The festive season may still be weeks away, but India's automotive industry has started shifting gears. Automakers used the week to unveil new products, announce expansion plans and sharpen future strategies. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India unveiled 10 new two-wheeler models across petrol, electric and flex-fuel technologies, while Bajaj Auto announced a complete makeover of its portfolio and Maruti Suzuki launched updated Brezza.
Beyond product launches, the week also brought major corporate and policy developments. Sona Comstar strengthened its electrification plans through new joint ventures with DENSO while signalling more acquisitions ahead. Gabriel India made strategic investments to expand into advanced automotive electronics and strengthen its position within the ANAND Group. TVS Motor is exploring separation of its financial services arm, including TVS Credit, to unlock value, while a new consumer movement - the E20 Janta Party – is bringing fresh attention to India's ethanol blending programme by demanding the option to buy 100% petrol alongside E20 fuel.
Honda Unveils 10 Two-Wheeler Models Across ICE, EV, Flex-Fuel
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India unveiled 10 two-wheelers across ICE, electric and flex-fuel technologies ahead of the festive season. The company reaffirmed its multi-pathway strategy, combining advanced ICE, EVs and alternative fuels, while expanding localisation and manufacturing to strengthen its position in India.
Read more
JSW in Advanced Talks to Buy Into Volkswagen's India Business
JSW Group is in advanced talks to acquire a stake, potentially a majority holding, in Volkswagen AG's India business. The deal would bring fresh capital to the German carmaker's local unit, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Read more
After Cockroach Janta Party, E20 Janta Party Emerges With a Fuel Choice Demand
A consumer rights campaign, E20 Janta Party, has emerged seeking the option to buy 100% petrol alongside E20 fuel, calling for greater choice and transparency. As protests and political support gather momentum, the Centre continues to defend its ethanol-blending programme as safe, cleaner and scientifically validated.
Read more
Bajaj Auto to Introduce 10 Models, Including 2 New Pulsar Motorcycles by Festival Season
Bajaj Auto will launch 10 new motorcycles over the next six weeks, including all-new Pulsar 125cc and 150cc models, completing a portfolio refresh before the festive season. The company will also expand its Chetak electric scooter range and introduce new EV offerings in the coming months.
Read more
TVS Motor Explores Separating Financial Services Business
TVS Motor is evaluating options, including a possible separation of its financial services business, to strengthen operations and unlock shareholder value. Chairman Sudarshan Venu said the unit, including TVS Credit Services, has become a significant part of the group's business after years of investment.
Read more
Bajaj Auto to Expand Manufacturing Capacity by Over 25%
Bajaj Auto said it will expand annual manufacturing capacity by over 25% over the coming quarters, increasing output from around 7 million to over 9 million units. The expansion aims to address capacity constraints and support rising demand for electric vehicles, premium motorcycles and exports.
Read more
Gabriel to buy 30% stake in HL Klemove India for Rs 948 crore
Gabriel India agreed to acquire a nearly 30% stake in HL Klemove India for about Rs 948 crore, forming a joint venture with South Korea's HL Klemove. The deal marks the company's entry into autonomous driving and automotive electronics, including ADAS, radar, LiDAR and vehicle control systems.
Read more
Sona Comstar, DENSO Form Joint Ventures for Electric, Hybrid Powertrains
Sona Comstar and DENSO will form two joint ventures in India to manufacture electric and hybrid powertrain systems. The partnerships will serve passenger, commercial, two- and three-wheeler segments, combining technology, manufacturing and intellectual property to strengthen local EV component production.
Read more
Market Will Surely Hear Something On M&A From Sona Comstar: CFO Rohit Nanda
Sona Comstar said mergers and acquisitions will remain central to its long-term growth strategy alongside organic expansion and joint ventures. The company expects future M&A announcements, while its strengthened cash position following the Denso deal provides financial flexibility to pursue new opportunities.
Read more
Gabriel India to Buy 28.99% Stake in HL Mando Anand from Promoter for Rs 2,231 Cr
Gabriel India agreed to acquire a 28.99% stake in HL Mando ANAND India for Rs 2,231 crore from its promoter, marking a key step in consolidating the ANAND Group's automotive businesses. The deal will be funded through a mix of cash and preferential share issuance.
