Autocar Professional - Latest Articles

VIDEO: Inside Oben Electric’s Plan to Crack India’s EV Motorcycle Market

Prerna Lidhoo — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:23:37

India is the world’s largest motorcycle market, but the mass-market EV motorcycle segment is still largely untapped. Oben Electric wants to change that. In this episode of Start to Scale, Madhumita Agrawal, Founder and CEO of Oben Electric, talks about the company’s journey from identifying a gap in India’s motorcycle market to building an integrated EV motorcycle business. Agarwal explains why Oben chose vertical integration, how the company developed its own battery, motor, vehicle control unit and connected technology and why it believes controlling the EV stack can be a key advantage in building a new motorcycle brand.

Oben Electric's Funding, Retail Expansion and Profitability Roadmap

She also talks about Oben’s early startup challenges, fundraising, initial product and service issues, the company’s focus on customer experience, its plans to reach 500+ stores, the road to COGS breakeven and profitability, and its ambitions for exports.

Rorr EZ Sigma, LFP Battery Tech and the O100 Platform

The conversation also takes a closer look at Oben’s Rorr EZ Sigma, its LFP battery technology, the upcoming O100 platform and the company’s strategy to expand across different motorcycle price segments.

Watch Now:

Video: Deep Drive Podcast - Decoding Honda 2-Wheelers' Premium Strategy for India

Ketan Thakkar — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 14:09:26

After two and a half decades in India, Honda has finally made a big statement
that it is now fully invested into the premium motorcycling space in India. The company recently held a big bang event in New Delhi last week where it showed off 10 brand new products, eight of which are for its bigwing dealer network.

Rishaad Mody, Bikes Editor, Autocar India and Ketan Thakkar, Editor, Autocar Professional, discuss the bikes and scooters in question and the significance of the announcement on this edition of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast.

Video: AP Trends Podcast - July ‘26 2W EVs Cross 2 Lakh Units, Petrol Loses Ground

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:25:59

India’s auto industry posted strong dispatch numbers in July 2026, with wholesale volumes at around 4.65 lakh units and channel stock up 60-65 thousand units. All segments recorded growth as new production capacity came online.

The bigger story is the fuel shift: petrol’s market share fell below 50% for the first time, while CNG climbed to 24%. EVs had a standout month — 2-wheeler EVs crossed 2 lakh units in retail sales, with PV and 2W EV retail sales up around 95%.

We also look at discounting trends (lower in July, possibly improving in August as production ramps up), why companies without EV portfolios are losing market share, and how OEMs are managing margin pressure from higher raw material costs through gradual price hikes.

Watch the full interview above.

VIDEO: Kia Syros EV - Atul Sood on Buyback, Range and What's Next for Kia India

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:10:03

Autocar Professional spoke with Atul Sood of Kia India on the launch of the Syros EV, the company's second made-in-India electric model after the Clavis EV, and its third overall following the imported EV6 and EV9.

Sood said the Syros EV is offered with two battery options, a long-range variant tested at 526km and a 42kWh version rated at 443km, and detailed Kia's new customer assurance package, which includes an 80 percent buyback guarantee after three years for personal buyers, along with a lifetime warranty on the high-voltage battery, both applicable to first owners.

The conversation also covered Kia's broader plans: a roadmap of 10 models by 2030, eight with electrified powertrain options, a strong hybrid version of the Seltos under development, and a factory-fitted CNG option in the works, though without a confirmed timeline. Sood also shared Kia's H1 sales performance and its 2030 target of 410,000 units and 7.6 percent market share in India.

Watch the full interview above.

VIDEO: Kia Syros EV - Atul Sood on Buyback, Range and What's Next for Kia India

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:10:03

Watch the full interview above.

VIDEO: First Product on ADAPT Platform Will Be an EV, Followed by a PHEV: JSW MG Motor India

Autocar Professional Bureau — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:34:00

At the launch of JSW MG Motor India's multi-powertrain ADAPT platform, Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director at JSW MG Motor India, spoke with Autocar Professional about the platform's capabilities and the road ahead for EVs and hybrids in India.

