The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) inaugurated the 13th edition of the Auto Summit 2025, its flagship biennial convention, now an annual event aligned with Bharat Mobility, the Global Expo. Themed "Safe, Efficient & Sustainable: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility," the summit highlights the Indian retail automobile industry's progress and outlook.

Dubbed the "Maha Kumbh" of India’s automobile retail industry, the summit welcomed Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy as the Chief Guest with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari, addressing the gathering virtually as the Guest of Honour.

A prestigious platform for manufacturers, government officials, dealers, industry analysts, academia and thought leaders, the FADA Auto Summit fosters discussions on auto retail's evolving dynamics, emerging opportunities and strategic visions.

Auto Summit 2025 featured 75 distinguished speakers across 20 sessions, providing stakeholders an unmatched opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights and explore sustainable growth strategies for the sector's future.

Recognising the automotive industry’s contribution to the Indian economy, Kumaraswamy said, “The 13th Auto Summit is a pivotal moment for India’s automotive sector, focused on the theme "Safe, Efficient & Sustainable: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility." Safety remains a core priority, with an emphasis on enhancing road safety standards, integrating advanced driver-assistance systems, and improving infrastructure. Achieving this requires collaboration among manufacturers, dealers, policymakers, and consumers to reduce accidents and protect lives. Efficiency is also at the forefront, as evidenced by the 9% growth in vehicle sales in 2024, reaching 26.1 million units. This growth reflects the industry's focus on cutting-edge technologies that streamline manufacturing and enhance customer experiences across all segments.”

He added, “Sustainability is now a necessity. In 2024, electric vehicle (EV) sales surged to 14,08,245 units. Together, these efforts, supported by FADA and the government, are positioning India as a global leader in safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility, ensuring the sector meets both consumer needs and global challenges like climate change and road safety.”

Speaking at the occassion Gadkari stated , “The Indian automobile sector is witnessing a remarkable transformation, growing from INR 7 lakh crore to INR 22 lakh crore, now surpassing Japan globally, and becoming the fastest-growing economy in the world. As the 5th largest economy, India is on track to become the 3rd largest, backed by its immense skilled and youth workforce. The country's potential in raw materials, especially at reasonable rates, positions us to lead in industries ranging from 2Ws and tractors to alternative fuel options.”

He added, “India is not just leading domestically and now has a strong foothold in the international market, with 50% of the two-wheeler segment being exported. The focus on clean, sustainable energy—ranging from ethanol and biodiesel to hydrogen and electric—underscores our commitment to a greener future. As we work towards reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, we’re creating employment opportunities for millions, with the automobile sector alone poised to generate up to 4 crore jobs. The industry’s future looks promising, with a competitive edge driven by research, innovation, and the focus on quality. We are committed to making India an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, achieving self-sufficiency, while also positioning ourselves as global leaders. Initiatives like the pilot project in Nagpur for ropeway cable cars and flash-charging buses highlight the industry's focus on cutting-edge technology for urban mass transport. The potential for growth is enormous, as we continue to expand both the domestic and export markets. With strong research, investment in institutions like IITs, and a robust focus on sustainability, India is well on its way to being a global powerhouse in the automobile sector."

Alludng to the occassion, FADA President C S Vigneshwar said, “As we gather today at FADA’s 13th Auto Summit, it is inspiring to reflect on the significant progress our industry has made in shaping India’s automotive landscape. Over the past year, the sector has displayed remarkable resilience, achieving a 9% growth in vehicle retail. This success highlights the strength of consumer confidence and the dedication of all stakeholders in the ecosystem. This year the theme of the summit, ‘Safe, Efficient & Sustainable: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility,’ underscores the collective responsibility we share to shape an automotive future that is not only technologically advanced but also mindful of our environmental and societal obligations. As vehicle penetration increases, it is essential that we prioritize road safety, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate our transition to sustainable mobility solutions. These are not just goals but imperatives for the industry to thrive and for India to emerge as a global leader in mobility.”

He added, “The successful implementation of FAME I and II, along with the ongoing PM eDrive initiative, are crucial steps in India's journey towards cleaner and greener vehicles, and FADA remains committed to supporting these efforts.”

Venkat Rajaram, Cygni Energy, Founder & CEO, along with Vipul and Gautam.

Hyderabad-based Cygni Energy has unveiled Phase I of its fully automated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) gigafactory at E-Mobility Valley in Maheshwaram, Hyderabad, signalling a major leap in India’s electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy manufacturing landscape. The company is investing INR 2.5 billion over two phases to ramp up capacity from 4.8 GWh to 10.8 GWh over the next 12–24 months.

With a sharp focus on electric mobility, energy storage systems, and next-generation battery chemistries, Cygni is positioning itself to meet growing domestic and international demand for sustainable energy solutions. The company is also actively developing sodium-ion and sulphur-based batteries to complement traditional lithium-ion chemistries, alongside investments in thermal safety, recycling and advanced energy management algorithms tailored to Indian conditions.

Venkat Rajaraman, Founder & CEO, Cygni Energy, said, “In the long term, as part of India’s 100 GWh roadmap, we expect to become self-sufficient in cell manufacturing. We are also seeing a convergence of newer chemistries like sodium and sulphur. Sodium-ion batteries, in particular, are expected to play a critical role in India’s EV journey –given their lower cost of USD 6 per kWh versus USD 24 for lithium. While lithium demand currently exceeds sodium by 3x, India’s early-stage advantage allows us to leapfrog.”

