India Auto Inc opened December on a strong footing, with wholesale volumes of SUVs, two-wheelers and tractors growing in double-digit in November. The uptrend was supported by post-festive demand, improving rural sentiment and steady traction from new model launches.

Maruti Suzuki, meanwhile, pushed back strongly against what it called the “wrong narrative’’ surrounding small cars in the ongoing CAFE-3 debate, arguing that differentiated treatment for compact, lighter vehicles reflects global practice.

Vietnam’s VinFast strengthened its India roadmap with firm plans to enter the electric two-wheeler market in 2026, complementing its investments in e-bus and MPV manufacturing. In parallel, a unified push from automakers and sugar manufacturers brought flex-fuel technology back into the policy spotlight, with industry players urging the government to prioritise flex-fuel and hybrid-FFV pathways instead of incremental ethanol blending targets beyond E20.

Here’s the detailed round-up of all major developments from this week:

Long Reads

The Big EV Year That Wasn't

The year 2025 was supposed to be the year India’s electric passenger vehicle market hit full stride, a year packed with long-promised launches, rapid scale-up and a shift from early adoption to mainstream demand. While the year began with two global EV giants, Tesla and VinFast, finally entering the Indian market and Mahindra scaling up, overall EV car penetration remained low at around 4-5%.

This limited adoption, despite new model availability, is largely attributed to persistent challenges such as the high initial purchase cost compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and insufficient public charging infrastructure, which leads.

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Rethinking the Map: Honda’s New India Bet

Honda has never been in the business of theatrics. Its decisions tend to surface gradually—more like a smooth build up of torque than a burst of horsepower. Yet its latest strategic declaration carries enough weight to shift the industry conversation: Honda now places India shoulder-to-shoulder with North America and Japan as one of its three core global markets.

It is a recalibration that says less about a sudden affection for India and more about how global automotive tectonics are moving. Scale, geopolitics, supply chains, and rising competition—particularly from fast-moving Chinese automakers—have pushed even Japan’s most measured companies to redraw.

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Inside Suzuki’s ₹70,000-Crore Bet on Scale, Multi-Fuel Tech and a 4-Million Car Future

The curry, the jacket — and the importance India now exerts on Suzuki’s strategy. In a glass-walled conference room overlooking the Japan Mobility Show floor, Toshihiro Suzuki is doing something unusual for a Japanese auto boss. He’s talking as much about India’s GST and Indian vegetarian curry as he is about EVs and engines.

At Suzuki’s Hamamatsu headquarters, he says, there are now more than 200 Indians on the rolls — some deputed from Maruti Suzuki, others hired directly. The company’s cafeteria even serves Indian curry regularly, a small but telling sign of how deeply India is embedded in...

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Top Developments 

Maruti Suzuki Eyes 1 lakh EV Charging Points by 2030; Invests ₹250 crore

India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is targeting to set up over 1 lakh charging points across the country by the end of this decade, as the automaker looks to boost consumer confidence in electric vehicles, says the company’s MD and CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi.

The automaker, which is preparing to launch its first electric vehicle, the eVitara, aims to become the largest fast-charging OEM network. Maruti has partnered with 13 charge-point operators and has already set up 2,000 exclusive charging points across 1,100 cities.

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CAFE Debate: Maruti Hits Back, Calls Weight-Based Relief ‘Global Practice’

The proposal to introduce a weight-based emission relief for small cars under the forthcoming Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE-3) norms has opened up one of the most visible rifts in India’s auto industry in recent years. When 19 members of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) voted on the issue, only two—Maruti Suzuki India and Renault India—supported the concession. Fifteen others, including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai Motor India and JSW MG Motor, opposed it, arguing that the relaxation would skew the market in favour of a single player and dilute the country’s broader clean-mobility ambitions.

