Zetwerk bags order to supply 1,400 EV fast chargers to Indian Oil Corp
Zetwerk, one of the world’s largest managed marketplaces for contract manufacturing, has secured an order from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to set up EV fast chargers across the country. The company says it won the tender through a competitive bidding process that saw participation from more than 40 leading EV suppliers across the country.

India to continue to play a key role for Renault Nissan Alliance
Renault Nissan Alliance has reiterated their commitment to India at a media conference in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 

Yamaha joins with Lola Cars to supply powertrains for Formula E vehicles
New Delhi: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has said that it and Lola Cars Ltd have signed a technical partnership agreement for the development and supply of high-performance electric powertrains to be part of an official manufacturer in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the world's premier racing series for all-electric single-seater vehicles.

SIAM hosts 18th Styling & Design Conclave alongside 16th Automotive Design Challenge
New Delhi: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), organised the 18th SIAM Styling and Design Conclave alongside the 16th Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) on 22nd March 2024 at Hotel Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Tata Motors will be the biggest loser when FAME-II scheme expires on March 31
New Delhi: The country’s largest electric vehicle (e-PV) maker, Tata Motors, was the biggest beneficiary of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) scheme. With the expiration of the scheme on March 31, it is set to be the biggest loser.

Mahindra liquidates non-operating arm Mahindra Mexico
New Delhi: Mahindra and Mahindra, the leading Indian automotive manufacturing corporation, has announced about the cessation of its non-operating subsidiary Mahindra Mexico S. De. R. L. Mahindra Mexico had filed for voluntary liquidation through the Indian company’s wholly owned subsidiary Mahindra USA Inc. (MUSA).

46% of women opted for used cars in March 2024: Spinny Reports
New Delhi: Amidst the ever-changing preferences of car shoppers, Spinny, a leading full-stack platform for used cars, witnessed 31% growth in Q4 FY24 indicating a surge in women buyers. According to Spinny's latest report, 46% of women across the country bought used cars in March 2024 as compared to 35% in Q3 FY24, marking a significant milestone in the used car landscape

Cosmic Birla Group plans to build EV facility in Bengal
Kolkata: Cosmic Birla Group, which has recently entered into electric mobility space, is planning to set up a facility in West Bengal for the production of electric two-wheelers. The Kolkata-based group also wants to launch electric three-wheelers and cars in the commercial vehicles space. It is looking to produce three-wheelers first in the financial year 2026-27.

Skoda Auto to open Volkswagen Group Technology Solutions India regional office in Prague
Czech automaker Skoda Auto is opening a Volkswagen Group Technology Solutions India (VWITS) regional office in Prague.

Auto firms feel the chill of Baltimore bridge collapse

Mumbai: The closure of Port of Baltimore, the busiest automotive port in the US, following Tuesday's bridge collapse, will have a ripple effect on Indian automotive companies who use it for exports. Indian auto companies will join several of their global peers in rerouting shipments to the US as clearing of the debris comprising twisted metal from the river bed could take several months rendering the key shipping route inoperable. "Due to the tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore on Tuesday morning, and the port terminal being closed for passage, we are assessing alternative routes into the country to support delivery of our vehicles to retailers and minimise impact to clients,"said a spokesperson from Jaguar Land Rover (ILR) responding to a query from FE. The US is the single largest market for the Tata Motors-controlled British brands JLR, making up 26% of its global wholesale volumes. Home grown companies, Bajaj Auto,Royal Enfield and Mahindra& Mahindra are the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who export to the US from India. Apollo Tyres, one of India's biggest tyre producers also exports to the country. 

Comparison: Is Citroen Basalt Vision ahead of Tata Curvv?
SUVs in the mid-size segment are getting more stylish, and the Tata Curvv was a good example of how car designers are trying to integrate a coupe-ish styling with SUVs. Now, Citroen has unveiled its concept, the Basalt Vision coupe, which has all the right curves to compete with the Curvv.

Can EMPS offer a smoother ride for EV manufacturers?

