• Škoda Auto’s Made-in-India compact SUV completes a 19,351 km drive from India to the Czech Republic
• Kylaq covers two continents, 13 countries and some of the world’s most diverse roads over 70 days
• Drive links the birthplace of the Kylaq in Pune with the birthplace of Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav, before culminating in Prague
• Journey spans altitudes of -154 metres to 5,364 metres and temperatures ranging from -12°C to 43°C
• Drive highlights the Kylaq’s engineering, durability and dependability across an extraordinary range of road, terrain and climatic conditions

Mumbai, July 2026 – Škoda Auto India has completed one of the longest overland drives ever undertaken by a Made-in-India passenger vehicle, with the Kylaq travelling 19,351 km from Pune to Prague over 70 days. Beginning at the Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. manufacturing facility in Pune, the journey concluded in Prague, symbolically connecting the birth country of Škoda Auto India’s newest SUV with the home country of the global brand. Continue reading “Born in Pune. Celebrated in Prague: The Škoda Kylaq completes an extraordinary cross-continental drive”

Summary

• Bosch plans commercial production at the plant later this year
• Silicon carbide technology can support data centers, autos and defense
• Auto supplier targets up to $7.5 billion in U.S. investments through 2031

DETROIT, (Reuters) – German auto component and ​chip maker Bosch is beginning sample production at its first U.S. semiconductor factory, the company ‌said Monday, finalizing a $225 million agreement with the U.S. Commerce Department to strengthen domestic manufacturing of silicon carbide chips. Continue reading “Bosch begins sample production at its first US semiconductor plant”

Summary

• Shipments in North America up 38% to 445,000 units
• Enlarged Europe region saw 5% shipment growth to 762,000
• South America, Middle East & Africa both down 3%

MILAN, (Reuters) – Stellantis said ​on Monday preliminary second-quarter vehicle shipments rose 10% from a year earlier to ‌nearly 1.6 million units, driven by strong growth in North America, its most important market. Continue reading “Stellantis vehicle shipments rise 10% in the second quarter, led by North America”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Monday creating state rebates of $3,500 on ​new electric vehicles for first-time buyers later this summer as U.S. sales ‌have slowed.

The $270 million rebate program for California residents is funded by the state budget and automakers. It applies to new vehicles with a suggested retail price of up to $50,000. It also includes a ​separate $1,750 rebate for used EVs costing up to $25,000. Continue reading “California offering $3,500 EV rebates to first-time buyers”

Summary

• BMW faces third straight year of sales decline in China
• Debut model in lineup revamp set to enter market in November
• Top investor says management ‘underestimated’ China market
• Newcomers NIO, Xiaomi race ahead with rapid product cycles

SHANGHAI/BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW is betting on its long-awaited Neue Klasse electric cars to revive its fortunes in China after two years of declining sales. The problem for the German automaker is that ​China’s EV race may have already moved on without it. Continue reading “BMW races to catch up in a Chinese EV market that won’t slow down”

Source : PTI | Crude oil futures jumped ₹384 to ₹7,198 per barrel on Monday as renewed military confrontation between the US and Iran reignited fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude futures for July delivery jumped by ₹384, or nearly 6 per cent, to ₹7,198 per barrel in a business turnover of 19,274 lots. Continue reading “Crude oil futures surge up to 6%, jump ₹384 amid US-Iran tensions”

Source : PTI | Nexon Geochem, a Hyderabad-based advanced materials company, on Monday said it has joined hands with Russia’s Giredmet to use its technology and research expertise to build integrated rare-earth processing and downstream facilities.

Nexon Geochem has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Giredmet, the State Research and Design Institute of Rare Metal Industry under Russia’s Rosatom State Corporation, to this effect, a company statement said. Continue reading “Nexon Geochem ties up with Russia’s Giredmet for rare-earth processing”

Source : PTI | Traffic management in Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur will soon shift from the conventional fixed-timer system to a fully AI-based mechanism, following the successful completion of a pilot project at Rambagh Circle, officials said on Monday.

They said the 39-day trial of the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) at Rambagh Circle achieved “100 per cent success”, prompting plans to expand the system across the capital city. Continue reading “Jaipur to shift toward fully AI-based Traffic management: Officials”

(Reuters) – Ford Motor said on Saturday it has reached a tentative agreement with Canadian ​auto union Unifor on a three-year ‌national labor contract.

