India's new EV policy to help launch many eco-friendly premium-quality SUVs: VinFast Auto
Vietnam's electric car maker VinFast Auto on Monday said India's new electric vehicle policy that provides import duty concessions for companies setting up manufacturing units in the country with a minimum investment of USD 500 million will allow it to introduce a wide variety of eco-friendly premium-quality SUVs at inclusive prices. The Indian government's new electric vehicle (EV) scheme aims to drive large investments in manufacturing, create competencies and upskilling, set up a robust supply chain and offer consumers world-class, zero-tailpipe emission vehicles, VinFast India CEO Pham Sanh Chau said in a statement.

Making Ladakh carbon neutral by deploying EVs: Secretary-cum-Transport Commissioner holds a workshop
The Transport Department of Union Territory of Ladakh, led by Secretary-cum-Transport Commissioner Amit Sharma, organised a Half-Day Workshop today to deliberate upon and brainstorm amongst all the stakeholders of Transport Sector for promoting the usage of freight vehicles on EV (Zero Emission Vehicles).

JSW MG Motor India venture aims to sell 1 million EVs in India by 2030
The newly formed company, a joint venture between China's SAIC and Indian conglomerate JSW Group will also seek to create a "Maruti moment" in the new energy vehicle segment, JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal said here, while announcing the finalisation of the partnership here.
 

Tata Motors boards Chennai express, reaches Hyundai’s doorstep with an INR9,000 crore plant
The monthly report released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) on March 7 had yet another good news for Tata Motors loyalists. It showed that in February, Tata Motors was almost equal to Hyundai Motor India in monthly retail passenger vehicle sales. In the previous three months, Tata Motors had surpassed Hyundai’s retail sales to become number 2 after Maruti Suzuki. In terms of the overall retail market in February, Tata had a 13.57% share, right behind Hyundai (14.08%). Maruti Suzuki was as usual on top with a market share of 39.74%.

TCPL’s inaugurates new Jamshedpur facility to manufacture H2ICE engines for commercial vehicles
TCPL GES, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Cummins (TCPL), a 50:50 joint venture of Tata Motors and Cummins Inc. USA, has inaugurated its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to produce hydrogen-based Internal Combustion Engines (H-ICE) for medium and heavy commercial vehicles and other low to zero emission technology products in India.

JSW, SAIC finalise automotive JV — JSW MG Motor India
SAIC Motor and JSW Group have announced the business roadmap for their new strategic Joint Venture – JSW MG Motor India (JSW MG Motor India). The new joint venture will capitalise on the significant opportunities emerging in the fast-evolving Indian automotive sector.

JSW MG Motor JV to introduce its first PHEV in India next year
Mumbai: JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd, the joint venture (JV) between the Sajjan Jindal-promoted JSW Group and MG Motor India’s parent company SAIC Motor, aims to bring 1 new car every 3-6 months going forward, starting September 2024.

Semiconductor manufacturing in Assam will put state on global map, says Ratan Tata
Manufacturing of semiconductors in Assam will put the state on the global map, said industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata, whose conglomerate has put in INR 27,000 crore in investments for a semiconductor plant in Jagiroad.

JSW MG plans design and R&D centre in India, looks to make in India for the world
JSW Group and MG Motor India formally announced the JV’s new brand identity in the country as ‘JSW MG Motor India’, and the partnership is looking to not only looking to accelerate the introduction of new products but also looking beyond to deepen synergies.

Tata Sons, TVS Motor, Motherson, Bharat Forge among 7 players to form consortium to launch India Foundation for Quality Management
In a bold move to address a critical challenge, a consortium of seven leading Indian companies have launched the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM), a Section 8 not-for-profit Company.

Waiting for Elon: Is new EV policy doing enough to lure Tesla to make electric cars in India
Four years ago, Elon Musk kicked off a vociferous debate in India’s auto industry when he said he wanted to come to India with the Tesla, but the stumbling block was the steep import duties, the highest in the world, which needed to go down substantially as a precondition to Tesla’s entry.

Have high import tariffs helped India improve manufacturing & counter China?
Elon Musk had four years ago expressed interest in launching Tesla in India. But the plan has not fructified as the country’s import duties are — in his words — the “highest in the world by far of any large country.” This month, the government eased the path by announcing certain import duty concessions.

India wants to be world's car factory. A plan is in the works
A grand vision is taking shape to build a global automobile hub in India, potentially supporting both electric and conventional vehicles, as well as new mobility and battery technologies.

