The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) today released its April 2025 vehicle retail data, revealing a moderate overall growth of 3 percent YoY.

The two-wheeler segment emerged as the primary growth driver, registering a 2.25 percent increase in retail sales compared to April 2024 and a significant 11.84 percent MoM growth. FADA attributes this positive momentum to strong rural demand. However, the sector continues to face headwinds in the form of high financing costs and the pricing impact of OBD-2B emission norms.

The tractor segment demonstrated robust growth, with a 7.5 percent increase in retail sales year-on-year. This strong performance likely reflects the positive sentiment stemming from a strong Rabi harvest, which typically boosts agricultural activity and consequently, tractor demand.

In contrast to the strong performance of two-wheelers and tractors, the passenger vehicle segment experienced a modest 1.55 percent YoY growth, while witnessing a slight dip of 0.19 percent on MoM basis. The auto retail body attributes that deep discounts are prevalent in the market and while the demand for SUVs remains strong, the entry-level segment continues to exhibit sluggishness. FADA also noted that the PV inventory levels are currently around 50 days, significantly higher than their advocated norm of 21 days.

The commercial vehicle segment faced a contraction, with retail sales declining by 1.05 percent YoY and 4.44 percent on MoM basis. FADA suggests that recent price hikes by OEMs and flat freight rates are negatively impacting sales. Within the CV segment, the Small Commercial Vehicle category saw weak demand, while the bus segment remains steady.

Looking ahead to May 2025, FADA anticipates a positive outlook, primarily driven by the strong conclusion of the Rabi harvest. The expectation of a normal monsoon further strengthens this positive sentiment, suggesting continued momentum in rural demand which could positively influence vehicle sales across various segments.

In a significant development, FADA has begun releasing fuel-wise vehicle retail market share data across all key categories. This new initiative aims to provide stakeholders with a granular understanding of evolving energy preferences and the impact of regulatory influences on India's automotive ecosystem.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “The new financial year began on a measured note as overall retails in April managed to grow by 3 percent YoY. All categories except CV closed in the green, with 2W, 3W, PV and Trac up 2.25 percent, 24.5 percent, 1.5 percent and 7.5 percent respectively, while CVs declined by 1 percent. With the tariff war paused, stock markets staged a sharp pullback – alleviating investor concerns – and customers thus leveraged Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu to complete purchases, helping April end on a positive note.”

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The upcoming 3^rd edition of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2027, scheduled from 4^th February to 9^th February, is set to become the second largest mobility expo in the world, said the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

The minister made the statement at the curtain-raiser event for the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2027, which will be spread across 250,000 square metres of exhibition space at Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, hosting over 1,750 exhibitors and 11 concurrent shows.

Piyush Goyal urged the mobility industry to focus on global markets and export-led growth to achieve economies of scale. Speaking on India's overall trade, he stated that the country is on track to hit its USD 1 trillion annual export target, supported by 22 percent growth in the engineering sector and USD 480 billion in total exports recorded in the first half of the financial year.

The upcoming expo will feature specialised segments including Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2027, the Components & Technology Show, the Bharat Construction Equipment Expo, the India International Tyre Show and dedicated pavilions for batteries, steel, cycle, agri-mobility, air mobility and urban mass transit.

He said that European manufacturers, which had traditionally focused on international markets, were increasingly recognising the challenges of competing globally given Europe's manufacturing costs and regulatory burden. Referring to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, he said that market access in India would initially allow European automobile manufacturers to test demand by introducing a limited number of models in the Indian market. Once they identify models with adequate demand, manufacturers could establish production in India, not only to serve the domestic market but also to export to the rest of the world.

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Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Vespa has introduced its fashion, collectables and archive design exhibition, titled 'The Empty Space', to India for the first time. The event takes place from 13 to 15 November 2026 at Jio World Garden, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, held alongside AJIO LUXE WKEND.

The exhibition showcases a curated selection of Vespa's ready-to-wear apparel and design objects, including pieces from the Al Vento collection, Pilot Dogs, Miscela Nostalgia, In Sella and items from the 2026 Vespa Lover line.

The product designs incorporate visual elements from the scooter's pressed-steel bodywork, such as curved flap pockets on overshirts and denim garments. The concept follows the opening of Vespa's global flagship store on Via Broletto in Milan in September 2025.

