India’s automotive industry entered July with policy debates, fresh investments and strong June sales keeping companies and regulators busy. The government moved to contain growing criticism of E20 petrol, even as automakers and suppliers prepared for higher ethanol blends and alternative powertrains.
Concerns around China’s role in India’s electric-vehicle ecosystem also intensified. The government initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Chinese electric goods transport tractors, while mobile applications allegedly capable of remotely interfering with electric rickshaws brought vehicle cybersecurity into focus.
On the investment front, Hero MotoCorp broke ground on its second Global Parts Centre in Andhra Pradesh as part of a planned investment of more than Rs 3,200 crore in the state. Auto-component companies also announced acquisitions, capacity expansion and technology partnerships.
June sales provided the strongest indication of market momentum. Passenger-vehicle wholesales crossed the four-lakh-unit mark for the fifth consecutive month, while electric car and electric two-wheeler registrations rose sharply. Tata Motors’ Punch and Nexon led the model-wise wholesale chart, Maruti Suzuki retained its overall lead, and TVS Motor moved ahead of Hero MotoCorp and Honda in combined domestic and export two-wheeler volumes.
Here is a detailed round-up of the key developments that shaped the automotive industry during the week:
India Moves to Quell E20 Fuel Backlash
India's government on Friday sought to contain a growing backlash against its mandatory use of 20% ethanol-blended petrol, as consumers unhappy about lower fuel efficiency and vehicle performance planned a protest against the policy, Reuters reported.
The mandate to use the blend, called E20, came into force last year but has become one of the biggest political flashpoints for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and motorists in the world's third-biggest car market, according to Reuters.
Toyota Pins Viral Hycross Breakdown on Contaminated Fuel, While Industry Experts Defend E20 in Delhi
Beyond E20: How Geopolitical Crisis and an Industry Standstill Forced India to Redraw its Ethanol Roadmap
In the last week of January, at a session tucked into the expanse of 'India Energy Week' in Goa, something resembling a small parliament convened in one of the meeting auditorium halls. About five dozen people; men and women from oil marketing companies, ethanol producers, vehicle engineers, a scattering of bureaucrats, pulled their chairs into loose oval shaped sittings to ask a question that sounded almost philosophical in its simplicity: What comes after E20?
India Starts Investigation Against Chinese Electric Tractors
India has started an anti-dumping investigation into imports of electric goods transport tractors in 6x4 and 4x2 axle configurations originating in or exported from China, following allegations that dumped imports have caused material injury to the domestic industry. The investigation was initiated by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) after receiving an application from domestic manufacturer IPLTech Electric Pvt Ltd.
The applicant has claimed to be a major domestic producer of the product in India and alleged that dumped imports from China have adversely affected the domestic industry. The DGTR said the company satisfies the standing requirements under India’s anti-dumping rules and represents a major proportion of domestic production of the like article during the period of investigation.
PMO Advisor Tarun Kapoor Calls For Reducing China's Grip on India's EV Supply Chain
Viral Bluetooth App Sparks E-Rickshaw Cybersecurity Concerns
A series of viral videos showing smartphone applications allegedly being used to remotely stop electric rickshaws has raised concerns over cybersecurity in India’s low-speed EV market. The issue gained urgency after the government blocked several mobile applications suspected of interfering with electric vehicles, shortly after proposing mandatory cybersecurity and software-update norms for connected vehicles. Reports also indicated that some of the blocked battery-management applications were linked to China, highlighting the risks posed by unsecured third-party software in EV systems.
Hero MotoCorp to Invest Over Rs 3,200 Crore in Andhra Pradesh, Breaks Ground for New Parts Centre
Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, held a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony on Wednesday for its second Global Parts Centre (GPC) in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, marking the start of an investment roadmap exceeding Rs 3,200 crore in the state.
