Source : PTI | Cash payments at toll plazas will be discontinued for travellers on national highways from April 10, the road transport and highways ministry has said.

In a gazette notification, the ministry has said that in cases where a vehicle enters a fee plaza without a valid FASTag, users can still pay via Unified Payment Interface (UPI), but at a higher charge of 1.25 times the applicable toll fee. Continue reading “No cash at toll plazas from April 10; UPI payments to cost 1.25 times more”

Source : PTI | At least 25 companies, including JSW Group and NLC India, participated in a pre-bid conference for the ₹7,280-crore scheme to promote the manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magncalled by the heavy industries ministry on Tuesday, sources said.

The government will select maximum of five entities through the bidding process, with each entity setting up facilities of up to 1,200 MTPA, aggregating to a total of up to a maximum capacity of 6,000 MTPA. Continue reading “JSW Group, NLC India among 25 companies in pre-bid meet for ₹7,280 cr rare earth magnet scheme: Sources”

Summary

• Fuel price hikes after Iran’s Hormuz blockade drive EV switch
• EV two-wheelers now account for more than 10% of monthly sales
• Government EV subsidy scheme draws 7x its applications target
• Cheap solar power gives Pakistan an edge in affordable charging
• Chinese brands lead EV push, weak after-sales poses risks

ISLAMABAD/SINGAPORE, (Reuters) – Days after Iran effectively blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following the start of U.S. and ​Israeli attacks in late February, two Pakistani electric motorbikee outlets 1,400 km (875 miles) away found themselves overwhelmed with enquiries.

Haseeb Bhatti, who retrofits petrol-fuelled bikes with battery-powered motors in the northern city of Rawalpindi, ‌said his March sales surged 70%. For Ali Gohar Khan, who owns a 7-year-old electric motorbike retail franchise with branches across Pakistan, the recent surge in sales is the steepest ever. Continue reading “Soaring costs, fuel shortage fears drive Pakistan to electric motorbikes”

(Reuters) – Tesla’s vehicle registrations in ‌Germany more than quadrupled in March from a year earlier, data from the ​German road traffic agency KBA ​showed on Tuesday.

Newly registered Tesla cars ⁠jumped 315.1% year-on-year to 9,252 ​units in March, the KBA said. ​Registrations in the first quarter rose 160% to 12,829 vehicles. Continue reading “Tesla registrations in Germany quadruple in March, KBA says”

(Reuters) – The U.S. government has so far rejected requests from Ford Motor and other U.S. ​automakers for relief from aluminum tariffs after fires at ‌a Novelis plant created supply bottlenecks for vehicles, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

Last week, Ford petitioned the Trump administration for assistance, asking ​officials for relief from duties at least until Novelis’ aluminum ​rolling plant in Oswego, New York returns to full ⁠service, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the ​conversations. Continue reading “US rejects aluminum tariff relief request from Ford, WSJ reports”

(Reuters) – Ford Motor ​is recalling 422,613 vehicles ‌in the U.S. over a failure ​of the windshield ​wiper, the U.S. National ⁠Highway Traffic Safety ​Administration said on ​Tuesday.

Here are some details:

• Recall includes Lincoln Navigator and Ford ​Expedition SUVs, ​as well as some F-series ‌trucks, ⁠NHTSA said.
• Windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers ​to fail, ​according ⁠to the NHTSA.
• The agency said ​that dealers ​will ⁠inspect and replace the wiper arms.

Continue reading “Ford recalls over 420,000 vehicles in US over windshield wiper failure”

Summary

• 163 workers said to have been victims of abusive contracts in 2024 scandal
• Addition to list bars BYD from gaining certain loans from Brazilian banks
• Addition to list will not affect operation of its Brazilian auto plant

RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Brazil has put China’s BYD on a ‌registry of employers who have subjected workers to conditions similar to slavery, after a 2024 scandal in which Chinese workers were said to have been victims of human trafficking and abusive contracts.

The list, published by Brazil’s Labor Ministry, carries further reputational risk ​for the automaker in its biggest market after China. Continue reading “Brazil puts China’s BYD on list of shame for workers’ past slavery-like conditions”

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”

• Volkswagen India confirms the new Taigun to premier in India on 9th of April
• The new Taigun is set to thrill customers with a distinct and bold new design
• The SUV is Volkswagen’s second launch of 2026

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

• Hyundai Motor sees Europe, North Africa exports disrupted by Middle East conflict
• Higher freight costs, raw material sourcing pressures weigh on suppliers
• Hyundai Motor warns supply chain recovery will take time even if conflict ends

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”

(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.

