CARMAKERS INDIA
Reliance plans Rs 43,000 cr coal gasification project in Andhra Pradesh, document shows
Reliance Industries is set to invest approximately 430 billion rupees in Andhra Pradesh for a coal gasification project. This project aims to create 5,000 direct and 35,000 indirect jobs, while attracting further investments over its lifetime. The first phase will involve exploration and pilot demonstrations to establish the project's feasibility. An additional investment of approximately 400 billion rupees will follow if the first phase proves successful.
Caught between costly inputs and cautious buyers, India Inc takes a hit
Companies in India's consumer goods, automobile, and paints sectors are increasing prices to offset rising costs. The West Asia conflict has severely impacted input and logistics expenses across various industries. While some companies have raised prices, they are still absorbing part of these costs to maintain demand. Consumer giants like Hindustan Unilever and Asian Paints report pressure on their margins despite price hikes.
BJP demands transparency from Industries Minister on Rs 1,370 cr expansion plans in Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy challenged TN Industries minister S Keerthana's claims of Rs 1,370 crore expansion plans of South Korean companies. Thirupathy said the investments were not the government's achievement but routine expansion of existing South Korean companies in the state. He claimed that most of the new manufacturing capacity expansion and jobs went to Andhra Pradesh.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC – Part 84: Can rising demand for decorative features drive this auto ancillary's growth?
A car can change its engine and still look almost the same. It can also keep the same engine and look so different that buyers happily pay more for it. That is the peculiar corner of the automobile industry this story explores. For one listed supplier, the shift to EVs may be less threatening than it sounds. The bigger question is whether changing consumer preferences can help it build a more valuable business.
DPIIT seeks Fillip for local mfg of 100 goods in budget
DPIIT has examined 500 heavily imported products to identify opportunities for boosting domestic manufacturing. The department plans to share its findings with the finance ministry for the FY28 budget recommendations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with Skoda Auto Volkswagen to promote electric vehicle manufacturing and increase localization. High import dependence is classified based on the percentage of domestic demand met by imports.
Cars to clogs: Dhanteras brings out best retail day of year; takes festive value sales up 20%
Buoyant festive demand in Dhanteras, India’s largest sales period, will be a relief to companies and retailers as it comes in the backdrop of deficient monsoons, high food inflation, volatility in IT sector employment, continued geopolitical uncertainties and risks of El Niño weather conditions.
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Mercedes plans bigger India play with greater localisation of parts
Mercedes-Benz plans to increase its local manufacturing efforts while expanding its supplier base in India. The luxury carmaker expects to achieve record annual sales if the current trend continues. Ola Kallenius, the global chairman, highlighted the potential for Indian suppliers to support global operations. The company has committed an additional investment of ₹200 crore, raising total investments to ₹3,200 crore.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC - Part 83: Under this auto ancillary’s hood, sales and profits tell different stories
Some auto suppliers spend years trying to win a major customer. This business has been associated with one for four decades. That has helped build manufacturing scale, product capabilities, and a presence near auto plants. But it also creates an unusual equation for investors. Nearly 90% of the company's FY26 revenue is from sales to one related customer. Its portfolio spans parts that can survive the EV transition and others more closely tied to ICE vehicles. The story is about how durable customer access becomes durable returns.
Indian auto's real test lies ahead after firecracker start to festive season
India’s passenger vehicle dispatches crossed the 5-lakh mark for the first time in October, with wholesales estimated to grow 13-15% year-on-year to 5.25-5.3 lakh units. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai reported record monthly sales, while commercial vehicle makers also posted strong growth.
Ferrari accelerates India push as 'market of the future', targets younger buyers while guarding exclusivity
Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, who has been driving around Indian roads, talks about the need to be closer to the clients, how their Indian customer is younger than in the rest of the world and why Ferrari always makes one less car than what the market demands
India, Volkswagen clash in court over record $1.2 billion tax dispute
India defended its record $1.2 billion tax demand against Volkswagen in a Mumbai court on Thursday, saying the German company never provided required information in time, while the carmaker argued the demand came years too late.
Maruti Suzuki crosses EV exports of 50,000 units since August 2025
Maruti Suzuki India reached a significant milestone by exporting more than 50,000 electric vehicles since August 2025. The company dominates India's electric passenger vehicle export market, holding nearly 93% of the total share. Its Hansalpur facility has achieved an annual production capacity of 1 million vehicles, boosting its export capabilities.
Tractor demand drying to likely 3-year low at arid farms
Tractor sales are projected to fall by up to 10% year-on-year, while vehicle dealers in some markets are also seeing sharp declines in sales of entry-level cars and two-wheelers. Tractor sales were up 8% to 610,000 units in the first half of the current year from a year-ago period, according to Tractor and Mechanisation Association. The pressure is also visible in entry-level motorcycles and cars, which have a large rural market.
Why India’s largest carmaker’s chairman believes small cars still rule the road despite the SUV craze
Maruti Suzuki Chairman R C Bhargava highlighted the ongoing demand for small cars in India. He noted sales figures of 398,000 small cars and 162,000 SUVs in the first half of FY27. First-time buyers now account for 54% of Maruti's sales, marking a significant increase. The recent GST cuts have improved affordability for entry-level vehicles.
Hyundai Motor India's Q2 profit falls 24% as commodity costs blunt tax-cut boost to demand
Hyundai Motor India reported a profit drop of 24% in the second quarter due to increased raw material costs. Rising commodity prices for materials like copper and steel squeezed profitability despite strong vehicle demand. The company's profit after tax for the quarter was Rs 1,196 crore, down from Rs 1,572 crore the previous year. Total revenue increased significantly to Rs 20,696 crore, marking a record quarter.