The new facility itself represents an investment of over Rs 750 crore and is intended to serve as a strategic hub for the company's domestic and international spare parts operations. With the expansion, the Tirupati plant's annual production capacity is expected to scale to between 1.2 million and 1.5 million units. The company noted that its entire electric vehicle portfolio is designed, engineered and manufactured at the Tirupati facility.
HD Kumaraswamy Meets EV Startup Founders Seeking PLI Inclusion
TVS Motor Crafts Two-Track Global Push: Mass Mobility and Norton
TVS Motor Company is building a two-track global growth strategy, using affordable personal and commercial mobility products to expand in emerging markets while betting on Norton Motorcycles to enter luxury segments in Western markets.
Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia will be the main growth markets for the company’s mass-mobility business, according to its FY26 annual report. Norton, the British motorcycle brand owned by TVS Motor, will support its premiumisation strategy and improve its global brand image.
Generative AI Is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: TVS Motor Chairman
Maruti Suzuki Takes Patient Approach to Flex-Fuel Cars as E85 Network Expands
India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, today said it will take a patient approach to the flex-fuel vehicle business, focusing first on helping build an ethanol-fuel ecosystem rather than chasing immediate sales volumes.
"We are in no hurry to see results," Maruti Suzuki Senior Executive Officer (Corporate Affairs) Rahul Bharti said during a media interaction. "What is more important is to take the first step and give confidence to the other stakeholders that they can also start investing and build the pillars of the ecosystem."
Delhi Govt Drops Hybrid Tax Relief; Maruti Suzuki Calls Move 'Surprising'
India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, has questioned the Delhi government’s decision to remove incentives for strong-hybrid cars from its final electric-vehicle policy, saying the move puts the cleaner technology on the same tax footing as diesel vehicles.
The draft Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2026-30 had proposed a 50 per cent exemption from road tax and registration charges for strong-hybrid cars priced up to Rs 30 lakh. However, the benefit was left out of the policy approved by the Delhi Cabinet.
Maruti Suzuki Diverts Middle East Exports Via Longer Routes
Avinya to Combine Global EV Platform With Indian Design, Manufacturing: Shailesh Chandra
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd will combine a globally developed electric-vehicle platform with Indian design, vehicle integration and manufacturing for the first model under its premium Avinya brand, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shailesh Chandra said.
The first Avinya product will use an architecture selected through collaboration involving Jaguar Land Rover and its Chinese joint venture, Chery Jaguar Land Rover, or CJLR. Tata Motors will draw on partner technologies and components that have already achieved scale and maturity, while retaining control over key parts of the vehicle-development programme.
Avinya: Tata Motors' Ultimate Premium Test
Sierra.ev, Harrier.ev Put Tata Motors’ Premium EV Strategy to the Test
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles’ launch of the Sierra.ev at Rs 18.79 lakh will test whether the carmaker can use a common electric-vehicle technology base to expand its premium SUV portfolio without merely shifting buyers from one model to another.
The Sierra.ev enters the market alongside the Harrier.ev with overlapping prices, similar battery capacities, common drive units and broadly comparable performance. Tata Motors is banking on differences in size, design, cabin experience and vehicle character to separate the two.
Tata Motors Launches Sierra.ev at Rs 18.79 Lakh; Offers Over 500-Km Real-World Range, QWD
Lamborghini Unveils Urus SE Performante, Its Most Powerful SUV Yet
India’s Electric-Car Penetration May Touch 8% by FY27-End: Shailesh Chandra
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd expects electric passenger vehicles to account for 7.5-8 per cent of India’s car market by the end of financial year 2026-27, as new products, lower ownership barriers and higher fuel costs draw more mainstream buyers towards electric cars.
Electric-car penetration rose from around 2.5 per cent in FY25 to 4.5 per cent in FY26 and is likely to remain between 6.5 per cent and 7 per cent in the first quarter of FY27, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shailesh Chandra said.
