Thiruvananthapuram Tops Kerala in Vehicle Registrations, EV Uptake Rises
Thiruvananthapuram RTO (KL‑01) led Kerala in new vehicle registrations with 37,730 units, outpacing Ernakulam and Kozhikode. Four‑wheelers accounted for roughly a third of the total, while electric vehicles contributed between 3,000 and 3,500 registrations, mainly scooters and a few cars. The surge reflects rising disposable incomes, suburban expansion, and growing consumer preference for private mobility. Officials warn that the rapid uptake intensifies congestion and highlights gaps in public‑transport infrastructure.
Centre Allows Manual Vehicle Fitness Tests Till October Amid ATS Gaps
The Indian Union transport ministry has authorized Maharashtra to resume manual vehicle fitness tests through October, reversing a recent mandate that required all checks at Automated Testing Stations (ATS). The decision follows prolonged construction delays at ATS facilities in Pune...
Telangana CM Pitches Green Steel Plant, EV Battery Hub to Centre
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Union steel ministers in New Delhi to push for a green steel plant in Bayyaram and an electric‑vehicle battery manufacturing hub in Hyderabad. He highlighted the state's "Telangana Rising – 2047" vision, emphasizing steel‑recycling from vehicle...
Pirelli Raises Prices as Part of Middle East Crisis Mitigation Plan
Pirelli has activated a mitigation plan to counter the Middle East crisis, combining price hikes with cost‑cutting measures. The firm presented its 2025 full‑year results, confirming 2026 forecasts but noting adjusted EBIT may sit at the lower end of guidance....
Japan's Sony, Honda to Pursue New Opportunities After Scrapping Afeela 1 EV, Reports Nikkei
Sony Group and Honda Motor announced they will abandon development of the Afeela 1 electric vehicle within their 50‑50 joint venture Sony Honda Mobility. The cancellation follows Honda’s overhaul of its EV strategy and forces the venture to decide the fate...
EV Maker Polestar's Fourth-Quarter Revenue Jumps, Loss Narrows
Polestar reported a 54% jump in fourth‑quarter revenue to $887 million and narrowed its net loss to $799 million, a significant improvement from the $1.18 billion loss a year earlier. The Swedish EV maker credited the turnaround to a Europe‑focused sales strategy, aggressive...
Ola Electric Rolls Out Festive Offer with Discounts up to ₹50,000 Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya
Ola Electric launched the "Ola Sona" weekend promotion ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, offering discounts of up to ₹50,000 (~$600) on select scooters and motorcycles, with entry‑level models starting at ₹49,999 (~$602). The Roadster X+ 9.1 kWh is priced at ₹1,39,999 (~$1,690)...
The Battery Recycling Paradox: VC’s Next Big Underrated Bet
Battery recycling is emerging from a niche, low‑margin segment into a multi‑billion‑dollar industry as the first wave of EV batteries reaches end‑of‑life. The market, valued at $28.62 billion in 2025, is projected to expand to $91.72 billion by 2034, driven by an...
Goa State Cabinet to Set up Independent Body to Curb Road Accidents
The Goa state cabinet approved the creation of an independent road‑safety lead agency, replacing the current deputy‑director‑run council. The new body will be headed by a retired senior officer, set annual accident‑reduction targets, draft action plans and oversee a dedicated...
Maharashtra Road Transport Corp’s Daily Loss Stood at ₹1.6 Crore in 2025-26
During FY 2025‑26 the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) recorded a daily loss of ₹1.6 crore (about $193,000), amounting to a total deficit of ₹591 crore ($71 million). Revenue of ₹11,475 crore ($1.38 billion) fell short of expenditures of ₹12,066 crore ($1.45 billion). Losses spread across 23 of its 31 divisions, with only...
Gujarat Road Transport Body Launches QR Code-Based Passenger Feedback System
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has rolled out a QR‑code based passenger feedback system across its fleet, installing codes behind seats in premium buses and at least one on every vehicle. In March 2026, the system captured 1,702...
Delhi CM to Launch Fresh Batch 200 Electric Buses on Friday
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will flag off 200 additional electric buses on Friday, marking the third batch launched this year. The addition brings the capital’s electric fleet to 4,538 buses out of a total of 6,300 vehicles, with a...
