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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Blue Ocean Corporation, a globally recognised leader in supply chain consulting and training, is strengthening its engagement with India's evolving economic landscape through a significant strategic appointment. The company has welcomed Pushpinder S Puniha, a distinguished figure who chairs the Consultative Group on Tax Policy at NITI Aayog, to its Advisory Board. This move is designed to create a powerful synergy between high-level policy expertise and practical industry application.

Puniha’s arrival coincides with a period of profound structural change within the Indian economy, where modernising supply chains, implementing tax reforms and executing policy-driven initiatives are central to national progress. His deep expertise in fiscal governance and public policy will equip Blue Ocean with critical insights, enabling the firm to precisely align its consulting, training and capacity-building programmes with the country's development goals. This collaboration not only accelerates Blue Ocean’s expansion within India but also solidifies its commitment to cultivating a robust supply chain ecosystem and a highly skilled workforce. The appointment acts as a strategic bridge, connecting the government’s economic vision with global professional standards.

By integrating thought leadership from India's premier policy institution, Blue Ocean ensures its services directly support national campaigns such as Make in India and Skill India while remaining forward-looking and relevant. Puniha’s recent participation at the company's International Procurement and Supply Chain Conference in New Delhi underscores this shared mission to merge international best practices with India's ambitions for sustainable growth. As an Indian-owned multinational, Blue Ocean is actively broadening its domestic footprint with new offices in Tier 1 and 2 cities. Puniha’s advisory role is anticipated to be a catalyst in this expansion, reinforcing the corporation's position as a key partner in India's journey towards becoming a USD 5 trillion economy and a global hub for talent.

Sourav Ganguly, Member of Board at Blue Ocean Corporation, said, "Having worked with Puniha earlier at the BCCI, I know the value he brings through his expertise and professionalism. It is a privilege to work with him again at Blue Ocean, where his presence on the Advisory Board will help us drive our future growth and impact."

Puniha said, "At Blue Ocean, I see a strong commitment to aligning global expertise with India’s economic priorities. Together, we will drive initiatives that build skilled talent and strengthen India’s position as a global supply chain hub."

Dr Sathya Menon, Group CEO of Blue Ocean Corporation, said, "India is positioning itself as the world’s supply chain hub. Puniha’s expertise will strengthen our India strategy and make our initiatives more impactful."

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Shailesh Chandra, the Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, who is also currently the President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), has been elected the new President of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), effective 1 November 2025.

This makes Chandra the first Indian to lead the global federation, succeeding John Bozzella of the USA.

Founded in 1919, the OICA represents 36 national associations of motor vehicle manufacturers worldwide, focusing on issues of mobility, environment, safety, and economy and promotes harmonised technical regulations through the United Nations.

“It is an honour to become the first OICA President from India, which is highlighting the organisation’s global representation. As the global automotive industry transitions towards sustainable mobility and pursuits ‘Net Zero’, in alignment with the visions of Governments worldwide, the role of OICA becomes increasingly critical – to acknowledge the diversity of every region, as we collectively strive to make our vehicles more aspirational, safer and environmentally friendly,” said Chandra.

Chandra's background includes over two decades of automotive experience with Tata Motors, where he is credited with turning around the passenger vehicle business and spearheading the electric vehicle segment in India. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from IIT Varanasi.

On the other hand, Hildegard Muller, President of Germany's Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), was elected OICA's Vice President. Her appointment recognises her leadership within Europe's automotive sector and her experience in industry and government, which includes serving as a former Minister of State to the German Chancellor. Muller has led the VDA since 2020, navigating the German automotive industry through challenges related to electrification and global trade.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing the automakers in India, recently organised the Automotive HR & Skilling Conclave 2025 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 31 October 2025.

The event, themed ‘Accelerating Ahead: HR and Skilling for the Future of Mobility’, focused on the evolving landscape of human resources and skill development within the mobility sector.

