With Chinese brands like BYD, MG and Polestar gaining traction in Europe, the US electric vehicle brand Tesla has lost much of its stream since the last two months. Tesla registrations have plunged, according to a recent report of Jato Dynamics. The Elon Musk led brand saw its market share fell to 9.6 percent in February 2025 – the lowest it has been during the month of February over the last five years. Its year-to-date market share fell from 18.4 percent in 2024 to 7.7 percent this year. 

A total of 966,300 new passenger cars were registered in Europe in February 2025, marking a decline of three percent, compared to the corresponding month last year. As per the Jato Dynamics report encompassing 28 markets, sale of automobiles witnessed a decline in Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Ireland mainly. The year-to-date registrations fell by two percent to a total of 1,962,850 units.

Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst, Jato Dynamics, averred, “There are still no clear signs of recovery in the European automotive industry. Uncertainty in the domestic market is being further complicated by challenges in both China and the US.”

In February 2025, the registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increased by 26 percent to 164,000 units – the highest volume on record for both the month of February and the period of January to February. A total of 329,700 units were registered, up by 31 percent.

 Of the opinion that Tesla is experiencing a period of immense change while pointing at an increase in electric vehicle registrations in Europe, Munoz said, “In addition to Elon Musk’s increasingly active role in politics and the increased competition it is facing within the EV market, the brand is phasing out the existing version the Model Y – its best-selling vehicle – in anticipation of the introduction of a new refreshed version.”

“During this process, brands often experience a drop in sales before they return to normal levels, once the updated model becomes widely available. Brands like Tesla, which have a relatively limited model lineup, are particularly vulnerable to registration declines when undertaking a model changeover,” he added.

The registrations of the Model Y fell by 56 percent to 8,800 units in February 2025. The registrations of the Model 3 fell by 14 percent to 6,800 units.

“The difference in volume drops between these two vehicles suggests that the decline in the brand’s overall sales is more firmly rooted in the Model Y changeover than Musk’s political activity,” Munoz articulated. “However, it will be interesting to see to what extent demand rebounds once the new Model Y hits markets across the region,” he expressed.

Chinese brands outpace Tesla for BEV sales

The difficulties that Tesla is currently facing have created opportunities for some of its competitors. In February, Chinese-owned car brands registered 19,800 new electric vehicles in Europe, outpacing Tesla which registered just over 15,700 units. In the same month last year, the former registered 23,182 units compared to the 28,131 registered by Tesla.

The best-selling Chinese-owned car brands in February 2025 turned out to be Volvo, BYD and Polestar. While Volvo recorded a 30 percent drop in BEV registrations, BYD and Polestar made substantial gains, with increases of 94 percent and 84 percent respectively. Xpeng also performed well with more than 1,000 units, closely followed by Leapmotor with almost 900 units. 

Renault Group shines

Volkswagen group continued to lead the market with share of 25.8%. Stellantis followed in second position but lost 2.6 points of share when compared to February 2024 due to double-digit drops at Citroen, Opel/Vauxhall and Fiat. Renault Group was the month’s top performer, with a 12 percent increase in volumes and a market share gain of 1.5 points. The group’s strong performance in February can be attributed to positive results posted by the Renault Clio, Dacia Duster and the new Renault Symbioz and Renault 5. 

Much of Renault’s success was found in the BEV segment, with 9,400 BEVs registered in February, up by 96 percent. The French manufacturer was only outperformed by Volkswagen, which recorded a 108 percent increase in BEV sales. Other strong increases within the BEV segment included Audi (up by 67 percent), Kia (up by 56 percent), Skoda (up by 63 percent), Citroen (up by 190 percent), Cupra (up by 179 percent), Mini (up by 804 precent) and Ford (up by 146 percent). In contrast, Tesla, Volvo, MG, Fiat, Jeep and Smart recorded a sales decline in the respective month.   

The Dacia Sandero leads again

The Dacia Sandero once again led in the ranking by model as Europe’s most registered new vehicle during the month. Meanwhile, second position was occupied by the Citroen C3, with the new generation already being widely available. The Renault Clio followed closely in third thanks to a 22 percent increase in volumes – the second best within the top 10, only outperformed by the Volkswagen Tiguan, in ninth position, which recorded a 43 percent increase in registrations.

The Tesla Model Y and Skoda Octavia have dropped out of the top ten model rankings, making way for the Dacia Duster and Volkswagen Tiguan. The best-performing models in the top 100 included the Peugeot 3008 (with sales up by 40 percent), MG ZS (up by 47 percent), Skoda Kodiaq (up by 32 percent), Jeep Avenger (up by 40 percent), Volkswagen ID.4 (up by 150 percent), Volkswagen ID.3 (up by 114 percent), Skoda Enyaq (up by 41 percent), Mini Countryman (up by 109 percent), BMW 5 Series (up by 54 percen), Fiat 600 (up by 369 percent), Audi A5 (up by 181 percent), Audi A6 (up by 74 percent), Mercedes E-Class (up by 49 percent) and Cupra Born (up by 64 percent)

Image for representative purpose only.

