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UP Accelerates EV Mobility, Expressway And Infrastructure Projects Ahead Of Jewar Airport Operations

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:39:07

The Uttar Pradesh government plans to deploy 110 electric buses in the initial phase to improve connectivity to Noida International Airport at Jewar, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directing officials to strengthen public transport infrastructure ahead of the airport’s proposed flight operations from June 15.

The announcement was made during the fourth meeting of the State Transformation Commission, where the Chief Minister reviewed preparations for operating 500 electric buses across Noida, Greater Noida and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region.

“The public transport system should be fully strengthened before the proposed flight operations beginning from June 15,” Adityanath said during the review meeting.

The state government is also accelerating the development of EV charging infrastructure alongside fleet expansion. Officials informed the meeting that Uttar Pradesh currently has around 1.55 million registered electric vehicles, while the state aims to establish 10,000 charging stations by 2030. Around 2,500 charging stations are currently operational.

Beyond urban mobility initiatives, the government reviewed progress on multiple expressway projects, with an emphasis on land acquisition and faster execution timelines. Authorities were directed to complete land acquisition for the Agra-Lucknow-Purvanchal Link Expressway, Jewar Link Expressway and Jhansi Link Expressway by the end of June.

According to officials, nearly 55 per cent of land acquisition has already been completed for the Farrukhabad Link Expressway, while the alignment for the Meerut-Haridwar Expressway has received approval, and an acquisition action plan is being prepared.

The government said improved connectivity infrastructure is expected to support industrial growth and investment opportunities, with parallel reviews conducted for logistics hubs, industrial projects and urban infrastructure initiatives.

Projects linked to industrial development, including the proposed Seed Park, Textile Park and Defence Corridor projects, were also reviewed during the meeting, while officials were instructed to strengthen monitoring mechanisms for projects tracked under the state’s ‘CM Samiksha’ programme through a dedicated monitoring cell.

Toll Collection Growth Seen Moderating Amid West Asia Conflict

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:46:42

Toll collection growth on India’s privately operated road assets is expected to moderate this fiscal year amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to a study by Crisil Ratings.

The ratings agency said toll collection growth could slow by 150-200 basis points year-on-year due to softer commercial traffic movement linked to the economic impact of the conflict. However, it expects the slowdown to be temporary, with higher inflation-linked toll rate hikes likely to support growth in the following fiscal.

A study covering 91 toll road assets spanning around 10,000 km and representing nearly 60 per cent of privately operated concessions formed the basis of the assessment.

“Traffic growth, a function of economic expansion, is estimated at 2-4% in the near term. A modest WPI inflation of last year will limit toll rate hikes this fiscal and consequently, toll collection will grow 5-7%,” said Manish Gupta, Deputy Chief Ratings Officer, Crisil Ratings.

Commercial vehicles continue to account for nearly 75 per cent of toll collections, with freight movement closely linked to industrial activity, construction and mining. Crisil noted that these sectors could face pressure amid the ongoing geopolitical situation, reflected in sequential declines in FASTag toll collections during March and April.

Passenger vehicle traffic, meanwhile, has continued to grow on the back of rising vehicle ownership, improved road connectivity and reduced travel times through expressways. The report noted that passenger traffic growth has outpaced commercial traffic in recent years and is relatively less exposed to geopolitical disruptions.

Crisil also highlighted that around one-fourth of the sampled toll assets reported traffic declines over the past two fiscals, primarily due to diversion towards newly built highways and expressways. Other factors included heavy monsoons, sand mining restrictions and feeder route issues.

The agency expects toll collection growth to improve to 8-10 percent next fiscal, supported by higher toll rate revisions linked to elevated wholesale price inflation this year. It added that operating performance and leverage levels remain stable, helping maintain healthy credit profiles for toll road operators.

Hyundai To Implement Price Hike From June 1

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:29:58

Hyundai Motor India has said it will implement a planned price increase across its vehicle lineup from June 1, 2026. The increase will be up to Rs 12,800, depending on the model and variant.

The automaker had earlier informed stock exchanges in April that it planned to increase prices across its portfolio by up to 1 per cent from May 2026 due to rising input and operational costs.

In its latest regulatory filing dated May 27, Hyundai said the revised pricing would now come into effect from June 1, citing prevailing market conditions and customer considerations.

The company said the increase was driven by higher commodity prices, rising input costs and increased operational expenses. Hyundai added that it had attempted to minimise the impact on customers while passing on part of the additional costs to the market.

