Prisum Rove Cabs, a ride-hailing cab service based in Noida, to expand the electric vehicle charging infrastructure and promote e-mobility in the country.

Ola’s new RideAhead campaign aims at breaking stereotypes around bike taxis
New Delhi: Ola Mobility, India's largest ride-hailing platform, introduced the "RideAhead" campaign, a transformative initiative focused on empowering women through their eBike taxi rides.

India-US trade likely to top USD 200 billion this year, says Ambassador Garcetti
India-United States trade is likely to surpass the previous record of USD 200 billion this year and huge opportunities exist for the two countries to expand cooperation in defence, space besides critical emerging technologies like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, said American Ambassador Eric Garcetti on Thursday.

Ford Ranger spied in India alongside new-gen Endeavour– Toyota Hilux rival
Ford’s re-entry into the Indian market has been one of the most talking points in the automotive circuit over the last couple of months. It is almost confirmed that the American carmaker will be returning to set shop in India, the only question remains when? And going by the latest development, it might be sooner than expected.

Ford set to build more EV software abilities in Chennai
Ford India may have folded up its manufacturing operations in India but the Detroit-headquartered auto major’s Chennai tech hub Ford Business Solutions continues to bet big on India.

Tata Motors’ Sanand plant in Gujarat to be upgraded for bigger passenger cars: MD
Ahmedabad: Having initially manufactured Tata Nano and later hatchbacks, the 14-year-old Tata Motors plant at Sanand in Gujarat will soon graduate towards manufacturing “bigger” passenger car variants.

State of the Economy podcast. Even if the industry achieves half the govt. target for electric vehicle penetration by 2030, overall EV annual sales would touch 12-15 lakh units: BYD India
In a conversation with businessline, BYD India’s Sanjay Gopalakrishnan projected a 30 to 40 per cent increase in overall EV sales in 2024. The company said it aimed to capitalise on this momentum by introducing a ‘diverse range of EVs tailored’ to Indian consumers’ preferences.

International Women's Day Special: Sulajja Firodia Motwani on Kinetic Green's vision and plans for brand E-Luna's long journey
New Delhi: For third-generation entrepreneur and industry leader Sulajja Firodia Motwani, the founder and CEO of Kinetic Green, the journey is more than a business venture; it's a commitment to aligning with societal and environmental shifts. Her grandfather, Hastimal Kundanmal Firodia, the founder of the Kinetic Group, laid the foundation for her philosophy, emphasizing that success lies in aligning business strategies with the broader themes of societal progress.

Why a B-school wants to teach auto design: A New School Of Thought
Do you know there are more than 100 car models in the market right now, and while most of them are manufactured in India, barely any is designed in India! Even the most iconic 'Indian' models — Tata Indica and Nano —were designed by Italy's I.DE.A Institute. Others — such as Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Fronx —were designed in India, by Indians, but were based on existing platforms (that were designed in Japan). "We have mastered the art of manufacturing, engineering, sales, supply chain, software and management, but have to cover some distance when it comes to automotive design," automobile industry expert Avik Chattopadhyay told FE.

Behind Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 spin: A pump-to-plug drive before making mass-market EVs
As one escaped North India’s bone-chilling January cold and hurriedly entered the warmth of Hyundai’s Auto Expo 2023 pavilion at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, the bustle in one particular corner was unmissable. Car enthusiasts were jostling around to take selfies with what from a distance appeared unique. This is not a normal car – one says with soliloquy. A closer examination, and there she was – Ioniq 5, Hyundai’s first high-performance electric car, sporty yet sophisticated in design.

Hyundai Foundation’s initiative facilitates employment of 250 women drivers
New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ‘Navjyoti Transforming Lives & Careers Society’ NGO, and BluSmart, for providing employment to 250 trained women drivers who are the beneficiaries of HMIF’s ‘Drive4Progress’ initiative.

Hyundai Venue, Aura and others receive discount up to ₹43,000 this March: Offer details
In an effort to stimulate sales and attract potential buyers, Hyundai Motor is offering significant discounts on several popular car models until the end of March. The promotional campaign extends benefits of up to ₹43,000, covering a variety of Hyundai vehicles including the i20 and Grand i10 Nios hatchbacks, the Aura sub-compact sedan, and the Venue sub-compact SUV.

Lexus commence deliveries of RX 500h F Sport Performance in India
Lexus has announced the commencement of deliveries for the fifth-generation RX 500h F Sport Performance in India. Displayed first at the Auto Expo 2023, the five-seater luxury SUV garnered significant interest and bookings which opened on the same day of its unveiling in January last year.

