by WAF Think Tank 

A Giant of the Indian Automobile Industry Bids Farewell

World Auto Forum (WAF) pays its heartfelt tributes to Mr. Charanjeet Nagpal, Chairman & Managing Director, Prem Motors Pvt. Ltd.

The World Auto Forum fraternity is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Charanjeet Nagpal, a towering personality of the Indian automobile industry, a visionary entrepreneur, and above all, a humble and compassionate human being.

From starting a small automobile spare parts shop in Gwalior in 1981 to building one of India’s most respected automotive dealership groups, Mr. Nagpal’s life was a remarkable story of courage, perseverance, integrity, and unwavering commitment. His journey inspired generations of entrepreneurs to dream bigger, work harder, and always place customers and relationships at the heart of business.

Continue reading “In Loving Memory of Shri Charanjeet Nagpal Chairman & Managing Director, Prem Motors Pvt. Ltd.”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD , on Tuesday said he expected the Chinese firm to become the world’s largest automaker within five years, as he sought to ​reassure investors following a steep decline in the company’s share price.

BYD, which ranked ‌sixth globally in 2025 with 4.6 million vehicles sold, has struggled to restore growth after its domestic sales were hit by intensified competition with local peers over the past year. Shares of the ​company have dropped more than 45% from their peak in Hong Kong over ​the past year, while its Shenzhen-listed stock has fallen 33%. Continue reading “BYD chairman says firm will be world’s biggest automaker in 5 years as shares slide”

Summary

• Retired executives blamed Mibe for China neglect, EV missteps
• Honda board backed Mibe despite pressure on him to step down
• Independent directors on Japanese boards have reduced influence of corporate alumni
• Honda has been battered by U.S. tariffs and rising competition from China

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Late last year, a handful of retired Honda Motor executives started meeting privately to discuss the Japanese automaker’s troubles and the person they believed was the cause: Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe.

Over months of text messages, as well as meetings and meals that sometimes included current executives, they laid out a case against the former engineer, ​according to a written summary of their discussions reviewed by Reuters and interviews with two participants. Continue reading “How Honda’s old guard tried, and failed, to oust its CEO”

(Reuters) – Britain’s new car sales rose 7.1% ​in May, the strongest for the month since 2019, driven by ‌resilient retail demand, especially for electric vehicles, according to industry data released on Thursday.

EVs have been gaining ground in Europe as rising fuel costs, largely driven by global oil shocks ​from the Iran war, steer customers toward alternatives.

Overall new car registrations ​in Britain rose to 160,662 vehicles last month, the Society of ⁠Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Battery electric vehicles (BEV), the biggest under EVs, ​climbed 34.2%, the most among all car categories. Continue reading “UK new car sales hit best May since 2019, industry data shows”

Source : PTI | The government is examining a policy to support accelerated affordable adoption of E85 fuel (85 per cent ethanol blended petrol) Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday.

Addressing an event organised by Hero MotorCorp, Puri further said unveiling of India’s first flex fuel motorcycles fully compatible with ethanol-blended fuels ranging from E20 (20 per cent ethanol blended petrol) to E85 (85 per cent ethanol by Hero MotorCorp is a new chapter in India’s energy history).

Continue reading “Govt considering policy to support affordable adoption of E85 fuel: Hardeep Singh Puri”

(Reuters) – Chinese automakers are expanding in Europe, betting on their competitive pricing and advanced technology to break into a market traditionally dominated by European and American brands, amid a global shift towards electric vehicles.

This expansion has ​stoked trade tensions between Brussels and Beijing, including a row over EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, imposed to protect European producers.

The following Chinese carmakers ‌have expanded their footprint in Europe. Continue reading “China’s carmakers expand their presence in Europe”

By WAF Think Tank 

In the automotive industry, leadership changes are rarely just about designations.
Especially at a company as strategically disciplined as Bajaj Auto.

The elevation of Rakesh Sharma as Joint Managing Director is not merely an HR announcement. It is a strong strategic signal from one of India’s most globally respected mobility companies — a signal about continuity, digitisation, exports, execution and future readiness.

For close observers of the Indian auto industry, this move was perhaps expected. For the industry at large, however, it reveals something far bigger as mentioned by Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum, ‘The Indian automotive sector is entering an era where operational leaders with global, digital and executional depth are becoming as important as visionary promoters themselves.’

