Top Indian Automobile Industry News & Updates - 12 March 2024,Tuesday
🏢 Industry
Slowdown in construction activity, broad base effect impacted CV volumes in February: ICRA
The commercial vehicle sales saw a slowdown in February, registering a decline of 0.7 percent on YoY basis, but a sequential growth of 5.1 percent says ICRA.
Venture Catalysts and Anicut Capital Invest INR 4.75 cr in Attron Automotive
New Delhi: Venture Catalysts, an integrated incubator and largest early-stage investment firm, has announced its strategic investment in Attron Automotive, a trailblazer in precision-engineered motor and controller solutions driving the evolution of electric mobility. The company has raised INR 4.75 crore in Attron's Seed funding round led by Anicut Capital and co-led by Venture Catalysts, the company said.
EV makers aim to go public, as private investors turn cautious
New Delhi: Electric vehicle (EV) makers eyeing scale are looking to go public in two-three years in a bid to access significant growth capital, corporate and banking sources familiar with the plans told Mint.
Italy’s Cattini sets up facility in Pune, targets Rs 700 crore turnover in 7 years
Cattini e Figlio, an Italian gear manufacturer has established a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Pune’s Sanaswadi area. The facility will focus on manufacturing various machinery products, including gears, shafts, and synchronisers. The new entity will operate under Cattini Power Transmission brand in the country.
Biliti Electric breaks ground for Rs 400 crore electric three-wheeler and battery pack plant in Hyderabad
California-based electric three-wheeler start-up Biliti Electric held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing facility in Velimela, Hyderabad.
Semiconductors Vision: Exciting plans for India, says Gautam Adani after meeting Qualcomm CEO
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani is excited by United States-based chipmaker Qualcomm's plans for India, he said on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), on March 11.
Qualcomm's big plans catch Gautam Adani's attention
Adani, Qualcomm CEO discuss India's potential in AI, semiconductors
The Hindu Business Line
M&M posts 40% growth in SUV sales in Feb, overall production grows by 26%
The company has been increasing its production steadily and as of February 1, it had opened bookings for around 226,000 SUVs. These comprise the XUV700, Scorpio N, Scorpio Classic, Thar, Bolero, Bolero Neo, XUV300 and the electric XUV400. M&M is getting average monthly bookings of around 50,000 units.
M&M underscores committment to UVs
CNG, hybrid cars preferable to electric vehicles in the medium-term: HSBC Global Research
📝 Bike taxi ban okay, but auto drivers have other demands
📝 The romance of vintage cars and motorcycles
📝 M&M to launch 3 pure electric utility vehicles, says it is committed to UVs too
📝 Tata Motors calls on govt to extend sops by 3 years to further boost EV adoption
Read More >>
🎤 Interviews & Features
CEO's Take On 2024: Demand for feature-rich, safe, connected and electric vehicles to drive auto parts industry, says Bosch India chief
Edited excerpts:
Chinese EV dominance is clear but should we be worried?
China dominates the global electric vehicle (EV) industry today, and it is only likely to get more dominant in the future. Chinese dominance spans manufacturing, batteries, supply chains and demand. Today 60% of all EVs sold in the world are in China. Nearly 40% of new car sales in China are now EVs. And more than half the world’s EV batteries are made in the People’s Republic. The US is a distant second with about 15% of the world’s market.
Read More >>
🚗 Cars / SUVs
Offroad-friendly Volkswagen Polo makes debut— gets raised suspension
Volkswagen Polo holds a special place in the hearts of Indian consumers and it is often regarded as one of the sportiest and most fun-to-ride hatchbacks ever to go on sale. After almost 12 years of glory, the German brand discontinued the Polo in 2022. Yet, we still find Polos frequently zipping through the streets.
Hyundai Creta N-Line launched at INR 16.82 lakh
The much-awaited hype is over, as Hyundai launches the new Creta N Line in India, priced at Rs 16.82 lakh, ex-showroom. The Hyundai Creta N Line is available in two variants and is the third N Line offering in the country after the i20 N Line and Venue N Line.
Hyundai to target performance-oriented niche segment with N Line range
The company, which currently offers the N Line range on its two models -- i20 hatchback and compact SUV Venue -- that has styling and performance upgrades compared to the normal offering, on Monday also introduced its mid-sized SUV Creta priced between Rs 16.82 lakh and Rs 20.29 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Hyundai targets young buyers to grow in India
New Delhi: South Korean carmaker Hyundai has set its sights on India’s youth population, as it looks to consolidate its leadership in the mid-size SUV space with the Creta.
