A record run in PV exports, a reality check on EV adoption, a product reboot at Nissan, and the Supreme Court’s tighter line on older vehicles shaped the week.
21 Dec 2025 | 4639 Views | By Darshan Nakhwa
This week’s auto headlines converged around four themes that are likely to shape the market’s near-term direction: electrification, product pipelines, regulation and exports.
On electrification, Maruti Suzuki, which is preparing to introduce its first battery-electric model, openly acknowledged that EV adoption in India remains constrained by gaps between claimed ...
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This week’s auto headlines converged around four themes that are likely to shape the market’s near-term direction: electrification, product pipelines, regulation and exports.
On electrification, Maruti Suzuki, which is preparing to introduce its first battery-electric model, openly acknowledged that EV adoption in India remains constrained by gaps between claimed and real-world driving range, uneven charging infrastructure and lingering concerns around resale values. These issues mirror broader consumer hesitation in a market where internal combustion engine vehicles have become more affordable following recent GST changes, complicating the near-term economics of electric mobility despite rising awareness and interest.
Product strategy and regulation also came back into focus. Nissan outlined plans to expand its India line-up from a single model to three vehicles by the end of 2026, signalling a renewed attempt to regain relevance after years of limited market presence. At the same time, the Supreme Court’s modified order on older vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region brought regulatory enforcement back into focus, reinforcing that emissions compliance and vehicle-age limits will continue to influence replacement cycles in the country’s largest car market.
Meanwhile, even as domestic demand remained uneven after the festive peak, passenger-vehicle exports stood out as the clearest bright spot. Dispatches between April and November touched nearly 600,000 units, keeping the industry within reach of another all-time high for overseas shipments, even as a proposed tariff hike in Mexico injected fresh uncertainty into the export outlook.
Here’s the detailed round-up of all major developments from this week:
Here’s What Maruti Suzuki Thinks About EV Adoption Hurdles in India
Maruti Suzuki is preparing to launch its first battery electric vehicle – eVitara – in India, where the adoption of EVs is yet gain significant momentum. The automaker believes that people’s interest in EVs is growing, but the market is still held back by three major issues - real-world driving range, charging infrastructure, and uncertainty around resale value.
Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer for marketing and sales at Maruti Suzuki, believes that early EV experiences in India have had some negative impact on consumer confidence. “There have been concerns that the range that is being promised is not delivered. This creates a huge problem when consumers are making travel plans. That is one of the big concerns. Many customers believe that the electric vehicles’ range is not in line with the announced range,” he said.
Maruti Suzuki to Reassess FY30 EV Sales Outlook After GST Cut on ICE Vehicles
Maruti Suzuki to Introduce Assured Buyback Program, BaaS for eVitara
In a bid to make electric vehicles more attractive to consumers by addressing resale value concerns and higher initial acquisition cost, Maruti Suzuki plans to offer an assured buyback program and introduce Battery as a Service (BaaS) and subscription model for its first battery electric vehicle - eVitara.
Partho Banerjee, the company’s senior executive officer for marketing and sales, said concerns over the resale value of electric vehicles remain one of the major factors weighing on consumer confidence in EVs, apart from limited charging infrastructure, and the company plans to address this concern through an assured buyback program.
Nissan Plots India Comeback
Nissan Motor India is preparing to expand its passenger vehicle portfolio from a single-model lineup to three products by the end of 2026, marking the company's most significant market intervention following a prolonged period of product stagnation. The strategy relies heavily on leveraging Renault-Nissan Alliance platforms through badge-engineered variants, a cost-efficient approach that prioritizes market presence over product uniqueness.
The product rollout commences with the Gravite, a sub-compact MPV scheduled for unveiling in January 2026 with commercial launch targeted for March. Built on the same architecture as the Renault Triber, the Gravite is expected to command pricing between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 9 lakh at ex-showroom levels. Differentiation from its Alliance sibling will be achieved through modified front and rear fascias, distinct lighting elements, and altered wheel designs, though the fundamental package remains unchanged.
