The latest data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) show that the Indian automotive industry wrapped up FY 2024-25 with a solid performance, driven by resilient domestic demand, an uptick in exports, and a renewed push toward green mobility.

While the pace of growth varied across segments, the industry overall clocked a healthy 7.3 percent increase in domestic sales, reinforcing its steady recovery trajectory in a post-pandemic economy.

The passenger vehicles segment posted its highest-ever annual sales, breaching the 4.3 million mark – a 2 percent rise over the previous year. Although the high base of FY 2023–24 tempered the growth rate, the segment continued to impress with its scale.

SUVs emerged as the dominant sub-segment, accounting for 65 percent of total PV sales, up from 60 percent last year.

The market responded enthusiastically to new launches and customer demand towards higher ground clearance models. It is also important to note that discounts and promotions kept demand buoyant.

On the exports front, a record 770,000 units were shipped, up 14.6 percent, fuelled by demand from Latin America, Africa and emerging interest from developed markets.

India’s ubiquitous two-wheelers rebounded strongly with 19.6 million units sold, marking a 9.1 percent growth over the previous year. The scooter category led the charge, boosted by improved rural and semi-urban road connectivity.

EV penetration crossed 6 percent, reflecting a growing preference for sustainable options.

Two-wheeler exports rose by 21.4 percent, supported by macroeconomic stability in Africa and expansion into Latin American markets.

The three-wheeler segment on the other hand scaled new highs with 741,420 units sold, a 6.7 percent growth over FY 2023–24. Urban and semi-urban demand for last-mile transport, especially electric models seem to have played a key role.

The commercial vehicles segment posted a slight 1.2 percent decline in annual sales, though Q4 offered a glimmer of hope with a 1.5 percent uptick. Light CVs struggled, while Medium & Heavy CVs (M&HCVs) remained steady. Infrastructure development spurred demand for buses and higher-GVW trucks.

CV exports jumped by 23 percent, indicating global recovery in freight mobility.

In terms of EV sales, the country saw 1.97 million green vehicles sold, up 16.9 percent, with electric two-wheelers seeing a 21.2 percent rise in registrations.

Looking Ahead: Optimism with Caution

The industry body stated that going forward leaders are cautiously optimistic about FY 2025–26. Normal monsoon forecasts are expected to aid rural demand. Recent personal income tax reforms and RBI rate cuts could boost vehicle financing and overall consumer sentiment. Continued export momentum, especially in Africa and neighbouring regions, will offer strategic resilience.

But on the other hand, challenges loom in the form of global geopolitical tensions and evolving supply chain dynamics.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM, said, “The Indian automobile industry continued its steady performance in FY2024–25, driven by healthy demand, infrastructure investments, supportive government policies and continued emphasis on sustainable mobility. Passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers grew in FY2024-25 compared to FY2023-24, but growth rates have been varied across segments. Passenger vehicles and three-wheelers witnessed a moderate growth on account of the high base effect but saw the highest-ever sales in these categories, while the two-wheeler segment registered strong growth in FY2024-25. However, commercial vehicles witnessed a slight degrowth in the FY2024-25, though performance in recent months has been comparatively better. On the exports front, good recovery is seen across all segments, particularly passenger vehicles and two-wheelers reflecting improved global demand and India's growing competitiveness. In FY2024-25, the government of India introduced the PM E DRIVE scheme and PM e-Sewa schemes which underscores the firm commitment of the Government towards promoting sustainable mobility. Looking ahead, the backdrop of stable policy environment, along with recent measures such as reforms in personal income tax and RBI’s rate cuts, will help in supporting consumer confidence and demand across segments.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

IDFC FIRST Bank has launched an accelerator programme in collaboration with the Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) at BITS Pilani. This initiative operates under the IGNITE startup incubation programme, which is managed by the bank’s CSR division, FIRST IMPACT. The partnership is designed to foster enterprises that address critical health and environmental challenges.

The programme will provide catalytic grants, incubation, acceleration, mentorship and ecosystem connections to nurture purpose-driven ventures. It aims to strengthen business and investment readiness while promoting sustainable, high-impact solutions. Eight startups from across India have been selected to participate, focusing on climate technology, carbon reduction and removal, AI and machine learning-based healthcare diagnostics, medical devices and assistive technologies.

These selected startups will receive mentorship, business guidance, access to industry experts and investors and performance-linked grants of up to INR 2,500,000 each. The initiative seeks to scale innovative solutions for carbon sustainability and healthcare accessibility. It is also expected to contribute to employment generation and broader sustainable development goals within the country.

Saptarshi Bapari, Head, Investor Relations and ESG, said, “India is witnessing a remarkable wave of entrepreneurship, with innovators building solutions that are shaping a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future. What many early-stage startups need is the right support at the right time to turn promising ideas into scalable solutions that can create meaningful impact. Through the IGNITE Social Incubation Program, we are supporting startups working in healthcare and climate sustainability, two areas that are critical to the well-being of our communities and the future of our planet. Our partnership with BITS Pilani combines funding, mentorship and access to a strong innovation ecosystem, helping entrepreneurs accelerate their growth and bring their ideas to life. We hope this initiative empowers founders to scale their solutions, reach more people and create lasting positive impact at scale.”

Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “BITS Pilani has spent five decades building an entrepreneurial ecosystem, with impact across all sectors and geographies. We are excited to launch IGNITE to deliver measured community impact across Health and Climate – partnering with IDFC FIRST Bank allows us to apply that discipline to two sectors where India's need is most urgent.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex national body of automobile retail in India, has announced the appointment of Sai Giridhar as its President. He is the 38th President of the organisation and will be in chair for FY2026-27 and FY2027-28. The decision was made at the 323rd Governing Council Meeting, held immediately pst the 62nd Annual General Meeting.