JSW MG Motor India expects New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) to account for 30% of industry sales by 2030, rising to as much as 75% of yearly volumes within the next decade. The larger share of this will be pure EV volumes, with hybrids making up the rest.

Mehrotra also spoke about diesel buyers, for whom total cost of ownership remains a key priority, and how plug-in hybrids can meet those needs. While the company currently sells a few diesel-powertrain products, it has no plans to introduce another diesel model in the near term.

Watch the full interview for more on ADAPT's capabilities and JSW MG Motor India's powertrain roadmap.

Video: VinFast Charts FY27 Roadmap Around Localisation, 2W Debut and Network Growth

Prerna Lidhoo — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:20:52

VinFast is making one of the biggest commitments by a global EV manufacturer in India, with a planned $2 billion investment, a manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and an expanding electric vehicle portfolio.

In this exclusive conversation with Autocar Professional, Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, discusses the company's long-term strategy for India, localisation roadmap, manufacturing plans, product positioning, two-wheeler ambitions and why the company remains confident despite intensifying competition in the country's fast-growing EV market.

Video: Ultraviolette Targets Operational Break-Even in 2026 With Future IPO in Sight

Prerna Lidhoo — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:23:02

In Episode 3 of Start to Scale, Autocar Professional's Prerna Lidhoo sits down with Narayan Subramaniam, Co-founder and CEO of Ultraviolette Automotive, to discuss the company's decade-long journey from a small Bengaluru startup to one of India's most ambitious EV brands.

Narayan shares how Ultraviolette was inspired by Tesla's playbook, why the company chose to start with high-performance motorcycles, and the challenges of building deep EV technology—from batteries and thermal management systems to vehicle software and AI-driven features. He also explains how the company secured its first funding, built proprietary intellectual property, and expanded into Europe.

The conversation covers Ultraviolette's upcoming product offensive, including the X47, Tesseract and Shockwave, plans for operational break-even in 2026, EBITDA profitability in 2027, and preparations for a future IPO. Narayan also outlines the company's vision of creating a globally recognised Indian mobility brand.

Watch the full conversation here.

Video: Ultraviolette Targets Operational Break-Even in 2026 With Future IPO in Sight

Prerna Lidhoo — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:23:02

Watch the full conversation here.

Video: India Auto Sales June '26: PVs Up 27%, EVs Boom, Margins Under Pressure | AP Trends Podcast

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:52:24

India's auto sector continues its strong run: passenger vehicle sales crossed the 4-lakh-unit mark for the fifth consecutive month, growing 27% in June '26. Auto industry expert Arun Malhotra breaks down the numbers across segments: 2W up 22%, CV up 28%, 3W up 20%, and tractors up 14-15%.

In this conversation, we discuss consumer sentiment in rural and urban markets, petrol's 45% share of PV volumes, the mass acceptance of CNG, Delhi's EV policy and its possible adoption by neighbouring states, hybrid policy treatment, EV penetration trends (7.5% in PVs, 11% in 2Ws, 34% in scooters), retail vs wholesale trends, monsoon impact on sales, and why OEM margins may stay under pressure in Q1 FY27.

Watch the full conversation here.

VIDEO: Software To Overtake Hardware As Automotive’s Biggest Value Driver: Dr Matthias Traub

Mukul Yudhveer Singh — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:11:06

Software is rapidly moving from being a supporting function to becoming the primary value driver in the automotive industry, according to Dr Matthias Traub, President & Managing Director of Vector Informatik GmbH.

In this exclusive Autocar Professional video interview, Traub discusses how the shift towards software-defined vehicles is transforming vehicle development, engineering processes and the way automakers create value for customers. He explains why continuous software development, over-the-air updates and DevOps practices are becoming increasingly important as vehicles grow more connected and software-intensive.

The conversation also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in automotive software engineering, virtual validation, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and semiconductor technologies. Traub shares his perspective on how OEMs, suppliers and technology companies will need to collaborate differently as software assumes a central role in vehicle architecture.

He also discusses India’s potential to emerge as a global hub for software-defined and AI-defined mobility, supported by its engineering talent and growing software capabilities.

