Hubject and Exicom partner to enhance EV charging experience in India
New Delhi: Hubject, one of the leaders in EV interoperability, has formed a strategic partnership with Exicom, an EV charger manufacturer. Together, they aim to leverage Hubject's innovative technology to enhance the EV charging experience in India. This partnership intends to simplify the process for EV drivers to locate and use charging points more efficiently.

Hyundai reserves 35% shares of IPO for retail investors
Hyundai India, in its latest Initial Public Offering (IPO), is set to dilute approximately 17.5% of its stake, the company informed the SEBI in a filing on Tuesday.

Auto industry’s ability to hike prices will be lower in FY25 but value growth to be strong: Primus Partners
Automakers will have less of a pricing power this fiscal owing to a muted demand. As a result, the average price increase is expected to be 4% to 5% this fiscal as against 8% in fiscal 2023-24, according to Primus Partners, a management consulting firm.

Hyundai’s IPO Is Poised to Boost Indian Automakers’ Valuations
Hyundai's IPO poised to boost already-buzzing Indian automakers' valuations

Indian automobile industry grows 19 pc to Rs 10.22 lakh cr in FY24
Auto industry grows 19% to Rs 10.22 trn in FY24 over robust growth in SUV

Karnataka government ready to support semiconductor manufacturing with 20% subsidy, says MB Patil
The Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil, in a series of tweets, announced the state government’s deliberation to offer 20 percent subsidy support for semiconductor manufacturing companies.

Is the Indian auto industry ready for a shift towards electric vehicles?
In this State of the Economy podcast, businessline’s S Ronendra Singh delves into the performance of the Indian automobile retail sales for May, with Manish Raj Singhania, President, FADA.  The Indian auto retail sector achieved a modest 2.61 per cent year-on-year growth, with sales reaching 20,89,603 units compared to 20,36,528 units in May 2023 of the previous year. Despite the overall growth, the passenger vehicle segment saw a slight decline of around 1 per cent. On the other hand, the two-wheeler segment experienced a year-on-year growth of 2.5 per cent, selling 15,34,856 units compared to 14,97,778 units last May.  Singhania starts by sharing insights on the passenger vehicle market, attributing the slight decline in May to several factors, including last year’s high sales benchmark, the heat wave reducing foot traffic, and the election season’s impact on consumer spending. He notes that inventory levels have reached an all-time high of 55-60 days, causing concerns among dealers.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) is in discussions with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to align wholesale with retail sales to manage inventory better.  As the discussion goes on, he points out that while SUVs dominate the market, there’s potential for growth in sedans and small cars, particularly with a good monsoon improving rural sentiment.  The discussion also touches on the electric vehicle (EV) market, with Singhania highlighting the need for continued government subsidies to support EV adoption. He emphasises the importance of the upcoming budget in providing infrastructure push and reducing GST on entry-level vehicles to make them more affordable.   Singhania concludes by saying he is optimistic about the industry’s growth prospects for the financial year, expecting single-digit growth in passenger vehicles and double-digit growth in the two-wheeler segment, contingent on favourable conditions such as a good monsoon and stable economic policies. 

Mahindra & Mahindra cranks into top gear as demand tailwinds accelerate growth
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has impressed the Street with the next phase of its strategic growth plans that it unveiled at its recent annual investor day event.

Citroen launches 'Dhoni Edition' of C3 Aircross starting at INR 11.82 lakh
New Delhi: Citroen India announces the launch of a special edition of its popular SUV, the C3 Aircross, to celebrate legendary cricketer and its brand ambassador, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Only 100 units of the limited edition C3 Aircross ‘Dhoni edition’ will be available with range starting from INR 11.82 lakhs onwards.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift SUV spotted: Here's everything we expect
Hyundai Motor India Limited has initiated 2024 with a resounding launch, unveiling the latest iteration of its highly anticipated Creta model to an enthusiastic reception. The Korean automaker has now set its sights on a revamped edition of the Alcazar, positioned as a spacious 7-seater variant akin to the Creta.