Tata Motors Targets 1.3 Million Annual Capacity as Demand Outpaces Production
Tata Motors Targets $35-40 Billion Revenue with Iveco Acquisition, Sees 40–60% Growth: N Chandrasekaran
Tata Motors Chairman N Chandrasekaran said the proposed integration with Iveco Group is expected to create a larger commercial vehicle business with combined revenue rising to about $35 billion to $40 billion over the next five years from around $25 billion now. This translates into 40-60% growth during the targeted period.
Responding to stakeholder queries at the company’s latest annual general meeting, Chandrasekaran said the Iveco acquisition would be financed through a mix of debt and internal cash generation. He said the debt would be serviced and repaid through Iveco Group’s future cash flows, and no equity dilution is envisaged.
Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Declares Dividend on Strong FY26 Results
Tata Motors, Castrol India Sign MoU to Recycle Used Engine Oil
Tenneco, Tata Technologies Deepen Partnership with $100 Million Commitment
Tata Technologies and Tenneco LLC, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of advanced mobility products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, have marked a new milestone in their long-standing global partnership, reinforcing plans to scale future-ready capabilities from India.
The two companies formalized the expanded agreement at a signing ceremony held on June 30 at Bombay House in Mumbai, the headquarters of the Tata Group. The venue underscored the growing strategic weight the companies are placing on the relationship.
Mahindra to Inject Rs 471 Crore into Turkey Foundry Before Sale, Closing Pushed to August
Mahindra & Mahindra will put in nearly double the cash it first planned before selling its Turkey foundry business, and the sale will now close in mid-August instead of by the end of July.
The company is exiting Erkunt Foundry, a small Turkish unit it holds through overseas subsidiaries. It agreed to sell the business in April and has now changed the terms, it told stock exchanges on 30 June.
Volkswagen to End Bosch Automated Driving Partnership
German carmaker Volkswagen plans to end its automated driving tie-up with auto supplier Bosch as part of a wider push to cut costs and boost competitiveness, Germany’s Bild newspaper reported on Sunday, citing multiple sources, Reuters reported.
The Bosch partnership was launched in 2022 with Volkswagen’s software unit Cariad to develop software for driver assistance and autonomous driving across Volkswagen’s brands.
Uno Minda to Step Up Capacity, New-Technology Investments in FY27: MD Mehra
Uno Minda will maintain a strong investment focus on capacity expansion and new capabilities in FY27 as it seeks higher value addition and market-share gains in its existing businesses while scaling electric-vehicle and other emerging technology platforms, Managing Director Ravi Mehra said.
The auto-component maker expects the automotive industry to sustain its growth momentum during the current financial year and beyond. It plans to follow a dual strategy of expanding core businesses and building new product segments linked to electrification, connected vehicles and vehicle premiumisation.
‘Uno Minda Is Positioned to Aggressively Expand Its Global Footprint,’ Says Nirmal Minda
Lubrizol Sees India's Fuel Diversity as Its Biggest Opportunity
Every morning, Lubrizol runs a war room. Supply updates, freight movement, inventory levels, cost escalations — the meetings are daily, sometimes urgent. The West Asia conflict has made that necessary. "You have big plans," says Abhishek Shrivastava, Managing Director for India, Middle East and Africa at the specialty chemical company, "and then suddenly, you are worried about how to run a manufacturing plant based on limited feedstocks and energy."
That anxiety, however, sits alongside a conviction: that India is becoming one of the most important markets in Lubrizol's global portfolio, and that the country's unusual automotive structure is the reason why.
"Software Has Become the Primary Value Driver in Automotive": Vector Informatik
Dr Matthias Traub, President & Managing Director, Vector Informatik GmbH, on software-defined vehicles, AI-driven development, automotive software ecosystems and what India must do to emerge as a leader in software-defined mobility.
Software-defined vehicles have evolved from being a technology buzzword into one of the automotive industry’s most important strategic priorities. As vehicles become increasingly connected, software-driven and updateable throughout their lifecycle, the conversation is expanding beyond electronics and code to include organisational structures, development methodologies, partnerships and engineering talent.
