We reveal Tata Motors’ gameplan to tackle the ongoing M&HCV crisis in India, interview Ford Motor Co’s global logistics head Stephen J Harley who talks about the need for inter-modal transport in India and on exporting the EcoSport powertrain to global plants, find out how Faurecia is gunning for a chunk of India’s emission control technologies business by 2017, and also report on trade fairs like IMTEX 2013, the Int’l Bus & UV Show at Greater Noida, and get exhibitors’ feedback on the recent ACMA Automechanika.  Plus, lots of news too.

Autocar Professional’s November 15 issue

Did you miss attending Autocar Professional’s Two-wheeler Week held in the last week of October? If you did, this mid-November issue gets you a 360-degree view of the mega conclave. From the steps that industry is taking to regain momentum to the new electrification trends and the shift in preference towards premium bikes, we have it all covered.

TVS Motor’s Sudarshan Venu gets candid about the company’s electrification strategy. It plans to launch a number of new electric two- and three-wheelers and is investing heavily. Find out how TVS is betting on a localised supply chain and renewable power to make it big.

Bajaj Auto’s Executive Director, Rakesh Sharma says EVs are a global opportunity for India but putting a number to the total vehicles electrified by next year will be a tall ask.

However, YS Guleria, Director (Sales and Marketing) of HMSI expects the going to get rough in the immediate future. Find out his fix to tackle the significant buying resistance in the entry-level two-wheeler segment.

That said, the dynamics on the other end of the spectrum- premium bikes is very different. The President of BMW Group India, Vikram Pawah sees increased demand for high-end bikes after Covid-19 in sync with the striking change in consumer mindset.

Bringing in the component industry perspective, Deepak Jain, Chairman, Lumax Group says an EV-agnostic roadmap is crucial for Auto Inc to be future-safe. He calls for a greater calibration of demand-supply dynamics.

This edition also gets you some of the recent buzzers across the auto industry.  Find out why analysts are placing big bets on Tata Motors’ EV strategy. Will expertise of group companies in the EV ecosystem give it an edge in the Indian context? Plus, find out how Mechanik TV is taking the digital route to help skill mechanics for greater reach. Plus, lots of exciting industry news.

Autocar Professional – November 1, 2021

The November 1 issue delivers comprehensive insight on the latest trends, evolving dynamics of industry and the leadership lessons going forward.

Bajaj Auto’s growth mix: Speaking exclusively to Autocar Professional, Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj stresses the importance of enhancing the mobility mix to be future-ready.  He also highlights the need for long-term visibility in government plans to fasten the pace of EV adoption in India.

The inside story: Find out why the Ford-Mahindra partnership could not move forward. A scintillating analysis that traces the course of the partnership and what led to the breakup . . .  yet again.

The Tata mantra: Tata Motors is scripting a speedy growth story as it tackles global volatility challenges and also cost control.

-  Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit- Tata Motors says, “Crises also can create opportunities.” He stresses the importance of “finding alternative ways of how we can avoid loss of scale.”

- Tata Motors’ global design head Martin Uhlarik says the “Indian market is the next big frontier for the automotive world.”

 

Changing EV dynamics: In line with its global strategy, Volvo Cars India initiates the electric transition in India. It will exit the diesel market this year and introduce its first BEV next year.

In sync with the fast-changing consumer trends, Rafiq Somani, Area Vice-President – India and South Asia Pacific, Ansys says its simulation solutions enable rapid electric and hybrid vehicle innovation at both component and system levels.

Soaring diesel prices may hasten the transition to EVs for bus operators. Amit Gupta, co-founder of gogoBus, a Gurugram-based start-up, says the cost of operation has gone up sharply in the past year and long-range electric buses may well be the key solution to travel across India.

In the news: But that’s not all. This edition also packs all the newsy highlights of the past fortnight.

Autocar Professional October 15 issue

Profitability is a complex demon and in this season of festivities we are not just celebrating Durga reining in Mahisasur but also how Auto Inc is scripting its journey towards profitability. This mid-October edition brings you the inside story from across boardrooms, corporate corners and key webinars discussing the various facets and challenges of mobility.


Stellantis India has brought together a detailed game plan for the India market. While CEO Roland Bouchara is clear about making “profitability a priority”, the company is in the process of implementing “new governance, vision, direction and a new way of working”.

Tata Motors is literally ready with a Punch to grab the festive demand in the Rs 500,000-800,000 price category. Check out our first drive report of the mini-SUV.

