The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) has named five finalists for its USD 3 million Sustainable Cities Challenge. The challenge focuses on improving crowd management in the historic city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi.

The competition was developed in collaboration with the City of Varanasi, Challenge Works and the World Resources Institute. It aims to find solutions that will ease congestion and improve pedestrian flow in the city's narrow lanes, which see millions of visitors annually.

The five finalists were chosen from ten semi-finalists who had six months to develop their concepts. The selected teams will each receive USD 130,000 in funding to pilot their solutions in Varanasi.

The finalists are:

• Arcadis: Their solution, SANKALP, is an interconnected system of technologies designed for proactive crowd management. It uses real-time data, simulations and communications platforms to ensure people move safely.
• CITYDATA, Inc.: The company's CityFlow solution is a cloud-based platform that uses big data and AI to measure, analyse and manage crowds without needing new hardware.
• VOGIC AI: Behtar-Way is a community-based navigation platform that uses AI to guide people through alternative routes and provide real-time crowd intelligence to city officials.
• Prameya Consulting: Their Nayichaal solution is a 'phygital' AI ecosystem that combines a chatbot, a navigation app and digital signage to improve mobility and safety.
• The Urbanizer: Jan Jatra is a people-focused mobility solution that blends local knowledge with colour-coded wayfinding and digital signs to help with navigation.

Akshat Verma, Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi, stated, "These five outstanding finalists are not only developing solutions that enhance safety, accessibility and the lived experience for both residents and pilgrims, but also ensuring they safeguard the cultural and spiritual fabric of Kashi for future generations."

Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director at the Toyota Mobility Foundation, added, "From a field of global innovators, these finalists stood out for their creative, practical and contextual approaches to one of the world’s most complex mobility environments."

Avinash Dubedi, Head of Sustainable Cities and Transport at WRII, noted, "Their solutions go beyond easing congestion, they reimagine how people of all ages and abilities—residents, pilgrims and those with special needs, can move through the city with dignity, safety and ease."

Kathy Nothstine, Director of Cities and Societies at Challenge Works, said, "The finalist teams reflect the best of collaborative, interdisciplinary innovation and their work will help transform how we think about movement, space and sacredness in dense urban areas."

Vikram Gulati, Country Head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, commented, "Their innovations have the potential to transform historic cities and set new global standards in crowd management and urban mobility."

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India’s auto retail sector saw a YoY decline of 4.31 percent in July 2025, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), marking a pause after three consecutive months of growth. FADA attributed the drop primarily to a high-base effect from July 2024, which had seen a sales rebound after extreme weather disruptions.

In terms of segment-wise, three-wheelers, tractors and commercial vehicles registered marginal YoY growth of 0.83 percent, 10.96 percent and 0.23 percent, respectively. In contrast, two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, and construction equipment saw declines of 6.48 percent, 0.81 percent and 33.28 percent.

In the 2W segment, monsoon-driven rural disruptions and crop-sowing activities led to subdued footfalls, both YoY and month-on-month (MoM). However, dealers expect demand to rebound in August with festival purchases.

The PV segment saw a slight YoY dip despite a strong 10.38 percent MoM rise, aided by auspicious days, rural schemes and new model launches. While rural demand remained strong, urban sentiment stayed weak. Inventory levels hovered around 55 days, prompting calls for strategic discounting and improved financing access.

CVs posted marginal growth, led by urban demand, institutional orders and new launches. However, rural haulage remained slow due to rains and seasonal softness in key logistics segments.

Tractors saw strong performance on the back of government subsidies, favourable rainfall and improved rural liquidity.

Looking ahead, FADA noted that the monsoon outlook remains positive, which should support rural demand. However, global headwinds – such as the US imposing additional tariffs on Indian exports – may impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending.

Despite challenges, dealer sentiment is largely positive for the July–September quarter, with 63 percent anticipating growth. The festive season, including Rakhi, Janmashtami, Independence Day and Ganesh Chaturthi, is expected to boost sales across all segments. Strategic promotions, finance facilitation, and rural outreach will be key for sustaining momentum amid external volatility.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “While monsoon tailwinds and festival fervour converge to energise demand, the spectre of export-tariff volatility and isolated weather shocks underscores the need for vigilant stewardship. By harnessing precision-targeted

promotions, partnership-driven finance solutions and dynamic rural–urban engagement, the industry can navigate these headwinds and anchor itself on a trajectory of sustained retail growth. In sum, we enter August with a sense of guarded optimism, confident in the upside but ever mindful of the risks.”

