Auto Industry

Stellantis India aims to halve vehicle development time, boost localisation

Stellantis India is targeting to halve vehicle development time and ramp up localisation for certain models as it prepares to launch 12 products across Citroen and Jeep brands under its FaSTLAne 2030 roadmap, MD and CEO Shailesh Hazela said. "Globally, we announced that our ambition is to cut down our development time for bringing new products from 48 months to close to two years, which is around 24 months. That is what we are working on (for) our products, which we are going to launch," Hazela told PTI in an interview. Stellantis has one of its software and technology centre in Bengaluru. "[Our] India engineering centre is part of the four large tech centres in the world. We have the largest tech centre and they develop cars not only for Jeep and Citroen, but for models globally. So they have the same mandate [cut in product development time] which they will be following," he said. Also, Stellantis India has a long-standing partnership with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle for ...

India's auto tech funding at $1.3 bn in 2026, unlikely to match 2025 levels

Auto tech firms raised $1.3 billion across 97 rounds in 2026, with Bengaluru accounting for nearly 70% of funding; Rapido, Simple Energy and Rideriver led the biggest deals

Auto tech cos raise $1.3 bn across 97 funding rounds in 2026 so far: Tracxn

India's auto tech companies raised USD 1.3 billion across 97 funding rounds so far this year, according to a report from data intelligence platform Tracxn. The funding rounds were led by ride-hailing firm Rapido's USD 240 million, followed by electric two-wheeler manufacturer Simple Energy's USD 180 million and River's USD 102 million. "India Auto Tech companies raised USD 1.3 billion across 97 rounds in 2026 year to date (2026 YTD) against USD 2.1 billion across 195 rounds in 2025. All funding figures are US dollar equity funding and exclude debt, grant, post-IPO and ICO funding," the report, India Auto Tech - 2026 YTD, said. Automated parking solution provider Sotefin recorded the highest IPO market capitalisation at USD 35 million, followed by Victory EV India at USD 11 million and accessories company AutoFurnish at USD 6 million. There were 10 rounds of USD 34 million or more, totalling USD 900 million during the period. These accounted for around 70 per cent of the total USD 1

European carmakers to favour India as it emerges as global hub: Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said all European carmakers would prefer to manufacture in India, as producing vehicles there would be uncompetitive due to the region's regulations. Goyal said India is going to become a global car manufacturing hub. "Finally India is going to become the global hub for car manufacturing. Everybody is going to come and manufacture in India and with Europe having such crazy regulations, it is going to be impossible to be competitive. All the European manufacturers will come to India," he said at The Dilli Dialogue here. India has provided quota-based tariff concessions to the UK and the European Union (EU) in free trade agreements. The pact with the UK was operationalised on July 15, while the deal with the EU is likely to be signed by the end of this year. "I do not know if you are aware. Tatas had so much trouble after they bought Jaguar. Tata Motors itself was going to collapse and then they put in a lot of re-engineering, an

Audi India mulls local EV production, aims to double mkt share in 3-5 years

Audi India is considering local manufacturing of a battery electric vehicle (BEV), with the luxury carmaker betting on a three-pillar strategy to double its market share in the segment over the next three to five years to 15-16 per cent, a top company executive said. In an interview with PTI, Audi India Brand Director Balbir Singh Dhillon outlined its strategy for India, centred on three key areas: customer centricity, new product introductions, and network expansion, to double its market share in the luxury car segment from around 8 per cent. The German automaker is also looking to leverage the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) to bring more models to India to test market demand, while expanding its dealership network, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities. "We are contemplating a locally made BEV electric car with a decision expected in the next couple of months," Dhillon said. Elaborating, he said, "So we intend to double our market share in the next three to fi

Mercedes-Benz India sees scope for plug-in hybrids in luxury segment

Mercedes-Benz India sees potential for plug-in hybrid vehicles in the luxury segment, as consumers are willing to pay a premium over pure electric or conventional ICE models for electric driving range, combustion engine flexibility, and better resale value than fully electric vehicles, a top executive said. In an interview with PTI, Mercedes-Benz India CEO Santosh Iyer said plug-in hybrids could address some concerns associated with electric vehicles, including charging infrastructure and range anxiety. "I think it is a good interim technology for the customer because today, each powertrain has its pros and cons," Iyer said. "When you look at a plug-in hybrid, it balances both worlds. You get, like in the S-Class hybrid Maybach, a 100 kilometers EV range for everyday driving to your office and back. In case you are not able to charge the car, you can drive it in combustion engine mode." Iyer said plug-in hybrids are priced 5-6 per cent higher than electric or conventional engine ca

Auto dealers gear up for robust Oct as festival season bookings rise

Auto dealers expect deferred purchases to convert into festive deliveries from mid-October, while higher PV inventory and EV supply constraints remain key monitorables

PV retail volumes record highest September sales at 427,213 units: Fada

At the same time, commercial vehicle sales grew 37.62 per cent year-on-year in September 2026 at 103,557 units