The filing added that the company has been attempting to minimise the impact on customers while passing on part of the increased costs to the market through what it described as a nominal price increase.

Crisil Stress Test Flags Profitability Pressure Across India Inc Amid West Asia Conflict

Autocar Professional Bureau — Mon, 25 May 2026 14:28:27

India Inc could face a squeeze on profitability if geopolitical disruptions in West Asia persist for a longer period, according to a stress test conducted by Crisil Ratings across 34 sectors representing around 65 per cent of its rated corporate debt portfolio.

The analysis assumes supply chain disruptions continue for nine months during the current fiscal year, and crude oil prices average $110 per barrel, compared with Crisil’s earlier base assumption of $95 per barrel. Under these conditions, corporate operating profitability is expected to decline by around 200 basis points from pre-conflict expectations of nearly 12 per cent.

The report suggests that profitability pressure could emerge as a larger concern than revenue growth. Crisil estimates that 22 of the 34 sectors assessed would see operating profitability fall by more than 10 per cent due to higher inventory costs and limited ability to immediately pass increased expenses to consumers. However, partial price pass-throughs could limit the impact on topline growth for several sectors.

“Managing costs and profitability will be a bigger challenge than achieving topline growth. Of the 34 sectors stress-tested, 22 would see operating profitability being culled more than 10% due to higher inventory costs and inability to fully pass on the burden to consumers immediately,” said Subodh Rai, Managing Director, Crisil Ratings.

Among the sectors analysed, ceramics are projected to face the most severe impact due to gas shortages and supply disruptions, with revenue potentially declining by nearly one-third and profitability falling by half. Airlines could also see a sharp decline in profitability, driven by airspace restrictions, higher fuel costs and rupee depreciation. Other sectors expected to face pressure include polyester textiles, speciality chemicals, flexible packaging manufacturers, auto component makers, diamond processors and basmati rice exporters.

Crisil, however, believes that stronger corporate balance sheets should prevent broader deterioration in credit quality. Median gearing for corporate India has reduced to around 0.5 times as of March 2026, while interest coverage has more than doubled over the last decade to exceed five times. These factors are expected to provide companies with additional flexibility despite rising working capital requirements.

The report notes that only eight sectors, accounting for roughly 10 per cent of rated corporate debt, could see a material impact on credit quality. Export-oriented sectors, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, readymade garments, shrimp processing and electronics manufacturing, may also see some benefit from rupee depreciation.

Crisil maintained a stable but cautious outlook for overall corporate credit quality, noting that the extent and duration of the conflict, along with any sustained rise in fuel prices, will remain key variables to monitor.

TVS Motor Tops Global Durable Consumer Goods Ranking In Shareholder Value Creation Study

Autocar Professional Bureau — Mon, 25 May 2026 12:58:09

TVS Motor Company has been ranked first globally in the ‘Durable Consumer Goods’ category in the annual Best Stocks in the World ranking published by Germany-based business publication WirtschaftsWoche, based on an analysis conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The study evaluated more than 2,000 listed companies across 35 industries worldwide. According to the analysis, TVS Motor recorded an average annual Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of approximately 51 per cent during the 2021–2025 period, placing it ahead of peers across markets including Japan, China, the United States and India.

The report attributed the company’s performance primarily to revenue growth and market valuation gains, while also highlighting improving profitability and a stronger balance sheet over the assessed period. The study identified these factors as characteristics commonly associated with resilient businesses.

The company also reported growth in its latest financial year. During FY2025–26, TVS Motor recorded annual sales of 5.89 million units, marking a 24 per cent year-on-year increase. International business expanded by 33 percent across more than 90 markets, while revenue rose 30 percent year-on-year to Rs 47,270 crore. Operating profit before tax increased by 40 per cent to Rs 4,975 crore, while operating EBITDA margin improved by 60 basis points to 12.9 per cent.

Professor Sir Ralf Speth, Chief Mentor, TVS Motor Company, said, “This recognition by WirtschaftsWoche and BCG is the result of the consistent implementation of Chairman Sudarshan Venu’s clear strategic vision.”

Honda Cars Actively Looking for Partnerships in India

Ketan Thakkar — Fri, 22 May 2026 13:37:03

Honda Cars India is actively exploring partnerships in India as the Japanese automaker looks to expand scale, reduce costs and rebuild its position in the country’s passenger vehicle market, senior company executives said.

