StreetSmarties campaign culminates with a milestone in road safety education
The StreetSmarties campaign, a collaborative road safety initiative by Envalior and ETAuto, has successfully concluded its impactful journey across five major Indian cities: Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune. This campaign, designed to instill crucial road safety habits in young minds, particularly pre-primary and middle school students, has left a lasting impression on thousands of children, nurturing a generation of responsible road users.

RBI streamlines payments, allows instant auto top-ups for FASTag and NCMC
The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday updated its e-mandate rules to allow automatic top-ups for FASTag and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) accounts. Previously, these accounts needed a 24-hour advance notice before any debit. Now, auto-replenishment will be permitted as soon as the balance drops below a customer-set level, without needing the advance notice. This change, announced in June, means you won’t have to wait for a pre-debit alert for these recurring payments.

Nitin Gadkari’s road safety push: High-tech traffic systems deployed on major highways
The Government of India is intensifying road safety efforts nationwide through the implementation of the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on high-density corridors and National Highways. This initiative aligns with the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which mandates the use of electronic monitoring and enforcement devices to enhance road safety in critical areas.

SUN Mobility launches retrofit kits for Tata ACE vehicles in collaboration with Bluwheelz
SUN Mobility launched retrofit kits for Tata ACE vehicles in collaboration with Bluwheelz. This initiative aims to convert existing Tata ACE internal combustion engine (ICE) or fixed battery vehicles to swappable electric vehicles (EVs) using SUN Mobility's battery swapping technology. This move is designed to revolutionize the logistics sector by providing fleet operators with cost-effective and sustainable alternatives.

Renault Nissan Tech expands workspace in Chennai
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India recently inaugurated a new workspace in Chennai, to expand its current seating capacity for an additional 2000 people. The workspace was virtually inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru. MK Stalin. 

Two-wheeler, car buyers will have to shell out more in Punjab
New Delhi: Now buying two-wheelers and four-wheelers in Punjab will be costlier as the AAP government has increased the motor vehicle tax on them under the new tax system to recover revenue loss.

Auto, agri, pharma & logistics hold huge trade, investment potential for India, Africa
New Delhi: Four sectors - automobiles, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and logistics - hold huge potential for India and Africa to increase trade and investments, a top government official said on Thursday. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that the bilateral trade between the two regions stood at $100 billion in 2022 and there is a need to target doubling this to $200 billion by 2030. He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has identified these four potential sectors - automobiles, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceutical and transportation and logistics. “We firmly believe that these sectors have huge potential for collaboration in terms of investment, trade, technology and capacity building between Africa and India,” he said at CIIs India Africa Business Conclave here.

India may want more EV parts to be made locally. It may not be entirely feasible
India's electric mobility ambitions are about to face a new test. The government is poised to tighten localization rules for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers within the next month, following consultations led by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), according to two people familiar with the development.

Hyundai begins work for its Hydrogen Innovation Centre
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced the ceremony of its hydrogen innovation centre at the Tamil Nadu Investors Conclave 2024, held in Chennai. This new facility is being developed through a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Guidance Tamil Nadu, with the support of the State Government of Tamil Nadu.

Bajaj Auto meets FinMin seeking GST cut on CNG 2W
Close on the heels of launching the country’s first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) motorcycle, Bajaj Auto met officials of the Finance Ministry recently seeking a reduction of goods and services tax (GST) on such two-wheelers.  

BLive and Awign partner to onboard 1ok riders for EV Rental Programme in India
BLive, an e-mobility platform in India, has formed a strategic partnership with Awign, the country's largest work-as-a-service platform, to onboard 10,000 riders for BLive’s EV Rental Programme over the next 12 months, aiming to revolutionize last-mile delivery with affordable, sustainable electric vehicles (EVs).

Chennai design engine powers automotive giant Ford's global successes
According to FBS, the company’s top-selling models globally including the F-Series, Explorer, Transit, Ranger, and others are getting a touch of India in them through the “design and development of specific components”.

Bajaj Auto gets DVA certificate for all 15 electric vehicle models

As of August 21, 2024, MHI has approved 50 out of 74 models submitted by six companies, including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), Ola Electric, TVS Motor Company, Eicher Motors, and Bajaj Auto. The remaining applications are still under review.

August discounts: Toyota Hyryder get ₹75,000 off
Toyota is offering discounts on its range of vehicles this August, including the Hyryder, Hilux, Fortuner, Glanza, and Taisor. The Hilux gets the most discount, Rs 5 lakh, while the Fortuner gets Rs 2 lakh off. Here’s a detailed look at the discounts Toyota is offering for its vehicles in August 2024.

