South Asia Indian Automobile Industries Watch-News, Developments and Discussion

[Krishna with Flute]

Date of Event: Jan 18, 2025

Source : https://www.PKDefense.com Short Summary: Tracking the developments of Indian Automobile Industries.

Discuss new happening, arrivals, launches in Indian automobile industries.

New TVS Ronin is coming.

 

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[Krishna with Flute]

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Mahindra CV9. India's own Cyber truck.

 

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Tata Avinya EV.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Tata Nano electric car: 4 seater with bike pricing and 400km range coming soon​

2mo • 2 min read

The Tata Nano electric car is expected to launch soon. With a powerful battery, premium features, and a new design, this car will be affordably priced for the common people.

Tata Nano electric car: 4 seater with bike pricing and 400km range coming soon
Tata Nano Electric Car coming soon? Tata Motors has been introducing its new electric cars in the Indian market. According to the latest information, the Tata Nano electric car will soon be launched by Tata Motors. Customers can enjoy a powerful battery and premium features.

Also Read | Honda goes green! Unveils Activa e, QC1 electric scooters in India; Check features, specs and more

Tata Motors
This will help make it better for its customers. The Tata Nano electric car is said to be well-designed, allowing customers to see a luxurious interior with a new design. Tata Motors is going to use a 17.1kWh battery in its Tata Nano electric car.

Also Read | Ola Electric Scooter Launch with Swappable Battery; read details

Tata Nano electric car: 4 seater with bike pricing and 400km range coming soon
It can be charged with the help of a powerful battery. Information has also been released that it will give a driving range of about 400 km. Similarly, it is reported that Tata Motors may introduce the Tata Nano electric car at an affordable price of around Rs 4 lakh.

Tata Nano Electric Car
The Tata Nano electric car is set to launch in early 2025. Tata Motors may introduce its Tata Nano electric car with a premium interior. Customers will be provided with modern amenities like power windows, automatic climate control, and a large 9-inch touchscreen display.

All of these, at times, provide customers with new features. It is currently being discussed in the automotive industry that the company has used the best interior in the segment.

Also read | Tata Sumo Gold Relaunch: Know about it's new features, price, mileage and more


Related video: Tata Punch EV Pros & Cons: Is It the Perfect Electric Car? (India.com)

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Royal Enfield Managed To Sell Half a Million Hunter 350 Motorcycles In Just Two Years​

Royal Enfield Managed To Sell Half a Million Hunter 350 Motorcycles In Just Two Years© RideApart.com

Again, people want small displacement motorcycles.​

Royal Enfield is a brand that seems to be doing a lot of things right. This has become apparent especially now, where some manufacturers are sort of losing their way, chasing all sorts of shiny things and trying to be something other than what they really are.

Sure, RE’s bikes aren’t all about high-performance or cutting-edge tech. But you could argue that this is where the brand’s appeal lies. It’s all about a vibe—a feeling that captures the “soul of motorcycling,” as cheesy as it sounds. And it’s true, every time you hop on an Enfield, it takes you back to a simpler time; a time when motorcycles were all about freedom and self-expression…at least that’s the way I feel.


But clearly, a lot of people share the same sentiments towards Royal Enfield as I do, and I’m not just talking about my colleagues here at RideApart. I’m talking about the global motorcycling community. And one bike in particular has made this crystal clear: the Royal Enfield Hunter 350.


Let’s talk about this little roadster and why it’s so important. It’s a bike that made its debut back in August 2022. It’s not exactly anything special; it’s a small-displacement, retro-inspired machine that sort of sits somewhere in between what people in Asia and Europe would consider a small bike and a big bike. It’s rocking a 350cc, air-cooled thumper, standard suspension, and no fancy tech. And yet, despite its simplicity and almost seemingly NPC nature, Royal Enfield managed to sell a whopping 500,000 units in just over two years.



That’s right, half a million of these small-displacement, retro-inspired naked bikes.

Quite frankly, it’s easy to see this bike's appeal, especially in countries like India, Thailand, and the Philippines where I’m from. In these places, maneuverability is essential, so heavyweights aren’t ideal. But moderate power is pretty important, too, especially for folks wanting to go the distance, and perhaps even ride on the freeway. And in most cases, the RE Hunter 350 ticks all these boxes.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 - Dapper Green 4© RideApart.com
And while India indeed makes up the majority of the pie when it comes to Royal Enfield’s sales, its growing presence in other markets, particularly the US and Europe, is something worth paying attention to. In 2024, Royal Enfield reportedly sold north of 850,000 motorcycles. And while roughly 70 percent of its sales were generated in its home country of India, the remaining 30 percent—amounting to around 200,000 machines, were sold in other markets.