“Obviously, we are always open. At this moment, unfortunately, we cannot say anything more to share,” Honda Cars India President and CEO Takashi Nakajima said when asked if Honda is looking for partnerships in India. “Strategy-wise, I think we can say that we are open and actively searching for friends.”

However, Nakajima did not disclose whether the discussions involve technology-sharing agreements, cross-badging arrangements, powertrain sourcing or supply partnerships with other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The comments mark the first official confirmation from Honda management that the company is evaluating partnerships in India, months after Autocar reported that Honda Cars India is exploring alliances with local OEMs to strengthen its future India programme.

Potential partnerships could help Honda improve manufacturing scale and localisation while expanding its product portfolio in one of the world’s fastest-growing automobile markets. The company currently operates manufacturing facilities in Greater Noida and Tapukara in Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, Honda is reworking its India strategy after years of declining market share and a shrinking product lineup. Its current portfolio is limited to the Elevate SUV, City sedan and Amaze compact sedan, leaving the company absent from several high-volume segments, particularly the sub-4-metre SUV market.

Globally, Honda’s management recently acknowledged that the company’s traditional “global standard” product strategy had not fully matched Indian customer needs.

Honda now considers India among its three core global markets alongside North America and Japan. The company plans to introduce India-focused models from 2028, targeting the sub-4-metre SUV and midsize SUV segments.

Honda also plans to increase localisation and accelerate the use of local development resources to speed up product launches and improve competitiveness in India’s rapidly evolving market.

The company’s partnership push comes as global automakers increasingly rely on alliances to share costs and technologies. In India, collaborations such as Suzuki-Toyota, Renault-Nissan and Tata Motors-Stellantis have expanded in recent years as automakers seek scale and faster product development.

Exclusive: India is World’s Largest Electric 3w Market for Third Year in a Row

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:59:10

India, which ranks amongst the fastest growing markets for electric vehicles, has topped global electric 3-wheeler retail sales for the third year in a row. This confirmation comes from the latest Global EV Outlook 2026 report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The report states that China, the world's largest electric vehicle market, registered e-3W sales of around 290,000 units in CY2025, down 3% YoY (CY2024: 300,000 units), continuing a trend that began in CY2022. This is far less than India, which clocked record retail sales of 801,431 e-3Ws last year, up 15% YoY (CY2024: 695,278 units).

Compared to India’s sustained high double-digit growth, demand for e-3Ws continues to decline.

According to the IEA, sales of 3Ws (ICE and EV) declined globally in CY2025 to around 4.5 million units, down 16% from CY2024. However, electric 3W sales increased to more than 1.2 million, resulting in a sales share of more than 25% in CY2025.

In its Global EV Outlook 2026 report, the IEA states: “In India, momentum in electric 3W sales continued to build, with sales rising by 15% from 2024 to almost 800,000 vehicles. Electric 3Ws now capture almost 70% of all sales in the country, primarily displacing compressed natural gas models. Despite subsidies for 3Ws having been reduced under the PM E-DRIVE policy compared with the FAME II scheme, adoption has not slowed. Support for electric 3Ws under the scheme was initially expected to run until March 2026, but has been extended to 2028. Funds for models in the L5 category had been fully exhausted by December 2025, but allocations for e-rickshaws and e-carts remain available. As a result, electric 3Ws became the first mode of transport to reach the government’s deployment target of around 290,000, despite representing only 10% of the overall target number of vehicles.”

In CY2025, India had a commanding 67% share of global e-3W sales, considerably ahead of China with its 24% share last year. Turkiye, which sold an estimated 48,000 units is the third largest. Together, these three countries account for more than 95% of all e-3W sales of the highly concentrated electric 3W market.

In Europe, the electric 3W sales share reached more than 80%, continuing a rapid increase started in 2023. Turkiye accounts for around 95% of the 115,000 electric 3Ws sold in the region and is the key engine of growth. Five years ago, sales of 3Ws (ICE and electric) in Turkiye stood at around 6,000 units, but by CY2025, sales of electric 3Ws had grown to more than 100,000 units. By contrast, sales of conventional 3Ws decreased by more than 40% over the same period.

Indian e-3W OEMs closed CY2025 with the highest-ever monthly sales of 88,703 units in December.

