The automotive retail sales in India saw a decline of 12.49 per cent in December, with 17,56,419 units registered, compared to 20,07,042 units last year, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).

In terms of segment-wise performance, two-wheeler sales came at 11,97,742 units, down 17.6 percent YoY, three-wheeler at 93,892 units, down 4.5 percent YoY, passenger vehicle sales at 2,93,465 units, down 1.9 percent YoY and commercial vehicles at 72,028 units, down 5.2 percent YoY. In contrast, tractor sales were in the green at 99,292 units, up 25.7 percent YoY.

The decline in sales for petrol-powered two-wheelers were attributed to low cash flow, poor market sentiment, supply challenges for popular models and growing shift towards electric vehicles.

FADA President C S Vigneshwar stated that despite heightened discounts and limited financing options failed to offset demand. In the passenger vehicle space, dealers were looking to offload the high inventory buildup following the festive season and aggressive discounting to clear stocks. But poor market sentiment, limited new model launches and intense price competition had impacted the PV segment.

For the commercial vehicle segment, the slowdown was attributed to low market sentiment, delayed government fund releases and slow financing approvals. Barring tippers, LCV degrowth and unseasonal rains further added to retail slowdown.

For CY2024, the auto retail sales grew 9.1 percent YoY at 2,61,07,679 units as against 2,39,28,293 units sold last year. This includes two-wheelers growing by 10.7 percent YoY, three-wheelers at 10.4 percent YoY, passenger vehicles at 5.1 percent, tractor at 2.5 percent and commercial vehicles reporting flat growth respectively.

“Despite multiple headwinds in CY24 – including heatwaves, elections at both central and state levels and uneven monsoons – the auto retail industry remained resilient, closing the year with a 9% YoY growth. Notably, three-wheeler, passenger vehicle and tractor segments touched new all-time highs and two-wheeler barely missed surpassing its CY18 peak. CV is also yet to reach its CY18 peak, a year which saw the introduction of axle load norms,” said Vigneshwar.

Outlook remains positive

The auto dealer body expects that the coming months will see stable growth two-wheeler, commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles to remain in the green.

The confidence stems on the back of improvement in rural liquidity, evolving government policies, new product launches, infrastructure investments, stable credit availability to support the growth.

FADA stated that it remains optimistic on market recovery, coupled with strategic OEM support and policy-level clarity, that will enable retail sales to end CY2025 on a robust note.

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Skoda Auto India has marked its 25th anniversary in the country by re-introducing the Octavia RS in the country but in limited numbers as a Fully-Built Unit (FBU) at INR 4.99 million (ex-showroom).

At the core of the Octavia RS is a 2.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 195 kW (265) of power and 370 Nm of torque. Paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, the car accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in just 6.4 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 kmph. It features progressive steering and sports suspension to aid handling.

The model is built on Skoda’s design language, featuring full LED Matrix headlights, LED tail lamps with dynamic indicators and glossy black styling elements. It sits on 19-inch Elias anthracite alloy wheels. On the inside, the cabin features Suedia/Leather upholstery with red contrast stitching, Sports front seats (with electric adjust, memory, heating and massage functions) and a virtual cockpit.

The Octavia RS is equipped with Skoda’s latest ADAS suite, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Assist and Intelligent Park Assist. Safety features are further enhanced with 10 airbags and a 360deg Area View camera.

The Octavia was Skoda’s first car in India in 2001. The RS variant first arrived in 2004 as the first turbocharged petrol engine passenger car in the country. The new launch is a symbol of Skoda’s commitment to combining legacy with performance in the Indian market.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “The response to the Octavia RS has been phenomenal. This iconic model has truly ignited the passion of driving enthusiasts across India, reinforcing the cult status that Octavia RS enjoys globally. As we celebrate 25 remarkable years of Skoda Auto in India, our commitment to delivering world-class cars remains stronger than ever. The RS badge symbolises more than just performance. It represents the emotional connection and trust our customers have in the Skoda brand. We are excited to welcome a new generation of enthusiasts into the Skoda family and continue building on the strong legacy and fandom that defines our brand in this market.”

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In a special event held at its facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Audi officially presented the FC Bayern Munich football squad with their new company cars for the upcoming season. The players had the opportunity to choose from a comprehensive selection of the brand’s latest fully electric and hybrid models, reflecting a diverse range of personal preferences and needs.

Team captain Manuel Neuer and several of his colleagues opted for the Audi Q8 SUV TFSI e quattro, while Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise selected the high-performance, all-electric RS e-tron GT. Other choices included the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron for young talent Tom Bischof and the spacious, seven-seat Audi Q7 SUV S line TFSI e quattro for Joshua Kimmich, catering to his family requirements.

