Indian auto companies will soon produce 100 pc ethanol-run cars and 2-wheelers: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Monday that many Indian companies are setting up plants to produce 100 per cent ethanol-run cars and two-wheelers in India.

Gadkari came to Parliament in a similar vehicle produced by Toyota and while talking to the media said, "This is the world's first vehicle which has a flex engine and complies with emission norms of Euro 6. It gives net zero emissions. Runs on ethanol produced from sugarcane juice, molasses, and corn."

Recently, Toyota has announced for setting up of a plant to produce flex cars in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore. Gadkari says Tatas and Suzuki are also working on producing 100 per cent ethanol or flex engine cars.

In the two-wheeler segment Bajaj, TVS and Hero are making flex-engine bikes and scooters.

"Other manufacturers are also working on bringing a flex engine. Just like petrol pumps, our farmers will now have ethanol pumps. We have an import of Rs 16 lakh crores. Such vehicles will reduce pollution, save costs, and benefit farmers... This vehicle works on 100% ethanol..." said Gadkari.

Earlier in August 2023, Nitin Gadkari unveiled the prototype of a 100 per cent ethanol-run Bharat Stage (BS)-VI-compliant electrified flex-fuel car, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motors.

Now the prototype cars are ready for mass production by Toyota, which has announced setting up a plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra for this.

The prototype car unveiled in August 2023, was such a 100 per cent ethanol (E100) based car, of model Toyota Innova HyCross. The then-unveiled car can cover 40 per cent of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per cent on electric, with the petrol engine shut off.

While flex-fuel vehicles have been introduced internationally before, and Toyota launched a flex-fuel version of its Corolla in 2022. But now India is ready to produce India's BS-VI emission standards-compliant flex-fuel vehicles.

Gadkari said, "The ethanol industry is a boon for farmers, with the demand for ethanol set to increase, reshaping India's agricultural economy."

"Flex cars will be a boon for farmers. Ethanol is swadeshi and farmers will reap all its benefits. Like petrol pumps ethanol pumps will be there" Gadkari added.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/auto-news/indian-auto-companies-will-soon-produce-100-pc-ethanol-run-cars-and-2-wheelers-nitin-gadkari/articleshow/112297060.cms
Indian auto companies will soon produce 100% ethanol-run vehicles: Nitin Gadkari

Road accident victims to get free cashless treatment: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said that the govt has implemented a scheme to provide cashless treatment to victims of road accidents.

Two govt-approved vehicle scrapping hubs in Pune
The state transport department is all set to approve two vehicle scrapping centres in the city.

New FASTag rules: Is your tag valid?
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has implemented new FASTag rules this month (August), aiming to diminish long queues and congestion at toll booths, thereby enhancing efficiency by streamlining the process. A new set of Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines has been introduced, which must be complied with by October 31, 2024.

Mumbai’s vehicle count crosses 48 lakh, 60% are two-wheelers. Experts worried
The city's vehicle count has exceeded 48 lakh, including 14 lakh private cars and nearly 29 lakh two-wheelers. In 2023-24, an average of 721 vehicles were registered daily at the four regional transport offices (RTOs) in Mumbai. The western suburbs have 21 lakh registered vehicles, the island city has 14 lakh, and the eastern suburbs 13 lakh vehicles.

Auto dealers see mixed trend in PV sales, high inventory levels pose significant risk
New Delhi: The passenger vehicle (PV) sales in the near term are expected to have a mixed trend as the festive season, attractive schemes and good monsoon are expected to boost sales, while July sales saw a jump of 10 per cent year-on-year (YoY) at 3,20,129 units as compared with 2,90,564 units in same month last year.

Auto retail sector grows 13.84% Y-o-Y to 20.34 lakh units in July 2024
New Delhi: India's automobile retail sector witnessed a year-on-year growth of 13.84% in July 2024, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Sales rose to 20,34,116 units, up from 17,86,779 in July 2023, with almost all vehicle categories registering increased figures. Two-wheelers (2W) rose by 17%, three-wheelers (3W) by 13%, passenger vehicles (PV) by 10%, and commercial vehicles (CV) by 6%. Conversely, tractor sales fell by 12%.

