The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) has released the automotive retail sales data for November, which saw a total of 3,208,719 vehicles sold across categories, marking a 11.2 percent growth over November 2023.

This saw two-wheelers clocking its best-ever performance for the month at 2,615,953 units, up 15.8 percent YoY, three-wheeler at 108,337 units, up 4.2 percent YoY, passenger vehicles sales at 321,943 units, down 13.7 percent YoY, tractors sales at 80,519 units, up 29.8 percent YoY and commercial vehicles sales at 81,967 units, down 6 percent YoY.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, stated, “While November was initially expected to build on its prior momentum, particularly due to the marriage season, dealer feedback suggests that this segment underperformed overall expectations. Although rural markets offered some support, primarily in the two-wheeler category, marriage-related sales remained subdued. The late occurrence of Deepawali at the end of October also caused a spillover of festive registrations into November, affecting the month’s sales trajectory.”

He shared that while November sales in certain segments were at record high, the marriage season’s contribution fell short of expectations, offering only limited relief from rural India.

The passenger vehicles sales in particular faced notable headwinds, on the back of weak market sentiment, limited product variety and insufficient new launches, compounded by the shift of festive demand into October.

“Although rural interest was present, it failed to significantly improve sentiment.

Inventory levels have reduced by about 10 days, but to remain high at around 65-68 days. FADA continues to urge OEMs to further rationalise inventory so that the industry can enter the new year on a healthier footing, reducing the need for additional discounts,” stated Vigneshwar.

On the CV sales he explained that the segment also struggled due to restricted product choices, older model issues, limited financier support, and the absence of major festivals in November following a strong October.

“External elements such as elections, a slowdown in coal and cement industries, and weak market sentiment also weighed heavily on this category,” he said.

Going forward he expects that with the prospects of a bumper Kharif harvest is likely to temper food inflation and the broader macroeconomic environment appears will improve, potentially aiding consumer sentiment in the months ahead.

“However, the immediate December outlook derived from dealer feedback is mixed. Category-wise Expectations:

Two-wheelers: Dealers suggest that while some buyers remain hesitant—either awaiting new-year models or influenced by subdued post-festive sentiment—others could be drawn by potential year-end discounts and stable rural demand. Although momentum may not be robust, incremental schemes and easing inflation could lend mild support, placing two-wheeler on a cautiously positive footing.

Passenger vehicles: In the passenger vehicles segment, heavy discounting and improved product availability are expected to help offset weak consumer sentiment and a general year-end lull. While some customers are deferring purchases for new-year models, overall interest could pick up due to aggressive offers and end of year promotions. This sets a tone of cautious optimism, with a moderate chance of improved sales compared to November.

Commercial vehicles: The commercial vehicles category faces a more challenging environment. Factors such as subdued infrastructure activity and customers holding back for newer model-year vehicles continue to dampen demand.

“Nonetheless, selective OEM schemes and year-end offers may provide a limited lift. On balance, while the CV segment’s expectations are not uniformly positive, there is some hope that targeted incentives and stable financing conditions could prevent a sharper decline. In sum, while the near-term outlook for December is not overwhelmingly strong across segments, it leans towards stability with pockets of potential growth, underlining a sentiment that remains overall remains cautiously optimistic.

Representational image: David McBee/Pexels

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German chemical major Henkel has introduced a new portfolio of anti-fingerprint (AF) coatings, comprising Loctite AF 8810 and Loctite AF 8812, developed without the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or fluorine ingredients.

The launch addresses tightening global regulations in Europe, the US and Asia regarding PFAS, providing manufacturers with surface coating alternatives that do not rely on these substances.

The products utilise silicone-based, low-surface-energy technology to ensure performance across different materials. Loctite AF 8810 is intended for plastic display cover lenses, while Loctite AF 8812 is designed for glass surfaces, meeting a 9H hardness standard. These coatings are engineered for automotive touchscreens, where screen durability and optical clarity are essential for user interaction.

Technical specifications indicate that the coatings provide a low coefficient of friction for touch interactions and maintain hydrophobicity after prolonged UV exposure. During testing, Loctite AF 8812 demonstrated durability by maintaining consistent water contact angles after 5,000 abrasion cycles. The range supports mass-production application methods such as spray and physical vapour deposition (PVD), with thermal curing times starting at 30 minutes.

Deckard Sorensen, Vice-President of Optical & Conformal Coatings at Henkel, said, “The transition away from PFAS is accelerating globally, and our customers need high‑performance alternatives that meet demanding specifications without adding process complexity. With Loctite AF 8810 and AF 8812, we deliver excellent durability, optical performance, and user comfort formulated without PFAS ingredients – enabling automotive customers to meet the evolving needs of the market and the regulatory landscape at the same time."