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India's automotive sector is poised for a significant transformation with the establishment of the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), the nation's first dedicated institution for automobile design and management. A groundbreaking and foundation stone ceremony was held today at the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus, marking a historic milestone for the nascent institute.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, served as the Chief Guest, virtually unveiling the foundation stone and offering his full support for the forward-thinking initiative. His virtual presence underscored the government's recognition of design's crucial role in India's evolving mobility landscape.

The ceremony brought together a distinguished gathering, including industry titans, senior government officials, design and automotive professionals and academic luminaries. The consensus among attendees was clear: design is rapidly gaining importance within India's mobility ecosystem, and INDEA is positioned to be a cornerstone of this shift.

Developed under the umbrella of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), INDEA aims to revolutionise design education in India. Avik Chattopadhyay, Founder of INDEA and Chairperson of XADM, is leading the charge to cultivate a new generation of automotive designers and visionaries. The institute's mission is to equip these future professionals with the skills needed to meet both global standards and unique local requirements.

A striking steel structure, named Param – a Sanskrit word signifying supreme, highest, or ultimate – was unveiled as the foundation pillar. Designed by renowned Indian installation artist and designer Vibhor Sogani, the skyward-reaching sculpture symbolises INDEA's aspirations for boundless growth and transformative knowledge. Param is envisioned as the symbolic heart of the institute, representing not just a foundation but a future hub for innovation and excellence with state-of-the-art facilities fostering a community of innovators, thinkers and leaders in automotive design.

In his virtual address, Nitin Gadkari emphasised the automotive sector's critical role in India's economic growth, employment generation and global competitiveness. "As we strive towards the Prime Minister’s USD 5 trillion economy vision, our industry is evolving from being cost-driven to quality-led, anchored in smart design, robust safety, and sustainable practices. The future will be shaped by strong R&D, innovation, and next-generation testing and certification. I am confident that the young talent trained at INDEA will become catalysts for change, turning knowledge into innovation, and innovation into national strength."

Fr. Dr. K.S. Casimir, Director, XLRI Delhi-NCR, said, "This ceremony marks a major leap in our vision of creating an institute that seamlessly blends design thinking, technical prowess, and industry alignment. Nitin Gadkari’s digital presence as Chief Guest is not only an honour but also a strong endorsement of the vital role that design can play in India’s mobility future."

Avik Chattopadhyay echoed these sentiments, asserting, "INDEA is designed to be more than just an educational institute – it is a movement to elevate India’s design capabilities. With the encouragement of leaders like Nitin Gadkari and guided by the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are confident INDEA will become a key enabler in India’s journey to becoming a global design and innovation hub."

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German technology giant Freudenberg Group has announced the expansion of its Freudenberg Training Centre in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, reinforcing its long-term commitment to community development in India.

Esther Maria Loidl, Chief Human Resources Officer and global board member of Freudenberg & Co., laid the foundation stone for a new extension and auditorium at the training campus. The upgrade will include converting the existing auditorium into a computer lab, with a focus on offering digital and computer-based vocational courses. The new facilities are expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The expansion aims to attract and support more women students, equipping them with skills for financial independence and sustainable employment. The centre, established in 2008 in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, offers training in welding, fitting, machining, motor mechanics and electrical work. It has trained over 1,400 students to date, many of whom are now employed at leading firms such as Hyundai Motor India, TVS Motor Co and Simpson Group, while some have launched their own ventures.

Freudenberg has invested over INR 400 million in the region over the past 16 years. The 28-acre training campus is staffed by 18 qualified educators and led by Principal Dr Chitrakala Mohan.

Esther Maria Loidl, said, “It’s a pleasure and privilege to lay the foundation for further expansion of our largest CSR initiative in India - the Freudenberg Training centre in Nagapattinam. The institute’s growth affirms the visionary decision in 2008 to support the region’s rebuilding by empowering its young people with the right vocational skills. We look forward to investing and supporting the institute to grow further in its noble mission to power the aspirations of the needy in this region.”

G Sivasailam, Director & CEO, Freudenberg Regional Corporate Center India & Managing Director, Freudenberg Performance Materials India, said, "I am immensely proud to see the growth of the institute to where it is today. This reaffirms many of the core values of the Freudenberg group – long-term commitment, proactive and responsible action, among others. I would like to credit the Principal and her faculty who have been instrumental in ensuring the delivery of quality education to the local youth. They have been constantly innovating and adding to the courses and teaching pedagogy to what it provides is needed in the industry.”

Dr Chitrakala Mohan, Principal, Freudenberg Training Center, said, “It has been a great journey leading this visionary initiative for 7 years. The whole-hearted and passionate support we receive from the group executives in India and at the global HQ has been pivotal to whatever we’ve been able to accomplish so far. The foundation laying today and the other initiatives in the pipeline will help us expand sustainable community development through world-class vocational education, which sees local youth gainfully employed with leading companies in India.”