Read more
Harman India in Talks with 2W, CV Makers to Supply Infotainment Systems
Harman India is in discussions with multiple two-wheeler and commercial vehicle manufacturers to supply in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and cockpit domain controller (CDC) systems.
Read more
MAHLE Explores India Debut for AI Cabin System; Flags Rare-Earth-Free Motor Potential
MAHLE is positioning India as a launchpad for AI-based cabin climate technology and rare-earth-free electric motors, while promoting range extenders as a bridge to electric heavy trucks. Despite expecting flat automotive OE growth globally, the company is betting on aftermarket, thermal management and non-automotive businesses, targeting a doubling of India revenue over the next five years.
Read more
Read more
Read more
N.A.N. MagneTech to Build ₹1,250 Crore Magnet Facility in Andhra Pradesh
N.A.N. GreenMet will invest Rs 1,250 crore to set up an integrated NdFeB rare-earth magnet manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. Commercial production is scheduled for early 2028, with plans to scale capacity to 10,000 tonnes annually to serve India's automotive and industrial sectors
Read more
Flex Fuel To Remain A Key Pillar Of Honda 2Ws' Multi-Pathway Strategy: Krishnakumar
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India reaffirmed flex-fuel as a key pillar of its multi-pathway strategy, unveiling the E85-compatible ADV 160 scooter. The company said flex-fuel, electric and ICE technologies will coexist, addressing diverse customer needs as India's ethanol blending programme accelerates.
Read more
Maruti Leads Clean Energy Vehicle Market with 54% Share; New Brezza to Strengthen Lead: Partho Banerjee
Maruti Suzuki said it holds a 54% share of India's clean energy vehicle market, spanning CNG, hybrid and EVs. The company expects the refreshed Brezza, featuring new turbo-petrol and underbody CNG variants, to strengthen its leadership as production capacity expands.
Read more
Who India's Automakers Paid The Most in Their Record Sales Year?
Executive remuneration dispatches from annual disclosures show sharp pay increases and wide median-employee pay gaps during a record sales year for Indian automakers.
Read more
Not Actively Looking, But Open to Partnership for KTM: Bajaj Auto
Bajaj Auto is open to inducting a strategic partner into KTM if one shares the brand's long-term vision, but is not actively seeking investors. The company remains focused on supporting KTM's turnaround following its restructuring, refinancing and leadership transition under independent management.
Read more
Tractor Sales Grow in June, Monsoon Risks Cloud FY27 OutlookIndia's tractor market stayed strong in June, with wholesale sales rising 11.9% and retail sales 25.3%, aided by a low base and GST cuts. ICRA expects growth to moderate through FY2027 due to a high base, lower kharif acreage and weak monsoon prospects.
Read more
TVS Motor Sees FY27 2W Industry Volume Growing in Double Digits
TVS Motor projected double-digit growth for India's two-wheeler industry this financial year, citing healthy consumer demand, rising EV adoption and improving affordability. The company expects stronger momentum in the second quarter, supported by robust domestic demand, exports, replacement purchases and continued growth in electric vehicle adoption.
Read more
Electric Mobility Best Suited for Dense Urban Areas, Says Honda
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said electric mobility is best suited to urban markets with reliable charging infrastructure, reaffirming its multi-pathway strategy. The company unveiled the QC3 Family electric scooter as a pilot while continuing to invest in ICE, flex-fuel and premium motorcycles.
Read more
TAFE Motors and DEUTZ Inaugurate Engine Plant in Rajasthan
TAFE Motors and Tractors inaugurated a new engine assembly line in Rajasthan through its joint venture with Germany's DEUTZ AG. The facility will manufacture licensed engines for domestic and export markets, supporting agriculture, logistics and industrial equipment while expanding the group's annual engine production capacity by 2030.
Read more
US OEMs Trend Towards Hybrids, Chinese Towards BEVs: Sona Comstar CFO
Sona Comstar said global automakers are adopting region-specific powertrain strategies, with US manufacturers favouring hybrids and Chinese OEMs prioritising battery electric vehicles. The company continues to build a diversified order book spanning both technologies while expanding its global EV business.
Read more
Full Plants, Fuller Order Books: Why Steel Strips Wheels Ltd (SSWL) Is Racing to Add Capacity
The Chandigarh-headquartered wheel maker is spending Rs 500–600 crore to add alloy wheel and knuckle capacity at Bhuj while expanding steel wheel capacity near its home base.