The conclave saw participation from government officials, Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) of automotive firms, HR specialists and academics. Key sessions addressed topics including ‘Driving Industry Readiness: Aligning Talent, Skills & Business Goals’ and ‘Healthy, Inclusive & High-Performing: The New Workforce Mindset’. These discussions aimed at shaping a workforce ready for the future, strengthening industry-academia links, and fostering progressive work cultures.

C V Ganesan, Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, observed the significant role of HR leads. He said, “HR leaders of auto companies have greater responsibilities, as they need to take care of thousands of skilled professionals working for their organisations.”

K Veera Raghava Rao, Secretary, Labour Welfare & Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, highlighted the need for appropriate skills, stating, “There is a need to ensure that we have appropriately skilled people to support the ever-evolving technological landscape and to ensure that the investments made by companies are sustained.”

Industry leaders stressed the sector’s contribution to the economy and employment. Dr. Natwar Kadel, Chairman, SIAM Human Capital Group, and Vertical Head- People Strategy, Hyundai Motor India, said, “HR leaders of Auto Industry have a responsibility to ensure we continue to unlearn, relearn and innovate ourselves in a sustained manner.”

Focusing on investment in future talent, Prabhu Nagaraj, Co-Chairman, SIAM Skilling Group and Operating Head - Corporate Affairs, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, commented, “Investing in skills today is the key to building a strong industry tomorrow. Let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and invest in our people, because the future of mobility will be built not just in factories, but in classrooms, workshops, and training centres across India.”

Madhuri Mehta, Co-Chair, SIAM Human Capital Group and CHRO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Auto Industry needs to evolve itself to meet the expectations of the Gen-Z as they integrate into this Industry.”

Senior HR personnel from companies including Ashok Leyland, Hyundai Motor India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Royal Enfield and Tata Motors also contributed insights during the event.

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The ADAS Show, touted as one of India’s major automotive future mobility events, has been rescheduled to 12 February 2026 from the originally planned 12 December 2025.

The postponement has been due to the prolonged heavy rains in the Pune region, which have hampered the completion of the ADAS TEST CITY infrastructure.

The event will be held at the ADAS TEST CITY within ARAI’s Mobility Research Centre in Takwe, Pune, which is a proving ground designed for the validation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. Organisers noted that achieving the required precision for the track surface and infrastructure before December 2025 was not possible despite continuous effort.

The show, organised by Aayera, will feature live ADAS testing demonstrations by ARAI using its instrumentation. The event will also see automakers, Tier-1 suppliers and technology innovators showcase their solutions at India’s first ADAS smart city.

Syed Fareed Ahmed, Director, Aayera, said, “This extended timeline opens doors for expanded collaborations with global ADAS and autonomous technology companies, offering a larger and more robust platform for live track demonstrations, product launches and international partnerships.”

What’s more, Israel-based Foresight Automotive has also confirmed its participation at the event, where it showcases its solutions designed to provide accurate, real-time detection in complex environments for both commercial and passenger vehicles.

It will present its perception capabilities using live camera streams from both visible-light and thermal cameras. The demonstration will focus on generating depth maps and high-density 3D point clouds, which supply detailed spatial information to enhance obstacle detection and segmentation.

The company states its scalable platform is built specifically for India’s diverse conditions, from heavy urban congestion to rural roads and varying weather, supporting current Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) needs while enabling future vehicle automation.

Annat Himmel, Vice-President of Research and Development, Foresight, will participate in a panel discussion titled ‘ADAS for the Indian Market – From Premium to Mass Adoption’ on 12 February 2026.

Oren Bar-On, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Foresight Automotive, said: “ADAS Test City provides an important platform to showcase how advanced perception technology can enhance road safety in India. We are excited to demonstrate how our 3D perception solutions not only support today’s ADAS capabilities but also lay the groundwork for the next generation of autonomous vehicles, unlocking safer and smarter mobility for the future. Foresight looks forward to strengthening collaborations with Indian OEMs, Tier-One suppliers, and technology partners to support India’s growing ADAS ecosystem.”

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