New Delhi, February 18, 2026: Marking the third day of SIAM Sustainable Mobility Week 2026, The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) today organised the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Circularity at the India Habitat Centre. Held under the theme, “Accelerating India’s Systemic Transition to an Automotive Circular Economy: Policy Leadership, Innovation and Collaborative Action,” the conference highlighted the importance of embedding circular economy principles into India’s automotive growth through strong policy support, innovation and collaborative action across the value chain.

SIAM Sustainable Mobility Week 2026 is being held from February 16–19, 2026, which also includes the Sustainable Mobility Zone showcasing next-generation vehicle platforms, advanced safety systems, alternative fuels and enabling infrastructure solutions. The four-day initiative has brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, researchers and technology innovators to chart a clear roadmap for sustainable mobility in India. Continue reading “SIAM Hosts 4th International Conference on Sustainable Circularity, Calls for Systemic Shift to Automotive Circular Economy”

Tata AutoComp, through its subsidiary, Artifex Interior Systems, has strengthened its presence in the European Union with the successful completion of the acquisition of IAC Slovakia, a key supplier to Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda.

Pune, India – 18 February 2026

Tata AutoComp Systems Limited, through its British subsidiary Artifex Interior Systems, has completed the acquisition of the 100% share capital of IAC Group (Slovakia) s.r.o Continue reading “Tata AutoComp, Through Its Subsidiary, Artifex Interior Systems, Successfully Completes Acquisition of IAC Slovakia, to be renamed as ‘Artifex Systems Slovakia s.r.o’”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s IG Metall has filed a criminal complaint against the manager of Tesla’s factory near Berlin, accusing him of “spreading false allegations”, the union said on Tuesday, in another sign of its souring relations with the U.S. automaker.

The union said it had also applied to a labour court for a temporary injunction to prohibit Andre Thierig from further making the allegations. Tesla did not respond immediately to an emailed request for comment. Continue reading “German union files defamation complaint against Tesla factory manager”

Summary

• Port of Los Angeles exports fell 8% in January, lowest in nearly three years
• Soybean exports from Port of Los Angeles to China dropped 80% last year
• First-quarter total port volume expected to fall less than 10% year-over-year

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Exports from the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest U.S. gateway for ocean trade, fell 8% in January to the lowest monthly output in nearly three years, Executive Director Gene Seroka said on Tuesday.

“Exports to China look dismal,” Seroka said after the Port of Los Angeles handled 104,297 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of loaded export containers in January. Continue reading “‘Exports to China look dismal,’ leader of busiest US seaport says”

(Reuters) – Tesla will avoid a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licenses in California after the U.S. electric vehicle maker stopped using the term “autopilot” in marketing of its vehicles in the state, a regulator said on Tuesday.

The reprieve from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) comes as Tesla and other EV makers grapple with a plunge in demand following the expiration of key tax credits that had boosted sales. Continue reading “Tesla avoids suspension by California regulator after corrective marketing changes”

Source : PTI | Business Wire India CarTrade Tech Limited today announced its Multi-Agent AI Ecosystem, set to be rolled out across platforms over the coming months, a transformative technology initiative designed to enhance customer experience across its platforms while accelerating margin expansion.

This announcement follows the Company’s strongest quarterly performance to date, with record quarterly revenue of ₹ 228 crore and a best-in-class 37 per cent EBITDA margin in Q3 FY26. Building on this operating momentum, the Company is providing an update on the core strategic levers driving CarTrade Tech’s next phase of margin expansion and market dominance.

Continue reading “CarTrade tech unveils multi-agent AI ecosystem”

(Reuters) – Shares of Australia’s Qube Holdings shot to a record high on Monday after it agreed to an A$11.7 billion ($8.26 billion) buyout offer from a consortium led by Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) to take the logistics firm private.

Qube shares jumped as much as 4.1% in early trading to an all-time high of A$5.05. The stock remained below the consortium’s A$5.20 a share offer. Continue reading “Qube shares hit record high after agreeing to $8.3 billion Macquarie-led buyout”

Source : PTI | There is a lot of scope for AI integration in the road and transport industry to help avoid accidents and check issues of vehicular pollution, a government official said on Monday.

Measures such as a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and adding driving-in-school curriculum can help in this direction, Pankaj Aggarwal, an officer in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said while speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in the national capital. Continue reading “AI integration in road, transport can help avoid accidents, curb pollution: Govt official”

Source : PTI | JSW MG Motor India is planning to drive in four new models this year, including a plug-in hybrid SUV, under its five-year plan to drive the next phase of growth, according to its Managing Director Anurag Mehrotra.

