by WAF THINK TANK

For decades, Maruti Suzuki has dominated the Indian automobile market. With an extensive lineup of affordable, fuel-efficient cars and a widespread service network, the brand has built an almost unshakable presence. However, as competition grows and consumer preferences evolve, one question arises: Can any car company surpass Maruti Suzuki in India?

Maruti Suzuki’s Market Dominance

Maruti Suzuki has been India’s largest car manufacturer for over 40 years, consistently holding a 40–50% market share. Models like the Alto, Swift, WagonR, Baleno, and Brezza have become household names. The company’s strengths include: Continue reading “Can Any Car Company Overtake Maruti Suzuki in India?”

(Reuters) – Vehicle thefts in the United States recorded their biggest yearly drop in four decades as automakers, mainly Hyundai and Kia, bolstered anti-theft measures, while easing supply chain constraints made stealing vehicles for parts less lucrative.

Hyundai and Kia cars topped the list of the most stolen vehicles in 2021 and 2023 as their lack of immobilizers made them easy targets for stealing, fuelling viral social media trends such as the “Kia Boys”. Continue reading “Hyundai, Kia’s anti-theft measures fuel steep dip in US vehicle thefts”

Source : PTI | Prices of electric vehicles (EVs) will be equal to those of petrol vehicles in the country within six months, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. Addressing the 32nd Convergence India and 10th Smart Cities India Expo, Gadkari further said the construction work of the 212-km Delhi-Dehradun access-controlled expressway will be complete in the next three months.

“Within six months, the cost of electric vehicles will be equivalent to the cost of petrol vehicles,” he said. Continue reading “Prices of EVs to be same as petrol cars in 6 months, says Gadkari”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s BYD has unveiled a megawatt charging system that it says can charge an EV as quickly as filling up a fuel tank, and said it will build a network across China, igniting a new super charging race.

Here are more details about the Chinese electric vehicle giant’s new technology and why the fast-charging space is attracting interest: Continue reading “Why are Chinese automakers like BYD launching fast-charging EV systems?”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday it is starting efforts to reverse the Biden administration’s vehicle emissions rules that would force automakers to build a rising number of electric vehicles.

The action is the latest in the Trump administration’s sweeping moves to undo the prior administration’s efforts to prod automakers to build electric vehicles after rescinding a push to make EVs at least 50% of new vehicles by 2030. Continue reading “Trump administration takes aim at Biden electric vehicle rules”

PARIS, (Reuters) – Renault Group will cut 300 jobs at a van factory in northern France, the carmaker said on Tuesday, responding to slowing European demand for commercial vehicles in the face of growing economic uncertainty.

The French company, which is the European van market leader under its Renault brand, makes about 14% of its sales from the vehicles used by delivery companies and tradesmen. Continue reading “Renault cuts 300 jobs at van factory as European market slows”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: The pollution crisis in Delhi calls for a large-scale shift in agricultural waste management and compressed biogas (CBG) offers a sustainable solution by tackling both stubble burning and vehicular emission, according to a report. While vehicles contribute 20% to Delhi’s pollution in summers and stubble burning 16%, these numbers rise to 30% and 23% in winters respectively, as per the report by Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India.

“Worse, during peak stubble-burning season, biomass- burning emissions frequently exceed 30%,” it said, adding that although the city’s toxic air comes from multiple sources’ — vehicle emissions, construction dust, biomass burning, including paddy straw stubble burning, and industrial emissions.

Continue reading “Compressed biogas offers a sustainable solution to Delhi’s pollution crisis: Report”

Summary

• Trump’s Mexico tariff pause eases market fears
• Auto and beverage sectors partly recover from early losses
• Goldman Sachs predicts temporary impact on S&P 500 earnings

(Reuters) – Automakers and alcoholic beverage companies pared early session losses on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump paused new tariffs on Mexico for one month. Continue reading “Car makers, brewers pare losses as Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico”

by CA Jatin Minocha

Finance Minister M Nirmala Sitharaman’s eight consecutive budget:

Our economy is the fastest growing economy. The next five years presents a unique opportunity to India.