New Mercedes-Benz GLS Vs BMW X7 : Muscle cars, SUVs or school buses?
Google 'Muscle Car' and it'll show you images of Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Charger, among others— basically, all American two-door sport coupes. It's unlikely to show you an SUV, and never a German brand. But race Mercedes-Benz GLS or BMWX7 against any of those`muscle cars; and you'll know who's the boss —their 3.0-litre turbocharged engines hud these 3-tonne SUVs to a ton in just about 6 seconds.

Mid-tier exuberance: Range Rover Velar
To ardent fans of Land Rover, the word ‘Velar’ will bring up images of the first-generation Range Rover prototypes. It was the name given to the prototype of an SUV that would change — or help change, if not singlehandedly — how one looked at off-roaders. From a utilitarian means of ferrying people, working on the farm and doing military service, to a more upmarket vehicle that would just about do the aforementioned but wouldn’t shy away when commissioned to make a trip to Knightsbridge — or Khan Market, the SUV has come a long way.

Mercedes-Benz GLA: Living the dream
Cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLA have a special purpose — they allow people to dream big. Priced at ₹50.5 lakh onwards, ex-showroom, the GLA is what Mercedes-Benz hopes new buyers will find interesting enough to abandon their lesser SUVs. The lower price point, in comparison to other Mercedes-Benz cars, does work in its favour, but the question then arises — does it feel as good enough to command a premium over more ‘everyday’ marques? We take the recently updated Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d to find out if this deserves your hard-earned money.

Daimler India posts highest-ever annual domestic volumes in 2023
Chennai: Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the Indian arm of Germany’s Daimler Truck AG, has recorded its highest-ever annual domestic sales of its BharatBenz vehicles (above 9-tonne) in the calendar year 2023, helped by robust demand and network expansion.

Yamaha establishes 300 Blue Square outlets in India
Yamaha marked an important milestone as it expanded its Blue Square network to 300 showrooms across India. The Blue Square dealerships is Yamaha’s attempt at building a strong network under the Yamaha Blue theme and offering customers a superior end-to-end experience.

TVS Motor Co enters France, showcases its range of products at Salon du Deux Roues
TVS Motor Company, a global two- and three-wheeler manufacturer is showcasing its product range for Europe at the Salon du Deux Roues, Lyon till March 10, 2024.

Two-wheeler inventory level drops in CY24
Mumbai: Aided by faster sales, wedding season and entry-level pick-up, the two-wheeler inventory levels have seen a dip in CY24. The two-wheeler inventories for two consecutive (January and February) months are between 10 and 15 days according to Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).  

Ducati Streetfighter V4 S set to launch in India on March 12: What all to expect
In an exciting announcement, Ducati India has revealed the much-anticipated launch of the Streetfighter V4 S, scheduled to hit the Indian market on March 12th. The motorcycle, positioned between the standard Streetfighter V4 and the Streetfighter V4 SP2, is expected to make waves with its high-performance features and sleek design.

Women’s Day 2024: Bollywood actresses who rode motorcycles on screen
For a very long time, motorcycles had been primarily associated as tools for men, but in recent years many women riders have come up that have changed this definition. Even our movies have progressively transitioned into showing more women riding on the silver screen.

Hero MotoCorp fails to halt market share slide

Hero Motocorp, the country's biggest two-wheeler maker, continues to lose market share despite fresh launches, including one in the budget segment. From a peak of 47% in May 2021, Hero MotoCorp's market share has dropped by 40% to under 29% in under three years. February was the fifth month in FY24 when the Delhi-based company clocked a market share of below 29% at the retail level, data shared by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) showed. ‘

Wardwizard Innovations dispatches 2,018 units of E2Ws in February 2024
Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Limited, one of the leading manufacturers of electric two-wheelers under the brand ‘Joy e-bike’ and three-wheelers under the brand ‘Joy e-rik’ in India, has reported 112% increase in sales of its electric two-wheelers, compared to the previous year, dispatching 2,018 units in February 2024, a rise from 953 units in February 2023. Additionally, the company sold 11 electric three-wheelers in February 2024.

Odysse EV opens new showroom in Varanasi
Odysse Electric Vehicles, an electric vehicle manufacturer has opened its first dealership in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Apollo Tyres slapped penalty by GST Dept. in UP; plans appeal against the order
New Delhi: Tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres said the company has received a penalty from the Goods and Service Tax (GST) department in Uttar Pradesh.

2 TN college teams win top awards at KPIT Sparkle 10th anniversary edition competition
KPIT Technologies, an independent software integration partner to the automotive and mobility ecosystem for making software-defined vehicles a reality, announced winners for its flagship mobility software design and development innovation contest, KPIT Sparkle 2024.