The company, which has unveiled premium SUV ‘MAJESTOR’, will be hiking its production capacity to 3 lakh units annually from the current 1.2 lakh units, and increase localisation, besides bringing new models, entailing a total investment of up to ₹5,000 crore, Mehrotra told PTI in an interview. Continue reading “JSW MG Motor India plans plug-in hybrid SUV among 4 new models this year”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen plans to cut costs by 20% across all brands by the end of 2028, Manager Magazin reported on Monday, as the German automaker looks to shore up its finances to counter the impact of higher costs, a tough Chinese market and U.S. tariffs.

CEO Oliver Blume and finance chief Arno Antlitz presented a “massive” savings plan at a closed-door meeting with the company’s top executives in Berlin in mid-January, the business publication added. Continue reading “Volkswagen plans to cut costs by 20% by end 2028, Manager Magazin reports”

Revenue Rs. 12,328 Crore (+21%) & Normalized PAT at Rs.1,439 Crore (+20%)

Declares Interim Dividend of Rs. 110 Per Share (5500%)

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, continues its strong financial performance for the third quarter (October – December 2025) of FY’26 and YTD FY’26 (April-December 2025), reporting highest ever Revenue & PAT. Continue reading “Hero Motocorp Reports Highest Ever Quarterly Revenue & Normalized PAT in its 25th Year of Leadership”

Summary

• Avoided 87,904 metric tonnes* of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emission and saved more than 687 lakh (68.7 million) litres of fuel
• Share of rail dispatches has increased more than fivefold, from 5.1% in 2016 to ~26% in 2025
• Rail-based vehicles dispatch volumes have grown over 7.5 times, reaching over 5.85 lakh units in 2025 from nearly 77,000 units in 2016

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) has set a new benchmark in green logistics by dispatching over 5.85 lakh vehicles through railways in CY 2025, a growth of 18% over CY 2024. Interestingly, in the past decade, Maruti Suzuki’s share of rail mode in outbound logistics has grown exponentially, rising from 5.1% in 2016 to ~26% in 2025, significantly reducing carbon emissions, country’s oil imports and easing road congestion. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki achieves record rail dispatch of over 5.85 lakh vehicles in CY 2025”

Source : PTI | The Delhi Traffic Police has launched a dedicated ‘Digital Lok Adalat’ application aimed at ensuring faster and more convenient settlement of traffic challans, an official said on Saturday.

The system has been developed in coordination with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) as part of a technology-driven push to streamline traffic enforcement-related services and reduce delays faced by citizens, the official said. Continue reading “Delhi Traffic Police launches ‘Digital Lok Adalat’ for faster challan disposal”

(Reuters) – For American buyers, affordable cars have not been this hot since the Gulf War sent gas prices climbing and Japanese automakers took market share by offering a simple proposition: “fill it, forget about it”.

Steep sticker prices on new cars are pushing Americans to opt out of premium trims for basic models, lifting sales of entry-level variants and prompting some automakers to adjust production. Continue reading “Americans ditch premium trims for entry-level cars as affordability takes a hit”

Summary

• Rivian forecasts 53% jump in 2026 deliveries
• Focus on cheaper EV reflects broader industry strategy shifts
• Stock set to add over $4 billion in market value, if gains hold

(Reuters) – Rivian’s projection that its cheaper models would attract more buyers this year drove a 25% stock jump on Friday, the latest sign of electric vehicle makers betting on affordable cars to revive sales after a key U.S. federal subsidy expired.

The company plans to roll out a new R2 model in the second quarter starting at nearly $45,000, similar to Tesla’s Model Y, marking a significant step down from the high-end R1 family of vehicles that Rivian is known for. Continue reading “Rivian shares surge as upcoming affordable SUV powers EV delivery forecast”

Summary

• German firms hold votes for labour representatives in March-May
• Far-right movements seen making inroads in key car sector
• Could provide a greater platform for AfD party
• Votes come as AfD seeks broad institutional footholds

STUTTGART, Germany, (Reuters) – On a dark February morning at Mercedes-Benz’s vast Untertuerkheim plant, workers arriving for the early shift are met by activists from Zentrum, a self-styled union affiliated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

