Nishant Arya is a dynamic next-generation business leader and the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JBM Group, a global Indian conglomerate with a strong presence across automotive systems, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and infrastructure.
Representing the new wave of Indian industrial leadership, he has been instrumental in transforming JBM Group into a future-focused mobility and technology-driven enterprise. Continue reading “Nishant Arya”
Hardeep S. Brar is a seasoned automotive industry leader with over three decades of experience across sales, marketing, and business operations. Known for his strong execution-led approach, he has held leadership roles across leading automotive brands, including BMW Group, Kia India, Volkswagen, and General Motors.
Currently associated with BMW Group India in a senior leadership capacity, Brar plays a critical role in strengthening the brand’s presence in the luxury automotive segment. Continue reading “Hardeep S. Brar”
Anand Mahindra is one of India’s most influential business leaders, serving as the Chairman of Mahindra Group, a diversified conglomerate with a strong presence in automotive, farm equipment, technology, and renewable energy. With decades of leadership experience, he has been instrumental in transforming Mahindra Group into a globally recognized brand known for innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven growth.
Under his leadership, Mahindra & Mahindra emerged as a dominant force in India’s SUV and tractor markets while expanding its footprint across international geographies. Continue reading “Anand Mahindra”
Tarun Garg is a distinguished automotive industry leader with over three decades of experience across sales, marketing, product strategy, and business operations. Currently serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor India, he represents a landmark shift as the first Indian to lead the company since its inception.
Garg’s career reflects deep expertise in building scale and driving market leadership within India’s highly competitive passenger vehicle segment. Before taking over as MD & CEO in 2026, he served as Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, where he played a critical role in strengthening Hyundai’s sales, marketing, and distribution ecosystem. Continue reading “Tarun Garg”
Vinkesh Gulati is a prominent name in the Indian automotive industry, known for his leadership across auto retail, policy advocacy, and skill development. With over three decades of experience, he has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s automobile dealership ecosystem and strengthening industry-academia collaboration. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), where he leads initiatives focused on building a future-ready workforce aligned with emerging mobility trends such as electric vehicles and advanced diagnostics.
Gulati is also the former President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), where he introduced impactful initiatives including dealer satisfaction studies and industry platforms to enhance collaboration and performance. His leadership at FADA positioned him as a key voice in representing dealer interests and influencing automotive policy in India. Continue reading “Vinkesh Gulati”
Rajiv K Vij is a visionary entrepreneur and one of the early pioneers of India’s organized car rental and mobility services sector. As the Chairman of Carzonrent, he has played a transformative role in shaping how mobility solutions are structured and delivered across the country. With deep domain expertise spanning automotive, travel, and tourism, Vij has consistently been at the forefront of introducing global best practices into the Indian market.
Through Carzonrent, he built one of India’s most recognized and trusted car rental brands, scaling operations across multiple cities and creating a robust ecosystem for corporate and personal mobility solutions. His leadership has been instrumental in introducing and expanding global car rental and leasing concepts in India, enabling customers to access professional, reliable, and technology-enabled transportation services. Continue reading “Rajiv K Vij”
New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) announced addition of a record 502 new service touchpoints in FY 2025-26. This marks the highest-ever network expansion in a single financial year by the Company. With this, Maruti Suzuki’s total after-sales service network has reached to 5,926 touchpoints, covering 3,000 cities and towns in India.
The Company, dedicated to providing peace of mind to customers in their vehicle ownership journey, has been expanding its after-sales network across metros, small towns, and up-country locations. The newly added service touchpoints comprise a mix of formats including ARENA and NEXA workshops, Maruti Suzuki Sales and Service Points (MSSSP), Service-on-Wheels and Bodyshop-on-wheels. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki activates a record 502 service touchpoints in FY 2025-26”
Mumbai: Volkswagen India today teased the new Taigun and confirmed its April 2026 debut. Carrying forward the legacy of being one of India’s favourite driver’s SUVs, the new Taigun embodies Volkswagen’s global design with looks that are bold, aspirational and unmistakably dynamic.
Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India said, “The new Taigun represents a powerful evolution of everything that has made this SUV loved by enthusiasts. With bolder, more expressive design, best-in-segment technology, and thrilling performance our customers expect from Volkswagen, the new Taigun will redefine driving dynamism. Engineered locally and crafted with purpose, the new Taigun is built to inspire confidence, capability, and excitement, every single day.” Continue reading “Volkswagen teases the new Taigun ahead of its India debut”
Summary
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea, (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor said on Friday that exports to Europe and North Africa, which typically transit through the Middle East, were being disrupted by the conflict in the region, underscoring growing strains on global supply chains.
The disruption highlights how the conflict is choking key shipping routes, driving up logistics costs, delaying deliveries and adding pressure on the automaker and its suppliers. Continue reading “Hyundai Motor flags export disruptions as Middle East conflict hits shipping”
With 28+ years of experience in automotive paint refinishing, Vivek Sahai currently leads the vehicle refinish aftermarket business at JSW Dulux, formerly Akzo Nobel India Ltd. He drives strategic growth across repairer networks, OEM collaborations, and insurer partnerships, bringing deep industry expertise and a strong focus on strengthening the automotive coatings ecosystem across India and cluster markets.
A science graduate with an MBA, Vivek Sahai enhanced his “leadership” credentials through executive certification at IIM Kolkata. His career journey, starting at Asian Paints and continuing at AkzoNobel, has been marked by transformative contributions to the industry. Continue reading “Vivek Sahai”
Rajeev Chaba is one of the most experienced leaders in India’s automotive industry, with over three decades of global exposure across sales, marketing, and business transformation. Best known for his leadership at MG Motor India, he played a defining role in establishing the brand in India and shaping its rapid growth trajectory.
As President and Managing Director, and later CEO Emeritus, Chaba led MG Motor India in a startup-like environment, successfully launching multiple products within a short span while positioning the brand around technology, connected mobility, and electric vehicles. His leadership emphasized innovation, diversity, and customer-centric thinking, helping MG emerge as a disruptive force in the Indian automotive market. Continue reading “Rajeev Chaba”
Anurag Mehrotra is a seasoned automotive leader with over three decades of experience spanning sales, marketing, strategy, and business transformation within the Indian mobility ecosystem. Widely recognized for his long association with Ford Motor Company, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s India journey, including serving as President and Managing Director of Ford India.
His leadership tenure was marked by a strong focus on customer-centricity, brand positioning, and operational efficiency in a highly competitive market. Mehrotra was instrumental in strengthening Ford’s retail presence, enhancing customer experience frameworks, and aligning global product strategies with Indian market realities. His approach consistently emphasized balancing global brand values with local consumer expectations. Continue reading “Anurag Mehrotra”
Vishal Bhat is an experienced automotive professional with a strong foundation across sales, service, network development, and parts business within the Indian automobile industry. Currently associated with Škoda India, he operates at the core of dealer ecosystem development and aftersales performance, contributing to how the brand is experienced beyond the point of purchase.
His career reflects a deep operational understanding of the automotive value chain, particularly in areas that directly influence customer satisfaction and long-term brand loyalty. By working closely with dealer networks and service infrastructure, Bhat plays a key role in ensuring consistency in execution, availability of parts, and overall service quality across markets. His approach is grounded in aligning backend efficiency with frontline customer experience, a critical factor in today’s competitive automotive landscape. Continue reading “Vishal Bhat”
Nitin Kohli brings over 25 years of experience across India’s mobility ecosystem, spanning tractors, mass-market vehicles, and luxury automobiles. His career reflects a consistent focus on operating at the intersection of brand, product, and customer experience, translating global engineering excellence into narratives that resonate with Indian consumers.
Kohli is focused on shaping the brand’s next phase of growth, anchored in trust, relevance, and long-term value. His approach balances Volkswagen’s global DNA with the evolving expectations of the Indian market, ensuring that brand positioning remains both authentic and adaptive. Continue reading “Nitin Kohli”
Ashish Gupta is a senior automotive industry professional who operates at the intersection of sales, marketing, dealer network development, and aftersales strategy within Škoda India. Based in Mumbai, he currently leads multiple critical business verticals, including revenue generation, customer lifecycle management, and network expansion, positioning him as a key contributor to the brand’s growth trajectory in the Indian market.
