Tata Motors clocks 45% jump in net profit, management says India business now debt free
Tata Motors has reported 45% YoY jump in its its Q4FY24 net profit at Rs 17,529 crore compared to Rs 12,033 Cr profit in Q4FY23 on strong JLR orderbook and domestic demand. The Q4 revenue came in at Rs 119,986 crore, up 13.3 % YoY. Tata Motors as a group delivered its highest ever revenue and profit. The India business is net debt free and net automotive debt reduced further to Rs 16,000 crore.

Chipmaker Polymatech chalks out $2.5 billion revenue by FY26
Semiconductor chips manufacturer Polymatech Electronics is looking to achieve a $2.5 billion (around Rs 20,000 crore) revenue by FY26 on the back of its increased production capacity, the company’s chief executive officer and managing director Eswara Rao Nandam told FE in an interaction.

Sans FAME, e2W sales dip 53% in April; 3-wheelers, PVs too hit
New Delhi: The retail sales of electric two-wheelers (E2W) fell by about 53 per cent to 65,111 units in April against 1,39,531 in March. Industry insiders say that sales picked up just before the government’s subsidy scheme got over on March 31 and slumped after the scheme came to an end.

Indian startups harness biodegradable waste to power up EV batteries
New Delhi: Electric vehicles are gaining popularity with its sales growing 49% Y-o-Y in 2023, FADA (Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association) reported.

Tata Motors PAT at INR 17,528.59 cr in Q4 FY24
Tata Motors Q4 net profit more than triples to ₹17,407 crore

Tata Motors Q4 results preview: Revenue expected to grow 17% on improvement in JLR performance, passenger vehicle business
 

New Maruti Suzuki Swift vs competition — Price check
Maruti Suzuki launched the 2024 Swift hatchback in India, which gets several changes, including a revised design, a new suspension setup, and a new three-cylinder engine in place of the older four-pot K-Series motor. For Maruti Suzuki, the hatchback segment is important as it is the stepping stone for most new car buyers in India. 

Opinion: How India can become a global hub for mobility tech
Technological innovation:

Pre-owned SUV sales jump 40% in Q1CY24: Cars24

SUVs LIKE Ford EcoSport,Hyundai Creta, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue have emerged as top-selling models in the pre owned space, according to the Drive time Quarterly report released by Cars24 — a pre owned car sales and purchase company. 

Plugging the gap between EVs and ICE

During the recent Q4 earnings call, Maruti Suzuki's MD & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said that plug-in hybrid is a very interesting proposition that must be considered seriously. But what exactly is this technology, and why despite strong hybrids getting popular, there’s no plug-in hybrid car in India (barring one imported model)? 

Skoda Auto India offers for summer camp
New Delhi: Skoda Auto India has announced a Summer Camp for its customers.

MG 100-Year limited edition range launched in India
MG India has launched the ‘100-year limited edition’ version of the Hector, Astor, ZS EV, and Comet in India, to celebrate the brand’s racing history that spans over a century. To celebrate this occasion, the limited edition vehicle will get the iconic British Racing Green paint scheme. 

Maruti Suzuki India sees revival of small car segment by end of 2026 and beginning of 2027
 

2024 Porsche Panamera makes its Indian debut
The 2024 Porsche Panamera has been launched in India with prices starting from ₹1.69 crore, ex-showroom, onwards. It’s powered by a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine which makes 348 bhp and 50.98 kg-m. Like the latest-generation Cayenne, which was launched last year, the Panamera benefits from a new cabin, complete with a 12.6-inch instrument panel, a 10.9-inch touchscreen, and a passenger display. The luxury sedan also gets a dual-chamber air suspension to ensure it doesn’t just look smooth, it offers a smooth ride, too.

Audi India launches Q3 and Q3 Sportback bold edition at INR 54.65 lakh
Audi has launched the Bold Edition of the Q3 and the Q3 Sportback in India, priced at Rs 54.65 lakh and Rs 55.71 lakh, respectively, ex-showroom. The Bold Editions cost approximately Rs 1.5 lakh more than the top Technology variant. 

BMW iX xDrive50: Watt-aboutery
Since its launch two years ago, the BMW iX has made momentous progress in the EV space. It’s said to be the best-selling luxury EV in the Indian market, and for a car that retails at upwards of a crore, that’s quite something. Taking this momentum seriously, BMW has launched the flagship variant of the iX’s line-up, one with more performance and a better range, the BMW iX xDrive50. We take this all-electric BMW for a spin, to find out if it can further the model’s success, given that it retails for a slightly higher ₹1.39 crore, ex-showroom.

VST Tillers Tractors Q4 Results Live : profit falls by 13.42% YOY
VST Tillers Tractors Q4 Results Live : VST Tillers Tractors declared their Q4 results on 09 May, 2024. The topline decreased by 15.24% & the profit decreased by 13.42% YoY. As compared to the previous quarter the revenue grew by 60.88% and the profit increased by 105.01%.

