A strong November lifts industry sentiment, Maruti slams “wrong narrative’’ on small cars, VinFast confirms 2026 electric two-wheeler entry, and automakers push for flex-fuel pathways beyond E20.
07 Dec 2025 | 5448 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa
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 ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
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
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.
Rethinking the Map: Honda’s New India Bet
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.
Inside Suzuki’s ₹70,000-Crore Bet on Scale, Multi-Fuel Tech and a 4-Million Car Future
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...
Top Developments
Maruti Suzuki Eyes 1 lakh EV Charging Points by 2030; Invests ₹250 crore
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.
CAFE Debate: Maruti Hits Back, Calls Weight-Based Relief ‘Global Practice’
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.
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
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.
VinFast to enter India’s electric bus segment by August 2026
VinFast to launch electric 2-wheeler in India in 2026
“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.
VinFast to launch Limo Green in February
“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.
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
“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.
Ultraviolette Secures $45 Million in Series E Funding from Zoho and 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.
Reclaiming Momentum: How NRB Bearings Is Positioning for a Bigger, More Diverse Future
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.
NRB Bearings Forms Joint Venture with Italian Manufacturer Unitec
LICO Advances Toward Hydrometallurgy Phase with Rs 400 Crore Downstream Investment Plan
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.
NHAI, Reliance Jio Sign MoU for Highway Safety Alert System
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.
Motherson and Adani Ports Partner on RoRo Terminal at Dighi Port
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.
India and Germany Hold High-Level Talks on Electric Mobility Transition
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.
JLR Trials Drone Technology to Enhance Factory Safety and Efficiency
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.
Another Boost for Auto Sector as RBI Cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps to 5.25%
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.
Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson Unveil H-D X440 T and CVO Models in India
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.
TVS Unveils Ronin Agonda, Apache RTX Anniversary Edition at MotoSoul 5.0
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.
Sales Report
Tata Motors PV Surges to SUV Leadership with Nexon and Punch as Competition Intensifies
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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