JSW MG Motor India to invest Rs 5,000 cr; focus on new energy vehicles

The JV plans to invest approximately Rs 5,000 crore to develop new energy vehicles (NEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for both Indian market and exports.

Eicher Motors rallies 4% after UBS upgrades stock to 'Buy', sees 29% upside

It ended 4.2 per cent higher at Rs 3875 as against 0.12 per cent rise in the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex, and 0.47 per cent gain in the S&P BSE Auto index. 

Local chip design firms can cater to e2Ws worldwide: Cadence's India MD
 

New subcompact SUV spied testing— Nissan Magnite or Renault Kiger facelift?
The subcompact SUV/crossover segment is a thriving space in the passenger vehicle market with numerous options to consider. As a result, it is one of the most competitive segments in the PV market. In order to stay relevant, OEMs have to constantly update their offerings.

Was Dalal Street underestimating the potential of Maruti’s first EV?
If you have fallen in love with electric vehicles (EVs) for their silent aggression and futuristic style, you might get a sense of desolation if you visit any Maruti Suzuki dealership. For, you will find none on display. But that’s going to change as India’s number 1 carmaker is set to launch its electric car eVX around December this year, although the deliveries may take some time.

Opinion: How surging SUV demand leads to new segments blending aspiration and utility
Globally, demand for SUVs has been on the rise. In India, where smaller cars have long been preferred, SUV sales have notably increased in recent years, challenging conventional trends. This shift can be credited to the attractive features inherent in SUVs, including elevated seating, stylish design, spaciousness, and a commanding road presence. These compelling attributes have successfully captivated discerning consumers, marking a departure from the country's historical preferences.

L&T Tech bets on partnerships to accelerate growth
Bengaluru-based L&T Technology Services (L&T Tech) is helping global automakers to design, develop and bring their new-generation offerings faster to market. In fact, amongst the various verticals it serves, transportation continues to be its biggest contributor accounting for almost 33.2 percent followed by Telecom & Hi-Tech (25.4%), Industrial Products (17.2%), Plant Engineering (14%) and Medical Devices (10.2%).

eVroom, eVroom, Tesla
Accelerating At The Right Time:  Anil Padmanabhan
Last week, GoI released its new EV policy, slashing customs duties on imported cars. This policy concession, announced ahead of the general elections, is an incentive for automobile MNCs, such as the world’s largest EV manufacturer, Tesla, to make India a global hub for EVs.

FAME II not getting extension is setback for industry: Switch Mobility CEO

What is your opinion on the current status of the FAME II policy?  

JSW MG Motor India plans to sell a million electric vehicles by 2030
Sajjan Jindal, chairman of JSW Group and Parth Jindal, director of JSW Group, have launched JSW MG Motor India, with plans to sell 1 million electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. The joint venture (JV) with SAIC Motor Corporation of China intends to introduce the Cyberster, an electric sports car, to India by early 2025. The JV plans to invest up to $5 billion by 2030. At a media round-table held in Mumbai on Wednesday, SAJJAN JINDAL, PARTH JINDAL, and RAJEEV CHABA, chief executive officer (CEO) emeritus of MG Motor India, outlined their vision to transform the Indian EV sector, similar to what Maruti Suzuki India did in the 1980s by launching affordable, small cars.

Edited excerpts

We will create a Maruti moment with MG: Sajjan Jindal
JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd - the newly formed entity owned by Sajjan Jindal owned JSW Group and SAIC's MG Motor India - plans to sell a million units of the new energy vehicles (NEVs) by 2030, said Sajjan Jindal, chairman JSW Group.

JSW MG Motor India business roadmap aims to launch a new product every 3 to 6 months, hike Halol plant capacity to 3 lakh units
JSW MG Motor India is committed to bringing in the best of innovation across its business operations, introducing world-class technology, strengthening the manufacturing landscape, generating significant employment opportunities and offering smart and sustainable products focused on customer-centricity. The business roadmap for the company focuses on extensive localisation and development of a robust automotive ecosystem across the country, a media release said.

Maruti Suzuki stock hits 52-week high, crosses ₹12,000 for the first time
Bengaluru: Shares of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd hit a 52-week high on the NSE on Wednesday’s trade at ₹12,007.15. At close., the stock finished the trade at ₹11,925.24, up by 2.83 per cent. The upper circuit for the stock is at ₹12,756.75. Shiju Koothupalakkal, Technical Research Analyst at Prabhudas Lilladher, pointed out that the stock witnessed a strong pullback in the last two months from near the important 200 period MA of 9850 zone and has strengthened the trend moving past the significant 50EMA and 100 period MA levels.