The Scheme Aims to subsidise electric two and three-wheelers, and e-rickshaw purchases by consumers. Thus far, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-II) scheme has provided an incentive for electric vehicle (EV) sales through subsidies since these are relatively more expensive than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. FAME-II comes to an end on March 31, 2024 and the government has decided not to come out with a new variant of it in the form of FAME-III. EMPS is valid for only four months - April-July 2024 - with an outlay of 2500 crore. Companies will need to register under the new programme to be eligible for getting subsidies. Existing registration under FAME-II will not be valid for EMPS. 

Shifting gears: Maruti Suzuki to launch 6 EVs by 2030, eyes 15% sales

New Delhi: Ahead of its first electric vehicle launch, the eVX in 2025 — and eventually six EVs by 2030 —Maruti Suzuki is exploring all options to alleviate range anxiety by enhancing charging infrastructure, despite the fact that the eVX reportedly has a big, 60-kWh battery and a 550-km range. 

Toyota Kirloskar to increase prices of select models from April 1
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced on Thursday that the company is planning to increase the prices of certain grades of its specific models by 1% from April 1, 2024. The move is attributed to escalating input costs and operational expenditures.

Skoda Superb India return set for April 3
Skoda announced a few months ago that Superb will re-enter the Indian market towards the end of this year. It appears as if the flagship sedan will return sooner than later. According to a recent media report, the Czech carmaker will launch the updated Superb in India on 3 April 2024. 

Renault, Nissan confirm 4 new SUVs in India: All you need to know
Renault and Nissan recently conducted a joint annual conference for FY 2023-24. The French and Japanese carmakers have announced their new product onslaught for the Indian market. Both brands have lost significant market share in the last few years with their portfolios trickling down to a handful of models.

Next leg of ‘Name Your Skoda’ campaign for new compact SUV begins
New Delhi: Skoda Auto India has ushered in the New Era with the announcement of the all-new compact SUV. Taking a stride further into the New Era with user engagement and involvement, the company has also announced ‘Name Your Skoda’, a campaign where participants contribute to what the name of Skoda’s new compact SUV will be.

Maruti Suzuki launches new sustainable hybrid tech campaign
Maruti Suzuki has introduced its latest brand campaign, ‘IT’S UNBELIEVABLE. ‘It’s a strong hybrid. The new advertisement highlights Grand Vitara and Invicto, with a focus on the advantages of robust hybrid technology. Its core notion is to educate customers about Maruti Suzuki’s dedication to bringing together technologies that benefit its customers while also fostering a sustainable environment.

Renault, Nissan to launch 5-seater and 7-seater SUVs in India soon
Japanese and French automakers Nissan Motor Corporation and Renault will soon launch their newest offerings for the Indian market, cross-badged and developed, 5-seater and 7-seater SUVs. 

Craze for SUVs too shall pass in years to come: Maruti's R C Bhargava

Utility vehicle (UV) sales in India have increased by 25.87 per cent year on year (Y-o-Y) to 2.21 million units during the April-February period of the current financial year (FY24). On the other hand, the smaller cars - which include sedans and hatchbacks - saw an 11.58 per cent Y-o-Y drop in their sales in the first 11 months of FY24, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) data.
 

India-bound Kia EV9 honoured with World Car of the Year, EV of the year awards
Kia has been awarded top honours in two categories at the World Car Awards 2024. The Korean carmaker has bagged the Best Car of the Year as well as the Best Electric Vehicle of the Year awards for its flagship model– EV9. The all-electric SUV made its global debut last year and is currently on sale in international markets such as North America, South Korean, etc.

Volvo Group partners Vellore Institute of Technology to introduce specialised automotive technologies course within MTECH program
Volvo Group and Vellore Institute of Technology have entered into a new collaboration, which they say will shape automobile engineers of the future.

Leap adds 32 BMW iX EVs to its exclusive fleet
New Delhi: Leap, India's sustainable luxury ground transportation provider, has inducted 32 BMW iX electric vehicles into its exclusive fleet. This acquisition marks the largest single order of BMW iX for BMW India, the company said.

