Weekly News Wrap: Truck Makers go Aggressive; Toyota, Skoda Expand Portfolios

Product launches dominated the week, with new trucks from Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland and fresh action in the SUV segment.

By Autocar Professional Bureau

25 Jan 2026

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Weekly News Wrap: Truck Makers go Aggressive; Toyota, Skoda Expand Portfolios

Product launches dominated the headlines this week, with the industry witnessing a bunch of new offerings across segments. Major commercial vehicle makers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland rolled out a series of new trucks, focusing on fleet productivity and efficiency. In the passenger vehicle space, Toyota and Skoda stepped up the action with the launch of the Urban Cruiser Ebella and the updated Kushaq, respectively, as both brands moved to sharpen their competitive positioning in the fast-growing SUV market.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor unveiled the Urban Cruiser Ebella, marking its entry into India’s electric vehicle market with a badge-engineered version of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. Škoda, meanwhile, rolled out an updated version of its mid-size SUV Kushaq, adding several first-in-segment features as part of a broader strategy to expand its market reach to 90% from about 80%, backed by 10 product-led actions planned for the year.

Tata Motors unveiled one of its most expansive portfolio refreshes with 17 new trucks ranging from 7 to 55 tonnes across internal combustion and electric platforms. The rollout included the new Azura series, upgraded Prima, Signa and Ultra ranges, and the Trucks.ev lineup built on the I-MOEV architecture. Ashok Leyland, meanwhile, brought back its iconic TAURUS and HIPPO heavy-duty brands, re-engineered with next-generation technology to cater to infrastructure-led demand across tipper, tractor, urban, regional, mining and construction applications nationwide.

Meanwhile, other major industry highlights include former Jaguar Land Rover tech head Nick Rogers’ moving to TVS Motor and VinFast’s strategic long-term commitment to the Indian market. Additionally, tyre manufacturer CEAT is set to expand its Chennai plant capacity with a significant investment of Rs 1,314 crore, and component maker Sona BLW Forgings expects traction motors and controllers to be its highest-growth segment over the next five years.

Tata Motors Launches 17 New ICE, eTrucks Across 7-55 Tonnes

In one of its most comprehensive portfolio refreshes in recent years, India’s commercial vehicle market leader Tata Motors launched 17 new trucks spanning 7 to 55 tonnes across internal combustion and electric platforms.

The automaker rolled out the all-new Azura series, upgraded the Prima, Signa and Ultra platforms, and launched Tata Trucks.ev range built on the new I-MOEV architecture. The electric lineup includes Ultra EV light trucks, the Prima E.55S prime mover and the Prima E.28K tipper, targeting urban, regional, mining and construction applications.

Tata Motors Eyes Top 3 Spot Among Global Truck Makers with Iveco

Tata Motors’ Iveco deal is aimed at building global scale, breaking into the top three global truck makers and managing the cyclical nature of the industry, according to commercial vehicles head Girish Wagh. With global consolidation accelerating—led by Daimler Truck, Volvo Group and Paccar—the move positions Tata Motors to play an active role, rather than be a passive participant, in industry consolidation.

Tata Motors CV Gears up for Multi-Fuel Pathway

Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle arm is pursuing a technology-agnostic decarbonisation strategy, keeping CNG, LNG, electric, hydrogen and biofuels in play, according to MD and CEO Girish Wagh. In the near term, the company sees gaseous fuels, especially CNG, as the most practical and immediate pathway to cut emissions in high-utilisation and long-haul commercial vehicle operations.

Video: What Gives Indian Trucking an Edge in Global Markets? Girish Wagh Answers

Girish Wagh discusses Tata Motors’ latest India-first truck launches, including the new 8.5-litre mining engine, AMT-equipped heavy-duty tippers, and European-level safety upgrades across truck cabins. He also shares the thinking behind Tata Motors’ full commercial rollout of electric trucks, built on a modular architecture developed using real-world customer data, and where electric CVs make the strongest business sense today.

Ashok Leyland Relaunches TAURUS and HIPPO Heavy-Duty Truck Models

Ashok Leyland has relaunched two of its most recognizable truck nameplates, TAURUS and HIPPO, bringing back brands that dominated India's heavy commercial vehicle market for decades.TAURUS will serve as the company's high-horsepower tipper range, while HIPPO returns as the tractor portfolio flagship. Both vehicle lines are built on Ashok Leyland's AVTR modular truck platform and powered by 8.0-liter A-Series 6-cylinder engines producing 360 horsepower and 1,600 Nm of torque.