JSW MG Motor India targets 33% passenger EV market share in six years
Mumbai: Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group outlined its strategy for the new auto venture with MG Motors setting a target of capturing 33 per cent of new energy vehicle segment by 2030 by rolling out one model every 3-6 months. JSW Group will hold 35 per cent stake in the newly formed JSW MG Motor India with Indian financial institutions and domestic MG Motor dealers holding 8 per cent and 3 per cent besides employees owning 5 per cent. The fresh stake holding will result in a capital infusion of ₹5,000 crore.

MG Motor, JSW unveil electric sports car Cyberster. Here are likely price & launch date, speed, other details
JSW Group and MG Motor showcase all-electric Cyberster: Details on looks, range and more
mint

MG Motor pulls the plug on Comet
 

BMW 620d M Sport Signature launched at Rs 78.90 lakh
German carmaker BMW has launched the 620d M Sport Signature in India, priced at Rs 78.90 lakh, ex-showroom. The new 620d M Sport will be made locally at BMW’s Chennai plant and will be available in Mineral White, Tanzanite Blue, Skyscraper Grey, and Carbon Black paint schemes.

Olectra Greentech bags ASTC contract to supply 10 e-buses for 15.14 cr
Olectra Greentech Limited has been awarded a contract by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). The contract, valued at approximately INR 15.14 crore, entails the supply of 10 electric buses on an outright basis.

JSW Group doubles down on EVs with plans for e-buses, e-trucks
Mumbai : The Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group, shortly after unveiling its ambitious electric-vehicles venture, is accelerating into a narrow lane dominated by Tata Motors Ltd and Ashok Leyland with plans for its own so-called ‘new energy’ commercial vehicles.

Triumph Rocket 3 Storm breaks cover — Gets even more power
When one thinks of the Triumph Rocket 3, ‘powerful’, is what comes to one’s mind. However, Triumph has managed to give the motorcycle even more power and torque while giving it the right ‘Storm’ moniker, which suits the attitude of the motorcycle.

New Triumph Daytona 660 vs competition — Specification check
The new Triumph Daytona 660 is the latest to make it to India shortly, taking on competition such as the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and the now-discontinued Honda CBR 650R. The name ‘Daytona’ brings back a lot of memories and has enthusiasts excited and let down at the same time. The reason is that the original Daytona was a committed super sport like the Ninja ZX-6R and the Honda CBR 600RR, while the new motorcycle is a sport tourer like the Ninja 650 and the CBR 650R.

TVS Motor appoints 2 new independent directors to its Board
New Delhi: TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a leading global automaker that operates in the two and three-wheeler segments, Wednesday appointed to its board the Chennai-based Sanmar Group Chairman Vijay Sankar, and Chairman of Shailesh Haribhakti & Associates, Shailesh Haribhakti, as independent directors subject to approval of the shareholders.

Top 10 motorcycles sold in Feb– Splendor, Shine, Pulsar, Classic
Motorcycles have always been the preferred choice of commute for a large section of Indian buyers. The month of February 2024 saw a significant increase in sales of motorcycles in comparison to the same month the previous year. Let us look at the top 10 motorcycles sold across the country in February this year.

Ultraviolette showcases F77 with K-Rides at Motobike Istanbul 2024 exhibition
New Delhi: Ultraviolette Automotive, an innovator in future-ready Electric Vehicle Platforms and Battery Technology, is jointly showcasing its F77 performance electric motorcycle at the Motobike Istanbul 2024 exhibition at the K-Rides pavilion during March 20-23, 2024.

India now home to over 150 two-wheeler EV startups
New Delhi: Driven by conducive government policies and incentives towards a green future, India now has more than 150 two-wheeler electric vehicle (EV) startups, a new report said on Wednesday.

Shares of tyre companies decline on surge in raw material prices
Shares of most tyre companies weakened Tuesday as the recent spike in prices of commodities including rubber and crude, which are raw materials for their production, dented investor sentiment. Analysts expect these stocks to be under pressure over the next quarter but advise buying them if they decline.

Myelin Foundry and Mahindra join forces to bring AI to customer fingertips
Myelin Foundry, a pioneering deep-tech product startup specializing in Edge AI for the automotive, industrial, and media sectors, has partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India's leading SUV manufacturer. The partnership aims to deliver AI into automotive cabins and mobile phones.