KPIT Sparkle 2024 winners announced
KPIT Technologies, an independent software integration partner to the automotive and mobility ecosystem for making software-defined vehicles a reality has announced the winners for its flagship mobility software design and development innovation contest – KPIT Sparkle 2024.

Ceat faces GST dispute in Bihar, plans appeal against order
Ceat is dealing with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) demand issued by the Assistant Commissioner of State Tax in Bihar.

inDrive to help women choose driving as career
 

Oil stable as investors digest rate cut signals
Oil prices were little changed on the day on Friday, as investors digested hints of looming interest rate cuts in the United States and Europe.

Yamaha now has 300 Blue Square showrooms operational
Source Credit: Autocar India

Yamaha Motor India has expanded its premium Blue Square dealer network to 300 outlets across India. Yamaha has managed to set up 300 dealerships in less than two years from the time when it announced its plans to convert all its dealerships into Blue Square outlets.

Ampere Nexus, Aspirus names trademarked
Source Credit: Autocar India

We’ve reported earlier that Ampere is gearing up to launch a new electric scooter in the coming months and it has been spotted testing on our roads as well. Now, the company has trademarked two new names – Nexus and Aspirus – and these will most likely find their way onto future Ampere EVs.

Ford Endeavour: old vs new
Source Credit: Autocar India

We have already reported that Ford might return to India, and its first model upon return will be the Endeavour. Ford has already filed a patent for the latest-gen Endeavour in India, and the SUV was recently spied uncamouflaged on a flat-bed truck outside Chennai.

Ford Ranger spied in India along with new Endeavour
Source Credit: Autocar India

The new Ford Ranger has been spotted on a faltbed truck in India recently. The latest-gen pickup was seen along with the new Endeavour, which is sold as the Ford Everest SUV abroad. Both vehicles were spied on the outskirts of Chennai.

Tata Nexon EV Max gets Rs 3.15 lakh discount this month
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tata Motors is offering attractive discounts and benefits on its entire line-up of EVs this March except for the Punch EV. The offers are mostly on cars manufactured in 2023 to clear unsold stock, but some newer 2024 models of the Nexon EV and Tiago EV are also listed with benefits.  

Renault Kiger long term review; 9,000km report
Source Credit: Autocar India

Our long-term Renault Kiger is very close to hitting the 10,000km mark and I can say that almost every single kilometre on this SUV has been a pleasant experience. The Kiger has been my de-facto ride to work for a year now and has been chugging along well.
 

Lexus RX500h deliveries commence a year after launch
Source Credit: Autocar India

Lexus launched the RX SUV in India in April last year, but the company has begun deliveries of the range-topping 500h F Sport variant only now; Lexus was only delivering the entry-level 350h variant. until now. The RX 500h is priced at Rs 1.18 crore (ex-showroom), which has remained unchanged since launch.

Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 2,500km report
Source Credit: Autocar India

It’s been an interesting time for the Autocar India long-term fleet off late. Only about a month back, we had more bikes than people to ride them and since then, as many as four motorcycles have returned to their manufacturers, including my last long-term Bajaj Pulsar N250. That only left Rishaad’s Himalayan long-termer in the fleet and I had to resort to public transport. 

Hyundai Venue, i20 get discounts up to Rs 30,000 this month
Source Credit: Autocar India

Hyundai India is offering cash discounts, exchange bonus and corporate bonus on the Aura, Grand i10 Nios, Venue and i20 this monthHowever, the Hyundai Creta, Exter, Verna, Alcazar, Ioniq 5 and Tucson do not get any discounts and benefits this month.

Updated Ducati Streetfighter V4 range launched; prices start at Rs 24.62 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

Ducati has listed the 2024 Streetfighter V4 lineup on its official Indian website with prices starting at Rs 24.62 lakh for the standard bike and going up to a cool Rs 28 lakh for the up-spec S variant. 

Kia EV9 wins 2024 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year award
Source Credit: Autocar India

Another year and another Kia bags the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year award. Seventy five female motoring journalists from 52 countries voted for the Kia EV9, and the winner was announced on International Women’s Day. In order to elect a winner, the jurors, including Autocar India’s Renuka Kirpalani, consulting editor (video), carefully tested and evaluated 63 cars. Among these contenders, only five vehicles reached the final, each winning in their own distinctive categories.

Volkswagen starts pre-sales of new ID.7 Tourer in Europe at EUR 54,795
Volkswagen is driving forward its major product offensive in the mid-sized class with pre-sales of the new ID.7 Tourer.