Upfront Pricing Losing Relevance in TCO-driven Market: Ashok Leyland's Shenu Agarwal

Expectations of truck buyers in India are evolving rapidly with the expansion of faster highways and rising freight movement, according to Ashok Leyland Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal. Customers are no longer focused on minor price changes or fuel efficiency alone, as they are prioritising higher productivity, lower total cost of ownership, and better uptime.

Toyota Unveils Its First EV in India with the Urban Cruiser Ebella

Toyota Kirloskar Motor unveiled the Urban Cruiser Ebella, marking its entry into India’s electric vehicle market with a badge-engineered version of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. The electric midsize SUV is offered with 49 kWh and 61 kWh LFP battery options, delivering up to 128 kW of power and a certified range of up to 543 km on a single charge.

Explainer: How Toyota Is Taking on EV Anxiety in India With Buybacks, BaaS

Seeking to ease concerns among first-time EV buyers, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has rolled out a set of initiatives to ease the initial cost of ownership alongside the launch of its first battery-electric model, the Urban Cruiser Ebella, aimed at delivering a seamless and worry-free electric mobility experience.

Toyota Signals Diesel May Retain a Role in Select Segments Amid Uneven Transition

As India pursues a multi-pathway transition to cleaner mobility, internal combustion engines are expected to dominate near-term vehicle sales, with diesel continuing to play a role in select segments, a senior executive at Toyota Kirloskar Motor said. Demand trends remain uneven across regions and use cases, suggesting diesel adoption will taper gradually rather than decline sharply or uniformly nationwide.

‘Green ICE’ Gives India a Chance to Shape Clean Mobility for the Global South: Toyota Kirloskar’s Gulati

As India steps up its transition to cleaner mobility, Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive VicePresident at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said that making internal combustion engines cleaner could become a strong strategic advantage for the country, positioning India as a potential role model for the Global South, where rapid, full-scale electrification remains difficult.

Skoda India Pins 2026 Growth On New Kushaq, Automatics, 10 Product Onslaught

Skoda India targets 2026 growth through refreshed Kushaq, automatic transmission push, wider market coverage and a 10-product rollout.Skoda is heading into 2026 on the back of its strongest performance yet last year. At the centre of Skoda’s India strategy is the company's new product offensive, according to Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto board member for sales and marketing.

Evaluating a Multi-powertrain Solution for India: Skoda Auto's Martin Jahn

Škoda Auto is assessing a multi-powertrain strategy for India, spanning electric vehicles and CNG, amidregulatory pressures, global uncertainty and evolving consumer preferences. While the brand needs a broader product portfolio for the market, the fast-changing automotive landscape has added complexity to long-term decision-making.

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Exclusive: Ex-JLR Tech Head Nick Rogers to Join TVS Motor

Amid a strong global push and aggressive expansion plans for the Norton brand, TVS Motor Company is set to strengthen its engineering leadership by bringing in Nick Rogers, former technology head at Jaguar Land Rover. He is expected to join next month and be based at TVS Motor’s new Bengaluru technology centre, with his deep expertise in the European automotive landscape seen as critical to Norton’s international growth ambitions.

VinFast Asia CEO Says India Central to Company's Long Term Asia Strategy

VinFast views India as a long-term strategic market and a “second home,” according to Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, as the electric vehicle maker completes a year of operations in the country. Emphasising a long-term approach, Chau said VinFast’s India strategy is focused on patient, ecosystem-led growth rather than chasing near-term volumes.

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VinFast to Bring in India-Specific Electric Scooters in H2 2026; Plans 1Million2W Capacity

VinFast plans to enter India’s electric two-wheeler market in the second half of 2026 with India-specific electric scooters, while building a dedicated two-wheeler manufacturing line with a long-term capacity target of one million units, according to VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau.

VinFast Targets Top-Four Position in India's EV Market as Product Push Gathers Pace

VinFast is aiming to rank among India’s top four electric vehicle sellers as it accelerates product launches, localisation and ecosystem investments in one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets, according to VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau. The company entered the top four in December retail sales, delivering over 400 vehicles, behind Tata Motors, JSW MG Motor and M&M.

