Data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) show a modest uptick in Year-over-Year (YoY) exports in the passenger vehicle (PV) segment despite a slight slump in domestic sales volumes. 

The category representing passenger vehicles, utility vehicles and vans cumulatively recorded 61,929 units being exported in July 2024 compared to 59,594 units in July 2023. Domestic sales volume, however, stood at 2,96,785 units in 2024 compared to 3,02,727 units a year earlier. 

Nonetheless, the production volumes within the PV segment witnessed a YoY uptick with 3,97,854 units manufactured in July 2024 compared to 3,93,094 units a year ago.

Maruti Suzuki India clinched top place for exports in utility vehicles and van while Hyundai Motor India was the frontrunner in the passenger car segment in July 2024. 

Hyundai Motor India exported 12, 297 units (passenger cars) while Maruti Suzuki India shipped off 13,694 units (utility vehicles) and 651 units (vans), respectively. The latter also cliched the second place in passenger car exports with 9,551 units. 

This trend saw a flip in domestic sales with Maruti Suzuki clinching top spot. It sold 69,245 units (passenger car) during July 2024 compared to 16,037 units of Hyundai Motor India. In the utility vehicle and van category Maruti Suzuki sold 56,302 and 11,916 units compared to 16,037 units of Hyundai Motor India. 

India’s three-wheeler market showcased mixed growth in July 2024, as highlighted by SIAM’s latest report. Overall production rose to 90,505 units, marking a 6.1 percent increase compared to July 2023. Bajaj Auto Ltd. led the segment, with production growing by 18 percent to 56,085 units, driven by robust domestic sales of 37,852 units and steady exports.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. saw a notable shift in its passenger carrier segment, with a production decline to 1,384 units in July 2024 from 3,275 units a year earlier. However, the company’s e-rickshaw segment gained momentum, producing 1,606 units, a 19 percent dip from 2023, but still showing resilience.

In goods carriers, production across manufacturers slightly dipped to 8,721 units, down from 9,654 in July 2023, despite Bajaj Auto’s growth in this subsegment. 

The two-wheeler industry displayed robust growth in July 2024. The sector’s production soared by 21 percent YoY, reaching 19,48,223 units, compared to 16,08,414 units in July 2023. This growth was led by the scooter segment, which surged 41.2 percent to 6,54,748 units. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India and TVS Motor Company were the primary drivers, reflecting strong demand across urban and semi-urban markets.

The motorcycle segment also recorded healthy growth, with production increasing by 12.8 percent to 12,49,903 units. Bajaj Auto Ltd and Hero MotoCorp Ltd maintained their leadership positions, contributing significantly to this expansion. TVS Motor Company Ltd further solidified its presence, with gains across scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds. Notably, mopeds saw a 19 percent rise in production to 43,572 units, highlighting their continued relevance in certain markets.

Domestic sales remained strong, with the two-wheeler market clocking 14,41,694 units, up from 12,82,054 units in July 2023. Scooters and motorcycles were the top performers, with domestic sales of 5,53,642 units and 8,50,489 units, respectively. 

On the export front, the sector experienced a 7.8 percent rise, reaching 3,24,908 units. Yamaha Motor India and TVS Motor Company led this growth, showcasing the increasing global appeal of Indian two-wheelers.

Overall, the two-wheeler industry continues to thrive, driven by strong domestic demand and a solid export performance, reinforcing its critical role in India’s automotive landscape.

Commenting on July-2024 performance, SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said, “In July 2024, passenger vehicle segment de-grew by (-)2.5 percent compared to July 2023, posting a sales of about 3.42 lakh units. Three-wheelers posted a growth of 5.1 percent compared to July last year, with sales of 0.59 Lakh units in July 2024, which is close to the peak of 2018-19. Two-wheeler segment also posted a decent growth of 12.5 percent in July 2024 as compared to July 2023, with sales of 14.42 Lakh units”.