Himadri picks up 40% stake in lithium-ion electrode material start-up Invati for Rs 45 crore
Himadri Speciality Chemical (Himadri), a global speciality chemical conglomerate has acquired 40 percent stake in Invati Creations (Invati) for a consideration of Rs 45.16 crore.

GoodEnough Energy to invest INR 450 cr to set up 20GWh storage equipment factory by 2026
Battery energy storage systems maker GoodEnough Energy will invest INR 450 crore for setting up a 20 GWh per annum capacity plant in Jammu & Kashmir by 2026. Presently, the company is in the process to make its plant operational by October this year with initial battery energy storage systems (BESS) manufacturing capacity of 7GWh per annum.

Rubber price rise, demand woes could lead to derating of tyre companies
The margins of tyre manufacturers could come under pressure given the rise in rubber prices and the moderating demand for tyres.

Oil rises to multi-month highs on Russian supply concerns
Oil prices rose to multi-month highs for the second straight session on Tuesday as traders assessed how Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian refineries would affect global petroleum supplies.

India's BPCL signs 4-month US oil purchase deal with BP, sources say
Indian state-run oil refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp has signed a deal with BP to buy 1 million barrels per month of U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for four months, trade sources said.

India's Russian oil imports edged up in February from January
India's import of Russian oil edged up in February over January, reversing declines seen in the past two months, data from industry sources showed on Wednesday, as refiners received some parcels of Russian light sweet Sokol grade.

Castrol onboards Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador
Castrol, a subsidiary of the bp Group and a leading lubricant supplier has announced its strategic association with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador. Over the next two years, Shah Rukh Khan will feature in digital, print, and TV campaigns for bp and Castrol, showcasing their wide range of products.

8 financial mistakes to avoid when upgrading your car
Who does not like a new car with new features? Often when we plan to purchase a new car, the car features and technology are what we look at. However, we usually tend to ignore the financial aspect. If you are also planning to upgrade your car, you must keep in mind the financial factors and the maintenance cost.

Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R, GT revealed; make 182hp, 225Nm
Source Credit: Autocar India

Triumph has taken the wraps off the Rocket 3 Storm duo, and in this spec, the bike is the most powerful it’s ever been.

Skoda Superb to return by mid-2024; Octavia to follow
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Skoda Superb and Octavia are household names in India and they are both set to return. Literally every generation of both cars were sold here, but if you walk into a Skoda showroom today, you are faced with an unfamiliar sight – a dealership floor devoid of either the Octavia or the Superb.

New Maruti Dzire spy shots show first in segment sunroof
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire was first spied in India a couple of days back, but this time, the compact sedan has been spotted winter testing in Himachal Pradesh. The spy shots reveal that it’ll sport a segment-first feature at launch – a sunroof.

Indian luxury car sales to triple by 2033: Audi’s Andre Konsbruck
Source Credit: Autocar India

The global sales head of Audi AG, Andre Konsbruck, believes the Indian luxury car market will triple in the next 10 years and is set to cross the 1 lakh unit sales mark by 2030. Speaking to Autocar post the 2023 annual earnings conference, Konsbruck said that the economic indicators of India are picking up rapidly and the industry is growing very fast.

MG Cyberster electric sportscar makes India debut
Source Credit: Autocar India

MG Motor India has taken the wraps off the Cyberster for the first time in our country and confirmed that it will be introducing a new network of premium outlets for its more upmarket offerings. While the Chinese-owned British brand has yet to confirm which models will be sold from these new premium showrooms, the Cyberster is a likely candidate. The Cyberster is MG’s first-ever electric sportscar and is set to go on sale in international markets later this year.

JSW MG Motor India aims to sell 1 million EVs, PHEVs by 2030
Source Credit: Autocar India

MG Motor and the JSW Group announced the creation and name of their new joint venture – JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd – today. Speaking at the event, Sajjan Jindal, chairman and managing director of the JSW Group, said, “We will create a Maruti moment with EVs in India.”

Suzuki trademarks Escudo, Torqnado nameplates in India
Source Credit: Autocar India

Maruti’s parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation has filed trademarks in India for two new names – Escudo and Torqnado – which could be used on two of the eight new models that Maruti Suzuki has planned for an India launch over the next four years.

Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 revealed, uses KTM 790 Duke engine
Source Credit: Autocar India

Husqvarna has taken the wraps off the Svartpilen 801 and this is the company’s largest-capacity street-oriented bike. 