The vehicle handover was part of a broader, action-packed day for the stars. They participated in the Audi driving experience, testing their skills on dynamic handling courses where the Audi RS e-tron GT performance was a particular source of excitement. The agenda also featured an exclusive look at the Audi F1 Project, offering the team a rare behind-the-scenes tour. They visited the assembly workshop for V6 hybrid engines, observed the dynamic simulator, Mission Control Room, and saw the engine test benches, gaining a deeper understanding of the sophisticated technology that powers the future of Formula 1.

Adding to the significance of the day, 100 Audi employees, chosen through an internal competition, were given the chance to meet the football stars. For 16 of these employees, the experience was especially memorable as they had the honour of personally presenting the players with the keys to their new vehicles, creating a unique and lasting connection between the automotive brand and the celebrated team.

Marco Schubert, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Audi AG, said, “It’s great to see how enthusiastic the players are about driving our flagship electric models. It shows just how emotionally engaging electric mobility can be. The FC Bayern players chose vehicles that impressively reflect the diversity of our range – from the compact Q4 e-tron series to the powerful Audi Q8 SUV TFSI e quattro and sporty RS e-tron GT performance. Everyone found a model that was right for them.”

Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO, FC Bayern, said, “The handover of vehicles from Audi to FC Bayern is a longstanding tradition that reflects our dependable partnership and is always a special event for our players. After 23 successful years together, we continue to pursue the same ambitious goals and spur each other on to peak performance. That connects us on and off the field! In this day and age, such a long-term partnership is not commonplace, and we all truly value it.”

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Nissan Motor India has expanded its CNG retrofitment programme to include the new Nissan Magnite BR-10 EZ-Shift (AMT). This, the company shared, follows customer response to the programme, which was launched earlier this year for the Manual Transmission (MT) variant.

The government-approved CNG retrofitment is available for the Magnite with the 1.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and comes with a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty.

In response to customer feedback, the company has also introduced an integrated fuel-filling system where the CNG filling valve is now located within the standard fuel-filling lid.

Nissan is offering the CNG retrofitment kit at an MRP of INR 71,999, a price resulting from the recent GST rate reduction from 28 percent to 18 percent. This price has been effective since 22 September 2025 and remains unchanged despite the upgrade.

The retrofitment kit is available across 13 states in India through authorised Nissan retrofitment centres. The programme was initially launched across seven states and has since expanded to six more, including Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “We are delighted to take another step forward in our CNG journey with the expansion of the retrofitment program to the New Nissan Magnite BR10 EZ-Shift (AMT). This agile and quick development reflects our continued focus on customer needs, combining Nissan’s engineering excellence with affordability and convenience. The new fuel-lid integration and reduced kit price make the ownership experience even more seamless and rewarding. We remain committed to offering practical, value-driven mobility solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen our brand’s trust.”

The New Nissan Magnite is also offered with a 10-year Extended Warranty Plan and has a 5-star rating in overall passenger safety from GNCAP.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology across its Nexon lineup, which was also the top-selling model in the country last month.

The Nexon SUV was the first car in the country to receive a 5-star safety rating and holds dual 5-star ratings from both GNCAP and BNCAP. The addition of ADAS features is intended to offer a higher level of safety.

 Tata Motors has introduced the exclusive Red Dark edition, available in petrol, diesel and CNG powertrains, starting at INR 1.24 million. The ADAS features are included in the new Fearless +PS DCA ADAS persona, priced at INR 1.35 million (ex-showroom, Pune).

The new Red #DARK edition pricing (ex-showroom, Pune) is as follows: Petrol MT at INR 1.24 million, Petrol DCA with ADAS INR 1.38 million, CNG MT at INR 1.33 million, Diesel MT at INR 1.35 million and Diesel AMT at INR 1.41 million.

The ADAS suite offers safety technologies that are designed to enhance driver awareness and help prevent potential collisions. Key features include: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Centering System (LCS).

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “Since its debut in 2017, the Nexon has redefined the SUV segment with its bold design, thrilling performance, and uncompromised safety. As India’s first car to pioneer the safety revolution, the Nexon has set new benchmarks in vehicle safety. Building on this strong foundation, the Nexon has become the No. 1 selling car in India in September 2025 — a major milestone that reflects the trust and preference of customers across the country. As part of this celebration, we are introducing the Red #DARK Edition and expanding the Nexon portfolio with advanced safety technologies. With a wide range of powertrains, segment-leading features, and striking styling, the Nexon continues to cater to every lifestyle. The recent GST amendments further strengthen its value proposition, making it the unanimous choice of Indian customers. This milestone reinforces our commitment to delivering products that embody progress, performance, and purpose, while evolving to meet the aspirations of modern Indian customers.”

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