Budget focuses on growth infrastructure and middle class. Continue reading “Union Budget 2025 -26 Demystified by India’s Leading CA”

OSLO, (Reuters) – Tesla CEO Elon Musk has clashed with Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, one of the automaker’s top investors, according to a record of the conversation released on Tuesday.

Last June, the fund voted against Musk’s $56 billion pay package, the largest for a chief executive in corporate America, at Tesla’s annual general meeting, over concerns about its size and structure, among other things. Continue reading “Elon Musk clashes with Norway wealth fund CEO; ‘friends are as friends do’”

Summary

• In talks with GM on EV supply, parts purchases, other deals
• Sees 2025 revenue growth at 3-4% vs 7.7% in 2024
• Sees 2025 operating profit margin at 7.0-8.0% vs 8.1% in 2024

SEOUL, (Reuters) – South Korea’s Hyundai Motor said on Thursday it is in talks with General Motors to supply commercial electric vehicles to its U.S. peer, as it expects sales growth to halve this year due to softening demand. Continue reading “Hyundai Motor nears GM tie-up deal; sees revenue growth slowing in 2025”

Source : PTI | Industry body India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) has projected USD 500 million investment in Indian battery and mobility startup ecosystem within a year. This investment will drive new innovations, research and development, and advancements in products manufactured by these startups, IESA said in a release.

Besides, this investment will also benefit a range of companies involved in Battery Management Systems (BMS), safety management, and component manufacturing. Continue reading “IESA projects over USD 500 mn investment in Indian battery, mobility startup ecosystem in one year”

Source : PTI | The entry of more players in the EV segment will help in breaking barriers and accelerate adoption of electric mobility in the Indian market, according to leading automobile manufacturers. More product introductions will help in catering to diverse customer needs with competition leading to expansion of the market, they noted. Continue reading “Entry of more players to help break barriers, accelerate adoption of EVs”

TOKYO/SEOUL, (Reuters) – Shares of Japanese automakers and South Korean battery makers declined on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico soon and revoked the previous administration’s executive order on electric vehicles.

But Chinese manufacturers bucked the trend, with stocks opening higher after Trump did not target China in his inauguration speech or immediately impose tariffs on Beijing as previously promised. Continue reading “Some Asian car and battery makers hit as Trump gets to work”

Source : PTI | JSW MG Motor India on Friday announced their foray into the ‘accessible luxury’ electric car segment with the unveiling of two new models – MG Cyberster, India’s first all-electric Roadster and the MG M9, the first electric three-row limousine, slated to be launched this year. Accessible luxury is usually referred to high-quality products that are priced lower than traditional luxury goods.

The two models were unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and the debut was under its new luxury brand channel, MG Select. Continue reading “JSW MG Motor forays into ‘accessible luxury’ electric car segment”

LONDON, (Reuters) – Carmakers said on Tuesday they will have to pay out nearly 6 billion pounds ($7.52 billion) in discounts and compliance costs to meet Britain’s electric vehicle sales mandate for 2024.

“Profitability and viability are in jeopardy and jobs are on the line,” Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) CEO Mike Hawes warned in a statement. Continue reading “Carmakers say British EV sales mandate to cost them $7.5 bln in 2024”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Tesla generated nearly 34 million metric tons of greenhouse gas credits in the 2023 model year by selling electric vehicles, as the auto industry racked up significant credit deficits in the face of more stringent emissions standards.

In a report first seen by Reuters, the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday new vehicle fuel economy increased by 1.1 miles (1.8 km) per gallon in 2023, reaching a record high 27.1 mpg (43.6 kpg). The EPA said fleetwide fuel economy is preliminarily projected to rise to 28 mpg (45.1 kpg)in the 2024 model year. Continue reading “Tesla racked up greenhouse emissions credits in 2023 as other automakers lagged”

Source : PTI | New Delhi, Transport assets worth approximately USD 575 billion in South Asia, including USD 400 billion in India, are exposed to climate hazards and rapid deployment of resilience measures needed to prevent risk to the sector which contributes significantly to the region’s GDP, according to a report. The South Asian region faces cascading economic losses due to climate risks, with disruptions in transport having cascading effects on key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services among others, as per the report jointly published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Continue reading “Transport assets worth USD 400 bn in India exposed to climate hazards: Report”