Diversified approach can curb CO2 emissions: Maruti Suzuki Chairman
Maruti Suzuki is not leaving any technology unexplored in its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. During the company’s annual report conference, Chairman R.C. Bhargava stated that India’s leading car manufacturer is closely monitoring the government’s new policy, which promotes a range of green technologies such as CNG, biogas, strong hybrids, and flex fuels, among others. Maruti Suzuki is set to enter the electric vehicle segment by the end of this financial year.

While Ola Electric gets listed on BSE and NSE this week, another Indian EV startup, listed on Nasdaq, plans a new move later this month
As part of a reorganised strategy, Srivaru Motors created a holding company, Srivaru Holding, in Cayman Islands, and got into a ‘Business Combination Agreement’ with Mobiv Acquisition Corp, a Delaware (USA)- based company ‘targeting the electric vehicle (EV) industry across Europe, Israel, and Asia’, which facilitated its listing at Nasdaq. Srivaru Motors is learnt to be valued at USD 400 million at the time of listing. The stock started trading on December 11, 2023.

To tax or not: Hybrid tax sops create dilemma and divide in Indian auto industry
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

Uttar Pradesh government's recent announcement of tax sops for select hybrid vehicles has clearly divided the Indian auto industry in two camps.

AI and semiconductors command bulk of MeitY Budget allocations
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Semiconductors have bagged the maximum financial boost as part of the IT and electronics ministry’s allocations in the recent Budget. This comes at a time when long-standing technology schemes such as Digital India and Unique Identification Authority of India or UIDAI have seen reduced allocation.

Volkswagen India opens six new touchpoints in Kerala ahead of festive season
Volkswagen India has expanded its network in Kerala, inaugurating six new customer touchpoints, including city stores in Calicut, Trivandrum, and Kochi, along with a new body shop facility in Kochi. This move aims to enhance the brand's presence and meet the growing demand for premium mobility solutions in the state.

August Discount: Is it the right time to buy Tata Harrier, Safari?
Tata Motors is offering significant discounts on its flagship SUVs, the Safari and the Harrier. The discount on the Safari can reach up to Rs 1.40 lakh, while the Harrier can be availed with up to Rs 1.20 lakh off, depending on the variant. The company initiated the King of SUVs festival the previous month, marking the sale of its 2 million Tata SUV in India, a milestone that includes the classic Safari and the Sierra. After last month’s discounts, we now explore the offers available in August.

Maruti in top gear helped by CNG push, improving exports
Maruti Suzuki's reported impressive earnings growth of 47% year-on-year for the June quarter amid muted sales volume, aided by benign raw material prices. The maker of the Swift and Baleno cars recorded 344 basis point improvement in the operating margin before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA margin) at 12.7% even as the volume increased by a modest 5% to 5,21,868 units.

Hyundai Motor India foundation launches project H2OPE in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), has installed water RO systems in 100 government schools in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. This initiative, inaugurated by Girish Mahajan, Minister for Rural Development & Youth Affairs and Sports, Maharashtra, aims to improve health and hygiene for over 35,000 students in the region.

August discounts: Massive deals on Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Due to high inventory levels, automotive manufacturers and dealerships are offering significant discounts. Maruti Suzuki has declared rebates on its premier SUV, the Grand Vitara, with deals going up to Rs 1.28 lakh. In the preceding two months, the Grand Vitara has presented benefits surpassing Rs 1 lakh.

Tata Motors to launch Charge Point Aggregator App
New Delhi: Tata Motors is set to launch a new Charge Point Aggregator App on Wednesday, August 7, coinciding with the debut of Curvv, a new vehicle model available in petrol, diesel, and electric versions.

100 new buses for Chennai, 58 of them low-floor
MTC on Sunday got 58 new low-floor kneeling buses after a gap of 14 years. These buses come with air suspension, allowing it to kneel and making it easier for passengers, such as senior citizens and pregnant women, to board the vehicle. All the driver has to do is press a button.

Ashok Leyland opens ‘Mini Expo’ in Hyderabad to showcase MHCV innovations
Ashok Leyland Limited, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, is hosting a 'Mini Expo' in Hyderabad on August 5 and 6, 2024 to showcase its latest innovations in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHCV).