BMW 620d M Sport Signature launched at Rs 78.90 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

BMW India has extended the 6 Series Gran Turismo range with the addition of the top-spec 620d M Sport Signature variant priced at Rs 78.90 lakh. This makes it Rs 3.4 lakh costlier than the regular 6 Series GT M Sport.

Ather 450X TFT likely to be seen on Rizta electric scooter
Source Credit: Autocar India

Ather has been steadily drip-feeding us tidbits of information regarding the Rizta electric scooter ahead of its reveal on April 6, which also coincides with the Ather Community Day. 

Nissan Magnite facelift spied ahead of December debut
Source Credit: Autocar India

The sub-4-metre SUV segment is getting hotter by the day, with the Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet having been recently facelifted, and Skoda working on joining the crowded space. Now, as we'd revealed last year, Nissan is readying an update for the Magnite, which could debut in India later this year.

10 automakers fined USD 7.6 mn for selling cars with poor safety standards
The South Korean government said on Wednesday that it has imposed fines totalling 10.3 billion won (USD 7.6 million) on 10 foreign and domestic automakers for selling cars with inadequate safety standards.

Renault CEO urges 'Marshall Plan' for Europe electric vehicles
The chief executive of French automaker Renault called Tuesday for a European "Marshall Plan" to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions in the face of Chinese competition.

As electric vehicle sales slow, US relaxes plans for stricter auto emissions standards for a while
The Biden administration this week is expected to announce new automobile emissions standards that relax proposed tailpipe limits for three years but eventually reach the same strict standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency.

White House softens EV mileage rule in a win for automakers
The Biden administration on Tuesday handed Detroit automakers a major win by easing proposed rules that would have forced them to scale back production of gas-guzzling vehicles or face billions of dollars in fines.

Renault Group’s CEO Luca de Meo calls for collaboration and innovation to drive auto sector growth in Europe
Renault Group’s CEO, Luca de Meo, has unveiled his vision for a robust European automotive sector in a candid letter addressed to political leaders today. Ahead of the upcoming European elections, de Meo’s letter advocates for a unified European effort to effectively navigate the automotive industry’s energy transition, according to an official release.

JLR to recruit 250 electrification engineers for UK facilities
New Delhi: JLR is recruiting 250 electrification engineers to work at its Gaydon and Whitley facilities. The roles will further propel the development of JLR’s next generation pure electric vehicles launching by 2030 under its Reimagine strategy.

Mercedes Benz to recall over 1,00,000 vehicles in United States
Mercedes Benz will recall 116,020 vehicles due to an improperly secured 48-volt ground connection, the U.S National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday.

Roads that charge while you drive: can this fuel a future for EVs?
Imagine driving an electric vehicle on a highway that recharges your battery as you travel.

China is charging ahead with EVs. Why is the world worried?
Former US president Donald Trump stirred a controversy a few days ago when he said in a campaign speech that he would impose a 100% tariff on cars built in Mexico by Chinese companies for sale in the American market. He said there will be a bloodbath in the American auto market if doesn't win in the November election.“Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole — that’s going to be the least of it,” he said, adding: “But they’re not going to sell those cars.”

Hydrogen adoption will cost Europe, US more than USD 1 tn
Europe and the US will have to spend in excess of USD 1 trillion for building infrastructure to enable widespread use of hydrogen fuel, an executive at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said on Monday.

California, Stellantis strike vehicle emissions deal
Chrysler parent Stellantis and the state of California reached an agreement on emissions on Tuesday after the company unsuccessfully sought to join a deal that other automakers had struck with the state in 2019.

Bentley looks to launches after 'emotional sensitivity' slowed car sales
British luxury carmaker Bentley on Tuesday reported a lower operating profit for 2023 after a weak economy and high interest rates hit sales, but the company said its performance had stabilised and new launches would boost it in 2024.

All-new BMW Vision Neue Klasse X SUV to debut on 21 March
BMW has officially announced the introduction of the Vision Neue Klasse X SUV on 21 March 2024. The teaser image has been put up on the social media handle where the company has revealed the image showcasing the side contour of the car which looks similar to the current iX. 

China-based Canadian stole Tesla secrets, say US prosecutors
A Canadian resident of China has been arrested in the United States for allegedly stealing electric car manufacturer Tesla's trade secrets and conspiring to sell them to undercover law enforcement officers.