And here’s the kicker, in December of 2024, Royal Enfield reported a whopping 90-percent increase in exports versus the previous year. That’s pretty wild.

So, kudos to Royal Enfield, as it’s clearly on a roll. It builds bikes that simply tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people; machines that both beginner riders and seasoned riders alike can enjoy.

​

 

[Guru Dutt]

Tata Nano electric car: 4 seater with bike pricing and 400km range coming soon​

2mo • 2 min read

View attachment 13847
The Tata Nano electric car is expected to launch soon. With a powerful battery, premium features, and a new design, this car will be affordably priced for the common people.

Tata Nano electric car: 4 seater with bike pricing and 400km range coming soon
Tata Nano Electric Car coming soon? Tata Motors has been introducing its new electric cars in the Indian market. According to the latest information, the Tata Nano electric car will soon be launched by Tata Motors. Customers can enjoy a powerful battery and premium features.

Also Read | Honda goes green! Unveils Activa e, QC1 electric scooters in India; Check features, specs and more

Tata Motors
This will help make it better for its customers. The Tata Nano electric car is said to be well-designed, allowing customers to see a luxurious interior with a new design. Tata Motors is going to use a 17.1kWh battery in its Tata Nano electric car.

Also Read | Ola Electric Scooter Launch with Swappable Battery; read details

Tata Nano electric car: 4 seater with bike pricing and 400km range coming soon
It can be charged with the help of a powerful battery. Information has also been released that it will give a driving range of about 400 km. Similarly, it is reported that Tata Motors may introduce the Tata Nano electric car at an affordable price of around Rs 4 lakh.

Tata Nano Electric Car
The Tata Nano electric car is set to launch in early 2025. Tata Motors may introduce its Tata Nano electric car with a premium interior. Customers will be provided with modern amenities like power windows, automatic climate control, and a large 9-inch touchscreen display.

All of these, at times, provide customers with new features. It is currently being discussed in the automotive industry that the company has used the best interior in the segment.

Also read | Tata Sumo Gold Relaunch: Know about it's new features, price, mileage and more


Related video: Tata Punch EV Pros & Cons: Is It the Perfect Electric Car? (India.com)

Hari Bhai baki to patta nahi but in such a small pakage with almost 400KM range and say 2.5 to 4Lakh price at best for TATA NANO EV ...... i dont think it will be possible but if it happens all Suzuki K10 engined series and of its immidiate Korean & chinese compition will be garbage

 

[Sharma Ji]

I like the Hunter 350. Spoked wheel wala "retro" variant is cheaper !

iinw, in the Meteor, the spokes wala variant is actually dearer ?

Hunter looks pretty good even with alloys, but, but the Meteor is begging for spokes because it more retro styled.

RE are absolutely killing it with the new offerings, man.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

And here’s the kicker, in December of 2024, Royal Enfield reported a whopping 90-percent increase in exports versus the previous year. That’s pretty wild.

Royal Enfield reportedly sold north of 850,000 motorcycles. And while roughly 70 percent of its sales were generated in its home country of India, the remaining 30 percent—amounting to around 200,000 machines, were sold in other markets.

I love this.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Hari Bhai baki to patta nahi but in such a small pakage with almost 400KM range and say 2.5 to 4Lakh price at best for TATA NANO EV ...... i dont think it will be possible but if it happens all Suzuki K10 engined series and of its immidiate Korean & chinese compition will be garbage

The problem with TATA is that they do not understand the requirements of Indian consumers. If they really produces Nanao with 400 k.m. Range with decent look and good in basics, it can do great. If it looks like what is there in picture and provide the space of old nano, it can be a market winner. However, I have faith in TATA's idiocy. They will certainly do some nonsense to make sure that it does not become a hot selling TATA product.