Nissan to Launch 7-Seater B-MPV Gravite in Early 2026
Supreme Court Reinstates Ban on Older Vehicles in Delhi-NCR
The Supreme Court has modified its earlier order to allow authorities to take action against 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles that do not meet BS-IV emission standards in the National Capital Region.
The ruling modifies the court's August 12 order, which had barred coercive action against owners of such vehicles, CNBC reported. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi passed the order at the request of the Delhi government, which sought action against older vehicles amid the air quality crisis in the national capital.
JSW MG Motor India to Raise Prices by Up to 2% from January 2026
JSW MG Motor India announced a price hike of up to 2% across its product range, effective January 1, 2026. The increase, which will vary by model and variant, is attributed to rising input costs and macroeconomic factors.
The price adjustment will apply to all vehicle offerings from the automaker, marking the company's response to current market conditions. The move follows similar announcements by other manufacturers, with Mercedes-Benz India and BYD India also implementing price increases from January 2026 due to rising operational costs and currency pressures.
BMW Motorrad India Announces Up to 6% Price Hike Effective January 2026
Tata Sierra Records 70,000 Bookings on First Day
Tata Motors recorded over 70,000 confirmed bookings for the Tata Sierra on the first day of bookings opening, with an additional 1.35 lakh customers submitting their preferred configuration as they progress to complete booking formalities.
The response follows the launch of the all-new Tata Sierra on November 25, 2025, by Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. The vehicle is positioned as a premium mid-SUV and is available with three powertrains: the 1.5L Kryojet Diesel, the 1.5L TGDi Hyperion petrol, and the 1.5L NA Revotron petrol.
Citroën India Reports Three-Fold Sales Increase in Q4 2025
Citroën India recorded a three-fold increase in Q4 2025 sales compared to Q3, driven by its Citroën 2.0 "Shift Into The New" strategy that focuses on localisation, dealer expansion, and customer experience improvements across the country.
The Citroën 2.0 strategy, unveiled in August 2025, outlines a roadmap to deepen localisation, expand dealer and service networks, and enhance product and ownership experiences. The company's vehicle exports also grew 18.8 percent in 2025, supported by demand from Africa and ASEAN markets.
Record 599,000 Cars, SUVs Exported in April-November, Upcoming Mexico Tariff Hike Casts a Shadow
Led by Maruti Suzuki, overseas shipments of made-in-India cars, sedans, SUVs and MPVs have hit a new high of nearly 600,000 units in the first 8 months of FY2026. As per SIAM export sales data, 599,276 passenger vehicles were dispatched to key global markets, up by a strong 20% YoY (April-November 2024: 498,763 units), which translates into an additional 100,513 units.
With four months left to go in the current fiscal year, this performance puts the PV industry in close sight of the highest export total yet: 770,364 units in FY2025. In the first eight months of FY2026, monthly PV exports have crossed the 80,000-units mark thrice: September (87,762 units), November 84,646 units) and August (82,246 units).
Bhavish Aggarwal Offloads Ola Electric Shares Worth Rs 91.9 Crore in Block Deal
At a time when Ola Electric is grappling with a consistent decline in sales and sharp erosion in market share, Co‑founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has reduced his stake in the company by 0.6%, selling shares worth Rs 91.89 crore. According to the bulk deal data from the National Stock Exchange, Aggarwal sold 2.63 crore shares at Rs 34.99 apiece on Tuesday.
Ola Electric, in a statement, said Aggarwal monetised the shares to fully repay a promoter-level loan amounting to INR 260 crore. “With this, all of the previously pledged 3.93% shares will be released, removing a critical overhang,” the company said.
PM E-DRIVE Delivers 1.13 Million Vehicles with Reduced Subsidies
India's PM E-DRIVE scheme delivered 1.13 million electric vehicles in its first year while offering half the per-vehicle subsidy compared to the previous FAME II program, according to a new study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
The scheme reduced per-unit demand incentives to INR 5,000 per kilowatt-hour, yet enabled 3.4 times higher annual EV volumes than FAME II. This performance suggests India's EV sector is gaining resilience and moving toward long-term economic integration.
