Car Makers

Electric vehicle (EV) penetration in the luxury car segment has seen a drop by nearly 3 percentage points in the GST 2.0 era with the internal combustion engine versions offering better total cost of ownership, according to industry players. While the trend is also visible in the mass market segment, it is the entry luxury segment that is witnessing a more marked shift towards internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as price difference between EV and ICE widened under the new GST rates. "If I look at October and November (2025), it came down by 2 to 3 percentage points across mass market as well as luxury, because of ICE having much better TCO (total cost of ownership) compared to EV. So, the moment the equation changes, we can see a change in (EV) penetration," Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Santosh Iyer told PTI. The major "fluctuation" is in the entry luxury EV segment, he said, adding that for Mercedes-Benz India, its EVs are mostly in the top-end luxury ...

Bajaj Auto Ltd on Friday reported a 14 per cent rise in total sales at 3,69,809 units in December 2025 as compared to 3,23,125 units in the same month of 2024. Total domestic sales were at 1,69,373 units last month as against 1,62,420 units in the year-ago period, up 4 per cent, Bajaj Auto Ltd said in a regulatory filing. Two-wheeler sales in the domestic market were at 1,32,228 units as against 1,28,335 units in December 2024, a growth of 3 per cent. Exports of two-wheelers were up 24 per cent at 1,78,125 units last month as compared to 1,43,838 units in the same month a year ago. Total commercial vehicle sales in December 2025 stood at 59,456 units as compared to 50,952 units in the year-ago month, up 17 per cent. Commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market stood at 37,145 units as against 34,085 units in December 2024, while exports were higher by 32 per cent at 22,311 units as against 16,867 units, the company said.

British aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce on Sunday said it is looking at making India its third "home market" outside of the UK in line with a plan to unlock the full potential of opportunities across an array of domains including jet engine, naval propulsion, land systems and advanced engineering. In an interview to PTI, Sashi Mukundan, the executive vice president of Rolls-Royce India, elaborating on the move, said the company is planning for a "big investment" in the country and listed developing a next-generation aero engine in India as a priority to power the combat jets that New Delhi will produce under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. Besides the UK, Rolls Royce considers the US and Germany as its "home markets" as the company has considerable presence including manufacturing facilities in these two countries. Mukundan also highlighted how Rolls Royce can contribute significantly to address India's requirement for electric propulsion capability for boosting

After a record-breaking year, India's automobile industry is entering 2026 on a relatively strong footing, with sales growth expected in the 6-8 per cent range. The outlook is underpinned by policy support, including GST rationalisation, easing monetary conditions, and income tax relief, which together are likely to improve affordability and sustain consumer demand across vehicle segments. The momentum reflects more than cyclical recovery. Passenger vehicle volumes in 2025 rebounded sharply after a slow start, aided by stronger urban demand, stable rural incomes and improved financing availability. SUVs continued to dominate demand, while CNG and electric vehicles gained traction, indicating a gradual but steady shift in the powertrain mix rather than a disruptive transition. However, 2026 is shaping up as a preparatory year ahead of tighter regulations. The industry faces rising compliance costs as it readies for CAFE norms from 2027 and future emission standards, which could ...

Planning mid-cycle facelifts over new launches

BYD's core domestic car deliveries fell 8% in June as rivals like Geely, Xpeng, and Xiaomi gained ground, even as overseas and commercial sales were excluded from the tally

R C Bhargava says commercial battle helps neither Indian nor Chinese companies

Formerly called DFSK Motor, Seres partnered with telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co. back in 2021 to launch the Aito brand of premium electric and hybrid sport utility vehicles

Industry experts believe price hikes are influenced by multiple factors, including the rising costs of electronics, regulatory compliance requirements, and premiumisation trends

The White House on Wednesday said Trump would exempt automakers from his punishing 25 per cent tariffs on the two countries for one month as long as they comply with existing free trade rules

A deal would have created one of the world's biggest carmakers, giving the combined company the scale it needs to compete with EV makers