 

[Guru Dutt]

The problem with TATA is that they do not understand the requirements of Indian consumers. If they really produces Nanao with 400 k. Range with decent look and good in basics, it can do great. If it looks like what is there in picture and provide the space of old nano, it can be a market winner. However, I have faith in TATA's idiocy. They will certainly do some nonsense to make sure that it does not become a hot selling TATA product.

well the way market is even if they get it under 3Lakh and with 250Km range and good after sales valuse it will still destroy anything and everything japnese or koreans or chinese can dish out

 

[Krishna with Flute]

well the way market is even if they get it under 3Lakh and with 250Km range and good after sales valuse it will still destroy anything and everything japnese or koreans or chinese can dish out

Bellow 3 lakh is not possible. Even if it is 5 lakh, it should be good. With 17.1 KW battery as stated in article with possible 40 hp motor, it should give good range. MG comet dose 230 ARAI certified milage with 17.3 kwa battery and 230 k.m. range. Tata should do atleast 300 k.m. ARAI certified range , keep price bellow 5 lakh. Tata should offer alternate battery pack for higher range. A bit higher chasis, bigger wheel, properly design seat and simple yet decent dashboard, space management same as old nano. It can be a winner.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Isuzu Motors India Tops Commercial Vehicle Exports in FY2024-25​

Story by support@india.com (India.com News Desk)
• 21h•
2 min read

Isuzu Motors India Tops Commercial Vehicle Exports in FY2024-25© Ankit Dubey | samriddhi Kaushik
Isuzu Motors India (IMI) has recorded the highest export figures for commercial vehicles (CVs) from India in the financial year 2024-25. The company exported 20,312 units, a 24% increase over the previous year's figure of 16,329 units in FY2023-24.

This marks the first time IMI has led the CV export segment, although it has been among the top three exporters in recent years. The company's manufacturing plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, produces vehicles for both left-hand drive (LHD) and right-hand drive (RHD) markets. These include destinations across Asia and the Middle East, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan.


The Sri City facility supports both domestic and international demand and recently rolled out its 100,000th vehicle. IMI has also been expanding its sales and service network in India to support its operations and customer base.

Rajesh Mittal, President and Managing Director of Isuzu Motors India, stated that the company's operations in India follow ISUZU's global manufacturing standards. He noted that the Sri City plant is aligned with the company's overall manufacturing approach.

Toru Kishimoto, Deputy Managing Director, commented on the growing volume of exports and the role of the India facility in meeting demand across multiple regions. He pointed out that the vehicle portfolio manufactured in India is aimed at fulfilling the requirements of overseas markets.

Isuzu Motors India continues to export a range of CVs, with a focus on pickup trucks, using its Indian operations to supply both the domestic and export markets.

MSN

 

[Bilal9]

Foreign automakers quit India over dismal sales​

On May 13, Tesla officially abandoned its efforts to enter the Indian market.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Rohini Mohan

BANGALORE - With Tesla deciding not to set up its manufacturing plant in India after a year of discussions, the electric automaker joins the dozens of foreign companies that have either shelved plans to enter India or pulled up stakes in the past five years.

On May 13, Tesla officially abandoned its efforts to enter the Indian market and started to reassign local employees when it could not get the government to lower import tariffs for foreign electric vehicles (EVs).

Tesla had sought to first test demand in India by selling EVs imported from production hubs in the United States and China at lower tariffs. But the Indian government had wanted it to first set up a local manufacturing facility.

The same week, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk met Indonesian president Joko Widodo in the US over investment opportunities in the South-east Asian country.

At least eight foreign automakers - including General Motors, Fiat and Ford Motor - have left India, the world's fourth-largest automobile market, since 2017.

US auto major Ford Motor stopped production in its Chennai and Sanand plants from September 2021. It also shelved plans for a plant manufacturing EVs for export on May 12 despite getting government approval for production-linked incentives.

The company, which has been in India for over 30 years, had invested about US$2.5 billion (S$3.4 billion) in plants, and incurred losses of over US$2 billion.

In April, Nissan's Datsun stopped making its cars in its Chennai plant over low sales performance. American motorcycle makers Harley-Davidson and United Motors (UM) exited in September 2020 and October 2019 respectively, citing lack of demand for their products.

Italian carmaker Fiat stopped operations in India after seven years in March 2019 over poor sales. In December 2018, a few months before its decision to stop production at its Ranjangaon plant in Maharashtra state, the company sold a mere 75 cars, while local market leader Maruti Suzuki sold over 119,000.

South Korean SsangYong Motor Company pulled out in 2018, while General Motors exited in 2017 after over two decades in India due to mounting losses and inadequate interest in its Chevrolet and Opel models.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada) said the "sudden exits" of Ford, GM, Man Trucks, Fiat, Harley and UM motorcycles caused a total loss of 64,000 jobs and dealer investments of 24.85 billion rupees (S$440.4 million).

Analysts say the reasons for the dwindling interest could be unfavourable policies like high taxes on imported and locally made cars, and lower-than-expected demand for cars, especially after falling incomes and unemployment in the pre-pandemic economic slowdown worsened into hardships during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inflation hit an eight-year high in April. Diesel and petrol prices were also at an all-time high until the government trimmed fuel taxes on May 22.