It’s not just the passenger vehicle segment but commercial vehicles too are seeing green shoots in terms of demand. WE speak to Akash Passey, President of VE Commercial Vehicles’ bus division.

Mahua Acharya, Convergence Energy Services’ MD and CEO, shares her perspective on the EV industry dynamics and ways to hasten up India’s transition to electric mobility.


Of partnerships and strategies
Effective leadership is one of the most deciding factors that is enabling industry to overcome Covid-scarred challenges. We bring you a detailed strategy analysis from across global auto biggies.

Plus, excerpts from key industry forums including SIAT 2021 and the E-mobility Forum.

 

New opportunities

Hyderabad-based EV infrastructure RACEnergy is developing a unique battery swapping technology for three-wheelers, customised to suit Indian conditions and requirements.

Bosch Car Service is looking to optimise the opportunity in the Indian aftermarket. We get you a detailed story on the company’s game plan.

Autocar Professional’s October 1 issue

This 64-page issue takes you through corporate boardrooms, the strategies, game-plan and touches upon the most striking developments underway as the mobility industry progresses through one of its biggest evolution phases after perhaps horses gave way to cars.  
Ford has taken the exit route but what happens to its plants in Sanand and Chennai? Our cover story analyses the situation. Yamaha India Motor Group has put together a strategically planned product portfolio for the Indian market. We speak to Chairman Motofumi Shitara.

We also engage with Satyakam Arya, MD and CEO of Daimler India CV to find out how the pandemic helped the CV major make its costing structure better. Meanwhile, ZF intends to implement a multi-pronged strategy in its new plans for India. We lay bare the game-plan.

 

Mega EV Forum
End-September saw Autocar Professional host a mega 3-day EV forum where the captains of the industry, ecosystem stakeholders and government representatives put forth their views on role of EVs as the protagonist in the race to net zero. We have a comprehensive 10-page report.

 

R&D Special
Our annual R&D Special is a cracker. We have an exclusive interaction with young Team Avishkar comprising of engineers at the Centre for Innovation in IIT Madras, who bagged the ‘Most Scalable Design Award’ for their hyperloop pod Garv at the European Hyperloop Week.

We also visit -J&K Tyre’s Raghupati Singhania Centre of Excellence which is augmenting its testing infrastructure ahead of the labelling norms due in October.

And we reveal Pune-based HumSafer Foundation’s innovative App that is helping truck drivers develop safe driving habits.

Autocar Professional’s September 15 issue
This mid-September edition is eminently readable. It brings you the tale of the end of a saga.
The top story is of Ford hanging its boots in India after 25. We get you a detailed analysis on why the American OEM failed to crack the dynamics of the Indian market and the top five reasons why Ford got it all wrong.
Meanwhile, barely has the industry emerged from the devastating impact of the pandemic when a continuing challenge is assuming new dimensions: the global semiconductor crisis. Check out the
detailed report on how affordability of new cars is being impacted and reasons that led to the global chip shortage.
Electric avenue :
Tata Motors is taking forward its EV ambitions aggressively with the 2021 Tigor EV with enhanced battery capacity and an ARAI-certified range of 306km. We speak to Anand Kulkarni, VP, Product Line, EV and ALFA Architecture – PV Business.
Find out what gains Ampere Electric makes with its recent acquisition of MLR Auto.
 Will Simple Energy and its ‘One’ e-scooter deliver the promised goods?
Vocal for local :
In the race for self-reliance, India Auto Inc is putting its shoulder to the wheel of future-readiness. Sunjay Kapur, the new President of ACMA, who is also Chairman of Sona Comstar,  details the strategies to achieve Atmanirbharta, upskill workforce and why the Tier 2 and Tier 3 supply chain needs to invest in technology.
We also detail the findings of a recent SIAM-ACMA study aimed at enhancing India suppliers’ global competitiveness through 12 product categories.
An exclusive interview with Dr Reji Mathai, Director of Automotive Research Association of India.
All this plus all the exciting industry news from the past fortnight.

Autocar Professional’s September 1st Edition is simply electrifying :

India Auto Inc is leaving no wheel unturned to optimise the revival process. Localisation and electrification have emerged as the key triggers of growth.

EV-olution of the two-wheeler industry
The electric scooter turf is perhaps the busiest –

·       Ola’s e-scooter launch hogged the headlines but the real slog begins now. The challenge is in product performance and customer satisfaction.

