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

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Indian Army's Fire & Fury Corps has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbornics Defence & Space (ADSL), part of the JCBL Group, to establish a New Generation Vehicle (NGV) Repair Hub and Warehouse. The facility will be located inside the 14 Corps Zonal Workshop in Leh.

The initiative aims to boost the Army’s logistics readiness by setting up a dedicated OEM warehouse and repair facility for New Generation Vehicles within the Army’s premises.

The ceremony was held at Headquarters 14 Corps, Leh, and was presided over by Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Corps Commander, 14 Corps. Brig Nipoon Sood, Brig EME, 14 Corps, formally signed the MoU on behalf of the Army.

Under the collaboration, the JCBL Group (ADSL) will provide its expertise in defence manufacturing, support, training, retro-modification and R&D know-how through the NGV Hub framework.

The Group shall also maintain stocking of fast-moving spares for vehicles and equipment supplied to the Indian Army. Additionally, it will supply parts and components of war stores, which it provides to the Ordnance & EME Channels of Indian Army, through its group companies.

The Indian Army plans to expand this presence of industry warehouses to three more forward locations of the 14 Corps Area of Responsibility in the future.

Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Corps Commander, 14 Corps highlighted that this partnership between Indian Army and Industry would significantly enhance the operational readiness of 14 Corps. He further stressed the need to ensure that Army units fully exploit the presence of Industry Warehouses at these forward locations of Ladakh.

Rishi Aggarwal, Managing Director, JCBL Group, said “The JCBL Group takes pride in being the Industry Partner of the Indian Army. This fresh collaboration with the Fire and Fury Corps of the Northern Command is very special to the Group since it is the most operationally committed formation of the Defence Forces. We compliment Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Corps Commander, 14 Corps for his exceptional vision of incorporating the Industry at Field Formation Level thereby ensuring a significant amelioration of equipment availability and Operational readiness.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) showcased India's industrial sector at the 24th International Forging Congress (IFC 2025) in Frankfurt, Germany.

Yash J Munot, AIFI President, delivered a keynote presentation on India's manufacturing capabilities, technological advancements and vision for global partnerships. He highlighted India's status as the world's second-largest producer of forgings and its position in the global supply chain.

In his address, ‘Forging India’s Future – Partnering with the World,’ he discussed India’s journey of modernisation, global integration and sustainable growth.

"India has transformed from being a land of opportunity to a land of action. The forging industry stands as a true reflection of this transformation, built on the pillars of scale, skill and sustainability and ready to co-author the future of global manufacturing. We have evolved from a labour-intensive past to a capital-intensive, technology-driven present, powered by significant investments in Industry 4.0, AI, automation and smart manufacturing practices. In an era shaped by geopolitical shifts, fluctuating material costs and the global call for sustainability, India’s forging industry offers reliability, quality and resilience. We are not here merely as suppliers, but as partners and collaborators, committed to forging a stronger, more innovative and sustainable industrial future for the world,” he said.

India’s forging industry produces 2.9 million metric tonnes annually, with an installed capacity of 4.8 million MT, representing investments worth USD 3.8 billion. The sector employs over 300,000 people. It supplies components to sectors including automotive, railways, aerospace, defence, construction equipment and engineering. Around 30 percent of total production is exported to Europe, North America and Asia.

The industry has adopted Industry 4.0 technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, digital simulation and data analytics. The focus on energy-efficient furnaces and circular manufacturing reflects the sector’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Munot highlighted the upcoming Forging Simulation Centre in Pune, designed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve productivity and minimise environmental impact through digital technologies.

He also announced the 4th edition of Forgetech India, AIFI’s biennial exhibition and conference, scheduled for October 2026.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, is set to invest INR 5.44 billion towards production and final assembly of the Volvo Group’s globally proven 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

The company is establishing a new greenfield factory at Vikram Udyogpuri Integrated Industrial Township, near Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The new facility will have an initial capacity to produce 40,000 units per annum, with production and local content to be gradually ramped up. The transmissions will benefit Eicher Heavy Duty truck customers in India and Volvo Group in India, along with plans to export to select markets in Asia-Oceania region.

The development builds upon the 18-year-old alliance between the two companies, with VECV already manufacturing Volvo Group’s 5-litre and 8-litre (MDEP) engines in India since 2013.

The new AMT facility will have an initial capacity to produce up to 40,000 units p.a., with production and local content to be gradually ramped up in line with Volvo Group’s global processes and quality standards.

Sofia Frandberg, Chairperson, VE Commercial Vehicles and Senior Leader, Volvo Group, said, “This investment by VECV represents yet another win-win synergy with the Volvo Group and leverages the technical and industrial capabilities that have been built-up over the past 18 years. During this time, VECV has repeatedly demonstrated its leadership in the commercial vehicle market through timely introduction of future-ready solutions that address customer needs in the rapidly transforming industry.”

Siddhartha Lal, Chairman, Eicher Motors, said, “Since its inception in 2008, our VECV JV has progressively delivered joint programs of growing importance and technological complexity. The new investment to assemble and produce the Volvo Group AMT is built on the bedrock of this trust and technical capability. It marks another significant step towards our vision of becoming a leading CV player in India and other emerging markets by driving modernisation in commercial transportation.”

Jens Holtinger, Executive Vice-President Group Trucks Technology and Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Group, said, “This new manufacturing hub at VECV is an excellent example of how the Volvo Group has leveraged partnerships to make our manufacturing supply chain more efficient. It is also a testament to the amount of trust we put in the competence of VECV. Over the past 18 years, VECV has become a core part of Volvo Group supply chain for critical components and aggregates, and we now write a new chapter in our successful relationship.”

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “As the Indian commercial vehicle industry moves towards higher capacity vehicles, Eicher truck customers and drivers will have access to Volvo Group’s globally leading AMT, which is proven to reduce driver fatigue and improve fuel economy, productivity and Uptime in demanding operations. The new AMT factory will be built to Volvo Group’s global standards and is very much aligned with the Government of India’s vision for Make in India. We thank the Government of Madhya Pradesh for their unstinting support.” 

Image for representational purpose only.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy has attained a new production milestone with the roll-out of its 500,000th unit – an Ather Rizta e-scooter – from its plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The company shared that the Rizta e-scooter has become a growth driver for the brand since its launch last year.

Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder & CTO, Ather Energy, said, "Crossing 500,000 scooters is a major milestone for Ather. From our very first prototype to today, our journey has been about building not just vehicles, but a scalable, reliable and consistent manufacturing ecosystem. This achievement reflects years of focused engineering, rigorous testing, and meticulous attention to quality at every stage of production. It also highlights the dedication of teams across the company and the trust and support of our owner community, who have been with us throughout this journey."

Ather has built a portfolio of performance and family scooters. The Rizta, in a year since its launch, accounts for over one-third of total production volumes. Ather has recently expanded its presence in the Middle and North India, focusing on tier 2 and 3 cities, alongside metro markets.

Ather currently runs two manufacturing facilities in Hosur, Tamil Nadu – one for vehicle assembly and one for battery production. The Hosur plant has a capacity of 420,000 scooters a year. To meet demand, Ather is setting up its third plant, Factory 3.0, in Bidkin, AURIC, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The facility will be developed in two phases, integrating digital technologies. Once both phases are running, Factory 3.0 will increase Ather’s total installed capacity across all facilities to 1.42 million electric two-wheelers annually.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!