Skoda Elroq unveils eco-friendly interior design
The new Škoda Elroq introduced a sustainable automotive design for the use of interior materials such as Recytitan and Technofi. Aligned with Škoda’s commitment to environmental protection and reducing the CO2 footprint of its vehicles, the seats and upholstery fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles and used clothing which are carefully reprocessed into high-quality new yarns and fabrics for the Elroq.

Tata Punch emerges as India's top-selling car, beats Maruti's WagonR
Tata Motors' Punch has become India's top-selling car, surpassing Maruti Suzuki's WagonR with over 1,26,000 units sold between January and July 2024. Punch's success marks the end of Maruti Suzuki's long-standing dominance in this segment.

Maruti Suzuki adjusts production amid slower sales, prepares for festive season demand
New Delhi: Suzuki Motor Corporation informs that Maruti Suzuki has made adjustments due to slower-than-expected vehicle sales in Q1 of FY 2024-25. This reduction in demand brought higher inventories and stockpiling concerns for Maruti Suzuki and other OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), as stated in its analysts' call transcript seen by ETAuto. “ As inventories have increased, we are making adjustments,” Suzuki states.

Hyundai opens bookings for new Alcaraz SUV with advanced features and safety
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced the commencement of bookings for new Hyundai Alcaraz, a 6- and 7-seater premium SUV. Customers can book the vehicle at any Hyundai dealership across India with an initial booking amount of INR 25,000. The new Hyundai Alcaraz aims to enhance travel experiences with its premium features, advanced technology, and safety measures.

Citroen calls quits in Australia, is India next?
 

Not relevant for India? Ola Electric officially shelves electric car project
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

Ola Electric's first electric car was earlier scheduled to make its debut this year. However, India's largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer has shelved its plans to focus on more India-oriented products.

Audi India launches Q8 facelift at INR 1.17 crore
Today, German luxury car manufacturer Audi announced the launch of the new Audi Q8 at INR 1,17,49,000 (ex-showroom).

Audi India says no plan to bring hybrid cars as it needs subsidies for longer period
New Delhi: German luxury car maker Audi on Thursday said that it will not bring any plug-in hybrid cars even though there are concessions such as zero cost of registration in States like Uttar Pradesh, and will focus only on petrol and electric vehicles (EVs) right now, since the policies keep changing in India. Also, there should be continued support in terms of lower GST for EVs till the volumes reach an appropriate level, when the industry can sustain on its own, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head, Audi India, told businessline. Currently, the total tax incidence on hybrid vehicles is 43 per cent, which is inclusive of GST, while EVs attract a tax of around 5 per cent in India.

Mercedes S-Class faces downturn in sales globally. Here's what Merc plans to do
In a significant turn of events, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is facing a downfall in sales globally. In view of this, the company has decided to slash production for the flagship model at its Sindelfingen factory, a report by Automobilwoche stated. The company claims that the decision comes after considering the declining demand and the ongoing challenges faced by the luxury car market.

Audi India crosses key one lakh sales milestone in India since debut in 2007
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

Audi India on Thursday announced it has sold over one lakh cars in the country since making its official debut here back in 2007. The German manufacturer is one of three key players in the Indian luxury car market - apart from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and despite the luxury car space still being quite small compared to China, the United States and select European markets, Audi has managed to carve a place for itself here.

Actor Randeep Hooda brings home the Range Rover luxury SUV worth over ₹3 crore
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

Actor Randeep Hooda, best known for his performances in movies like Highway, Extraction, Sarbjit and more, has brought home the new Range Rover LWB. The actor gifted the luxury SUV to himself recently on his 48th birthday and the opulent offering joins his car collection. The Range Rover LWB is one of the most loved cars by the elite and is priced well over ₹3 crore (on-road).

Every fourth Audi buyer in India a repeat customer: Majority aged under 50, 11 percent women
 

A luxury electric car for an urban driver: Mercedes EQA
 

Godrej & Boyce launches India’s first Lithium-Ion powered forklift truck
The benefits of lithium-ion technology are remarkable, providing over four times the battery life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. With 5,000 charge cycles versus 1,200 from lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion options drastically cut long-term costs. Additionally, they support opportunity charging, produce zero emissions during charging, and require less maintenance. Charging a Li-ion battery from 20% to 80% takes just 2.5 hours compared to 6 hours for lead-acid, and consumes 30% less energy. These batteries also offer up to 15% more runtime for 2 and 3-tonne forklifts and have a modular design that allows for scalability.

BharatBenz launches heavy-duty Rigid trucks in India
Sreeram Venkateswaran, President & Chief Business Officer of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles stated, "With the introduction of our all-new BharatBenz Rigids, we are committed to supporting the evolving needs of the Indian transportation sector. These trucks are not just tools, but reliable partners designed to navigate the dynamic world of logistics and transportation efficiently. Powered by the all-new 6D26 engine, these new trucks bring significant advancements in fuel efficiency and operational flexibility, which directly contribute to a lower total cost of ownership.