Summary

• Northvolt co-founder urges EU not to give up EV battery dream
• Firm has filed for bankruptcy protection, needs $1.0-$1.2 bln
• EU hopes hit by weak EV sales, production issues, China strength

STOCKHOLM/GDANSK, (Reuters) – Northvolt’s financial collapse deals a blow to Europe’s plan to set up its own battery industry to power electric cars, stirring a debate about whether it needs to do more to attract investment as startups struggle to catch up with Chinese rivals. Continue reading “Northvolt crisis may be make or break for Europe’s EV battery ambitions”

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Sweden’s Northvolt said on Thursday it will seek U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the cash-strapped battery start-up seeks to sort out its finances.

The company went in a matter of months this year from being Europe’s best shot at a home-grown electric-vehicle battery champion to racing to stay afloat, hobbled by production problems and as funding ran out. Continue reading “Northvolt goes from Europe battery promise to crisis”

Source : PTI | India is set to enter a transformative “smartphone era” for cars in 2025, with the introduction of vehicles featuring 5G M2M connectivity and advanced AI technologies, according to the latest findings from Techarc’s India Connected Consumer Report 2025. The report said the automotive sector will skip 4G and will enable connectivity using the latest 5G cellular technology.

It observed that consumers are interested in spending money on improving the value proposition in terms of features, quality and experience rather than exploring too many smart devices.

Continue reading “India to shift to ‘smartphone era’ for cars embracing 5G, advanced AI in 2025: Report”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China has told its automakers to halt big investment in European countries that support extra tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles, two people briefed about the matter said, a move likely to further divide Europe.

The new European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% came into effect on Wednesday after a year-long investigation that divided the bloc and prompted retaliation from Beijing. Continue reading “Exclusive: China tells carmakers to pause investment in EU countries backing EV tariffs, sources say”

DETROIT,(Reuters) – Ford Motor stock has tumbled about 8% so far this week after the company faltered on CEO Jim Farley’s mission to improve efficiency in its traditional gasoline-engine operations, whose profits the company needs to fund its expensive electric vehicle plans.

Quality and warranty problems, supplier issues and waste in the automaker’s 121-year legacy business have obscured its progress, Farley told analysts during a call to discuss quarterly earnings Monday. The automaker said annual results would be in the lowest range of its previous outlook. Continue reading “Ford investors impatient for the automaker to boost efficiency efforts”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China has told its automakers to halt big investment in European countries that support extra tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles, two people briefed about the matter said, a move likely to further divide Europe.

The new European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% came into effect on Wednesday after a year-long investigation that divided the bloc and prompted retaliation from Beijing. Continue reading “Exclusive: China tells carmakers to pause investment in EU countries backing EV tariffs, sources say”

Summary

• Second round of talks to start on Oct. 30
• All German sites must be kept open, unions say
• Unions threaten strike if no solution found by Dec. 1

(Reuters) – Volkswagen and Germany’s IG Metall union will start their second round of negotiations on planned cuts to the carmaker’s German operations on Oct. 30, with unions insisting the company must keep all German sites open. Continue reading “Volkswagen, unions to start further talks on Germany cuts”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – The European Union wants a level playing field with China on car tariffs and is negotiating with Beijing on mechanisms such as price commitments or investments in Europe as a solution, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.