Sona Comstar Expects Traction Motors, Controllers to be Highest-Growth Segment in Next 5 Years

Sona BLW Forgings expects traction motors and controllers to emerge as its fastest-growing segment over the next five years, even as electric vehicle adoption remains uneven across categories. The company sees demand accelerating as new programmes ramp up and content per vehicle increases with the shift toward higher-power applications.

Sona Comstar Readies for Electric Four-Wheeler Segment; Update Likely in 6–7 Months

Sona BLW Forgings is developing traction motors and controllers for four-wheelers and higher segments, with a meaningful update expected in the next six to seven months, according to Managing Director and Group CEO Vivek Vikram Singh. He noted that progress on four-wheeler applications is advancing faster than anticipated.

Global EV Sales Reach 20 Million Units as Regional Divergence Widens Under Shifting Policies

Global electric vehicle sales reached 20.7 million units in 2025, representing a 20% year-on-year increase that pushed EVs beyond one-quarter of worldwide passenger car sales, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

Subtle Steel Price Increases Add Fresh Pressure on Auto Costs

Steel is experiencing a slow-burning price creep that demands executive attention. According to the December 2025 SIAM monitor, HR steel prices ranged between Rs 48,160 and Rs 50,000 per tonne, marking a 1% increase both year-on-year and month-on-month. Though these rates remain 9% below the April 2025 peak, stabilisation at these elevated levels is a critical factor for the industry. The automotive sector consumes nearly 9% of HR steel.

The Magnetic Squeeze: Rising Motor Costs Threaten the EV Value Chain

While the automotive industry has focused heavily on battery mineral inflation, a silent price creep in high-intensity motor magnets is creating a new bottleneck for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. According to the latest SIAM commodity monitor, the price of magnet (GD–NdFeB scrap), the lifeblood of modern electric motors, hit a new peak in December 2025.

Cooling Rubber Prices Offer Margin Relief for Automakers

As automakers contend with triple-digit inflation in battery minerals, road-critical inputs such as natural and synthetic rubber are offering a rare cost breather. Latest data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers shows that rubber prices in December 2025 eased meaningfully, providing much-needed margin relief to manufacturers battling cost pressures across other parts of the value chain.

Ceat to Further Boost Capacity at Chennai Plant with Rs 1,314 Crore Investment

CEAT will invest Rs 1,314 crore to expand passenger vehicle tyre capacity at its Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai by about 35%, betting on strong growth in the passenger car and utility vehicle segments. The expansion will raise annual capacity from around 95 lakh tyres to 1.30 crore tyres by the first half of FY28.

Continental Sees PV Tyre Replacement Demand Grow at 5-6% Till 2030

Continental Tyres India expects mid-single-digit growth in replacement tyre demand over the next five years, driven by structural shifts in the passenger vehicle market. Rising preference for SUVs and premium cars, along with improved consumer confidence following last year’s GST reforms, is set to fuel strong growth in demand for 17-inch-and-above passenger vehicle tyres.

Matter Plans e2Ws Across Five Segments by 2030, Including Scooters

Ahmedabad-based electric motorcycle startup Matter Motor plans to expand its product offerings across five two-wheeler segments over the next 3–4 years, including a debut in the fast-growing electric scooter space.

Video: Matter Motorcycles Is Using a Single-Chip Architecture to Rethink EVs

Founder and Group CEO of Matter Motorcycles,Mohal Lalbhai, offers a detailed look at how electric motorcycle design is evolving beyond hardware-heavy architectures towards software-led efficiency.At the centre of Matter’s approach is a move away from multiple distributed electronic control units to a single, high-performance computing core.

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Auto LPG Coalition Seeks Inclusion in PNGRB Fuel Study

The Indian Auto LPG Coalition has urged the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to include Auto LPG in a comprehensive study on vehicular fuel choices for India’s energy transition. The TERI-led study aims to offer evidence-based guidance on transport decarbonisation pathways and sustainable mobility as India moves toward its net-zero goals.

Chargeup Secures ₹22 Crore in Funding Round

Chargeup, an EV-focused technology platform for last-mile drivers, has raised ₹22 crore in a funding round led by IAN Group, with participation from Cap-A and existing investors. The capital will be used to expand into high-demand markets and deepen its platform linking drivers with financing and operational services.