Principal scientific advisor bats for inclusion of e-trucks in FAME-III

Titled “Bharat Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) Policy Advisory”, the report outlines a comprehensive plan to transition India’s trucking sector to zero-emission vehicles, with a target of achieving 100 per cent zero-emission truck sales by 2050. The report notes that the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) is leading several initiatives aimed at e-trucks, including the potential incentives under the forthcoming FAME-III programme.

Wheels revving up for a brighter future
The core of the automobile is being impacted by a number of factors. Mobility systems are increasingly in vogue and vehicles are programmed to drive themselves. Policymakers are seeing the automotive value chain and beyond to address the externalities. Competition is turning intense with EV brands from China moving the proverbial cheese for global automakers. The demand for automobile in the emerging markets could be the pie that India’s industry could aim for.

7 features Mahindra Thar Roxx gets over Scorpio N
During the Thar Roxx launch, Mahindra management expressed confidence that the new SUV will be the number one SUV in its segment. They addressed concerns about the Thar Roxx cannibalizing sales of their best-seller, the Scorpio N, by stating that the two vehicles cater to distinct customers. However, in the price-sensitive Indian market, the Thar Roxx currently offers more value for money, getting features absent in the Scorpio N. This raises the question: should Scorpio N owners feel shortchanged? Let’s explore this further.

TVS Motor launches Jupiter 110 at starting price of INR 73,700
TVS Motor Company (TVSM) on Thursday launched TVS Jupiter 110 with next-generation engine and industry-first features. Starting at a price of INR 73,700 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the TVS Jupiter 110 is offered in four variants: Drum, Drum Alloy, Drum SXC, and Disc SXC, available at all TVSM dealerships. The new scooter, embodying the essence of "Zyada" – more style, mileage, performance, comfort, convenience, safety, and technology – aims to meet the diverse demands of its 6.5 million customers.

Kawasaki Versys 300X could make a comeback!
The Versys 300X was one of the most capable small ADVs in the class, but it was an expensive affair. Now. Kawasaki is making plans to relaunch the motorcycle in India ahead of the festive season, which could draw attention away from the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the upcoming KTM 390 Adventure.

TVS Motor will use Indonesia base to grow new Jupiter in ASEAN
New Delhi: TVS Motor Company will leverage its Indonesia operations to set up a strong base for the all-new Jupiter 110 that was launched on Thursday, August 22.

2024 Harley-Davidson X440 gets three new colours
Harley-Davidson has introduced three new colour schemes for the X440. Launched last year, the X440 is the first model to be developed under the collaboration of Hero MotoCorp and the iconic American brand. At the time of launch, the X440 was offered with four colours: Mustard Denim, Thick Red metallic, Matt Black, and Dark Silver metallic.

TVS Motor launches an all-new Jupiter 110 to regain market share in the scooter market
Chennai: TVS Motor Company, a leading two- and three-wheeler maker, has introduced an all-new version of its largest-selling automatic scooter – Jupiter 110 – at a starting price of ₹73,700 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) as the company seeks to reclaim its lost market share in the competitive scooter market.

Upcoming Jawa 42-based retro motorcycle set for September launch: What all to expect
A new motorcycle from Jawa-Yezdi is set to hit the market soon, as the company has sent out invitations for a launch event scheduled for September 3, 2024, reported HT Auto.

Ducati Panigale V4 to get eCBS system — What is it and how does it work?
A lot of tech from MotoGP trickles down to road bikes, and the latest to do so is Ducati’s eCBS system, which will debut with the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4. The eCBS dual braking system uses complicated algorithms, a sophisticated ECU, and pressure sensors to offer braking at both wheels, helping riders attack corners better.

2024 TVS Jupiter vs Honda Activa: Make the smarter choice
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

The Jupiter gets a design revamp with modern styling and a host of new feature.

How ‘funding winter’ made Simple Energy alter its priorities
With new retail stores, the startup is looking to clock average sales of 1,500 scooters per month.

Kinetic Green and Yulu Bikes settle trademark dispute over ‘Zulu’ brand name
Mumbai: What’s in a name, one may say, but when it comes to a brand name, a lot can be on stake. Which is why Yulu Bikes, the micro mobility and EV start-up got a Karnataka Court to stop Kinetic Green from using the Zulu brand name, which the latter launched as an e-scooter in December last year. After a brief legal battle, the two parties ‘have reached a compromise’, and the matter is resolved now.