“Game-changer,” reads the pamphlet they are handing out ahead of elections to the factory’s works council, at which Zentrum aims to challenge mainstream unions it says have failed to shield the automotive industry from thousands of job cuts. Continue reading “Germany’s far-right woos unhappy car workers”

Summary

• Stellantis reintroduces 7 diesel models in Europe amid disappointing EV sales
• Diesel cars offer competitive edge over Chinese EV rivals
• Stellantis focused on customer demand, wants to generate growth

PARIS, (Reuters) – Fiat-to-Jeep owner Stellantis is quietly resurrecting diesel versions of at least seven car and passenger van models across Europe as it retreats from electric vehicles, according to a review of dealer websites and company statements to Reuters.

In a previously unreported strategic shift, world No. 4 automaker Stellantis began in late 2025 to reintroduce diesel versions in Europe for models ranging from various passenger vans to the Peugeot 308 and premium DS No. 4 hatchback. Continue reading “Exclusive: Stellantis resurrects diesel cars across Europe amid EV retreat”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s repeal of the foundation for federal climate regulation will immediately free automakers from costly tailpipe emissions standards, but the move could spark lawsuits and force businesses to navigate an uncertain future of multiple state and regional rules.

Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized its repeal of the “endangerment finding” for vehicles, a 2009 determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health. The finding gave the agency authority to regulate emissions from vehicles, as well as other sectors that burn or produce fossil fuels. Continue reading “Trump EPA ends emissions limits for US automakers; state rules, lawsuits could follow”

Production: The total production of Passenger Vehicles1 , Three Wheelers, Two Wheelers, and Quadricycle in January 2026 was 29,27,394 units

Domestic Sales:
• Passenger Vehicles2 sales were 4,49,616 units in January 2026.
• Three-wheeler sales were 75,725 units in January 2026
• Two-wheeler sales were 19,25,603 units in January 2026.

Commenting on January 2026 performance, Mr Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM said, “Passenger Vehicles, Two-Wheelers and Three-Wheelers posted their highest ever Sales of January in 2026, with double digit growth, compared to January 2025. 4.50 Lakh units of Passenger Vehicles were sold in January 2026, with a growth of 12.6%, as compared to January 2025. Three-Wheelers witnessed a strong growth of 30.2% compared to January of previous year, with sales of 0.76 Lakh units, while Two-Wheelers grew by 26.2% in January 2026 as compared to January 2025, with sales of 19.26 Lakh units. The new year has begun on a positive note, extending the strong momentum seen in the previous quarter, supported by sustained demand following the GST rate reduction. The initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2026 to strengthen India’s manufacturing base, along with existing policy tailwinds, are expected to deliver long-term benefits for the sector and support growth in the medium term.” Continue reading “Indian Auto Industry Performance in January 2026 | SIAM”

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Summary

• Shares down 3.1%
• Cars margin seen stable at best in 2026
• 2025 operating profit misses forecast, down 57%

STUTTGART, Germany, (Reuters) – Mercedes-Benz said on Thursday that the profit margin at its autos division could fall further this year, indicating tough months ahead as the luxury carmaker grapples with high costs, a tough Chinese market and global tariffs.

The premium German automaker is pinning its hopes on new product launches in the coming years as it endeavours to win back customers in China – the world’s largest car market – and revive its dwindling margins. Continue reading “Mercedes flags more margin pressure ahead, tough road in China”

Summary

• Nissan expects 60 bln yen operating loss for fiscal year
• Nissan and Honda remain in collaboration talks, including for North America
• Nissan reports surprise Q3 y/y profit amid turnaround efforts

YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – Nissan sharply trimmed its outlook for a full-year loss on Thursday and reported a surprise profit in the third quarter, as the struggling Japanese automaker’s turnaround appears to be gaining traction.

Nissan is fighting to right itself after years of turmoil. Under CEO Ivan Espinosa it has laid out a sweeping turnaround plan that includes reducing its global manufacturing footprint and cutting its workforce by 15%. Continue reading “Nissan sees smaller full-year operating loss as turnaround efforts bear fruit”

Summary

• Bid to now run till March 2
• Shares equivalent to 33.1% of ownership tendered vs the 42% required
• Toyota Industries closes at 19,985 yen per share vs sweetened offer of 18,800 yen

TOKYO, (Reuters) – A Toyota Motor tender offer for Toyota Industries has been extended until March 2 after it appeared to fall short of the necessary shareholder votes in the face of staunch opposition from activist shareholder Elliott Investment.