·       We speak to industry leaders for their perspective on the latest EV player in town.

·      We speak to VCs and finance experts to find out if legacy liabilities are hindering the pace of EV transition for established OEMs.

EVs and CVs, forging industry’s fluctuating fortunes
Electrification will have succeeded if commercial vehicles go green in a big way.

·       Ashok Leyland has invested $200 million in its electric CV division –

 Switch Mobility. CEO Dr Andy Palmer reveals how it plans to go global.

·       BorgWarner too is betting big on electrification. Shawn Li, VP and GM, Power Drive Systems Asia, says it is targeting at least 25% of sales from electric by 2025.   

North India Special
Autocar Professional’s annual North India Special is also strong on e-mobility.

·       UK-based Saietta Group and India’s Padmini VNA are localising the highly efficient, mass-producible AFT e-motor tech. CEO Wicher Kist reveals the future plans.

·       Delhi-based Omega Seiki Mobility is making an ambitious global play electric cargo CVs. An exclusive interaction with founder, Uday Narang.

This 64-page issue is a comprehensive collection of innovative product offerings from the two-wheeler, components and EV industries, analytical insights and top industry. Download your copy today.

Autocar Professional – August 15, 2021

As India celebrates its 75th Independence Day, it is fitting to take stock of how much India Auto Inc has marched towards self-reliance or Atmanirbharta. Our cover story is a detailed perspective into India’s journey in the 30 years since reforms kicked in.

Find out what RC Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India, has to say on the domestic auto industry’s journey and tune in to what Sulajja Firodia Motwani, co-founder, Kinetic Green has to say about new growth drivers like electrification and green mobility.

Meanwhile, testing has come of age with the 2,900-acre NATRAX proving ground in Pithampur. An exclusive interview with Dr N Karuppaiah, Additional Director & Centre Head, NATRAX, reveals plans on optimising all-round testing capabilities in India.

With digitalisation and in-vehicle connectivity on the rise, software companies are plugging into the auto industry. Find out how this trend could help India to become a global hub for ER&D.

Resilient Indian suppliers

Despite challenging market conditions in FY2021, the component industry did well to keep the YoY revenue decline to just 3 percent and registered a turnover of Rs 3.4 lakh crore ($45.9 billion). We detail the findings of ACMA’s performance report.

Reinventing the Auto Expo

Even as the bi-annual Auto Expo 2022 held in New Delhi has been postponed, the question is whether the time is ripe to re-invent the event. With digitisation and remote launches gaining prominence, find out what the next step for the Auto Expo could be.

Vehicle subscription as a sales strategy

Given the current financial uncertainty and increased need for personal mobility solutions, could subscriptions for passenger vehicles provide an alternative ownership plan? Top industry players say growing ambition and willingness for an asset-light lifestyle could drive vehicle subscription.

Autocar Professional’s August 1 – and 400th – edition

August has dawned and with it an august issue too – Autocar Professional’s landmark 400th edition. Published every two weeks, India’s premier automotive B2B magazine has hit the 400-issue mark after 16 years and 8 months.

From the very first December 15, 2004 edition, with its cover story and exclusive interview with Suzuki Motor Corporation’s CEO Osamu Suzuki through to the latest August 1, 2021 issue, which incorporates the annual South India Special, Autocar Professional has carved a special niche for itself. It is today read by all stakeholders across the automotive value chain.  

South-side story
The 80-page August 1 issue is laden with exclusive interviews, special reports and plenty of analysis. Here’s some quick info:

-          Hyundai Motor India’s SS Kim details the future growth roadmap.

-          Daimler India CV MD & CEO, Satyakam Arya says M&HCV; demand is “back on track.”

-          Ashok Leyland’s MD & CEO, Vipin Sondhi charts out the next growth drivers, including EVs.

-          Guidance Tamil Nadu’s MD & CEO, Pooja Kulkarni on the response to the state’s EV Policy and more.

-          Toyota Kirloskar Motor teams up with ACMA to teach the ‘Toyota Way’ to suppliers.

-          Ather Energy CEO Tarun Mehta is confident that nearly 40% of India’s scooter market will go electric by 2025.

-          TVS Srichakra expands global retail footprint to Europe with scooter tyres.

-          TVS Auto Solutions’ business strategy revealed.’

-          The latest on Valeo India and new-age mobility solution providers Log 9 Materials, Grinntech and EV start-up fund, Micelio.

