In this issue

Autocar Professional’s February 01, 2023, issue is out

This 72-pager is power packed with news, features, interviews that will keep you up to date on developments in the Indian and global automotive sector.

Cover Story

Indian component makers are becoming an important supply source for global markets.

Event

India’s biennial Auto Expo is back and we have all the details of the big announcements, unveils, vision statements, business focus, trends, start-ups and much more. We also tell you why this event was significant despite the absence of several automakers and almost no presence of ICE two-wheelers.

Interviews

Interaction with domestic and global manufacturers of components, ICE, powertrains, EVs and many more.

Trends

EV plans of several traditional ICE brands.

Policy

Big expectations from government’s 2023 Budget by automotive industry.

Technology

How Cummins is making successful use of hydrogen in ICE engines.

Sundram Fasteners bags $250 million export order for EV sub-assemblies

SUNDRAM FASTENERS, ONE of the largest suppliers to OEMs and automakers globally, has won the biggest EV contract in its 60-year history.

1 min

GM CEO dragged in Talegaon case

MARY BARRA, GLOBAL CEO of the US carmaker General Motors has been included in a legal case by General Motors Employees Union of Talegaon plant, who have been engaged with the Indian subsidiary in a lengthy legal tussle that is yet to find any breakthrough.

1 min

Gogoro, Belrise in $2.5 billion battery swapping infra for Maharashtra

THE GOVERNMENT OF Maharashtra has announced a strategic energy partnership with Taiwan's Gogoro Inc and Belrise Industries (erstwhile Badve Engineering) to set up battery swapping infrastructure in the state.

1 min

All-time high Porsche India sales

PORSCHE INDIA EXPERIENCED its best sales in 2022, the highest ever since it started its operations in the country back in 2004.

1 min

Top sales and marketing heads at Skoda Auto India quit their jobs

THE HEAD OF SALES, Ajay Raghuvanshi and head of marketing of Skoda India, Tarun Jha have put in their papers, say people in the know.

1 min

Manasi Tata appointed as Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar

A FIFTH-GENERATION scion of the Kirloskar empire, Manasi Tata, daughter of Late Vikram Kirloskar has been elevated as the Vice Chairperson of Tata Kirloskar Motors (TKM).

1 min

Suzuki to launch six EVs by 2030

The Japanese auto major will invest Rs 2.82 lakh crore till the end of decade with an aim to double turnover to Rs 4.39 lakh crore. 50 percent of this is aimed at carbon-neutral technologies, writes Ketan Thakkar.

3 mins

ARAI Chakan to test,homogolate and certify hydrogen vehicles

The testing agency will host India's first and largest clean energy vehicle testing facility, says Amit Vijay M

3 mins

Toyota taps Lexus chief as CEO, Akio Toyoda becomes chairman

In a high-profile executive shuffle, Lexus and Gazoo Racing boss Koji Sato will take over as Toyota CEO with effect from April, while Akio Toyoda becomes the company's new chairman, writes Charlie Martin.

2 mins

Bajaj Chetak EV to ride into European markets in 2024

Bajaj Chetak, India's iconic ICE scooter that was reborn in 2020 as an EV brand will be marketed in Europe from 2024 by KTM, the Austrian partner of Bajaj Auto, writes Amit Vijay M.

2 mins

Auto industry expects friendly Budget for EVs and ICE from FM

The 2023-24 budget is critical to the sustenance of growth for the Indian auto industry and for the shift towards zero emission vehicles, the industry is hopeful of a favourable budget, Amit Vijay M reports.

3 mins

EVS, H2, sustainable concepts dominated India's auto show

The AutoExpo 2023 made a comeback with flash and flair. There was noticeable shift from fossil fuels and ICE, focus on future connectivity and sustainable mobility. Report by Shruti Mishra.

2 mins

'Small cars will continue to have an important role in India's future'

The automaker has aggressive product plans, especially in SUVs, where it is a little behind due to delayed product launches. At a select media roundtable during his recent visit to India, the President shared more details where Autocar Professional was present.

7 mins

Ramping up EV portfolio for India

Hyundai Motor India is eyeing the Number One position in EVs and its aggressive future product plans include a wide range of EVs ranging from small cars to big SUVs, writes Hormazd Sorabjee.

3 mins

'Definitely, in the year 2025 two (Kia) EV models will be locally manufactured here'

With plans to grow by 10 percent in 2023, Kia Motors plans to expand annual capacity to 4.2 to 4.5 lakh units in the next two or three years. Hormazd Sorabjee and Ketan Thakkar spoke with Tae Jin Park, Managing Director of Kia India about the South Korean automotive brand's India plans.

5 mins

Tata Motors to launch 10 new products in 24-36 months

Incremental volumes from new products may help India's largest automobile company by revenues drive ahead of Hyundai as India's second-largest carmaker, writes Ketan Thakkar.

2 mins

'The founding principle of Toyota is to set the price first'

Toyota Kirloskar Motor anticipates robust sales growth in 2023 on the back of recent hybrid launches like the Hyryder SUV and the Innova Hycross, write Hormazd Sorabjee and Ketan Thakkar.

