China’s rare-earth licence thaw eases a key supply squeeze, Honda and Toyota ramp up India push, and GST-driven festive demand fuels record auto sales.
02 Nov 2025 | 5721 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa
It was a defining week for India Auto Inc as China eased its curbs on rare-earth magnet exports, granting import licences to select Indian firms and easing a key supply bottleneck in the EV manufacturing chain. At the Japan Mobility Show, Honda and Toyota outlined their most ambitious India product ...
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It was a defining week for India Auto Inc as China eased its curbs on rare-earth magnet exports, granting import licences to select Indian firms and easing a key supply bottleneck in the EV manufacturing chain. At the Japan Mobility Show, Honda and Toyota outlined their most ambitious India product offensives yet–with Honda confirming 10 new models, including seven SUVs by 2030, and Toyota preparing a multi-SUV, pickup and premium portfolio to lift its market share over the decade.
Back home, October retail and wholesale numbers reflected the full force of GST 2.0 and festive demand, delivering record volumes across passenger vehicles and EVs. The combination of supply-chain relief, aggressive model rollouts, and buoyant domestic demand signalled an industry entering its next growth phase with renewed confidence and scale.
Here’s the detailed round-up of all major developments from this week:
China grants license to Indian companies to import rare earth magnets
In a key development signaling an easing of supply chain bottlenecks from China, some Indian companies have received permits to import rare earth magnets from the world’s dominant producer of these critical materials.
“Some Indian companies have received licenses for importing rare earth magnets from China,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Thursday.
According to media reports, licenses have been granted to Jay Ushin, De Diamond Electric India, and the Indian units of German auto component major Continental AG and Japan’s Hitachi Astemo.
Govt of India Approves 7 Projects with ₹5,500 Crore Investment Under Electronics Manufacturing Scheme
The Government of India has approved the first tranche of seven projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), marking a significant advancement in the country's electronics manufacturing capabilities.
Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approvals, stating that the projects represent a combined investment of ₹5,532 crore and are expected to generate production valued at ₹36,559 crore while creating more than 5,100 direct jobs.
UK Government Backs £1.5bn Loan Guarantee for Jaguar Land Rover
The UK Government has directed UK Export Finance (UKEF) to provide a guarantee for a commercial loan of up to £1.5 billion to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), despite the transaction falling outside the export credit agency's standard underwriting criteria.
Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle issued formal instructions to UKEF Chief Executive Tim Reid on 26 September 2025, authorising the support to help JLR manage the impact of a recent cyber-attack on its export business and wider operations.
Honda to Launch 10 New Models in India by 2030, Including 7 SUVs
After Suzuki, Toyota, and Hyundai, Honda Motor Company has joined the league of global automakers announcing major product offensives in India. Having lagged in its portfolio expansion so far, the Japanese carmaker is now gearing up for an aggressive comeback with plans to launch 10 new models by 2030, including seven SUVs.
“We are coming up with a very aggressive model launch plan. We are planning to launch 10 or more models by 2030. We are considering a wider range of options — products where we can aim for high volume, as well as premium offerings,” Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe told reporters at the Japan Mobility Show.
India a Priority Market for Honda, Sets up Project Team; May Relook at Sub-4m Space
Honda 0 Series electric SUV India launch next year
Honda’s Electric Cars in India to Get CATL Battery From Indonesia
Toyota lines up Mahindra, Hyundai rivaling SUVs for India
Toyota has lined-up a major product expansion for India in the coming years. With record profits under its belt and rapid economic growth fuelling demand, the Japanese heavyweight is now targeting a 10 percent market share in India by the end of the decade, up from around 8 percent currently, according to Reuters.
The brand is planning to introduce as many as 15 new and refreshed models by 2030. These will consist of two all-new SUVs that include the Land Cruiser FJ that made its debut at the Japan Mobility show a few days ago. Additionally, an affordable pickup truck is being planned as well, which could be similar to the Hilux Champ that is on sale in markets like Indonesia and Thailand among others.
Toyota Elevates Century into Global Ultra-Luxury Brand
Ford to Resume Manufacturing at Chennai Plant with Next-Generation Engines
Ford Motor Company announced today that it will resume manufacturing operations at its Chennai plant, confirming plans to produce next-generation engines for export markets. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 235,000 engines, with operations expected to begin in 2029.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government, building on a letter of intent from September 2024. Ford plans an initial investment of INR 3,250 crores in the project, which will create more than 600 direct jobs and additional indirect employment across the industry.
