Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari unveiled the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) in New Delhi for vehicles up to 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight on 22 August 2023. The regulation will be effective from 01 October 2023 in the interest of pushing the safety and quality of vehicles in India. 

The new regulation, which will apply majorly to passenger vehicles, is expected to promote healthy competition among OEMs to manufacture safer vehicles. The motoring public is expected to tangibly benefit from the same.  

With Euro NCAP and other NCAP safety ratings being cited to promote the safety of their vehicles by Indian manufacturers lately, the Bharat NCAP regulation – AIS 197 – is expected to safeguard the lives of the Indian citizens and push the auto industry in the country towards becoming a key automotive manufacturing hub in the world.  

Applicable to type approved motor vehicles of M1 category and voluntary in the sense that the base variants of a given model shall be tested, the new regulation should help the vehicle buyers to make an informed decision, thereby presenting an opportunity to OEMs to manufacture vehicles of global safety standards. 
The programme will be anchored by Pune-based Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) and has been engineered through stakeholder consultations. 

Gadkari spoke at the launch of the new regulation that it would empower consumers to be able to make a better choice for buying safer cars. “The new safety regime under BHARAT NCAP and AIS-197 is a mutual win-win for manufacturers and consumers,” the union minister added.  

The jury is out there to welcome the new, much awaited safety regulations by the Indian Government in the wake of the fatal accidents being reported by various news organisations recently – some of them having taken place on key, modern highways of the country such as the Samruddhi Marg and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.  

It would be worth watching out if the Bharat NCAP norms match some of the most stringent safety norms in the world such as the Euro NCAP, expressed an industry observer. On par with some of the most stringent safety norms found in other countries of the world such as the European Union will ensure a much-needed uplift in road safety in India and help the Indian auto industry take yet another big step towards aligning with some of the finest manufacturing practices in the world,” he added. 

Welcoming the launch of Bharat NCAP regulation by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA said, “The launch of BNCAP protocol is indeed historic. It will lead to the integration of advanced safety features in vehicles thus minimising the risk of road accidents and fatalities. This initiative will not only bolster the auto component industry’s value chain but will also stimulate the production of cutting-edge components, encourage innovation and create global excellence. We anticipate a safer automotive landscape and a future where Indian auto component manufacturers thrive on the global stage, while also contributing to responsible driving practices, reduced healthcare burdens and potential incentives from the insurance sector. The Indian auto component industry embraces this initiative wholeheartedly, recognising its pivotal role in driving growth and global competitiveness”. 

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German automotive luxury brand BMW India and BMW Motorrad India have opened pre-orders for the ‘100 Jahre Nurburgring’ edition vehicles to mark the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Nurburgring racetrack in 2027.

The limited collection includes five BMW M car models – the BMW M2 Coupé, BMW M3 Sedan, BMW M4 Coupé, BMW M5 Sedan and the BMW M5 Touring – alongside the BMW M 1000 R motorcycle. The release marks the entry of the BMW M5 Touring into the Indian market.

The edition models feature specific paint finishes in Nurburgring Green and Sapphire Black metallic with green accents, incorporating the ‘100 Years’ logo, Nurburgring since 1927 lettering and the Nurburgring circuit outline.

Exterior details include carbon fibre roofs, model-specific graphics and green wheel accents across select models, while the M5 Touring features a steel roof with custom stripes. Interior specifications across the car lineup include black leather with green and white stitching, door sills, carbon fibre trims, M Carbon bucket seats with individual upholstery, and an M Alcantara steering wheel with a 12 o'clock marker.

The BMW M 1000 R motorcycle features a painted fuel tank with the Nurburgring outline, an airbox cover with ‘one of 100’ numbering, carbon wheels with green accent stripes, an Alcantara seat with embroidered ‘100’ logos and black components for the rear swingarm and frame.

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Honda Cars India (HCIL), one of the leading manufacturers of passenger vehicles in the country, has announced its wholesales for September 2026.

The company reported total sales of 6,955 units, down 16 percent YoY, as compared to 8,296 units sold for the same period last year.

In the domestic market, the company sold 4,465 units, down 19 percent YoY, as compared to 5,503 units sold a year ago. On the exports front, the company shipped 2,490 units, down 11 percent YoY, as compared to 2,793 units last year.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, We are pleased to see positive sales momentum for the Honda City and Honda Amaze during the month. We are also gearing up for the launch of new Elevate, which will further strengthen our SUV offering with a refreshed and enhanced package. With the festive season underway and an exciting product introduction ahead, we look forward to building stronger momentum in the coming months.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported its best-ever monthly wholesale performance of 32,017 units in September 2026, representing a 41 percent increase compared to 22,700 units sold last year.

For Q3 of CY2026, the company recorded sales of 89,259 units, reflecting a 38.5 percent growth over 64,443 units for the same period last year.

In terms of YTD (January – September 2026) cumulative sales reached 253,008 units, marking a 22.5 percent increase from 206,582 units reported during the corresponding period in 2025.

Kia India attributed the robust performance to healthy demand across its portfolio incuding Seltos and Sonet models, alongside contributions from the Carens, Carens Clavis, Clavis EV, Syros EV and Sorento, which is offered in diesel and hybrid powertrain options. The company's powertrain options now span petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid, and electric configurations across its product range.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, said, "Our strong performance in September and across the third quarter reflects the continued trust of our customers and the strength of Kia’s evolving portfolio. The Seltos and Sonet continue to be key contributors to our growth, while the strong response to the Sorento and Syros EV reinforces our strategy of expanding into new segments and powertrain categories in line with evolving customer aspirations. As mobility needs become increasingly diverse, we are focused on providing meaningful choice across conventional, CNG, hybrid and electric powertrains, supported by ownership solutions that address real customer needs. We remain committed to building on this momentum through distinctive products, advanced technologies and differentiated experiences designed around the needs of Indian customers."

At present, Kia India operates a retail and service network comprising 915 touchpoints across 425 cities, alongside 137 certified pre-owned outlets across the country.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported its total wholesales of 28,218 units in September 2026, comprising 25,027 units sold in the domestic market and 3,191 units exported.

For the YTD period (January – September 2026), the automaker reported cumulative total sales of 294,914 units, representing an 8 percent increase compared to 272,824 units sold last year.

Domestic sales for the 9-month period rose 9 percent to 269,619 units, up from 247,081 units in the previous year, while exports reached 25,295 units, compared to 25,743 units a year ago.

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "September witnessed continued customer interest across segments, supported by our focus on quality, durability and reliability. As we enter the festive season, we remain committed to strengthening customer engagement and working closely with our dealer partners to deliver enhanced mobility experiences and address evolving customer needs."

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