With a mandate that spans end-to-end commercial operations, Ashish plays a central role in aligning market demand with dealer performance and customer experience. His work involves not just driving sales numbers but building a sustainable ecosystem that integrates dealership networks, aftersales service quality, and brand consistency across touchpoints. This holistic approach reflects a deep understanding of how automotive success in India depends on both product appeal and execution excellence at the ground level. Continue reading “Ashish Gupta”
Bishwajeet Samal is a seasoned marketing leader with over two decades of experience across media, telecom, and automotive sectors. Currently serving as the Head of Marketing and Public Relations at Volkswagen India, he is responsible for shaping the brand’s positioning, communication strategy, and public narrative in a highly competitive market. His role involves aligning Volkswagen’s global identity with evolving Indian consumer expectations through integrated marketing and storytelling.
A significant part of his career has been spent within the Volkswagen Group, including a tenure at its global headquarters in Germany, where he led campaigns and media strategy at an international level. This global exposure enabled him to develop a structured, insight-driven approach to brand building, combining consistency with adaptability across markets. Continue reading “Bishwajeet Samal”
(Reuters) – India’s auto dealers on Monday warned of possible supply or dispatch disruptions in the near term as the West Asia conflict drove up raw material costs, even as the fiscal year’s total sales hit a record high.
The broader operating environment is clouded by the conflict, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said in a statement. Continue reading “India auto dealers say Iran war to hit supplies”
Source : PTI | Deployment of 2,300 electric autos at metro stations, installing of mist sprayers at 13 pollution hotspots and audit of PUCC centres every six months — these are some of the features of the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 launched by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday.
The chief minister stressed that clean and healthy Delhi is the government’s dream and said air pollution directly affects people’s health. Continue reading “Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025”
Source : PTI | Suzuki Motorcycle India aims to increase its contribution to the global two-wheeler sales of parent Suzuki Motor Corporation to over 50 per cent, with its new manufacturing facility expected to enhance both domestic and export volumes, according to company Managing Director Kenichi Umeda.
In 2025-26, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) clocked its highest-ever annual sales of 14,39,415 units, registering a growth of 15 per cent over 12,56,155 units sold in FY25. Continue reading “Expect Suzuki Motorcycle India to contribute more to parent’s global 2W sales: MD Kenichi Umeda”
Source : PTI | Premium motorcycle maker Classic Legends, owner of iconic brands Yezdi, Jawa and BSA, , is embarking on a portfolio expansion with plans to introduce new bikes in the scrambler segment to carry forward its growth momentum.
The company, which had broken into the top ten two-wheeler makers in the country by sales by volume in February this year, is seeking to consolidate its legacy of being a leader in scrambler bikes — built for off-road and street use.
Source : PTI | In a first since fuel price deregulation, Indian state-run oil marketing companies will pay refineries a discounted price for petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and kerosene to limit mounting losses from a self-imposed freeze on retail fuel prices, sources said.
The oil marketing companies (OMCs) on March 26 fixed rates for petroleum products that are at a discount of up to ₹60 per litre to their imported cost, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The discounted rates, which are applicable with effect from March 16, will hit standalone refiners such as MRPL, CPCL and HMEL the most. Continue reading “India OMCs to pay discounted rates to refiners amid fuel price freeze”
Anuj Guglani, is the powerhouse behind the World Auto Forum (WAF) — The global media house and think tank of the Auto & Mobility Industry for several decades now!
WAF is No. 1 in World Auto News as per online searches and surveys. In 2025, WAF Newswires were consumed by 85 Million+ users across the world.
In the past, he has been invited as a speaker to IIT Delhi, SIAM, University of Delhi, FADA, ASSOCHAM, AIAWA, the International Zinc Association ( IZA), ASPA, Engineering College Bhopal, Bhopal, GM Australia and WAF. He has carried out industry outreach programs with Niti Aayog, Dept of Science & Tech (DST), Meta, Uber, Renault, Hyundai, Skoda, Mitsubishi, Castrol, Exxon Mobil, NASSCOM, SMBC Nikko and many others. Continue reading “Anuj Guglani”
Pankaj Narula is a distinguished automotive industry leader with a rich legacy of driving customer-centric transformation and operational excellence. An academic achiever, he holds a degree in Physics from University of Delhi and an engineering qualification from King’s College London.
Over the course of his illustrious career, he has been associated with globally reputed organizations including British Aircraft Corporation, Schlumberger, Thorn EMI, British Leyland (Austin Morris Ltd.), and Maruti Suzuki India. Continue reading “Pankaj Narula”
Muralidharan Sridharan is a highly respected automotive industry veteran, currently serving as Chairman – Mobility Aftermarket and a prominent mentor to emerging ventures in the mobility ecosystem. With a career spanning decades, he has built a reputation for driving transformation across aftermarket businesses, distribution networks, and next-generation mobility solutions.