Speaking alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, she said negotiations with China would continue even if the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles entered into force. Scholz expressed hope of reaching an agreement by the end of October. Continue reading “EU ‘wants level playing field’, but still negotiating with China on car tariffs”

Summary

• Fight over satellite broadband spectrum rages in India
• Billionaire Ambani at odds with Elon Musk’s Starlink
• Reliance asking for consultation to start afresh, letter shows

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance has argued that the telecom regulator incorrectly concluded that home satellite broadband spectrum should be allocated and not auctioned, a letter seen by Reuters shows, intensifying a face-off with Elon Musk’s Starlink. Continue reading “Reliance lobbies India minister on satellite spectrum in new face-off with Elon Musk”

Summary

• EU to vote on tariff proposal for Chinese EVs on Friday
• France, Greece, Italy and Poland say they will vote in favour, sources say
• Their support should be enough to pass the vote
• France’s Macron says China’s level of subsidies ‘unbearable’

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – France, Greece, Italy and Poland will vote on Friday in favour of tariffs of up to 45% on imports of electric vehicles (EVs) made in China, sources said, enough to push through the European Union’s highest profile trade measures, risking potential retaliation from Beijing. Continue reading “EU has enough support to impose Chinese EV tariffs, sources say”

Summary

• Dockworkers’ strike halts flow of half the nation’s ocean shipping
• European automakers most affected due to reliance on East and Gulf Coast ports
• Detroit automakers may benefit from reduced industry inventories
• Group representing major automakers urges White House to broker a resolution
• Shortage of parts could lead some automakers to reduce vehicle production

DETROIT/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – European automakers are the most likely to be affected by the dockworkers strike at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports because they rely heavily on those locations, but a longer walkout could prove “debilitating” to the entire sector, industry officials and analysts said. Continue reading “European automakers most at risk from US dockworkers strike, analysts say”

Source : PTI | Ministry of Heavy Industries is working with auto industry associations SIAM and ACMA on Automotive Mission Plan 2047, which will pave the way for India to become an advanced industrial power, a top official said on Tuesday. Addressing an event to launch the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, Secretary in Ministry of Heavy Industries Kamran Rizvi said the PM E-BUS SEVA Payment Security Mechanism will also be rolled out shortly.

“PM E-DRIVE is not the terminal scheme. Another scheme of which we will hold the launch shortly is the PM E-BUS SEVA Payment Security Mechanism scheme,” the secretary said. Continue reading “Working on Automotive Mission Plan 2047 to make India advanced industrial power: Official”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a reply from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and others in a matter regarding the use of cancer-causing chemicals in cars. The tribunal was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report regarding the use of two flame retardant chemicals inside cars – – TDCIPP and TCEP – which were carcinogenic.

In an order passed last week, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the reply of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that it did not have the facilities to test whether these substances were carcinogenic. Continue reading “Presence of carcinogenic chemicals in cars: NGT issues notice to BIS, MoRTH”

Source : PTI | India and the US have agreed to give impetus to sustainable aviation fuel, promote electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles and use of hydrogen in buses, tractors and heavy equipment, said a joint statement issued after the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership dialogue between the two nations. The two nations “welcomed increased investment in each country’s clean energy markets,” according to the statement issued after the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial convened by US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in Washington DC on Monday.

“While recognising the need to work towards a just, orderly and sustainable energy transition, which prioritises access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy supplies, the (two) sides welcomed the important role that energy trade plays in supporting the national priorities of both countries,” the statement said.

Continue reading “India, US for giving push to sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen in buses”

HANOVER, Germany, (Reuters) – Major manufacturers, such as Daimler Truck and Traton, displaying their trucks at a transportation fair in Hanover this week say they are ready to go electric, but their e-trucks will not sell without massive investments in charging infrastructure.

Christian Levin, chief of Volkswagen’s truck subsidiary Traton, which owns such brands as Scania, MAN, Navistar, and Volkswagen Trucks and Buses, said the European Union’s goal of reaching a 50% share of e-trucks 2030 for now looks out of reach. “It’s not just about cost, it’s also about charging infrastructure, permissions, green electricity, supply of green electricity, and of course pricing. All of that needs to come together,” he told Reuters in an interview. Continue reading “Truckmakers say they are ready to go electric, but what about charging?”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China is disappointed at the EU Commission for ignoring efforts by industry to find solutions, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Friday, after the bloc rejected offers from electric vehicle makers for minimum import prices.

The European Commission said it had received offers from electric vehicle makers in China for minimum import prices into Europe as a way of avoiding hefty tariffs but had rejected them. Continue reading “China disappointed at EU ‘ignoring’ tariff efforts”