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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DAF Trucks Vlaanderen is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing at its facility in the Belgian Kempen region. Established in 1966 to meet demand for truck cabs, the site has expanded into a production hub for both cabs and axles within DAF’s international network.

The facility in Oevel began operations in the first half of 1966 on a 400,000 sqmt site. Axle production was transferred from Eindhoven to Westerlo in 1971. Today, the site employs 2,000 people and works with 1,000 suppliers.

Over the past decade, DAF has invested more than EUR 650 million in the Westerlo plant. These funds supported the introduction of the XD, XF, XG and XG+ truck generations, as well as their electric variants. The facility was named ‘Factory of the Future’ by the Belgian technology federation Agoria in 2024.

Key infrastructure developments include:

• Cab Paint Shop: A facility nearly 150 metres long utilising robots to apply 3,000 colours while reducing emissions by 50 percent.
• Body Department: A section featuring 145 robots for fully automated production of body-in-white cabs.
• Axle Factory: Automated lines designed to increase output and optimise working conditions.

DAF Vlaanderen operates on a 'just-in-time' principle, delivering components to assembly plants in Eindhoven and Leyland, Great Britain, based on customer orders. In 2021, the facility produced its 3 millionth axle, and it is scheduled to manufacture its 1.5 millionth cab this year.

Jos Habets, member of the DAF Board of Management responsible for Production, stated, “Sixty years of production in Belgium is a tribute to the generations of employees who have built DAF in Westerlo into what it is today: an ultramodern, future-focused production site. And, of course, it is also a fantastic recognition for our 2,000 employees and 1,000 suppliers, including around 400 in Belgium. Thanks to their dedication and commitment, we are able to build trucks that lead the industry in terms of reliability, comfort, and quality. With our ongoing investments in DAF Trucks Vlaanderen N.V., our Belgian factory has a bright future ahead.”

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Qualcomm Technologies and Tata Electronics have announced a partnership to manufacture Qualcomm Automotive Modules in India. Tata Electronics will join Qualcomm’s network of manufacturing partners to address demand for modular platforms in the automotive sector.

Production is scheduled to take place at Tata Electronics’ Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Jagiroad, Assam. This facility, built with an investment of USD 3 billion, is the first indigenous site of its kind in India.

The collaboration focuses on the production of modules for digital cockpits, infotainment, connectivity and vehicle systems. Qualcomm Automotive Modules combine Snapdragon Digital Chassis system-on-chips (SoCs) with system components into a single unit. These modules are intended to simplify vehicle design and support the transition to software-defined vehicles.

The Assam facility will utilise several platform technologies, including:

• Wire Bond: For electrical connections between chips and leadframes.
• Flip Chip: To enable high-density connections for performance.
• Integrated Systems Packaging (ISP): For combining multiple components into a single package.

The partnership is intended to diversify the global semiconductor supply chain and support the ‘Make in India’ initiative. By establishing local manufacturing, the companies aim to provide automakers in India and international markets with greater supply chain flexibility.

Nakul Duggal, EVP and Group GM, Automotive, Industrial and Embedded IoT, and Robotics, Qualcomm Technologies, said, “Our work with Tata Electronics marks an important milestone in our automotive growth strategy. As the industry accelerates its shift toward integrated, module-based architectures, expanding manufacturing capacity in key regions becomes essential. Tata Electronics brings worldclass expertise, trusted production capabilities, and a shared commitment to strengthen India’s role in the global semiconductor and automotive ecosystems. Together, we will support automakers with scalable, high-performance solutions built in India.”

Dr Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics, added, “We are excited to partner with Qualcomm Technologies to manufacture their advanced automotive modules in India. This collaboration supports Tata Electronics’ objective to become a global hub for high‑technology manufacturing as a trusted partner to our leading semiconductor and automotive customers worldwide. We will leverage our Integrated Systems Packaging (ISP) solutions and deliver high quality, high-performance products to support Qualcomm Technologies’ global product leadership.”

Savi Soin, Senior Vice-President & President, Qualcomm India, added, “Modules are central to Qualcomm Technologies’ vision for the future of vehicle electronics. By providing comprehensive, ready-to-integrate solutions, we help automakers reduce design complexity and bring next-generation vehicles to market more quickly. Manufacturing in India through Tata Electronics enhances our ability to support both Indian and global OEMs with greater flexibility and supply chain resilience.”

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Rockwell Automation, Inc. has concluded the seventh edition of India Inc On The Move (IIOTM) in Mumbai. The event brought together industry leaders and technology innovators to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and sustainability on Indian manufacturing.

The conference, themed 'The Future Is Here: Smart. Sustainable. AI-Driven Manufacturing', addressed how technology can accelerate transitions in sectors including semiconductors, electronics, automotive, life sciences and food & beverage. These developments are intended to support the manufacturing sector’s role in the Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative.

IIOTM 2026 recorded over 1,200 attendees and included 30 sessions with 70 speakers. The event featured an expo floor with 30 booths displaying interactive technology solutions.

Key areas of discussion included:

• Autonomous Operations: Utilising AI to manage manufacturing processes.
• Software-Defined Manufacturing: Transitioning hardware control to software-based systems.
• Intelligent Sustainability: Implementing digitalisation to track and reduce environmental impact.
• Sector Focus: Strategies for semiconductors, life sciences and automotive industries.

Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India, said, “IIOTM stands as a catalyst for transformative thinking, bringing leaders together to envision how artificial intelligence can redefine modern manufacturing, unlock new possibilities at scale, and shape a resilient, sustainable industrial future for India.”

“India stands at a pivotal moment, where artificial intelligence, digitalisation and sustainability are converging to redefine industrial competitiveness. The next era of ‘smart’ manufacturing will be shaped by autonomous, software‑defined operations. For the industrial world, however, AI must rise to a higher purpose – being deterministic, explainable, and fully auditable,” added Sawhney.

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German component manufacturer Knorr-Bremse has initiated the construction of a modular campus in Chennai, India, with an investment plan of up to EUR 200 million over the next five years. The facility will integrate engineering, production and artificial intelligence (AI) activities.

Scheduled to commence operations in late 2027, the site will support both the Rail and Truck divisions. The campus is designed to accommodate up to 3,500 employees and will complement existing sites in Pune and Palwal.

The 188,000 square metre facility will be developed in phases. The initial stage includes production plants for metro and high-speed train entrance systems, alongside braking components for commercial vehicles. Later phases, extending to 2030, will add office complexes to house global business services, including finance and HR functions.

Products manufactured at the Chennai hub are intended for the Indian domestic market and global exports. Knorr-Bremse is currently a supplier for rail projects in Delhi and Chennai and is providing braking and sanitation systems for India’s high-speed rail network.

The company selected Chennai due to its infrastructure and engineering landscape. The new campus is located near the Knorr-Bremse AI centre established in 2025. This proximity is intended to accelerate digital projects and improve process efficiency.

Marc Llistosella, CEO, Knorr-Bremse, said, “India is a key region for us with great potential – as a location for innovation, a production hub, and a transport market. Our future campus enables us to connect global capabilities even more closely, make processes more efficient, and accelerate projects. This creates a strong foundation for our Rail and Truck divisions to grow profitably – in India as well as in international markets. The campus is an important building block in our global strategy and a clear commitment to Knorr-Bremse’s long-term growth path.”

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