Rane (Madras) Signs Agreement to Acquire Hindustan Composites Friction Business for Rs 370 Crore
Automotive component manufacturer Rane (Madras) Limited has signed a business transfer agreement to acquire the friction business of Hindustan Composites Limited, the company announced on Tuesday. The transaction will be executed as a going concern on a slump sale basis for an enterprise value of Rs 370 crore, subject to finalized contractual terms and customary closing conditions.
The target business operates two manufacturing plants located in Paithan and Bhandara, Maharashtra, and possesses over 60 years of manufacturing experience across the automotive, railway, agricultural tractor, and industrial segments. Its manufacturing portfolio includes products such as brake pads, brake linings, clutch facings, and brake blocks, supported by localized research and development and a national distribution network.
ASSOCHAM Outlines 20-Sector Policy Engagement Plan at Electric Mobility Conference
ASSOCHAM has outlined a 20-sector policy engagement framework under its ASSOCHAM 2.0 initiative, with sector-specific councils set to engage regularly with government ministries to identify industry challenges, recommend policy reforms, and support India’s manufacturing and economic ambitions.
Speaking at the ASSOCHAM National Conference on Building India as an Electric Mobility Hub for Viksit Bharat, ASSOCHAM President Nirmal Minda said each of the 20 priority sectors would be led by a chairman and co-chairman, who would meet every month to identify industry issues, prepare concise policy notes with actionable recommendations, and share global best practices with the government. He said the objective was to strengthen manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and improve India’s global competitiveness.
Nirmal Minda Says Delhi EV Policy 2.0 Could Be a Model for States
Video Playlist
Why 4x4s Matter More Than Their Sales Numbers
Four-wheel-drive vehicles account for only a small fraction of overall passenger vehicle sales in India, but their influence extends well beyond volumes. From strengthening a brand's image to showcasing engineering capability and creating aspirational halo products, 4x4s often have a disproportionate impact on how manufacturers are perceived.
In this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast, Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India, and Sergius Barretto, Managing Editor, Autocar India, discuss why 4x4s remain strategically important, how they contribute to brand identity, and whether they continue to have a place in an increasingly electrified and urban-focused automotive market.
How Ultraviolette Is Building a Global EV Brand from India
What does it take to build an automotive technology company from the ground up in one of the world's most competitive mobility markets? In Episode 3 of Start to Scale, Autocar Professional's Prerna Lidhoo speaks with Narayan Subramaniam, Co-founder and CEO of Ultraviolette Automotive, about the company's evolution from a Bengaluru startup into one of India's best-known electric two-wheeler brands.
Narayan reflects on Ultraviolette's decade-long journey, explaining how Tesla's early strategy influenced the company's thinking, why it chose to begin with premium, high-performance motorcycles, and the challenges of developing core EV technologies in-house—from battery packs and thermal management systems to vehicle software, connected features and AI-enabled capabilities. He also discusses the company's fundraising journey, its focus on building proprietary intellectual property, and its expansion into European markets.
June Sales
India Auto Sales June '26: PVs Up 27%, EVs Boom, Margins Under Pressure
India's auto sector continues its strong run: passenger vehicle sales crossed the 4-lakh-unit mark for the fifth consecutive month, growing 27% in June '26. Auto industry expert Arun Malhotra breaks down the numbers across segments: 2W up 22%, CV up 28%, 3W up 20%, and tractors up 14-15%.
In this conversation, we discuss consumer sentiment in rural and urban markets, petrol's 45% share of PV volumes, the mass acceptance of CNG, Delhi's EV policy and its possible adoption by neighbouring states, hybrid policy treatment, EV penetration trends (7.5% in PVs, 11% in 2Ws, 34% in scooters), retail vs wholesale trends, monsoon impact on sales, and why OEM margins may stay under pressure in Q1 FY27.
TVS Outpaces Hero and Honda in Combined Sales for June 2026
TVS Motor Company recorded total global two-wheeler sales of 565,417 units in June 2026, positioning the manufacturer ahead of both Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) in combined wholesale volumes. While domestic sales saw TVS rank third behind its main competitors, a substantial international shipping footprint altered the overall volume rankings.