Continue reading “Bajaj Auto’s Big Leadership Signal: Why Rakesh Sharma’s Elevation Matters Beyond Titles”

By WAF Think Tank 

From lead generation to after-sales service, every interaction today is becoming a critical differentiator. And increasingly, this transformation is being powered by AI-driven conversational technologies.

Globally, automakers are embedding AI across the value chain—from in-car assistants to predictive maintenance and customer engagement systems.
At the same time, conversational AI is enabling more personalized, real-time interactions, helping brands improve engagement, marketing efficiency, and customer satisfaction

Continue reading “AI is Transforming Automotive Customer Experience – Here’s How ODIO is Leading the Shift”

Yes! Finally road safety is now recognised as a fundamental right in India under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). In a landmark ruling in April 2026, a Supreme Court bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar held that the “safety of a commuter” is an integral part of the right to live with dignity. 

The Court declared that safe travel is not just a policy matter but a positive mandate for the State to ensure environments where life is preserved. High-speed expressways were specifically warned against becoming “corridors of peril” due to administrative or infrastructural failures. 

Continue reading “Road Safety Recognised as a Fundamental Right by Supreme Court of India”

By WAF Think Tank

The tragic loss of lives in Indore due to an EV charging-linked fire is not just an isolated incident—it is a systemic warning. As India accelerates towards electrification, safety cannot lag innovation.

This is not about blaming EVs. It is about fixing the ecosystem gaps—in infrastructure, regulation, product standards, and user behavior.

Let’s get brutally honest.

🔥 What Likely Went Wrong (System View)

Early indicators from such incidents typically point to a combination of:

• Improper home charging setups

• Substandard wiring / overloading

• Thermal runaway in batteries (especially 2W/3W)

• Lack of fire isolation in parking areas

• No early warning systems (smoke/heat sensors)

In India, EV adoption is outpacing safety readiness.

Continue reading “5 Reform Pillars for EV Safety | Indore EV Fire Tragedy Is a Wake-Up Call”

By WAF Think Tank 

Solid build isn’t just about their cars.
It’s equally about the strength of their customer relationships. 💯

Last Saturday, Škoda Auto India curated a truly immersive Škoda Experience Drive for the all-new Skoda Kushaq in New Delhi.

What unfolded was more than an event —
it was a live case study in meaningful customer engagement and an industry benchmark in experiential brand building.

Because they believe —
Dealership teams are the first customers.

Continue reading “From Dealership Pride to Customer Delight – The Škoda Playbook”

The Gallops Group, the flagship venture of the Pugalia Group, stands today as one of Western India’s most respected and diversified business conglomerates. Headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the group has built a formidable reputation over the past two decades through its unwavering commitment to customer delight, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

Founded by visionary entrepreneur Shri Rajkumar Pugalia, the group has grown from strength to strength under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Tanuj Pugalia, who continues to expand the legacy across multiple high-growth sectors.

Continue reading “Gallops Group – India’s Finest Auto Retail Group”

By WAF NewsDesk

Madhus Garage Equipment has announced that Hunter Engineering Company, a global leader in wheel service technology, has chosen to realign exclusively with Madhus as its partner for the Indian market beginning 2026 and beyond.

This development marks a significant milestone in a relationship that has been built over more than 25 years of collaboration, technical alignment, and a shared commitment to advancing workshop technology across India. Over the past two decades, Hunter and Madhus have worked closely with automotive workshops, dealerships, and tyre service centres across the country, introducing advanced wheel alignment, balancing, and tyre service technologies supported by structured training and dependable after-sales support. Continue reading “Hunter Engineering realigns exclusively with Madhus for India operations”

MG’s e-HUB: Powering India’s EV Journey, One Charge at a Time

India’s electric mobility story is accelerating. But every EV revolution needs one critical ingredient — a reliable, visible and easy charging ecosystem.

In that context, JSW MG Motor India has announced a significant milestone: its e-HUB by MG platform has now become India’s largest unified EV charging app, bringing together over 22,500 charging points across the country.

More importantly, the platform integrates 40 leading charge point operators (CPOs) — including Jio-bp, Tata Power, Adani Total Gas, Shell, Zeon Charging, ChargeZone, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.

The result: one unified digital gateway for EV charging across India.