Tata Motors Punch EV sale crosses 13,000 units
Tata Motors Limited’s (TML) latest electric vehicle offering, Punch.ev has crossed 13,000 vehicle sales within five months of its launch. Punch electric vehicle makes up 41 per cent of the company’s electric vehicle sales (since the launch until May 2024). The rural market accounts for 36 per cent of its EV sales, the company said. Nearly 77 per cent of Punch electric vehicle customers are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh accounting for more than 50 per cent of the volume, while Bengaluru, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Jaipur lead among the cities.

JLR steps up its 5-year investment plan by £3 billion
JLR revises 5-year investment plan to £18 billion
The Hindu Business Line

Tata Motors to revive Jaguar Land Rover's Freelander as a Made-in-China EV
JLR ramps up investments, to spend £18 billion in 5 years
The Financial Express

BMW 5 Series LWB Vs Mercedes E-Class LWB Vs Audi A6: Dimensions compared
 

Tata Motors to increase CV prices by up to 2% from July 1
Tata Motors has announced it will raise prices for its commercial vehicles by up to 2% starting from 1st July 2024. This information was disclosed in an exchange filing on Wednesday.

TaMo announces third price hike for CVs in 2024 amid rising commodity costs

This is the third time this year that Tata Motors has raised prices of its commercial vehicles. The hike will be applicable across the entire range of commercial vehicles, with variations depending on individual models and variants.

Could Hyundai command a higher valuation than Maruti?
Hyundai Motors India (HMI) recently filed for an initial public offering (IPO), sparking excitement among stock investors. The IPO – assuming Sebi clears it – will be huge, aiming to raise a record ₹25,000 crore or so, including an offer-for-sale (OFS) for more than 142 million existing shares, or around 17.5% of the company. All the proceeds will go to the giant parent firm, the world’s third-largest automaker after Toyota and Volkswagen. 

How to correct address information on RC card
Vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs) are important documents and the details on them should be accurate. However, due to various circumstances, details on it could be wrong or will need an update. One of the most common changes made to an RC is when the vehicle is sold and the name has to be transferred, and we have a detailed guide on that.

Volvo CE India eyes doubling market share, expanding exports
Kolkata: Volvo CE India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Volvo Group, is eyeing to double its market share in its participated segments of the country’s construction equipment industry. The company, which garnered 6.5 per cent market share in the last financial year, is also aiming at increasing export volume from the country to around 25 per cent of its total production from the current 15 per cent. The India unit of the Swedish construction equipment major has a manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

Escorts Kubota shelves plan to set up new plant in Rajasthan’s Ghiloth

The company in November had intimated and on February 14, this year had submitted an expression of interest (EOI) to Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) for proposed acquisition of Land in Ghiloth, Rajasthan (subject to requisite approvals), for setting up an integrated greenfield manufacturing facility, for expanding the existing capacities.

2024 Hero Destini 125 leaked before official launch
Hero MotoCorp is ramping up its scooter range by updating the Destini 125.  Team BHP posted leaked images of the scooter before the official launch. The Destini 125 will go up against the Honda Activa 125, Suzuki Access 125, TVS Jupiter 125 and Yamaha Fascino 125. Based on the images, the updated Destini 125 will be a major design revision. 

Bajaj CNG bike launch confirmed for July 5: What to expect?
25 years ago, Bajaj was the first manufacturer to introduce a CNG-powered auto rickshaw in India which revolutionised public transportation in a big way. Now, when CNG has become a common phenomenon in passenger vehicles, especially in the fleet and shared mobility space, Bajaj is set to revolutionise India’s mobility industry once again.

ZF Group sells 7.5% stake in Indian subsidiary for growth initiatives
New Delhi: ZF Group has sold a 7.5% stake in its Indian subsidiary, ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Limited (ZF CVCS India). This move aims to enhance the financial flexibility needed for the company's growth initiatives.