About 15.12 million two-wheelers were sold in 2021, followed by 2.71 million passenger vehicles, according to market tracker Statistica. Some 570,000 commercial vehicles and 220,000 three-wheelers were sold that year.

Fada's retail data shows that from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 to 2022, demand for two-wheelers declined by 29 per cent and by 46 per cent for three-wheelers.

Sales of commercial vehicles fell by 26 per cent and passenger vehicles like cars by 1.7 per cent, showing that the downturn affected well-off buyers as well. Only tractor sales grew by 15 per cent.

India's auto sector has seen a slowdown for half a decade now, with sales plummeting 30 per cent even before the pandemic. This is due to multiple factors like falling demand, fuel price rise, over-dependence on China for crucial components like semiconductors, emission policy changes, and higher taxes as the government pushes the industry to shift to EVs. Market leaders like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Japan's Toyota survive but have shrunk production targets too.

Fewer new foreign companies are also registering in India. According to data from the annual reports of India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs, new registrations have fallen from 157 companies in 2014, from when the reports are available online, to 83 in 2021.

In recent years, the Indian government has tried to woo global companies looking to diversify beyond China. But a February 2021 parliamentary standing committee report on the challenges and opportunities of attracting new investment in the post-pandemic economy observed that most companies leaving China "shifted their base to Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, etc, and only a few came to India".

Indian and foreign companies face challenges including administrative and regulatory hurdles, inadequate and costly credit facilities, tedious land acquisition procedures, inadequate infrastructure facilities, high logistics costs and a large unorganized manufacturing sector, the report said.

 

[Bilal9]

Ford Motor to cease making cars in India, take $2 billion charge​

• Manufacturing of vehicles for sale in India will stop immediately, and about 4,000 employees will be affected, Ford Motor said in a statement

Ford's Sanand, Gujarat plant

Ford Motor Co. has stopped making cars in India and recorded roughly $2 billion in restructuring charges, scaling back significantly in a country that past management saw becoming one of its three biggest markets.

Ford today said that it will shut down both of its plants in the country, becoming the latest automaker to exit the market. The US automaker will wind down an assembly plant in Gujarat by the fourth quarter, as well as vehicle and engine manufacturing plants in Chennai by the second quarter of next year.

Manufacturing of vehicles for sale in India will stop immediately, and about 4,000 employees will be affected, the carmaker said in a statement.

“The decision was reinforced by years of accumulated losses, persistent industry overcapacity and lack of expected growth in India’s car market,” said Anurag Mehrotra, managing director of Ford India. “We have not been able to find a sustainable path forward to long-term profitability that includes in-country vehicle manufacturing.”

Ford made the decision as it was not profitable for them to continue, according to a Reuters report, adding that the process will take about a year to complete.

The US automaker will continue to sell some its cars in the country through imports, said a report, adding that it will also provide support to dealers to service existing customers.

Ford is the latest carmaker to cease production in India, following companies such as General Motors and Harley Davidson to exit a market, which once promised exponential growth.

Foreign automakers have found it difficult to gain a foothold in the value-conscious Indian market dominated by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.’s cheap cars.

The Centre’s high tax regime, which imposes levies as high as 28% on gasoline vehicles, has also been a major roadblock. Toyota Motor Corp. last year said it won’t expand further in India due to high tariffs.

The moves by Ford are a further blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make-in-India programme, which encourages companies to manufacture locally. Tesla Inc. has urged Modi’s administration to allow it to import cars more cheaply before it commits to setting up a factory in the country.

Ford India racked up more than $2 billion in losses during the past decade and wrote down the value of its business by about $800 million in 2019.

Ford was one of the first global car companies to enter India when the economy opened up in the early 1990s. The company first set up shop in 1926 but shut down its initial operation in the 1950s.

Following the factory closures, Ford will import and sell some vehicles, including Mustang coupes, but the sale of models including the Figo, EcoSport and Endeavour will cease once existing inventory at dealers is sold.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Tata Harrier EV takes electric SUV game to next level. What makes it unique?​

Story by Mainak Das
• 6d•
4 min read

Tata Harrier EV has been launched as the carmaker's latest electric vehicle. ()
1 Tata Harrier EV: Reintroduces AWD tech
Tata Harrier EV is projected by the OEM as a power-packed off-roading vehicle, not just another SUV with an electric powertrain. The Harrier EV brings back the All-wheel Drive (AWD) technology to the carmaker's product portfolio. The OEM dubs it as Quad Wheel Drive (QWD). The SUV gets dual electric motors, each powering one axle and sending power to all four wheels, allowing the Harrier EV to tackle treacherous terrains without much hassle. The front electric motor generates 138 bhp peak power, while the rear motor churns out 234 bhp peak power. The electric powertrain also pumps out 504 Nm of maximum torque. It gets multiple driving modes, which are - Boost, Sport City & Eco.