Against this backdrop, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd’s Senior Executive Director (Corporate Affairs), Rahul Bharti, mounted a strong defence of the proposal. He argued that many global markets, from Europe and China to Japan, Korea and the United States, extend differentiated treatment to smaller, lighter vehicles, and that India’s draft norms merely mirror a global practice. Bharti warned that without realistic, “scientific” targets, compact cars could be pushed out of the market altogether, undermining affordability, safety, and the government’s stated goal of expanding access to mobility.

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Maruti Slams ‘Wrong Narrative’ on Small Cars as GST Reform Revives Demand

VinFast to Invest ₹4,000 Cr in Tamil Nadu for E-Bus, Two-Wheeler Production

VinFast has announced plans to significantly expand its manufacturing presence in Tamil Nadu through a new Memorandum of Understanding with the state government. The agreement will allocate approximately 200 hectares of additional land adjacent to the company's existing facility in the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Thoothukudi.

The expansion represents the second phase of VinFast's USD 2 billion commitment to India and will see the company invest USD 500 million to establish dedicated production lines for electric buses and e-scooters. The new facilities will cover manufacturing, assembly, testing, and related operations for these vehicle categories.

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VinFast to enter India’s electric bus segment by August 2026

VinFast to launch electric 2-wheeler in India in 2026

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast, which started selling its cars in India this year, plans to enter India’s electric two-wheeler market as well in the second quarter of the financial year 2026. This entry is expected to boost the competition in the growing electric scooter market here, which is dominated by domestic players such as TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto, Ather Energy and Ola Electric.

“We believe that the Indian market has huge potential for electric two-wheelers. We have a plan to launch two-wheelers in India in 2026,” VinFast Asia Chief Executive Officer Pham Sanh Chau said. The automaker currently sells more than six electric scooter models, including Evo, Feliz, Klara and Vero, across South Asia, and a couple of these will likely be the first set of products to be launched in India.

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VinFast to launch Limo Green in February

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast is stepping up its India play, viewing the country as a pivotal market in its global growth strategy. The company will add a seven-seater electric MPV, the Limo Green, to its lineup in February 2026 - its third model for India after the VF6 and VF7 launched in September.

“The next car that we are going to launch will be around February. It will be the 7-seater Limo Green,” VinFast Asia Chief Executive Officer Pham Sanh Chau said. The upcoming electric MPV will be positioned in the same premium band as the VF6 and VF7 and is likely to compete with models such as the Kia Carens Clavis EV and BYD eMax 7 in India’s growing family EV segment.

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VinGroup’s GSM to enter India’s ride-hailing market with VinFast cars

Automakers, sugar makers urge govt to promote flex fuel vehicles after E20

After crossing the 20% ethanol-blending milestone, automakers and sugar manufacturers are urging the government to prioritise flex-fuel vehicles - which can run on higher blends and 100% ethanol - instead of incrementally moving to 25% or 30% blends. They want lower taxes on these vehicles and a clear pricing advantage for ethanol over petrol. With surplus ethanol capacity and flex-fuel hybrids delivering lower well-to-wheel emissions, industry players argue that this shift offers India a practical route to reducing both its oil import bill and carbon footprint.

“Ethanol, being a carbon-neutral fuel, has emerged as a key practical energy option offering a clean energy transition for our growing economy. There is a surplus of ethanol availability, which gives a strong opportunity to take the momentum forward. With the right policy support provided to FFVs and Electrified-FFVs, India can chart its own pathway towards sustainable mobility, powered by indigenous green ethanol,” said Vikram Gulati, country head and executive vice president of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

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Ultraviolette Secures $45 Million in Series E Funding from Zoho and Lingotto

Ultraviolette Automotive has announced securing $45 million in its ongoing Series E funding round, with investments from Indian technology company Zoho Corporation and European investment management firm Lingotto.

The funding will support Ultraviolette's expansion plans for its current product lineup, including the F77 and recently launched X-47 Crossover electric motorcycle, as well as future platforms named Shockwave and Tesseract. The investment from Zoho Corporation was led by Sridhar Vembu, Mani Vembu, and Kumar Vembu.

