The voice about India’s car market staring at stagnancy is growing amid much selling by foreign investors in the stock market. Auto sticks of OEMs and suppliers have taken a beating lately. The reasons for stock market decline are said to be structural issues as well as geopolitical issues. In other words, they are local as well as global in their nature. The Indian auto industry – as the largest contributor of GST to the exchequer and among the highest contributor to the country's manufacturing GPD – is also quite local and global in its ways of working. 

Like any other developing nation, it is a market where the scope for an increase in automobile population is bright. It is also a market that is beset by structural issues nonetheless. With 34 cars owned per 1,000 people, the country with a population estimated to be 1,463,865,525 in 2025 has ample scope for auto sales growth. 

But as banks struggle for liquidity and a reduction in repo rate by the apex bank fails to reflect in the reduction of loan interest rates or equated monthly instalments, the structural issues facing the automobile industry are too stark to overlook.

Adding to the structural issues are perhaps developments such as the recent announecement by Maharashtra Government to levy six percent motor vehicle tax on premium electric vehicles. The leading industrialised state also has among the highest road toll taxes among other Indian states. The highway network in the state is among the most lacking and unsafe. Most roads in the state have either deteriorated or are under a seemingly unending period of repairs. 

The state government in its 2025 budget has also announced that it has raised the motor vehicle tax by one percentage point on individual-owned non-transport four-wheeler CNG and LPG vehicles. Such vehicles currently attract a seven to nine percent tax depending on their type and price.

While electricity costs have been rising with distribution companies like MSEDCL pushing for a revision in fixed and energy charges for various categories in order to bridge revenue gap, owning electric vehicles and CNG vehicles is becoming costlier though eco-friendlier.

Attracting over 200 percent in taxes, petrol and diesel prices have been at an all-time high. A timely upward revision in toll prices is only adding further to the cost of motoring in a country where close to or more than 50 of the vehicle purchase price amounts to taxes. Spares are also taxed at a hefty 28 percent and the labour costs have steeply risen post Covid-19 pandemic.

With vehicle prices being jacked up by automakers under the pretext of rising input costs by about four to five percent if not more, the Indian auto industry is clearly under pressure to maintain its margins and stay profitable.

Against the operating costs, the foot falls in the showroom are taking longer to realise into actual sales. Discounts are gaining speed and indicative of sales losing stream in some of the segments that were until recently doing very well.

Any excitement about a rebate in Income Tax up to INR 1,200,000 – it takes over INR 1,000,000 to purchase a decent car in India today – seeming to have faded into thin air, the talk about government announced a reduction in GST taxes has gained speed. When it would actually come into effect is yet to be known but the narrative has started building. The stock market does not look excited however and the money lost by domestic investors may take a long time to come back, it seems.

As US President Donald Trump speaks about exposing India’s ‘wrong’ tariff policies in the absence of any statement from the Indian government striking out his claims, the Indian market for automobiles and other consumer goods looks destined for a rough ride. Stagnancy will be a part of the plot, the repercussions of which would stem from domestic structural issues as well as geopolitical shifts where calls like ‘China Plus One’ hold no value at all anymore.

With the entry of Tesla – which has seen its sales and stock prices plummet in many of existing markets off late – set to enter India with the government lowering tariff under pressure from the US President, the subject of too much regulation needs to be examined in terms of structural strength and the industry’s ability to be competitive. Local manufacture is also a subject that needs to be looked at as MSME sector continues to shrink and take down with it the PMI index.

Skilling is also a subject that should be looked at as engineering courses lose interest with the young in the country. A manufacturing-less economy that is also witnessing the services sector face a slowdown – again due to structural and geopolitical issues – may not spell a good omen for growth in the long run. This, particularly in the case of a country whose median age in 29 years.

China’s ‘Deep seek’ has shown how the prowess in technology can shift overnight and highly influence the economy of a nation, its stock markets suddenly. In India, the auto industry should nurture the MSME sector as much as the government should. A services alternative in terms of growth over manufacturing may not hold forth in the long-term. Manufacturing exports can shrink abruptly anytime under the shifting regulatory and other market issues in the domestic marketplace and under the shifting geopolitical situations in various parts of the world that also make lucrative export markets.  

Image for representative purpose only. 

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Horse Powertrain has introduced the HORSE W30, marking the company’s first production-ready V6 engine, ahead of its official display at the Beijing Auto Show 2026. Known for low-emission powertrain systems, the manufacturer has now applied its expertise in three- and four-cylinder engines to the V6 category for the first time.

The newly developed 3.0-litre engine is positioned as the lightest V6 on the market, weighing only 160 kilogrammes, which is approximately 10 kilogrammes less than its closest competitor. Designed with a hybrid-first approach, the HORSE W30 delivers outstanding fuel economy and efficiency. Its two cylinder rows are offset at a 90-degree angle to lower the centre of gravity, improving installation ease and catalyst layout. The engine can be configured either transversely or longitudinally, allowing broad vehicle compatibility.