Continue reading “MG’s e-HUB is now Officially India’s Largest Charging App”

New Delhi, February 16, 2026: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Monday inaugurated SIAM Sustainable Mobility Week in New Delhi, a first-of-its-kind initiative by the auto industry body that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and global stakeholders on a single platform to deliberate on sustainability issues spanning decarbonisation, road safety, circularity and material compliance.

The four-day programme, being held at India Habitat Centre until February 19, opened with the 4th edition of the International Symposium for Thriving Eco-Energy in Mobility (ISTEM), themed “Partnering for a Sustainable Future: Accelerating India’s Multi-Fuel Mobility Transition.” Continue reading “SIAM Inaugurates Sustainable Mobility Week in New Delhi as 4th ISTEM Symposium Focuses on Multi-Fuel Mobility Pathways”

New Delhi — 12 February 2026

JSW MG Motor India today officially unveiled the MG Majestor — a flagship, full-size SUV positioned to redefine MG’s presence in the Indian SUV market. The launch event marks a decisive moment in the premium SUV segment, signaling MG’s intent to challenge entrenched competitors and elevate its brand stature.

Anuj Guglani, CEO, WAF said, ‘The MG Majestor’s unveiling today is more than a product launch — it’s a strategic inflection point for JSW MG Motor India. It represents a deliberate push toward premiumisation, technological leadership, and broader segment engagement beyond traditional expectations. For industry observers, its journey from bookings to market acceptance will offer key insights into the future shape of India’s SUV ecosystem.”

Continue reading “MG Majestor: India’s New Flagship SUV Emerges — Strategic Implications & Market Outlook”

By WAF Think Tank

In a landmark development for India’s automotive sector, Mahindra & Mahindra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to set up a 1,500-acre automotive and tractor manufacturing facility in Nagpur. The proposed mega investment is poised to significantly strengthen Maharashtra’s manufacturing ecosystem, generate large-scale employment, and position Nagpur as a key automotive hub in Central India.

The project marks a major step in reinforcing Maharashtra’s status as one of India’s most investment-friendly industrial states. With the automotive industry undergoing rapid transformation, the establishment of this plant is expected to create a ripple effect across the value chain — from ancillary units and MSMEs to logistics providers and service industries — thereby contributing to sustainable, long-term economic development in the Vidarbha region. Continue reading “Mahindra & Mahindra to Establish Mega Auto & Tractor Plant in Nagpur, Boosting Maharashtra’s Industrial Growth”

By WAF Think Tank

• Bharat Taxi App Launched in New Delhi by Shri Amit Shah

• Services rolled out in Delhi- NCR and Gujarat

• To spread to all States and Union territories in 2 years

India’s mobility landscape is witnessing a quiet but powerful disruption — not driven by venture capital alone, but by cooperation, inclusion, and collective ownership. The launch of Bharat Taxi, a cooperative cab platform joined by over 3 lakh drivers and inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, marks a historic moment in the evolution of India’s gig economy.

Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms dominated by private corporations, Bharat Taxi represents a driver-owned, cooperative digital mobility model — aligned with the Government of India’s vision of Sahakar se Samriddhi (Prosperity through Cooperation).

Continue reading “Bharat Taxi – The Cooperative Cab Platform Joined by 3 Lakh Drivers and Launched by Amit Shah”

Announces further democratisation of features across the range with more variants, greater choice and unmatched value

• Kylaq range grows from four variants to six, available at 11 price points
• Introduces New Classic+ variant, making Kylaq the most accessible car with a full-fledged torque converter automatic in its segment
• Equipped with electric sunroof, cruise control, Auto IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, multi-function steering, LED lights, and more, as standard
• Signature and Signature+ variants now get Electric Sunroof and several other upgrades
• Prestige+, an all-new variant, added at the top of the Kylaq line
• Introduces special anniversary offers on select variants, service packages, and assured gifts on purchase of the Kylaq for a limited period

Mumbai, February 03, 2026: Škoda Auto India, after registering its most successful year of sales in 2025 and introducing the new Kushaq, continues to keep its foot on the pedal with its growing product portfolio. The brand has furthered its strategy to democratise European technology on Indian roads by expanding the variant mix of its best-selling car, the Kylaq, and offering customers more variants, more choice and more value.