Maruti Q2 net misses street view despite record quarterly sales
Maruti Suzuki's consolidated net profit fell by 26% in the fiscal second quarter to ₹2,466 crore. Revenue rose 26% to ₹53,355.5 crore, driven by record sales of 696,654 units. The company achieved 40.8% market share with strong demand for small cars and SUVs. Operating profit decreased due to increased input costs and lower other income.
JLR looks to narrow gap with BMW in India on local Defender assembly and price cuts of up to Rs 34 lakh
Jaguar Land Rover is focusing on local assembly of the Land Rover Defender to increase its market presence. The company has reduced prices of certain Defender variants by significantly lowering their costs to attract more buyers. Despite being third in luxury car sales, JLR expects to close the gap with BMW through these changes. Amba anticipates a 20% increase in annual sales volume due to local assembly benefits.
Maruti Suzuki flags West Asia-linked commodity costs as margins come under pressure
Maruti Suzuki India achieved record quarterly sales in the September quarter despite facing profitability challenges. The company reported a significant decline in operating earnings due to increasing material costs and adverse foreign exchange movements. While domestic sales grew substantially, net profit also experienced a decline compared to the previous year. The firm's efforts to manage costs were not sufficient to offset the impacts of rising expenses.
Volkswagen freezes India EV investment as JSW partnership talks continue
Volkswagen has paused further investment in its India electric-vehicle programme pending greater clarity on a potential partnership with Sajjan Jindal’s JSW Group. The German automaker has completed preliminary design work using a low-cost EV platform developed for China but awaits a clearer business plan. The pause could delay its India EV push as competition intensifies and affordable electric-car sales accelerate.
Tesla pitches Model Y at Rs 19,990 a month after fuel savings, with Rs 6 lakh down payment
Tesla is offering its Model Y electric SUV at an advertised effective monthly cost of Rs 19,990 during a three-day sales carnival from October 23 to 25 across India. The offer requires a Rs 6 lakh down payment, with a monthly instalment of Rs 39,990 under a seven-year step-up EMI plan at 8.5% annual interest, subject to financier approval.
India Inc eyes a festive boom, but the bottom line holds a twist
Festive shopping is currently gaining momentum with significant sales in both online and offline markets. Companies are experiencing increased demand but are also facing rising costs that impact profitability. Many consumers are driven by discounts and affordable payment options during this festive season. Businesses are adapting pricing strategies to balance consumer affordability with input cost pressures.
Car registrations plunge 22% this Navratri despite strong deliveries
The fall largely reflects a high base. Last year's Navratri coincided with the rollout of GST 2.0, after sales had come to a standstill for half of August and almost all of September. This year, momentum continued even through Shradh, a period considered inauspicious.
Carmakers gear up with multi-powertrain models as Indian buyers shift beyond petrol, diesel
Car manufacturers are expanding powertrain offerings by introducing electric, CNG, hybrid, and petrol options. Companies like Renault and Stellantis are addressing regional demands for efficient engines and diverse vehicles. The rising fuel prices and tighter emission norms are compelling automakers to adapt their strategies. Toyota and Mahindra are focusing on multi-energy platforms to meet market needs effectively.
Jaguar Land Rover India expands retail presence in Delhi, Gurugram; sees NCR as key market
Jaguar Land Rover India has relocated to a larger facility in Delhi and opened a new outlet in Gurugram. The company views the National Capital Region as a key growth market for luxury vehicles. This expansion increases JLR's retail network to 33 outlets across 26 cities in India. Recent sales figures indicate a year-on-year growth of 11 percent in the June quarter.
Renault India’s hybrid-CNG bet could transform its sales mix: CEO Stephane Deblaise
Renault is focusing on hybrid and CNG vehicles to enhance its presence in the Indian market. CEO Stephane Deblaise indicated these vehicles could comprise half of their sales mix in the next two to three years. The company has launched a strong hybrid Duster SUV and plans to introduce CNG models thereafter. Renault aims for a 3-5% market share by 2030 through its strategy of offering seven models in India.
Driving a wedge in the EU EV market
Chinese automobile companies are presenting their advanced technologies at the Paris auto show to attract European buyers. European car manufacturers face challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles due to investments in battery capacity. As competition intensifies, Chinese firms view Europe as a crucial market for growth and exports. The European market's dependence on fuel imports may favor electric vehicles over traditional fuel-powered ones.
Luxury car buyers lose most GST 2.0 benefits as Mercedes, BMW and Audi raise prices
Luxury carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi have increased vehicle prices after a GST cut. The price hikes are a response to rising input costs and a weakened rupee against major currencies. Despite this, luxury car sales in India are projected to grow by about 11% by 2026. This growth trails the broader Indian passenger vehicle market, which is estimated to advance 13-14% this year.
Not-so smooth ride: Auto industry faces cost squeeze as steel, freight prices surge, more hikes likely
The Indian automobile industry is currently grappling with rising input and freight costs due to geopolitical uncertainties. Prices of key commodities like HR steel and aluminum have surged significantly over the past year. Major car manufacturers have already implemented multiple price hikes and are considering more after the festive season. Despite these challenges, overall auto sales have recorded strong growth in the first half of this fiscal year.
Stellantis to invest ₹4,000 crore in India; launch 12 Jeep, Citroën vehicles by 2030
Dutch carmaker Stellantis plans to invest ₹4,000 crore in India over the next three years. This investment aims to introduce seven new and five upgraded models under the Jeep and Citroën brands. Stellantis seeks to triple its market share by 2030 while enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and localisation. Additionally, the company intends to expand its retail presence and strengthen brand awareness through various marketing initiatives.
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