Mahindra introduces new colours for Thar and Scorpio Classic
Mahindra has updated the Thar and Scorpio Classic with new colour options for 2024. The Mahindra Thar and Scorpio Classic gets a new Stealth Black colour scheme, replacing the Napoli Black exterior colour scheme.
Riding on new plants, Hyundai hopes to catch up with Maruti
Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), country’s second largest passenger vehicles (PVs) maker, has said that the expansion of its Chennai plant and the upcoming plant in Talegaon will bridge the gap between is sales and Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL)‘s sales. Currently, there is a huge gap between the number one player MSIL, which is selling around 1.20 lakh units a month, on an average, while HMIL is selling around 50,000 units a month in the domestic market. In April 2023 to February this year, MSIL sold 16,07,163 units of PVs in the domestic market, while HMIL sold 5,62,720 units during the same period.
First-time car buyers now choosing SUVs: Hyundai India COO Tarun Garg
According to a CRISIL Ratings report last month, the share of SUVs in total passenger vehicle (PV) sales is expected to grow from 51 per cent in 2022-23 to 62 per cent in 2024-25.
Top 5 best-selling cars in Feb– WagonR, Brezza, Baleno, Dzire, Punch
A total of 3,72,178 passenger vehicles were sold across the country in February 2024. During the same month last year, this figure stood at 3,34,245 units. This has resulted in a YoY growth of 11.3%. However, with 3,93,471 cars sold in January this year, sales have declined by 5.4% MoM.
Hyderabad's vintage car expo takes visitors back in time
A celebration of time's elegance rolled through the historical streets of Hyderabad showcasing the majesty and prestige of the classics. A beautiful expo of vintage cars was organised at Hyderabad reminiscing the old golden days.
📝 We will continue to strengthen our presence in the Indian market, says Hyundai Motor India MD Unsoo Kim
📝 Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Baleno, XL6, Grand Vitara fetching upto ₹87,000 discounts
📝 Is Ford really coming back to India? What could be possible reasons
📝 Big discounts of more than Rs 40,000 on Hyundai cars in March '24: i20, Venue and more
Read More >>
Electric-Cars / SUVs
📝 Kia EV9, set for India launch this year, named best car in the world by women
📝 Premium electric vehicles to cost more in Karnataka, govt levies additional tax
Read More >>
⛟ Commercial Vehicles
Ulhasnagar citizen gets civic transport E-buses after 10 years
The civic transport facility of Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC), which was shut in the city for the last 10 years, started from Sunday for public after UMC gets 20 new electric buses under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) mooted by the central government.
Blue Energy Motors’ LNG trucks cross 1 crore kilometre on Indian roads
Pune-based Blue Energy Motors, a green truck manufacturing company has announced a significant milestone as its fleet of LNG trucks have cumulatively crossed the landmark of 1 crore kilometres on Indian roads in various customer applications.
UT all set to add 60 diesel buses to strengthen its fleet on long routes
Chandigarh is all set to add 60 new diesel buses to its fleet as the transport department of the UT administration has decided to get chassis for these buses through a tender process at a cost of around INR 11 crore.
Daimler’s innovation centre in India seeks to leverage data, AI
Bengaluru: Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India (DTICI), with its new data and artificial intelligence (AI) team, is focusing on identifying opportunities for leveraging data and AI to enhance various aspects of the business, such as product improvement, customer success, and operational efficiency, said Raghavendra Vaidya, MD and CEO of DTICI.
📝 Centre working on payment security mechanism to buy 150,000 e-buses
Read More >>
🏍 2/3 Wheelers
Honda concludes Manesar Half Marathon, Run for Road Safety 2nd edition
New Delhi: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has concluded the second edition of the Honda Manesar Half Marathon - Run for Road Safetywith a stellar success. Flagged off from HMSI’s Global Resource Factory at IMT Manesar in Gurugram, Haryana, it took place on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Premium bikes rev up two-wheeler market
Mumbai: Highlighting the Breakneck speed of premiumisation of the two-wheeler market, seven out of every 10 models launched in FY24 carried a price tag of above Es. 2 lakh. In the below Rs.1 lakh segment there were just three model launches. The country's motorcycle and scooter market which is the largest in the world, saw a total of 30 launches starting April 2023, with a majority in the high-end segment.
Ducati Streetfighter V4, V4S launched in India– prices start at Rs 24.62 lakh
Ducati has launched the Streetfighter V4 and Streetfighter V4S in India. The twin supernakeds have been listed on the Ducati India website, priced at Rs 24,62,400 and Rs. 28,00,000 (both ex-showroom, pan India). Both bikes will be available for sale across all Ducati dealerships from March 12 onwards.