The Kylaq has emerged as a strong pillar of Škoda Auto’s growth story in India. With over 50,000 units sold since its launch, the Kylaq has been a major contributor to Škoda Auto India’s best-ever sales performance, in the brand’s 25th year in the country. The Kylaq’s combination of safety, driving dynamics, technology, and value has resonated strongly with customers, establishing it as a key contender in the sub-4m SUV segment. Continue reading “Kylaq marks 1 year landmark by celebrating 50k sales”

JSW MG Motor India opened calendar year 2026 on a steady growth trajectory, delivering 4,843 wholesale units in January — representing approximately 9 % year-on-year sales growth compared with the same month in 2025.

While not among the largest mainstream volume players in the broader Indian passenger vehicle market, MG’s performance stands out within several key dynamics:

📊 1. Positive Year-on-Year Momentum

• Sales rose nearly 9 % YoY in January 2026, up from muted comparisons in early 2025.
• This indicates improving demand traction after the company’s prior month-on-month declines, signalling resilient buyer interest across its portfolio.

Continue reading “JSW MG Motor India: A Strategic Start to 2026”

by CA Jatin Minocha

India’s economic trajectory marked with stability, fiscal discipline, fiscal prudence, structural reforms, aatmanirbhar bharat. These efforts delivered high growth rate of 7% with employment generation. India continues to take higher steps to expand trades, boost growth, macro economic stability.

PM made proposals for this Yuva Shakti Budget.

This is first budget prepared in kartavya bhawan with three kartavyas

First kartavya to accelerate sustainable economic growth and build resilience
Second kartavya to fulfill aspirations of people by making strong partners
Third kartavya is sabka saath sabka vikas – every family has access to meaningful resources. Continue reading “Union Budget 2026 Highlights | Key Announcements, Tax Changes & Reforms”

Synopsis: The Auto9 Awards 2025, organised by TV9 Network, brought together a panel of jury that included industry veterans and automotive experts to honour the most outstanding cars, two-wheelers, manufacturers and industry initiatives of the year.

India’s automotive landscape defined by rapid electrification, design-led innovation and growing global ambition found its most discerning spotlight at the Auto9 Awards 2025, presented by TV9 Network. The prestigious awards brought together a panel of jury members comprising industry veterans, mobility experts and senior leaders, who undertook a rigorous evaluation of the most impactful vehicles, manufacturers and campaigns of the year at the Buddh International circuit on January 18, 2026.

From commuter motorcycles and performance hatchbacks to electric SUVs and sustainability champions, Auto9 Awards 2025 celebrated excellence across the full spectrum of mobility. The jury assessed entries on design, performance, value, innovation, safety, sustainability and consumer relevance reflecting the evolving priorities of Indian buyers and the future-facing vision of the industry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Guest, Shri. Nitin Gadkari, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, underscored the significance of the platform, and said, “The automobile sector is a key pillar and the growth engine of our economy. It contributes the highest revenue to both state and central governments in GST and is also the biggest exporter.”

Continue reading “Auto9 Awards 2025: TV9 Network Crowns India’s Finest Cars, Two-Wheelers and Automotive Trailblazers”

Auto Industry Performance of December 2025 and Q3 (October – December 2025)

I. Key Highlights from Q3 (October–December 2025) and CY 2025

a) Passenger vehicles

• Passenger Vehicle segment posted its highest ever sales of Q3 of 12.76 Lakh units in Q3 of 2025-26, registering a growth of 20.6%, compared to Q3 of same period last year.

• The segment also clocked its highest ever sales of a calendar year of 44.90 Lakh units during Jan – Dec 2025, posting a growth of 5.0%, as compared to Jan – Dec 2024 period, driven by the Q3 offtake.

• This robust performance was supported by improved affordability following the GST rate reduction, benefits from personal income tax relief, successive repo rate cuts by RBI easing financing costs, and a renewed sense of optimism among buyers, which together helped in boosting consumer demand in this festive quarter. Continue reading “India Automobile Sales Performance – December 2025”

By WAF Think Tank 

In what has become a defining moment for India’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape, the MG Windsor EV emerged in 2025 as the largest selling electric car in the country, reshaping competitive dynamics and accelerating EV adoption across urban and regional markets. A combination of strategic positioning, competitive pricing, and broad consumer appeal has propelled this model to the top of India’s EV sales charts.