Watch the full interview in the video.

VIDEO: Software To Overtake Hardware As Automotive’s Biggest Value Driver: Dr Matthias Traub

Mukul Yudhveer Singh — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:11:06

He also discusses India’s potential to emerge as a global hub for software-defined and AI-defined mobility, supported by its engineering talent and growing software capabilities.

Watch the full interview in the video.

Deep Drive Podcast: How China's Automotive Playbook Is Shaping the Cars India Will Drive Next

Sarthak Mahajan — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:57:01

China's impact on India's automotive industry is no longer measured by the number of Chinese brands on the road. Increasingly, it is being felt in the way cars are conceived, engineered and brought to market.

In the latest episode of Deep Drive, Hormazd Sorabjee and Ketan Thakkar discuss how China has emerged as the industry's new reference point for electric vehicles, software, battery technology and rapid product development. What was once seen largely as a low-cost manufacturing base has evolved into the world's biggest automotive innovation hub, influencing product strategies well beyond its domestic market.

The discussion explores how global and Indian manufacturers are drawing lessons from China's ability to combine technology, speed and value. Whether it is feature-packed interiors, software-driven user experiences or significantly shorter development cycles, many of the attributes that now define new-age vehicles have their origins in the Chinese market.

The influence is evident across the industry. Luxury carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW are bringing China-developed models to India, while manufacturers including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Volkswagen Group, Nissan and JSW are incorporating Chinese platforms, battery technology or supply-chain partnerships into their future product plans. The episode also examines why companies such as BYD, CATL and Gotion have become critical to the global EV ecosystem.

The podcast also argues that Indian manufacturers are not merely following China but adapting the country's strengths to local conditions. By combining established engineering capabilities with faster development cycles, richer technology and stronger value propositions, they are creating products that are increasingly competitive both at home and overseas.

Watch the full episode of Deep Drive as our senior editors examine one of the biggest shifts underway in the global automotive industry, and why China's greatest influence on India may ultimately be the ideas and technologies shaping the next generation of vehicles.

Video: How MINI Is Building a Stronger India Business Through Localisation

Prerna Lidhoo — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:33:19

As MINI India pushes to expand its footprint in the country's luxury car market, localisation is emerging as a key pillar of its long-term strategy. High import duties have historically posed a challenge for premium automotive brands, making local production increasingly important for improving competitiveness and building a stronger business case for future growth.

In this conversation with Autocar Professional's Prerna Lidhoo, Thomas Dose, Managing Director of BMW Group Plant Chennai, explains how MINI is balancing localisation with imported components, the progress made in local sourcing, and why a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could help create a more level playing field between imported and locally produced vehicles.

Dose also discusses the manufacturing capabilities of the Chennai plant, the company's approach to scaling operations organically, and how its flexible production lines are prepared to support internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles as market demand evolves.

The conversation offers valuable insights into MINI India's localisation strategy, the economics of manufacturing in India, and how the brand is positioning itself for future growth in one of the world's fastest-growing premium car markets.

Video: How Yulu Built a Shared EV Business Around India's Gig Economy

Prerna Lidhoo — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:33:00

From a simple idea inspired by China's shared mobility boom to becoming one of India's most prominent micro-mobility startups, Yulu's journey has been anything but straightforward.

In Episode 2 of Start to Scale, Autocar Professional's Prerna Lidhoo sits down with Naveen Dachuri, Co-founder and CTO of Yulu, to unpack how the company identified a massive mobility gap in India's cities, built vehicles specifically for shared use and navigated the challenges of scaling a capital-intensive business.

Naveen shares how Yulu's founders leveraged their personal networks to attract early investors, why gig workers became a critical customer segment and how the company designed its business model around asset longevity, vehicle uptime and operational efficiency. The conversation also explores the role of strategic investors, including Bajaj Auto and Magna, and how partnerships helped Yulu strengthen its position in the market.

With the company turning EBITDA positive, expanding deeper across cities and targeting 2–3x growth in FY27, Yulu is now entering a new phase of its journey. Naveen discusses what it takes to scale shared mobility in India, the economics behind the business and why an IPO could be on the horizon.