ETAuto learns that after settling the matter out of court, a Compromise Petition was filed in the Commercial Courts last week. With this move both parties will withdraw their respective contests in the courts. Under the settlement terms,Kinetic Green will rechristen the Zulu e-scooter as e-Zulu ‘shortly’. It will have another naming layer of Kinetic Green or KG in front of the tweaked brand name.

“We are quite satisfied with the compromise reached, which enables us to take ahead the brand equity created in our Zulu e-scooter, and adopt it with an “e”, making it quite effortlessly consistent with our EV branding philosophy, for example- with our"e-Luna", says Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green. 

Commenting on the development in the trademark dispute case, Yulu’s co-founder and CEO, Amit Gupta says, “EV mobility has huge growth potential, and offers sufficient room for all players to chart their unique paths and resolve concerns amicably. We are glad to have reached a win-win solution with Kinetic Green.”

Bajaj Chetak may get new battery pack option soon. Check details
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

The Bajaj Chetak 3201 Special Edition brings aesthetic upgrades over the standard variants, right in time for the festive season

Ather Energy expands into Sri Lanka to drive adoption of EVs in new markets
 

Yuma Energy crosses 1 million monthly battery swaps in 18 months
Yuma Energy announced to have surpassed one million monthly battery swaps within just 18 months of starting operations and has also launched its BaaS service in Hyderabad, Telangana, extending its overall presence to 10 key cities. 

Rosmerta to set-up 2nd Automated Testing Station in Maharashtra
Rosmerta Technologies will set-up its second Automated Testing Station (ATS) in Maharashtra; an initiative supported by the Transport Department, Maharashtra. The State Govt has been actively working on a tendering process to set up multiple ATS. Rosmerta is one of the companies to set up 21 centres in entire Maharashtra. This is part of the Road Transport Ministry’s (MORTH) initiative for implementing a new system for issuing fitness certificates to public service vehicles. 

Auto ER&D companies grow even as India’s largest IT services firms flag caution
Bengaluru: Mid-cap engineering, research, and development (ER&D) services companies including KPIT Technologies Ltd, L&T Technology Services Ltd (LTTS) and Tata Elxsi Ltd are seeing good growth from automotive clients, even as large IT services companies like Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) and HCL Technologies Ltd flagging softness on account of large car manufacturers holding back on fresh investments in the electric vehicle (EV) space.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift revealed, bookings open
Facelift to come in Executive, Prestige, Platinum and Signature trims

Maruti eVX global debut confirmed for January 2025
eVX will be exclusively made in India

TVS Jupiter 110 vs competition: specification comparison
TVS Jupiter vs competition: engine & output

2024 TVS Jupiter 110 launched, prices start at Rs 73,700
Source Credit: Autocar India

TVS’ bestseller, the Jupiter 110 scooter, has received its first comprehensive update since its launch eleven years ago. The 2024 model gets a new engine, more technology, fresh styling, and enhanced practicality. Prices start at Rs 73,700 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Tata Nexon EV buyers upgrading to Curvv EV, say dealers
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Nexon EV, which was Tata Motors’ blockbuster product until not too long ago, is seeing some strong headwinds – not only from rival products of other brands but also Tata’s recently launched Curvv EV. While many had expected consumers’ preference to shift towards the Curvv, it has happened faster than predicted despite its higher pricing.

Suzuki confirms development of own strong hybrid powertrain for future models
Source Credit: Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will use its “own” strong hybrid powertrain for future low- and mid-level hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The company’s high-end hybrid SUVs will continue to have powertrains supplied by its partner, Toyota.

Audi Q8 facelift launched at Rs 1.17 crore
Source Credit: Autocar India

Audi India has launched the Q8 facelift, with prices starting at Rs 1.17 crore. While the updated SUV remains mechanically unchanged, it gets light cosmetic updates and new features.

Tesla issuing new recall for 9,100 Model X SUVs over trim issue
Tesla has issued a recall for about 9,100 Model X sports utility vehicles in the U.S. over a trim on the roof that could separate, it said on Wednesday, its second over the same issue since 2020.

VinFast halts Thailand dealership network expansion amid global EV slowdown
File photo of Vinfast VF9 electric vehicle on the opening day of the Geneva International Motor Show that was held in Qatar in 2023.

Chinese EV maker BYD eyes state incentives for Mexico plant
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has narrowed its list of finalists for the location of a manufacturing plant in Mexico down to three states and is reviewing a range of proposed incentives from them, the firm's country head said on Wednesday.

i4, iX1 help BMW overtake Tesla in EV sales in Europe for first time
Source Credit: Hindustan Times

BMW's two flagship electric vehicles i4 and iX1 have helped the German auto giant to lead EV sales in Europe for the first time by beating global giants like Tesla.