Plus, plenty more to read including an exclusive interview with Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai, full details of the Maharashtra EV Policy.

Thank you for being an Autocar Professional reader.

Autocar Professional – July 15, 2021

As automotive manufacturers rev up their investments in an effort to drive up sales, the July 15 issue of Autocar Professional strives to dig deep and bring you some special stories and how some of the automobile industry’s top India bets are panning out.

· The waiting game continues for Great Wall Motors. Though its 18 months since the Chinese automaker announced plans to take over GM’s plant in Talegaon, the Indo-China faceoff has put a spanner in the works.

·But for Skoda, India will be one of the key markets along with Russia and North Africa as the Czech carmaker unveils its ‘Next Level – Skoda 2030 strategy. 

·Another European major, Stellantis is betting heavily on India’s R&D expertise as it takes forward its electrification plans.

·The President of Faurecia India, Figueras Bertrand plans to double India market revenues to 500 million euros by 2025.

· Autocar Professional’s special webinar on Connected Mobility saw a galaxy of industry experts speak. In case you missed the webinar, it’s all there in this edition.

· The Gartner study on top 10 automotive trends for 2021 indicates that autonomy and EVs are gaining traction and cyber-security is also a key investment area for automakers.

· Even as EVs and hydrogen mobility continue to evolve, conventional fossil fuel prices emerge as one of the major challenges. We debate on ways the State and the Centre could collaborate to bring out a greater price rationalization.

But that’s not all. This mid-month issue is buzzing with plenty of other interesting industry activity over the past fortnight. Download your copy today for all the information.

Autocar Professional’s July 1 issue

The automotive industry is buzzing with action, new retail trends, alternative mobility options and brand new launches. This 56-page July 1 issue gets you an in-depth insight.

Key Highlights

·       Used cars sales are giving new cars a run for their money. Most industry experts expect the pre-owned segment to account for 1.6-1.8 times of new car sales by end-FY2022. By FY2025, close to 7 million used cars are expected to be sold.

·        Tata Motors is betting big on is two key vehicle architectures ALFA and OMEGA, as it takes forward its turnaround drive and puts a lot of focus on SUVs. We speak to President and CTO, Rajendra Petkar.

·       German chemical major, Henkel India sees huge potential with the push for localisation and digitalisation adding new impetus.

·       Gujarat is the latest to come out with its unique EV policy aimed at bolstering EV investment in the state. Find out how automakers are taking the news.

·       The Yamaha Group too is eyeing e-mobility in India. We get you an exclusive interview with the Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, Motofumi Shitara.

But that’s not all. This exciting content-laden edition brings you all the action from the past fortnight, be it new launches, fresh deals or the latest collaboration. Make sure that you grab your copy today.

June 15, 2021 issue – an Indo-German Special

Autocar Professional’s June 15 issue is the annual ‘Indo-German Special’, which puts the focus on Germany, one of India’s biggest trade partners in the EU.

Key highlights :
-In his first media interaction since taking charge as the Director General of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce in April 2021, Stefan Halusa speaks about building bridges between people, cultures and companies, how German R&D Centres in India are game-changers, and making Indian operations globally competitive and a base for exports.

-Nearly 450 German suppliers have manufacturing operations in India. We detail what some top players have to say about Make in India.

-Find out why Mercedes-Benz India’s MD and CEO Martin Schwenk is hopeful of a good recovery in H2 2021, 15-model assault for this year, and full details of the industry first ‘Retail of the Future’ strategy.

-Volkswagen Group’s ambitious ‘India 2.0’ initiative is underway in full swing. With two big SUV launches around the corner, Skoda and VW are hopeful of increasing their sales traction in India.’

- Dattatri Salagame, who took charge as the new President and MD of Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI), Bosch’s largest software and technology centre outside of Germany, reveals that RBEI is set to expand to Hyderabad and Pune.

 Auto sales inching upwards
It is still not the time to uncork the champagne but as phased unlock initiatives begin once again, the automobile industry is looking for hints of green shoot, especially after a washed-out May –

- India Auto Inc is feeling positive about the near future, given the forecast of good rains which augur well for rural prosperity.

-  Two-wheeler and car manufacturers like Bajaj Auto and Maruti are hopeful that the vaccination drive will help bring demand back.

- Auto financing companies like Mahindra Finance also expect the festive season to provide a new charge to demand.