This is the story of how Yulu went from an ambitious startup idea to one of India's most closely watched mobility companies.

VIDEO: Could The Countryman C Expand MINI's Market Beyond Its Traditional Buyers?

Prerna Lidhoo — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:46:31

MINI is banking on the new Countryman C to drive its next phase of growth in India. According to Florian Kuenstner, Vice President MINI for Region China, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at BMW Group, customer demand for a larger, more practical SUV led to the development of the latest-generation Countryman. While bigger than before, the SUV retains MINI's sporty DNA and has significantly expanded the brand's addressable market.

The company believes the Countryman can help accelerate sales growth, supported by local production that reduces reliance on imports and improves competitiveness. MINI also expects demand for electrified vehicles to rise over time, positioning the brand to benefit from evolving consumer preferences and a growing premium SUV market.

Watch now.

Video: ISMA Sees ₹15,000 Kits Enabling Ethanol Use in BS4 Cars

Mukul Yudhveer Singh — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:36:22

India’s ethanol transition need not be limited to new flex-fuel vehicles. In this interview with Autocar Professional, ISMA Director General Deepak Ballani outlines how flex-fuel conversion kits could enable existing BS4 and BS6 petrol vehicles to operate on higher ethanol blends such as E85.

Ballani reveals that ISMA imported flex-fuel conversion kits and worked with IIT Delhi to evaluate the technology on an existing passenger vehicle. According to him, the trials were successful, with the vehicle covering thousands of kilometres without any major compatibility concerns. He estimates that locally manufactured kits could eventually cost around ₹15,000, making them a potentially affordable pathway for consumers looking to adopt ethanol fuels.

The conversation also covers India’s ethanol production capacity, export opportunities, and why ISMA believes the country is unlikely to require ethanol imports in the foreseeable future. Watch the full interview for Ballani’s views on flex-fuel technology, ethanol economics, and the future of biofuels in India’s automotive sector.

Video: India Won’t Need US Ethanol Imports, Says AIDA DDG Bharati Balaji

Mukul Yudhveer Singh — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:19:53

India is unlikely to require ethanol imports from the United States even as the country explores higher ethanol blends beyond E20, according to Bharati Balaji, Director General of the All India Distillers Association (AIDA).

In this exclusive conversation with Autocar Professional, Balaji discusses India’s ethanol production capacity, the growing role of maize-based ethanol, the future of E25 and E30 blends, flex-fuel vehicles, and the policy measures needed to accelerate adoption. He also explains why the industry believes domestic production can meet future demand and shares AIDA’s perspective on India’s evolving biofuel roadmap.

VIDEO: Why Lamborghini's Next Car Won't Be Fully Electric

Autocar Professional Bureau — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:34:43

Lamborghini had a record year in India, selling 100 units in 2024. In this exclusive interview, Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., discusses the brand's roadmap, including why a plug-in hybrid will arrive before a full electric Lamborghini, how shifting customer preferences are shaping powertrain strategy, and why design and performance remain non-negotiable for the brand. He also weighs in on the impact of the EU-FTA, global market uncertainties, and why India's luxury car market still has significant room to grow.

Watch the full conversation for insights on Lamborghini's electrification plans and its outlook for the Indian market.

VIDEO: BYD Bets on PHEVs to Address Range Anxiety and Expand EV Adoption

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:30:51

As BYD prepares to introduce its DM-i plug-in hybrid technology in India, the company is positioning PHEVs as a stepping stone for customers who remain uncertain about switching directly to fully electric vehicles.

In this exclusive conversation with Autocar Professional, BYD India head Rajeev Chauhan discusses the rationale behind bringing the technology to India, the role of PHEVs in addressing range anxiety, and how the company expects the technology to complement, rather than replace, electric vehicles.

Chauhan also shares BYD’s views on the rapid growth of India’s EV market, evolving customer behaviour, charging infrastructure development, and the competitive landscape as more automakers evaluate plug-in hybrid offerings for the country.

Watch the full interview to understand why BYD sees PHEVs as an important bridge towards wider EV adoption in India.