Tata Motors

Mumbai-headquartered commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle major Tata Motors has announced its wholesales for FY2025 and March 2025.

The company sold a total of 912,155 vehicles across the passenger vehicle and commercial vehicles segment, which was 4 percent lower compared to last year. This includes 358,570 commercial vehicles, down 5 percent YoY and 553,585 passenger vehicles, down 3 percent YoY. 

For March 2025, the commercial vehicle sales came at 90,500, a flat decline as compared to 90,822 units last year, while passenger vehicle sales came at 51,616 units, up 3 percent YoY as compared to 50,110 units for the same period last year.

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “FY2025 ended on a positive note for commercial vehicles industry, post the YoY demand decline witnessed earlier. Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles navigated the headwinds effectively, to record wholesales of 376,903 units, outpacing industry growth in trucks and commercial passenger carriers, thereby strengthening its Vahan registration market share. Reinforcing our commitment to green, future-ready technologies, we launched India's first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck trials, while our e-bus fleet collectively covered over 30 crore km nationwide. In Q4 FY2025, the sustained YoY improvement in sales volumes over successive quarters gained further momentum with both trucks and passenger carriers registering healthy growth, in line with the annual trend.”

“Looking ahead to FY2026, we anticipate sustained growth despite global headwinds. Demand is expected to rise, driven by higher fleet utilisation, financial support from rate cuts, lower crude oil prices and a renewed focus on large-scale infrastructure projects. At the same time, we remain mindful of the potential impact of new regulations mandating truck cabin air conditioning on vehicle prices. We will continue to closely monitor government infrastructure spending and growth across key end-use segments. With an expansive product portfolio, smart digital solutions and new nameplate launches on the anvil, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles is well-positioned to leverage market opportunities and maintain its growth trajectory,” added Wagh.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “Passenger vehicle sales is expected to reach 4.3 million units in FY2025, reflecting a modest 2 percent growth. SUVs continued to dominate the market with double digit growth and accounted for around 55 percent of new car sales. Preference for emission-friendly CNG vehicles surged by around 35 percent and EVs showed renewed promise, with more industry participants enhancing customer choices and strengthening the ecosystem. Amidst a challenging year marked by fluctuating demand, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles achieved wholesales of 556,263 units, including 64,726 units of EVs. We led the industry in SUV growth and outpaced it in CNG sales, recording over 50 percent YoY growth. Across various segments of the PV industry, Punch emerged as the top choice for private buyers to become India’s No. 1 SUV in FY25. Our latest launches and updates – Curvv, Nexon CNG and Tiago – received an enthusiastic response, resonating strongly with customers. We achieved two key milestones in FY25, as we surpassed 6 million cumulative sales for PVs, and 200,000 cumulative sales for EVs.”

“Looking ahead, overall demand growth will be shaped by macroeconomic factors such as consumption growth, inflation, infrastructure spending and global geopolitics. However, industry momentum is expected to be driven by continued innovation in line with evolving customer preferences. SUVs, CNG, and EVs will remain key growth drivers, fuelling the industry's expansion. With a strategically aligned product portfolio, supported by new nameplate launches and our multi-powertrain strategy, Tata Motors is well positioned to seize market opportunities and sustain its momentum,” added Chandra.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Crosses 50,000-Unit Production Milestone For Kylaq SUV

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has achieved a new production milestone of rolling out 50,000 units of the Skoda Kylaq from its Chakan facility.

The Kylaq, the company stated, has contributed 36 percent to the Group’s YoY growth in 2025. It achieved this volume by expanding its operations and increasing the use of domestic components.

To support the production of the Kylaq, SAVWIPL increased the capacity of the Chakan plant by 30 percent. The vehicle is built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, a chassis architecture designed for the Indian market. The group has focused on localisation and the development of a local supplier network to support its manufacturing output.

The milestone follows 25 years of the group's presence in India, during which it has developed an integrated ecosystem and a local talent pool. By increasing production and localisation, the company aims to support the government’s manufacturing initiatives while deepening its engineering and sourcing capabilities within the country.

H D Kumaraswamy, Union Cabinet Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel, said, “I congratulate Skoda Auto Volkswagen India on achieving this production milestone and for their continued commitment to the ‘Made in India’ initiative.”

Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The 50,000‑unit milestone for the Kylaq reflects the deep trust and affection our customers have shown for this product. Built on the proven MQB‑A0‑IN platform, the Kylaq’s success is a powerful validation that vehicles designed in India, both for India and the world, continue to earn admiration and confidence from customers domestically and globally.”

Hindalco Commissions INR 45 Billion Investment To Manufacture FRP & Battery Grade Aluminium Foil In Odisha Facility

Hindalco Industries

Hindalco Industries has announced an INR 210 billion expansion of its aluminium smelter in Sambalpur, Odisha. The project will add 360,000 tonnes per annum of capacity to the Aditya Aluminium complex. Additionally, the company has commissioned a manufacturing facility for flat rolled products (FRP) and battery-grade aluminium foil following an investment of INR 45 billion.