Commenting on sales data of July 2024, SIAM President Vinod Aggarwal said, “Though three-wheeler and two-wheeler segments are performing well, there has been some de-growth of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles in July 2024, compared to July 2023. The above average rainfall coupled with upcoming festive season is likely to again propel growth in the short term. In addition, enabling budget announcements which emphasises on overall economic growth with fiscal support for infrastructure and rural sector should augur well for the automobile sector in the medium term.”

Photo: Prateek Karandikar (Wikimedia Commons)

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced the return of the BE 6 Batman Edition, a themed electric SUV developed in association with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. The decision to reopen bookings follows the initial launch, where 999 units were sold in 135 seconds.

The EV available at INR 2.84 million is based on the top-end Pack Three 79 kWh variant of the BE 6. This second release provides a window for customers who missed the previous allocation. Priority for deliveries will be granted to new bookings referred by existing owners of the original 999 units.

The BE 6 Batman Edition incorporates design motifs from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. The exterior features a satin black colour with alchemy gold accents on the suspension and brake callipers. It sits on R20 alloy wheels.

External features include:

• Badging: BE 6 × The Dark Knight rear badging and signature stickers on door cladding.
• Emblems: The Bat emblem is placed on hub caps, quarter panels, bumpers, and windows.
• Lighting: Carpet lamps projecting the Bat emblem.
• Roof: An Infinity Roof featuring trilogy-inspired graphics.

On the inside, it gets a brushed alchemy gold Batman Edition plaque and pinstripe graphics on the dashboard. Suede and leather seating with gold sepia stitching and embossed emblems upholstery. Emblems on the ‘Boost’ button and custom detailing on the steering wheel and key fob. A digital themed welcome animation on the infotainment system and custom exterior engine sounds.

For customers interested in purchasing the limited-edition model, Mahindra has outlined the specific schedule for the procurement process:

• 6 March 2026: "Add Your Preference" window opens on the official website.
• 10 March 2026: Bookings commence at 11:00 AM for a 24-hour period.
• 10 April 2026: Commencement of vehicle deliveries.

Mahindra stated that the reopening of bookings is a response to demand across social media platforms. The technical architecture remains identical to the high-performance BE 6 electric platform, utilising the 79 kWh battery system for range and power delivery.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the commencement of Phase II of its ‘Buckle Up’ road safety initiative. The project is conducted in partnership with The Social Lab Foundation (TSL) and is supported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

The second phase was inaugurated by Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, at Transport Bhawan. As part of the launch, Kia India and TSL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the programme’s geographic reach into Delhi-NCR and Uttarakhand over the next two years.

Phase I, which ran from February 2024 to February 2026, focused on Gurugram in collaboration with local traffic police. Key outcomes included the installation of 750 crash barriers at high-risk locations and road safety education for 32,000 students across 100 schools.

Phase II (April 2026 – March 2028) shifts focus toward older students and expanded infrastructure. The programme aims to engage 20,000 students across 100 colleges using driving simulators and experiential modules to demonstrate real-world risks.

The initiative combines physical safety installations with behavioural training. Future infrastructure work includes placing additional crash barriers along the Delhi-Uttarakhand highway and in Gurgaon.

Key programme components for Phase II include:

• Simulated Training: Use of advanced driving simulators to teach safer driving behaviours to college students.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Continued installation of safety barriers in high-risk zones.
• Awareness Campaigns: Integrated on-ground and digital engagement programmes.
• Geographic Expansion: Operations extending across Delhi-NCR and Uttarakhand.

Ajay Tamta, said, “Securing CMVR Type Approval for the Urbanova KE9 is a defining milestone for Keto Motors. This certification reinforces our commitment to delivering dependable, high-performance electric mobility solutions designed specifically for Indian roads and fleet operators. With approvals in place, we are now focused on accelerating customer deployments and supporting India’s transition toward clean, zero-emission public transport.”