Eight-SUV Blitz: Maruti Suzuki’s Roadmap to Reclaim 50% Market Share
Suzuki Motor Corporation has renewed its ambition to regain a 50% share of India’s passenger vehicle market, a level it last held in FY2018-19. The company plans to launch eight new model, including several SUVs over the next five to six years and expand its multi-fuel portfolio. It also targets leadership in electric vehicle manufacturing and exports from India.
Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, said India continues to be Suzuki’s most critical market globally. “We remain committed to achieving a 50% market share and becoming number one in electric vehicle production, sales, and exports,” Suzuki told reporters on the sidelines of the Japan Mobility Show 2025.
Battery Strategy Most Difficult Issue, Says Toshihiro Suzuki
India Most Critical Market, Largest Export Base for Suzuki: Toshihiro Suzuki
Expect Some Carmakers to Revise Their Product Mix in Favour of Hatchbacks: Maruti Suzuki’s RC Bhargava
The share of small cars in Maruti Suzuki’s overall sales surged past 25% during the festive period, up sharply from 16.6% before the GST rate cut announced on September 22. The turnaround, the company says, is being driven by renewed affordability and a shift in consumer sentiment following the government’s decision to reduce GST on entry-level vehicles.
“Much of our production is in the 18% GST category, which is growing faster. The beneficiaries of small car sales at the moment are limited, but many carmakers will realise the true nature of the Indian car market. I expect some of them to revise their product mix in favour of hatchbacks. Maruti, too, has become much more flexible in manufacturing as per market demand shifts,” said RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India.
GST Cut to Fuel 6% Growth for PV Industry in H2FY26: Maruti Suzuki
Collaborations Vital to Nissan’s Turnaround, India a Core Pillar: CEO Espinosa
Nissan Motor Corporation’s global chief executive, Ivan Espinosa, said the automaker will rely on partnerships and modular collaborations to stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry, adding that India will play an increasingly important role as both a market and a base for engineering and exports.
“Doing things yourself is very difficult,” Espinosa told Autocar Professional in an interview. “This is why partnerships are already a key pillar in our Re-Nissan Plan. It’s not about integration — it’s about finding smart ways to complement our portfolio and sell part of our portfolio and technology to other partners because it helps with scale.”
Hyundai Motor India’s Rural Sales Hit Record 23.6% in Q2 FY26, SUVs Drive Surge
Hyundai Motor India Ltd has achieved its highest-ever rural contribution, with rural markets accounting for 23.6% of total sales in Q2 FY26, continuing a steady climb driven by deeper network expansion, targeted marketing, and SUV-led demand.
“Our focused efforts in terms of channel expansion and deeper market penetration along with targeted marketing initiatives are yielding positive outcomes, with rural sales contributions further inching up during the quarter, reaching a record high of nearly 24%,” said Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.
The company’s rural contribution has risen steadily over the past five quarters, from 19.9% in Q1 FY25 to 23.6% in Q2 FY26.
Ahead of the Venue Launch, Hyundai Achieves Highest-Ever Domestic SUV Contribution of 71.1%
Hyundai India Unveils VENUE N Line Performance SUV, Launch Set for November 4
‘Lexus Reborn’: President Takashi Watanabe on the Brand’s Next Chapter of Electrification and Innovation
Lexus’ global chief has described the Japanese luxury brand’s current reorganisation and product reinvention as a defining “rebirth” moment, as it pivots toward electrification, new mobility formats, and a broader lifestyle-driven identity within the Toyota Group.
In an interview at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Lexus President Takashi Watanabe said the company’s transition to full electrification is not merely a compliance measure but a strategy to redefine the value of luxury through design, technology, and user experience. “Reborn, perhaps, might be a better expression,” he said. “If we continue to protect our old image and constraints, we will never expand or grow.”
New Tata Sierra To Launch On November 25, 2025
Tata Motors will announce prices for the much-anticipated Sierra SUV on November 25, 2025. The new Sierra will sit in the heart of the mid-size SUV segment, taking on popular models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Maruti Victoris.
Sources tell us that the Tata Sierra with internal combustion powertrain will debut first, followed by pure electric variant.