Michele Colaninno, CEO, Piaggio Group, said, "Every day is a new journey. It brings to mind a ceaseless quest for new destinations and new worlds. This is my desire: give a future to the things we create. I like to hope we will continue to look one another in the eye and that we won’t isolate ourselves in total digital silence. It is important to kindle emotions. Joy, memories, delusions, and triumphs: these are enduring emotions that stay with us wherever we go. It’s difficult today, but not impossible. I am sure we will succeed because Vespa has always been the symbol of a new start. Vespa is more today than it was yesterday, always creating new ideas."

Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio India, said, "India has a long memory of the Vespa. Ask around and someone will show you a family photograph with one in it. What India has not yet seen is how far the Vespa world now reaches: into what people wear, what they keep on a shelf, how they spend an afternoon. The Empty Space was created in Milan to hold that world, and we wanted India to see it as it was conceived, not in translation. For Vespa in India, this begins a different conversation. The people who choose a Vespa here have always chosen it for more than the ride, and we intend to meet them in every part of life where that choice shows. From 13 to 15 November, The Empty Space is open in Mumbai. Come and find your own way through it."

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German family-owned automotive component supplier Mubea India has appointed Simon Stephan as Chief Executive Officer to direct the company's business strategy, operational development and regional growth. Stephan will execute this function alongside his existing global responsibilities as Head of Strategy and Regional Development Asia for the Mubea Group.

He holds a master's degree in engineering from RWTH Aachen University and an Executive MBA from the Washington University-Fudan University joint programme in Shanghai.

Stephan comes with over 25 years of experience in the automotive and steel industries, having previously held senior positions at ThyssenKrupp Steel and Kirchhoff Automotive.

At present, Mubea India employs 940 full-time equivalent workers across three production facilities and a central service office, manufacturing chassis and powertrain components for the automotive sector.

In CY2025, the company clocked revenue of over EUR 3,600 million with the largest contribution or 34 percent business coming from chassis, 30 percent from body components, 17 percent from powertrain, 12 percent from aviation and 3 percent from general industrial applications.

"MUBEA India has grown significantly over the past decades. Today we employ 940 FTE at 3 production sites and a central service office. We engineer and produce parts for the automotive industry, in particular Chassis and Powertrain components. In the function of interim CEO I’m glad to lead the company together with our local management team to the next level,” said Simon Stephan.

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BendPak Inc. unveiled the MaxJax MAX7 portable two-post lift at the SEMA Show 2026, marking the first MaxJax model to incorporate the company's exclusive Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System (ASARS). The patent-pending ASARS is significantly more robust than traditional swing arm restraint mechanisms, providing a full 360-degree locking interface with 10 times the holding force to secure lift arms firmly beneath the vehicle, helping prevent unintended swing arm movement during lifting, lowering and service.

The MAX7 rises three inches higher than earlier models, reaching a maximum lifting height of 50.25 inches for additional under-vehicle clearance while retaining a compact profile suited to low-ceiling spaces. Its open design allows direct access to brakes, suspension, exhaust and other undercar components, and a 7,000-pound rated load capacity accommodates a wide range of cars, trucks and SUVs. The lift also features seven safety locking positions and an upgraded, easy-to-use lock release.

MaxJax, the original patented portable two-post lift, combines two-post undercar access and lifting capability with removable columns and power unit. Each column bolts securely to floor anchors recessed permanently in the concrete during use, then can be unbolted and rolled away afterward, leaving the floor completely clear. An optional Motorcycle and ATV Adapter Kit adds powersports service capability.

Because customers frequently add adapters, rolling work seats and other accessories, BendPak offers four MAX7 packages. The Standard includes the lift assembly, power unit with tow-cart, standard anchor bolt kit, round lift pads and medium adapters. The Deluxe adds a rolling work seat and portable oil drain; the Supreme features everything in the Deluxe plus frame cradle pads and tall adapters and the Ultimate maximises ergonomics by replacing the standard rolling work seat with the MaxJax Ergonomic Height-Adjustable Creeper Seat.

Sean Price, Director – Quality Control and Product Development, BendPak, said, “Garage space is premium real estate, whether you’re running a busy shop or wrenching at home. The MAX7 stands out for its versatility. It delivers commercial-grade lifting power for enthusiasts without permanently sacrificing parking space while enabling professional shops to quickly increase service capacity during peak hours. The MaxJax MAX7 unlocks maximum utility without requiring a permanent footprint.”

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