Tata Group Reviews Clean Energy and EV Manufacturing Plans in Uttar Pradesh
The review covered several operational and planned initiatives across Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with over 240 million residents and growing industrial demand. The Bara thermal power plant in Prayagraj, with a capacity of 1,900 MW operating in a 360×3 configuration, was identified as a key contributor to the state's power supply and industrial energy needs. The facility forms part of the state's baseload power infrastructure, which supports both urban centers and industrial zones.
The conglomerate confirmed development of two 50 MW solar power plants in Bundelkhand and Prayagraj, adding to the state's renewable energy infrastructure. Bundelkhand, a region spanning parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, has been a focus area for solar development due to its high solar irradiation levels. Separately, rooftop solar installations are being implemented across 50 of the state's 75 districts as part of decentralized energy initiatives aimed at reducing transmission losses and improving energy access in rural areas.
HIVE and KPIT Partner on Light Electric Vehicle Innovation
HMC E-Valley Pvt. Ltd. (HIVE) and KPIT Technologies Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create an Independent Center of Excellence focused on light electric vehicles and micromobility solutions.
The partnership combines HIVE's manufacturing capabilities with KPIT Technologies' mobility software expertise to address the growing demand for sustainable urban transport solutions. The Center of Excellence will serve global micromobility and L-category electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers, including e-bicycle producers.
Oben Electric Raises Rs 85 Crore in Pre-Series B Funding Round
Oben Electric has raised Rs 85 crore in its Pre-Series B funding round, with participation from Indian American family offices including Raj K Soin, Musa Dakri, and Ramesh Bhutada, along with existing investors. The electric motorcycle manufacturer plans to use the funds for national retail expansion and new product launches, targeting Rs 100 crore revenue in FY26.
The company has achieved 10X revenue growth in the past 12 months and aims to reach COGS break-even by March 2026 and EBITDA break-even by 2027. Oben Electric also plans to scale to 150 exclusive showrooms and service centers by March 2026 and 500 showrooms within two years.
Esyasoft e-Mobility and Park+ Partner to Deploy 10,000 EV Chargers Across India
Esyasoft e-Mobility and Park+ have announced a strategic partnership to install 10,000 electric vehicle chargers across India over the next three years, representing a ₹100 crore investment aimed at strengthening the country's EV charging infrastructure.
The collaboration combines Park+'s extensive network across residential societies, corporate campuses, and commercial properties with Esyasoft e-Mobility's AI-enabled charging platform technology. The deployment will focus on making charging accessible in everyday environments where people live and work
Pulse Energy Partners with HPCL to Integrate 5,000 EV Chargers
India's EV Sales Projected to Reach 22 Million Units by 2035: KPMG
Olectra Greentech Faces ₹2.58 Crore Penalty for Facility Delay
Olectra Greentech Limited has received a penalty notice of ₹2,57,87,484 (including GST) from the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC) for delays in completing construction of its electric vehicle manufacturing facility.
The penalty covers the period from November 12, 2023, to November 11, 2025, and relates to the company's 150-acre Greenfield EV Manufacturing Facility at the Industrial Park in Seetharampur, Hyderabad. TGIIC has directed the company to remit the penalty amount within seven days of receiving the order, which was communicated on December 17, 2025.
Norwest Invests Rs 750 Crores in Padmini VNA Group for Minority Stake
Padmini VNA Group has secured a strategic growth investment of INR 750 crores from Norwest, marking a significant milestone for the automotive innovation and sustainable mobility solutions provider. The minority stake investment will accelerate the company's next phase of growth and innovation.
Founded in 1991, PVNA has established itself as a promoter-driven engineering enterprise with over three decades of manufacturing excellence and innovation. The company maintains a strong research and development culture, with more than 30 percent of its workforce dedicated to R&D activities and a portfolio of over 100 patents.