Continue reading “Classic Legends seeks to sustain growth momentum, lines up new scrambler bike in FY27”

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”

(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

• Automakers face tough demand environment
• Higher fuel prices are sparking new interest in EVs
• EV sales remain strong in California

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

• Hyundai Motor sees Europe, North Africa exports disrupted by Middle East conflict
• Higher freight costs, raw material sourcing pressures weigh on suppliers
• Hyundai Motor warns supply chain recovery will take time even if conflict ends

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

• Lawmakers say Chinese car companies pose risks to future of US auto industry
• Automakers wrote Trump letter in March saying China poses risks
• China says US treating Chinese car companies unfairly

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.

Continue reading “NCRTC sets up largest EV charging station at Anand Vihar station on Namo Bharat corridor”

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

• U.S. EV maker starts taking orders for Model Y L in Japan
• Tesla to expand to some 60 stores and 30 service centres in Japan
• Test-drive-focused stores help ease consumer concerns

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

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”

• Sold 20,028 cars in Q1 2026, marking its best-ever quarter
• A jump of 17% from the same period in 2025
• Continues its record-breaking momentum from its Biggest Year in 2025
• Growth driven by enhanced product portfolio and expanding market reach

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”

Source : PTI | The Centre has approved a proposal by the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd to expand affordable electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across urban areas and highways in the state, with a financial assistance of ₹ 81.12 crore, officials said.

Under the plan, a total of 591 EV charging stations will be set up at 262 locations across Rajasthan’s four smart cities and along key highways, strengthening the state’s EV ecosystem. Continue reading “Centre approves proposal to expand EV charging infra in Rajasthan with ₹81 crore assistance”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday told Parliament that Bharat Taxi — the government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform — is grappling with early-stage hurdles, including stiff competition from established private aggregators such as Ola and Uber, and resistance to digital adoption among sections of its driver-partner base.

Responding to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Shah said in a written reply that “efforts are being made to address these through welfare and awareness, training, and improved user experience along with e-governance tools”. Continue reading “Bharat Taxi faces stiff competition from Ola, Uber, says Amit Shah”

March 31 (Reuters) – Greetings from New Delhi!

A key global shipping route is in disarray since the start of the Iran conflict, and that is hitting the luxury car market on multiple fronts.

Second-hand Lamborghinis and Ferraris, bound for Dubai from Japan, are stranded at a port in Sri Lanka because ships are unable to dock in the Middle East. Why? The Strait of Hormuz, ​a key shipping waterway, is out of bounds. Continue reading “Luxury carmakers’ gold-leafed profits under threat from Iran war”

Summary

• Stellantis, Hyundai and Honda report sales gains, driven by SUVs, trucks, and hybrids
• Rising fuel costs boost hybrid and EV interest, but high prices may limit overall demand
• Vehicle sales decreased 5.3% in Q1, according to ​Omdia data

(Reuters) – Top automakers General Motors and Toyota reported lower first-quarter sales in ‌the U.S. on Wednesday, as economic uncertainty, high borrowing costs and vehicle prices kept buyers on the sidelines.

Vehicle sales decreased 5.3% in the three-month period compared with the prior year, according to research firm Omdia. Continue reading “GM, Toyota report lower quarterly sales in US amid affordability concerns”

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Global automakers plan billions of dollars in new U.S. investments to boost production and avoid President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but they are awaiting clarity on the ​status of a North American free trade agreement and future vehicle duties.

The auto industry has ‌urged the Trump administration to extend the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that faces a review this year. Car companies call the trade deal crucial to American auto production. Continue reading “Automakers plan billions in US investments but seek clear trade rules”

Summary

• Inquiries for electric vehicles soar in Asian countries
• Commuters consider EVs as fuel costs soar, petrol runs out
• Governments plan measures to ease fuel price impact

(Reuters) – Motorists across the Asia-Pacific region are switching to electric vehicles at a rapid pace, as rising fuel costs due to the Middle East war force consumers and companies to reconsider their reliance on petrol and diesel vehicles.

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has nearly halted shipments through the ​Strait of Hormuz, which in normal times carries about a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, in what the International Energy Agency has called the most substantial supply ‌disruption ever. Continue reading “Fuel crisis powers surge in EV interest in Asia-Pacific region”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – BYD posted a seventh straight monthly sales decline in ​March, according to Reuters calculations, as the Chinese ‌electric vehicle maker struggles with growing competition in the world’s largest auto market.