Sonalika Tractors sells 11,656 units in April 2024
New Delhi: Sonalika Tractors sold 11,656 units in April 2024. “Sonalika's thrust on creating a perfect blend of quality and performance in its heavy tractor range has enabled the company to firmly secure the 3rd largest tractor brand position in India - the world's biggest tractor market,” the company said in a media release.

Gensol Engineering appoints Rajesh Jain as Independent Director
New Delhi: Gensol Engineering Limited, a key player in solar power engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services and electric mobility solutions, announced the appointment of Rajesh Jain as an independent director to its board.

Ola Electric files patents for upcoming electric motorcycle — gets 3 variants
Ola Electric has big plans going forward when it comes to electric mobility. The Bengaluru-based EV manufacturing is already raking moolahs off the S1 electric scooter lineup and it intends to expand its two-wheeler lineup with many more models in the future. Besides scooters, Ola Electric wants to foray into the electric motorcycle segment as well.

Ola Electric begins deliveries of S1 X scooters at prices starting from INR 69,999
New Delhi: Ola Electric Friday began deliveries of its new S1 X range in many cities across the country. Available in three battery configurations (2 kWh, 3 kWh, and 4 kWh), the scooter is priced at INR 69,999 (introductory price), INR 84,999, and INR 99,999, respectively.

TVS Holdings to acquire 80.74% stake in Home Credit India Finance for Rs 554 crore
TVS Holdings to acquire 80.74% in Home Credit India for Rs 554 cr

Timken India Q4 Results Live : profit rise by 35.41% YOY
Timken India Q4 Results Live : Timken India announced their Q4 results on 09 May, 2024, showcasing a notable growth in both revenue and profit. The company's topline surged by 11.86% year-over-year, while the profit saw a significant increase of 35.41% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ceat plans to revamp brand strategy to target SUV owners, adventure bikers
The company currently has a basic product range and will be launching tyre sizes over the next two quarters for SUVs and motorcycles. 
 

Autonomous driving tech faces geopolitical ‘winter’ on road to mainstream
New Delhi: A few years ago, Autonomous Driving was seen as a major growth opportunity among the key megatrends to invest in, by both big and small players. The radical concept of cars driving on their own also attracted a lot of hype, and almost a competition to develop the required capabilities. However, things are heading in a different way for Autonomous Driving.

‘Most of our global maps are managed from India’
HERE Technologies, the world’s leading location data and technology company, employs about 3,700 people in India (half of its global workforce). “The core of our map-building is here – all the data processing, crunching and managing,” says Deon Newman, senior vice-president & general manager, Asia Pacific, HERE Technologies. In an interview with FE’s Vikram Chaudhary, he adds that HERE is now focusing on the commercial market in India, challenging local players and providing Indians with the best mapping data. Excerpts:

Biomass fuels: challenges and opportunities
Fossil fuels currently meet this majority demand, raising concerns due to potential CO2 (a major greenhouse gas) doubling compared to preindustrial levels (approximately 285 ppm for about 400 000 years before the industrial revolution and reached 376 ppm as of 2005 and is still increasing). Halting fossil fuel use by 2050 is crucial to avoid exceeding the critical 2°C temperature increase threshold. Lignocellulosic biomass, a renewable and abundant resource, holds great promise for sustainable production of valuable chemicals and fuels, currently derived mainly from oil. Currently, biomass contributes 10% (5 x 10-19 kJ) to global energy consumption. Predictions estimate this value to reach 150 x 10-19 kJ by 2050, considering the diverse range of biomass resources available.

chargeMOD ties up with A Plus Charge to set up EV charging stations in North East
 

BPCL to invest INR 1.7 lakh cr in core, new energy business
"Our strategy is based on two fundamental pillars - 'Nurturing the Core'; and 'Investing in Future Big Bets'. We remain committed to our core businesses, which include the refining, marketing of petroleum products and upstream. In addition, we are focusing on our big bets, which comprise petrochemicals, gas, green energy, non-fuel retail, and digital," Krishnakumar said.

Biofuels- paving the way for low carbon future in mobility
Biofuels in the sustainable mobility spectrum

Want to prepay car loan? Check penalty clause first

When it comes to prepayment, we often think of home loans. Even by prepaying a car loan early, a borrower can saw on the high interest costs. However, some lenders impose prepayment penalties on a car loan, especially if the borrower prepays a significant amount early in the loan tenure. So, before making any prepayment, carefully review your car loan agreement to understand the prepayment terms and conditions. It is not always necessary to clear your loan at one stroke. You can also make part-payments and gradually free yourself from larger debt amounts. 