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “At Kia India, safety is a fundamental pillar of our mobility vision, extending beyond our vehicles to the communities we serve. ‘Buckle Up’ reflects our long-term commitment to creating safer mobility ecosystems through infrastructure enhancement and sustained behavioural change initiatives. With Phase II, we are scaling our efforts to reach young and first-time drivers while strengthening on-ground safety interventions. Through this initiative, we are proud to support the Government of India’s vision of safer roads and contribute meaningfully towards building a stronger culture of road safety across communities.”

Apoorva Sharma, Executive Director, TSL Foundation, added, “Our collaboration with Kia India in Phase I laid a strong operational foundation through targeted infrastructure and school-level engagement. With Phase II, we are building on these learnings to scale the programme across new geographies and age groups, further strengthening its impact through structured, experiential road safety interventions.”

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Zenvo Automotive, a manufacturer of limited-edition hypercars based in Præstø, Denmark, has appointed Mark Harrison as its new Chief Commercial Officer, bringing in a seasoned expert from the premium and performance car sector. His arrival marks a significant step in the company’s ambitious growth strategy as it prepares for the final development phase of its highly anticipated V12 Aurora hypercar. Harrison will oversee all commercial operations, including sales, marketing, public relations, global events and the expansion of the dealer network, working closely with the established leadership team comprising Chairman Jens Sverdrup, Chief Technical Officer Jon Gunner and Design Director Christian Brandt.

With three decades of industry experience, Harrison joins Zenvo from Praga Cars, having previously held influential management roles at McLaren Automotive and BMW Group, including its MINI division. His comprehensive understanding of the luxury automotive landscape is expected to be instrumental as the company moves towards the Aurora’s launch. Harrison’s appointment reinforces the management structure during this critical period, ensuring the commercial strategy aligns with the final engineering and design efforts to bring the new hypercar to market.

Jens Sverdrup, Chairman, Zenvo Automotive, said, “It is great to welcome Mark to the team, and to benefit from his experience and insight of the industry. We have known each other for many years, and our professional paths have crossed on several occasions, so I know first-hand what an impact he will be able to make. We are at an exciting part of the programme, and this appointment also highlights, once again, the talent that this project is attracting as we gear up for the launch of Aurora.”

Harrison said, “It’s really exciting to join Zenvo’s team and help bring to market a truly exceptional car in both its design and technical specification. I have admired the brand since the Aurora was announced and especially how the programme is pushing the boundaries in such a competitive sector. I have shared offices, showrooms, show stands and factories with great teams wherever I have worked, but this will be my first V12. I feel privileged to now have an opportunity to work together with this strong and passionate team helping bring this stunning car to market later this year.”

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Renault has unveiled the name of its latest show-car, the Bridger Concept, as part of its continued international expansion. This model serves as a precursor to a forthcoming production vehicle, specifically an urban SUV designed with new dimensions to accommodate the evolving needs of city-dwelling families.

The Bridger Concept stands out with its bold and robust design, featuring surprisingly compact proportions. Measuring under four metres in length, it maximises interior space, demonstrating that a smaller footprint does not necessitate a compromise on roominess. The name itself, derived from the English word ‘bridge’, was chosen for its connotations of strength, connection and linkage. This choice highlights the vehicle's assertive styling and reinforces the brand's commitment to fostering human connections within the cabin, a core aspect of its ‘voitures à vivre’ philosophy.

A comprehensive reveal of the Bridger Concept is scheduled for 10 March 2026. This unveiling will occur during the presentation of Renault Group's futuREady strategic plan, with the entire event being streamed live from the company's official events platform.

Explaining the thinking behind the name of the new show-car, Sylvia dos Santos, Head of Naming Strategy with Renault's Global Marketing Division, said, “With Renault Bridger, we are adding to our family of names based on English words.  This one comes from the word 'bridge', with the letters 'ER' added for identification. The name Renault Bridger is part of the same approach as the name of Renault Duster. It’s a powerful, robust and versatile name, ideal to identify our new urban SUV show-car and open a new page in our international offensive!”

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