According to consolidated market data, TVS exported 154,403 scooters and motorcycles last month. In comparison, international shipments for the same period stood at 59,325 units for Honda and 38,269 units for Hero. Backed by this export performance, TVS's total combined volume expanded 47 percent year-on-year compared to June 2025. Honda also posted total volume growth of 26 percent to reach 528,281 units, while Hero reported a 2.3 percent decline, finishing at 541,159 combined units.
Here are detailed reports on Bajaj Auto, Suzuki Motorcycle India, Royal Enfield, TVS Motor Company, Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India
Maruti Suzuki Posts 23.7 Percent YoY Growth for June in Domestic Passenger Vehicles
Maruti Suzuki India Limited recorded a total sales volume of 200,390 units in June 2026, marking a 19.3 percent increase over the 167,993 units dispatched in the same month last year, albeit down on the 242,688 units sold in the previous month of May 2026. According to the company, the overall performance was led by strong volume growth across its core domestic passenger vehicle categories.
Total domestic passenger vehicle sales grew 23.7 percent year-on-year to reach 147,187 units. Within this passenger car architecture, the entry-level mini sub-segment, which includes the Alto and S-Presso models, saw a 78 percent volume increase to 11,416 units, compared to 6,414 units in June 2025. The combined compact and mid-size passenger car sub-segment, spanning models such as the Baleno, Celerio, Ciaz, Dzire, Ignis, Swift, and WagonR, expanded 15.6 percent to 63,815 units. Collectively, these segments accounted for 75,231 units during the month, up 22.1 percent year-on-year.
Here are detailed reports on Hyundai Motor India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kia India, Skoda Auto India, Renault India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and JSW MG Motor
Tata Punch, Nexon Take Top Two Spots in June Passenger Vehicles Sales
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles’ Punch and Nexon emerged as India’s two highest-selling passenger vehicles by wholesale dispatches in June 2026, helping the automaker retain the second position in the domestic passenger-vehicle market during the month.
The Punch recorded wholesales of 21,006 units, while the Nexon followed with 18,335 units, according to model-wise industry data. The two Tata SUVs finished ahead of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, which clocked 17,899 units, and the WagonR, at 16,952 units.
Tata Motors' Multi-Powertrain Strategy Pays off as EV, CNG Account for Nearly Half of June Sales
Tata Motors PV June Dispatches Jump 69 Percent, Supply Bottlenecks Hit Sierra Output
Fuel Price Shock Accelerates India's Shift Away From Petrol as EV, CNG Penetration Hit Record Highs
Rising fuel prices following the geopolitical tensions in West Asia have accelerated India's ongoing shift towards alternative powertrains, pushing petrol's share of passenger vehicle retail sales below 50 per cent for the first time while electric vehicles and CNG models climbed to record levels in June.
Retail registration data from the government's VAHAN portal shows petrol vehicles accounted for 49.6 per cent of passenger vehicle sales during June, compared with 54.2 percent in 2025. CNG penetration climbed to an all-time high of 24.5 per cent, while battery electric vehicles reached a record 7.7 percent of the market.
Q1 FY27: Tata Motors Pulls Clear at No. 2 on Strong Punch, Nexon and Sierra Demand
Led by incremental volumes from the Sierra and sustained demand for the Punch and Nexon, Tata Motors has consolidated its position as India's second-largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, opening FY27 with its strongest quarterly retail performance in recent years.
Vahan registration data shows Tata Motors retailed 174,299 passenger vehicles during the April-June quarter, up 39.5% from 124,984 units a year earlier. Its market share expanded to 14.2%, from 12.5% in the corresponding quarter last year.
Supply Chain and Middle East Disruptions Pull Down JLR Quarterly Wholesales by 9 Percent
Q1 FY27: India's EV Market Doubles as Tata Extends Lead, New Entrants Shake Up Rankings
India’s electric passenger vehicle market nearly doubled in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, driven by a surge in volumes at market leader Tata Motors and a wave of new entrants including Maruti Suzuki and Vietnam's VinFast.