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French automotive major Renault Group has appointed Francois Provost as the new CEO of Renault S.A. and Chairman of Renault s.a.s., effective 31 July, for a term of four years. The move is part of the recommendation of the Renault Group Board of Directors, under the chairmanship of Jean-Dominique Senard.

Provost earlier held the position of Chief Procurement, Partnerships and Public Affairs Officer and comes with over two decades of experience within the Renault Group. The company stated he has strong international experience in both operational and strategic roles, an in-depth understanding of the sector’s challenges.

In his new role, he will be responsible to continue and accelerate the development of Renault Group, particularly internationally. Through partnerships, capitalise on its strategic agility and maintain high performance standards, in full respect of the company’s values.

Jean-Dominique Senard, said, "I am confident that François Provost will lead the Group with discernment and determination in an environment that demands both rigor in execution, strategic vision, and the ability to innovate. In this rapidly changing industry, his determination and sense of responsibility will be true assets to guide the teams and sustain our momentum. At Renault Group, there is no place for the status quo. Thanks to his expertise and knowledge of the company, we will be able to complete the implementation of our strategic plan, finalise the terms of the next one, and ensure its successful execution. I sincerely look forward to working with him. I would also like to warmly thank Duncan Minto for serving as interim during these past few days."

Francois Provost, said, “It is with pride and gratitude that I welcome my appointment. I would like to warmly thank my President, Jean-Dominique Senard, and the Board of Directors for the trust they have placed in me. I have a special thought for the teams across the Group who have supported me throughout these past 23 years. I will dedicate all my energy and passion to contributing – alongside our 100,000 employees, our dealers, suppliers and partners – to the development of our Group, one of the flagships of French industry for the past 127 years. Renault Group benefits from strong fundamentals, with committed teams, an outstanding range of products, strong brands, and an innovative organisational model. These will be invaluable assets as we accelerate our transformation in an increasingly demanding environment for our industry. You can count on my commitment and determination to write the next page of our history together.”

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In what may come as no surprise, United States President Donald Trump has announced 25 percent tariff and additional penalty for goods imported from India starting 1 August 2025.

The announcement was made by Trump on social media platform ‘Truth Social’, wherein he stated that ‘While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country. Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!’

Over the last few months, India has been trying to work with the United States government to reach a trade deal, but no concrete deal has been finalised as of yet.

Reacting to the announcement, the Indian government stated, ‘The government has taken note of a statement by the US President on bilateral trade.  The government is studying its implications. India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective. The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. The government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK.’

At present, India’s top five exports to the United States include precious stones, metals & pearls (14.3%), electrical machinery & electronics (14%), pharmaceutical products (12.6%), machinery, mechanical appliances & parts (7.7%), mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation (6.1%).

While nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery parts; mineral fuel, oil; optic, photo, medical, surgical instruments; electric machinery; and pharamecutical products were the key imports for India from the USA.

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Delhi has prohibited fuel sales to petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles exceeding 10 years. The ban, enforced through automated Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at fuel stations and strict penalties, impacts over 6.2 million vehicles. With transport contributing 51 percent of Delhi’s pollution (as per CSE), the policy aims to reduce emissions but raises concerns over vehicle owners’ livelihoods.

The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), the nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India, emphasises retrofitting older vehicles with cleaner fuels as an immediate, cost-effective solution. Auto LPG significantly cuts emissions without requiring premature scrapping of vehicles. The IAC urges the government to simplify and incentivise retrofitting, ensuring a smoother transition for affected citizens.

As Delhi balances environmental and economic priorities, promoting Auto LPG retrofitting could offer a sustainable path forward – reducing pollution while preserving mobility and livelihoods. This approach may also serve as a model for other Indian cities battling similar air quality challenges.

Suyash Gupta, Director General of Indian Auto LPG Coalition, said, “Delhi stands at a fundamental crossroad in its battle against the rising air pollution. The current ban, while bold, will disrupt the lives of millions unless we provide a viable alternative. By promoting retrofitment to Auto LPG, we can offer immediate relief to vehicle owners and the environment alike. Auto LPG retrofitment is a proven, affordable and scalable solution that can help Delhi achieve its clean air goals without forcing citizens to scrap their assets prematurely. The government’s support in incentivising and simplifying the retrofitment process will be crucial in making this transition both practical and impactful.”

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