But Chinese manufacturers bucked the trend, with stocks opening higher after Trump did not target China in his inauguration speech or immediately impose tariffs

Buying a factory would allow China to build influence in Germany's prized auto industry, home to some of the oldest and most prestigious car brands

Ex-showroom prices of the new Land Rover Defender start at Rs 1.39 crore and it is available in three bodystyles: 90, 110 and 130

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Wednesday reported 30 per cent rise in total wholesales at 1,78,248 units in December 2024 as compared to 1,37,551 units in the same month a year ago. Overall domestic sales, including that of light commercial vehicles and supplies to Toyota Kirloskar Motor, were at 1,32,523 units last month as against 1,06,492 units in December 2023, up 24.44 per cent, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a regulatory filing. Total domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales were at 1,30,117 units in December 2024 as compared to 1,04,778 units in the same month a year ago, up 24.18 per cent, it added. Sales of mini cars comprising Alto and S-Presso were higher at 7,418 units last month as compared to 2,557 units in the year-ago period. Similarly, sales of compact cars such as Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis, Swift and WagonR were up at 54,906 units as against 45,741 units in December 2023. Utility vehicles, including Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, and XL6 clo

Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Wednesday reported a 2.4 per cent decline in total sales at 55,078 units in December 2024, as compared to 56,450 units in the same month a year ago. The company, however, recorded its highest-ever yearly domestic sales of 6,05,433 units in 2024, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) said in a statement. In December domestic sales were at 42,208 units, as compared to 42,750 units in December 2023, down 1.3 per cent, it said. Exports last month were at 12,870 units, as against 13,700 units in December 2023, down 6.1 per cent. For 2024, domestic sales were at 6,05,433 units, up marginally from 6,02,111 units in 2023, the company said. "HMIL has managed to sustain sales momentum in 2024, despite strong headwinds faced by the industry at large. Achieving highest-ever domestic sales three years in a row, reflects customers' preference for brand Hyundai as their trusted smart mobility solutions provider," HMIL Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer Tarun Garg

Bajaj Auto on Wednesday reported a 1 per cent decline in total sales at 3,23,125 units in December 2024 compared to the same month a year ago. Bajaj Auto said in a regulatory filing that the company had sold a total of 3,26,806 units in December 2023. Total two-wheeler sales were at 2,72,173 units last month against 2,83,001 units in the year-ago period, down 4 per cent, it added. Domestic two-wheeler sales stood at 1,28,335 units compared to 1,58,370 units in the corresponding month a year ago, a decline of 19 per cent, the company said. Exports of two-wheelers were higher at 1,43,838 units last month over 1,24,631 units in December 2023, up 15 per cent. Total commercial vehicle sales were higher by 16 per cent at 50,952 units in December 2024 from 43,805 units a year ago, the company said.

Driving Isuzu Motors India's success is its lineup of the rugged D-Max Highlander, the versatile D-Max S-Cab, the popular D-Max V-Cross, and the MU-X SUV, which competes with the Toyota Fortuner

Automakers have warned of plant closures and thousands of job losses, as they struggle with weak demand, Chinese competition and lower than expected electric vehicle sales

Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday said it plans to increase its overall service network to 8,000 touchpoints by 2030-31, with an aim to reach closer to its customers. The company, which on Wednesday opened the 500th service touchpoint for its premium retail outlet NEXA, currently has 5,240 touchpoints across NEXA as well as ARENA -- the mass market retail chain. "Our aim is to consistently deliver convenience and superior car ownership experience to our customers. One way is by reaching closer to our customers so that they have assurance of finding a Maruti Suzuki service touchpoint nearby," Maruti Suzuki India MD & CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi said in a statement. He further said, "Going forward as we plan to substantially increase our annual production and sales, we will simultaneously strengthen our service network. Our plan is to expand our service network, including ARENA and NEXA service touchpoints, from about 5,240 to 8,000 by FY 2030-31." Maruti Suzuki opened ...