In India, the e-3W segment continues to witness the highest level of transition to e-mobility, compared to two-wheelers or passenger vehicles and was a strong contributor to the record 2.27 million EVs sold in the country last year. In CY2025, e-3Ws had a 60% share of the overall 3W market (13,64,591 units) compared to 57% in CY2024 and 53% in CY2023. In comparison, demand for CNG 3Ws has slowed down – 329,841 units in CY2025, down 6% YoY (CY2024: 351,115 units). Year on year, too, the CNG share of overall 3W sales in India has dropped to 24% in CY2025 compared to 28% in CY2024 and 31% in CY2023.

Over 270,000 Electric 3ws Sold in India in First 4 Months of Cy2026
The e-three-wheeler sub-segment, which comprises passenger-transporting e-rickshaws and cargo-carrying three-wheelers in India, continues to witness strong double-digit growth thanks to sustained demand for passenger transportation and from last-mile operators for e-commerce applications, food deliveries and other applications.

In the first four months of this year, 270,893 e-3W have been delivered to buyers, up 15% YoY (January-April 2025: 235,907 units). The incentive to buy an electric three-wheeler in India remains strong, particularly in view of the lower cost of ownership (compared to IC engine, CNG and LPG options) as well as the current West Asia crisis, which has already seen petrol and diesel prices rise twice within a week this month.

Similar to the Indian e-two-wheeler industry, there’s fierce competition too in this segment, which has over 600 players. However, India e-3W Inc’s performance continues to be powered by three legacy OEMs – Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Co – along with a few other companies like YC Electric, Saera Auto, Dilli Electric Auto and Piaggio. The e-3W segment is currently witnessing a shakeout as legacy OEMs (Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Co, Kinetic Group, Atul Auto, Piaggio Vehicles, Omega Seiki, Bajaj Auto, Murugappa Group) are making a strong impact with better-built and safer products and grabbing market share.

ALSO READ: Best-ever April for Indian EV industry: 239,000 units

MHI Explores Financing Support For Electric Buses And Trucks

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:27:47

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) convened a high-level meeting on May 20 in New Delhi to discuss financing mechanisms for the adoption of electric buses and electric trucks in the private sector.

The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy, included representatives from public and private sector banks such as SBI, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, HDFC and SIDBI, along with bus and truck operators, transport associations and private travel companies.

Discussions focused on financing challenges related to electric commercial vehicle adoption and possible support measures, including credit guarantee schemes and interest subvention mechanisms. According to the ministry, these measures are intended to reduce lending risks for financial institutions and lower borrowing costs for private operators.

Proposed measures discussed during the meeting included credit guarantee schemes aimed at reducing lending risks for financial institutions and interest subvention mechanisms intended to lower borrowing costs for private sector buyers.

The ministry noted that buses continue to play a central role in public mobility while trucks account for a substantial share of domestic freight movement. It also highlighted that the commercial vehicle segment contributes significantly to road transport emissions, fuel consumption and particulate matter pollution, making electrification an important component of India’s decarbonisation and net-zero goals.

MHI said the initiative is aimed at bringing together government departments, financial institutions and industry stakeholders to develop financing solutions that address barriers to electric vehicle adoption in the commercial vehicle segment.

Mahindra, DBS Bank India Launch Sustainability-Linked Dealer Financing Programme

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:56:11

Mahindra & Mahindra and DBS Bank India have launched what they describe as India’s first sustainability-linked dealer financing programme for automotive dealerships, aimed at encouraging dealers to adopt environmentally focused operational practices.

Under the programme, authorised Mahindra dealerships financing purchases of passenger and commercial vehicles through DBS Bank India will be eligible for preferential interest rates linked to their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.

The financing framework incorporates a set of sustainability parameters aligned with Mahindra’s Green Dealership Programme. These include greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, renewable energy usage, water conservation measures, rainwater harvesting infrastructure, waste management systems, public EV charging facilities and the number of electric SUVs sold by dealerships.

Dealerships will be assessed and ranked based on these metrics, with financing benefits tied to improvements in ESG performance and sales targets. The evaluation framework was jointly designed by Mahindra and DBS Bank India.

“The launch of this financing programme will enable us to step up the breadth of our decarbonisation efforts, bring our dealerships into the fold and drive a reduction in Scope 3 emissions,” said Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra.

Mahindra said the initiative aligns with its wider decarbonisation strategy and India’s broader climate targets under the Paris Agreement framework, including the country’s net-zero emissions goal for 2070.

Exclusive: NCR May Stop New Petrol-Diesel Cab Additions

Mukul Yudhveer Singh — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:00:18

The Haryana government may have discussed and moved forward with a proposal that could restrict the future addition of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles in fleet aggregator and cab aggregator operations across NCR-linked regions of the state, signalling what could become a wider clean mobility shift across the National Capital Region.

