ESG performance or compliance are fast becoming a priority for most corporates. Looking beyond their ambitious targets about achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 while the country may have set a carbon neutrality for a later date, ESG is driving carbon footprint reduction and a quest for sustainable future. As early followers of ESG processes rake in carbon credits, it is companies like Tesla that made billions of dollars from selling carbon credits than electric autonomous cars. 
Carbon credits are a key part of financial performance and has helped it to achieve carbon credits, It is the same with BYD of China. Raking in carbon credits as a manufacturer of electric vehicles, BYD, aided by the Chinese Government’s ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, is finding itself in a position of advantage as it eyes the European market for expansion. 
BYD could soon sell more than 300,000 vehicles in Europe alone with its factory in Hungary scheduled to begin operation in 2026. The capacity at the plant would be gradually expanded to 300,000 vehicles per year against the background of the company selling 16,000 vehicles across Europe in 2022. 
But that is not all: With a clear edge in electric vehicles as compared to Europe, US or the rest of Asia, which has been sold in developing electric vehicle technology, Chinese automakers like BYD have begun to eye plants of European manufacturers like Volkswagen as they falter and cut the flab. 
As Volkswagen is forced to sell its facilities in Dresden and Osnabrück, work that has been lost is going the way of Chinese car companies. Scrambling to meet the EU’s strict 2025 emissions targets, European manufacturers are buying carbon credits from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers like BYD, which have accumulated a lot of them. 
With Europe planning to fine Volkswagen Eur 1.5 billion for falling short of emissions compliance, it is a not time away that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers look poised to not only dominate the European market but also build their vehicles in the heart of Europe in big numbers rather than export them from their home country.
Having developed the habit of keeping technology and innovation to themselves and in their home country, the Chinese automotive players are playing smart with their electric vehicle card. They are triumphing on the basis that they are too good at making electric vehicles much like they are not so good at making ICE vehicles. They lack the knowledge of metallurgy that is needed to build internal combustion engines, mentioned an electro-mechanical engineer in Germany. It feels like a punch to the gut, added another engineer from Europe as he explained how the US and European flocked to China to save costs and are being bought over almost by the same companies that they once collaborated with in search of a new, large market.
 

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The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex body representing automotive dealers in India, has reported a 25.62 percent YoY increase in retail sales for February 2026, reaching 2.40 million units, surpassing previous records for the month.

The growth followed the GST 2.0 announcement and was distributed across five of the six main vehicle categories. Tractors emerged as the fastest-growing segment with a 36.35 percent increase.

The two-wheeler segment clocked retail sales of 17,00,505 units, a 25.02 percent increase. This includes 28.96 percent growth in the urban markets and 22.16 percent in rural markets. Dealers cited improved rural liquidity from crop outcomes and tax revisions as drivers for demand.

The passenger vehicle segment grew by 26.12 percent to 3,94,768 units with rural demand surging 34.21 percent, outperforming the 21.12 percent growth in urban areas. This trend supported small car sales alongside utility vehicles. Inventory levels reduced to 27–29 days, moving closer to the FADA recommendation of 21 days.

The commercial vehicle segment saw registrations of 1,00,820 units, up 28.89 percent with the demand driven by infrastructure projects, e-commerce activity and freight availability.

Lastly, three-wheeler sales grew by 24.39 percent, while Construction Equipment (CE) was the only category to record a decline, falling 1.22 percent YoY.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “February 2026 has turned out to be a landmark month for the Indian auto retail sector, further strengthening the positive momentum seen after the GST 2.0 announcement. Despite being a shorter month, the industry delivered an exceptional performance with total vehicle retails touching 2.40 million units, marking a strong 25.62 percent YoY growth and surpassing the previous best Feb of 2024. The growth was broad-based across almost all segments. On a YoY basis, Two-Wheeler grew by 25.02 percent, Three-Wheelers by 24.39 percent, Passenger Vehicles by 26.12 percent and Commercial Vehicles by 28.89 percent, reflecting healthy demand across both personal mobility as well as economic activity-driven segments.”

“Encouragingly, PV inventory levels have further reduced by about five days and now stand at 27–29 days, which is an extremely healthy sign. We appreciate PV OEMs for moving inventory closer to FADA’s recommended 21-day level, reflecting improved supply discipline and stronger alignment between wholesale dispatches and retail demand,” he added.