Read more
Schaeffler India Plots Rs 500 Crore Capex to Support Growing Order Book
Schaeffler India has earmarked Rs 500 crore in capital expenditure for CY26 to support its expanding order book, with Rs 170 crore allocated to automotive technologies. The company outperformed the market in the second quarter despite lower passenger vehicle production, driven by strong business wins.
Read more
Euler Motors, Green Drive Mobility Partner to Deploy 500 Electric Cargo Vehicles
Euler Motors will supply electric cargo four-wheelers to Green Drive Mobility for mid-mile and last-mile logistics. Around 500 vehicles will be deployed this financial year across major cities, supporting Green Drive's plan to expand its commercial EV fleet to 1,000 vehicles by 2028.
Read more
Mercedes-Benz Says All India Vehicles Now E25-Compatible
Mercedes-Benz India said its entire vehicle lineup is now E25 ethanol-compatible, ahead of stricter fuel regulations. The luxury carmaker upgraded its portfolio in anticipation of higher ethanol blending, while continuing to stress the need for consistent fuel quality as India expands ethanol use.
Read more
Tata Osprey (Nexon) Set for South African Debut in Q3 2026
Tata Motors launched the Osprey SUV in South Africa, marking another step in expanding its passenger vehicle presence in Africa. The Nexon rebadged model combines safety, technology and value, while supporting the company's broader strategy of growing its dealership network and product portfolio across the region.
Read More
Samvardhana Motherson Completes Acquisition of Controlling Stake in Yutaka Giken
Samvardhana Motherson has completed the acquisition of an 81% voting stake in Japan's Yutaka Giken through its Dutch subsidiary. Honda Motor retains the remaining 19% stake, completing a strategic transaction that also includes an indirect stake in Shinnichi Kogyo.
Read more
Ashok Leyland Ramps Up R&D Expenditure to Rs 635 Crore to Fuel "Sprint to Vision" Strategy
Ashok Leyland increased its R&D spending to Rs 635.22 crore in FY26 from Rs 546.22 crore a year earlier, raising investment to 1.44% of turnover. The higher spending supports the company's "Sprint to Vision" strategy and its focus on advancing technology across multiple product and powertrain segments.
Read more
Ashok Leyland Sees M&HCV Industry Growing 5-7% in FY27
Ashok Leyland forecast 5-7% growth for India's medium and heavy commercial vehicle industry this financial year, driven by replacement demand, infrastructure spending and improving market conditions. The company said industry momentum remains positive, although monthly demand trends continue to influence the overall growth outlook.
Read more
Ashok Leyland CEO Shenu Agarwal’s Pay Jumps 48% Amid Shift to Phantom Stock Units
Ashok Leyland proposed a new leadership pay structure, recommending a Rs 33 crore annual remuneration package for Executive Chairman Dheeraj G Hinduja from November 2026. The company also raised CEO and CFO compensation and shifted long-term incentives toward performance-linked commissions and cash-settled phantom stock units.
Read more
Indofast Energy, Hala Mobility to Deploy 40,000 EVs by 2027
Indofast Energy and Hala Mobility will deploy 40,000 electric vehicles by 2027, expanding battery-swapping infrastructure and accelerating EV adoption in the commercial mobility segment. The partnership aims to improve fleet uptime, lower operating costs and support the growth of sustainable urban transportation.
Read more
TVS Motor Raises Rs 500 Crore Through NCD Issue
TVS Motor raised Rs 500 crore through a private placement of listed non-convertible debentures, strengthening its funding base. The unsecured, rated securities will be listed on the National Stock Exchange, providing the automaker with additional capital to support its business and growth plans.
Read more
Ather Energy Closes ₹1,300 Crore QIP to Drive ₹2,500 Crore Capital Expansion
Ather Energy has completed its ₹1,300 crore qualified institutional placement, raising funds at a premium to the regulatory floor price. The issue completes the institutional leg of the company's planned ₹2,500 crore fundraising, strengthening its capital base for future expansion.
Read more
Tata Punch Crosses 800,000 Sales, Demand Accelerates for MY2026 Model
Hyundai Motor India expanded its myHyundai app to provide access to over 30,000 EV charging points through partner networks, while outlining plans to increase its own fast-charging stations to 600 by 2030. The company also reaffirmed plans to launch a mass-market electric SUV this financial year.
Read more