The facilities form part of a growth programme involving INR 370 billion of planned expenditure in Odisha. The battery-grade foil plant is intended to provide raw materials for the production of lithium-ion cells, with a capacity to support 100 GWh of manufacturing. The expansion of the FRP unit aims to reduce India’s reliance on imported flat-rolled aluminium, which currently accounts for 40 percent of domestic consumption.

The smelter expansion incorporates plans to use round-the-clock renewable energy for a portion of its power requirements. This project connects upstream resources with downstream manufacturing, linking bauxite mining and alumina refining to the production of foil and high-grade materials. The company expects the next phase of investment to create 15,000 jobs in the region, adding to its current workforce of 23,000 in the state.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “India’s manufacturing growth depends on integration, value addition and sustainability. Through Hindalco, we are building a fully integrated aluminium ecosystem that spans from upstream resources to high-value downstream products. Our long-standing partnership with Odisha continues to play an important role in this journey. This strategy strengthens India’s self-reliance, supports critical sectors, and accelerates the nation’s transition towards advanced, sustainable manufacturing.”

Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, added, “The FRP expansion and smelter growth at Sambalpur exemplify our integrated upstream–downstream growth strategy. This enables Hindalco to deliver high-quality aluminium solutions across packaging, defence, electric mobility, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, positioning us strongly to support India’s industrial ambitions while creating long-term value.”

Hindalco’s roadmap in Odisha includes the Kansariguda alumina refinery, the Meenakshi coal mine, and units for white fused alumina. The company has invested over INR 250 billion in the state over the last 15 years. These developments are part of a wider INR 550 billion capital expenditure plan across India.

Chery To Acquire Nissan’s South Africa Manufacturing Assets

Re:Nissan

Japanese automaker Nissan and China’s Chery have reached an agreement for the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing facilities in Rosslyn, South Africa, which is subject to regulatory approvals and the fulfilment of specific conditions.

As per the understanding, Chery will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets, including the stamping plant, in mid-2026. Chery will offer employment to the majority of Nissan’s current staff at the site on terms and conditions similar to their existing contracts. The move follows a period of impact on the utilisation and viability of the plant within Nissan's global operations.

Despite the sale of the production facility, Nissan will maintain its commercial presence in South Africa. The company plans to continue its sales and service operations and has scheduled several vehicle launches for the 2026 fiscal year, including the Nissan Tekton and Nissan Patrol.

The acquisition allows the Rosslyn site to remain an active part of the South African automotive manufacturing sector. The preservation of the facility also aims to maintain opportunities for the existing local supplier network that services the plant.

Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President, said, “Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector.”

Neolite ZKW Lightings

Neolite ZKW Lightings held a commemorative ceremony on 23 January 2026 for its new manufacturing plant in Pune, Maharashtra. The facility, which began operations in December 2025, is situated near the Mumbai-Pune-Nashik-Aurangabad automotive cluster. This location allows the company to manage inventory and provide services to customers including Tata Motors, Stellantis, JSW MG Motor India, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles and Piaggio Vehicles.

The facility includes an independent design centre featuring simulation software, optical design tools and 3D modelling capabilities. This centre supports product development, prototyping and validation to meet global regulatory standards. The Pune plant focuses on manufacturing processes such as moulding, surface treatment and assembly for lighting products and components.

Neolite ZKW Lightings produces lighting solutions for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. Its portfolio is powertrain agnostic, supplying components for both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. Following the commencement of the Pune facility, the group intends to focus on opening its next plant in Kancheepuram.

Won Yong Hwang, CEO, ZKW Group, said, “India continues to emerge as a strategic market for the global automotive industry. Neolite ZKW’s expansion in Pune represents a positive step toward advancing next-generation automotive lighting solutions, and we look forward to continued collaboration in technology and innovation”.

Rajesh Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Neolite ZKW Lightings, said, “Our new Pune plant reflects our commitment to invest in capacity, technology and talent to support the next phase of growth for our customers and for Neolite ZKW. With this facility, we are better positioned to respond timely to customer requirements, drive innovation in automotive lighting, and create employment opportunities in the region. After this, our next focus will be to get our Kancheepuram facility up and running and we are working very hard to get that done”.

Rajesh Soni, CEO, Neolite ZKW, added, “The Pune facility is designed to focus on manufacturing of automotive lighting products and components including moulding, surface treatment and assembly. Further, in line with the shift toward electrification and sustainability, we also offer certain electric vehicle focused lighting products. At the same time, our portfolio is powertrain agnostic that serves both EVs and internal combustion engine vehicles”.