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.

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German luxury and high-performance vehicle manufacturing company Porsche is reducing its Executive Board divisions from 8 to 7 as part of a strategic realignment. The Car-IT division will be suspended and integrated into the Research and Development division effective 1 July 2026. Dr Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development, will lead the expanded department.

Sajjad Khan, who managed the Car-IT division for two and a half years, will step down from the Executive Board on 19 June. He will continue to work with the company through a software partnership model.

During his tenure, Khan led the development of connectivity and infotainment systems, including the introduction of the Porsche Digital Interaction design language in the Cayenne electric. These technologies are being rolled out to other models, with specific versions for the Chinese market being developed in Shanghai.

The restructuring is intended to adapt the company to current market conditions and increase the speed of software development.

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, said, “Porsche is in a challenging phase of transformation. We need to realign the company and are consistently adapting our structures under the leadership of Dr. Michael Leiters to the changed circumstances — including at Executive Board level. I would like to thank Sajjad Khan for taking on responsibility for the company. We will continue to benefit from his professional expertise and in-depth knowledge of our structures in the future.”

Sajjad Khan, stated, “I am proud of what we have achieved as a team over the past two and a half years. In a constantly evolving market environment, however, it is essential to continuously review and adapt structures and processes. Porsche’s outstanding engineering expertise, combined with agile, results-driven software development, provides an excellent foundation for the future development of software components.”

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The 47th International Vienna Motor Symposium concluded at the Hofburg Palace, gathering 1,000 industry professionals and 50 exhibitors to discuss the future of propulsion. The event featured 100 presentations focused on achieving carbon neutrality through a range of technologies rather than a single solution.

A highlight of the symposium was the European premiere of China SAE’s Roadmap 3.0, a strategy charting China's automotive direction through to 2040. Professor Xiangyang Xu of Beihang University detailed the plan, which anticipates that 1/3rd of new vehicle registrations in 2040 will still feature electrified combustion engines.

Madame Ruiping Wang of Geely Auto supported this view, stating that every technological solution is required to reach neutrality goals.

In the electric vehicle segment, Mercedes-Benz demonstrated the range of the new EQS, completing a 620-kilometre journey from Stuttgart to Vienna with 21 percent battery charge remaining.

PowerCo SE, the battery subsidiary of Volkswagen, reported that serial production of its ‘standard cell’ began in Salzgitter in December 2025.

Stefan Pischinger of RWTH Aachen University projected that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) could reach a 45 percent global market share by 2035 under favourable conditions.

The symposium also highlighted advances in internal combustion engine efficiency and alternative fuels:

AVL List presented an engine achieving 48 percent thermal efficiency.

Porsche detailed a direct oil-cooling system for high-output electric motors in the Cayenne Electric Turbo.

Horse Powertrain introduced a petrol engine platform designed specifically for range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), a segment that saw 1.2 million sales in China last year.

Alpine CEO Philippe Krief discussed the potential revival of in-wheel motors.

Hydrogen remains a focus for both direct combustion and fuel cell applications. Professor Helmut Eichlseder of Graz University of Technology emphasised the importance of hydrogen research for industrial resilience.

Industry leaders expressed concerns regarding European competitiveness. Niklas Klingenberg of TRATON noted the need for harder work to remain competitive in Europe, while Matthias Zink of Schaeffler and CLEPA spoke on the challenges of navigating EU legislative environments. The 48th International Vienna Motor Symposium is scheduled for 21–23 April 2027.

Professor Bernhard Geringer, President of the organising Austrian Society of Automotive Engineers (OVK), and host for the annual symposium, said, “The big picture – from cradle to grave in terms of energy and propulsion – is what matters most.”

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Ferrari has secured the highest distinction from Germany’s Red Dot Award organisation, as the Ferrari SC40 earned the Red Dot: Best of the Best honour within the Product Design category. Additional triumphs for the Ferrari Amalfi, 849 Testarossa, 849 Testarossa Spider, 296 Speciale and 296 Speciale A further reinforced the manufacturer’s design prowess.

Now in its 72nd year, the Red Dot Award stands as a premier industrial design competition celebrating breakthrough work. Ferrari’s cumulative tally over the past 12 years has reached 35 Red Dot wins, a feat no other automaker has matched since the prize was established in 1955. Since 2015, the jury has presented Ferrari with 13 Best of the Best awards, including for the FXX-K, 488 GTB, Ferrari J50, Portofino, Monza SP1, SF90 Stradale, Daytona SP3, Purosangue, Vision GT, Roma Spider, 12Cilindri and 12Cilindri Spider, F80 and the SC40.

This year’s Best of the Best accolade also draws attention to the exclusivity and remarkable value of the Special Projects programme, where a limited number of clients work directly with Maranello’s designers and aerodynamicists to create a personalised One-Off Ferrari.

Visitors to the Museo Ferrari in Maranello can currently view the car’s full-scale styling buck, a key artifact from the design process. The display reveals how the model’s proportions and surfaces took shape before production, emphasizing the defining volumes and graphic details that give the vehicle its identity. The buck serves as a tangible bridge between the initial design phase and the final One-Off creation.

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Kia Europe has appointed Dante Zilli as Marketing Director, effective 1 May 2026. He will report to Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President of Product, Brand and Customer Experience. The move supports Kia’s ongoing electrification transformation.

Zilli will lead brand strategy and integrated campaigns across key customer touchpoints. His responsibilities include product launches, brand consistency and customer engagement. He brings international leadership experience in marketing, commercial operations and customer experience, having worked in six countries and several regional headquarters, offering strong insight into European market dynamics.

Zilli joined Kia Europe in 2021 as General Manager of Communications and then Customer Experience. He succeeds David Hilbert, who returned to Kia UK as Sales Director. Hilbert helped implement Kia’s brand transformation and ‘Plan S’ strategy in Europe, including campaigns for the EV6, Car of the Year 2022, and the PV5, International Van of the Year 2025, which also set a Guinness World Record.

Zilli said, “I am honoured to take on the responsibility of continuing to build the Kia brand in Europe, building on a period of strong product launches and sustained momentum. I look forward to further advancing our ‘Movement that Inspires’ philosophy to strengthen customer engagement and deliver increased value and relevance across European markets.”

Masip said “Dante combines international marketing expertise with a strong record within Kia Europe. His proven leadership across communications and customer experience ensures continuity in our marketing approach while further strengthening the alignment between brand, product and customer engagement across Europe.”

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