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Tier 1 automotive supplier AUMOVIO India has announced that it has surpassed a new production milestone of manufacturing 10 million Airbag Control Units (ACUs) at its Bengaluru plant.

The facility, which commenced ACU production in 2016, supplies automotive manufacturers in India and exports to markets including Japan and Korea. The achievement was marked alongside the inauguration of a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) production line and the introduction of the Integrated Safety Control Module (ISCM).

The Bengaluru site has transitioned from manual assembly to an automated manufacturing environment to increase throughput and consistency. This evolution is paired with a localisation strategy where a majority of ACU components are now sourced from within India. These developments are intended to establish the facility as a central hub for safety systems within the Asia-Pacific region, supporting the requirements of global automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

AUMOVIO became an independent entity in September 2025 following a spin-off from Continental’s automotive group. The company reported sales of EUR 18.5 billion in FY2025 and maintains a global workforce of 82,000 across more than 80 locations. Its portfolio includes sensor solutions, brake systems, and software architectures for autonomous and connected mobility.

Prashanth Doreswamy, President & CEO, AUMOVIO India, said, “This milestone reflects the steady scale-up of our manufacturing operations over the past decade. Our transition towards increased automation, along with a strong focus on localisation, has enabled us to improve efficiency and build a more resilient supply ecosystem, while continuing to deliver high-quality, safety-critical systems to our customers.”

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the start of production for the new Volkswagen Taigun from its Pune facility. The model is part of the group's strategy to manufacture vehicles in India for both domestic and international markets.

The Taigun is produced with high levels of localisation at the Chakan facility. Since its introduction in 2021, the company has manufactured over 143,000 units of the model in India. Approximately 30 percent of this total production has been exported to global markets.

The vehicle is engineered to meet European driving dynamics and maintains a 5-star safety rating. The updated iteration includes design changes and features intended to improve convenience based on consumer feedback.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The start of production of the new Volkswagen Taigun underscores the maturity of our world-class manufacturing ecosystem in India. Our Indian manufacturing facilities are geared to deliver global-quality vehicles with high levels of localisation, enabling us to respond quickly to what customers demand in India and in export markets. The Taigun stands as a perfect example of this approach, engineered in line with Volkswagen’s global benchmarks and produced in India with a sharp focus on efficiency, quality, and safety. As we roll out the new Taigun, we are further solidifying India’s position as a strategic production and export base for the Group.”

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, added, “Since its launch, the Taigun has been instrumental in strengthening the brand’s SUV strategy. It has played a pivotal role in bolstering our product portfolio for discerning Indian buyers and their aspirations. The new Taigun is central to our strategic plan for the model line-up that will drive meaningful growth. The start of production for the new Taigun at our Chakan facility is a moment of great pride for us. It continues to signify our commitment to the Indian consumers who choose to own premium German-engineered products. We are certain the new Taigun will build on the success of its predecessor and elevate customer experience.”

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Chinese automotive major Changan Automobile and CAOA have inaugurated an automated production line in Anapolis, Brazil, marking the start of local assembly for the Changan UNI-T SUV.

The ceremony was attended by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, signaling a phase of industrialisation and mobility investment in Brazil.

The inauguration initiates a USD 950 million investment cycle for 2026-2028, which adds to the earlier USD 570 million invested since 2023. Total investment in the Anapolis facility reaches USD 1.52 billion with the plant now equipped to have an annual production capacity of 90,000 units.

The UNI-T was developed over three years by a team of 200 Chinese and Brazilian engineers. Key technical features include:

• Powertrain: A 1.5 Turbo GDi BlueCore Flex engine, calibrated by CAOA to operate on any ethanol-petrol blend.
• Testing: The vehicle underwent 200,000 km of durability testing across various Brazilian climates.
• Digital Features: A localised Portuguese voice control system and connected cockpit tailored for the domestic market.
• Future Roadmap: Changan plans to introduce hybrid and electrified variants, supported by the federal government's MOVER programme.

The company expects to open over 60 dealerships across Brazil during 2026 to support its expanded sales footprint.

Zhu Huarong, Chairman, China Changan Automobile Group, said, "For Changan, Brazil is not only a place to invest, but a land where we committed to building a long-term future."

Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho, Co-President, CAOA, added, "The UNI-T represents far more than a new model. It demonstrates that Brazil can establish itself as a global hub for high-technology automotive engineering and production."

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