A Breakthrough Year for EV Adoption

India’s EV market grew exponentially in 2025, with passenger EV sales nearly doubling year-on-year, according to industry bodies, as buyers shifted from early adoption to mainstream preference. Rising environmental awareness, improving charging infrastructure, and better total cost of ownership have all contributed to this surge.

Within this broader context, the MG Windsor has stood out not merely as a high-volume seller, but as a market pivot point — the first single EV model to cross significant annual sales milestones in India’s passenger car segment.

Continue reading “India’s Largest Selling Electric Car in 2025 Is the MG Windsor”

Records 107% year-on-year growth with 72,665 cars sold in its 25th anniversary

• 2025 becomes a landmark year: guided by clear business imperatives and anchored in pillars of relevance, differentiation and trust
• Product offensive: strong response to the Kylaq, sustained demand for the Kodiaq, Kushaq and Slavia, and the extraordinary reception to the Octavia RS
• Network Growth: to over 325 Customer Touchpoints across 183 cities
• Customer-centricity at the core: several initiatives rolled out to reinforce a laser-sharp focus on customer delight

Mumbai, January 01, 2026: Škoda Auto marked 2025 as its most defining year in its India journey so far. It marked its 25th anniversary in the country with its strongest-ever sales performance. The brand closed 2025 with sales of 72,665 cars, registering a 107% year-on-year growth compared to 35,166 units sold in 2024. This exceptional performance makes 2025 Škoda Auto India’s biggest year ever, reflecting the surge in momentum across products, markets and customer touchpoints.

Continue reading “Škoda Auto’s silver jubilee year in India becomes its biggest-ever”

•JSW MG Motor India recorded a notable 19% year-on-year sales growth, reaching 70,554 units in calendar year 2025, compared to the previous year.

•The company surpassed a major milestone of cumulative EV sales of over 100,000 units.

•In December 2025 alone, the company registered wholesale figures of 6,500 units, demonstrating continued demand for its internal combustion engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) offerings, according to a company statement.

•MG SELECT luxury retail channel experienced a significant 38% month-on-month increase in wholesale growth, further highlighting the brand’s expanding market presence.

Continue reading “JSW MG Motor India Achieves Record 19% Sales Growth | Surpasses Cumulative EV Sales of 100K”

by WAF Think Tank 

India’s proposed CAFE III (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency) norms—expected to apply from FY 2027 onward—have triggered a rare and public divergence within the auto industry. Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seeking a review of the draft framework, while several other manufacturers appear broadly aligned with the regulator’s direction.

What are CAFE III norms?

CAFE norms mandate that a manufacturer’s fleet-wide average CO₂ emissions remain below a specified threshold. Each new phase tightens limits, pushing companies toward lighter vehicles, cleaner powertrains, hybrids, and EVs. CAFE III is expected to be significantly more stringent than CAFE II.

Continue reading “CAFE III Norms: Maruti Suzuki vs Other Carmakers — Why They Wrote to the PMO”

by WAF Think Tank 

•Last Sat, the fire at the PG&E Substation knocked out power to around one third of the residents in parts of San Francisco

•Waymo, the popular Robotaxi service from Alphabet ( Google’s parent) operates a fleet of around 2,500 Robotaxis in the bay area. 

•Traffic Signals went dark and these driverless cars in the affected areas had navigation problems

•Many of these cars were stalled and stranded at intersections further exacerbating the traffic snarls and jams 

The promise of driverless robotaxis has long been tied to a vision of safer roads, reduced congestion, lower emissions, and round-the-clock urban mobility. Cities like San Francisco have been at the forefront of this transformation, serving as real-world laboratories for autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment. However, the recent power outage in San Francisco — which disrupted traffic signals, communication networks, and parts of digital infrastructure — has once again raised a critical question: Should the expansion of driverless robotaxis continue at the current pace, or is a strategic pause needed to reassess risks and readiness?

Power Outages: A Reality Check for Autonomous Mobility

Autonomous vehicles depend heavily on a complex ecosystem — high-definition maps, sensors, cloud connectivity, GPS signals, traffic infrastructure, and uninterrupted power supply. While robotaxis are designed with redundancies, large-scale power outages expose systemic vulnerabilities beyond the vehicle itself.

Continue reading “Should Driverless Robotaxis Be Continued to Expand without Proper Testing? Lessons from the Recent San Francisco Power Outage”