Tata Technologies launches 2nd edition of InnoVent Hackathon with Microsoft and Tata Motors
New Delhi: Tata Technologies has launched the second edition of the InnoVent hackathon, in collaboration with Microsoft and Tata Motors. Aimed at engaging engineering students across India, the hackathon invites participants to develop Generative AI-enabled innovations to address challenges in the manufacturing industry. The initiative provides a platform for students to showcase their creativity, with opportunities for mentorship, access to advanced technology tools, and potential commercialization.

'Made in India' branding on steel products to take country on global stage
New Delhi: As India doubles down on domestic manufacturing of products across industries, the steel producers in the country are not lagging behind and most of them now have achieved labelling their products as 'Made in India'.

Smooth ride for tyre exporter Balkrishna Industries as peers struggle

The company, which exports off-highway tyres, has generated 43 per cent returns in this time compared to MRF and Apollo Tyres, which are down 5-10 per cent. In addition to better-than-expected performance in the March quarter, exports and market share gains have helped Balkrishna pull ahead of peers.

Tata Power arm installs over over 850 E-bus charging points
Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, has deployed over over 850 E-bus charging points in key metropolitan areas, the company announced on Tuesday.

The untold story behind Maruti’s diesel exit
Source Credit: Autocar India

Why did Maruti Suzuki spend five years and around Rs 1,000 crore designing and developing its very own diesel engine, only to withdraw it from the market within a year of its launch? It’s a nagging question that hasn’t been answered properly, at least not by the company, which abruptly stopped selling diesel cars in April 2020.

Tata Harrier EV fresh spy shots reveal rear-mounted motor
Source Credit: Autocar India

The upcoming all-electric version of the Tata Harrier has been spied on test, and we now know its powertrain setup and the fact that it will get some styling tweaks over the diesel-powered Harrier.

Force Gurkha automatic under evaluation
Source Credit: Autocar India

The popular Force Gurkha SUV may get an automatic gearbox, Autocar India can report. Force Motors is looking to broaden the appeal of its SUV, which got a significant refresh just last month. Priced from Rs 16.75 lakh, the Gurkha is now available in 3-door and 5-door form, comes with a more powerful 140hp diesel engine, and loads more features than before.

Ola Electric bike India launch in FY2026
Source Credit: Autocar India

Ola Electric is set to launch its first electric motorcycle in the first half of the financial year 2026. With a portfolio of four electric bikes in development, the company, which dominates the electric two-wheeler space with over 30 percent market share, aims to eventually enter the mass-market motorcycle segment. Last year, Ola showcased four concept e-bikes: Diamondhead, Adventure, Roadster, and Cruiser.

Freelander name to make a comeback as new JLR EV only brand
Source Credit: Autocar India

Nearly a decade after ceasing the production of the Freelander, Jaguar Land Rover, now known as JLR, is set to revive the brand with a new range of electric vehicles in China.

Ferrari EV could cost over $500,000
Source Credit: Autocar India

Luxury carmaker Ferrari will reveal its first EV next year, and according to a Reuters report, it is expected to cost over $5,00,000 (approximately Rs 4.17 crore), before options. 

Hyundai Alcazar facelift front design previewed in fresh spy shots
Source Credit: Autocar India

Hyundai’s mid-life facelift for the Alcazar, likely to be introduced soon, was again spied testing. So now, we have new details about the three-row SUV’s design.

Next-gen Skoda Kodiaq spied in India ahead of launch
Source Credit: Autocar India

Globally unveiled in October last year, the second-gen Skoda Kodiaq has been spotted testing in India for the first time hinting that it could be inching closer to its launch here.

Fiat Grande Panda interior leaked ahead of official reveal
Source Credit: Autocar India

Fiat recently took the covers off the retro-styled Grande Panda SUV, showing its exterior. While the brand has yet to show the new Grande Panda’s interior officially, pictures leaked on the internet give us a clear idea of what to expect from the SUV’s cabin.

