Auto Industry

India's auto growth steady in 2026 as policy support meets rising costs

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 ...

Nissan teases 7-seater B-MPV 'Gravite', eyes India comeback from 2026

Scheduled for launch in early 2026, the Gravite will be locally manufactured at Renault-Nissan's Chennai plant and is the first model under Nissan's refreshed India strategy

JSW MG, Tata Motors take small-car relief dispute under CAFE-3 to PMO

The Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) framework sets fleet-wide carbon dioxide emission targets for automakers

Tata Motors' Sierra clocks 70,000 bookings on opening day of sales

Tata Motors said the new-generation Sierra logged 70,000 confirmed bookings in 24 hours, with deliveries set from January 15, 2026, and prices ranging from Rs 11.49 lakh

EU moves to ease 2035 ban on internal combustion cars amid auto sector woes

European officials on Tuesday moved to ease their ban on sales of cars with internal combustion engines by 2035, responding to pressure from governments and automakers who argued that the industry needed more flexibility in finding ways to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and help achieve EU climate goals. The proposal from the EU's executive commission would change provisions of 2023 legislation requiring average emissions in new cars to equal zero, or a 100% reduction from 2021 levels. The new proposal would require a 90% emissions reduction. That means in practical terms that most cars would be battery-only but would leave room for some cars with internal combustion engines. Automakers would have to compensate for the added emissions by using European steel produced by methods that emit less carbon, and through use of climate neutral e-fuels made from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide and biofuels made from plants. EU officials say changing the limit will not .

PM E-DRIVE scheme delivers 1.13 million electric vehicles in its first year

Despite halving the per-unit demand incentive to Rs 5,000 per kWh, PM EDRIVE enabled 3.4 times higher annual EV volumes than FAME II

Citroën India sees three-fold rise in Q4 sales on strategy shift

Growth has been supported by continued product innovation, expanded export programmes, and strengthened engineering and software capabilities as the quarter progresses, the company said

Volkswagen to end production at German plant for first time in 88 years

Volkswagen warned of potential production cuts last year, as it faced shaky demand in Europe and China, its biggest market, as well as higher tariffs that have crimped sales in the United States

Range worries keep EVs as second cars: Maruti Suzuki's Partho Banerjee

Banerjee identified driving range, inadequate public charging infrastructure, after-sales support and resale value as the biggest challenges to EV adoption in India

Studds expects to double premium helmet revenue share in 2 years: MD

the rising demand for premium helmets is also helping Studds Accessories expand its profit margins

Carmakers gearing up to hit refresh button as facelifts take priority

Planning mid-cycle facelifts over new launches

Global headwinds may hit growth prospects of auto parts suppliers

Mutual funds redirect record inflows to fuel IPO boom, hitting 25-year high in new listings while selling bank and pharma stocks

Ola Electric begins 'hyper delivery' for 4680 Bharat Cell powered vehicles

Ola Electric on Sunday said it has commenced same-day registration and delivery of its 4680 Bharat Cell powered vehicles in Bangalore. This offering is a part of the company's umbrella Hyperservice initiative to deliver a transparent, convenient, and customer-first service experience, the Bengaluru-based firm said in a statement. Under Hyperdelivery initiative , customers can now complete their purchase online or at an Ola Electric Store and ride home on their fully registered vehicles on the same day, it added. Earlier this year, the company announced that it has moved its vehicle registration process completely in-house. "Hyperdelivery adds another layer of ease and convenience for customers who want to purchase our vehicles. When we introduced it earlier this year,we completely changed the way Indians bought their vehicles," a company spokesperson stated. And today the company starts offering that same ease of ownership for customers who want the 4680 Bharat Cell powered vehicl

Datanomics: Auto components, telecom parts drive India exports to Mexico

The move is seen as a way to protect Mexico's domestic industry

Mercedes-Benz India to hike prices by up to 2%, effective January 1

The company said the euro-INR exchange rate has stayed above the Rs 100 mark through 2025, well above historical averages, significantly raising its cost base

Revving up: Volkswagen group rolls out VRS for production site workers

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India says it has introduced a voluntary retirement scheme at its Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar plants after union requests

As rupee wobbles and costs surge, car firms gear up for new-year price rise

forex pressures, rising commodity prices, rural demand uncertainty to push prices up

GST 2.0 tilts scales towards ICE; electric vehicle penetration softens

Electric car sales grew by 63% YoY in November; but penetration fell to 3.7% below the pre-GST rate cut level of 5%

PV retail sales up 20% in November, inventory down to 44-46 days: Fada

Besides GST benefits, the jump was aided by the marriage season, better supply of high-waiting models, and sustained push from compact sport utility vehicles

Past gets a second drive as Indian carmakers revive legacy nameplates

Indian automakers are reviving legacy nameplates to leverage brand recall and stand out in a crowded market, as classic badges like Sierra, Safari, Baleno and Scorpio return to attract buyers