Tata Curvv vs Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Top 6 features
Tata Motors is all set to enter the midsize SUV segment on August 7, making a bold move by first launching the all-electric Curvv. This strategy is unprecedented for a manufacturer in the highly competitive Indian market. Following the EV debut, the Curvv ICE version will soon be introduced. We compare the features of the Curvv with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, one of the most successful SUVs in this category, to understand how the Curvv may have an advantage over its rival.

Made-in-India Yamaha Ray ZR 125 witness robust sales performance in Europe
This accomplishment underscores IYM's adherence to global quality standards across their product range. The Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid stands out for its performance, safety, style, and practicality, making it a preferred choice in European markets including the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, Greece, and Portugal. These markets are known for their high expectations for quality, and the scooter's success is a testament to IYM's commitment to delivering a well-rounded product.

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 vs Yezdi Scrambler — Urban scrambler comparison
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has taken competition not only to the Triumph Speed 400 and the Harley-Davidson X440 but to Yezdi’s territory as well, making it a sensible alternate to the Yezdi Scrambler — or does it? Let’s look closer at the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and the Yezdi Scrambler and see how they compare in terms of specifications, features, and performance.

Royal Enfield sportsbike and supermoto a possibility says company’s Chief of Design
Royal Enfield is known to make multiple motorcycles that share the same platform and engine, such as the 350cc J Series engine that powers the Classic, Bullet, Meteor, and Hunter. Now, with the launch of the new Sherpa platform that underpins the Himalayan and the Guerrilla, Royal Enfield has hinted at more plans.

Suzuki Burgman Hydrogen patents reveal new details
Last year, Suzuki announced plans to make the Burgman run on Hydrogen and revealed its design. After a few months, just when that project seems to have vanished without news, new patent images have surfaced, showing a change in design with the Suzuki Burgman Hydrogen project.

July 2024 vehicle sales: Two-wheelers see robust double-digit growth
July 2024 saw many automakers reporting a YoY decline in sales, such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Tata Motors. However, the overall sales for July 2024 saw positive growth, with each segment seeing an increase. The rains in various parts of India did play a role in declining sales numbers, but the industry has managed to post growth.

Classic Legends forms 50:50 JV with Tube Investments for BSA motorcycle venture
Both CLPL and TIIL will each hold 50% of the paid-up share capital in the JVC. They will initially invest INR 50,000 each in the equity shares of the JVC, with the face value set at INR 10 per share. The key terms of the agreement include elements such as capital structure, board composition, reserved matters, management, and intellectual property.

Ola Electric’s public offering fully subscribed on Day 2
Ola Electric’s initial public offering (IPO) was fully subscribed on Monday, the second day of its issue, according to data sourced from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Odysse Electric, SUN Mobility partnership to export e-motorcycles
Odysse Electric Vehicles has announced a partnership with battery-swapping solutions provider SUN Mobility for the export of its flagship electric motorcycle, Vader SM. Under this collaboration, Odysse Electric aims to deploy its daily commute e-bike, Vader SM, powered by SUN Mobility’s advanced battery-swapping technology, in key markets across the world.

EMotorad T-rex+ e-cycle launched at Rs 44,999
EMotorad has announced the launch of the T-rex+ electric cycle, an advanced version of the T-rex model. The T-rex+ is now available for pre-booking at Rs 1,999, with an exclusive offer of free accessories worth Rs 2,000, valid until 15th August 2024.

Arbitration in Baba Kalyani-Hiremath feud begins
Mumbai: The Pune Civil Court has ordered an arbitration in the ongoing tussle between Baba Kalyani family and his sister’s children — the Hiremath siblings on Monday. Subsequently, the District Legal Service Authority, Pune, has called the Hiremath family for a meeting on Thursday.

ZF uses software to develop smarter, more connected CV technologies
ZF is harnessing the power of software to develop smarter, more connected, and highly efficient commercial vehicle technologies. By integrating ZF’s intelligent software solutions with its chassis technologies, vehicle performance and safety can be improved, ensuring safer and smoother journeys.

Bridgestone India launches Turanza 6i tyres
Bridgestone India announces the launch of a complimentary tyre refilling and maintenance service for its Turanza 6i tyres which aims to ensure proper fitment, reduced vibration and better Tyre performance. The company stated that it currently offers this service in Japan and is now said to commence in Pune, India from 1st August 2024. 