BEST fleet bounces back with 3,008 buses
After being at an all-time low for seven months, the BEST fleet finally crossed the 3,000 mark on Wednesday as new buses arrived in the fleet - taking the fleet to 3,008 buses in Mumbai. A senior official said that the undertaking expects to increase the fleet size to 3,500 in the next 3 months -- catering to the demand from 35 lakh daily commuters who now have to wait in long queues for a bus during peak hours.

Super exclusive Aprilia RS 660 Trofeo variant breaks cover
When it comes to limited-edition motorcycles, we can always trust the Italians. Aprilia has launched the RS 660 Trofeo version, priced at approximately Rs 18 lakh. If that looks inviting, there’s bad news also, because Aprilia is making just 28 units and the guess is they’re already sold out.

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE launched at Rs 10.30 lakh
The much-awaited launch is here and Suzuki has launched the V-Strom 800DE in India at Rs 10.30 lakh, ex-showroom. The new adventure motorcycle replaces the V-Strom 650 in India and is on sale in the global markets. In India, the new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE will be available in three colour options: Champion Yellow, Glass Mat Mechanical Gray, and Glass Sparkle Black.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India crosses 6 crore two-wheeler sales milestone
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), a leading two-wheeler manufacturer in the country has achieved a significant milestone of 6 crore domestic sales in the country.

Cardo to deliver communication systems for Honda Adventure Roads project riders
Cardo Systems, pioneers in wireless communication devices tailored for motorcyclists, has signed a three-year partnership with the Honda Adventure Roads (HAR) project, designating its Packtalk Edge as the project's 'official communicator'.

The TVS Group’s nuclear family pact is path-breaking
Last week, there was a rather unusual news report in some business papers about a new agreement in the family of Venu Srinivasan. As chairperson of TVS Holdings Ltd (formerly Sundaram-Clayton) and chairman emeritus of TVS Motor Company Ltd, he announced that his nuclear family members, comprising himself, his wife Mallika Srinivasan, daughter Lakshmi Venu and son Sudarshan Venu, had executed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), effective 21 March 2024, to avoid competition among themselves with specific reference to the use of the ‘TVS’ brand name, complete with a non-compete pact and more.

Ather Rizta to skip onboard speakers
The upcoming Ather Rizta has been creating a lot of buzz on the internet, as it will be Ather’s new launch in many years. The upcoming electric scooter is targeted at families rather than being sporty and more youth-oriented.

Kinetic Green expects to sell 50,000 E-Lunas for e-commerce delivery in 2024-25
Pune: Electric vehicle manufacturer Kinetic Green has delivered 130 of its highly anticipated E-Luna electric scooters to Safe and Secure Delivery Solutions, the delivery partner of online grocery store Big Basket. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO of Kinetic Green, and Fazal Shaikh, Founder of Safe and Secure Delivery Solutions, were present at the handover event.  

Montra Electric e-3Ws to become affordable in Amritsar under Housing Ministry’s RAAHI scheme
Montra Electric, the electric vehicle brand of the Murugappa Group has been selected as one of the OEMs under the Rejuvenation of Auto-rickshaws in Amritsar through Holistic Intervention (RAAHI) project. The project is part of the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) programme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

A smooth ride: Electric 2-wheeler registrations cross 100K in a month again
 

Vikram Garga steps down from senior management role at Apollo Tyres
New Delhi: Apollo Tyres has announced the resignation of Vikram Garga, Group Head of Marketing (APMEA), a senior management personnel, effective from the close of business hours on March 31, 2024, citing personal reasons.

Natural rubber prices head north after 3 years on global cues
After nearly a three-year gap, natural rubber prices have started moving north in the domestic market recording  ₹182 per kg for RSS IV grades. The prices reached its peak in 2021 at ₹191. The price surge in the domestic market is in tandem with the international market and the sources cited the factors to floods in Thailand, one of the major producing countries and wintering.