He has held several marquee leadership positions, including President of Lucas Indian Service (TVS Group), Regional President and Board Member at Bosch India, and Executive Director at Frost & Sullivan. Across these roles, he has demonstrated deep expertise in scaling organizations, strengthening supply chains, and leading high-performance teams. Continue reading “Muralidharan Sridharan”
Nikhil B, Managing Director of Madhus Garage Equipment, represents the third generation of a legacy that has shaped India’s automotive service ecosystem. Beginning his journey at just 15 as a hands-on tyre shop technician, Nikhil built his foundation on the shop floor—learning the nuances of alignment, balancing, and customer service from the ground up.
After completing his engineering degree and an MBA, he joined the business full-time, gaining extensive on-ground exposure across markets in India before transitioning into leadership. Today, as Managing Director, he combines traditional values with a modern, systems-driven approach to scale the organisation forward. Continue reading “Nikhil B”
Manish Vij, Founder & CEO of Global Assure, is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of experience across the financial services and insurance sectors. A Chartered Accountant by profession and an alumnus of IIM Lucknow, he brings a strong blend of financial acumen and strategic leadership to the table.
Over the course of his career, Manish has held key leadership roles spanning finance, operations, and risk management, with full P&L accountability. His deep understanding of business fundamentals and execution has enabled him to consistently drive growth and operational excellence across organizations. Continue reading “Manish Vij”
A post-graduate in Business Administration from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (Class of 2002), Amar began building Group Shaman at the age of 19, guided and inspired by his father, Mr. Jatin Sheth. What started from the ground up has today grown into one of Mumbai’s most respected automobile retail groups.
Shaman is now a leading brand in automobile dealerships for Honda cars, Volkswagen & the British icon Triumph Motorcycles in Mumbai.
The group also provides Mobility & Car Rental Solutions through its venture, Shaman Mobility. It also runs a PreOwned Car division that caters to a diverse customer base across the city, offering products from all makes and models. Continue reading “Amar Jatin Sheth”
Dr. Kumar Iyer is a seasoned business leader with nearly three decades of experience in the coatings, adhesives, and specialty chemicals industry. He is currently serving as Chief Business Officer – Automotive & Specialty Coatings at JSW Dulux Limited (formerly AkzoNobel India Limited – Dulux Paint), where he leads growth across automotive, vehicle refinish, and specialty coatings segments.
Prior to this, he served as Regional Commercial Director for the Automotive & Specialty Coatings business across Southeast and South Asia, including ANZ, where he led regional strategy and business expansion. He also held the position of Senior Vice President – Industrial Business (Adhesives & Sealants) at Pidilite Industries Limited, driving growth and profitability across key industrial segments.
(Reuters) – Lucid Group missed expectations for first-quarter vehicle deliveries on Friday, hurt by a temporary sales halt and recall tied to an unauthorized supplier change.
Deliveries of its electric luxury SUV Lucid Gravity were disrupted for 29 days during the quarter due to a supplier quality issue with second-row seats, limiting the company’s ability to meet customer demand.
The company said it produced 5,500 vehicles and delivered 3,093 in the quarter ended March 31. Analysts at Visible Alpha had expected Lucid to produce 5,967 vehicles and deliver 5,237 vehicles. Continue reading “Lucid misses first-quarter vehicle delivery estimates on supplier disruptions”
Summary
NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Major automakers unveiled new electric vehicles at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, despite lagging consumer demand and a sharp downturn in sales after Washington eliminated a $7,500 EV tax credit.
Kia said it would begin selling its lower-priced EV3 in the United States later this year, while Subaru offered a new three-row EV named the “Getaway” that can seat seven. The Japanese automaker’s family EV SUV will go on sale later this year or next year, its fourth EV model in the U.S. market. Continue reading “Automakers unveil new EVs for US market despite sales downturn”
Summary
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea, (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor said on Friday that exports to Europe and North Africa, which typically transit through the Middle East, were being disrupted by the conflict in the region, underscoring growing strains on global supply chains.
