Page 2 - Cars

Maruti Suzuki partners with ESAF Small Finance Bank for vehicle finance

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Monday said it has partnered with ESAF Small Finance Bank to offer retail financing solutions for new cars, used cars, and commercial vehicles. The two partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose, which will focus on offering easy and flexible finance options tailored especially for first-time buyers, the company said in a statement. The partnership will leverage the combined network of Maruti Suzuki and ESAF Small Finance Bank across Tier II and Tier III cities to make vehicle ownership more accessible and convenient for a wider segment of customers, it added. "Through this (partnership), we aim to further enhance financing options and flexible repayment solutions...," Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Partho Banerjee said. ESAF Small Finance Bank MD & CEO K Paul Thomas said, "This collaboration will help extend affordable and convenient mobility solutions to a wider customer base, particularly ..

Rare earth magnet disruption of over 30 days may hit vehicle output: Rpt

A disruption in rare earth magnet supplies lasting beyond a month can impact production of passenger vehicles, including electric models, weighing on the domestic automobile industry's growth momentum, a report on Tuesday said. Rare earth magnets, low in cost but critical in function, could emerge as a key supply-side risk for India's automotive sector if China's export restrictions and delays in shipment clearances persist, Crisil Ratings said in a statement. "The supply squeeze comes just as the auto sector is preparing for aggressive EV rollouts. Over a dozen new electric models are planned for launch, most built on PMSM platforms," Crisil Ratings Senior Director Anuj Sethi said. While most automakers currently have 4-6 weeks of inventory, prolonged delays could start affecting vehicle production, with EV models facing deferrals or rescheduling from July 2025, he added. A broader impact on two-wheelers and ICE PVs may follow if the supply bottlenecks persist for an extended peri

Ex-Kia India workers, scrap dealers face probe over theft of 1,008 engines

Though the engines were worth only $2.3 million, the police investigation noted the case had widespread impact on industrial operations, stakeholder trust and employment security

Elon Musk pushes US lawmakers to fast-track self-driving car approvals

Options discussed include expediting the bill or presenting a more detailed measure similar to it before Congress's July 4 recess

India may overtake major Asian peers in car sales growth by 2030: Moody's

India's car market is set to grow at 3.5% CAGR to 2030 with 5.1 mn units sold annually as firms plan $10 bn investments to expand EV and battery manufacturing base

India's car-centric growth is driving the middle class to frustration

At 6 million-plus kilometers (4 million miles), India's road network is now the second largest in the world after the US, according to official data from New Delhi.

Minus Zero unveils India's first AI-based end-to-end autopilot system

Minus Zero's vision-based autopilot system uses foundational AI models to navigate urban traffic in India, with production expected in 2 years through OEM partnerships

Kia Clavis launched in India today: Check design, features, price, and more

Kia has officially launched the all-new Clavis in India, a bold and feature-rich alternative to the Carens. Bookings open from midnight today

CARS24 acquires Team-BHP, aims to strengthen India's automotive community

CARS24's involvement is focused on strengthening Team-BHP's product, technology and AI capabilities to improve the experience of its readers and community members

Women in the driver's seat: Is India's auto sector ready for change?

The car shopping experience remains a man's world: By men and for men

Revolt Motors aims to double sales outlets by end of current financial year

RattanIndia Enterprises' EV arm Revolt Motors on Tuesday said it plans to double its sales network to 400 dealerships in the country by end of this fiscal. The company said it has expanded its dealership to 200 locations multiplying the network by ten times over the last two years. "By the end of FY26, the company aims to reach 400 dealerships, further strengthening its national footprint," RattanIndia Enterprises said in a regulatory filing. Currently operational in 23 states and Union Territories, Revolt continues to expand its reach in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the company said. It also plans to expand operations in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Goa, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Assam, Chandigarh, and Telangana, it added. "Revolt Motors is committed to making electric mobility mainstream. Our rapid expansion from 100 to 200 dealerships in just one y

BMW India sees surge in electric vehicle sales in 2025: CEO Vikram Pawah

The company sold 3,914 cars in the January-March period, recording about 7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth. In 2024, the company's car sales increased by 11 per cent Y-o-Y to 15,721 units

Used-car sales likely to outpace new ones in FY26 as demand surges

Secondhand-car market seeing strong growth in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune

Cars set to get costlier from April as automakers announce price hikes

Cars are set to get costlier from April, with various automakers like market leaders Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai, announcing price hikes due to rising input costs and operational expenses. Maruti Suzuki India, which leads the domestic passenger car segment in the country, plans to hike prices of its entire model range by up to 4 per cent from next month. The auto major currently sells various models, ranging from the entry-level Alto K-10 to the multiple-purpose vehicle Invicto in the domestic market, with prices ranging from Rs 4.23 lakh to Rs 29.22 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). Its rival Hyundai Motor India said it will increase car prices by up to 3 per cent from April 2025, owing to rising raw material and operational costs. Similarly, Tata Motors intends to increase the prices of its passenger vehicle range, including electric vehicles, from April 2025, for the second time this year. Mahindra & Mahindra said it will hike prices of its SUVs ...

Hyundai Motor India announces up to 3% price increase from April 2025

The company announced the price increase owing to rising input costs, increased commodity prices, and higher operational expenses, among other reasons

Mahindra XUV700 Ebony Edition launched: Top features of new Mahindra SUV

The new Ebony Edition XUV700 from Mahindra is priced between Rs 19.64 lakh and Rs 24.14 lakh (both ex-showroom). It has an all-black exterior and interior, as the name suggests

Tesla recalls nearly 380,000 vehicles in US over power steering issue

Tesla said some 2023 Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossovers which run on older software may experience an overvoltage breakdown

Union Budget 2025-26: Tax relief, lower duty likely to aid auto sales

Experts say Budget announcements may boost sales of small as well as used cars

Transport ministry proposes more sops for scrapping vehicles with BS-II

With an aim to get rid of high-polluting vehicles, the transport ministry has proposed to double the rebate up to 50 per cent in one-time tax on purchase of new vehicles after scrapping those with BS-II and earlier emission standards. At present, a discount of 25 per cent in Motor Vehicle tax is provided on purchase of a new vehicle after scrapping old personal vehicles, while the rebate is capped at 15 per cent in case of commercial vehicles. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in a draft notification issued on January 24 said up to 50 per cent discount would be applicable for all vehicles, both commercial and personal, that are BS-I compliant or were manufactured before the BS norms were introduced. According to the draft notification, this discount would be applicable in case BS-II vehicles that fall under medium and heavy private and transport vehicles. The BS-I carbon emission norm for vehicles became mandatory in 2000, while the BS-II came into effect from ...

Tata Sierra Petrol makes its debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo

The Tata Sierra showcased at the auto show was the near-production model and will come with a new 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo petrol engine