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Daimler Truck, Mitsubishi Fuso, Hino and Toyota Motor Corporation have concluded definitive agreements to integrate Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors. The arrangement has Daimler Truck and Toyota Motor Corporation at the top. The motive behind the definitive agreements being to integrate Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino on equal footing, the change is expected to affect over 40,000 people. They will have to learn some as the two automotive giants – Daimler and Toyota – sat through, thought through and came to an agreement, creating yet another value intensive enterprise that will be headed by Karl Anton Deppen as the CEO.   
Bundling forces to establish a new strong Japanese truck powerhouse to the benefit of all stakeholders, the agreement to integrate the two Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturers aims at a new listed holding company that will begin operations in April 2026. It will have the scale, resources and technology leadership to shape the future of the commercial vehicle landscape in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond

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Automotive wholesales for May 2025 showcased a dynamic landscape for the Indian automotive industry, with OEMs experiencing distinct sales trajectories. From significant growth in the two-wheeler segment to some PV makers facing headwinds, the month provided an indicative picture of shifting consumer preferences and market conditions.

Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, dispatched 507,701 motorcycles and scooters in May 2025, showing both sequential and annual growth. The company maintained strong market momentum with 500,000 VAHAN registrations.

Hero MotoCorp's global retail performance also showed robust momentum, particularly in Bangladesh and Colombia, with exports maintaining a steady trajectory. The electric vehicle brand, VIDA, powered by Hero MotoCorp, delivered growth with dispatches of 8,361 units and 7,161 VAHAN registrations for the VIDA V2 electric scooter range, achieving a 7.2 percent VAHAN market share.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) recorded total sales of 465,115 units in May 2025. Domestic sales for HMSI stood at 417,256 units. The company's exports contributed 47,859 units to the total sales figure.

TVS Motor Company demonstrated impressive overall sales growth in May 2025, increasing by 17 percent to 431,275 units from 369,914 units in May 2024. Domestic two-wheeler sales registered growth of 14 percent, increasing from 271,140 units in May 2024 to 309,287 units in May 2025. Motorcycle sales saw a 22 percent increase to 211,505 units, scooter sales grew by 15 percent to 166,749 units and electric vehicle sales surged by 50 percent to 27,976 units. The company's international business (exports) also saw growth of 22 percent.

Royal Enfield experienced a significant surge in May 2025, posting monthly sales of 89,429 motorcycles, marking a robust 26 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The company's domestic sales contributed significantly to this performance. A key driver for this growth was the outstanding performance in exports, which soared by 82 percent to 13,609 motorcycles, up from 7,479 units in May 2024.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle maker, reported total sales of 180,077 units in May 2025, demonstrating a 3.17 percent growth compared to 174,551 units sold in May 2024. Domestic sales, including Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), stood at 138,690 units, experiencing a 5.46 percent decline from 146,694 units in May 2024. Sales to other OEMs also saw a marginal dip of 3.07 percent, reaching 10,168 units in May 2025. Conversely, exports surged by 79.76 percent YoY, totalling 31,219 units in May 2025 compared to 17,367 units in May 2024. Within passenger vehicles, while the Mini and Compact segment saw a decrease in sales, the Utility Vehicles segment demonstrated slight growth.

Tata Motors presented a contrasting picture, with total sales in the domestic and international markets for May 2025 standing at 70,187 units, a decline from 76,766 units in May 2024. Domestic sales for Tata Motors were 67,429 units, with Commercial Vehicle (CV) domestic sales at 25,872 units (a 9 percent year-on-year decrease) and Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales at 42,040 units (an 11 percent decline). In terms of international business for commercial vehicles (CV IB), Tata Motors saw a significant increase of 87 percent to 2,275 units.

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) reported total monthly sales of 58,701 units in May 2025. Domestic sales for HMIL were 43,861 units. The company noted that the availability of some critical models was impacted due to a scheduled biannual plant maintenance shutdown during the month. Export sales for HMIL reached 14,840 units.

Mahindra & Mahindra, the SUV specialist, reported robust sales performance in May 2025, with overall auto sales reaching 84,110 vehicles, marking a significant 17 percent YoY growth. This was largely driven by the Utility Vehicles (UV) segment, which saw domestic sales rise by 21 percent to 52,431 units, contributing to a total of 54,819 UVs sold including exports. The commercial vehicles segment also performed well domestically, recording 21,392 units. Exports saw exceptional growth, surging by 37 percent to 3,652 units in May 2025.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) continued its positive sales momentum in May 2025, reporting a total of 30,864 units sold, a 22 percent growth over May 2024. Domestic sales played a crucial role, reaching 29,280 units. The company also contributed to exports with 1,584 units.

Kia India maintained its strong growth trajectory for the fifth consecutive month in May 2025, dispatching 22,315 vehicles in the domestic market. This performance reflects a healthy 14.43 percent year-on-year growth when compared to the 19,500 units sold in May 2024.

Ashok Leyland saw a 5 percent increase in its total domestic vehicle sales in May 2025, reaching 14,534 units, up from 13,852 units in May 2024. This growth was primarily driven by its Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) segment, with M&HCV Trucks increasing by 12 percent to 7,466 units and M&HCV Buses growing by 1 percent to 1,920 units. Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) domestic sales experienced a slight decrease of 3 percent to 5,148 units.

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