Audi e-tron GT facelift revealed with up to 925hp
Source Credit: Autocar India

Audi has introduced a facelift for the e-tron GT, giving it some styling tweaks and technical updates. This brings it in line with its cousin, the Porsche Taycan, which was updated earlier this year.

New BMW X3 revealed
Source Credit: Autocar India

BMW has revealed the all-new fourth-gen X3 SUV that sits on a new platform, gets new looks inside and out, and a long features list. The new X3 will also spawn an all-electric version, the iX3, which will make its global debut next year.

Chinese EV maker BYD set to enter South Korean market in low-cost segment
The expected entry of China's BYD Auto into the South Korean consumer electric vehicle (EV) market this year will likely intensify competition within the low-cost segment of the market, which globally has seen a stagnation in growth as of late due to the so-called EV adoption chasm, according to industry watchers on Tuesday.

JLR revives Freelander with Chery partnership to conquer China's EV market
New Delhi: Jaguar Land Rover(JLR) is bringing back its Freelander after discontinuing it for almost a decade. JLR is reintroducing the Freelander in China's market, partnering with Chery to bring electrification. The collaboration aims to enhance CJLR's product portfolio in China's auto market.

LG joins ChargePoint to expand EV charging infrastructure in US
LG Electronics said on Wednesday it has partnered with ChargePoint, the leading supplier of charging solutions for electric vehicles in North America, to expand its EV charging business on a global basis.

Iron ore struggles for direction as prospect of China steel output cut weighs
Iron ore futures pared early gains on Wednesday and struggled for a clear direction, as market discussions over potential steel production cuts in top consumer China weighed on prices of the key steelmaking ingredient.

Hyundai to start manufacturing IONIQ 5 electric SUVs at new Georgia plant this fall
Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday that it plans to begin manufacturing IONIQ 5 electric SUVs at its sprawling new plant in Georgia this fall.

German economy minister's China trip features low-key business delegation amid EV clash
German renewables firm Enpal and metal processing group Schoder will be among the companies joining Economy Minister Robert Habeck's trip to China later this week, suggesting a low-profile delegation as Brussels and Beijing clash over EV tariffs.

Ford tests shipping cars from Mexico's Guaymas port to cut logistics costs
Ford shipped its first batch of cars on Tuesday from the once-ignored Guaymas port near its plant in the northern Mexican state of Sonora in a project that, if fully launched, could cut the U.S. automaker's logistics costs, according to the state governor, by 30%.

Ford plans further job cuts in Europe, says German works council
Ford plans further job cuts in Germany, Spain and the U.K., the head of the worker's council for the US automaker in Germany told Reuters on Tuesday.

What are EV startups doing to ride out weak demand?
Fisker filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday, the latest electric-vehicle startup to succumb to fundraising difficulties, slow sales, as well as supply chain and distribution challenges.

Ferrari's first electric car to cost over USD 500,000
Ferrari's first electric car will cost at least 500,000 euros (USD 535,000), a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, as the luxury automaker prepares to open a plant that will make the model - and could boost group production by up to a third.

‘Robots to babysit, cars to drive themselves’
Bengaluru: You may soon be able to buy an autonomous humanoid robot that can babysit your kids after it’s done cleaning your home, all for the price of a low-end electric car, that’s the future Elon Musk painted at Tesla’s 2024 annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas last week.
 

Stellantis recalling nearly 1.2 mn vehicles to fix software glitch that disables rear camera
 

Vladimir Putin gifts a ‘Russian Rolls-Royce’ Aurus Senat to Kim Jong Un
Friendship is best expressed via gifts, and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has expressed his friendship with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, by gifting him a car, the Aurus Senat. The car was delivered to Kim’s top officials in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang. Putin himself uses the Aurus Senat as his presidential vehicle.

EV maker Fisker files for bankruptcy
After speculations and hiring bankruptcy consultants in March, EV maker Fisker has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The carmaker had big ambitions with multiple products lined up, however, after a deal with another major carmaker fell through, Fisker took the decision.