New Renault Duster India debut on January 26, 2026
Renault India has officially confirmed that the all-new Duster will make its India debut on January 26, 2026, marking the long-awaited return of one of its most popular products in the country. The new Duster will arrive almost five years after production of the previous Duster for India ended in 2022. The company has released a teaser revealing the new SUV’s silhouette ahead of its India debut.
The upcoming Duster is based on the third-generation model that made its global debut in 2023 under Renault’s sister brand, Dacia. Interestingly, India skipped the second-generation Duster and the first-gen SUV continued to soldier on in India. The new Duster that will come to India next year, sits on the modular CMF-B platform, which also underpins several global Renault, Dacia, and Nissan models.
TVS Motor to Launch Norton Motorcycles in India in April 2026
TVS Motor Company, which is expanding its presence in the premium two-wheeler segment through the Norton Motorcycles brand, plans to launch the first Norton model in India by April next year.
“We will reveal the Norton motorcycles at EICMA next week in Italy, led by a new superbike, a new design philosophy, and a reimagined brand identity. We are planning to launch a Norton product in India by April 2026,” said TVS Motor Director and CEO K. N. Radhakrishnan.
Ola Electric Secures ARAI Nod For 4680 Bharat Cell Battery Pack
Ola Electric has secured ARAI certification for its indigenously developed 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack. The certification granted under the latest AIS-156 Amendment 4 safety standards issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, covers a 5.2kWh configuration designed and manufactured entirely in-house by the company.
With this approval, Ola becomes the first Indian EV manufacturer to receive certification for a vehicle powered by its own cell technology. The certified 4680 Bharat Cell pack will make its debut on the upcoming Ola S1 Pro+ (5.2kWh), marking the company’s transition from using imported cells to deploying its own homegrown energy solutions.
Sona Comstar Puts China JV Plans with Jinnaite Machinery on Hold
India's auto component major Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (Sona Comstar) has decided to keep its proposed joint venture with China-based Jinnaite Machinery Co. Ltd. (JNT) in abeyance, citing geopolitical factors.
Both companies had been in discussions to finalize definitive agreements following the signing of a binding term sheet on July 20, 2025. However, Sona Comstar MD and group CEO Vivek Vikram Singh said that both sides have now mutually agreed to put the JV on hold.
The proposed joint venture was aimed at strengthening Sona Comstar’s capabilities in precision-forged components and expanding its presence in the Chinese market.
Sona Comstar Develops, Validates Rare Earth Free Motor Based on Ferrite
When Chips Collide: How Europe’s Nexperia Crisis Could Hit India’s Auto Makers
In mid-October, the Netherland government did something rare in Europe’s usually quiet semiconductor world. It seized control of Nexperia, a major European chipmaker owned by China’s Wingtech. The move, framed as a national security measure, aimed to prevent sensitive chip technologies from flowing to China. There were apprehensions within the government that the company's former CEO Zhang Xuezheng was reportedly dismantling the company's European operations and moving production to China.
Global newswire Reuters, citing sources reported that Xuezheng, who is also the founder of Nexperia's Chinese parent company Wingtech, had planned to lay off 40% of staff in Europe and close a research and development facility in Munich.
Bosch India Warns Impact on Production Amid Nexperia Fallout
Studds Accessories Targets 3 Million Unit Boost with 5th Manufacturing Facility, Strengthening Global Volume Leadership
Studds Accessories Limited (SAL), which claims to be the world’s largest producer of two-wheeler helmets by volume, has planned a major capacity expansion aimed at capitalizing on strong domestic demand and rising international export opportunities. The company is constructing its fifth manufacturing facility, an important move that will boost its production capability by a third and enhance its standing in the $2 billion global power sports helmet industry.
Sidhartha Khurana, MD, Studds Accessories Ltd, during a pre-IPO interaction with media and analysts stated that the ambitious expansion centers on Manufacturing Facility V, which is currently under construction.
AUMOVIO Engineering Solutions Forges Its Own Path in India’s High-Value, Low-Volume Market
In the global automotive supply chain, where volumes often dictate profitability, a specialized unit is attempting to carve out a lucrative niche focused on the tailored and the unique. AUMOVIO Engineering Solutions (AES), the dedicated engineering arm of the recently independent AUMOVIO SE, has embarked on a new beginning following its separation from Continental, charting a course toward high-value, low-volume opportunities, particularly within the fast-growing Indian market.