Going forward, FADA maintains a positive dealer outlook, with 75.51 percent of respondents expecting further growth in March. Momentum is expected to be sustained by the financial year-end buying cycle and festivals including Navratri, Ramzan, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa and Eid.

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Caterham Cars has announced the immediate appointment of Christian Gorton as its new Global Head of Sales. In this key strategic position, he will oversee the company’s international sales operations and spearhead expansion efforts in vital markets worldwide.

Bringing over two decades of experience in the automotive industry, Gorton joins from CA Auto Finance, where he most recently served as a Director. In that capacity, he was pivotal in accelerating business growth, devising client-focused solutions and cementing vital industry collaborations. His career also includes significant tenures with BMW and FCA Automotive Services.

Known for his proven ability to deliver strong commercial outcomes and cultivate robust dealer networks, his expertise is seen as a perfect match for Caterham’s ambitious growth strategy. Based at the company’s headquarters in Dartford, Kent, Gorton will lead the global sales force and report directly to Trevor Steel, the Senior Vice President of Operations and CFO.

Gorton said, “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Caterham Cars at such a defining moment for the brand. The Caterham Seven represents everything I love about cars – lightweight performance, pure connection and unforgettable experiences behind the wheel. Caterham’s commitment to delivering joy to its customers truly resonates with me, and I can’t wait to work with the team to build on its incredible heritage and create the next chapter of sales growth for the business.”

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Renault Group CEO François Provost and the management team will present a new strategic plan, ‘futuREady’, on 10 March 2026 at the Technocentre Renault in Guyancourt. The plan is designed to address changes in the automotive industry and establish a resilient business model.

The strategy focuses on transitioning the company from a ‘success story’ to a ‘success system’ through innovation and operational excellence. The Group intends to maintain a product offensive across its three brands to stimulate demand in Europe and high-growth international markets.

The futuREady plan emphasises the optimisation of management resources and the acceleration of production cycles. By anticipating market expectations and strengthening delivery efficiency, the Group aims to increase value and desirability across its portfolio.

Renault Group is preparing to open a new chapter in its history with futuREady, its strategic plan, designed to respond to the profound upheavals in the automotive industry and prepare the Group for a context that is more uncertain than ever. Building on its recent successes, the company will remain on the offensive with 'winning' products for each of its three brands, thus triggering a new dynamic in Europe and a targeted offensive in high-growth markets outside of Europe. futuREady is based on accelerating innovation throughout the company to anticipate market expectations. Being futuREady also means being at the top level on everything that can be controlled, by strengthening operational excellence: optimizing, accelerating and delivering efficiently to build a resilient model. The objective of the plan is clear: to move from a success story to a success system, designed to last.

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Hindustan Zinc (HZL) has recorded 26.3 percent women representation across its workforce, according to a company announcement. This figure marks the highest gender diversity level in India’s metals and mining sector.

The company employs over 745 women professionals, with 314 serving as engineers or in equivalent technical roles. Women at the company are currently involved in frontline operations, including underground mining, smelting, lead mine rescue and heavy machinery operation.

Hindustan Zinc has implemented Industry 4.0 practices, including robotics, automation and tele-remote underground operations, to standardise processes. These technologies have enabled the inclusion of women in night shifts and underground roles traditionally dominated by men.

Key workforce milestones and initiatives include:

• Frontline Roles: Women operate heavy machinery and manage night shifts in both mining and smelting units.
• Mine Rescue: The company has formed an all-women underground mine rescue team.
• Digital Infrastructure: Operations use drone-based surveillance and remote blasting systems to enhance safety.
• Workplace Policies: HZL offers a one-year childcare sabbatical, a spouse hiring policy, and work-from-home flexibility.

The company has launched a 25-day campaign titled “She Knows the Ground She Stands On” to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM and mining. As part of this initiative, 15 women from science institutions were invited to visit the company’s mining ecosystem to engage with operational teams and digital technologies.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Empowering women in mining is not merely a matter of equity, it is a strategic imperative for the future of the industry. At Hindustan Zinc, a culture has been cultivated where women lead from the front—whether operating underground mines, driving automation, or advancing sustainable metallurgy. ‘She Knows the Ground She Stands On’ reflects a commitment to challenging outdated norms and ensuring that every capable woman has the opportunity to grow and excel. As the company works toward achieving 30% diversity by 2030, the focus remains on building a workplace where inclusion fuels innovation and gender is never a barrier to excellence.”

The company aims to reach a 30 percent diversity target by 2030. The current campaign is scheduled to conclude on 8 March 2026

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