Kerala Advances India's First State-Led Electric Truck Corridor on NH-66
Kerala is positioning itself to establish India's first state-led electric truck corridor along National Highway 66, a critical freight route that handles substantial port and industrial cargo movement across the state.
The Kerala State Electricity Board Limited and the International Council on Clean Transportation convened a high-level workshop bringing together government officials, utilities, electric vehicle manufacturers, and logistics operators to develop the state's electric freight roadmap.
ZF Unveils Software-Based Noise Reduction Technology for Vehicle Chassis
Global automotive technology corporation ZF has announced a breakthrough in vehicle acoustics with its new Active Noise Reduction function, set to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. The innovation addresses a persistent challenge in vehicle comfort: tire cavity noise that penetrates the cabin through chassis components.
The software-based solution leverages existing hardware to achieve noise reduction without requiring additional dampening materials or acoustic equipment. By utilizing ZF's Smart Chassis Sensor equipped with an integrated acceleration sensor, the system continuously monitors vibrations transmitted from tires through chassis elements including control arms and dampers.
EU Revises 2035 Emissions Target, Allows Combustion Engines with Offsets
The European Commission unveiled a plan on December 16 to revise its effective ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035, according to Reuters. The proposal marks a shift in EU climate policy following pressure from the automotive sector in Germany and Italy.
Under the revised plan, EU targets would shift to a 90% cut in CO2 emissions from 2021 levels instead of the current requirement for all new cars and vans to have zero emissions from 2035. Automakers would be permitted to offset the remaining 10% of emissions by using lower-carbon steel produced in the EU and synthetic e-fuels or non-food biofuels such as agricultural waste and used cooking oil.
LG Energy Solution Terminates $6.5 Billion Battery Supply Deal with Ford
LG Energy Solution has terminated an electric vehicle battery supply contract with Ford Motor worth approximately 9.6 trillion won ($6.5 billion), the South Korean battery manufacturer announced in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.
The termination followed notification from Ford after the automaker decided to halt production of some EV models due to policy changes and shifts in demand outlook, Reuters reported. The canceled amount represents more than a third of LG Energy Solution's total revenue from last year, according to Bloomberg.
Former CEAT Managing Director S. Samuel Passes Away at 91
S. Samuel, former Managing Director of CEAT and a respected figure in India's tyre manufacturing industry, passed away on December 19, 2025, at the age of 91.
Samuel's career with CEAT spanned over three decades, beginning in 1960 when he joined as a management trainee. He progressed through various roles before being appointed Managing Director, where he significantly influenced the company's manufacturing operations and organizational development.
Long Reads
Bosch CTO: Why Multiple Pathways Now Define Automotive's Future
As 2025 draws to a close, the global automotive industry is shedding its old certainties. Electrification is no longer a monologue, AI is no longer a sidecar, and India is no longer a peripheral audience. At the IAA Mobility Show in Munich earlier this year, Bosch CTO Dr Mathias Pilin shared his views on a world in flux with Autocar Professional in an exclusive interview.
From Auto Parts to Systems: How Divgi TorqTransfer Is Rewriting Its Growth Playbook
When Divgi TorqTransfer Systems Ltd listed on the stock market in 2023, the move was not driven by short-term capital needs or a desire for visibility. For managing director Jitendra Divgi, the IPO marked the starting line of a much longer race, one aimed at building a ₹1,000 crore drivetrain business by the end of the decade.
At first glance, the ambition might appear aggressive for a company whose yearly revenue hover around the ₹300 crore mark. But Divgi’s confidence rests on a deliberate shift in strategy: moving away from being seen as a component supplier and repositioning the company as a system-level drivetrain partner, both in India and overseas.
Tired of Uber/Ola Cancellations? Jindal Group May Have an Answer
Enter Trevel, a new mobility startup co-founded by Sahil Jindal, Managing Director of the DS Jindal Group, proposes a fundamentally different approach to solving this problem. Launched in Gurugram earlier this month, Trevel positions itself as a "mass-premium" electric mobility platform where quality isn't enforced after complaints—it's designed into the system from the ground up.