Performance specifications include an output range of 350 to 400 kilowatts and torque between 600 and 700 Nm, with a maximum engine speed of 8,000 rpm. Integrated exhaust manifolds and turbochargers mounted directly on the cylinder heads help maximise efficiency. Intended for both mild- and full-hybrid vehicles, the first models featuring the HORSE W30 are expected on roads by 2028.

To showcase the engine’s hybrid-first mindset, Horse Powertrain will also present the new HORSE 4LDHT four-speed hybrid transmission at the Beijing show. Weighing 199 kilogrammes, the transmission is designed for a P1 plus P3 mounting configuration. The P1 motor, which supports the crankshaft and charges the battery, can output between 250 and 300 kilowatts, while the P3 motor for driving support can deliver between 350 and 450 kilowatts.

Horse Powertrain will display the systems at the Beijing Auto Show 2026 in Hall A1, Booth A111. A press conference on its strategic vision and hero products is scheduled for 24 April 2026 at 11:40 AM China Standard Time.

Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer, Horse Powertrain, said, “At Horse Powertrain, we believe we can offer automakers unprecedented economies of scale and innovation by consolidating the powertrain production and development pipeline that traditionally would have been replicated by many individual OEMs, allowing everyone in the industry to benefit from best-in-class technologies. The HORSE W30 is clear proof of this concept – bringing our mindset and expertise to a new category, we’ve developed the lightest V6 that was designed from the outset to support hybrid vehicles.”

Fortune Zhao, Chief Technology Officer, Horse Powertrain, said, “The HORSE W30 showcases Horse Powertrain’s technological versatility and represents our first venture into the V6 engine category. Leveraging expertise from our wide portfolio of hybrid-first engines, the HORSE W30 is lighter and more compact than any other V6 currently on the market, all while delivering superior performance. As well as embodying our engineering sophistication, it also highlights our flexibility in providing world-class hybrid solutions to every market.”

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Ferrari has revealed the livery of its 100-foot flying ocean monohull during Milan Design Week, marking a major step in offshore sailing where innovation, aerodynamics and design research converge. The project, named Ferrari Hypersail, emerges from a creative process that blends the Maranello manufacturer’s aesthetic language with cutting edge maritime technology, underscoring a deepening relationship between design, performance and engineering.

The initiative functions as an open innovation platform, merging diverse expertise into a collective effort to redefine nautical possibilities. Key contributors include the Ferrari Tech Team guided by Matteo Lanzavecchia and Marco Guglielmo Ribigini, the Ferrari Design Studio led by Flavio Manzoni and naval architect Guillaume Verdier. Their goal is to transfer into the yachting world the same design philosophy that distinguishes Ferrari’s road cars, balancing constant innovation with respect for form.

In Hypersail, design arises directly from function, with every volume shaped by the interaction of wind, water and speed. As an offshore vessel, aesthetic decisions developed under strict aerodynamic and engineering constraints from the outset. The Ferrari Design Studio worked closely with the engineering team and Verdier to turn hydrodynamic and structural limitations into aesthetic opportunities.

The monohull’s streamlined silhouette recalls the proportions seen in the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2. The deck’s coachroof exterior echoes the graphic architecture of the Le Mans winning Hypercar 499P. Surfaces on the deck and coachroof, developed directly by the Ferrari Design Studio, ensure maximum technical efficiency, mirroring the development process of any Ferrari car. Solar panels integrated into the deck and hull sides are walkable with a specific grip, positioned after advanced study of solar exposure during navigation.

For the livery, the studio chose Nuovo Giallo Fly, a yellow shade with deep narrative roots. Historically representing Ferrari’s second soul, Giallo Fly first appeared on the 275 GTB, inspired by Fiamma Breschi, friend of Enzo Ferrari and widow of driver Luigi Musso. The name Fly creates a linguistic link to the vessel’s foiling nature. The carbon fibre hull appears in a new grey variant, Grigio Hypersail, expressing the material’s lightness and performance. The interplay between Grigio Hypersail and Nuovo Giallo Fly evokes Ferrari’s stylistic codes, including the colour separation of the 512 BB, while the Ferrari logo on the sail continues the elongated F motif seen on recent Formula 1 cars and other models.

From 22 to 26 April, Hypersail will be exhibited at the Ferrari Flagship Store in Milan through a dedicated display. The project also includes a lighthouse installation, an exclusive sculpture by the Ferrari Design Studio on the HIGHLINE Milano terrace overlooking Piazza del Duomo, positioning Hypersail as a symbol of future technology and performance in offshore sailing.

Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari Chief Design Officer, said, “Hypersail represented an unexpected opportunity for the Ferrari Design Studio; a challenging objective due to its complexity, which allowed us to extend our creative research into a context different from our usual one. In reality, the Design Studio is not new to this kind of endeavour. In the past, the experience gained in racing car projects, one of the most technologically advanced sectors, has encouraged exploration into more complex fields, allowing us to test ourselves and expand our expertise.”

Matteo Lanzavecchia, Head of Vehicle Engineering at Ferrari and Chief Technology Officer of Hypersail, said, “Hypersail is a vessel unique in scale and technology, engineered to deliver peak performance within an environment as singular and unpredictable as the ocean. This is achieved through its core concept: foiling, made possible by a sophisticated control system, leveraging the expertise gained from our automotive developments, and powered by energy recovered from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and motion. The strategic choice of a monohull arises from the synergy between maximum hydrodynamic and aerodynamic efficiency. Throughout every design phase, the collaboration with the Design Studio allowed us to accentuate and refine Hypersail’s forms and features, establishing it as a definitive benchmark of design and innovation.”

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Amaron, the automotive battery brand under Amara Raja Energy & Mobility, has successfully engaged more than 5,000 mechanics nationwide through its Amaron Boss Mechanic programme, underscoring its dedication to India’s automotive service sector. The company now aims to dramatically expand the initiative, targeting 25,000 mechanics in future seasons.

The four-week on-ground initiative was structured around practical workshop tasks, allowing participants to showcase technical skill, speed, consistency and problem-solving abilities. A grand finale featured the Battery Boost & Endurance Challenge, a rigorous test of accuracy, pace and stamina. Winners were declared in Patna, Indore, Lucknow, Kolkata and Pune, with each receiving a new motorcycle. All finalists earned certificates and branded mementos.

By celebrating mechanics as trusted experts rather than just service providers, Amaron strengthens its grassroots connections across key markets. With plans to scale the programme into one of India’s largest mechanic engagement platforms, the initiative reflects the brand’s enduring promise of reliability and long-lasting performance.

Chandrasekar Radhakrishnan, Chief Business Officer – Automotive and Home Energy Business (India & SAARC), Amara Raja Energy & Mobility, said, “Amaron has built its brand not just through products but through strong relationships at the grassroots level, especially with the mechanic community. Every day, vehicles across India run reliably because of countless acts of quiet dedication by mechanics, and we believe great work happens in the quiet. Through Amaron Boss Mechanic, we celebrate the skill and trust that power the automotive ecosystem. The overwhelming response inspires us to take this initiative to more cities.”

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Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, is all set to unveil a new ‘all-in-one’ powertrain, the X‑Range C15 Direct Drive, at the Beijing Auto Show 2026. The unit consolidates a four-cylinder engine, transmission, power electronics and an electric motor into a single shared housing. Designed for rear subframe mounting, double isolated installation significantly improves noise, vibration and harshness.

This system replaces the rear electric drive unit on existing battery electric vehicle platforms. A manufacturer can maintain one common architecture across battery electric, hybrid, plug in hybrid and range extended electric model lines without substantial design or production changes. The X‑Range C15 Direct Drive joins the Horse F15 for front drive units and the Horse C15 range extender.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine comes in two states. A naturally aspirated version produces 70 kilowatts for B and C segment cars. A turbocharged variant delivers 120 kilowatts for larger D segment vehicles and light commercial vans. Both integrate with a dedicated hybrid transmission and two electric motors.

The two motors follow a P1 plus P3 configuration. The P1 motor acts as a generator, outputting 70 kilowatts in the naturally aspirated variant or 110 kilowatts when turbocharged. The P3 motor provides electric traction independently in serial mode or together with the engine in parallel mode, where direct connection boosts efficiency beyond pure serial hybrids.

Depending on automaker needs, the unit can power rear wheels alone or enable all-wheel drive when paired with another electric drive on the front axle. Rear axle placement allows compact exhaust integration, freeing floor space for batteries or passengers. The unit contains a full set of power electronics ready to integrate with a DC‑DC converter, onboard charger and 800-volt booster.

Horse Powertrain will display the X‑Range C15 Direct Drive at the Beijing Auto Show 2026 in Hall A1, Booth A111. A press conference on its strategic vision and hero products is scheduled for 24 April 2026 at 11:40 AM China Standard Time.

Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer, Horse Powertrain, said, “The X-Range family of powertrains is about reflecting today’s market realities, allowing automakers to pivot from BEVs to hybrids and range extenders on a single platform, quickly and at scale. The X-Range C15 Direct Drive is an ‘all-in-one’ powertrain, allowing BEV platforms to be converted to HEVs, PHEVs and REEVs with little redesign or tooling changes required, dramatically reducing time-to-market, amortising BEV investments and catering to the diverse array of mobility needs in today’s global market.”

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