2 Tata Harrier EV: Promises performance
Tata Motors claims the Harrier EV is not just another electric SUV, but offers a supercar-like performance. Besides the dual electric motor and AWD, the Harrier EV promises a quick sprinting capability. It claims to be capable of accelerating 0-100 kmph in 6.3 seconds, which makes it pretty fast. Tata claims that the SUV gets a burst of torque and power in demanding situations, enabling it to accelerate quickly.
3 Tata Harrier EV: Can go offroad
Tata Harrier EV has been dubbed a capable off-roader by the automaker. The OEM has showcased its capability off-roading by showing a video of the vehicle climbing Elephant Rock in Kerala. It gets six different terrain response modes - Normal, Rock Crawl, Mud Ruts, Snow & Grass, Sand and Custom. The off-road assist system onboard the vehicle offers enhanced traction and control on challenging terrains.
4 Tata Harrier EV: Transparent bonnet mode
One of the class-leading features of the Tata Harrier EV is the transparent bonnet mode, which uses the onboard cameras to show the ground beneath the SUV. This allows the driver to see the terrain and navigate through it with precision and ease. This technology can be seen in many high-end premium cars and notably in Tata Motors-owned Land Rover luxury SUVs.


Related video: Tata Motors Launches Harrier.ev With QWD, 540° Vision, Lifetime Battery Warranty (BT TV)
Tata Motors Launches Harrier.ev With QWD, 540° Vision, Lifetime Battery Warranty
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5 Tata Harrier EV: Enhanced digital accessibility
Tata Motors has earned quite some respect from the car buyers for bringing high-end technology-enabled features in its cars, and the Harrier EV is the latest addition to that list. The electric SUV gets enhanced digital accessibility through Digi Access, which makes the user's presence felt, with proximity-based lock and unlock. The remote key fob allows to perform 11 different actions, while there is an NFC-based smart card as well. Also, the dedicated smartphone application for the Harrier EV makes the user's phone a remote for the vehicle, allowing them to perform various functions and enabling them to share access to the car with multiple persons.
6 Tata Harrier EV: More digital screen
Tata Harrier EV gets a more digital screen space in the form of a 14.52-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a wide range of connectivity options, a fully digital 10.24-inch instrument cluster with blind-spot view monitor. The blind-spot view monitor display can be seen in the touchscreen infotainment system as well. There is an HD rearview mirror with DVR as well that gives a full view of the rear of the vehicle and records everything as well.


7 Tata Harrier EV: Range polygon to address range anxiety
One unique feature of the Harrier EV is that it shows a range polygon, which allows users to check the range estimation radius using navigation maps. Tata Motors claims that this feature has been introduced to the Harrier EV to address the range anxiety, which is related to electric vehicles.
8 Tata Harrier EV: V2L and V2V technology
Tata Harrier EV comes with V2L (Vehicle to Load) and V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) technology. The V2L technology allows the user to charge various appliances and gadgets using the electric SUV's battery power, while the V2V allows the user to charge other electric vehicles using the onboard battery pack. Both the V2V and V2L technologies are found in the Tata Nexon EV as well as in the Tata Curvv EV.
9 Tata Harrier EV: Powered Boss Mode for rear occupants' comfort
The Tata Harrier EV gets Powered Boss Mode inside the cabin, which is meant to enhance a luxurious experience for the rear occupants. The Powered Boss Mode allows rear seat passengers to move the co-driver seat through powered buttons, allowing more leg space and knee room. Enhancing rear occupant comfort are features like comfort headrest, rear armrest with cup holder, rear AC vents, rear sunshade and 65W Type-C USB charging port.
10 Tata Harrier EV: Front occupant comfort
Tata Harrier EV comes with a six-way adjustable driver seat and a four-way adjustable co-driver seat. Also, the front seats come with a ventilation feature. Other features include a wireless charging dock, sliding armrest with cooled under storage, etc.

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Weak demand for Mercedes G580 EV spurs plans for smaller G-Class with hybrid powertrain

MSN