“We cater to three markets – BESS, commercial and industrial storage, and electric vehicles. We have been manufacturing EV battery packs for a long time, earlier from a rental facility and now from our own factory. Today, we have a gigawatt-scale order pipeline for two- and three-wheeler EVs and large-scale storage systems. We’re also working with IIT-Madras' Centre of Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles (C-BEEV) to co-develop future technologies. EVs contributed nearly 50 percent of our revenue till FY2025.”

The new facility spans 160,000 square feet and is engineered with automated Poka-Yoke-enabled lines and end-to-end traceability for high-quality battery module production. Till date, the company has raised USD 6.4 million in 2018 and USD 12.5 million in 2022 to fund its expansion.

The first phase investment of INR 1 billion supports an initial 4.8 GWh capacity. An additional INR 1.5 billion will be invested to reach 10.8 GWh under Phase II. The company expects to generate INR 26 billion revenue from Phase I, which it aims to double post-expansion.

Cygni’s batteries are designed for EV and grid-scale applications. The company has delivered over 500 MWh of batteries and claims to have a confirmed 1 GWh order pipeline, with growing traction in electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and small commercial vehicles (SCVs). Most of the 80-plus components in its battery systems – such as busbars, cell holders, thermal and mechanical elements – are now locally sourced, reflecting India’s evolving EV ecosystem.

Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana and CEO of the Industry & Investment Cell in the CMO, inaugurated the facility alongside Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Chairman of IIIT-Hyderabad, and Srini Raju, Founder of iLabs Group.

Jayesh Ranjan, said, “The inauguration of Cygni’s battery manufacturing gigafactory in Telangana marks a transformative step toward sustainable energy, manufacturing excellence, and innovation. This facility not only strengthens India’s commitment to clean energy but also creates jobs, fosters local talent, and builds a robust ecosystem for the future of energy storage solutions.”

Cygni expects to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and is planning additional 2 GWh cell-to-pack automated lines as part of its future roadmap. With government support and rising EV adoption, the company is well-positioned to be a catalyst in India’s energy transition

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced its financial results for FY2025. The company reported a record revenue of INR 362.51 billion, up 14 percent YoY, as against INR 317.76 billion a year ago.

The operating EBITDA came at 12.3 percent, while the net profit grew by percent at INR 27.11 billion, as against INR 20.83 billion last year.

During the year the company sold a total of 4.74 million vehicles, up 13 percent, as against 4.19 million vehicles last year. This includes 2.19 million motorcycles and 1.90 million scooters, clocking a growth of 10 percent YoY and 21 percent YoY respectively.

Electric vehicles sales grew by 44 percent to 279,000 units, as against 194,000 units last year. Three-wheeler sales came at 135,000 units, as against 146,000 units last year.

Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, is marking World Corrosion Awareness Day on 24 April with a nationwide campaign titled #ZungKeKhilaafZinc, aimed at raising awareness about corrosion and promoting zinc galvanisation as a preventive solution.

The company shared that corrosion costs India around 5 percent of its GDP annually –over USD 100 billion – in infrastructure and asset damage. The company’s campaign included social media outreach, public demonstrations and a consumer survey to highlight the economic and structural impact of corrosion.

As part of the initiative, the company undertook a demonstration in Udaipur, where galvanised and non-galvanised two-wheelers were displayed side by side to show the visible difference in corrosion resistance. The initiative targeted general consumers, especially in the automotive and infrastructure sectors.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Corrosion poses a serious threat to our infrastructure and the nation’s economy at large. At Hindustan Zinc, we believe awareness is the first step toward real change. While it’s essential for manufacturers to adopt galvanisation, consumers also play a vital role by asking the right questions – especially when it comes to long-term investments like homes and vehicles. Through #ZungKeKhilaafZinc, we’re committed to educating industries and individuals alike about the critical value of zinc protection.”

India’s climate makes it especially vulnerable to corrosion, but global examples such as Japan and Australia show that losses can be reduced with protective measures. In the automotive industry, galvanised steel is increasingly used in vehicle structures to improve durability and reduce maintenance costs.

Hindustan Zinc had recently introduced EcoZen, a low-carbon zinc product made using renewable energy, and continues to supply to over 40 countries. The company holds about 75 percent of India’s primary zinc market.

Tata Motors, one of India’s leading automobile manufacturers, has joined forces with Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to co-develop a 131 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project.

The initiative is expected to generate around 300 million units of clean electricity annually and offset over 2 lakh tons of CO2 emissions each year. The strategic move is set to provide a reliable supply of green, cost-effective energy exclusively to Tata Motors’ six manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra and Gujarat, supporting production of both commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles.  

The move is part of Tata Motors’ clean energy transition for achieving its RE-100 commitment ahead of the 2030 target.

Vishal Badshah, Vice President – Operations, Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, said, "As a key driver of India’s mobility and logistics ecosystem, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles is proud to lead by example in sustainable manufacturing. This project reinforces our commitment to integrate renewable energy into our operations and reducing our carbon footprint while meeting our RE-100 goals. It also reflects our broader purpose of delivering mobility solutions that are sustainable at every stage –from production to performance."

Pramod Choudhary, Vice President – Operations, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, added, “We are committed to transition to clean energy for building a future ready automotive business. With this PPA our plants in Maharashtra and Gujarat will take a significant leap in our journey towards Green Manufacturing, complementing India’s green transition. It’s a defining step towards making our Passenger Vehicle Operations greener, smarter and more resilient on sustainable basis.”