Artificial intelligence could help India’s automotive manufacturers address shop-floor workforce challenges through smarter recruitment, improved shift planning, workforce analytics, employee support and personalised skill development.

The India–EU Free Trade Agreement will allow up to 1 lakh European ICE and hybrid cars to enter India at lower import tariffs in the first year. The deal introduces phased duty reductions, price thresholds and separate quotas for CKD vehicles and electric cars.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged India’s automobile industry to focus on innovation, excellence, sustainability and global competitiveness as the country advances towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

India’s passenger vehicle market is shifting towards cleaner alternatives, with CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles together capturing 42% of retail sales in August 2026, surpassing petrol vehicles for the first time.

India has proposed stricter vehicle headlight regulations to reduce glare and improve nighttime road safety. The changes may include automatic low beam for new two-wheelers, lower high-beam intensity limits, a 6,500 K colour-temperature cap and high-beam warning systems.

Karnataka has revised PUC testing fees from August 15, 2026. Two-wheelers now pay ₹80, petrol, LPG and CNG cars ₹150, while diesel vehicles pay ₹200.

Ignoring a traffic challan in India can lead to court proceedings, additional penalties and difficulties with vehicle-related transactions. Here’s what vehicle owners should know.

India could emerge as a major global automotive innovation hub within the next three to five years, driven by rapid developments in AI, software-defined vehicles, connected-car technologies and advanced connectivity, according to Harman India MD Krishna Kumar.

Hyundai Motor India has crossed 8 lakh connected cars on Indian roads and is targeting 10 lakh cumulative connected-car sales by 2027, highlighting the rapid adoption of connected and software-driven vehicle technologies in India.

Honda has reportedly outsourced the development of a new vehicle platform to Tata Technologies, marking a major shift in its engineering strategy. The collaboration aims to reduce development costs, shorten timelines and leverage India’s growing automotive engineering capabilities for future Honda models.

India’s passenger vehicle market remained strong in July 2026, with Maruti Suzuki dominating the top 10 best-selling cars by securing six positions. The Dzire led the charts, followed by the Wagon R and Ertiga, while Tata Punch emerged as the highest-selling non-Maruti model, highlighting continued strong demand for SUVs and compact cars.

IRDAI has approved Patanjali Ayurved’s acquisition of a majority stake in Magma General Insurance, marking its entry into India’s general insurance sector. The ₹4,500 crore deal is expected to strengthen Magma’s market presence and increase competition across motor, health, property and commercial insurance segments.

The Indian passenger vehicle market remained strong in H1 2026, with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire emerging as the country’s best-selling car. SUVs continued to dominate the market as Tata Punch, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta and Mahindra Scorpio featured among the top performers, reflecting changing consumer preferences toward practical and feature-rich vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz India has confirmed that all petrol vehicles sold since January 2026 are E25-ready, supporting 25% ethanol-blended petrol. The move prepares customers for future fuel standards while ensuring performance, reliability and emissions compliance.

Asahi India Glass (AIS) will invest ₹2,700 crore in a new float glass plant at Soniyana, Rajasthan, boosting automotive glass production, localisation and supply chain strength.

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has stressed the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity across India’s automotive industry as connected and software-defined vehicles become increasingly common. With modern vehicles relying on cloud connectivity, ADAS, telematics and OTA updates, robust cybersecurity measures are essential to protect vehicles, users and manufacturers from evolving cyber threats.

Electric three-wheelers captured 64.08% of India’s total three-wheeler retail registrations in June 2026, according to FADA’s VAHAN data. Driven by lower operating costs, government support and rising demand for commercial mobility, the segment has emerged as the country’s fastest-growing electric vehicle category.

Renault India has partnered with IIT Kanpur to strengthen passenger vehicle research and development. The collaboration will utilise the National Wind Tunnel Facility to advance aerodynamics, vehicle performance, engineering research and sustainable mobility technologies.

Tata Group has unveiled an ambitious plan to achieve US$100 billion in automotive revenue by FY2031 through major investments in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, Jaguar Land Rover, electrification, AI and advanced manufacturing.

India’s auto component industry grew 12.7% to ₹7.6 lakh crore in FY26, driven by strong domestic demand and OEM supplies. However, imports exceeded exports, resulting in a wider trade deficit. The report highlights the sector’s continued expansion while underlining the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported components.