India’s automobile industry has witnessed a dip is sales number in the passenger and commercial vehicle segments in FY24 and H1FY25. However, experts from CareEdge Ratings opine that this dip is no alarming for the overall industry as it is a cyclical downturn and the industry will bounce back. 
Commenting on the same during a virtual press conference, Senior Director Ranjan Sharma said, “The automobile sector has exhibited a mixed trend in H1FY25. While the two-wheeler industry has zoomed ahead at a healthy year-over-year growth rate of 16 percent, primarily driven by strong rural demand on the back of higher rural income levels, the passenger vehicle (PV) industry after witnessing healthy growth in past 2-3 years, has entered the slow lane during H1FY25 with wholesale volume growth slowing down to 2 percent on year-over-year basis due to subdued demand for entry-level cars and elevated inventory levels at dealer’s end. While two-wheeler volume growth is expected to remain healthy during FY25, overall PV volume growth is expected to continue to remain muted in FY25.”
“The commercial vehicle (CV) sector experienced significant growth post-pandemic, with approximately 30 percent growth in FY22 and FY23. FY22's growth was driven by a low base effect due to the pandemic's impact in FY21, while FY23 saw robust growth on a higher base. However, the momentum appears to have plateaued. Last year, the sector recorded a slight decline of around 1 percent and the current half-year shows a further decline of approximately 3 percent, primarily driven by a drop in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. Meanwhile, the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) segment has remained relatively stable,” he added. 
He also noted that infrastructure spending and increased construction activity in the second half of the fiscal year, supported by heightened government investment, could lead to some improvement. Nevertheless, for FY25 as a whole, CV volumes are expected to remain in negative territory, with an estimated decline upto 3 percent.
Commenting on how the dip in sales will fare for the overall automobile industry, he stated, “The two-wheeler segment is performing well overall. However, major CV and PV players are doing well individually, though volume growth is expected to remain neutral for a year or two, as this is cyclical. The sectors witnessed such fluctuations every 2-3 years but there is no alarming concern for the overall sector. Moreover, there are no significant concerns from a credit quality standpoint. These companies are large, have diversified portfolios and maintain a strong financial risk profile.”
He added, “The PV sector witnessed significant growth in the past couple of years, driven by its cyclical nature. The growth rate for FY25 is projected to be around 3 percent with a similar trajectory expected for FY26. The LCV segment, being more price-sensitive, has been particularly affected, showing sharper declines. For FY25, the sector is expected to close with a decline of about -1.5 percent to -2 percent. Looking ahead to FY26, even under the best-case scenario, growth is likely to remain subdued, with only minimal improvements expected, driven by the same underlying factors.”
Alluding to the performance of the electric vehicle (EV) segment, he said, “EV volumes have shown healthy growth, particularly in two-wheelers and e-buses. However, this growth has come from a very low base. Even in FY24, EV penetration remains modest with two-wheelers at approximately 5.4 percent and other segments, including passenger and commercial vehicles, at around 2 percent each. The slower pace of growth and penetration can be attributed to challenges such as underdeveloped EV charging infrastructure and the high cost of EVs compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which continue to act as significant bottlenecks.”
 

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Birla Carbon is set to showcase its innovative Nanocyl range of multi-walled carbon nanotube solutions at NanoTech 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, held from 28 to 30 January. The company’s presence at Booth 3W-A11 highlights a commitment to providing advanced materials that enhance performance and sustainability for industries including automotive, electronics, energy storage and transportation. Through the Nanocyl brand, a global leader in MWCNTs, Birla Carbon offers formulations that improve material efficiency, enable significant cost optimisation and support energy savings.

A key focus will be the NC7000 MWCNT, recognised for its high electrical conductivity, superior processability and strong mechanical property retention. Its UV resistance and exceptional cleanliness make it suitable for demanding industrial and advanced applications. Beyond the base material, Birla Carbon will showcase specialised engineered formulations that address specific industry challenges. These include thermoplastic concentrates for conductive polymers, elastomer masterbatches for durable static control and epoxy-based systems that improve conductivity with processing flexibility. The portfolio also features eco-friendly aqueous dispersions and specialised solvent dispersions tailored for energy storage applications, responding to the growing demand for sustainable and efficient conductive solutions.

This participation underscores Birla Carbon’s dedication to innovation-led growth and its commitment to developing advanced materials that meet evolving market demands. Visitors are invited to explore how these MWCNT technologies can enable new possibilities and support future growth in their own projects.

Laurent Kosbach, CEO, Nanocyl, said, “Nanotechnology is a powerful enabler of material innovation. Through the Nanocyl range of carbon nanotubes, we are advancing material properties such as electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical conductivity, mechanical reinforcement and thermal dissipation across a wide range of materials. Nanotech 2026 provides an important platform to engage with global partners and demonstrate how our engineered formulations are already delivering value across demanding industries.”

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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the return of the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA) 2026. This campaign brings together figures from the film industry to address road safety through a public awareness initiative. The ministry will host a telethon on 25 January in Mumbai to mark the fourth year of the programme.

Notable participants joining the movement include Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Kay Kay Menon, Shankar Mahadevan and Swanand Kirkire. Data from the ministry shows that India recorded 487,707 road crashes in 2024, leading to 177,175 deaths. Figures indicate that adults between 18 and 45 years old represent over two-thirds of these fatalities.