The Managing Director of Saisha Motors Pvt Ltd, Jaipur, Giridhar has been in the auto business for over 30 years. He operates Skoda, Volvo Cars, JSW MG and MG Select dealerships and started his journey in 1995 with a Daewoo dealership in Jaipur. He has served for long as the Secretary of the Authorised Motor Association of Rajasthan for the past 10 years and has been associated with FADA for more than 10 years, holding posts of State Chairperson of Rajasthan for four years before getting inducted in central leadership team.

Besides Giridhar, the FADA Governing Council also elevated Amar Jatin Sheth, Managing Director, Shaman Group as the Vice President. Pradeep Agarwal, Managing Parter, JMG Group, has taken over as the secretary. Bharat Kumar Chordia, Managing Director, Khivraj Motors, has taken over as the treasurer for FY2026-27 and FY2027-28.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

VSL PowerHive Pvt Ltd has unveiled the P261, a liquid-cooled battery storage system rated at 125 kW/261 kWh, targeting industrial and commercial customers in India and other global markets. The announcement represents the company's first official product launch under its own branding, distinguishing it from the earlier VION offering. This move positions the Vikram Solar subsidiary for accelerated growth in the competitive energy storage arena.

The newly introduced unit tackles operational requirements including emergency power provisioning, load smoothing during expensive tariff periods and maximised solar generation utilisation. Additional functions include curtailment of diesel generator usage, stabilisation of power quality, accommodation of EV charging points and enabling of microgrid networks. By drawing upon Vikram Solar's production capabilities, the company intends to serve clients navigating different phases of decarbonisation.

Compact cabinet construction combines with active liquid thermal management to preserve electrochemical stability and prolong service life relative to air-cooled designs. A built-in controller provides live system oversight and off-site troubleshooting, complemented by automated extinguishing mechanisms and redundant protection circuits. The modular layout permits future augmentation and merges photovoltaic inputs, mains connectivity, storage hardware and EV supply under one operating platform.

Embedded within the chassis is a 261 kWh lithium iron phosphate core with 832V nominal voltage and 314 Ah cells, facilitating rapid energy exchange in both grid-tied and standalone modes. Functional operation spans from -30°C to 50°C, with an IP52S enclosure safeguarding against particulate and moisture ingress. Practical benefits include diminished demand charges, intelligent solar shifting and resilient backup during grid failures. The system also supports fuel savings, fast-charging rollouts and power conditioning across distributed and bulk applications. Through the P261, VSL PowerHive addresses surging C&I storage demands while signalling future expansion across diverse market tiers.

Arun Mittal, CEO, VSL PowerHive Pvt. Ltd., said, "India's industrial and commercial sectors are ready for storage solutions that actually work for their needs, and the P261 answers that call. Bringing this to market as our first official product under PowerHive is a significant step, and there's much more in the pipeline."

Gyanesh Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director, Vikram Solar, said, "India’s energy transition is entering its most decisive phase, and storage will determine how fast and how far we go. With the P261, PowerHive moves from concept to commercial reality, built on the same manufacturing discipline and quality rigour that have defined Vikram Solar’s journey in solar. This is more than a product launch; it is the foundation of a business we intend to scale with real ambition as we work towards building PowerHive into a full-fledged storage solutions provider serving India and global markets in the years ahead."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

European auto major Stellantis has announced leadership changes within its Enlarged Europe organisation, effective 1 September, as part of the execution of its Fastlane 2030 strategic plan. The newly appointed executives report directly to Emanuele Cappellano, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Enlarged Europe.

The company has announced that Arnaud Belloni will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the FIAT, Abarth and Lancia brands, alongside taking on the role of Chief Marketing Officer for Europe. He returns to Stellantis, where he previously spent 16 years managing marketing strategy for its Italian and French brands, after serving as global Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Branding Officer at Renault Group. He succeeds Olivier Francois, who will assist with the leadership transition through mid-October before taking up a role as a company strategic advisor.

Among other executive changes, Xavier Chardon has been appointed CEO of DS Automobiles while retaining his responsibilities for Citroen. Xavier Peugeot has been named Head of the Jeep brand in Europe, a newly created position focused on product, marketing and sales development within the European market. Meanwhile, Roberta Zerbi will focus on customer journey excellence and network development.

Under the reorganised Commercial Operations Enlarged Europe division led by Maurizio Zuares, Gaetano Thorel assumes responsibility for Enlarged Europe Lancia alongside his current duties for FIAT and Abarth, reporting functionally to Belloni. Laurent Diot takes responsibility for Enlarged Europe DS Automobiles alongside Citroen, reporting functionally to Chardon. Fabio Catone remains responsible for Enlarged Europe Jeep, Ram, and Dodge brands, with a functional reporting line to Peugeot.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO, Enlarged Europe, said, “These appointments mark another important step in accelerating the execution of our Fastlane 2030 strategic plan. They establish the foundations for a European marketing vision centered on creativity and innovation, reinforce Jeep’s growth through dedicated leadership, and clarify the positioning of Lancia and DS Automobiles as specialty brands, preserving their distinctive identities while strengthening integration with FIAT and Citroen, respectively. I would like to congratulate Arnaud as he joins Stellantis, together with all the colleagues taking on new and more challenging responsibilities. I am confident that each of them will play a vital role in delivering these strategic priorities. I would also like to thank Olivier for his outstanding contribution to the Company over more than 30 years managing iconic brands and shaping communication as Global Chief Marketing Officer. Olivier has embodied the perfect balance between dedication and empathy, combining a proactive mindset with unconventional spirit that truly sets exceptional creative leaders apart. I am sure we will take advantage from his expertise as a strategic advisor to our Company”.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!