Euler CEO urges states to emulate Delhi policy for commercial EV push

Euler Motors CEO Saurav Kumar says state policies can accelerate commercial EV adoption by addressing costs, financing and charging infrastructure barriers

Demand continues to be stronger than supply: Mercedes-Benz India MD

Mercedes-Benz India could have sold another 1,000 vehicles with adequate CLA EV supplies; the carmaker has over 1,000 orders, with deliveries stretching into 2027

Automakers boost production, dealer stocks to meet festive demand

Leading automakers are ramping up production and building dealer inventory to meet strong customer demand as India enters the peak festive buying season, with manufacturers seeking to ensure adequate vehicle availability and convert healthy bookings into retail sales. Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India has 2.2 lakh pending bookings ahead of the festive season, while Hyundai Motor India has built four-five weeks of inventory across its dealer network. Mahindra & Mahindra, meanwhile, has scaled up its utility vehicle and electric vehicle manufacturing capacity to 68,000 units a month to improve supply and bring down waiting periods. Maruti Suzuki India's Senior Executive Officer Partho Banerjee told PTI, "At the beginning of this financial year, we had 12 days of stock. The current bookings pendency is 2.2 lakhs, which translates to 16 days of stock before the festive season. "We have already commissioned two new production lines, adding 5 lakhs capacity in total. The production .

Maruti Suzuki India total sales rise 24% to 236,000 units in September

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Thursday reported a 24.4 per cent rise in total sales at 2,36,013 units in September, as compared to 1,89,665 units in the same month last year. The total figure includes domestic, exports and sales to other original equipment manufacturers. Total domestic passenger vehicle sales rose nearly 37 per cent to 1,81,838 units last month from 1,32,820 units a year ago, a regulatory filing by Maruti Suzuki India said. Total domestic sales, including LCVs (light commercial vehicles), were at 1,85,252 units in September as against 1,35,711 units a year ago, the company said. Total exports increased to 44,219 units in September from 42,204 units in the same month last year. Sales of mini, compact and mid-sized cars, including Alto, Baleno, Celerio, Ciaz, Dzire, Ignis, S-Presso, Swift and WagonR rose to 91,887 units last month from 74,090 units in September 2025. Sales of utility vehicles consisting of Brezza, Ertiga, e Vitara, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny,

Backward looking, huge missed opportunity: Amitabh Kant on new CAFE-3 norms

Amitabh Kant calls CAFE-3 a 'huge missed opportunity' as the new norms set fuel-efficiency and CO2 requirements and introduce EV super credits for automakers from 2027

JCB makes first leadership change in 50 yrs, names George Bamford co-chair

Anthony Bamford, the founder's son, has been chairman since 1975 and oversaw JCB's transformation from a predominantly British manufacturer into a global business

Rural India's auto demand holds despite weak rains in August: Fada data

Two-wheeler production grew 15.2% overall as scooters, typically more urban-weighted, grew faster at 26.7% than motorcycles at 9.1% domestically, even as motorcycle exports rose 33.4%

Tata Motors PV eyes 15% market share soon, targets 20% by FY31: MD

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles expects to cross 15 per cent domestic market share "very soon" and is working towards its previously stated target of 20 per cent by FY31, as the nearly year-old standalone business looks to drive significant growth through investments in new product categories, faster product interventions and powertrain expansion, its Managing Director and CEO Shailesh Chandra said. In an interview with PTI, Chandra said the passenger vehicle business, which became a standalone entity following the demerger effective October 1 last year, has grown nearly 40 per cent over the past year and is exiting September with electric vehicles accounting for more than 25 per cent of its total sales. "Our focus is going to be, of course, to drive significant growth, double-digit growth. At the same time, we want to be leading the charge as far as the sustainable or zero-emission powertrains and emission-friendly powertrains are concerned, and at the same time, we have to continue

Audi India starts local assembly of new Q3 model ahead of October 16 launch

German luxury car manufacturer Audi on Friday started local assembly of its Q3 model at the Skoda Auto Volkswagen plant in Shendra here. The Audi Q3 India launch is scheduled for October 16, ahead of next month, the company said in a release. Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine and equipped with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive, the all-new Audi Q3 combines dynamic capabilities. The model also features a range of segment-first features and technologies, further enhancing its appeal to modern luxury car buyers, it added. Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said that it is an important milestone for the company in India. The production of the All-New Audi Q3 reflects the strong capabilities of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility, he added. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said, "Today marks a significant day for us as we begin production and take another important step towards the launch of the All-New Audi Q3. The Audi Q3 has b

Ultraviolette raises $85 mn to expand EV production, enter US market

Yali Capital and TDK Ventures led the funding round as the Indian electric two-wheeler maker prepares to enter the US in 2027 and expand across Latin America and Southeast Asia

Delhi tops NITI Aayog's electric mobility index 2025, Maharashtra follows

The index assesses states and UTs on key parameters such as transport electrification, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and research and innovation

Fada pushes automakers to give dealers more contractual certainty

Dealers being asked to invest crores on short-term letters of intent, says FADA president Sai Giridhar