Autocar Professional June 1, 2021

The twin tools of software and simulation are enabling much-needed cost optimisation and speedy time to market for industry. That’s exactly why the June 1 issue is a ‘Software & Simulation Special’.
With the pandemic damaging cash flow of companies, find out how virtual product testing and development addresses a dual challenge of managing costs and creating a product offensive to tide over the slowdown. We get you views from L&T Technology Services, FEV India, DEP, Ricardo Software and other leading companies in the sector.
Even electric two-wheeler OEMs are taking the simulation route. Ather Energy, Ampere Electric Okinawa Autotech and relatively new players like Simple Energy and Earth Energy also vouch for the growing role of simulation.


Safer Mobility Conclave
Apart from cost and manufacturing, safety is the other major challenge for OEMs. That’s the reason why Autocar Professional does its bit and organises the Safety Conclave each year.
The seventh edition was held virtually in sync with the 2021 UN Global Road Safety Week (May 17-23). We get you perspectives from a cross-section of industry stakeholders on how they are pushing the safety envelope.

India Auto Inc Speaks
We speak to key industry leaders for a reality check  —
• Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Senior Vice-President, Naveen Soni says the company is keeping higher parts inventory to tide over the current supply constraints.
• Nirmal Minda, the Chairman and MD of the UNO Minda Group stresses the need for cross-functional teams to optimise inventory.
• Sandeep Singh, MD, Tata-Hitachi Construction Machinery says the construction equipment sector is headed for a washout in the first quarter of FY2022.

All this and much more in the latest Autocar Professional. Download your copy today to stay on top of all the news across the automotive industry.

Autocar Professional – May 15, 2021

The latest issue is all about business continuity in challenging times. A 56-pager packed with exclusive interviews, deep industry insight and trending stories and a 'Safety Special' too.

Coimbatore-based Pricol is headed for a possible recast of its business divisions to be better prepared to take on mobility challenges of the future. We speak to MD Vikram Mohan.

Lumax Industries, which had hit the pause button on capacity expansion, greenfield site and engineering investments amid the pandemic last year, is back into investment mode.

April 28-29 was when Autocar Pro held its mega virtual conference. Twenty industry stalwarts debated a host of critical issues – it’s all there in our comprehensive 11-page report including:

-          Dr Pawan Goenka on the future growth mantra for India Auto Inc

-          Exclusive interaction with IOCL Chairman Shrikant M Vaidya

-          Why a stable long-term emission roadmap is vital

-          EV range and charging infrastructure concerns in the race to zero mobility.

-          Evaluation of BS VI Stage II norms and the role of CAFE norms.

Automotive Safety Special
The challenges for India Auto Inc are manifold – from a pollution-free environment to safer mobility. Our annual Automotive Safety Special is a must-read. Here’s why:

- Israel’s Ride Vision has partnered Spark Minda to introduce AI-enabled collision avoidance products in India.

- Continental India’s Krishan Kohli says it is all geared up to meet demand for ESC.

- Elektrobit India is working with an Indian OEM for enabling seamless over-the-air software updates.

- Find out how Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz aims to improve safety and productivity of fleet operators.

- Guest columnist Nikhilesh Mishra, co-founder of Grinntech, discusses ways to enhance battery safety in electric vehicles.

All this and news aplenty from a very newsy fortnight before May 15.

Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner has called out the elephant in the room when he recently questioned the EU’s fixation on EVs. Are there lessons in it for India? It’s in this edition’s cover story.

India and the world is witnessing troubled times – lockdowns, shuttered plants and showrooms. But not all is lost. Our 20-page Marketing & Retail Special, which covers the entire automotive supply chain – from vehicle manufacturers to suppliers to the aftermarket – reveals just how industry stakeholders are enthusiastically plugging into digital mode to connect with buyers all across the country and beyond.

Just as India Auto Inc was beginning to see the green shoots of recovery, the big growth speed-breaker is the unabated spread of the pandemic which sees a number of states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Jharkhand, under lockdown.

Auto industry stakeholders caution that supply chain and logistics can become a sore point if lockdowns extend for too long. And that just might happen.

Meanwhile, the Anand Group is set to plug into the EV mega trend. Find out how Anjali Singh, executive chairperson, plans to make the group a lot more diverse.

The past fortnight saw the biannual ACMA Automechanika held virtually for the first time. Autocar Professional hosted the first panel discussion of the aftermarket trade fair on 'How to build a robust and sustainable aftermarket industry in India'.