Australia auto lobby split widens as Tesla, Volkswagen back tougher emissions plan
Volkswagen and Toyota have taken opposing sides on Australia's proposed new rules to cut vehicle emissions, while electric vehicle makers Tesla and Polestar quit the country's auto lobby in protest over the group's campaign against tougher standards.

Factbox-What are EV startups doing to ride out weak demand?
U.S. electric vehicle startups are turning to cheaper models, slamming the brakes on their production ramp-up plans and laying off employees to navigate a slump in demand due to steep borrowing costs and high repair expenses for the vehicles.

Mobility Unlimited Hub opened in Toronto to foster innovation
Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and MaRS Discovery District have launched the Mobility Unlimited Hub. This initiative aims to bridge the gaps in the ecosystem and accelerate the development and adoption of early-stage personal mobility technologies.

Hike tariffs on Chinese EVs, Senate Democrats urge Biden administration
Three Senate Democrats from auto manufacturing states on Thursday urged the Biden administration to hike import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to address national security risks, the latest push by lawmakers to protect the U.S. auto sector.

Tesla drivers lose US class action bid in battery range cases
Tesla owners who accused it of falsely advertising estimated driving ranges for its electric vehicles must pursue their claims in individual arbitrations rather than banding together in proposed class action lawsuits, a federal judge ruled.

Suzuki and SkyDrive start production of ‘flying cars’ in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan
Suzuki Motor Corporation and SkyDrive Inc. have started manufacturing ‘flying cars’ in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Rivian Follows Tesla’s Lead, but Is It Too Late?
Rivian is faithfully following the Tesla playbook. But the electric-vehicle market has moved on.

New Holland unveils T9 SmartTrax with PLM Intelligence tractors in Australian market
New Holland has showcased the first of its improved T9 SmartTrax with PLM Intelligence tractors that will be arriving on Australian shores at the end of this year.

Nissan may bring ultra-compact EV production in-house from 2028
Japan's Nissan Motor may bring production of its ultra-compact electric vehicles in-house, five people familiar with the matter said, emboldened by the success of its Sakura model currently built by junior partner Mitsubishi Motors.

Japan's fair trade watchdog says Nissan underpaid subcontractors
Japan's fair trade watchdog said on Thursday Nissan Motor had violated the subcontractor act by underpaying dozens of suppliers by about 3 billion yen (USD 20.26 million) in total.

German industry grows in Jan but car output remains weak
Industrial output in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, rose more than expected in January, raising hopes that the economy is finally bottoming out after a lengthy manufacturing recession.

Hyundai joins with children's hospital in Miami to promote child passenger safety
Hyundai Hope, the corporate social responsibility initiative of Hyundai Motor America, recently donated to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital USD15,000 to the Car Seat Safety Program. The donation will allow the hospital to expand its efforts in providing child passenger safety education and free onsite safety seat checks and installations to the communities it serves. A ceremonial check was presented to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Honda begins local automobile production in Tema, Ghana
Honda Manufacturing Ghana Limited (HMG), a Honda subsidiary in Ghana responsible for automobile production, has started automobile production at its plant in Tema, Ghana. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the local government, members of the media as well as Honda executives and associates including Katsuhisa Okuda, Honda Operating Executive and Head of the Regional Unit (Europe, Africa and the Middle East).

Germany's Continental flags huge cost burden in 2024
German automotive supplier Continental on Thursday flagged higher costs and a flat car market in 2024, providing an outlook for the current year that was in line with market expectations.

EVs can’t fix a global epidemic of ‘car harm,’ study finds
Electric vehicles promise cleaner air and less climate pollution. But a new analysis suggests that even a global all-EV fleet would perpetuate some of the most devastating impacts of cars and auto infrastructure.

CNH Zedelgem: Where big farm machinery meets cutting edge tech
CNH delivers customer-inspired innovation by integrating cutting-edge technology with top-tier machinery, resulting in industry-leading products that enhance farming productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

EVs will be cheaper to produce than gas-powered vehicles by 2027, Gartner says
Battery electric vehicles will be, on average, cheaper to produce than a comparable internal combustion engine by 2027 thanks to new manufacturing methods that are lowering production costs, market research firm Gartner said on Thursday.

2024 Audi Q4 55 e-tron mid-model refresh arrives with more power and range
As others are only entering the segment, Audi is continuing its course for growth of its fully electric vehicles, introducing comprehensive updates to its premium e-tron entry models.

China gives green light to Stellantis-Leapmotor joint venture, sources say
A proposed joint venture that would allow world No. 4 automaker Stellantis to build and sell Leapmotor's electric vehicles outside China has received approval from a Chinese regulator, according to two sources familiar with the matter.