The Indian automobile industry saw varied performances across two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles in August 2025, with TVS Motor Co posting record-breaking numbers, Bajaj Auto seeing a dip in motorcycles, while Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and VE Commercial Vehicles reporting steady to moderate growth.

TVS Motor Company achieved its highest-ever monthly sales, crossing the 500,000 units milestone. Domestic two-wheeler sales rose 28 percent from 289,073 units in August 2024 to 368,862 units in August 2025. Motorcycle sales grew 30 percent, while scooter sales jumped 36 percent. In the three-wheeler segment, TVS Motor Co saw a 47 percent increase with 18,748 units sold.

Bajaj Auto reported a decline in the domestic two-wheeler market, with sales falling 12 percent to 184,109 units from 208,621 units last year. However, three-wheeler sales showed resilience, recording 48,289 units, a 7 percent growth over August 2024.

Suzuki Motorcycle India reported domestic sales growth of 5 percent at 91,629 units, as compared to 87,480 for same period last year. On the exports front, the company shipped 22,307 units, which was 29 percent higher YoY. Interestingly, the company reported its highest-ever spare parts sales in August 2025 at INR 856 million, up 21 percent YoY.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “We extend our heartful gratitude to our customers for their continued trust in Suzuki two-wheelers. The growth in August sales gives us momentum going into the festive season and we look forward to delighting more customers with our products and services.”

Mahindra & Mahindra faced pressure in the utility vehicle (SUV) segment, where sales declined 9 percent YoY to 39,399 units. On the other hand, commercial vehicle sales rose to 22,427 units, supported by strong growth in the 2T–3.5T LCV category and three-wheelers.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “August witnessed relatively robust demand in the SUV segment amidst anticipated GST rate changes. This month, Mahindra reported 7.4 percent YoY growth in PV Vahan registrations. In our commercial vehicles segment, Vahan registrations grew by 16 percent YoY (<7.5T LCV category). With the final GST announcement approaching, we consciously decided to bring down the wholesale billing to minimise the stock being carried by our dealers. We look forward to the GST rationalisation, which would be a demand driver through the festive season. Total vehicle sales stood at 75,901 units, marking a flat growth compared to the same period last year, with SUV sales of 39,399 units recording -9 percent YoY decline.” 

Tata Motors recorded total domestic sales of 68,482 units, down 2 percent from 70,006 units in August 2024. Passenger vehicle sales, including EVs, fell 7 percent to 41,001 units, while commercial vehicle sales rose 6 percent to 27,481 units. Notably, Tata’s EV sales surged 44 percent to 8,540 units.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor maintained its growth trajectory with domestic sales of 29,302 units, an 11 percent increase over August 2024.  

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, said, “We sold 34,236 units in August 2025, maintaining our steady presence in the market and are encouraged by the continued trust customers place in our cars and services. September will be an important phase for the industry overall and we will closely observe market trends as they unfold. At Toyota, our focus remains on innovating and introducing value-added services through the festive season, with the hope of uplifting customer sentiment and making purchase decisions easier and more joyful.”

Ashok Leyland witnessed a flat growth with 13,622 units sold in the domestic market, which was 2 percent higher than 13,347 units sold last year. This includes 7,991 M&HCVs, up 3 percent YoY and 5,631 LCVs, up 1 percent YoY.

VE Commercial Vehicles reported domestic sales of 6,331 units, a 5 percent growth over 6,028 units sold in August 2024.

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In a move that signals a seismic shift in global trade dynamics, the European Union and India today concluded negotiations for a historic and ‘commercially significant’ Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As the largest deal ever brokered by either side, the pact creates a massive free trade zone encompassing 2 billion people and the world's second and fourth largest economies.

While the agreement spans sectors from agriculture to pharmaceuticals, it is the automotive industry that stands as the centrepiece of this industrial realignment.

Cracking the 110% tariff wall

For decades, European automakers have struggled against India’s formidable trade barriers. Under the new agreement, these hurdles are set to crumble. India has committed to a radical reduction in car tariffs, which currently sit at a staggering 110 percent. According to the official release, these duties will be gradually slashed to as low as 10 percent.

Furthermore, the deal provides a massive boost to the automotive supply chain. Tariffs on car parts – a critical sector for European manufacturers – will be fully abolished within a 5-to-10-year window. This move is expected to integrate Indian and European manufacturing hubs more closely than ever before.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the deal as a milestone for rules-based cooperation. "The EU and India make history today. We have sent a signal to the world that rules-based cooperation still delivers great outcomes," she said.

With a population of 1.45 billion and a GDP of EUR 3.4 trillion, India is currently the world’s fastest-growing large economy. This FTA grants European carmakers and industrial firms a ‘privileged access’ that no other Indian trading partner currently enjoys.

Beyond the finished vehicles, the deal addresses the broader industrial ecosystem:

• Machinery & Chemicals: Tariffs of up to 44 percent on machinery and 22 percent on chemicals will be mostly eliminated.
• SME Support: Dedicated contact points will be established to help smaller European component manufacturers navigate the Indian market.
• Intellectual Property: The agreement guarantees high-level protection for designs and trade secrets, providing the legal certainty required for high-tech automotive transfers and R&D investment.

The deal is not merely about volume; it is about the future of mobility. A dedicated chapter on trade and sustainable development focuses on climate change and environmental protection.

To support India’s transition toward sustainable industrialisation – a move critical for the electric vehicle (EV) sector – the EU intends to provide EUR 500 million in support over the next two years. Additionally, a new EU-India platform for climate action cooperation is slated to launch in early 2026, likely serving as a catalyst for joint ventures in green hydrogen and battery technology.

The EU expects the deal to double its goods exports to India by 2032, saving European businesses approximately EUR 4 billion per year in duties.

The path to implementation now moves to the legal and political stage. The negotiated texts will undergo legal revision and translation before being presented to the European Council and the European Parliament for consent. On the Indian side, the agreement will move toward formal ratification.

After nearly two decades of stop-and-start negotiations – beginning in 2007 and relaunching in 2022 – the road is finally clear for a new era of Euro-Indian industrial synergy.

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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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