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”.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Sells 28,869 Passenger Vehicles In June 2026
- By MT Bureau
- July 01, 2026
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesales for June 2026.
The company reported sales of 31,016 units, up 7 percent YoY, as compared to 28,869 units for the same period last year. This includes 28,441 units sold in the domestic market and 2,575 units exported.
For H1 CY2026, the company’s wholesale sales grew by 15 percent YoY to 201,338 units.
For the period from January to June 2026, the company recorded total sales of 201,338 units, reflecting 15% growth over the same period in 2025.
Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are encouraged with the positive sales performance in the month of June driven by continued market momentum and a clear focus on customer-centricity. The recently introduced New Innova Crysta with its premium styling and bold new design elements has received an encouraging response for its distinctive appeal and compelling value proposition. Our focus remains on enhancing market presence through high-quality products, value-added services and offering peace of mind, serving as key drivers of growth in the coming months.”
Skoda Auto India Sells 38,894 Vehicles In H1 CY2026
- By MT Bureau
- July 01, 2026
Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has announced its wholesale sales of 38,894 units in the first half of CY2026, which marks a 7.5 percent YoY increase.
During the year, the company expanded its network to 340 touchpoints and launched the Skoda Express Care service programme. Furthermore, the company’s fleet – comprising the Slavia, Kushaq, Kylaq, Kodiaq and Octavia RS – set a record for a multi-car relay on a circuit at the CoASTT track in Coimbatore, recording a total lap time of 12:30.97.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “Our record half-yearly sales reflect the growing confidence and trust customers place in the Skoda brand. In 2026, we have strengthened this connection through a focused product offensive, customer-first initiatives, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The demand for the new Kushaq, updated Kodiaq, and the all-new Kodiaq RS, which sold out in just six minutes, highlights strong market momentum, while the Kylaq continues to drive volumes and the Slavia reinforces our sedan legacy. We remain focused on delivering differentiated products, transparent communication, and a delightful ownership experience to support sustainable long-term growth in India.”
JSW MG Motor India Reports 7,568 Units Wholesales For June 2026
- By MT Bureau
- July 01, 2026
JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported wholesales of 7,568 units in June 2026, marking a 30 percent YoY increase, as compared to 5,829 units sold last year.
Interestingly, electric vehicles accounted for over 75 percent of the company’s total sales during the month. The company also announced the commencement of deliveries for the MG Majestor, a D+ segment SUV.
Anurag Mehrotra, MD, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Our June performance reflects steady demand across the portfolio and marks our highest-ever wholesale performance, with electric vehicles continuing to account for a significant share of our overall sales. At the same time, we are seeing encouraging customer response to our ICE offerings, reinforcing the strength of our diverse product portfolio. We sincerely thank our customers for their continued trust in our brand. As we move forward, we remain committed to introducing advanced, new-age mobility solutions that meet the evolving aspirations of Indian car buyers.”
Kia India Expands Seltos Lineup With New GTX (O) & X-Line (O) Variants
- By MT Bureau
- July 01, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has expanded its popular Seltos SUV line-up with the introduction of the GTX(O) and X-Line(O) variants at prices starting INR 2.15 million.
The new variants feature the ADAS F+ package, which includes 28 safety functions such as Front Collision-Avoidance Assist, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, and Highway Driving Assist. The vehicles are equipped with technology including the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), Kia Connect 2.0, a head-up display, an air purifier with AQI display and a dual-camera dashcam.
Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Kia India, said, "The Seltos has consistently evolved with changing customer expectations while remaining NS of Kia's strongest products in India. Its recent secured 5-Star Bharat NCAP safety rating, emerging as India's highest-scoring ICE vehicle to date reaffirmed the engineering strength and customer focus behind the vehicle, setting a new benchmark for safety in the segment. With the introduction of the GTX(O) & X-Line(O), we are further strengthening the All-New Seltos proposition by bringing together our most comprehensive suite of advanced safety, connectivity and premium convenience features in one offering, further enhancing the premium appeal of Seltos that continues to set benchmarks in design, space and technology."
The Seltos is built on the K3 platform and is offered with turbo petrol and diesel powertrain options. Since its launch, the model has recorded sales exceeding 10,000 units per month.
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