The firm intends to capture these specialized projects across varied sectors, including two-wheelers and infrastructure, building upon approximately 15 years of foundational growth already established in India, according to Managing Director Jean-Michel Verdier.
67% of QNX Wins Now Direct with OEMs as Carmakers Take Control of Software Destiny
Step inside a new Mahindra & Mahindra XUV700, and you are greeted not just by leather and steel, but by a dual-screen digital cockpit powered by a high-end Qualcomm processor. It is a vivid illustration of a seismic shift in the automotive industry as the car is no longer just a machine, but a sophisticated, connected computer.
And deep within its electronic heart, managing the complex symphony of pixels and processors, lies software from a company many still associate with iconic keyboards: BlackBerry QNX.
Scania Appoints GMMCO as Dealer Partner to Expand India Operations
Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd. announced today the appointment of GMMCO Limited as its authorized dealer partner, marking a significant shift in the company's India strategy. The partnership represents Scania's transition from direct sales to a dealer-based distribution model aimed at enhancing regional coverage and customer service.
Under the new arrangement, GMMCO will handle sales and service operations across Northern, Eastern, and Central India, while existing partner PPS Motors will continue serving Southern and Western regions. The territorial division is designed to ensure comprehensive national coverage and improved response times for customers.
Long Reads
From Medicine To Motors: The Story Of Hyundai’s First Indian CEO
On a crisp winter morning in January 2026, when Tarun Garg will walk into Hyundai Motor India’s corporate headquarters as its first-ever Indian Managing Director and CEO, it will be a moment of quiet triumph. For Hyundai, it marks the rise of India from a promising outpost to the beating heart of its global strategy. For Garg, it’s the culmination of a journey that began with failure of the kind that shapes grit.
The Missing Voice of Electric Tractors
India’s electric tractor startups are pushing to form their own industry association, or gain entry into the established one. But both paths are proving difficult. Without representation, they remain outside key policy discussions, financing frameworks, and subsidy programs that could shape their future.
Startups like Montra Electric, AutoNxt, and ShreeMarut have been developing electric tractors aimed at reducing emissions and fuel costs in agriculture. Yet, as they look to expand production, the absence of a collective industry voice has become a serious handicap.
Appointments and Exits
Mario Alvisi Steps Down as Head of Royal Enfield’s EV Business
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Royal Enfield’s electric-vehicle (EV) programme has seen a key leadership change. Autocar Professional understands through reliable sources that Mario Alvisi, Chief Growth Officer (EV) and head of the brand’s dedicated electric-mobility vertical, has stepped down from his role.
The exit comes at a pivotal phase in Royal Enfield’s EV journey, with the company currently in the middle of introducing its new EV brand globally ahead of the domestic launch of its first electric motorcycle in India next year.
Samvardhana Motherson Appoints Gandharv Tongia as CFO, Kunal Malani Elevated to Strategy Role
Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd on Wednesday announced changes to its leadership in the finance wing, as part of organizational restructuring aligned with its Vision 2030 objectives.
The company’s board of directors approved the elevation of Kunal Malani to the position of President - Group Strategy & Transformation, effective November 15. Consequently, Malani will step down from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel at the close of business on November 14. Simultaneously, the company appointed Gandharv Tongia as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel, designated as Group CFO, effective November 15.
October Sales Analysis
Tata Motors at No.2 Position for the 2nd Month in Crucial October Auto Sales
Tata Motors has reinforced its position as India's second-largest passenger vehicle manufacturer in retail sales for October 2025, building on momentum from the previous month when it reclaimed this spot after an intense three-way battle with Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai Motor India.
The Mumbai-based automaker recorded 74,705 unit registrations during October according to Vahan registration data, maintaining the runner-up spot behind market leader Maruti Suzuki. This represents a dramatic turnaround from September's 41,151 units—an increase of 33,554 units or approximately 82 percent month-on-month, marking substantial progress in retail offtake during the festive season.
How Discounting Helped Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki Walk Away with Most of the Post-GST & Festive Demand
India's automobile industry witnessed a remarkable convergence of policy reform and festive sentiment during September-October 2025, creating what industry veterans are calling a "once-in-a-decade" opportunity. The implementation of GST 2.0 on September 22, followed immediately by the Navratri festivities, triggered an unprecedented surge in retail car sales that reshaped the competitive landscape, and the numbers show that two players–Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors–walked away with most of the incremental volumes from the GST cut and festive season.