The contract covers more than 5,000 unionized employees in Canada, the company said. Continue reading “Ford, Canada’s Unifor reach tentative deal on labor contract”

Source : PTI | The two-wheeler category presents a bigger challenge for the recently announced Delhi EV policy, which will ban the registration of conventional-engine bikes and scooters from April 2028, with electric penetration in the segment at just 7.3 per cent in Delhi in FY26, according to Crisil Ratings.

While the ‘April 2028 EV-only registration’ requirement provides a clear roadmap for the two-wheeler industry to accelerate investments in electric products, capacity and distribution, internal combustion engine (ICE) models are expected to remain relevant in the near term, Crisil Ratings Director Poonam Upadhyay told PTI. Continue reading “Two-wheelers present bigger challenge for Delhi EV policy: Crisil Ratings”

Source : PTI | The Delhi government plans to expand its ladies special bus service by adding around 50 buses, officials said on Saturday.

According to officials, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will run 25 ladies special buses, which will be student-centric U-special, and the remaining 25 will be for Outer Delhi areas. Continue reading “Delhi govt to add 50 ‘ladies special’ buses to expand women-only service”

Source : PTI | Japan’s Honda Motor Co is bullish on the long-term potential of the Indian two-wheeler market where rising personal mobility needs, more women in workforce and growing demand for premium products are expected to continue supporting industry growth, according to the top official of its Indian two-wheeler arm.

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the company’s two-wheeler arm in India, will bring new products aligning with the evolving customer needs and is gearing up fresh models to be launched in the second half of this year in order to tap festive season sales, its President and CEO, Tsutsumu Otani told PTI in an interview. Continue reading “Honda bullish on India two-wheeler market, plans new models in H2 FY27”

Source : PTI | Mandates under the newly announced electric vehicle policy should not be imposed, a transport union said in a letter written to LG TS Sandhu.

In the letter, Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch, a taxi and auto union, opposed the mandatory registration of new electric-only autos starting next year.

Continue reading “Delhi transport union opposes EV-only mandate, flags infrastructure gaps”

Source : PTI | India is estimated to be losing over 42 crore litres of petrol worth more than ₹4,500 crore every year due to low tyre pressure, one of the most neglected aspects of vehicle maintenance, according to a study by industry body ATMA.

A large number of passenger vehicles on Indian roads are being driven with tyre pressure below the manufacturer-recommended levels, resulting in substantial fuel wastage, higher vehicle operating costs and increased road safety risks, as per the study by Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC), the technical arm of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA). Continue reading “Low tyre pressure costs India ₹4,500 crore in fuel loss annually: ATMA”

(Reuters) – Global demand for electric vehicles rose ​for a fourth straight ‌month in June, driven by strong growth in Europe as sales ​weakened in China and North ​America, data from consultancy Benchmark ⁠Mineral Intelligence showed on ​Friday.

Registrations of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid ​vehicles climbed 7% from a year earlier to 2 million in June, ​while first-half volumes were ​up 2%. Continue reading “Global EV demand rises again as Europe offsets China, U.S. weakness”

(Reuters) – BMW reported a 4.9% decline in global ​vehicle deliveries in the ‌second quarter on Friday, hit by a sharp drop ​in sales in China.

• The ​group sold 590,962 vehicles in ⁠the quarter
• In China, ​deliveries plunged 30.2% year-on-year in ​the second quarter
• “Despite global challenges, we were able to increase ​our sales in the ​USA and Europe,” board member Jochen ‌Goller ⁠said in a statement
• Second-quarter deliveries rose 11.9% in the U.S. and 7.6% ​in ​Europe excluding ⁠Germany
• Mercedes-Benz and Porsche AG on Wednesday ​reported declines in ​second-quarter ⁠deliveries of 8% and 16%, respectively, as intensifying competition ⁠in ​China continued ​to weigh on sales.

Continue reading “BMW deliveries slide in Q2, as sales in China drop nearly a third”

Summary

• Manufacturers welcome ruling on diesel vehicles’ emissions
• Claimants allege ‘defeat devices’ used to cheat tests
• Around 1.6 million claimants suing carmakers in UK

LONDON, (Reuters) – Some of the world’s ​biggest carmakers largely won the first stage of a major legal battle on Friday over claims ‌that their diesel vehicles were fitted with unlawful “defeat devices” that led to higher emissions. Continue reading “Carmakers broadly win first round in UK lawsuits over diesel emissions”

Summary

• Volkswagen posted strongest Q2 drop in China at 37%
• China car sales fell for a ninth straight month in June
• German carmakers under pressure to compete on tech

BERLIN, (Reuters) – German carmakers’ sales collapsed further in China during the second quarter, as a protracted ‌slowdown in the world’s biggest auto market cranked up the pressure on legacy brands in a bruising battle with local competitors. Continue reading “German automakers hit by sharp China sales drop in second quarter”

MOSCOW, (Reuters) – Oksana Yasinskaya’s sky-blue electric hatchback zipped past a long line of cars waiting for a filling station to reopen and ​pulled into an empty charging bay in southeast Moscow.