All this and much more in the latest edition.  

Maharashtra, which is home to several leading automakers and suppliers, has just announced a fortnight of complete lockdown to combat the pandemic. The situation in other states is worrying too. We speak to captains of industry and stakeholders to find out how they are gearing up for Lockdown 2.0 –
• OEMs, component manufacturers, dealers and transporters elaborate on the lessons learnt, the forward planning and ways to make business future-proof.
• Meanwhile, a recent study by McKinsey India indicates that the growth potential of Indian automotive industry is clearly spelt out despite the challenges including Covid-19.
• Nikunj Sanghi, Chairman of the Automotive Skills Development Council, says even as ASDC is doing its bit to bridge the tech-divide fast, there’s plenty more to be done.
• Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor is betting heavily on SUVs with the six- and seven-seater Alcazar.
• Buoyed by the success of Triber and encouraging response to Kiger, Renault India targets deeper inroads into rural markets. Country CEO & MD, Venkatram Mamillapalle stresses the need to maintain quality consistently.
• DICV boss Satyakam Arya believes the expertise within the Indian operation will be leveraged even more as the company looks to push the envelope in mobility.
• India is high on the radar of Czech off-road bus maker Torsus as it scouts for a suitable partner. Co-founder and CEO, Vakhtang Dzhukashvili says it is already seeing keen interest from India’s mining and tourism sector.
Given the surge in Covid-19 cases, ACMA Automechanika 2021, the leading B2B aftermarket expo, will now be digital. Our preview details what you should expect.
We’d love to tell you more but it’s best if you download this exciting 56-page edition. 

Autocar Professional’s April 1 issue is a ‘Green Industry Special’
This April 1 issue is a ‘Green Industry Special’ and highlights how India Auto Inc is working towards cutting down carbon footprint with renewed vigour.

A new innings
Dr Pawan Goenka ends his 27-year-long innings with M&M and prepares for a new inning. Recipient of Autocar India’s ‘Lifetime achievement award’ and two-time winner of the Autocar Professional ‘Man of the Year’, Dr Goenka reminiscences about his journey and shares some management mantras.

Green Industry Special
• Sandeep Bangia, head of Tata Power’s EV Business, elaborates on Tata Power’s big strides towards expanding the charging infrastructure. 
• Find out more about Pune-based, Econovus’ green packaging solutions.
• Naveen Mehta of Jindal Aluminium explains how aluminium can become the new hero in the drive towards green efficiency.

·         Find out why Hexagon Group sees huge potential for CNG and hydrogen as options to fuel CVs in India.

 The Year of BS VI
• ACMA’s Vinnie Mehta highlights importance of better-planned transition.
• FEV India’s Vijay Sharma brings focus on the challenges for OEMs.

One year of lockdown
It’s been a year since the lockdown was imposed to tackle Covid-19. Even as cases start surging across India, Autocar Professional brings you stories of survival and economic revival.


In-depth analysis
As the government shares details of the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, industry players and veterans raise concerns about challenges involved in the entire plan.

But that’s not all. There’s more to read in the news pages too, starting with what Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said at the 2021 Autocar Awards nite. Download your copy today.

Autocar Professional brings you a power-packed March 15 issue. It highlights how India Auto Inc is strategising to get the much-needed edge globally.

·       A candid conversation with Bajaj Auto’s Managing Director, Rajiv Bajaj where he details the two-wheeler maker’s future plans and strategy. 

·       Maruti Suzuki India’s chairman, RC Bhargava says the year ahead is going to be one of catching up with lost sales.

·       Shailendra Shrivastava, global head of transportation at L&T Technology Services says the Automotive Mission Plan 2026 charts out a strong roadmap for future growth.

·       Plugging into e-mobility: From the making of EVs to providing charging infrastructure and manufacturing batteries, Autocar Professional  addresses all these aspects in its comprehensive 2-day EV Forum held on February 22-23. In case you missed the virtual conclave, this is the best opportunity to get all the highlights.

·       India on the radar: As Osamu Suzuki gets set to hang up his boots, Suzuki and Toyota will now team up for EVs, among other things, in India. We get you more details on the alliance.
       Tribute: Autocar Professional pays tribute to quality guru, C Narasimhan, who passed away earlier this year. It was under his leadership as President, that Sundaram Clayton became the first Indian entity to bag the Deming Prize in 1998

·       Scootering Ahead: The buzz is all about Ola’s upcoming mega factory in Tamil Nadu. Check out the details.