2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 vs KTM 200 Duke comparison
Bajaj updated its Pulsar NS range for 2024, which includes the NS125, NS160, and NS200. The NS200 competes directly with the KTM 200 Duke, which was first launched in India in 2012 and has seen several, yet subtle updates till now. Here’s a comparison between the 2024 Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the KTM 200 Duke, in detail.
📝 TVS Motor board approves interim dividend of Rs 8/share, fixes record date
📝 Bajaj trademarks four new names. Likely to be used for upcoming CNG motorcycle
Read More >>
🚲 Electric 2/3 Wheelers
All-electric Yamaha dirt bike patents filed
Yamaha has filed patents for an all-electric motocross bike, as leaked images reveal. The Japanese company has already developed the TY-E trials e-bike, which is competing professionally and the new (YZ-E?) will soon join competitive racing.
MP govt to provide INR 40,000 aid to labourers for purchasing e-scooters: CM Yadav
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday announced that the state would provide financial assistance of INR 40,000 to labourers buying electric scooters. The CM made the announcement while speaking before the inauguration of the airport terminal in Gwalior earlier in the day.
Ola leads the electric two-wheeler race but competition is rising
Source Credit: Vineetha Sampath, mint (Delhi Print Edition)
📝 Quantum Energy cuts prices of Plasma X and XR e-scooters to INR 1,09,000 and INR 89,000
Read More >>
⚙ Components
Pitti Engineering buys Bagadia Chaitra Indus for enterprise value of ₹125 crore
Read More >>
🌇 Allied Industries
EV motor and controller startup Attron Automotive gets Rs 4.75 crore in seed funding
Venture Catalysts, India’s first integrated incubator and largest early-stage investment firm has announced its strategic investment in Attron Automotive, a precision-engineered motor and controller solutions start-up based in Pune.
Cattini India opens new facility in Pune
New Delhi: Cattini e Figlio Spa, an Italian MNC, has inaugurated a new facility in Pune’s Sanaswadi area to produce various machinery products, including gears, shafts, and synchronizers. The new entity will operate under the name Cattini Power Transmission Pvt. Ltd.
📝 CGST division places INR 82 lakh tax demand and penalties on TVS Srichakra
Read More >>
🌢 Fuels, Lubricants & Charging Stations
Statiq deploys its 1st EV charging facility in Ayodhya for green mobility
New Delhi: As people in Ayodhya begin to embrace electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure provider Statiq on Monday inaugurated its maiden EV charging station in the holy city.
📝 INR 2.2 lakh crore revenue foregone due to excise duty cuts on petrol, diesel: Hardeep Puri
📝 Petrol pumps in Rajasthan begin two-day strike over VAT rates
📝 Oil prices fall on China demand worries
Read More >>
🌍 Emissions/Environment
📝 Opinion: How checking air quality is vital to health, environment and economy
Read More >>
📖 Magazines News
Hyundai Creta N Line launched at Rs 16.82 lakh
Less than 2 months after the 2024 Hyundai Creta facelift's prices were announced, the Korean company has brought in the sportier N Line – in N8 and N10 trims – priced between Rs 16.82 lakh-20.30 lakh, which is quite close to our estimate. This is Hyundai’s third N Line model in India, and the second major expansion of the Creta line-up after the launch of the Alcazar. Bookings for the N Line had opened for Rs 25,000 on February 29 and Hyundai has already received over 80,000 orders.
Volkswagen Taigun, Tiguan get lakhs in discounts this month
Source Credit: Autocar India
Volkswagen India is offering sizeable discounts on the Taigun midsize SUV, the Virtus sedan and the Tiguan flagship SUV. Discounts of up to Rs 3.4 lakh are currently being offered with Volkswagen cars and SUVs until the end of March.
TVS XL EV, E-XL names trademarked
Source Credit: Autocar India
TVS has filed trademark applications for two names that will most likely find their way onto the electric version of its popular XL 100 moped.
Kia Clavis to get petrol, electric powertrains
Source Credit: Autocar India
The sub-4-metre SUV category is one of the most popular and competitive segments in the market, which is why Kia will be taking another shot at this space with the upcoming Clavis SUV despite having the Sonet.
Renault Duster-based Bigster 7-seat SUV road tests begin
Source Credit: Autocar India
The Renault Duster-based Bigster seven-seater SUV has been spotted for the first time, ahead of its global debut later this year. The SUV will go on sale as the Dacia Bigster first, and a Renault version will follow later.
Kia Carens 1.5 petrol MT review: Buyer's favourite
Source Credit: Autocar India
The Kia Carens MPV really impressed us with its practicality, classy interiors and lengthy features list when we first drove it a couple of years ago. However, we only got to experience the diesel and turbo-petrol back then, when in fact it's the entry-level version with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that accounts for a huge chunk of the MPV's sales. Let’s see what it's like to drive and why you should consider one.