IndianOil order for Zetwerk to set up over 1400 EV fast chargers in India
New Delhi: Zetwerk, world’s largest managed marketplace for contract manufacturing, has secured an order from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to set up EV fast chargers across India through competitive bidding which was participated by more than 40 leading EV suppliers across the country.

Zetwerk secures order from Indian Oil for 1,400+ EV chargers
New Delhi: Zetwerk on Thursday said it secured an order with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to set up more than 1,400 EV fast chargers across India through competitive bidding. With this association, Zetwerk is supporting IOCL’s aspiration to become a 360-degree energy solutions provider company, actively investing in emerging mobility trends such as EVs.

How telematics may help you pay less for car insurance
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a silent revolution is happening in the way we interact with our cars. Telematics, a term that might sound complex but is essentially about how your car and technology team up to enhance your driving experience, is becoming a game-changer. So, what is telematics, and why should you care? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Skoda Superb relaunch on April 3
Source Credit: Autocar India

We had first reported Skoda’s plans to re-launch the Superb in India back in September last year, and we can now finally confirm that the launch is all set to take place on April 3, 2024. Sales of the third-gen Superb were discontinued with the implementation of the BS6 Phase II emissions norms on April 1, 2023.

Kia EV9 bags World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the year titles for 2024
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Kia EV9 has bagged the 2024 World Car of the year award at the ongoing New York Motor Show. Apart from the top honour, Kia’s flagship EV also took home the World Electric Vehicle of the year award. The EV9 debuted globally in March 2023 and is, in fact, slated to go on sale in India later this year. Incidentally, the EV9 was also the winner of the 2024 Women's Worldwide Car of the Year award that was announced earlier this month.

Range Rover Sport EV to be unveiled this year
Source Credit: Autocar India

JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) is planning to unveil an electric version of the Range Rover Sport later this year – it’ll the second of the six new EVs to arrive in international markets by 2026. Three years after the radical Reimagine transformation strategy was announced by ex-CEO Theirry Bollore, current CEO, Adrian Mardell, has revealed an updated electrification strategy.

Most affordable automatic SUVs in India under Rs 10 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

Automatic variants of mass market cars cost slightly higher than their manual counterparts, but the ease of operation and the comfort they offer make them a popular choice. Given the increasing popularity of automatic cars and SUVs, manufacturers have started offering them across multiple trim levels in recent times. Here’s a list of all SUVs in India under Rs 10 lakh that are available with an automatic gearbox in March 2024.

Last ever Audi R8 supercar rolls off production line
Source Credit: Autocar India

Audi has officially wrapped up the production of its iconic R8 supercar, with the last model recently rolling off the assembly line at Audi’s plant in Germany. The final R8, in V10 Performance Quattro spec, was finished in a Vegas Yellow paint with bronze wheels, and was a coupe with a carbon fibre styling package.

Tata Altroz Racer vs Hyundai i20 N Line vs Maruti Fronx turbo: how do they stack up
Source Credit: Autocar India

After showcasing it at last year’s Auto Expo first, and then later at this year’s Bharat Mobility Expo, the Tata Altroz Racer is all set to be launched in India in the coming weeks. Upon its arrival, the sportier version will sit at the top of the Altroz range, and will directly rival the Hyundai i20 N Line, while it will also face some competition from the turbo-petrol variants of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Let’s take a look at how the three cars stack up in terms of size, powertrain and price.

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE launched at Rs 10.30 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

After a very long wait, Suzuki has finally launched the V-Strom 800DE at an introductory price of Rs 10.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Toyota's global sales slide 7% in February, led by slumps in China and Japan
Toyota Motor's global sales dropped 7% in February from a year earlier, hurt by a heavy decline in China due to Lunar Year holidays and a slump in Japan after a safety test scandal at its small car unit.

Baltimore bridge collapse could impact global auto, coal supply chains
The blockade of vessel traffic at the crucial Port of Baltimore in the US after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge on Tuesday could have a ripple effect chiefly on the global automotive vehicle and coal supply chain as operations at the port are expected to remain shut for months. However, experts have ruled out any direct impact on India’s trade.