3 mins

India set to become Lexus' biggest APAC market in 2023

Toyota's premium luxury car brand set to ride rising demand curve in India on the back of new model introductions, expanded retail network and enhanced customer experience, writes Ketan Thakkar.

3 mins

Greaves eyes alliances with global powertrain majors

Diesel engine maker Greaves Cotton has plans to be a full-service electric mobility player. As part of its backward integration plan, the company will invest in powertrains, write Amit Vijay Mand Ketan Thakkar.

4 mins

India Components Inc shows EV readiness at Auto Expo 2023

From pistons to ICE powertrains and everything in between, Indian suppliers are getting future-ready with components for EVs and their efforts were on display at Auto Expo 2023, writes Mayank Dhingra.

5 mins

Tata AutoComp goes local to make EVs affordable

The group has lined up Rs 2,500 crore investment to become a full service parts supplier for EVs in India barring battery cells. Ketan Thakkar and Shruti Mishra have the details.

4 mins

Riding the H2 wave with ICE

Cummins aims to make India global manufacturing hub of hydrogen ICE engines, writes Shruti Mishra

4 mins

'Over 90 percent of what we produce in India is localised'

Ashwath Ram, Managing Director of Cummins India thinks China plus one strategy works as it offers a rare opportunity to attract business by means of ease of doing business and provide them with high quality, tech-oriented products. He shared more on this with Shruti Mishra.

6 mins

It's not all over yet for ICE component makers: Mahle

Amidst rising EV sales, Mahle expects India to serve global internal combustion needs while keeping an eye on opportunities in e-mobility sector. Shahkar Abidi and Ketan Thakkar bring the details.

5 mins

Wooing big ticket investors for new age clean energy business

Anand Group has launched AnEVolve, a clean tech platform. The group is looking for strategic partners and PE investors to help fund further expansion, write Ketan Thakkar and Shruti Mishra.

4 mins

Uno Minda EV orders swell to Rs 980 crore in FY23

During FY22, the auto components supplier secured orders of more than Rs 400 crore of peak annual sales value from these new age OEMs, writes Shruti Mishra.

2 mins

'We don't expect the internal combustion engine to go away'

Ketan Thakkar

5 mins

Hexall Motors eyes 50% of Delhi NCR e-comm and logistics biz

The Delhi-based EV firm is confident that it can achieve a turnover of Rs 800 to 1,200 crore within 12 months of business operations. Amit Vijay M meets the promoters to find out more.

3 mins

Varroc aims to be debt-free by '25

With a sharper focus on product portfolio, customers and geographies, Aurangabad-based auto component major hopes to scale its previous peak of Rs 12,000 crore in the next three years. Ketan Thakkar reports.

2 mins

Brakes India develops new parking brake unit

THE RS 5,000 crore revenue TSF Group used the platform of the Auto Expo 2023 - Components Show to showcase the latest development by its wholly-owned company, Chennai-based Brakes India.

1 min

Continental India to introduce low cost ABS for 100cc bikes in H2 2023

GERMAN TIER-1 MAJOR Continental Automotive, had introduced its cost-effective, single-channel ABS solution called miniMAB for two-wheelers in 125cc to 200cc two-wheeler segment in India in 2019.

1 min

'India is on the cusp of a take-off in the luxury car market'

Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice President, Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, shares his brand's vision for the country with Ketan Thakkar.

4 mins

Honda planning e-version of Activa scooter for 2024 launch

The Japanese two-wheeler major is also bullish about growth in two-wheelers in FY2023-24 and has technically upgraded the ICE Activa before the April deadline. Mayank Dhingra and Shruti Mishra reports.

5 mins

Royal Enfield accelerates EV play

With plans of investing $100-150 million, the development work on a dedicated platform codenamed 'L' has begun and the new EV Project Head Umesh Krishnappa aims to deliver by 2024, writes Ketan Thakkar.

4 mins

Finding the right balance

For carmakers, finding the sweet spot in pricing in a value-conscious buyer's market can be a daunting task, especially when business rivalry takes an aggressive turn, writes Manobhava Baruah.

2 mins

GoMechanic accused of fudging accounts for financial gains

The seven-year-old start-up has acknowledged financial misconduct to artificially inflate company valuations in a bid to raise more capital. Mayank Dhingra traces the rise and fall of the service provider.

3 mins

Endurance bets on after market business outperformance

Endurance Technologies expects aftermarket segment potential to touch $100 million in three to five years and the multiproduct manufacture is aming for a slice of it, write Shahkar Abidi and Ketan Thakkar.

3 mins

Organised sector to power used car sales to 7m units by 2027

Used car sales in India are beginning to pick-up as consumers find more confidence in dealing with organised sector. Shruti Mishra reports on a recent OLX-Autocar industry webinar.

5 mins

Read all stories from Autocar Professional

Autocar Professional Magazine Description:

Autocar Professional is India’s leading automotive B2B fortnightly. Its in-depth analysis of the Indian automobile and components business is a must-read for industry personnel. It is circulated among key industry executives and decision-makers, and provides news, incisive interviews and accurate vehicle sales and production data. Its ability to spot and forecast trends has made it a strategic tool for auto professionals. The pages of Autocar Professional have emerged as a platform for the stakeholders of the Indian auto industry to showcase and share their ideas and vision.