Auto GCCs Shifting Gears to Power Global Mobility
Global capability centres (GCCs) in India are evolving from support hubs to core engineering engines for the world’s largest automakers. Over 60 automotive GCCs now employ more than 110,000 engineers and generate roughly $3 billion in revenue, with projections to triple...
Mahindra Eyes South Africa Expansion as China Rivals Gain Ground
Mahindra & Mahindra is in advanced talks to upgrade its Durban‑area plant in South Africa, potentially adding completely knocked‑down (CKD) production. The move targets the country’s expanding mid‑market demand for affordable vehicles and aims to sidestep import tariffs that the...
Tata Motors Rolls Out 1-Millionth Commercial Vehicle From Lucknow Plant
On April 15, 2026 Tata Motors celebrated the production of its one‑millionth commercial vehicle at the Lucknow plant, a zero‑emission electric bus. The milestone underscores three decades of manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh and aligns with the state’s net‑zero 2070 goal...
AI Acceleration Meets EV Course Correction
This week’s auto‑tech headlines show AI gaining traction while EV ambitions are being recalibrated. Indian startup RoshAI raised roughly $2.7 million to scale its autonomous‑driving stack, and Nissan announced a global model trim to focus on AI‑driven software. Meanwhile, JPMorgan warned...
Carmakers Navigating the Costly and Tricky Transition to Battery Storage Systems
U.S. automakers and battery makers are converting underused EV‑battery plants into factories for stationary energy‑storage systems as EV demand stalls. General Motors, Ford and LG Energy Solution together plan to spend billions on repurposing capacity, but the projected 76 GWh of...
Volkswagen's China Boss Warns of Fierce Competition in Slowing Market
Volkswagen’s China chief Ralf Brandstaetter warned that the country’s passenger‑car market could contract for the first time since 2018, with 2026 sales expected to flatline after 24 million units in 2025. The automaker trimmed its long‑term China sales target to 26 million...
Free Bus Travel Scheme Led to Shortage of Buses: Sasikala
Tamil Nadu’s DMK government introduced the Magalir Vidiyal Payanam free‑bus travel scheme for women, which opposition leader V K Sasikala says has overloaded the state’s transport fleet. She alleges the administration failed to procure new buses, creating a statewide shortage compared with...
After Two Hikes, Mercedes May Review Prices Again in June
Mercedes‑Benz India has raised its prices twice this year and is weighing a third increase in June, despite a weaker rupee and limited fallout from the West Asia conflict. CEO Santosh Iyer said luxury car sales will likely see only...
CarMax Posts Quarterly Loss on Goodwill Charge, Weak Used-Car Demand
CarMax reported a fourth‑quarter loss of $120.7 million, driven by a $141.3 million non‑cash goodwill impairment and slipping margins on used vehicles. Retail gross profit per used car fell to $2,115, while wholesale profit per unit dropped to $940, reflecting aggressive price...
Road Ministry Revises Toll Rules for Overloaded Vehicles, Links Fees to Excess Load
India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, tightening toll charges for overloaded trucks on national highways. Effective April 15, the new framework ties overload fees to...
Polling Day Travel Spikes Demand for SETC Buses From Chennai
Ticket bookings on Tamil Nadu's State Export Transport Corporation (SETC) have surged as Chennai workers prepare to travel to their hometowns for the April 23 election and the ensuing long weekend. Premium night services between Chennai and Trichy are completely sold...
Auto Inc Sets New Benchmark in FY26 with Record 28mn Units, Near-Term Outlook Remains Positive
India’s automobile industry posted a seven‑year high in FY 2025‑26, with total domestic sales reaching 28.27 million units, a 10.4% year‑on‑year rise. Passenger‑vehicle sales climbed 7.9% to 4.64 million units, two‑wheelers grew 10.7% to 21.7 million units, and commercial‑vehicle sales rose 12.6% to 10.8 million...
Commercial Vehicle Growth to Remain Robust Till FY28 on Replacement Demand: Report
A Yes Securities report projects the Indian commercial‑vehicle market to expand at a 6‑8% compound annual growth rate through FY28, with total industry volumes stabilising only by FY31‑32. Replacement demand is fueled by an ageing fleet—about 42% of vehicles are...