Tesla deliveries face hit from China slowdown, soft demand
Tesla is expected to report sluggish first-quarter deliveries next week as the boost from its price cuts wanes and the U.S. automaker grapples with strong competition for buyers in a slowing electric-vehicle market.

NXP launches S32 CoreRide platform to accelerate development of Software-Defined Vehicles
NXP Semiconductors, a leading designer and manufacturer of chips, has announced the launch of its S32 CoreRide platform, which it says is the industry-first vehicle software platform that greatly simplifies complex vehicle architecture development and cuts costs for automakers and tier-1 suppliers. Thit it says will accelerate the development of the next-generation of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV).

Nissan Smyrna plant rolls out 15 millionth vehicle, 2024 Pathfinder, on Wednesday
New Delhi: Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Tennessee, USA, produced its 15 millionth vehicle, a 2024 Pathfinder finished in Deep Ocean Blue Metallic, on Wednesday.

Honeywell to acquire Civitanavi Systems for aerospace navigation solutions
New Delhi: Honeywell has announced the intention to acquire the entire share capital of Civitanavi Systems S.p.A. Honeywell will initiate a voluntary tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Civitanavi for a purchase price of EUR 6.30 (approx USD 6.82) per share in cash.

2025 Hyundai Tucson makes debut at New York Auto Show, gets updated ADAS
Hyundai has unveiled the updated 2025 Tucson at the ongoing New York Auto Show. The premium mid-size SUV gets refreshed exterior styling, some new features, and some power underneath its hood in this latest iteration. It will go on sale in the USA later this year followed by other international markets including India sometime next year.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N wins World Performance Car Award at NY Auto Show
Hyundai continued its winning streak at the World Car Awards today with the Ioniq 5 N named the 2024 World Performance Car. This is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 lineup’s fourth major World Car Awards win in the last three years.

Kia EV9 electrifies the 2024 World Car Awards with double victory: Check full award list
Electric vehicles took center stage at the 2024 World Car Awards, held at the prestigious New York Auto Show, with Kia's striking EV9 leading the charge by winning two titles. The event, which saw participation from over 100 motoring journalists hailing from 29 countries, featured rigorous testing of 38 diverse automobiles to determine the best contenders across various segments, reported HT Auto.

China's BYD slows down plans for EV factory in Vietnam, industrial park says
Chinese electric vehicles maker BYD has slowed down its plans to build an EV factory in Vietnam, a manager of the industrial park where the plant would be built told a shareholders meeting on Thursday.

Car production in Thailand fell 19.28% in February
Car production in Thailand fell 19.28% in February from a year earlier to 133,690 units, the Federation of Thai Industries said on Tuesday, largely due to a decline in production of pickup trucks and more imported electric vehicles (EVs).

EVs are splitting the Auto world into two: Made in China, or not
Beijing: The rise of electric vehicles is dividing the global auto market into two: one that welcomes China-made cars, and the other that effectively rejects them.

Automakers face 'daunting' task to meet 2032 EV rules, industry says
Automakers face "daunting" government regulations to sell half of new vehicles by 2030 as electric or plug-in hybrids despite a U.S. decision to soften the final rules over its initial, tougher proposal, a top industry official said on Wednesday.

Xiaomi set for plunge into EVs at a tricky time for China autos
Xiaomi SU7 EV launched at nearly ₹24.90 lakh, challenges Tesla and BYD: Check range, features and more
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Xiaomi launches electric vehicle SU7 in China, starts from $30,000

The tech company began accepting orders in China via an app on Thursday night, after founder Lei Jun wrapped up a more than two-hour presentation on the SU7 car by announcing the much-awaited price range: 215,900 yuan to 299,900 yuan (about USD 30,000 to USD 40,000).

South Korea's production of semiconductors rises by most in 14 years
South Korea’s output of semiconductors jumped the most in 14 years in February in an indication of ongoing recovery in the country’s most important industrial sector and global tech demand.