After plugging ‌in her car, Yasinskaya looked across the deserted forecourt. Signs on the pumps apologised that they were temporarily out of fuel, an increasingly familiar sight in many parts of ​Russia, where Ukrainian strikes on energy targets have squeezed supplies. Continue reading “Electric car drivers dodge Russia’s hours-long fuel queues”

Source : PTI | The Andhra Pradesh government will electrify the State Road Transport Corporation’s fleet of over 10,600 buses by 2029 under the Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 4.0, a senior official said on Thursday.

APSRTC operates over 8,012 owned buses and nearly 2,650 hired buses, while the government has directed the corporation to procure only air-conditioned electric buses for all future services. Continue reading “Andhra Pradesh to electrify APSRTC fleet by 2029 under EV push”

Source : PTI | India’s electric vehicle (EV) components market is expected to expand eightfold to around ₹3.55 lakh crore over the next seven years, from ₹41,000 crore in 2025, according to an industry report.

This forecast comes from the newly released ‘India Electric Vehicle & Components Market Overview Report’ by India Energy Storage Alliance and Customized Energy Solutions (CES), released at the India Energy Storage Week 2026 event in New Delhi. Continue reading “India EV components market to grow 8x to ₹3.55 lakh crore by 2032: Report”

“WAF AutoNews” is World’s No.1 in World Auto News,  Auto Think Tank & Auto Awards !!
Click Here to See for yourself.

WAF THINK TANK

Get Auto Industry Sales Roundup in Minutes! Market ka Haal Chaal with Anuj Guglani, CEO, WAF WAF

Parents know the school’s academic rating. Shouldn’t they also know the safety rating of the bus that carries their children every day? WAF

Choosing the Right Car Is Only Half the Decision. Choosing the Right Dealership Is Equally Important CarPhD Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (10th July 2026)”

• SWITCH EiV9 is designed to deliver best-in-class efficiency, superior passenger comfort, and a lower total cost of ownership for fleet operators.
• Built on a next-generation 9-metre electric bus platform, the EiV9 enables operators to modernize their fleets while achieving an optimal balance between operational profitability and sustainability goals.
• The company also unveiled its #SwitchKaro campaign, aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric mobility and encouraging a broader shift towards cleaner, more sustainable mass transportation.

Gandhinagar, July 10, 2026: SWITCH Mobility Ltd, a global leader in electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, has unveiled the all-new SWITCH EiV9 at Prawaas 5.0, India’s flagship multimodal transport exhibition. Purpose-built for city transit, employee transportation, and school mobility, the next-generation electric bus combines advanced technology, superior passenger comfort, and operational efficiency to set new benchmarks in sustainable mobility. Continue reading “SWITCH Mobility introduces the all-new 9-metre electric bus EiV9 at Prawaas 5.0”

Kharkhoda / New Delhi: Continuing its focus on strengthening the green energy ecosystem, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) today announced the commissioning of a 1 MWh Battery Energy Storage System at its Kharkhoda manufacturing facility.

In 2025, Maruti Suzuki installed a 20 MWp solar power project at the Kharkhoda facility. During facility holidays, the solar power plant continues to generate electricity; however, it cannot be utilized due to the absence of demand. A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) addresses this challenge by storing excess electricity generated during low-demand periods or facility holidays and making it available for use when required. In addition, BESS will help improve grid stability. As a pilot initiative, BESS has been integrated into the Kharkhoda facility’s internal electricity distribution network. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki Strengthens Green Energy Push with Battery Energy Storage System at Kharkhoda Plant”

BERLIN/FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s supervisory board will meet on July 9 to discuss what could become the carmaker’s biggest transformation to date, marking a make-or-break moment for Chief Executive Oliver Blume in tackling ​an escalating crisis.

Below are some of the most pressing questions and answers ahead of the committee’s gathering ‌at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters, which is expected to start at 1230 GMT and will be preceded by labour protests. Continue reading “What are the key issues in Volkswagen’s restructuring efforts?”

