Arranged in one corner of Hall 6 of Pragati Maidan in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was an air-taxi called Shunya. Developed by Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, the air-taxi attracted a good deal of crowd, reflecting a new and future mode of transport or mobility.

The Shunya air-taxi prototype could facilitate a new mode of mobility much like a radio-taxi does to travel between Mumbai and Pune; between Mumbai and Kalyan; between Delhi and Jaipur or between Delhi and Meerut, for example.

Intending to launch the electric air-taxi in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India, Sarla Aviation (the company’s name is inspired by Sarla Thakral, India’s first female pilot) is steadfastly focusing on an indigenous design and manufacture since the beginning of the operations.

A testament to Sarla Aviation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the Shunya air-taxi proto has been designed to execute short trips of 20 to 30 kms with speeds of up to 250 kmph with up to six passengers onboard. As the first eVTOL of its kind in the country, it marks a pivotal moment in the history of Indian civil aviation, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in cutting-edge aerospace technologies.

Capable of carrying a maximum load of 680 kg, according to a source aware of the development, the air-taxi offers a market-leading payload capacity such that every passenger can bring his or her luggage. The luggage is conveniently stored in the rear of Shunya with exterior access for ease.

Prioritising safety, purpose-driven performance and accessibility, Shunya – poised to redefine mass transportation – can take off from any flat surface, whether on top of a building or in a rural area, making it the most infrastructure-efficient mode of mass mobility ever, according to the company.

Working on a strategy that will see Shunya facilitate efficient commuting in megacities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune, Sarla Aviation is also looking at how its offering could facilitate social commitments in the form of an air ambulance that reaches where no vehicle or other means of mobility is able to reach. An air ambulance could also be used in urban and semi-urban areas to beat the road congestion.

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ICRA has reported that India’s automobile sector is expected to experience a moderation in growth during FY2027. This follows a period of expansion in FY2026 driven by GST rationalisation and resilient economic activity. While policy changes improved affordability in the two-wheeler segment and enhanced fleet economics for commercial vehicles, growth rates are projected to normalise against a higher base.

The CV segment led the recent industrial upcycle, supported by infrastructure activity and GST rate cuts. Domestic wholesale volumes increased by 12.5 percent YoY during the first 11 months of FY2026, while retail volumes rose by 28.9 percent in February 2026.

Segment Forecasts:

• FY2026: Growth is expected to exceed previous estimates of 7-9 percent.
• FY2027: Growth is projected to moderate to 4-6 percent.
• Constraints: High funding costs and a consumer preference for pre-owned light commercial vehicles (LCVs) may limit near-term expansion.

The two-wheeler segment recorded a recovery in FY2026, with retail volumes growing by 11.5 percent in the 11M FY2026 period. This was supported by improved rural demand and financing availability following GST cuts for motorcycles and scooters below 350 cc. ICRA expects wholesale growth to slow from 9 percent in FY2026 to 3-5 percent in FY2027.

The auto component sector is forecast to grow by 7-9 percent in FY2027, driven by premiumisation and replacement demand. The industry plans a capital expenditure of INR 280 billion to INR 320 billion for the year, focusing on capacity expansion and electrification. While internal accruals will fund most investments, debt reliance may increase for battery cell localisation projects.

ICRA noted that while direct export exposure to West Asia is limited for component players, indirect risks exist. Approximately 25-30 percent of India's passenger vehicle exports are linked to West Asian markets, and disruptions there could affect component demand. Other monitorables include supply-chain volatility, energy costs and currency fluctuations.

‘The broad-based recovery seen in FY2026 has largely been policy-driven, particularly due to GST rationalisation, which improved affordability and demand sentiment across segments. Growth is expected to normalise in FY2027, given the higher base and emerging challenges from global uncertainties and input cost pressures. That said, continued investments in electrification, steady replacement demand and improving rural incomes are expected to support the sector over the medium term,’ the company noted.

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JSW MG Motor India has unveiled the sixth season of its flagship MG Developer Program & Grant (MGDP), created in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). With this initiative, the company continues its focus on nurturing India’s startup landscape by driving cutting-edge innovation. Under the overarching theme of automotive innovation, this latest edition seeks to cultivate forward-looking solutions that address the future of mobility.

Startups are invited to present groundbreaking ideas across a wide spectrum of fields, including artificial intelligence in automotive, vehicle-to-everything intelligence, sustainable and circular economy models, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, connected services, manufacturing, vehicle technology and logistics and supply chain. A jury composed of senior leaders and experts from industry, academia and corporate sectors will assess submissions based on originality and practical feasibility.

