Page 31 - Auto
Entry-level bikes vroom ahead on rural sentiment, rate cut push
Sub-125cc segment is 29% of motorcycle sales, 18% of two-wheeler volumes
 "Entry-level bikes vroom ahead on rural sentiment, rate cut push")
Mercedes-Benz sees surge in customisation; luxury EV sales up 66%
Mercedes-Benz India launches collector's AMG G 63 as demand for personalisation grows; luxury EV sales rise 66 per cent in Jan-May, driven by new-age preferences
 "Mercedes-Benz sees surge in customisation; luxury EV sales up 66%")
Car dealers sit on ₹52k cr stock as sales slow, inventories hit record high
The current unsold vehicle by volume - estimated at 440,000 units or 34-38 days of inventory - is only slightly below last year's Diwali peak of 40-45 days
 "Car dealers sit on ₹52k cr stock as sales slow, inventories hit record high")
No disruption in operations due to rare earth supply crisis: Maruti
Automaker says situation is 'uncertain and evolving' amid report that it has made e-Vitara production cuts
 "No disruption in operations due to rare earth supply crisis: Maruti")
India has 'no basis' to seek WTO consultations on auto tariffs, says US
India had challenged the 25% US tariffs on automobiles at the WTO, claiming they were safeguard measures, but Washington insists they fall outside the Safeguards Agreement
 "India has 'no basis' to seek WTO consultations on auto tariffs, says US")
Automakers gear up to roll out EVs without rare earth magnets by FY27
While companies remain tight-lipped about the development, most acknowledge that such a transition is essential to align with the rapid growth of the EV sector
 "Automakers gear up to roll out EVs without rare earth magnets by FY27")
Critical rare earth magnet importers look to invoke 'force majeure'
Since April 4, around 35 importers in India have either not received any shipment of the magnets or have not been granted the import licences by China
 "Critical rare earth magnet importers look to invoke 'force majeure'")
Maruti Suzuki cuts near-term EV production amid rare earths crisis
India's top carmaker, which said on Monday it had not seen any impact yet from the supply crisis, now plans to make about 8,200 e-Vitaras between April and September
 "Maruti Suzuki cuts near-term EV production amid rare earths crisis")
Auto sector faces slowdown due to rare earth magnet shortage: Crisil
Automakers may face production delays from July as rare earth magnet supply tightens following China's export curbs, with Crisil warning of disruptions in EV and hybrid output
Rare earth magnet disruption of over 30 days may hit vehicle output: Rpt
While most automakers currently have 4-6 weeks of inventory, prolonged delays could start affecting vehicle production, with EV models facing deferrals or rescheduling
 "Rare earth magnet disruption of over 30 days may hit vehicle output: Rpt")
Tafe, Agco Corp likely to settle tractor brand battle outside court
Tafe has given up directorship in Agco as part of deal
 "Tafe, Agco Corp likely to settle tractor brand battle outside court")
Two-wheeler sales may cross pre-Covid levels in FY26 on export rebound
CareEdge sees 8-9% growth in FY26 as domestic recovery, exports, EV adoption, and affordability drive two-wheeler demand beyond pre-Covid highs
 "Two-wheeler sales may cross pre-Covid levels in FY26 on export rebound")
Free run to bumpy ride: Ola Electric faces challenges on road to future
Unlike services, Ola's foray into product manufacturing comes with a different set of expectations
 "Free run to bumpy ride: Ola Electric faces challenges on road to future")
AC norms bring chills to truck segment; to pinch pockets by up to 2%
Truck sales dipped in May 2025 as AC cabins became mandatory for all new medium and heavy vehicles, with OEMs backing the rule and fleet owners flagging cost and workforce concerns
 "AC norms bring chills to truck segment; to pinch pockets by up to 2%")
Maruti, Hyundai eye robust growth in exports amid domestic challenges
Hyundai Motor India expects single-digit export growth this fiscal, while Maruti Suzuki is targeting a robust 20% rise in overseas shipments despite a challenging domestic market
Auto sales up 5% on rural demand boost, passenger vehicles disappoint
Car sales down 3% in May amid tensions with Pak
 "Auto sales up 5% on rural demand boost, passenger vehicles disappoint")
Maruti launches flexible EMI plan to upgrade small cars to Grand Vitara
The pilot scheme in three cities offers low EMI of around Rs 9,999 and guaranteed buyback after five years to make SUV ownership affordable and accessible for small car owners
 "Maruti launches flexible EMI plan to upgrade small cars to Grand Vitara")
Hero MotoCorp's domestic two-wheeler dispatches rise to 489K in May
The overall sales trend since May 2022 shows fluctuating monthly volumes, with repeated seasonal spikes around September and October in Hero's domestic wholesale sales
 "Hero MotoCorp's domestic two-wheeler dispatches rise to 489K in May")
Govt targets at least 1,000 hydrogen trucks, buses on roads by 2030
After electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen-powered cars have emerged as a viable alternative to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles to curb road transport emissions
 "Govt targets at least 1,000 hydrogen trucks, buses on roads by 2030")
Maruti Suzuki eyes 35% rail dispatch share by FY31: CEO Hisashi Takeuchi
Rail dispatches accounted for 24.3 per cent of the company's total vehicle dispatches in FY25, up from 21.5 per cent in FY24
 "Maruti Suzuki eyes 35% rail dispatch share by FY31: CEO Hisashi Takeuchi")