Sources aware of the discussions told Autocar Professional that the broader push is understood to have originated from the Delhi government amid growing concerns around pollution and urban fleet emissions. According to sources, the direction has received positive feedback from administrations and policymakers across other NCR-linked states as well.

The move is now expected to gradually align with a wider NCR-level transition, with the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan also likely to move in a similar direction. The broader framework, if eventually implemented, is expected to favour electric vehicles and CNG-powered vehicles for fresh inductions into aggregator and fleet ecosystems over time.

However, sources also indicated that discussions remain at different stages across states, and a final, uniform NCR-wide implementation framework may still take time to evolve. Multiple approvals, notifications and policy-level alignments across states would likely be required before any such transition becomes fully operational across the region.

The development adds to a series of recent policy signals emerging from NCR states around cleaner mobility and EV ecosystem readiness.

Delhi’s recently proposed draft EV policy, which was opened for public consultation, had already indicated a stronger push towards cleaner commercial mobility segments and potential restrictions on fresh fossil-fuel fleet inductions in certain categories. Separately, Haryana had also introduced EV-ready building provisions mandating charging infrastructure in several categories of buildings, indicating that the groundwork for larger EV adoption was already being prepared.

Sources said governments across NCR are increasingly examining ways to reduce emissions from high-utilisation urban mobility fleets, particularly in densely populated corridors spanning Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

The NCR currently spans regions across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, making any coordinated clean mobility transition one of the largest urban fleet policy shifts attempted in India.

At present, no final NCR-wide notification covering all states has been formally announced. Industry executives tracking the developments said the eventual shape, timeline and scope of any implementation could still evolve significantly depending on inter-state coordination, infrastructure readiness and industry feedback.

If such a framework eventually moves forward across NCR states, it could substantially reshape future procurement strategies for cab aggregators and fleet operators while accelerating demand for electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and CNG-based mobility solutions across one of India’s largest urban transportation markets.

TVS Venu To Acquire Up To 9.9% Stake In Jana Small Finance Bank

Autocar Professional Bureau — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:06:27

Sudarshan Venu-led TVS Venu has agreed to acquire a minority stake in Jana Small Finance Bank through a combination of primary issuance of warrants and secondary share purchase, taking its total holding to up to 9.9% on a fully diluted basis. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

As part of the proposed transaction, TVS Motor Company will hold 4.9% equity stake in the bank. The investment marks an expansion of the group’s financial services presence, which currently includes TVS Credit Services and the recently announced acquisition of PGIM India Asset Management.

Jana Small Finance Bank operates in the retail and MSME banking segments, with a national network of 822 outlets across 23 states and two Union Territories. As of March 31, 2026, the bank reported advances and deposits of more than Rs 35,000 crore each and a customer base exceeding 12 million.

Sudarshan Venu, chairman of TVS Motor Company, said the investment aligns with the group’s long-term approach towards financial services and digital finance. He also acknowledged the role of existing investor TPG Capital in building the bank and welcomed new investors, including S P Lohia and Shruti Lohia-backed 2i Capital PCC.

TVS Venu operates across mobility, financial services, real estate and lifestyle sectors, with a presence in over 90 countries. The group reported approximately USD 6.5 billion in FY26 revenue.

Delhi Government Suspends Purchase of New ICE Vehicles for 6 Months

Autocar Professional Bureau — Fri, 15 May 2026 20:10:21

The Delhi government has suspended the purchase of new petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrid vehicles for the next six months as part of a broader fuel conservation drive launched amid rising global energy concerns linked to the ongoing geopolitical situation.

“Delhi government has decided that for the next six months, there will no purchase of new petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrid vehicles,” Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said.

The announcement is part of the “My India, My Contribution” Delhi Action Plan, which the government said was launched in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and “wise spending”.

“In response to the call of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, amidst the current global situation, war, and rising energy challenges, the Delhi government is set to launch the ‘My India, My Contribution’ Delhi Action Plan,” Gupta said in a social media post.

The plan includes measures aimed at reducing fuel and electricity consumption, including greater use of public transport, carpooling, work-from-home arrangements and curbs on government expenditure.

Several steps including “Metro Monday”, working from home for two days a week, limited use of government vehicles and greater use of video conferencing for official meetings will be implemented, Gupta said.