For more of that and all the other action across the automotive world, download your copy today.

Autocar Professional’s March 1 issue is all about connectivity

Autocar Professional seeks to connect the dots between the OEMs and suppliers with its March 1 ‘Connectivity & Electronics Special. This 64-page issue delivers in-depth insight on how automobiles are transforming into computers on wheels.

 

Innovation is key
Dynamics between OEMs and auto component makers are changing fast:

- L&T Technology Services’ Global Head of Transportation, Shailendra Shrivastava says it is expanding reach to accommodate OEMs across the ecosystem.

- UNO Minda expects10-fold growth from its connectivity, electronics and telematics verticals over five years.

- Motherson Sumi Infotech & Design (MIND) is augmenting its IoT and telematics vertical.

- However, a Capgemini Invent study on user behaviours in US, Europe and China indicates 50 percent do not use on-board connected services.


Exclusive interviews
As electrification continues to drive innovation,

- Hella eMobionics joins forces with Kinetic Electric Motor Company to tap the growing potential in the EV market.

- Ather Energy co-founders Swapnil Jain and Tarun Mehta detail how they plan to help the user get the most from their vehicles.


Taxing times
With taxes making up more than 50 percent of the cost, find out how the politics of petrol and diesel pricing stack up.

 

What’s the buzz?

-         We get you details on Schwing Stetter India’s plans to develop made-in-India concrete machining equipment for the world.

-         An excerpt from ‘Brobot Dialogues’— a series of discussions on the auto industry highlights need for greater trust and transparency.

-         Hyundai Motor India celebrates 25 years of its journey in India. Find out how the Korean carmaker plans to maintain its lead.

This issue is packed with news and views on all the movers and shakers across India Auto Inc. Make sure you download your copy today.

The February 15 issue has news, views and analysis aplenty. Here's taking a quick read at what's inside.

Daimler is splitting its truck and car businesses. Find out how this will impact BharatBenz in India.

The 2021 Union Budget was big on Atmanirbharta but can the Government maintain the fine line between self-reliance and protectionism?

Cooper Corporation’s Farrokh Cooper, who can well be considered as one of India Auto Inc’s oldest cheerleaders for ‘Atmanirbharta’, fully supports the move. Find out why.
New Delhi-based JBM Group finds a lot to cheer about in Budget 2021. Executive Director Nishant Arya says the Scrappage Policy will give a much-needed fillip to the CV and the logistics sectors. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki India has not yet launched any EVs even as other OEMs are on a product launch offensive. What’s the thinking and how does Maruti plan to address this? 

California-based start-up QuantumScape aims to address exactly EV range concerns with its ‘Solid-state’ lithium-ion batteries. Chief Marketing Officer Asim Hussain details the EV battery maker’s standout features.
In our Guest Column, Daniel Barel, Co-Founder and CEO, REE Automotive maps the future structure of the automotive industry and the benefit of the 'three-layer concept' that can offer customised vehicle-specific solutions.
As Toyota ends Volkswagen’s 5-year stint as the world’s largest automaker by volume, both companies reiterate focus on the future of eco-friendly motoring that includes huge investment in electrification. But the strategies are quite radical. We get you a detailed analysis.

All this plus an exciting News section in the mid-month issue.

Autocar Professional’s February 1 issue is an ‘E-mobility Special’

This 80-page February 1 ‘E-mobility Special’ issue is a comprehensive collection of the latest developments, top trends, analysis and industry perspective.

·       In an exclusive, we visit the Tata Nexon EV plant and bring you the first-ever images of how it is made in the Pune factory. Also an exclusive interview with Shailesh Chandra, President – PVBU, Tata Motors .

·       Given the encouraging response for its e-scooter, Chetak, Bajaj Auto is now keen to expand. Find out how one of the world’s largest two-wheeler maker is striving to be future-ready in a special conversation with Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto. 

·       Range anxiety is one of the biggest concerns for EVs but Sun Mobility is working to address just this with a partnership with Microsoft.

·       In another exclusive interview, Henrik and Geeta Fisker of Fisker Inc said they are targeting an India presence this year.

·       Indian start-up Pravaig Dynamics is keen about pushing the envelope in the affordable luxury space. It is readying an electric sedan that will be available via the subscription model.

·       In the EV battery space, Israeli energy company StoreDot has begun production of ultra-fast lithium-ion batteries that get fully charged in just 5 minutes.