Nissan Zeroes in on China, Japan and US as Lead Markets
Nissan’s new "Vision" plan places Japan, China and the United States as its three lead markets through 2030, each targeted to sell one million vehicles. The automaker will pursue 80% parts localisation in the US and China while expanding SUVs, compact...
Noida Protest: Fresh Clashes Erupt as Workers 'Unhappy' With Wage Hike
The Uttar Pradesh government announced a 21% minimum‑wage increase for workers in the Noida‑Ghaziabad belt, setting monthly pay at ₹13,690 for unskilled, ₹15,059 for semi‑skilled and ₹16,868 for skilled labor. Despite the hike, workers staged fresh protests in Noida’s Phase 2,...
Prayagraj Schools Race to Meet April 15 Deadline for Uploading Transport Details on Safety Portal
Around 70% of schools in Prayagraj have uploaded their transport details to the Uttar Pradesh Integrated School Vehicle Monitoring Portal (UPISVMP) ahead of the April 15 deadline. The portal requires schools with fleets—1,655 institutions operating 5,050 buses—to submit registration, driver records,...
HPCL, BPCL and IOCL Shares Slide up to 4% as Crude Oil Reclaims $100. Where Are Prices Headed?
Crude oil prices rebounded 8% on Monday, climbing back above $100 per barrel after the U.S. Navy announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, limiting Iranian exports. The surge sent Indian fuel‑retailer stocks—HPCL, BPCL and IOCL—down 3‑4%, with HPCL...
Punjab to Add 1,265 Buses to PRTC, PUNBUS Fleets
Punjab announced a 1,265‑bus expansion, adding 659 vehicles to the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and 606 to the state‑run PUNBUS fleet. The plan includes 250 buses already delivered under the Kilometre Scheme, with PRTC tendering 309 standard and 100...
Diesel Export Tax Hike May Align Prices of State OMCs, Private Comapnies
India raised its diesel export duty to $95 per barrel, up from $37, prompting a sharp narrowing of the pricing gap between state‑run oil marketing companies (OMCs) and private refiners. OMCs, which dominate about 90% of the domestic fuel retail...
Delhi CM Rekha Takes Stock of Metro and Flyover Projects; Says Will Help Ease Congestion
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reviewed the city’s metro and flyover expansion, highlighting that several key corridors are slated for completion by December 2026. Phase IV of the Delhi Metro is 80% finished, with an additional 104.45 km of track and 81...
Ashok Leyland Targets Higher Profitability over Volume Expansion
Ashok Leyland announced a strategic shift from volume‑driven growth to profitability by moving into the premium segment of medium and heavy commercial vehicles. The company will roll out the Taurus tipper and Hippo tractor lines in Q1 FY27, followed by...
Haryana Hikes Minimum Wages 35% After Unrest Linked to Iran War Cost Pressures: Report
Haryana announced a 35% increase in the minimum wage for unskilled workers, raising the monthly floor from roughly $120 to about $165 effective April 1. The move follows intense protests in the Manesar industrial belt, where workers complained that food and...
Price Hikes, Fewer Offers Put No Dent as More New Cars Hit Road
India’s passenger‑vehicle market posted a record 4.7 million units in FY26, but the headline was not volume alone. Carmakers lifted average selling prices – 4.3% for mass‑market models and 8.9% for luxury cars – while trimming incentives, signalling genuine pricing power....
CNG Price Hiked to ₹82 per Kg in Mumbai; Piped Cooking Gas Rate Remains Unchanged
Mahanagar Gas Limited raised Mumbai’s compressed natural gas (CNG) price by ₹1 to ₹82 per kilogram, roughly $1 per kg, while the domestic piped natural gas (PNG) rate stayed at ₹50 per unit (about $0.60). The hike affects a fleet...
Luxury Carmakers Hope West Asia Ceasefire Will Lift Consumer Sentiment
Luxury automakers Mercedes‑Benz, BMW and Audi anticipate a rebound in India’s high‑end car market following the recent ceasefire in West Asia. Executives said Q1 saw order postponements but no cancellations, and they have built buffer stock to offset parts‑supply delays...