Participants selected for the programme will receive mentorship from the company and its network of ecosystem partners. They will also gain access to development resources, testing opportunities and potential grant support at the jury’s discretion. Submissions opened today and will close on 30 April 2026. Shortlisted teams will undergo mentoring sessions leading up to Demo Day on 1 June 2026.

Since its inception in 2019, the programme has been instrumental in fostering breakthrough mobility solutions. Across the first five seasons, it drew over 1,550 entries, with more than 290 teams shortlisted in the initial rounds. These teams benefited from mentorship provided by over 100 experts, including leadership from JSW MG Motor India and its technology partners, making it one of the largest mentoring initiatives in the automotive sector. To date, 51 startups have been shortlisted through the programme and are actively engaged in pilot projects.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Innovation remains the cornerstone of JSW MG Motor India’s vision for India, and we remain committed to nurturing this value through multiple initiatives. This new edition of MGDP aims to empower ambitious start-ups working across new energy, autonomous and connected mobility technologies. Together, we hope to shape a future where technology meaningfully enhances every customer’s experience.”

Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, “Startup India, DPIIT is committed to supporting initiatives that foster collaboration, create opportunities for young talent and encourage India-specific innovation. We are delighted to partner with JSW MG Motor India for the new season of MGDP. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to nurturing India’s future workforce and fostering a culture of practical problem-solving.”

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Maruti Suzuki India Limited marked a significant operational achievement with its Manesar in-plant railway siding, which crossed the 100,000-dispatch mark in under nine months. Being India’s largest facility of its kind and the company’s second PM GatiShakti terminal, this siding has played a key role in reducing environmental impact by avoiding an estimated 16,800 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.

The siding facilitates the movement of popular models from the Gurugram and Manesar plants, including Alto, Brezza and Dzire, through a robust hub-and-spoke network. With over 500 rakes since it commenced operations in June 2025, the company now efficiently serves 380 cities from 17 hubs. This logistical strength builds on Maruti Suzuki’s legacy as the first automaker to secure an AFTO (Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator) license back in 2013, having moved more than 2.95 million vehicles by rail since fiscal 2014-15.

By advancing rail-based dispatch, the company actively contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 13. This initiative underscores its ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into core industrial operations.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “In June 2025, Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated India’s largest automobile in-plant railway siding at our Manesar plant. I am happy to share that within a short span of nine months, we have dispatched 100,000 units, through this siding. This initiative reinforces our commitment to reduce carbon footprint in vehicle dispatches while easing overall road congestion. At full capacity, the Manesar siding has the capability to dispatch 450,000 units annually.

“In CY 2025, the company set a record by dispatching over 585,000 vehicles through railways. Interestingly, in the past decade, our share of rail mode in outbound logistics has grown exponentially, from 5 percent in 2016 to 26 percent in 2025. Going forward, we aim to scale up rail-based vehicle dispatches from the current 26 percent to 35 percent by FY 2030-31, in line with our commitment to build efficient and sustainable logistics and contribute to India’s net-zero ambition.”

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has unveiled its ‘Smart Integrated Automotive Mobility Lab (SIAM Lab)’ at the Smart Mobility India Expo 2026. Held at Bharat Mandapam from 23–25 March 2026, the pavilion serves as a collaborative platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology providers and research institutions.

The SIAM Lab, located in Hall-1, is organised into three functional areas designed to demonstrate the evolution of the Indian automotive sector:

• Sustainable Mobility: Focusing on decarbonisation and green transport.
• Research & Testing: Showcasing validation frameworks and safety standards.
• Technology: Highlighting software-defined vehicles and connectivity.

The exhibit features 14 electrified vehicles from manufacturers including Tata Motors, Kia India, JSW MG Motor India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, BMW India and Hyundai Motor India. Two-wheeler and last-mile segments are represented by TVS Motor Company, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Ather Energy, Hero MotoCorp, Montra Electric and EKA Mobility.

The initiative involves partnerships with technical and data entities such as ARAI, Qualcomm, HERE Technologies, Google, ITS India Forum and Onnyx. These collaborations aim to integrate hardware with digital infrastructure, reflecting the industry's shift towards smart mobility solutions. The exhibition aligns with national objectives for advanced and sustainable transportation.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “The SIAM Lab reflects the collective strength of India’s automotive ecosystem in advancing smart and sustainable mobility. Our participation at the Smart Mobility India Expo provides a platform to showcase innovation, foster collaboration, and highlight the industry’s readiness for future mobility solutions.”

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