Amara Raja Energy profit rises 26% Y-o-Y to INR 249 cr in Q1 FY25
Amara Raja Energy & Mobility (ARE&M) reported a 26% rise in consolidated net profit for the June quarter of FY25, reaching INR 249.12 crore. This marks an increase from the INR 198.31 crore net profit posted during the same period of FY24. Revenue from operations grew to INR 3,263.05 crore, up from INR 2,796.27 crore in the previous year.

Tyre prices set to increase again in Q2 as raw material costs soar

This surge has prompted leading companies like CEAT and JK Tyres to increase prices in an effort to offset the rising costs.

Basement EV charging sparks safety concerns in Gujarat
The state’s green push via the Gujarat State Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 has thrown up a new challenge for municipal corporations — the safety of basement parking areas. While the policy allows for charging stations in parking lots, a series of recent fires involving electric vehicles (EVs) has cast a shadow over having such a facility in basement parking lots.

Oil prices slide to 7-month low over meltdown
Oil extended losses to a new seven-month low as a selloff in wider financial markets continued to heap pressure on prices. Brent futures slipped below $76 a barrel — erasing this year’s gains — and hit the lowest level since January. West Texas Intermediate dropped to a little above $72. A rout in global equities worsened on Monday on concerns around the economic outlook.
 

After record profits, state-owned fuel retailers see up to 90% slump in June quarter earnings
New Delhi: After reporting record profits, state-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), BPCL and HPCL posted up to 90% slump in their June quarter earnings as margins fell and they booked under-recovery on the sale of domestic cooking gas LPG at government-controlled rates.

Is Castrol India’s data centre investment the right move for future growth?
Diversification has become a strategic imperative for organisations seeking sustained growth and resilience.

Muthoot Capital bags ₹100 crore impact funding for EV portfolio
Kochi: Muthoot Capital Services Limited (MCSL) has entered into a partnership with a UK-based Development Financial Institution for raising long-term debt funds to promote its electric vehicle portfolio. Facilitated by Axis Bank, the collaboration entails a deal size of ₹100 crore in providing sustainable mobility solutions and its efforts in driving widespread adoption of electric vehicles in India especially among the lower middle-income segment.

Auto and health insurer Acko’s next big bet is a $370-billion industry
Acko, a digital insurer backed by Multiples PE and General Atlantic, expects its healthcare services segment to outperform its auto business, indicating an interesting strategy for a firm that has been synonymous with auto insurance for the past eight years.

2024 Yezdi Adventure review: Incremental changes
Source Credit: Autocar India

Yezdi introduced the Adventure approximately two years ago. Since then , they have implemented a mild OBD2 update aimed at enhancing overall refinement levels. Well, now Yezdi has given its motorcycle a more substantial update that features minor changes to its aesthetics and a few not-so-minor changes to its mechanicals. The changes have resulted in a motorcycle weighing 4.5kg lighter while producing 0.7hp less than before. Unfortunately, we had only a few hours with the Adventure at the peak of monsoon; here’s everything we’ve noticed.

Volkswagen Taigun gets over Rs 2 lakh off in August
Source Credit: Autocar India

Volkswagen India is offering massive discounts and benefits on all three of its models – the Taigun midsize SUV, the Virtus midsize sedan, and the Tiguan SUV. The benefits include cash discounts, along with exchange and loyalty bonuses. Discounts on the Taigun exceed those available last month by a significant amount, while benefits on the Virtus and Tiguan have reduced slightly.

TVS Ntorq new variant teased ahead of launch
Source Credit: Autocar India

TVS has teased a new variant of its popular Ntorq 125 on its social media and has said on its website that a new RaceXP variant will be launched soon. 

Next gen Honda Amaze to debut by end 2024
Source Credit: Autocar India

The global debut of the new Amaze, Honda’s only new model for India this year, has been pushed to December 2024, Autocar India can confirm. It was earlier slated to go on sale by October to align with the festive season. The Amaze will enter its third generation upon launch, replacing the popular second-generation model that has been around since 2018.

Citroen Basalt fuel efficiency compared with rivals
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Citroen Basalt is the newest entrant in the midsize SUV space, which comes with a unique coupe-like design to differentiate itself from the traditional offerings in this segment. This, of course, is one of the most crowded segments in the market currently, with nearly a dozen models available with a variety of powertrain options including petrol, diesel, hybrid, and even CNG. The Basalt will, however, be a petrol-only offering and here we look at how it fares against rivals in terms of fuel efficiency.

