Page 18 - Industry News

Festive demand lifts Audi India's retail sales to 4,510 units in 2025

German luxury carmaker Audi on Thursday reported retail sales of 4,510 units in India in 2025. Healthy festive-season demand and growth in Audi Approved (pre-owned cars), SUVs and the performance and lifestyle car range, further supported by GST 2.0, provided a timely boost to customer confidence and the overall luxury car market, Audi India said in a statement. "While market dynamics presented inherent challenges, our performance underscored the fundamental strength of the Audi vision and the invaluable loyalty of our customer base," Audi India Brand Director Balbir Singh Dhillon said. On the road ahead, he said, "Stepping into 2026, our mandate is one of clear focus and intensified purpose. We are prepared to translate market challenges into sustainable momentum through innovative product launches, enhanced customer experience and initiatives prioritising people-centric growth".

Renault India reports 33.4% jump in sales to 3,845 units in December

Renault India on Thursday reported a 33.4 per cent increase in sales to 3,845 units in December 2025 compared to the same month of 2024. The company said it witnessed strong sales acceleration in the second half of CY2025, driven by consistent improvement in quarterly performance and a sharp surge in December. "The H2 performance of CY2025 clearly reflects the direction we have taken for Renault in India. After a phase of portfolio transition, the consistent recovery from Q3 onwards, culminating in a strong Q4 and our best monthly performance in December, confirms that the course correction we initiated is delivering tangible results," Renault Group India CEO Stephane Deblaise said. On the road ahead, he said, "With the right building blocks now in place, we are entering the next phase with confidence, and the return of the iconic Duster will mark a significant step forward in Renault's renewed journey in India".

UPI ends 2025 strong with record 21.63 bn transactions worth ₹27.97 trn

India's UPI processed a record 21.63 billion transactions worth ₹27.97 trillion in December, helping the platform close 2025 with its strongest-ever annual volumes and values

New tobacco excise duty rules: What changes, what stays, price impact

Before the latest notification, cigarettes and other tobacco products were taxed under a layered structure combining GST with multiple cesses, including a compensation levy

CBAM may force steel, aluminium exporters to cut prices by 15-22%: GTRI

EU's carbon border levy enters its payment phase from January 1, 2026, with Indian steel and aluminium exporters facing price pressure and tougher emissions data compliance

Star ratings mandatory from Jan 1 for TVs, fridges, LPG stoves, chillers

The government has made energy efficiency star-labelling mandatory on a host of appliances, including refrigerators, televisions, LPG gas stoves, cooling tower, and chillers from January 1. According to a gazette notification issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, the new regulation for energy efficiency star-labelling will also apply on deep freezers, distribution transformers and grid connected solar inverter. Earlier, star labelling was voluntary on these items like frost-free refrigerators, direct cool refrigerators, deep freezers, RAC (cassette, floor standing tower, ceiling, corner AC), colour televisions and ultra-high definition televisions. An official on condition of anonymity said the list of mandatory appliances for star labelling is updated from time to time. The draft regulation for these appliances was introduced in July 2025 for public feedback and these changes are based on the response received from stakeholders. Star labelling was earlier made mandatory on r

Govt rolls out ₹4,531-crore market access support scheme for exporters

The government on Wednesday launched Rs 4,531 crore market access support for exporters under which financial support will be provided to participate in activities such as international fairs and exhibitions. It will help exporters at some time when they are facing a steep 50 per cent tariff by the US. The measure is a part of the Rs 25,060-crore export promotion mission. Under the Market Access Support, Rs 4,531 crore will be allocated over six years (2025-31) and Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for 2025-26. Director General of Foreign Trade Ajay Bhadoo said under the measure structured financial and institutional support will be provided for activities including Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs), participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, Mega Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets (RBSMs) organised in India. A forward-looking three-to-five-year calendar of major market access events will be prepared and approved in advance, enabling exporters and organising agencies to plan ...

Why India doesn't move against CO2's close cousin as methane tracking lags

India is the world's third-largest emitter of methane but lacks clear policy direction and mechanisms to track and mitigate the gas, which is far more potent than carbon dioxide in global warming

Public sector banks' staff count rises for first time in five years

RBI data show public sector banks added staff in FY25 for the first time in five years, while private banks' headcount fell, led by a sharp drop at ICICI Bank

NPCI authorised fewer new third-party UPI apps in 2025 after April outage

NPCI approved 13 third-party UPI apps in 2025, with five limited to closed user groups, as tighter due diligence and new safety controls followed an April system outage, sources said

Low base, safeguard duty to prop steel output this financial year

Exports are also expected to grow 28-30 per cent this fiscal due to better realisation opportunities in key markets, particularly the European Union

Quick gateway: Hotels see rise in last-minute bookings ahead of New Year

Hotels near metros are seeing a sharp late surge in New Year's Eve bookings and higher rates, while restaurants and delivery firms face disruptions amid a gig workers' strike

Luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz, BMW eye Indian real estate sector

According to multiple sources close to the development, Mercedes-Benz is already in talks with multiple developers in Gurugram for a luxury branded residence project

Rosatom supplies nuclear fuel for initial loading of Kudankulam Unit-3 core

Rosatom said its Nuclear Fuel Division supplied fuel for initial loading of the VVER-1000 core at Kudankulam NPP Unit-3 in Tamil Nadu under a lifetime supply contract

Delivery firms brace for gig workers' logout strike on December 31

Delivery and quick commerce platforms are tightening operations and safety measures ahead of December 31 as gig worker unions plan a nationwide log-out strike over pay, conditions and social security

MahaRERA recovers nearly ₹269 crore for homebuyers since 2017 inception

MahaRERA has recovered ₹268.87 crore as homebuyer compensation since May 2017, with Mumbai Suburban leading collections, while cases worth about ₹103 crore remain stalled at NCLT

Mid-segment set to anchor housing market in 2026 as premium cycle peaks

As premium and luxury housing shows signs of saturation, improving affordability and end-user demand are expected to push mid-segment homes to the forefront of residential growth in 2026

Fixing the fine print: What the IBC amendment is really trying to change

Focused on enforcement over fresh ideas, the IBC amendment Bill seeks to cut delays, curb conflicts of interest and bring greater certainty to insolvency resolutions

Parliamentary panel urges inter-ministry coordination on critical minerals

A parliamentary panel has stressed the need for seamless coordination among ministries to bolster the country's self-reliance in critical minerals like lithium, graphite, cobalt, and rare earth that are vital for a technology-driven future global economy. In its report, the Committee noted that the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, with its strong emphasis on self-reliance, holds immense potential to secure a sustainable supply chain of these minerals and enhance the country's industrial competitiveness. However, it cautioned that without effective coordination, these efforts may fall short. "The Committee...suggest that alongside the Ministry of Mines, which is leading these efforts, all ministries concerned, State governments and agencies should work in close alignment to ensure that the country remains competitive in the critical mineral sector," the Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel has said in a report. The committee recommended that the mines ministry, which is ...

Production sprint: IIP growth hits two-year high of 6.7% in November

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) quick estimates for November signalled a 4.5 per cent uptick from levels seen in October