In this issue

Autocar Professional’s March 15, 2023, issue is out

This 64-pager is power packed with news, features, interviews and technology articles that will keep you up to date on developments in the Indian and global automotive sector.

The highlight of the issue is about the inclusiveness of women in the automotive ecosystem. We bring an insight from six top industry influencers.

Newswatch

Know the story behind Minda Corp’s acquisition of stake in Pricol. Was it an investment decision or hostile business tactic?

GM Talegaon: Hyundai looking at defunct plant as it plans extra capacity for exports.

Interviews

S Ravikumar, Chief Business Development Officer at Bajaj Auto on new business opportunities and partnerships.

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, on what it takes to be a leader.

Companywatch

How TVS Motors is looking at Ronin as a potential superstar brand.

Market analysis

Detailed look at all-sector and EV sales in February 2023.

Deliveries of Suzuki Jimny from May

SLATED TO GO on sale in May 2023, bookings for the fourth generation SUV are underway and ahead of its launch, Autocar India has revealed fresh details on the production and allocation of Maruti Suzuki's sub-four-meter off-roader.

1 min

Hero MotoCorp, Zero Motorcycles to make premium e-motorcycles

THE CALIFORNIA-BASED manufacturer of premium electric motorcycles and powertrains, with whom Hero had first announced a partnership and equity investment on September 29, 2022, have signed agreements to collaborate on premium electric motorcycles.

1 min

ACMAAtmanirbhar Excellence Awards announced for SMEs

AT THE EIGHTH ACMA Atmanirbhar Excellence Awards and Technology Summit, organised by apex industry body Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) earlier in the month, 68 auto component manufacturers were awarded the ACMA Atmanirbhar Excellence Awards for their excellence in manufacturing, sustainable business, digitisation, localisation, and exports for CY22.

1 min

Citroen India to use Kamarajar Port in Ennore for C3 SUVASEAN exports

CITROEN INDIA, PART of the Stellantis Group has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kamarajar Port (KPL) to commence its export programme from India.

1 min

Tata Motors joins the 5-million production Club

Tata Motors' passenger vehicle division has recorded a new milestone - production of five million units.

1 min

Wuling Air is MG Comet for India

BUILDING ON ITS nearly century-old legacy of producing iconic automobiles, MG Motor India today announced the name of its upcoming Smart EV as 'Comet'.

1 min

Women power at Ashok Leyland's new engine assembly line at Hosur plant

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE manufacturer Ashok Leyland has set up a new engine assembly line, which is managed entirely by 80 highly skilled women technicians at its Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu.

1 min

Hopes rise for GM Talegaon deal

Hyundai Motors signs term sheet for possible purchase of GM Talegaon plant assets, but erstwhile workers settlement issue is also critical for a successful outcome. A report by Ketan Thakkar.

3 mins

WOMEN WITH DRIVE

Autocar Professionals special virtual conference-Women to Watch: Paving the way for higher inclusion-ignited a sparkling discussion on the current level of diversity in the automotive industry and possible measures that companies can take to enhance women's participation across functions. Divya Subramaniam tunes in.

10+ mins

Tata Motors' flagship SUVs made by all-women team in Pune plant

A dedicated team of 1,500 young women are the smiling faces behind the production of Indian automaker Tata Motors' flagship Harrier and Safari SUVs. Mayank Dhingra visited the Pune plant to learn more.

6 mins

'I aim to be not just India's, but Asia's first woman on a two-wheeler at Dakar'

Aishwarya Pissay, TVS Racing's first woman factory racer, is a six-time Indian National Rally Championship winner. The Bengaluru-based motorcycle champion says it takes grit, guts, and gumption to shine in the world of motorsport. An interview by Mayank Dhingra.

6 mins

'I set out on the journey with a vision to offer a world-class product'

Madhumita Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of EV start-up Oben Electric that makes 2W talks to Amit Vijay M about being a leader and shares details of her personal journey as a successful entrepreneur.

3 mins

'Start-ups and conglomerates are creating space for women to join'

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Vice Chairperson, Kinetic Engineering and Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green and Power Solutions aims to have the entire E2W assembly run by women. Amit Vijay M reports.

2 mins

Firing on all cylinders

February 2023 auto retails rose 16 percent, and all the five segments recorded double-digit growth ahead of festive March. Ajit Dalvi deep dives into the market to file this report.

7 mins

India's EV sales go into overdrive

Electric vehicle sales have charged past 1,00,000 units for the fifth month in a row in February and a million units in FY2023's first 11 months. Ajit Dalvi takes the number-crunching route for this report.

4 mins

TVS Motor goes in for an all-new brand image strategy

Besides tapping the virtually-uncharted 225cc-350cc Indian motorcycle segment, the company aims to transform itself into a motorcycling brand by focusing on experiences, writes Mayank Dhingra.

5 mins

'We will not tie ourselves technology down to any or any single partner'

SRavi Kumar, President, business development at Bajaj Auto sees strong R&D and an open mind with like-minded partners as the key to successfully move forward. Ketan Thakkar has the story.

8 mins

'India is and will continue to play a significant role for BorgWarner going forward'

Christofer J Lanker, Vice President and General Manager, Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems, Asia, BorgWarner spoke with Amit Vijay M about the company's global and India plans.

4 mins

"The journey of F77 has been inspired by automotive and aerospace expertise in software"

Ultraviolette Automotive plans to raise US$120 million for its global expansion plans and to support its ongoing vehicle platform development, writes Amit Vijay M.

6 mins

'We are working on adapting technologies and moulding them for the Indian market'

Continental India is looking at FY24 as a special year as it offers opportunities to spur growth in India's automotive ecosytem. Amit Vijay M speaks with CEO Prashanth Doreswamy to learn more.

5 mins

Matter ready to launch geared e-motorcycle range

Pre-bookings open in a few weeks, the market introduction of the Aera range of the electric two-wheelers will begin with two variants with introductory prices starting at Rs 1.44 lakh, writes Chandan B Mallik.

2 mins

Lumax and IAC to co-develop integrated solutions for OEMs

The Tier-1 component supplier is aiming to diversify into passenger and commercial vehicle segments as well as leverage IAC India's engineering competencies. Mayank Dhingra delves into the new partnership.

4 mins

Honda Cars to bank on SUVs and refreshed models for India 600

The Japanese carmaker will enter the midsize SUV segment in mid-CY2023 and aims to add one new model to its portfolio every year, starting this year, report Ketan Thakkar and Mayank Dhingra.

3 mins

It's just a normal day at business

Industry stakeholders think Minda Corp acquired Pricol shares in a hostile takeover bid as the latter is its largest rival in the two-wheeler instrument cluster business. Report by Shahkar Abidi.

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.