Ajay Gabhane of Nagpur purchased a Kia Sonet on the eve of Diwali. He mentioned that his family found it right to replace their aging sedan with an exciting compact SUV during the festive season.

Like Gabhane, Tushar Deshpande chose the festive season to purchase a new passenger car during the Diwali festive season in Pune.

It were the individuals like Gabhane and Deshpande who contributed towards a cheerful festive season and Diwali for the Indian passenger vehicle and two-wheeler industry.

After witnessing a slowdown in sales performance during the first and second quarter of FY2023-24, it was the festive season that saw the auto industry uplift its spirit on the back of higher passenger vehicle and two-wheeler sales, albeit asking the underlying challenges that saw dealers and their association go to town stating that inventory levels were at an all-time high.

Until 29 October 2024, passenger vehicle registrations reached a record 4,25,000 units, according to the Vahan data. The previous peak was in January 2024 at 3,99,112 units.

With the Diwali festival spreading into early November, it is expected that that the passenger vehicle registrations will bridge the 4,50,000 milestone. This would mean that almost 15,000 units were registered every day.  

Starting at a slower pace, the festive sales picked up pace only close to Diwali this calendar year with two-wheelers registrations marking the most surge. Inside of the two-wheeler domain, it was the electric two-wheelers that contributed wholesomely to the sales surge. Among India's top electric two-wheeler OEMs, Ola Electric lead the pack with TVS Motors a close second and Bajaj Auto a close third.

Contributing handsomely to what is already considered as the record sales year (FY2024-25) for electric two-wheeler sales stood at 109,643 units as on 28 October 2024, as per the Vahan portal data.

This electric two-wheeler sales performance in the country should provide an interesting insight into how the Indian EV market is progressing and shaping up as well. 

With the main celebratory period of Diwali falling during the last days of October made for an interesting trend in terms of October 2024 sales and November 2024 sales.

With a sale of no less than 115,000 units expected by the time Diwali gets over in early November 2024, a significant uptake in sales performance would have been written in the financial books as compared to the sale of 88,156 units in September 2024.

The superior performance of two-wheeler sales overall as compared to passenger cars during the festive season could be attributed to the uptake in rural markets of the country, read a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. During the festive season, the commuter two-wheelers experienced the highest traction among the ICE models and electric powered ones, the report mentioned.

In his LinkedIn post, Ravi Bhatia, President and Director, Jato Dynamics, averred, “India's automotive sector experienced a classic relief rally in October 2024, driven by festive sentiment and aggressive discounting. However, with the impending Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) year change requiring sustained discounts, questions arise about the rally's sustainability.”

The challenges, he said, were the sub-INR 10,00,000 passenger vehicle segment continuing to be under pressure, the upcoming VIN year change necessitating continued discounts and the question of demand sustaining post the festive season.
 

Image for representative purpose only.

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Caterham has developed a new Miami Special Edition, a track-only model set to debut during the upcoming race weekend in Miami. The lightweight, performance-focused vehicle will be presented to motorsport fans for the first time on 1st May on Race Street within the West Campus of the Miami International Autodrome.

The exterior of this limited-edition Seven features a bespoke Aqua custom paint finish, complemented by a distinctive decal pack in Vibrant Pink and White. The design is completed with the iconic Miami script and a silhouette of the circuit displayed on the rear of the car. Inside, the custom theme continues with the Miami script embroidered on the headrests, while a numbered plaque is mounted on the dashboard. Reflecting its hand-built origin, a second plaque in the engine bay carries the names and signatures of the two builders who assembled the car at Caterham’s UK factory.

Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine producing 210 bhp at 7,600 rpm, the Miami Special Edition achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 375 bhp per tonne. Coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 136 mph (approximately 220 kmph). The Miami race weekend, known for its high energy, world-class entertainment and diverse audience of celebrities and industry leaders, provides a fitting backdrop. Caterham’s participation underscores its US market expansion, highlighted by the recent appointment of Miami’s Walt Grace Vintage as a dealer and a new partnership with Precision Drive Club, an invitation-only private driving and hospitality community based at the autodrome.

After the race weekend, enthusiasts will have the chance to own a piece of history, as 10 of the 12 examples produced will be available for purchase through Caterham’s U.S. dealer network. Pricing is available upon application.

Trevor Steel, Senior Vice President – Operations, Caterham Cars, said, “Miami has become a global hub for elite motorsport and luxury automotive culture, so to have this moment to unveil the Miami Special Edition is truly unique. This car represents the very best of lightweight British engineering, and seeing the car launched and on display at the race weekend will be a significant moment for our brand.”

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Zeon Corporation has announced a major expansion of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) production at its Tokuyama Plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The company plans to increase manufacturing capacity more than tenfold, responding to surging demand, especially from the lithium-ion battery sector. Construction of the new facility is set to begin in the autumn of 2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2028. The project has received certification from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under its storage battery supply assurance plan.

