From Bajaj Auto securing Austrian approval to take control of KTM’s parent company, to a 19% jump in vehicle registrations and record-breaking deal activity led by Tata Motors’ Iveco buyout, India’s auto industry powered through another milestone week.
26 Oct 2025 | 3923 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa
The week of October 20-26, delivered a perfect blend of corporate breakthroughs, festive momentum, and strategic dealmaking for India’s automotive sector.
In a landmark development, Bajaj Auto secured regulatory clearance from Austria’s Takeover Commission to acquire control of Pierer Mobility AG, the parent of KTM. The ruling, granted under ...
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The week of October 20-26, delivered a perfect blend of corporate breakthroughs, festive momentum, and strategic dealmaking for India’s automotive sector.
In a landmark development, Bajaj Auto secured regulatory clearance from Austria’s Takeover Commission to acquire control of Pierer Mobility AG, the parent of KTM. The ruling, granted under Austria’s “restructuring privilege,” allows Bajaj’s arm to assume control without being required to make a mandatory takeover bid to other shareholders.
Meanwhile, India’s vehicle registrations rose 19% year-on-year between September 22 and October 22, touching 3.45 million units, driven by pent-up demand, festive sentiment, and the GST 2.0 price cuts. Two-wheelers led the charge with 2.57 million registrations (+20%), followed by passenger vehicles at 5.86 lakh (+17%).
On the corporate front, India’s automotive dealmaking reached a new high. The Grant Thornton Bharat Automotive Dealtracker pegged Q3 2025 transaction value at USD 4.6 billion across 30 deals–the strongest in over a year.
The surge was led by Tata Motors’ USD 3.8 billion acquisition of Italy’s Iveco S.p.A., one of India’s largest outbound auto transactions, signaling renewed investor appetite and consolidation momentum.
Globally, Hero MotoCorp entered the UK market with its Hunk 440 motorcycle, while Hyundai revealed the next-generation Venue, slated for launch on November 4. In technology, HONOR and BYD announced a partnership to co-develop AI-driven vehicle connectivity solutions, blending consumer tech and mobility innovation.
Safety and regulation also stayed in focus. Euro NCAP rolled out tougher 2026 norms addressing touchscreen dependence.
Here’s the detailed round-up of all major developments from this week:
Bajaj Auto Gets Green Light for KTM Takeover
The commission confirmed that the acquisition qualifies as a “restructuring privilege” under Austrian law, as the transaction is being carried out to support KTM’s ongoing financial turnaround. This effectively exempts Bajaj from the obligations normally imposed under the Austrian Takeover Act, which typically mandates a public offer when control changes hands.
Hero MotoCorp Enters UK Market with Hunk 440 Motorcycle
The UK entry follows recent expansions into Italy and Spain, establishing Hero MotoCorp's presence in three European markets. The New Delhi-based manufacturer now operates in 51 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, serving a customer base of over 125 million.
Vehicle Registration Grows 19% to 3.45 Million Units Between Sept 22–Oct 22
According to estimates from industry sources, registration of two-wheelers on the Vahan portal increased 20% year-on-year to 2.57 million units between September 22 (start of Navratri) and October 22 (Diwali day), compared with the same peak festival period last year. Passenger vehicle registration rose 17% to 586,000 units during the period.
Tata Motors Delivers Over 1 Lakh Vehicles in 30 Days of Festive Season, Up 33% Year-on-Year
According to the company, the growth was driven by sustained demand across its SUV and EV portfolios. The Nexon, which Tata Motors claims was India’s No. 1 selling car in September 2025, recorded over 38,000 retails, a 73% year-on-year increase. The Punch contributed 32,000 units, up 29% from last year.
The company’s electric vehicle portfolio also recorded strong traction, with over 10,000 EVs retailed during the festive period — a 37% increase year-on-year.
New Hyundai Venue revealed, bookings open ahead of November 4 launch
The new Venue is taller, wider, and features a longer wheelbase than before. Dimensionally, the SUV measures 3,995mm in length, 1,800mm in width, 1,665mm in height, and has a 2,520mm wheelbase, making it 48mm taller, 30mm wider, and 20mm longer in wheelbase than the outgoing model.
HONOR and BYD Partner to Develop AI-Powered Vehicle Connectivity Solutions
The partnership represents an expansion of existing cooperation between the two companies. Their collaboration began in 2023 when they introduced smartphone NFC car keys allowing BYD owners to lock and unlock vehicles using HONOR smartphones. The relationship expanded in 2024 to include in-vehicle fast charging capabilities.
Former Maruti Suzuki Executive Sunil Moolchandani Joins Hyundai Motor India
The appointment follows the recent naming of Tarun Garg as the company's first Indian Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in Hyundai's 29-year history in India.