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Sweden’s Polestar reported a 4% fall in quarterly sales volumes on Thursday, weeks after the EV maker was handed a U.S. market ban ​starting in the 2027 model year, adding to its ongoing struggles ‌to turn a profit.

In the face of uncertain global EV demand, the company has shifted its emphasis on the European market, which accounted for 80% of its sales in ​the first half of the year. Continue reading “EV maker Polestar’s quarterly sales volumes slide amid US market ban”

Source : PTI | Delhi Traffic Police on Tuesday launched a month-long road safety and traffic discipline campaign across the national capital, focusing on awareness and an enforcement drive to reduce accidents.

Under the campaign, police will organise “Traffic Pathshalas” at major traffic spots where violators will be counselled on road safety instead of only being prosecuted. Continue reading “Delhi Traffic Police launches road safety campaign”

(Reuters) – Daimler Truck one of the ​world’s biggest truckmakers, ‌on Wednesday reported an 8% increase ​in second-quarter ​group vehicle sales, driven ⁠by demand ​recovery in its North ​American arm.

The company said it sold 86,707 ​units in ​the second quarter, compared with ‌80,607 ⁠a year earlier.

Sales at its Trucks North America ​business ​rose ⁠8% to 41,687 units. Continue reading “Daimler Truck Q2 vehicle sales rise 8% as North America demand recovers”

(Reuters) – Honda Motor America, a unit of Honda ​Motor Co Ltd, ‌is recalling 325,588 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. due ​to issues with ​the display of the ⁠rearview image, the National ​Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ​said on Wednesday.

Here are details from the NHTSA:

• The recall ​affects certain 2018-2020 model ​Odyssey vehicles.
• Risks that water might ‌enter ⁠the rearview camera and cause failure to display image when the vehicle ​is ​in ⁠reverse, thereby increasing the risk of ​a crash.
• As part ​of ⁠the recall remedy, dealers will replace the rearview ⁠camera, ​free of ​charge.

Continue reading “Honda recalls over 300,000 US vehicles over rearview image display issues”

(Reuters) – German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said on Wednesday sales in its core ​car business continued to fall ‌in the second quarter, declining 8% year-on-year due to intense competition in China.

• Car ​deliveries fell to 417,800 in the ​April-June period, the company said in ⁠a statement
• In China, the drop ​was 30% compared to the ​same period last year, with the company pointing to “an intensifying competitive environment and ​the timing of the company’s ​current product ramp-ups”
• Second-quarter car sales rose by 10% ‌in ⁠the U.S. and 4% in Europe
• Sales of battery-electric vehicles rose by 50% to 63,000 vehicles, which includes cars ​and vans
• European ​carmakers face ⁠a cut-throat price war with local brands in ​China, the world’s biggest ​auto ⁠market
• Last month, Mercedes’ rival BMW (BMWG.DE), opens new tab slashed its 2026 core margin forecast to ⁠as ​low as 1%, citing ​difficulties in China

Continue reading “Mercedes-Benz Q2 sales fall, China competition intensifies”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japanese moon transport company ispace said on Wednesday it would start a new, lower-cost lunar ​cargo business using the Starship heavy rocket and moon lander developed by Elon ‌Musk’s SpaceX.

Tokyo-based ispace has bought 500 kg (1,102 lb) of capacity for $50 million on a Starship that would land on the moon as soon as 2030, and will build a lunar surface vehicle that ​can host payloads from clients worldwide sharing their ride on Starship to the ​moon, it said. Continue reading “With SpaceX Starship, Japan’s ispace provides ride-share to the moon”

Summary

• Singapore world’s most expensive place to own a car
• Vehicles numbers in the city-state are capped at about ​1 million
• Price of certificate is 16% below median annual household income

SINGAPORE, (Reuters) – Car buyers in Singapore will now need to fork out almost $100,000 for a certificate to own a small car, as costs in the city-state’s vehicle quota ​system hit an all-time high for small models on Wednesday. Continue reading “Cost of driving in Singapore soars as ownership certificates reach nearly $100,000”

Mumbai, 08 July 2026: Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited today announced a leadership transition in its Sales, Marketing and Digital function. Jan Bures, Executive Director – Sales, Marketing and Digital, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, will complete his global assignment in India. While continuing with the Group, he will take on a new role at Volkswagen AG, effective September 2026. Škoda Auto Volkswagen India sincerely thanks Jan Bures for his contributions towards the Group’s growth in India and wishes him continued success in his new assignment at Volkswagen AG.

