The Indian automotive landscape is witnessing a sustained period of robust growth as the industry enters the latter half of FY2026. This momentum is being fuelled by a strategic double engine of favourable fiscal policy and aggressive corporate manoeuvring.

Industry analysts point to the recent reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a primary catalyst, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for consumers across multiple segments. Coupled with a feverish pace of new product launches, automakers are successfully stimulating replacement demand and capturing new market share. This synergy has resulted in a marked uptick in wholesale volumes, signalling a high-octane finish for the fiscal year.

As per the latest sales data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing the automotive industry in the country, more than 2 million vehicles were sold in the last month of 2025, which marked a 36 percent YoY growth. During the period, passenger vehicle sales came at 399,216 units, up 27 percent YoY, three-wheelers at 61,924 units, up 17 percent YoY and two-wheelers at 1.54 million units, up 39 percent YoY.

Furthermore, for Q3 FY2026, a total of 7.47 million vehicles were sold in the country, which was 18 percent higher compared to same period last year. The passenger vehicle segment led by SUV demand saw over 1.2 million units sold, up 21 percent YoY. Three-wheeler segment registered 14 percent YoY growth with 215,211 units wholesales.

The commercial vehicle segment witnessed 22 percent growth with a total of 290,085 units sold, as compared to 238,666 units sold a year ago. Two-wheeler sales at 5.69 million units, registered a 17 percent YoY growth, as compared to 4.87 million units for the same period last year.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM, said, “2025 has been a landmark year for the Indian Auto industry. The year began with a subdued first half, and the industry continued to navigate supply side challenges. With multiple structural policy reforms including the income tax relief, successive repo rate cuts and the rollout of GST 2.0 laid the foundation for a positive demand environment. The reduction of GST rates made vehicles more affordable and injected fresh momentum into the sector. Growth during the year has been broad-based across segments, with passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and three-wheelers recording their highest ever sales and two-wheelers posting the 2nd highest sales ever, in a calendar-year.”

He further mentioned that two-wheeler sales crossed the 20-million-mark for the 2nd time in a calendar year with more than 20.50 million units wholesales, clocking 4.9 percent YoY growth in 2025.

“This was still behind the peak it had achieved in 2018. In addition, exports witnessed double-digit growth across vehicle segments in 2025, compared to calendar year 2024. Looking ahead, the industry expects the positive momentum to continue well into 2026, supported by stable macro-economic conditions, improving affordability and continued policy support. The industry will also continue to monitor geopolitical developments to ensure resilience in supply chain and export volumes,” said Chandra.

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  - Ajaykumar illa January 19, 2026 15:47 PM

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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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Indian automotive retail sales saw their second-best-ever performance last month, with a total of 3.17 million vehicles sold, up 25.05 percent over the previous month, but a 23.8 percent YoY decline, albeit from a high base a year ago.

As per the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the shift in the festive calendar accounted for the year-on-year drop, as Navratri fell in October while Dhanteras and Diwali shifted into November.

The data pointed out that two-wheeler retail sales reached 2.32 million units, reflecting a 29.67 percent MoM increase and a 28.35 percent YoY decline. Passenger vehicle retails totalled 507,768 units, rising 18.86 percent sequentially while dropping 14.23 percent compared to the previous year. Inventory levels for passenger vehicles remained between 43 and 45 days.

Commercial vehicles recorded 115,140 units, up 2.29 percent YoY and 11.19 per cent MoM, driven by a 28.95 percent increase in heavy commercial vehicles and a 21.16 percent rise in medium commercial vehicles.

Three-wheeler registrations grew 3.97 percent YoY to 141,420 units, with electric variants accounting for approximately 63 percent of the total. Tractor sales rose 3.10 percent to 79,285 units, while wheeled construction equipment recorded a 22.07 percent YoY increase to 7,434 units. Overall electric vehicle registrations reached 355,000 units, representing an electric mobility penetration rate of 11.5 per cent.