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Reclaiming Momentum: How NRB Bearings Is Positioning for a Bigger, More Diverse Future

NRB Bearings is preparing for its most aggressive expansion in a decade. The company has outlined a multi-year plan that aims to double revenue by FY31, increase exports, expand industrial and aerospace offerings, and accelerate joint ventures and acquisitions. The push comes after a period marked by a fire accident, lost volumes, a family demerger and volatile demand cycles.

According to Harshbeena Zaveri, the component maker's managing director, the firm is now entering a phase of stability, backed by strong financials and restored capacity. "We have almost no debt and EBITDA margins of over 20%. We are well on track towards our aspirational vision of ₹2,500 crore by 2031," she said.

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NRB Bearings Forms Joint Venture with Italian Manufacturer Unitec

LICO Advances Toward Hydrometallurgy Phase with Rs 400 Crore Downstream Investment Plan

LICO, a rising player in India’s developing battery recycling industry, is ramping up its infrastructure and investment to meet the anticipated surge in demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, even as it navigates a domestic recycling landscape plagued by inadequate government support and widespread fraud.

The company is currently focused on mechanical separation (Phase 1), which involves processes like crushing, grinding, and sieving batteries into a powdered material known as "black mass." Its main facility in Vemagal, near Bengaluru, currently boasts a capacity of 17,000 to 18,000 metric tons per annum. The company has already invested over Rs 80 crores in the business, covering capital expenditure and working capital. 

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NHAI, Reliance Jio Sign MoU for Highway Safety Alert System

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Reliance Jio to deploy a telecom-based safety alert system across the National Highway network. The system will use Jio's 4G and 5G network to send advance warnings to travellers as they approach identified risk locations, including accident-prone stretches, stray-cattle zones, fog-affected areas, and emergency diversions.

The alerts will be delivered through SMS, WhatsApp, and high-priority calls to National Highway users. The system will be integrated in phases with NHAI's digital platforms, including the Rajmargyatra mobile application and emergency helpline number 1033.

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Motherson and Adani Ports Partner on RoRo Terminal at Dighi Port

Motherson has entered into a partnership with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) to develop a Roll-on/Roll-off terminal at Dighi Port in Maharashtra, the companies announced on December 5, 2025.

The agreement, signed through Motherson's joint venture Samvardhana Motherson Hamakyorex Engineered Logistics Limited (SAMRX), will establish a dedicated terminal for handling finished vehicle logistics on India's west coast.

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India and Germany Hold High-Level Talks on Electric Mobility Transition

India and Germany convened senior government officials, industry leaders, and international partners on Wednesday to chart a coordinated path forward for electric mobility development, marking the ninth edition of the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP) Conversation Series.

The roundtable, held at Maharashtra Sadan under the theme "Electric Mobility: From System Integration to Skills Development," brought together representatives from central ministries, state and city administrations, public transport undertakings, power distribution companies, financiers, and skill development institutions.

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JLR Trials Drone Technology to Enhance Factory Safety and Efficiency

Jaguar Land Rover is piloting drone technology at its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, cutting inspection times by up to 95% while improving workplace safety.

The automotive manufacturer is using the Elios 3 drone by Flyability to inspect machinery and access hard-to-reach areas within the facility. The technology has reduced what was previously a four-hour manual inspection process to just 10 minutes.

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Another Boost for Auto Sector as RBI Cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps to 5.25%

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Friday cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, delivering its fourth rate reduction since February. The move follows a pause over the past two policy meetings and signals continued support for growth.

The repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends funds to commercial banks. A cut lowers borrowing costs for banks, and can translate into cheaper auto, home and personal loans for customers, potentially stimulating spending and investment.

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Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson Unveil H-D X440 T and CVO Models in India

Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have expanded their co-developed premium motorcycle lineup with the launch of the H-D X440 T, featuring advanced rider technologies and contemporary styling. The partners also introduced two top-tier Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models to the Indian market.

The X440 T builds upon the success of the original X440, which launched in July 2023 and brought new riders into the Harley-Davidson community. The updated model incorporates ride-by-wire technology with switchable traction control and rear-only switchable ABS, along with two ride modes for road and rain conditions.