Tata Motors rolls out 10 lakh cars from Sanand plant
Source Credit: Autocar India
Tata Motors rolled out its one-millionth car from its Sanand facility in Gujarat. The production milestone comes 65 months and 30 days, or a little less than five-and-a-half years, since the company produced its 5,00,000th made-in-Sanand car in October 2018. This shows Tata Motors' growth in recent years as the first 5 lakh cars from the Sanand plant had taken eight years.
Tata Nexon Dark price, variants explained
Source Credit: Autocar India
Tata Motors had launched the Nexon facelift in September last year and it was only a matter of time before the Dark Edition variants for the compact SUV became available. Priced from Rs 11.45 lakh-15.80 lakh, the Nexon Dark is available from the mid-spec Creative trim onwards and costs about Rs 35,000 more than the variant it’s based on.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 spotted for the first time
Source Credit: Autocar India
It is common knowledge that Royal Enfield is working on as many as three new models based on its 650cc engine platform. However, the bike spotted here hasn’t been seen before because it is the largest Bullet ever – the Bullet 650.
Honda Gold Wing, CBR1000RR Fireblade recalled
Source Credit: Autocar India
Honda has issued a recall for two of its premium motorcycles – the Gold Wing GL1800 tourer and the CBR1000RR Fireblade – and both bikes reportedly suffer from a fuel pump issue.
More than Rs 60,000 off on Maruti Alto K10, Wagon R, Celerio, S-Presso
Source Credit: Autocar India
For the month of March, Maruti Arena dealers are offering cash discounts, exchange bonuses and other benefits on nearly the entire model line-up, much like last month. The Maruti Alto K10, S-Presso, Wagon R, Celerio, Swift and Dzire, all get the same discounts this month as last month, making Maruti’s affordable models even more approachable. However, like the previous months, the Brezza compact SUV and Ertiga MPV have no benefits. Here’s how much you could save on your new small Maruti during this month.
Mumbai Coastal Road Project Phase 1 inaugurated today
Read More >>
📰 International News
Why is my Electric vehicle dead? Check the 12-Volt Battery
When David Finkelstein and his wife first got their new Hyundai EV, they drove it for months without a hitch.
US opens probe into 250,712 Honda vehicles over braking issues
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Monday launched a preliminary probe into about 250,712 Honda Insight and Honda Passport vehicles over inadvertent activation of automatic emergency braking.
Next Autopilot trial to test Tesla's blame-the-driver defense
Six weeks before the first fatal U.S. accident involving Tesla's Autopilot in 2016, the automaker's president Jon McNeill tried it out in a Model X and emailed feedback to automated-driving chief Sterling Anderson, cc'ing Elon Musk.
CityQ introduces car-like e-bikes to bring sustainable eco-friendly transportation to Europe
Norwegian and German mobility technology startup CityQ is looking to offer a sustainable eco-friendly solution to European cities, which are looking to reduce congestion and pollution by imposing limitations to car traffic.
Recyclekaro to expand capacity to 75,000 tonne a year with new technology
New Delhi: Recyclekaro, a prominent player in e-waste and lithium-ion battery recycling in India, is gearing up to introduce India's first Plasma Furnace Technology Unit for the extraction of high-value metals. This advancement signifies a leap forward in recycling and resource recovery, positioning India at the forefront of innovation in environmental sustainability, the company said. .
StoreDot partners EVE Energy to secure mass production for its extreme fast charging EV battery
Israel-based StoreDot, a leading company focussing on extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles has announced a collaborative partnership with China’s EVE Energy that will help commercialise and mass produces its battery cells.
China EV makers woo buyers with in-car beds, kitchens and drones
In China, electric vehicles with built-in fridges and even in-car karaoke systems are considered passé. Instead, carmakers are turning to increasingly novel add-ons from beds to cooktops to boost sluggish sales.
Xiaomi to start deliveries of its first EV model, shares soar
China's Xiaomi said on Tuesday it will start deliveries of its first electric vehicle (EV) model SU7 this month, venturing into the world's largest auto market amid a brutal price war.
📝 Nissan launches the Ariya NISMO E-model in Japan for sale from June in Japan
📝 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance available to order in Germany for EUR 223,720
📝 Activists protest Tesla plant expansion in Germany
📝 Volkswagen quits Australia auto lobby committee as fight grows over green fuel standards
📝 Tesla's German gigafactory could be supplied again from Monday, says power firm
📝 Bed, kitchen and drone: How Chinese EV makers are luring customers with features
📝 BMW might continue selling ICE and electric M3s simultaneously
Read More >>
405, TSL Corner
contact@nurcmedianext.com
+91-11-49849324, +91-9958949710