The government also urged residents to voluntarily observe one “No Vehicle Day” every week and increase the use of public transport systems such as metro rail and buses.

To improve last-mile connectivity for government employees, Delhi has prepared a route plan for 58 feeder buses covering 29 government colonies.

Employees spending at least one-fourth of their transport allowance on public transport will receive an additional 10% allowance, while logistics and freight companies will be encouraged to shift more cargo movement to railways to reduce diesel consumption.

The government has also decided to cut domestic travel expenditure across departments by up to 20%, with half of official meetings to be conducted online.

Meanwhile, state-owned oil marketing companies have increased petrol and diesel prices by around Rs 3 per litre, marking the first increase in over four years, as state-run fuel retailers face mounting pressure from rising global energy prices linked to the conflict in West Asia.

Recently, the state government released the draft EV Policy 2026, which proposed incentives for electric vehicles while tightening restrictions on internal combustion engine vehicles in phases.

Petrol and Diesel Prices Increase by Rs 3/Litre; CNG Prices Up by Rs 2

Kiran Murali — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:56:07

State-owned oil marketing companies have raised petrol and diesel prices by around Rs 3 per litre, marking the first increase in over four years, as state-run fuel retailers face mounting pressure from rising global energy prices linked to the conflict in West Asia.

According to data available on Indian Oil’s website, petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 97.77 per litre, up from Rs 94.77 earlier. Diesel prices in the national capital have risen to Rs 90.67 per litre from Rs 87.67 previously. In Mumbai, petrol is now priced at Rs 106.68 per litre, while diesel costs Rs 93.14 per litre.

Fuel prices vary across states due to differences in local taxes and levies. Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum generally mirror price revisions made by Indian Oil.

The hike comes amid concerns over under-recoveries at OMCs, which have held petrol and diesel prices steady since April 2022 despite a sharp rise in global crude and fuel prices following the escalation of tensions in West Asia.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier hinted at a possible price increase, saying OMCs were estimated to be losing between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 1,200 crore daily on fuel sales.

According to estimates cited by the minister, the three state-run retailers could have faced combined losses of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in the first quarter of the current financial year if prices had remained unchanged.

Alongside petrol and diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) prices were also raised.

In Delhi, CNG prices have reportedly gone up by Rs 2 per kg to Rs 79.09 per kg from Rs 77.09 earlier. A day earlier, CNG prices in Mumbai were similarly increased by Rs 2 per kg, taking prices across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to Rs 84 per kg.

The fuel price hike is expected to weigh on consumer sentiment, particularly in the entry-level car and motorcycle segments, where buyers are highly sensitive to running costs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed for the conservation of petroleum products as part of broader measures to protect India’s foreign exchange reserves amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil requirements, leaving the economy vulnerable to sharp swings in global oil prices. Reports had indicated that, before the latest revision, OMCs were losing around Rs 14 per litre on petrol sales and nearly Rs 42 per litre on diesel.

The government had, in late March, cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre to reduce the burden on consumers and provide some relief to OMCs. The Petroleum Ministry had said the excise duty reduction would result in the government foregoing revenue of around Rs 14,000 crore every month. Without the duty cut, a larger part of the burden would have fallen on the three fuel retailers.

Genesys International Secures Ganga Survey Project From NMCG

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:17:21

Genesys International Corporation has secured a project from the National Mission for Clean Ganga for aerial LiDAR survey and geotagged videography of the River Ganga drainage system across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

The assignment will cover the Ballia-to-Farakka stretch and involve the use of both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture geospatial data for the river corridor and associated drainage systems. According to the company, the project will generate datasets intended to support river-corridor assessment, drainage identification, terrain analysis and planning activities.

The scope of work includes aerial LiDAR surveys, photogrammetry, orthorectified imagery and geotagged videography of natural and manmade drainage systems that merge into the river. Deliverables are expected to include 3D LiDAR point cloud data, orthorectified imagery, annotated aerial video and geotagged drainage information.

Sajid Malik, chairman and managing director of Genesys International, said the project demonstrates the use of both manned aerial systems and UAVs for large-scale river intelligence applications. “We believe this is an important emerging geospatial vertical, with the potential to support environmental restoration, wastewater planning, floodplain management, and multiple development use cases across India’s river systems,” he said.

The company said the resulting datasets could support use cases such as drain and confluence mapping, pollution hotspot identification, wastewater interception planning, floodplain analysis and river-edge infrastructure planning.