BYD’s sales fell 20.5% last month from a ​year earlier to 300,222 vehicles, easing from ​a 41.1% decline in February, the calculations showed, ⁠based on a Weibo post by BYD executive Li ​Yunfei and the company’s previous filings. Continue reading “BYD’s vehicle sales fall again in March amid fierce competition”

PARIS, (Reuters) – French car maker Renault Group’s ​Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard will ‌not seek a new term at the end ​of his current ​term in spring 2027, ⁠a source close ​to the matter told ​Reuters on Wednesday.

Senard, who is 73 years old, would ​remain at the ​helm until the 2027 annual general ‌shareholders’ ⁠meeting, which is generally held in April or May, the ​source said, ​confirming ⁠an earlier report from La ​Tribune news website. Continue reading “Renault Group’s Chairman Senard will not seek a new term at end of current term in spring 2027”

(Reuters) – Tesla’s first-quarter deliveries are expected to climb nearly 10% from ​a year-earlier slump, when a major backlash against Elon ‌Musk’s far-right political rhetoric weighed heavily on sales.

The Elon Musk-led EV maker is expected to report deliveries before the markets open on Thursday.

• Analysts ​polled by Visible Alpha expect Tesla to deliver ​about 368,900 vehicles in the January–March period, representing a ⁠sequential decline of 11.8% but growth of 9.6% from a ​year earlier, when a major backlash against Musk’s far-right political ​rhetoric hurt sales
• The average of 23 estimates compiled by Tesla is 365,645 units
• Intensifying competition in Europe and China and the expiry of a $7,500 ​federal tax credit in the U.S. on EV purchases in ​September weigh on demand
• New registrations of Tesla cars tripled in France in ‌March, ⁠just shy of a two-year-old record high, and more than doubled in the Nordic countries, data showed on Wednesday
• While Wall Street estimates still point to modest growth this year, sentiment ​has shifted notably ​in recent ⁠months, with some analysts expecting a decline
• Analysts expect deliveries of 1.7 million vehicles this year, and ​1.84 million units in 2027, according to Visible ​Alpha ⁠data
• Tesla is increasingly shifting its focus beyond electric vehicles, placing bets on solar energy, humanoid robots, and autonomous robotaxis as the ⁠next ​pillars of its business.

Continue reading “Tesla Q1 deliveries seen rebounding nearly 10% from year-ago slump”

(Reuters) – The head of a group representing nearly all major automakers on Wednesday called for scrapping ​the U.S. government’s 18.4-cent per gallon tax on gasoline and replacing it ‌with a vehicle fee to pay for road repairs.

John Bozzella, who heads the Alliance for Automotive Innovation that represents General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and other major car companies, said in a proposal ​first reported by Reuters the government should address the increasing financial shortfall ​in the highway trust fund by imposing a single fee on every ⁠vehicle based on weight. Continue reading “Auto industry group calls for scrapping US gas tax, adopting vehicle fee”

New Delhi, April 01, 2026: Renault India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French automaker Renault Group, reports a robust year-on-year growth of 77% in March with total domestic wholesales of 5,046 units over 2,846 units in the same month a year ago.

Likewise, a double-digit growth trajectory was seen in the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with total sales of 42,018units, over the 37,900 units sold in FY25 –a growth of 11%. Continue reading “Renault India March Sales Jumps 77% YoY, New Renault Duster Dispatch Begins”

Source : PTI | Gujarat-headquartered embedded electronics and power systems startup Bacancy Systems has raised ₹40 crore in a Series A funding round led by private equity investment firm Sabre Partners and growth equity fund Greenstone Capital.

Both investors have acquired minority stakes in the company through primary investments, the company said in a statement.

The fresh capital will be deployed to scale up manufacturing capabilities, accelerate product development, deepen research and development (R&D), and expand into international markets. Continue reading “Bacancy Systems raises ₹40 crore in funding round led by Sabre Partners, Greenstone Capital”

Summary

• Geely Holding chair Li Shufu says isolation is ‘self destructive’
• Volvo chair says survival depends on deeper ties with Geely brands
• Samuelsson accelerates integration
• Volvo Cars to convert $274 million of Polestar debt into shares
• After deal, Volvo Cars to own 19.9% of Polestar Geely ​Holding

GOTHENBURG, (Reuters) – Volvo Cars’ only way to survive as competition intensifies is by ‌cooperating with Geely’s other car brands, the Swedish group’s and Geely Holding’s chair Li Shufu said on Tuesday.

Stronger cross-brand cooperation and deeper integration of suppliers have been cornerstones of CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s strategy after he was brought back by Li a year ago. Continue reading “Volvo leans on Chinese parent Geely to survive in tough car market”