The theme for SSA 2026 is 'Kartavya' (Duty), which frames road safety as a shared responsibility. The tagline for the initiative is ‘Parvaah Se, Kartavya Tak’. The 2026 edition operates on four pillars: Kartavya (Duty), Kayda (Discipline), Kavach (Shield) and Kranti (Change). These are intended to influence road user behaviour across the country.

Factors contributing to fatalities include overspeeding, rash driving, overtaking, jaywalking and the non-use of helmets and seatbelts. The campaign also highlights the failure to provide assistance during the golden hour. The initiative aims to use conversations and performances to encourage the public to follow road regulations.

The event is designed to move from awareness to action within the road ecosystem. The telethon will be broadcast on CNN-News18 on 25th January from 11:00 am onwards.

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Sue Bai, Chief Engineer at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has been elected to the SAE International Board of Directors.

She serves as the Director at Large for the 2026-2027 term, Bai is the second representative from Honda to join the governing body. Her appointment follows a career focused on the research and deployment of mobility technologies.

Bai manages the Sustainability & Business Development unit at American Honda. Her previous experience includes leading data business for the Digital Service Development Division, where she analysed transportation data to assist road infrastructure and traffic environments. Since joining Honda R&D Americas in 2004, she has held leadership positions at the Honda Research Institute USA and the Automobile Technology Division.

Within SAE International, Bai has chaired technical committees for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) standards. These protocols aim to coordinate safety for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. She has also acted as the technical lead for industry-government projects, including the Ohio Smart Mobility Corridor, a test bed for connected safety systems.

SAE International is a global network that develops consensus standards and provides career development for engineers. Bai has been a member for nearly 20 years and has received honours including the SAE Top Contributor of the Year in 2021 and 2022, as well as the James M. Crawford Executive Standards Committee Outstanding Achievement Award.

Bai holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Michigan. Her work has spanned Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and automated vehicle research.

Sue Bai, said, “I’m honoured to be elected to the SAE International Board of Directors. SAE plays a vital role in bringing engineers together to solve complex mobility challenges, and I look forward to further contributing to work that advances knowledge and solutions for the benefit of society.”

The SAE Board of Directors oversees the organisation’s mission to connect members through standards and learning opportunities. Bai’s term will focus on the application of engineering knowledge to address mobility issues.

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GreenCell Mobility (GCM), the electric bus platform backed by Eversource Capital, has completed a USD 89 million mezzanine funding round. The investment was provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII) and Tata Capital. The capital is designated to support the expansion of GCM’s electric vehicle operations across India.

The company currently operates a fleet of more than 1,200 electric buses and 270 charging stations. This funding will facilitate the growth of the fleet to 3,700 units. The expansion includes buses secured through the National E-Bus Programme and the PM Seva E-Mobility initiative. These vehicles will serve routes in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Puducherry.

The mezzanine financing structure is intended to catalyse private and institutional capital for the transport sector. By increasing the number of electric buses on intra-city and intercity corridors, GCM aims to address air quality and carbon emission targets. The project also focuses on establishing payment-security models and financing structures that can be replicated in urban transport markets.

GCM functions as an OEM-agnostic platform, allowing it to integrate various bus models into its network. The investment will also fund the development of charging infrastructure required to support the larger fleet, specifically targeting connectivity in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Dhanpal Jhaveri, Vice-Chairman of Everstone Group and CEO of Eversource Capital, said, "Through this funding round for GreenCell Mobility, we are deepening our partnership with IFC, BII and Tata Capital (leaders in sustainable investments). The transaction exemplifies the catalytic role that private, development and institutional capital can play in accelerating India’s clean transport revolution. GCM’s expanded operations will drive transformation efficient transportation to cities and commuters while delivering returns."

Devndra Chawla, Managing Director & CEO, GreenCell Mobility, said, "This fundraise marks a significant milestone in GreenCell Mobility’s journey to build electric mobility as a mainstream, scalable public transport solution for India. The participation of IFC, BII and Tata Capital reflects strong conviction in our platform, our operating model, and our ability to execute at scale. As we expand our fleet and charging infrastructure across states under programmes such as PM Seva E-Mobility, our focus remains on delivering reliable, cost-efficient and zero-emission transport for cities and intercity corridors."

Katherine Koh, Regional Industry Manager, IFC, added, “Electrifying buses is central to India’s urban transformation agenda, and our mezzanine investment in GreenCell will accelerate the rollout of sustainable public transport for thousands of people across India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It will create jobs while catalyzing private capital through innovative financing and payment-security models.”

Shilpa Kumar, Managing Director and Head of India, BII, said, “Climate action is a key priority for BII in India, with electric mobility as a key pillar of our climate investment strategy. Electric buses are a critical lever for decarbonising public transport at scale. Our investment in GreenCell Mobility reflects our commitment to supporting proven platforms that accelerate clean mobility.”

Manish Chourasia, Chief Operating Officer, Tata Capital, noted, "Tata Capital is pleased to participate in this strategic investment that accelerates India’s transition to cleaner, more efficient transport. GCM’s innovative approach aligns with our vision for sustainable urban development and inclusive growth.”

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