The timing couldn't have been more fortuitous. When the government slashed GST rates on sub-4-meter cars from 28% to 18% and removed the compensation cess, it created a seismic shift in pricing dynamics. The impact was immediate and dramatic—the Maruti S-Presso saw the steepest cut in percentage terms, with GST price drops ranging from ₹70,600 to ₹1.30 lakh, translating to reductions of 12.59% to 23.94%.
Maruti Suzuki Records Highest-Ever Monthly Wholesale Sales in October 2025
Hyundai Motor India Posts Flattish Shipments in October 2025
Tata Motors Holds Onto 40% Share of Electric PV Market in October, Kia the New No. 4 OEM
Even as the overall passenger vehicle market saw record wholesales of over 500,000 units in the festive month of October 2025, retail sales of electric passenger vehicles recovered last month after witnessing a month-on-month fall in September (16,354 units). October saw 17,783 zero emission cars, SUVs and MPVs being delivered across India, marking a 56% year-on-year increase (October 2024: 11,444 units) and 9% MoM growth.
Bajaj Auto Regains E-2W Crown, Industry Clocks 143,000 Units in Record-Breaking October
Retail sales of electric two-wheelers in India have registered their best-ever monthly numbers in October 2025. As per the latest retails sales data on the Vahan portal (7 am, November 1, 2025), 143,713 zero-emission scooters, motorcycles and mopeds were delivered to customers in October 2025.
This makes for 2% year-on-year growth on a large year-ago base (October 2024: 140,225 units) and translates into over 4,635 e-2Ws sold every day last month. Daily sales peaked at the end of the month what with 6,329 e-2Ws sold on October 30 and 7,737 units on October 31.
TVS Motor Sees Highest Ever Motorcycle Wholesales in India in October, Scooter Sees MoM Decline
Royal Enfield Records Best-Ever Festive Sales of 2.49 Lakh Units
Mahindra Trucks & Buses Posts 14% Sales Growth in October
Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Posts 10% Growth, Sells 37,530 Units in October 2025
Ashok Leyland Records 17,820 Units in October 2025
VE Commercial Vehicles Sales Jump 13.2% to 8,050 Units in October
Earnings Report Card
Maruti Suzuki Q2 Net Profit Rises 7.3%; Exports Hit Record High
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) reported a 7.3% year-on-year rise in its net profit to ₹3,293 crore for the July–September quarter of FY2025–26, compared with ₹3,069 crore in the same period last year. The company’s board approved the quarterly and half-yearly financial results at its meeting on Friday.
Net sales for the quarter grew 12.8% to ₹40,136 crore, up from ₹35,589 crore in Q2 FY2024–25, marking the company’s highest-ever quarterly revenue.
Hyundai Motor India Q2 Profit Rises 14.3%
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) reported a 14.3% year-on-year rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to ₹15,723 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, supported by improved margins and a strong export performance.
Revenue for Q2 FY26 stood at ₹174,608 million, up 1.2% year-on-year, while EBITDA rose 10.1% to ₹24,289 million. The EBITDA margin improved 113 basis points to 13.9%, driven by a favorable product and export mix and cost-optimization initiatives.
TVS Motor Company Reports Record-Breaking Q2 FY26 Performance with 29% Revenue Growth
TVS Motor Company Limited has announced its best-ever quarterly performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, posting record operating revenue of Rs. 11,905 crores, marking a robust 29% year-on-year growth compared to Rs. 9,228 crores in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company's operating EBITDA reached an all-time high of Rs. 1,509 crores, representing a remarkable 40% increase over the Rs. 1,080 crores reported in Q2 FY25. The EBITDA margin also expanded by 100 basis points to 12.7%, up from 11.7% in the same quarter last year, demonstrating improved operational efficiency and cost management.
JK Tyre Reports 54% Rise in Q2 Net Profit on Strong Volume Growth
Sona BLW Precision Forgings Reports 24% Revenue Growth in Q2 FY26
ASK Automotive Q2 Net Profit Rises 18.6% YoY to ₹80 Crore, Highest-Ever Quarterly Performance