News of the extension boosted expectations that the offer price will be lifted again, and sent shares in the forklift manufacturer to a record high. Continue reading “Toyota extends bid for group forklift maker after Elliott’s opposition”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s commerce ministry shifted its stance on Thursday by accepting that Chinese electric vehicle makers can negotiate independently with the European Union, after Volkswagen secured a tariff reprieve for one of its China-made SUV models.

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the 27-strong bloc, this week approved a request by the German auto giant’s Cupra brand to exempt the Tavascan SUV coupe from import tariffs in exchange for an agreed minimum price and a sales quota – the first exemption since the duties’ adoption in 2024. Continue reading “China softens stance on EV makers negotiating with EU individually”

Summary

• BYD, Geely and Vietnam’s VinFast are bid finalists, source says
• Other Chinese firms expressed interest in Aguascalientes plant
• Plant has been operated by Nissan/Mercedes-Benz
• US tariffs have hurt car exports from Mexico
• Chinese firms see opportunity to sell EVs across Latin America

(Reuters) – Two of China’s leading automakers, BYD and Geely, are among the finalists vying to purchase a Nissan–Mercedes-Benz plant in Mexico, according to a person familiar with the matter, as China seeks a manufacturing foothold in a country where U.S. tariffs are fueling factory closures and layoffs.

The finalists emerged from nine companies expressing interest in acquiring the factory, including at least two other major Chinese manufacturers: Chery and Great Wall Motor according to two sources familiar with the matter. Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker VinFast is the third finalist, one of the people said. Continue reading “Exclusive: Seeking Mexico foothold, China’s BYD and Geely bid to buy car plant”

Source : PTI | Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd on Tuesday said it plans to set up several additional plants across India this year to strengthen its footprint and capacity to meet future requirements..

The company, which had inaugurated two new manufacturing plants in Sanand on January 30, said it now operates more than eight plants at Sanand in Gujarat.

“We are expanding our capabilities to deliver world-class quality and operational excellence to our customers. Building on this momentum, we plan to establish several additional plants across India this year, further strengthening our footprint and capacity to meet the future needs of the automotive industry,” Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd, Vice-Chairman, Arvind Goel, said in a statement.

Continue reading “Plan to establish several additional plants across India this year: Tata AutoComp VC”

Summary

• Rollback creates uncertainty for companies investing in emissions reduction
• Repeal adds regulatory uncertainty for carbon-intensive industries
• Investors continue to demand climate risk management despite U.S. policy changes

LONDON, (Reuters) – The Trump administration’s decision to overturn an Obama-era legal analysis underpinning greenhouse gas rules will sow confusion and add costs for businesses and investors alike, shareholder advocates and portfolio managers say.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called climate change a “hoax,” plans on Thursday to formally rescind the 2009 scientific findings that tied carbon dioxide to health dangers – data that has guided pollution standards for more than 15 years. Continue reading “Trump’s rollback on greenhouse gases will cause confusion, could add costs, investors say”

(Reuters) – Singapore’s Grab forecast fiscal 2026 revenue below Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, signaling slower momentum in the tech firm’s core businesses of ride hailing and deliveries as consumers grapple with economic uncertainty.

Shares of the company fell around 4% in extended trading.

Sticky inflation levels amid major Southeast Asian markets, paired with the fallout of the U.S. tariff policies, has prompted consumers to become more selective with spending, as they curb discretionary budgets and look for cost-saving options for regular purchases. Continue reading “Grab Holdings forecasts annual revenue below estimates as platform momentum slows”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s market watchdog on Thursday released guidelines for the auto industry aimed at regulating pricing behaviour, curbing price wars and preventing unfair competition.

The guidelines from the State Administration for Market Regulation apply to car makers, part suppliers and dealers involved in car production and new vehicle sales in China. Continue reading “China issues auto industry guidelines to curb price wars”

Summary

• Chinese intermediaries enable Russian auto dealers to bypass sanctions
• Zero-mileage cars reclassified by traders as used to avoid automaker restrictions
• Automakers say they are doing their best to prevent unauthorized exports to Russia

(Reuters) – Tens of thousands of cars are being exported from China to Russia under gray-market schemes that often circumvent Western and Asian government sanctions and automakers’ commitments to exit the Russian market, according to registration data reviewed by Reuters and interviews with five people involved in the trade.

