The automotive wholesales numbers for September 2024 and Q2 FY2025 are out, seeing mixed results.

As per the latest data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing automakers in India, for September 2024, the passenger vehicle segment sold 356,752 which was down 1 percent YoY compared to 361,717 units sold last year.

On the other hand, the three- and two-wheeler segments continued to power the overall sales with 79,683 units and 2,025,993 units, seeing 7 percent and 16 percent growth respectively. This translates to a total of 2,462,431 vehicles sold in September, up 13 percent, compared to 2,186,270 units sold last year.

Similarly, in Q2 FY2025, a total of 6,663,875 vehicles were sold, registering a 9 percent growth YoY, as compared to 6,116,773 units sold last year.

Of this, passenger vehicle sales declined by 2 percent at 1,055,137 units; commercial vehicles barring buses were all in the red. A total of 220,643 commercial vehicles were sold, registering a decline of 11 percent YoY, as compared to 247,801 units sold last year.

The three-wheeler and two-wheeler segments continued to be the bright spot with sales of 208,718 units (7% YoY) and 5,179,349 units (13% YoY) respectively.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM said, “The overall Indian automobile industry remained strong in Q2 2024-25 with 8.9 percent growth compared to Q2 2023-24. Two- and Three-Wheelers continued to post strong growth of 12.6 percent and 6.6 percent respectively, while passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles posted some degrowth in Q2 of 2024-25 compared to 2023-24. Heavy rainfall in key states and almost the entire ‘Shradh’ period falling in the month of September, did impact the sales numbers of some of the segments. With the rains easing and continued infrastructure spending, and the arrival of the festive season boosting consumption, we anticipate healthy demand in the next quarter.”

Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM said, “Although passenger vehicle segment de-grew by 1.8 percent in Q2 of 2024-25 as compared to Q2 of last year, for the 3rd time it crossed the 1 million mark in Q2, posting a sales of 1.06 million units. Two-wheelers posted sales of 5.18 million units in Q2 for FY 24-25 as compared 4.60 million units in Q2 of last year. Three-wheelers posted the highest ever sales of Q2 with 2.09 lakh units. Commercial vehicles posted a degrowth of 11 percent in Q2 of 2024-25 as compared to Q2 of last year, with sales of 2.21 lakh units.”

German technology company Continental has produced ATE SecuBrake, the first sustainable brake fluid free of any hazardous substances subject to labelling. It not only exceeds the requirements for DOT 4 brake fluids but is also suitable for electric vehicles.

ATE SecuBrake is the first available product in the new ATE New Original line. 

Tim Lunkenheimer, head of aftermarket product management for hydraulic brake systems at Continental, said, "ATE SecuBrake underscores our commitment as a premium manufacturer to break new ground in product development for the aftermarket. Workshops can make an important contribution to sustainability by increasingly using more eco-friendly products."

The company says the ATE SecuBrake is certified according to the mass-balance standard. The starting point, ethylene, is derived mainly from renewable raw materials. With over 80 percent of raw materials obtained from renewable sources, it has got much lower CO2 footprint than with conventional brake fluids.

The ATE SecuBrake also contains no borate esters, eliminating the need for hazardous substance labelling according to the EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) and the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations.

British design and engineering studio Callum has selected Aqua Mist as its Colour of the Year 2025. The colour a fresh pastel blend of green and blue, it says is not only vibrant and optimistic but also promotes relaxation and tranquillity.

The company says Aqua Mist represents renewal and innovation in a fast-changing world. The refreshing, soothing hue combines the calm of blue with the rejuvenation of green, perfect for creating peaceful, balanced spaces.

It is for the first time Callum has introduced the Colour of the Year 2025, which it says will become an annual forecast of colour trends from its growing team of colour, material and finishes experts.

Charlotte Jones, colour, material and finishes designer at Callum, said, “Aqua Mist offers a fresh, calming energy. Its soft and cool undertones are associated with tranquillity and openness, providing a balanced base that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Its versatility means it is suited to a number of applications, materials and surface textures, while layering with Callum’s specially-selected balancing colours creates a fun, energetic vibe.

Recent projects and collaborations have given us valuable insights into the needs, preferences and experiences of a variety of customers, particularly those who rely on well-considered inclusive design to enhance accessibility and comfort. We want the Callum Colour of the Year to spark conversations about how colour resonates with the emotional needs of customers and can help shape spaces and products that elicit deeper emotional responses.”

Ian Callum, Design Director, Callum, said, “Every design team in the world looks at future aesthetics to stay relevant and appeal to ever-evolving consumer tastes. Plus, it’s creative and a lot of fun. The Callum Colour of the Year 2025 is the first time we’ve made any of our forecasting work public.”

The company has identified a concise complementary palette, which sees Aqua Mist being balanced with Neon Riot and Midnight Tide, to create a playful, dynamic trio that offers an energetic yet approachable look, ideal for designs that need both vibrancy and sophistication - perfect for playful brands.

Callum stated that Neon Riot is an attention-grabbing hot pink, which brings energy, fun and vibrancy to the palette by adding a pop of brightness. Midnight Tide on the other hand is a rich, deep blue, that grounds the other two colours with its darker, more intense shade, making the overall palette feel balanced and mature.

The combination of Aqua Mist, Neon Riot and Midnight Tide in automotive projects it believes can create a bold, futuristic and attention-grabbing aesthetic, especially for brands or models aimed at trend-conscious audiences

Ola Electric, one of India’s largest pure-play EV companies, has bagged five Gold Awards at the 49^th International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC) held in Sri Lanka in November 2024.

This landmark recognition was achieved by the company’s all-women workforce from Ola Futurefactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, who competed against industry peers from 14 countries.

The EV maker’s five teams won for the following projects –

Paint Shop: Innovation in optimisation strategies that slashes operational costs.

Motor Division: Enhancing product competitiveness by reducing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).

General Assembly: Accelerating time-to-market by increasing capacity in the front fork sub-assembly process.

Battery Shop: Improve battery pack productivity in order to meet the growing customer demands.

Weld Shop: Improving robotics throughput to enhance operational efficiency and streamline workflows.

Ola Electric acknowledged the role of its women-led teams from rural backgrounds, who showcased their work at the factory’s paint shop, motor shop, general assembly line, battery shop, and welding shop.

“This recognition at ICQCC is a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence with our incredibly talented women at the helm of the EV revolution at our Futurefactory. It reflects our ethos of blending innovation with empowerment and setting new benchmarks on the operational-heavy automotive shop floors, which are traditionally dominated by men. We are extremely happy to have started this shift in the Indian automotive manufacturing landscape and are committed to bringing more women on the shop floors,” commented an Ola spokesperson.

Coimbatore-based Propel Industries Private Limited has announced the appointment of Siddharth Kirtane as the President of its EV Division that makes heavy-duty e-trucks for construction and mining applications. Propel Industries – specialising in the manufacture of crushing equipment – homologated its electric heavy-duty Tipper (470 HEV) is September 2024 and has since been offering it in two battery variants—385 kWh and 256 kWh.  
With a long-standing experience in the commercial vehicle industry in India as Head – Brand and Marketing, Volvo Trucks India; as Business Head – Construction and Infrastructure, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles Ltd, and as Vice President, Marketing, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, Kirtane will leverage his knowledge and expertise to scale up the EV business in his new role.