SUV-MPV sales rise 15% to 1.1 million units in April-August, M&M, Toyota, Tata gain market share

The utility vehicle (UV) segment, with sustained double-digit growth, continues to act as a buffer for declining hatchback and sedan sales. At 1.10 million units, wholesales or OEM vehicle dispatches to showrooms in the April-August 2024 period were up 15% year on year (April-August 2023: 963,277 units). UV dispatches account for 63% of overall passenger… Continue reading SUV-MPV sales rise 15% to 1.1 million units in April-August, M&M, Toyota, Tata gain market share

The Auto Industry Finally Has a Plan to Stop Electric Vehicle Fires

Last month, a Mercedes Benz EQE 350 electric vehicle caught fire in a South Korean apartment building’s underground parking garage. Reportedly, 23 people were sent to the hospital and approximately 900 cars were damaged. The fire reached temperatures of more than 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius), and took firefighters almost eight hours to extinguish.… Continue reading The Auto Industry Finally Has a Plan to Stop Electric Vehicle Fires

From code to cars: N Chandrasekaran’s technocratic Triumph

In 2017, Tata Motors faced a crossroads. Burdened with mounting losses and a bloated balance sheet, India’s largest automaker needed a fresh perspective. Enter N Chandrasekaran, a veteran of the IT industry with no automotive experience. The appointment of this former TCS boss — which raised eyebrows in Bombay House at the time — has… Continue reading From code to cars: N Chandrasekaran’s technocratic Triumph

Tata Curvv waiting period ranges from 4-8 weeks

The Tata Curvv was recently launched at an introductory starting price of Rs 10 lakh, entering the crowded mid-size SUV segment, but with a unique coupe-like form factor. While the coupe-SUV directly goes up against the Citroen Basalt, it also gives competition to conventional mid-size SUVs such as Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara,… Continue reading Tata Curvv waiting period ranges from 4-8 weeks

Why demergers are better for multi-product organisations

Tata Motors announced the demerger of its commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle businesses into two entities. The press release cited key reasons for the same as ‘synergies’ and ‘global focus’. While it sure has positive outcomes for the stock market, as a marketer, one may ask whether such a move is aimed purely at the… Continue reading Why demergers are better for multi-product organisations

Lumax Auto Technologies to acquire majority stake in Greenfuel Energy Solutions, expanding into green fuels

Lumax Auto Technologies Limited (LATL), a Tier-1 supplier of automotive systems and components, has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Greenfuel Energy Solutions Private Limited (Greenfuel) from its current shareholders. This acquisition will mark LATL’s entry into the green and alternate fuels segment, including CNG, hydrogen, and other applications, which are expected… Continue reading Lumax Auto Technologies to acquire majority stake in Greenfuel Energy Solutions, expanding into green fuels

Uno Minda revs up localisation of EV parts, plans new plant under Inovance TLA

Gurugram-headquartered Tier-1 major Uno Minda, which is a key supplier of switches, lights, and instrument clusters, among other propulsion-technology-agnostic parts, has revealed plans to set up a greenfield facility for a range of products it has lined up for passenger electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. The company states that it is witnessing growing demand… Continue reading Uno Minda revs up localisation of EV parts, plans new plant under Inovance TLA

Uno Minda revs up localisation of EV parts, plans new plant under Inovance TLA

Gurugram-headquartered Tier-1 major Uno Minda, which is a key supplier of switches, lights, and instrument clusters, among other propulsion-technology-agnostic parts, has revealed plans to set up a greenfield facility for a range of products it has lined up for passenger electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. The company states that it is witnessing growing demand… Continue reading Uno Minda revs up localisation of EV parts, plans new plant under Inovance TLA

Why a classic Land Rover Defender can cost £7k or £230k

What a month for Land Rover Defender residuals, with the announcement of not one but two restoration-and-modification specials. I also see that we’re deep into territory that I predicted (go me) in 2016, when I thought that within a few years, old Defenders would be rebranded as Defender Classics. I was partly right: it seems to… Continue reading Why a classic Land Rover Defender can cost £7k or £230k