Volkswagen Virtus gets discount of up to Rs 1.40 lakh on MY2023 stock
Source Credit: Autocar India

Volkswagen dealerships across the country are offering sizeable discounts in May, with all models – Virtus, Taigun and the Tiguan – listed with benefits. Read on to see how much you can save on the purchase of a new Volkswagen this month.

10 most affordable cars, SUVs with six airbags
Source Credit: Autocar India

Vehicle safety is slowly yet steadily becoming a major aspect to consider while purchasing a new car or SUV, and keeping this in mind, manufacturers have also introduced more safety features in recent years. Here’s a list of the most affordable cars and SUVs in India that offer six airbags, either on some variants or as standard across the range.

New Honda Freed MPV revealed
Source Credit: Autocar India

The new Honda Freed MPV has been revealed ahead of its market launch in Japan next month. The Honda Freed is a popular three-row minivan from the Japanese carmaker that's sold in multiple international markets including a few in the ASEAN region. The Freed shares underpinnings with the Honda City sedan that is sold in India.

Ford Everest: a close look at the India-bound SUV
Source Credit: Autocar India

The new Ford Everest is arguably among this year’s most exciting upcoming launches. It will not only mark Ford’s return to India but also increase the options available in the full-size SUV segment, which is largely represented by Toyota Fortuner. This generation of the Everest debuted overseas in early 2022. Let’s dive right into what you can expect from the all-new Ford Everest in India.

Tata Altroz Racer set to launch next month
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tata is set to finally launch the Altroz Racer in India next month. The sportier version of the Altroz hatchback has been showcased twice before: once at last year’s Auto Expo and a second time at this year's Bharat Mobility Show with slightly different looks.

New Kia compact SUV could be named Syros
Source Credit: Autocar India

Kia has trademarked the name Syros in India for its upcoming compact SUV (codenamed: AY), according to sources. Previously, Kia had trademarked the name 'Clavis' for the said model.

Hero MotoCorp wants EV subsidy to continue
Source Credit: Autocar India

India’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp believes subsidies are necessary for the electric two-wheeler industry for a longer time period to support the fledging electric vehicle market. The automaker says it is prepared to navigate the market in a lower subsidy regime with aggressive cost-cutting plans in place.

Honda inaugurates new R&D facility in Bengaluru
Source Credit: Autocar India

Honda’s research and development arm for motorcycles and power products in India, Honda R&D (India) Private Limited, has opened its new Solution R&D Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Audi Q3, Q3 Sportback Bold Edition launched at Rs 54.65 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

Audi India has launched a new Bold Edition variant of the Q3 SUV and Q3 Sportback priced at Rs 54.65 lakh and Rs 55.71 lakh, respectively (both prices ex-showroom, India). The limited edition gets blacked-out exteriors although the interior and powertrain remain unchanged.

MG Hector, ZS EV, Astor and Comet special editions launched; prices start from Rs 9.24 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

MG India has released special editions of four models to celebrate 100 years of the brand’s existence. These versions have been launched only for Hector, ZS EV, Astor and Comet. MG’s most expensive offering in India, Gloster, has been left out of these limited editions. The company has not mentioned how many units it will manufacture for these. 

Bentley to replace W12 engine with 750hp hybrid V8
Source Credit: Autocar India

Bentley has confirmed that it will replace its outgoing W12 engine with a V8-based plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that puts out 750hp. The firm suggested that the setup will produce, “four-figure torque over a wider plateau”, implying that it will at least match the 1,000Nm of the tuned W12 in the recently revealed Batur.

US auto regulator opens probe into over 200,000 Ford vehicles on fuel leak risks
The U.S. auto safety regulator said on Friday it was opening a preliminary evaluation into 210,960 Ford vehicles following complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks that may result in a fire.

Chinese EV maker Zeekr's shares indicated to open up to 24% above IPO price
Shares of Zeekr Intelligent Technology were indicated to open up to 24% above their initial public offering price on Friday, giving the China-based electric-vehicle maker a potential fully diluted valuation of USD 6.81 billion.

Tesla to invest over USD 500 mn on Supercharger network expansion
New Delhi: Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Friday said that the company will be investing more than USD 500 million in its Supercharger network to create thousands of new chargers in 2024.

Honda sees full-year profit rising 2.8%
Japan's Honda Motor Co forecast a 2.8% rise in operating profit for this financial year, after it exceeded analysts' estimates in the fourth quarter as strong sales growth in the United States offset a decline in China.

China's BYD will consider second Europe plant in 2025, says executive
Chinese automaker BYD will consider building a second assembly plant in Europe in 2025, its European managing director Michael Shu said on Thursday.

BP looks to expand EV charging unit in US after Tesla disbands Supercharger team
BP's electric charging unit is keen on expanding in the United States after electric vehicle maker Tesla disbanded its EV charging team, the oil company said on Thursday.