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TVS Unveils Ronin Agonda, Apache RTX Anniversary Edition at MotoSoul 5.0

TVS Motor Company inaugurated the fifth edition of its MotoSoul festival, unveiling the TVS Ronin Agonda and the TVS Apache RTX Anniversary Edition to mark 20 years of the Apache nameplate.

The new TVS Ronin Agonda, priced at Rs 1,30,990 (ex-showroom), features a white-led color palette with retro five-stripe graphics. The limited-edition motorcycle takes design inspiration from Goa's Agonda Beach and represents an addition to the TVS Ronin lineup's modern-retro design approach.

The TVS Apache RTX Anniversary Edition marks two decades of the Apache series with a black and champagne gold livery, limited-edition badging, and a commemorative 20-year crest. 

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Sales Report 

Tata Motors PV Surges to SUV Leadership with Nexon and Punch as Competition Intensifies

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd, the newly renamed passenger vehicle arm of Tata Motors following the October 2025 demerger, strengthened its position in the Indian market in November by securing the top two spots in the SUV segment. The Nexon and Punch finished as the best selling SUVs of the month. The Nexon posted 22,434 units and the Punch followed with 18,753 units. This result further consolidates TMPV’s influence in the fast growing compact SUV category.

The Nexon continued to be TMPV’s strongest volume driver across its internal combustion and electric versions. Its appeal among urban buyers and young families remained steady in November. The Punch, which has become a cornerstone in the micro SUV segment, maintained consistent traction through both its ICE and EV variants.

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Hyundai Motor India Records 66,840 Unit Sales in November 2025

Mahindra Automotive Division Posts Strong November Sales Growth

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Records 59,199 Unit Sales in November 2025

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Records 28% Growth in November Sales

JSW MG Motor India Posts 32% Growth in 2025, Luxury Channel Crosses 1,000 Sales

JSW MG Motor India has reported a 32% year-to-date wholesale growth for the January-November 2025 period compared to the same timeframe last year, the company announced on Sunday. The automaker sold 5,754 units in November 2025 alone.

The growth comes as the company's portfolio of internal combustion engine and electric vehicle models continues to gain traction in the market. JSW MG Motor India attributed the performance to steady demand across its product range.

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Kia India Reports 24% Growth in November Sales

Skoda Auto India Reaches 500,000 Sales Milestone in 25th Anniversary Year

Renault India Posts 30% Growth in November Sales

Hero MotoCorp Posts 31% Growth in November Amid Festive Demand

Hero MotoCorp reported a 31% year-on-year growth in dispatches for November 2025, with 604,490 units shipped during the month.

The New Delhi-based company attributed the strong performance to sustained festive momentum and positive consumer sentiment across both urban and rural markets. VAHAN registrations showed 886,330 units recorded in November 2025, while the combined October-November period saw registrations grow 26% to 1,882,739 units.

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Reports 25% Sales Growth in November

Bajaj Auto Reports 8% Growth in November Sales Driven by Strong Export Performance

TVS Motor Company Reports 30% Sales Growth in November 2025

Royal Enfield Reports 22% Sales Growth in November 2025

Suzuki Motorcycle India Reports 30% Sales Growth in November

Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Posts 29% Growth with 35,539 Unit Sales in November 2025

Tata Motors Limited registered total commercial vehicle sales of 35,539 units in November 2025, up 29% from 27,636 units in November 2024, driven by strong domestic demand and international market expansion, the company announced on Sunday.

Domestic sales reached 32,753 units in November 2025 compared to 26,183 units in the same month last year, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. International business sales stood at 2,786 units, up 92% from 1,453 units in November 2024.

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Ashok Leyland Reports 32% Growth in Domestic Sales for November 2025

TVS Motor Sells 18,000 e-3-wheelers in 11 Months, Posts New high in November

Mahindra Records 33% Growth in Tractor Sales for November 2025

Escorts Kubota Reports 17.9% Growth in Tractor Sales for November 2025