Retail EV registrations rose 89.3% year-on-year to 82,737 units in the April-June quarter, up from 43,710 units a year earlier, according to government Vahan data.
Indian Electric Passenger Vehicle Market Hits 7.6 Percent Retail Penetration: BNP Paribas
Mahindra's EV Mix Hits Record 14.4% in June as XEV 9e, 9S Lift Electric SUV Sales
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Retains Top Spot in Electric Commercial Vehicles
Record Half-Million Electric Two-Wheeler Sales Power India's Strongest-Ever Quarter
India's electric two-wheeler market crossed a significant milestone in the April-June quarter, with retail registrations crossing the five lakh mark for the first time. Registrations rose 68 percent year-on-year to a record 523,548 units, up from 311,857 units in the same quarter last year.
The momentum carried into June, when registrations climbed 75 percent year-on-year and 12 percent over May to 193,495 units, according to Vahan data.
Ola Electric Reports Sequential Registration Surge for First Quarter
Hero MotoCorp Refreshes Brand Identity for EV Arm Vida
Pre-buying Surge, Steep Discounts by Dealers, Softer Loans and Enhanced Funding Push CV Wholesales in June
The Indian commercial vehicle (CV) industry witnessed a significant wholesale volume surge in June 2026, as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) reported robust double-digit growth across most segments. This uptick was primarily fuelled by anticipated price hikes, huge discounts offered by dealers, a favourable financing environment and a resurgence in core industrial activities.
Here are detailed reports on Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors' VECV, SML Mahindra, and Mahindra
Here are detailed reports on tractor sales in June: Mahindra & Mahindra, Sonalika Tractors, Escorts Kubota
Entry, Exit and Elevation
Valeo Appoints Jean-Luc Terrasse As CEO Of Light Division
Valeo has appointed Jean-Luc Terrasse as Chief Executive Officer of its Light Division and Group Executive Vice President, effective July 1, 2026. In his new role, Terrasse will report directly to CEO Christophe Périllat and become a member of the company's Executive Committee.
Terrasse succeeds Maurizio Martinelli, who is retiring after 26 years with the company. Valeo said the leadership transition comes as its Light Division continues to play a central role in the company's ELEVATE 2028 strategic plan, with a focus on profitable growth and lighting technologies for future mobility.
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Names Rozmán CEO
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies announced a change in its top leadership on Wednesday, with Dr. Alexander Rozmán assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Dr. Matthias Sckuhr, who is moving to the Management Board of the Freudenberg Group, where he will take on responsibility for Engineering, Data and Artificial Intelligence at the group level.
Rozmán brings extensive international management experience and a longstanding familiarity with the Freudenberg Group to the position. He most recently served as CEO of Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, where he led strategic development and helped drive the company's transformation and international expansion.
CVG Names Abhijit Joshi Managing Director of India Business
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (CVG) has announced the appointment of Abhijit Joshi as Managing Director of its India business, effective immediately.
Joshi brings more than two decades of leadership experience across global and Indian industrial, automotive, off-highway, and engineering sectors. Over the course of his career, he has led businesses through periods of profitable growth, strengthened customer partnerships, and built high-performing teams across diverse markets.
MapmyIndia Names Former CEO Rohan Verma as Joint MD to Head AI Expansion
C.E. Info Systems Limited, widely known as MapmyIndia, has designated its former CEO, Rohan Verma, as the company’s Joint Managing Director with effect from July 1, 2026. The executive transition follows an official board decision announced from New Delhi.
In his new capacity, Verma will work alongside the executive team to supervise the advancement of the company's artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, and Internet of Things product portfolios. Rakesh Verma, Chairman and Managing Director of MapmyIndia, stated that the appointment is structured to address changing market requirements by aligning the company’s innovation and marketing strategies with emerging deep-tech formats.