New bikes, scooters launching this August
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Bajaj Freedom 125 stole the show last month and piqued everyone’s interest. August, too, will see some highly anticipated launches, including the return of a beloved classic brand. Here’s everything you need to know about bikes set to launch this month.  

Hero Xpulse 210 spotted testing, could launch this year
Source Credit: Autocar India

Multiple Hero Xpulse test mules have been spied on test over the past couple of years and this is the third engine that we have spotted within an Xpulse test mule. It is common knowledge that the company is working on two brand new Xpulse models, one of them with a 400cc+ engine, but this is the first time the bike has been seen with the Karizma XMR’s engine.  

Maruti Swift discounts increased to Rs 33,100 this month
Source Credit: Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki Arena dealers are offering cash discounts and exchange bonuses this month on models such as the Alto K10, S-Presso, Wagon R, Celerio, Dzire, and the recently launched new Swift. Ertiga is the only car with no discounts.

Maruti to continue building small cars for low budget customers
Source Credit: Autocar India

Even as the small and affordable segment in the domestic passenger vehicle industry continues to shrink with most of the automakers exiting the space, Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, said it will remain committed to the needs of budget-conscious buyers.

Citroen Basalt price announcement on August 7
Source Credit: Autocar India

Citroen will announce prices for the all-new Basalt coupe-SUV on August 7. It will be the brand's fourth model on the C-cubed program, that's essentially a coupe styled alternative to the C3 Aircross SUV. The Basalt gets notable feature upgrades that have been missing in Citroen models so far. It  will be offered with two petrol engine options. The company is, however, only likely to annouce the starting price, with the full price list expected at a later date. 

Citroen Basalt: Your questions answered
Source Credit: Autocar India

Citroen is all set to launch its latest model, the Basalt, in India. The company has unveiled the production-ready version of the coupe-SUV, with a launch set to take place later this month. The Basalt promises to be a lucrative option for anyone eyeing a new midsize or compact SUV, thanks to its unique coupe-like roofline. Here's everything you need to know about it:

Bajaj readying TVS Raider, Hero Xtreme 125R rival
Source Credit: Autocar India

A new Bajaj motorcycle has been spotted testing and we believe this is a new model that is being developed to rival the likes of the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. 

Indian Roadmaster Elite launched at 71.82 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

Earlier this year, Indian Motorcycles introduced the 2024 Roadmaster Elite, featuring a distinctive paint scheme that pays homage to the 1904 Indian Camelback.

US expected to propose barring Chinese software in autonomous vehicles
The U.S. Commerce Department is expected to propose barring Chinese software in autonomous and connected vehicles in the coming weeks, according to sources briefed on the matter.

Lucid gets up to $1.5 billion funding ahead of electric SUV rollout
Lucid Group said on Monday its largest shareholder, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will inject up to $1.5 billion in cash, as the electric vehicle maker looks to ramp up production of a new SUV.

The EV maker's shares jumped about six per cent in extended trading after closing down 3.9 per cent in the regular session.

China Evergrande's EV arm units to enter bankruptcy, reorganization proceedings
China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle said on Monday a local court had ruled that two of its units should enter into bankruptcy and be reorganised, a week after individual creditors of the units filed for such proceedings.

Electric vehicle transition worries French car industry workers
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

With the sale of new cars with petrol and diesel engines allowed for only the next decade in Europe, the industry that employs 200,000 people in France faces a forced march to change.

Volkswagen warns cost-cutting phase not over as Q2 profit falls
Source Credit: Reuters, Hindustan Times

Volkswagen is currently facing declining profits in the second quarter of 2024 over rising operating costs.
 

China woes hit BMW as profit margin falls
Source Credit: Reuters, Hindustan Times

BMW observed a four per cent sales slump in China in the first six months of the year, but the carmaker expects increased economic stability in the third quarter.

EV sales in Germany plummet 37% in July, exposing automakers to major setbacks
Source Credit: Bloomberg, Hindustan Times

Registrations of battery-powered cars fell 37% in Germany, which is Europe’s biggest auto market, to 30,762 vehicles compared to a year ago Germany’s electric-vehicle sales slumped in July, extending a broad pullback since incentives ended late last year and undermining automakers’ plans in the EV shift.