Sai Giridhar, President, FADA, said, "October is India’s largest retail month of the year, and this year it must be read with the calendar firmly in mind. The YoY decline is almost entirely optical. Last October was an exceptional month that carried both Navratri and Deepawali together, over and above the pent-up demand released after the GST 2.0 rate cuts of 22nd September 2025; this year Navratri fell in October while Dhanteras and Diwali move into November."

"What the year-on-year numbers conceal is where the decline sits. The sharpest falls are precisely in the most Deepawali-dependent pockets – rural two-wheelers, down 33.97 percent against urban’s 20.77 percent, and the Northern markets — the very segments and regions our dealers there now expect to lead November. To our mind this is the signature of demand deferred by the festival calendar, not demand destroyed: the rural, two-wheeler-led buying that powered last October is set to land in this year’s November print." added Giridhar.

"The clearest bright spot was electrification. EV retails touched an all-time high of about 355,000 units, up 44.88 percent YoY, lifting overall EV penetration to roughly 11.5 percent from about 6 percent a year ago – a best-ever October for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles alike. Tellingly, demand ran ahead of supply this month: with petrol and diesel prices continuing to remain elevated, electric vehicle driving ranges now materially improved and EV prices increasingly at par with comparable petrol and diesel models, buyer pull strengthened to the point where availability – not demand – became the binding constraint," concluded Giridhar.

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European tier 1 supplier Marelli has confirmed the appointment of Laurent Favre as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, succeeding Frederick ‘Fritz’ Henderson, who concludes his tenure as Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Favre takes over leadership as the company prepares to complete its Chapter 11 restructuring process.

Separately, the Ad Hoc Group of Lenders to Marelli announced plans to appoint Bram Schot as Chair of the Board of Marelli upon emergence from Chapter 11. Previously Chief Executive Officer of Audi, he has held senior leadership roles at Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group and holds advisory and board roles across Shell, Richemont, Cognizant and Signify.

On the other hand, Favre brings over two decades of automotive industry experience, having previously served in executive positions at ThyssenKrupp, ZF, Benteler and as CEO of Plastic Omnium (later renamed OPmobility) from 2020 to 2025.

Dinesh Paliwal, Executive Chairman, Marelli, said, "Fritz stepped into the role at a demanding moment and has led Marelli with judgement, clarity and commitment. On behalf of the Board, we thank him for everything he has done for the company, its customers and its people. Laurent brings deep knowledge of the global automotive industry and a strong record of leading complex international businesses. He understands the operational discipline needed to deliver for customers and the opportunities ahead for Marelli’s products and technologies.”

Laurent Favre said, "I am honoured to lead Marelli at this pivotal point in its history. I want to thank Fritz for his leadership and for the progress he and the Marelli team have made during a challenging period. Our immediate priority is to complete the work required for a successful emergence from Chapter 11. Emergence is a critical milestone, but the turnaround must continue beyond it. We will focus on restoring Marelli’s financial strength, improving performance across the business and strengthening customer confidence through consistent delivery."

"Beyond emergence, our ambition is to build a financially stronger, more competitive Marelli, combining operational excellence with focused innovation and profitable growth. We have talented people, strong technologies and longstanding customer relationships. I look forward to working with colleagues across Marelli to turn those strengths into lasting results and build a business our people are proud to be part of," added Favre.

Fritz Henderson said, "It has been a privilege to lead Marelli during this important period. I am proud of the progress our colleagues have made and grateful for their commitment to the business and its customers. Laurent brings extensive automotive experience and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed in this industry. I wish him and the entire Marelli team every success as they take the company forward."

Bram Schot said, "Marelli has the talent, technology and customer relationships to succeed. I look forward to supporting Laurent and the team when I will take up the role as Chair following emergence from Chapter 11. Our long-term focus is clear: deliver on our commitments, strengthen customer partnerships and build a stronger, more competitive and sustainable Marelli."

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