The sanctions and company pledges came in reaction to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. But a thriving trade in these vehicles – from Toyotas and Mazdas to German luxury models – continues partly through informal networks enabling Russian dealers to order them through Chinese intermediaries, the interviews and data from Russian research firm Autostat show. Continue reading “Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – A group company of Toyota Motor said on Thursday that the tender offer period for its buyout of forklift maker Toyota Industries will be extended until March 2 to increase the chances of the bid succeeding.

The deadline was extended from February 12 to give shareholders a fresh opportunity to decide whether to tender, Toyota Asset Preparatory, which is the entity through which the bid is being made, said in a filing. Continue reading “Toyota group firm extends Toyota Industries tender offer to boost buyout’s chances”

Summary

• Ford’s improved initial vehicle quality boosts bonuses to 130%
• Bonuses apply to 75,000 global salaried workers
• Employee payouts depend on individual performance

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley told employees in a town hall on Wednesday that companywide bonuses would be set to 130%, according to four people familiar with the matter, as the automaker delivered on its goal to improve vehicle quality.

Farley told attendees that the higher payouts are mainly due to the automaker’s improved initial vehicle quality, which measures repairs in the first 90 days of ownership. Farley said the metric is the best it has been in a decade, two of the people said. Continue reading “Exclusive: Ford boosts companywide bonus as initial quality improves, sources say”

Summary

• Temperature-controlled truck rates rise due to cold weather and driver shortages
• Immigration crackdown affects driver availability
• Trucking market recovery may be temporary, analysts warn

(Reuters) – Florida trucking company owner David Armellini is paying about 20% more this year for each of the roughly 200 extra drivers he is hiring to haul fresh-cut Valentine’s Day flowers to wholesale florists and grocery distribution centers around the country.

That could mean a small increase in the price of a bouquet this weekend if sellers pass along the higher cost. For Armellini, it could be a sign that the longest and deepest U.S. trucking slump is ending. Continue reading “US trucking market sees signs of recovery as Valentine’s Day flower shipments arrive”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump plans to formalize on Thursday a move to overturn the Obama-era legal basis for federal greenhouse gas rules, which will lead to the repeal of vehicle emissions rules, the White House said on Tuesday.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump will be joined at an event by Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin to formalize the rescission of then-President Barack Obama’s 2009 scientific finding that carbon dioxide endangers human health. Continue reading “White House says Trump plans to rescind climate change finding key to auto rules”

(Reuters) – Harley-Davidson outlined plans for a sharper product lineup and tweaks to its e-commerce strategy under its new chief on Tuesday, as the storied motorcycle maker navigates slowing sales amid a broader consumer pullback on big-ticket purchases.

Executives described 2026 as a “transition year”, a narrative that helped steady investor sentiment, lifting its shares up 2% after they had tumbled in premarket trading on news of a wider fourth-quarter loss. Continue reading “Harley-Davidson rides turnaround plan as weak demand deepens quarterly loss”

Summary

• Lyft’s board approves $1 billion buyback
• Q4 adjusted core earnings up 37%, surpassing expectations
• Severe winter weather impacts Lyft’s Q1 forecast
• Lyft reports surprise operating loss for 2025

(Reuters) – Lyft forecast first-quarter adjusted core profit below expectations on Tuesday, hit by severe U.S. winter weather, seasonal cost pressures, and posted a surprise operating loss for 2025, sending its shares down 16% in after-hours trading.

The forecast marks a setback for the ride-hailing provider’s comeback, fueled by a year of improving bookings growth, higher margins and expansion into new regions, and also overshadows a $1 billion share repurchase program. Continue reading “Lyft’s weak adjusted core profit forecast, surprise 2025 loss send shares tumbling”

Summary

• Core earnings seen rising least 6% in 2026
• Order book stretches to end-2027, CEO says
• Amalfi and 849 Testarossa lead demand
• To launch 5 models in 2026, including Luce EV
• Luce to be unveiled on May 25 in Rome

MILAN, (Reuters) – Ferrari forecast 2026 core earnings growth of at least 6% on the back of last year’s five new model launches and its forthcoming electric car debut, driving its shares as much as 11% higher on Tuesday after exceeding fourth quarter expectations.

Milan-listed Ferrari will launch a further five new models this year, including the Luce EV in May. While pre-orders for the new EV will only open next month, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said feedback from clients was “very positive”. Continue reading “Ferrari’s new sports cars, electric debut lift 2026 forecast”