Moolchandani brings over 24 years of extensive experience in the automotive and commercial sectors. Prior to joining Hyundai Motor India, he served as Chief Commercial Officer for the Central Zone at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, where he played a key role in driving strategic growth and operational excellence.
Euro NCAP Tightens 2026 Safety Norms, Targets Touchscreen Dependence
Essentially an update to its current rule book, the 2026 edition is considered to be the most comprehensive refresh yet to the way new cars are assessed for safety, and the changes are likely to reshape how interiors are designed.
Renault Group Posts 6.8% Revenue Growth in Q3 2025, Keeps Full-Year Guidance
The group maintained its full-year 2025 guidance, targeting an operating margin of around 6.5 percent and free cash flow between €1 billion and €1.5 billion. For the first nine months of the year, Renault Group’s revenue reached €39.1 billion, up 3.7 percent from 2024, with 1.7 million vehicles sold worldwide.
India's Automotive Sector Records USD 4.6 Billion in Q3 Deals, Driven by Tata Motors Mega-Acquisition
The surge in deal values represents a dramatic shift from the previous quarter, largely propelled by Tata Motors' landmark USD 3.8 billion acquisition of Italian commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco S.P.A. This transaction stands as one of India's largest outbound automotive acquisitions to date and accounted for the lion's share of the quarter's activity. However, the headline figure masks underlying trends in the sector.
ZF Appoints Andreas Moser to Board of Management, Reduces Board Size to Five Members
The appointment comes as ZF reduces its Board of Management from six to five members, a move the company describes as aimed at improving efficiency and focus. Dr. Rolf Breidenbach, Chairman of the ZF Supervisory Board, stated that the changes were designed to create clarity in the group's management structure during a period of organizational challenges.
Norton Reveals Flagship Superbike Design Sketch with Gerry McGovern as Advisor
The sketch, produced by Head of Design Simon Skinner, provides an initial look at the motorcycle that will be built at Norton's Solihull facility. It represents the beginning of a new design direction for the company.
Professor Gerry McGovern OBE has been appointed Chief Creative Advisor to Norton while maintaining his role as Chief Creative Officer at Jaguar Land Rover. McGovern has advised the brand's creative and design teams throughout the Resurgence programme.
Power Electronics Market Set to Triple by 2036 Despite EV Sales Slowdown
IDTechEx's report indicates that silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET technology continues its trajectory toward mainstream adoption, with deployment expanding beyond battery-electric vehicles into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Major automotive manufacturers including Toyota and Schaeffler have announced PHEV drivetrains incorporating SiC MOSFETs, signaling growing confidence in the technology even for vehicles with smaller battery capacities and partial electric operation.
Analysis
Export Demand For Made-in-India Vehicles Jumps 24% in H1 FY2026
Halfway into FY2026, India Auto Inc is well set to achieve best-ever exports for a fiscal year. FY2025 saw export of 5.36 million vehicles, up 19% YoY and the second best after FY2022’s 5.61 million units. With six months left in the current fiscal, the automobile industry has already achieved 59% of the FY2025 total and puts it in line for going past the record FY2022 exports.
Creta Commands 52% Share of Hyundai SUV Sales in H1 FY2026, Sole Model to See Growth
Hyundai Motor India’s SUV sales of 189,751 units, down 7% YoY, translate into a 70% share of its total passenger vehicle wholesales of 271,780 units, down 9% YoY (H1 FY2025: 299,094 PVs). As a result of the Creta hitting record sales in September, the SUV share of PV sales rose to a record monthly high of 72% (37,313 SUVs: 51,547 PVs)
Top 10 MPVs in H1 FY2026: Ertiga and Innova Lead but Kia Carens Shines with 25% Growth
In FY2025, MPVs accounted for around 11% of India UV Inc’s record sales of 2.79 million units and even outsold sedans. OEM factory dispatches of MPVs in first-half of FY2026 (April-September 2025) indicate that the momentum will likely be maintained in the current fiscal, albeit the GST 2.0-driven vehicle price cuts could see an accelerated shift to other sub-segments.
Opinions
Beyond the Car: What Really Decides Your Motor Insurance Premium
Most buyers usually focus on discounts on the car or dealer offers. That is just a one-time saving. On the other hand, understanding the underlying factors that shape your insurance premium can help you save money every year resulting in substantial long-term savings. So, let us look at some important facts that decide your motor insurance premium.
Adaptive Computing Is Fueling Evolution of Automotive Automation & Safety
Moreover, as the number of sensors and processors on vehicles continues to increase, demand will grow for embedded technologies with adaptive and versatile architectures. Such solutions must be capable of powering high-reliability systems; processing and networking large amounts of data at low latency, operating at low power; supporting increasingly complex algorithms; meeting evolving automotive technology standards and functional safety requirements.