BKT Tyres Expands T20 Campaign With Fan Participation Push

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:23:18

Mumbai-based Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has launched a new marketing campaign during India’s men’s T20 cricket season, using its long-standing association with the tournament to build consumer engagement as it expands into the on-highway tyre segment.

Called ‘Sound of BKT’, the campaign centres around a brand anthem featuring 25 cricketers from eight T20 franchises. The company said the initiative is designed to encourage fan participation through social media engagement and user-generated content.

BKT, traditionally known for its off-highway tyre business, recently entered India’s two-wheeler, passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle tyre segments as part of a broader consumer market expansion strategy.

As part of the campaign, the company has introduced a ‘BKT Hook Step’, described as a simple gesture intended to be easily replicated by fans and creators online. The campaign also incorporates sonic branding, with the company aiming to improve recall amid the high advertising activity of the cricket season.

Mahesh Koppad, Chief Marketing Officer at BKT Tyres, said the company’s marketing approach is evolving as it expands into the consumer tyre market. “Our multi-season association with Indian T20 League has successfully established robust brand visibility. However, as BKT transitions into a comprehensive mobility provider in the consumer on-highway tyre market, our marketing must evolve from passive sponsorship to active emotional resonance,” he said.

Players from Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants are part of the campaign.

BKT said the campaign will roll out in phases across digital platforms through influencer-led promotions, team-specific edits and participative contest formats during the course of the T20 season.

Tata Motors Incorporates Teesta Renewable Energy SPV, Takes 26% Stake In New Power Venture

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:01:31

Tata Motors has incorporated a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Teesta Renewable Energy Private Limited (TREPL), to expand its involvement in renewable energy and captive power generation. The company disclosed the development through a regulatory filing dated May 12, 2026.

The automaker will hold a 26 per cent equity stake in the newly formed entity, thereby making TREPL an associate company of Tata Motors. Welspun Renewable Energy Private Limited has been identified as the holding company of the SPV.

According to the filing, TREPL has been incorporated in India and will operate in the power sector. Its business activities will include solar and wind power generation, along with captive generation and sale of electrical energy.

The filing did not specify the scale of the proposed renewable energy projects or provide timelines for commercial operations. However, the structure suggests the SPV could support Tata Motors’ broader energy requirements through captive renewable power sourcing, while also aligning with ongoing industrial decarbonisation efforts across the automotive sector.

Tata Motors stated that the initial capital subscription in the SPV will be made in cash, with the shares subscribed at par value at the time of incorporation. The company also noted that no governmental or regulatory approvals were required specifically for the incorporation process

CNH India Marks 800,000-Tractor Milestone At Greater Noida Facility

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:00:50

CNH India has rolled out its 800,000th tractor from its Greater Noida manufacturing facility, marking a production milestone for the company’s India operations.

Operational since 1999, the Greater Noida facility manufactures tractors under the New Holland and Case IH brands for both domestic and export markets. According to the company, the latest milestone comes two years after the plant crossed the 700,000-unit mark in 2024.

The company said the facility currently has an annual production capacity of around 60,000 tractors and is in the process of ramping this up to 70,000 units. The plant manufactures a broad range of tractor models catering to varied agricultural applications in India and overseas markets.

“As a key pillar in CNH’s global manufacturing network, our Noida plant continues to deliver world-class, technology-driven solutions backed by the trust of our customers and our commitment to the future of farming,” said Ravi Kundra, Director Manufacturing Agriculture, CNH India.

Spread across 60 acres, the facility also manufactures engines, transmissions, power take-offs and axles. CNH India said the plant produces over 3,000 tractor variants and exports products to more than 90 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and North America.

The company added that the facility uses automated manufacturing systems and has implemented sustainability measures, including rooftop solar power generation, water conservation initiatives and Miyawaki-based afforestation programmes.

CNH India also said it plans to establish a new tractor manufacturing facility to support future domestic and export demand for locally manufactured equipment.

Maruti Suzuki Selects Six Startups for AI and Technology-Led Solutions

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:37:08

Maruti Suzuki India has selected six startups under the 10th cohort of its Accelerator Program to develop technology-led solutions across manufacturing, product development and customer operations.

The selected startups — Goat Robotics, SheerDrive, Schijnenn Digital, GenbaNEXT, Swayatt Drishtigochar and Swiftex, have been awarded paid proof-of-concept (PoC) projects with the automaker. The solutions are expected to focus on areas such as plant safety, operational efficiency, material traceability and dealer support systems.