"For years, urban mobility has trained us to compromise," Jindal wrote in a recent LinkedIn post announcing the venture. "Late arrivals. Last-minute cancellations. Dirty cars. Awkward calls asking for the drop location. We accepted it because we were told this was 'how the system works.' At Trevel, we decided not to accept that."
Video Playlist
Inside JSW MG’s Playbook for Profitable EVs in India
In this in-depth conversation with Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, we unpack what it will take to make electric vehicles profitable and scalable in the Indian market.
Mehrotra explains how declining EV costs are pushing adoption beyond tier-1 cities, why localisation and in-house battery assembly are critical to achieving sustainable margins, and how JSW MG’s Halol manufacturing plant is gearing up to scale from 70,000 units to a 100,000-unit capacity with more products on the way.
Lumax Auto Targets ₹6,500 Cr revenue by 2028 with Fuel-Agnostic Strategy
In this conversation with Vikas Marwah, CEO, Lumax Auto Technologies, we discuss the company’s ambitious growth roadmap and how it is positioning itself for an uncertain mobility transition.
Marwah outlines Lumax’s target of ₹6,500 crore in revenue and ₹1,000 crore in EBITDA by 2028, the role of an aggressive M&A strategy in accelerating scale, and why a fuel-agnostic approach is central to de-risking EV investments.
Gulf Oil Targets ₹400–500 Crore Charger Revenue in 4–5 Years: Ravi Chawla
In this conversation with Ravi Chawla, MD & CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, we explore how the company is building a significant EV mobility business beyond its traditional lubricants portfolio.
Chawla shares insights from Gulf Oil’s four-year EV mobility value-chain study, the rationale behind investments in Indra, ElectreeFi and Tirex chargers, and the company’s ambition to generate ₹400–500 crore in EV charging revenue over the next 4–5 years.
Insights & Interpretation
What’s Fueling Competition in India’s Battery Energy Storage Market, and Why It’s a Good Thing
India’s battery energy storage market is rapidly evolving from an emerging concept into a vibrant, competitive sector. Strong policy support, ambitious renewable energy targets, falling technology costs, and growing private-sector participation have transformed the landscape. This competition benefits the economy and energy system by lowering costs, improving quality and innovation, and strengthening grid reliability.
Beyond the Finish Line: Why a Coherent Data Strategy is the Ultimate Engineering Marvel
One of the most thrilling events on the Formula 1 calendar,the VegasGrand Prix just concluded, offering a glimpse into the pinnacle of motorsport. The F1 car is an adrenaline-filled showcase of how cutting-edge engineering and precise design come together in the relentless pursuit of speed and performance.
In many ways, F1 is also a fitting metaphor for how organisations approach Agentic AI. Just as a huge part of an F1 driver’s success is determined by their car, an AI agent’s performance is also informed by data. A driver’s skill is crucial, but it can’t overcome the limitations of a slow car. Similarly, the best AI agents are ineffective without trusted and unified data.
Entry & Exits
Greaves Cotton Names Santosh Singh as Chief Strategy and AI Officer
Greaves Cotton Limited has appointed Santosh Singh to the newly created position of Chief Strategy and AI Officer, the company announced today. Singh will be based in Mumbai and report to Managing Director and Group CEO Parag Satpute.
In his new role, Singh will oversee strategy development, transformation initiatives, AI-driven enterprise capability building, and business excellence across the group. His primary mandate centers on executing Greaves.NEXT, the company's strategic roadmap for growth across its three core business areas: Energy, Mobility, and Industrial Solutions.
Pankaj Gupta Resigns as Sterling Tools CFO
Sterling Tools Ltd on Monday said its Chief Financial Officer, Pankaj Gupta, has resigned and will step down from his position effective December 31, 2025.
The company informed stock exchanges that Gupta submitted his resignation to pursue other professional opportunities aligned with his long-term career goals. He confirmed there were no other material reasons for his departure.