Originally developed in Japan, carbon nanotubes are recognised for being lightweight and highly conductive, enabling diverse industrial uses. Demand for single-walled carbon nanotubes is rising rapidly because they significantly improve battery energy density and cycle life. Key application areas include electric vehicles, drones, eVTOL aircraft, AI server backup power units, renewable energy storage systems and automation and robotics.

Zeon became the first company globally to successfully mass-produce single-walled carbon nanotubes in 2015, utilising its proprietary Super-Growth Method. The company markets these high-purity nanotubes under the ZEONANO brand, which are known for their large specific surface area and high aspect ratio. To meet strong market demand, Zeon is building a new production line at its existing Tokuyama site, incorporating an advanced version of its original manufacturing process to boost efficiency and product quality.

Under its medium-term business plan, STAGE30, Zeon has identified single-walled carbon nanotubes as a key growth driver for the next phase, aiming to outpace the target market’s compound annual growth rate. The firm has actively expanded its footprint, including an October 2025 investment in Taiwan’s Sino Applied Technology, a startup developing conductive paste. This latest capacity expansion is expected to lay the groundwork for accelerating the development of new applications for the material.

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The global automotive Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) market is projected to grow from USD 1.23 billion in 2025 to USD 6.54 billion by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.09 percent says a report by Mordor Intelligence. The market value for 2026 is estimated at USD 1.63 billion.

This rapid expansion is attributed to the increasing adoption of Level 3+ autonomous driving systems, a reduction in sensor costs and more stringent global safety standards.

The report states that the shift from luxury-only integration to broader vehicle segments is being facilitated by several technological and economic factors:

• FMCW Technology: Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR enables a detection range of up to 400 metres.
• Performance Reliability: FMCW sensors capture both distance and motion, reducing signal interference in traffic and maintaining accuracy under strong sunlight.
• Cost Reduction: The price of solid-state LiDAR has fallen sharply due to silicon-based designs and automated manufacturing, making sensors accessible for mid-range and affordable vehicle segments.
• Economies of Scale: Increased production volumes are further driving down costs over time.

Adoption patterns vary significantly across global regions, influenced by local supply chains and regulatory environments. It finds that the Asia-Pacific region leads the market, with China at the centre of large-scale adoption. The growth is supported by government incentives for electric vehicles and strong local supply chains that accelerate production.

The North American market sees demand driven by autonomous trucking routes and hands-free driving features. Local manufacturing helps reduce import dependence, while Canada provides a testing ground for extreme weather conditions.

For the European region, while premium automakers lead in advanced integration, stricter regulations currently slow mass-market adoption across the continent.

Interestingly, it notes steady traction in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, primarily driven by mining automation, smart city initiatives and fleet upgrades.

Phani Kumar, Senior Research Manager at Mordor Intelligence, said, "The automotive LiDAR market reflects steadily evolving adoption patterns shaped by regulatory direction and autonomous driving progress. Mordor Intelligence's structured validation approach and consistent triangulation of industry inputs provide a more dependable basis for strategic decisions than fragmented or assumption-led analyses."

Representational image credit: Pexels/Stephen Leonardi

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German chemicals major LANXESS has commissioned a new blending facility at its Jhagadia site to manufacture specialty lubricant additives for domestic and international markets.

The inauguration of the plant in Gujarat marks the first phase of development at the site. The facility is designed to serve India, currently the third-largest lubricants market globally, alongside the Middle East and other international regions. This expansion follows the establishment of the company’s Application Technology Centre in 2025 and aligns with its ‘local-for-local’ supply strategy.

In tandem with the plant opening, LANXESS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to introduce its lubricant technologies to the local market. The company also confirmed the commencement of third-party manufacturing activities for its Lubricant Additives business unit within India.

Dr Hubert Fink, Member of the Board of Management, LANXESS, said, “India stands at the forefront of global economic growth, offering significant opportunities across industries. LANXESS is committed to deepening our presence and investing in India’s future, aligning our long-term strategy with the nation’s dynamic potential. Through prudent investments and a focus on sustainable growth, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving industrial landscape.”

Neelanjan Banerjee, Senior Vice-President and Global Head of the Business Unit Lubricant Additives, added, “India is the third largest lubricants market in the world and a key growth region for us. To participate in this key market, we set up our Application Technology Center in 2025. The commissioning of this new production site in India is a next milestone for us and a strong testament to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. With this plant we are reinforcing our strong commitment to our customers in the region.”

The new facility incorporates energy-efficient systems and safety protocols intended to support the increasing demand for industrial and mobility applications. By localising production, LANXESS aims to reduce lead times and enhance technical collaboration with regional customers.

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