Goat Robotics will work on solutions aimed at enabling safer and more efficient movement of materials within plant operations, while SheerDrive is developing a real-time, market-linked used car price visualisation platform. Schijnenn Digital has been tasked with tools intended to shorten product design and development cycles. GenbaNEXT will focus on material traceability systems linked to circularity initiatives, and Swayatt Drishtigochar is developing predictive maintenance and industrial equipment safety solutions. Swiftex, meanwhile, is building a sales assistance platform intended to help dealer sales executives improve customer engagement and support functions.

According to the company, the projects include solutions for safe movement of materials, predictive maintenance of industrial equipment, AI-led sales assistance platforms and tools aimed at shortening product design and development cycles.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said the collaborations are intended to support operational efficiency and improve traceability and customer engagement across the company’s ecosystem.

Maruti Suzuki said it has built multiple innovation and incubation initiatives over the past seven years to engage with startups in mobility and manufacturing technologies. The company stated that it has screened more than 6,800 startups, engaged with over 250 and onboarded 34 as business partners so far.

Navi General Insurance Expands Cashless Motor Claims Network Through New Partnerships

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:30:10

Navi General Insurance has announced partnerships with GoMechanic, ReadyAssist, myTVS and AIS Windshield Experts to expand its motor insurance claims and roadside assistance network across India.

The company said the partnerships are aimed at strengthening its “Cashless Anywhere” claims offering, allowing customers to access vehicle repairs and related services without upfront payments at partner garages and service centres.

Under the arrangement, ReadyAssist will provide 24x7 roadside assistance coverage across more than 19,000 pincodes and support Navi’s physical claims survey operations across the country. The company said authorised representatives are expected to reach customers within a few hours of claim intimation in cases such as roadside breakdowns or on-site vehicle inspections.

GoMechanic, myTVS and AIS Windshield Experts will support Navi’s cashless claims servicing network through their garage and windshield service infrastructure. The services will include accident repairs and windshield replacements.

Navi said its cashless garage network has expanded from around 710 garages in January 2026 to more than 1,600 garages across over 500 cities. The company is targeting a network of more than 3,000 garages by June 2026.

Vaibhav Goyal, managing director and CEO, Navi General Insurance Limited, said the company’s focus was on improving claims accessibility, turnaround times and physical support capabilities through technology integration and partnerships.

According to the company, motor insurance currently contributes around 32 per cent of India’s general insurance premiums, with increasing adoption of digital-first insurance models influencing customer expectations around claims servicing and support networks.

Customs Department Pushes AEO Adoption Among Auto Ancillary Firms

Kiran Murali — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:40:38

The customs department has urged MSMEs and auto ancillary companies to adopt the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, noting that the scheme can help reduce logistics costs and improve cargo movement as manufacturers face global supply chain disruptions.

Speaking at an industry event organised by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association, Manish Mohan Govil, principal commissioner at the Directorate of Logistics, Customs and Central Excise under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, said companies registered under the programme could benefit from faster customs clearance, lower cargo inspections and deferred duty payments.

“If you are a company which fulfils certain criteria, in that case, you get certain advantages from the government,” Govil said.

He said the benefits include “faster customs clearance, reduced customs examination of cargo, deferred duty payments, priority during port congestion, direct port delivery, and mutual recognition agreements with other countries.”

“Overall, what it leads to is the reduction of transaction costs,” he added.

The government has been trying to encourage wider participation in trade facilitation schemes, particularly among MSMEs and ancillary manufacturers that form a key part of India’s automotive supply chain.

The AEO programme is a voluntary initiative designed to secure and facilitate legitimate international trade. It is implemented by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework.

Govil said many government programmes often see limited participation from industry despite their potential benefits. “The problem is that certain budget announcements are made, and we find that the industry doesn't come forward to take these programmes,” he said.

According to him, the reasons could include a lack of awareness, procedural bottlenecks, higher onboarding costs, and concerns over whether the schemes suit existing business models.

He urged industry members to share feedback with customs officials to improve implementation and make the programmes more useful for businesses.

The customs department also highlighted the government’s new Eligible Manufacturing Scheme (EMI), announced in the Budget, which offers benefits such as deferred duty payments aimed at easing working capital pressures for manufacturers.

Govil said India was also moving towards a more technology-driven customs framework, including a new customs integrated system and wider use of cargo-scanning infrastructure at ports.

He said the measures were aimed at improving trade efficiency and supporting industry growth amid global uncertainties.