Mundra Becomes India's Largest Auto Export Hub, Adani Port Ships Record 6,008 Cars in Single Vessel
Mundra Port, operated by Adani’s APSEZ, set a national record by loading 6,008 cars onto a single roll‑on/roll‑off vessel, cementing its status as India’s largest auto export hub. The port now ships vehicles to more than 100 countries, reflecting the...
India Permits Iranian Oil Tankers to Berth for Reliance, Say Sources
India’s shipping ministry granted a one‑time exemption for four Iranian‑sanctioned tankers to berth at the western port of Sikka at the request of Reliance Industries. The decision follows a temporary U.S. waiver on Iranian oil purchases that expires on April 19,...
Order Issued Making Helmets Mandatory for Maharashtra Cops While Riding Two-Wheelers
The Maharashtra police issued an order mandating helmets for all officers riding two‑wheelers, with violations subject to fines and disciplinary entries. Data shows helmet use exceeds 80% in Mumbai and Nagpur but falls below 20% in other districts, prompting the...
EAM Jaishankar Hands over 90 Electric Buses to Mauritius PM, Highlights "Green Partnership"
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar handed over 90 electric buses to Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, marking a tangible step in the India‑Mauritius "Green Partnership" on sustainable transport. During the same visit he inaugurated Mauritius’s first dedicated renal transplant unit, expanding...
France Doubles Electrification Aid to Cut Fossil Fuel Dependency
France announced a €10 billion ($12 billion) annual aid package through 2030 to accelerate electrification and reduce reliance on imported oil and gas. The plan targets replacing 85 TWh of gas consumption, installing one million heat pumps per year, and shifting two‑thirds of...
New Scheme in Works to Support Domestic Critical Mineral Processing Plants: Mines Secretary
India's Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal announced a new scheme to fund domestic critical mineral processing plants, initially targeting two minerals. The program will sit alongside existing specialty‑steel and battery‑manufacturing incentives. A public‑sector consortium will also submit bids for four Chilean...
Nashik RTO Reports 15% Rise in Vehicle Registrations in 2025-26
The Nashik Regional Transport Office reported a 15% jump in vehicle registrations for the 2025‑26 fiscal year, reaching 123,695 units, up from 106,823 the prior year. Two‑wheelers led the surge with 87,435 new registrations, followed by 23,519 cars and 1,207...
Lloyds Will Not Take Legal Action Against Britain's Car Finance Redress Scheme, Reports FT
Lloyds Banking Group announced it will not pursue a legal challenge against the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s motor‑finance redress scheme, which totals £9.1 billion ($12.25 billion). The scheme aims to compensate consumers mis‑sold car‑finance products over a 17‑year period. Lloyds said the...
Delhi to Exempt Road Tax for Electric Cars Priced Under ₹30 Lakh
Delhi’s draft Electric Vehicle Policy 2026‑2030 proposes a full waiver of road tax and registration fees for electric cars priced up to ₹30 lakh (about $36,500) through 31 March 2030. Strong hybrid EVs would receive a 50 percent reduction in the same charges. Starting 1 January 2027,...
Maharashtra Ends Cleaner Rule for Trucks, Brings Relief to Transporters
Maharashtra’s government issued a notification on April 10 ending the mandatory cleaner rule for most heavy motor vehicles. The change eliminates daily fines of ₹1,500 (≈$18) and reduces paperwork for truckers, with exemptions only for articulated and hydraulic trailers carrying oversized...
VW Targets Double-Digit Volume Growth with Refreshed Taigun, Eyes New Export Markets
Volkswagen India is banking on a facelifted Taigun to deliver a sales uplift exceeding the typical 18‑22% boost seen after model updates, aiming for double‑digit growth. The company plans 18‑19 product interventions this year, with at least four coming from...
Road Safety Awareness a National Movement, Requires Responsible Behaviour: Harsh Malhotra
India’s road safety agenda was highlighted by Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, who framed it as a national movement requiring responsible behaviour from all users. He launched the third Uttarakhand Adventure Ride and reiterated the ministry’s 4E strategy—Engineering, Enforcement, Education,...
Ather Energy Doubles Retail Footprint to 700 Outlets in FY26
Ather Energy announced that it now operates 700 Experience Centres across India, more than doubling its retail footprint from the previous year. The expansion, driven by aggressive entry into central and non‑metro markets, lifted its national two‑wheeler market share to...