Following this transition, Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India will assume the additional responsibility of Executive Director for Sales & Marketing for the Group in India. This enhanced leadership structure is aimed at strengthening strategic alignment, accelerating decision-making, and driving greater accountability across the organisation. Continue reading “Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Announces Leadership Transition in Sales and Marketing Division”

Source : PTI | Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday flagged off 300 electric buses to strengthen the city’s public transport infrastructure.

The duo also laid the foundation stone for a multi-level bus depot at an event organised in south Delhi’s RK Puram.

“Today, 300 buses have been flagged off, and the foundation stone has been laid for a multi-level bus depot to strengthen the city’s public transportation and clean mobility,” Shah said. Continue reading “Amit Shah, Rekha Gupta flag off 300 e-buses in Delhi, EV push gathers pace”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Amid criticism of the mandate for E20 petrol (20 per cent ethanol-blended) sales and complaints about reduced fuel efficiency of vehicles, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday dared critics to identify a single car that faced problems due to the mixed fuel.

Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Conclave’ here, Gadkari further said that India’s dependence on fossil fuels is both an economic burden – as ₹22 lakh crore is spent annually on fuel imports – and an environmental hazard, making clean energy adoption crucial for the nation’s progress. Continue reading “Name any car that faced issues due to ethanol-blended petrol: Nitin Gadkari”

(Reuters) – Ford is recalling 110,626 Mustang vehicles in the U.S. ​in two separate recalls over ‌malfunctioning windshield wipers and a rear differential pinion shaft that may ​fracture, the U.S. National ​Highway Traffic Safety Administration said ⁠on Tuesday.

• Ford will recall 67,842 ​Mustang and Mustang GTD vehicles ​because in certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only ​at their high-speed setting and ​the washing system may fail to function ‌properly, ⁠NHTSA said.
• Separately, Ford is recalling 42,784 Mustang Mach-E vehicles because the rear differential pinion ​shaft may ​fracture, ⁠resulting in loss of drive power or unintended ​movement if the vehicle ​is ⁠parked without the parking brake applied.
• Dealers will repair or replace ⁠the ​damaged parts free ​of charge, NHTSA added.

Continue reading “Ford to recall over 110,000 US vehicles over wiper, pinion shaft issues, NHTSA says”

SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – Brazilian auto ​sales this year are expected to ‌reach the highest level since 2014, automakers association Anfavea said on Tuesday, while ​also increasing production estimates, despite a ​decline in the June figures.

• The outlook ⁠for Brazil’s 2026 auto sales ​increased by about 9% from a previous ​estimate to around 3 million units, which would represent a 12.1% rise from 2025 ​and the highest level since ​2014.
• The new estimate for Brazil’s 2026 auto production ‌rose ⁠by around 2% to nearly 2.8 million units, meaning 5.8% growth from last year.
• Brazil’s 2026 auto exports projection ​was ​cut by ⁠13.8% to some 462,000 units, a 12.8% fall from ​2025.
• Sales were down 0.8% in June ​to ⁠272,474 units, while production fell 3.0% to 246,015 units.

Continue reading “Brazil’s 2026 auto sales seen at highest since 2014, auto association says”

Summary

• GM to export first China-developed Buick, use Xiao Yao platform in next Cadillac Optiq , source says
• Legacy automakers tap China R&D expertise to stay competitive
• China-built AUDI E5 outsells locally adapted Mercedes CLA in China
• Shift toward China-led innovation also sparks some concerns

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – In May, General Motors marked a rare milestone for a foreign automaker in China, selling more than 10,000 of its new Buick Electra E7 in the first month.

While the nameplate is all-American, everything ​else about the car is Chinese — it was developed entirely at the technical centre GM runs with local partner SAIC. Continue reading “From factory to tech frontier: China becomes legacy automakers’ innovation engine”

Source : PTI | Industry body Assocham has sought reduction in basic customs duty and correction of inverted duty structure on critical raw materials for the aluminium industry as high import duties is a huge disadvantage for the sector heavily dependent on imported raw materials.

In its pre-Budget memorandum 2023-34, Assocham said high import duty on raw materials results in Indian finished goods getting costlier and uncompetitive in international markets, rendering negative protection against cheaper imports of finished products, and discourages domestic value addition within the country. Continue reading “Reduce basic customs duty on critical raw materials for aluminium sector: Assocham”