The disruption highlights how the conflict is choking key shipping routes, driving up logistics costs, delaying deliveries and adding pressure on the automaker and its suppliers. Continue reading “Hyundai Motor flags export disruptions as Middle East conflict hits shipping”
Summary
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Three Democratic senators on Friday urged President Donald Trump to bar Chinese automakers from building vehicles in the United States and to prevent Chinese cars assembled in Mexico or Canada from entering the United States.
Senators Tammy Baldwin, Elissa Slotkin and Chuck Schumer cited Trump’s comments in January in Detroit that he is open to Chinese automakers building U.S. factories. Currently, high barriers already exist for Chinese autos in the United States, including tariffs of around 100%, but U.S. consumers have become more interested in the vehicles, according to recent surveys. Continue reading “Senators urge Trump to bar Chinese automakers from building cars in US”
Source : PTI | The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has commissioned the largest fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station on the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor at Anand Vihar station.
According to a statement, the newly installed facility offers advanced fast-charging services to EV users and is aimed at promoting clean mobility while improving convenience for commuters in the region.
Source : PTI | Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd is closely watching situation in West Asia for its possible impact on sales, having witnessed good sales growth in the last fiscal, a senior company offical said on Tuesday.
The company, which launched its all-new Burgman Street scooter with prices starting at ₹1.01 lakh, has also increased prices on some select models to offset the impact of rising commodity prices, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) Vice President- Sales & Marketing, Deepak Mutreja, told PTI. Continue reading “Closely watching West Asia situation for possible impact on two-wheeler demand: Suzuki Motorcycle India official”
(Reuters) – Ford Motor reported a near 9% drop in first-quarter U.S. sales on Thursday, as persistent affordability pressures prompt consumers to rethink big-ticket purchases.
Higher financing costs, elevated sticker prices and the expiry of federal tax credits for electric vehicles have hampered demand for new cars across the U.S.
Ford’s truck sales declined 11.3% in the quarter ended March 31, while sport utility vehicles fell 7.8%, reflecting weaker showroom traffic across its core lineup. Continue reading “Ford first-quarter US auto sales fall as affordability concerns weigh on demand”
Summary
TOKYO, (Reuters) – Tesla plans to expand in Japan to at least 60 stores as it seeks to become the country’s biggest imported car brand by as early as next year, the head of its Japan business said on Friday.
Expanded store and service centre coverage and investment in training over the past two years have helped drive Tesla’s sales growth in Japan, said country manager Richi Hashimoto, even as electric-vehicle adoption in the country remains modest. Continue reading “Tesla eyes Japan’s top imported-car spot as it expands store, service network”
WAF THINK TANK
Ratan N Tata – A Tribute from CarPhD CarPhD
CarPhD: Transforming Car Buying with Real Customer Ratings CarPhD Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (3rd April 2026)”
Where Control Meets Care: A New Standard in RSA
Global Assure stands at the forefront of India’s RSA ecosystem, redefining service excellence through enhanced operational control.
Backed by a 100+ company-owned, company-operated (CoCo) fleet across PAN India, with a strong presence in the top 8 cities, Global Assure is building a more reliable and performance-driven service network. Continue reading “Global Assure: Where Control Meets Care – A New Standard in RSA”
Mumbai, April 01, 2026 – Škoda Auto India continues its strong growth trajectory into 2026, recording its highest-ever quarterly sales in Q1 (January–March) with 20,028 units sold. This is a growth of 17% over the 17,138 cars sold in the same period last year. Building on a landmark 2025, Škoda Auto India has sustained its growth surge and is continuing to break its own records, further accelerating its momentum in the Indian market. Škoda Auto India’s performance has been led by the strong and consistent demand for the Kylaq, which recently crossed the 50,000 sales milestone, the introduction of the new Kushaq, steady contribution from the Slavia, and the continued demand for the Kodiaq in the premium SUV segment. Continue reading “Škoda Auto India hits record Q1 sales”
(Reuters) – Rivian Automotive exceeded analysts’ expectations for first-quarter vehicle deliveries, indicating stabilized demand for its SUVs and R1T pickup trucks after a decline last year due to the end of U.S. tax credits for electric vehicles.
The Irvine, California-based automaker said on Thursday it delivered 10,365 vehicles between January and March, surpassing estimates of 9,678, according to Visible Alpha. It also reiterated its full-year deliveries forecast of 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles. Continue reading “Rivian beats quarterly delivery estimates as EV demand stabilizes”