But that’s not all. We get you a lowdown on how Skill-Lync and the Layam Group are taking up the challenge to train workforce to handle the growing EV rush.

In key developments, we tell you how Hero MotoCorp plans to maintain its lead after the 100 millionth vehicle rolled out of its Uttarakhand plant. Plus, French carmaker Renault’s India plans as CEO Luca de Meo takes forward the ‘Renaulution’ strategy.

Make sure that you get your copy today, to stay on top of all the action in the automotive industry.

The January 15 issue of Autocar Professional is laden with details about how companies are reworking their India strategy and new businesses developing models that promise sustainable profitability.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India plans a model offensive in India. Skoda Auto leads from the front with the Vision IN concept now named Kushaq. This midsize SUV will be followed by the VW Taigun. Brand Director, Zac Hollis highlights the importance of improving the customer perception.
After Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford shelved their planned joint venture, find what’s the next step for both automakers?
PSA and FCA’s merged entity – Stellantis – will become the fourth largest automaker in the world. What’s their plan for India.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), which is focussing on high efficiency and cost-effectiveness to tide over the current crisis, recently announced a Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
However, it’s not all gloom and doom, India comes across as a key volume driver for South Korean automaker Kia Motors.
Tata Motors had latched on to the safety mantra to drive its passenger vehicle volumes, given the recent good run on the GNCAP rating chart.
Mobility experiments
New forms of mobility are gaining traction in a post-Covid world –

Folks Motor has revealed a hybrid-electric retrofit solution for cars in India.
Hero Cycles is keen on creating a niche for electric bicycles as a delivery option in the ride to sustainability.
Israel’s Vayyar Imaging looks to become the enabler of safer mobility globally.
This 48-page issue is crisp, concise and curated with news, views and trends that can help keep you a step ahead.

Ensure you download your copy today.

Autocar Professional – January 1, 2021

The big news of the past fortnight was Honda Cars India pulling the plug on its Greater Noida plant. Our cover story reveals the road ahead for the Japanese carmaker. Meanwhile, the Mahindra SsangYong script has gone awry. Whether there will be a knight in shining armour to bail out the Korean carmaker remains to be seen –  M&M is believed to be close to signing the deal with one.

Meanwhile, GM finally closed its troublesome India chapter by shutting down its Talegaon. But the new resident, Great Wall Motors has no choice but to wait till tensions between India and China cease.

Vehicle inspection has for long been based on human expertise or expensive tech. Now a Bangalore-based start-up CamCom is deploying AI at an economical cost to assist automakers, fleet operators and insurance companies to automate the task. 

Shared e-mobility service provider Yulu looks to take a big leap in 2021. Find out how.

There’s a growing industry-academic connect in India. We have an exclusive report on how Team REV Mechanics from VIT, Vellore is set to showcase Indian engineering at a global level.

ACMA’s industry performance review for H1 FY2021 reveals supply to OEMs slid by 42% while exports shrank by 33% due to the Covid-induced global slump in demand. But component suppliers have battled 2020 with grit and gumption and remain upbeat about growth.

The Indian start-up space is now fast accelerating to develop India-specific solutions for the world, despite the challenging conditions. We cover nine entrepreneurs who have stepped up their game to compete, add and deliver the goods for the automotive industry. 

The January 1issue also contains plenty of news, both from India and overseas. Rest assured, it makes for a good opening read for the new year.

As a full-of-challenges 2020 comes to an end, it's time to take stock of a year. Autocar Professional’s 16th Anniversary Issue recognizes all these captains of change across the entire automotive value chain.

Man Of The Year 2020
Shailesh Chandra, President of Tata Motors’ Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, has achieved an amazing turnaround. In less than 8 months, that too during the pandemic, he has worked relentlessly to bring the mojo back into the system. For successfully leading the growth story in India’s cut-throat PV market and the charge in the EV market, Chandra has been voted as our ‘Man of the Year 2020’. 

Coping with Covid
How have CEOs dealt with pandemic-impacted business? Here are some top voices of industry:
Renault India’s Venkatram Mamillapalle

Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Masakazu Yoshimura

India Yamaha Motors’ Motofumi Shitara

Daimler India CV’s Satyakam Arya 

Cummins India’s Ashwath Ram 

Sundram Fasteners’ Arathi Krishna


Aiming for Atmanirbharta
Find out what captains of industry have to say.

Mahindra & Mahindra’s Dr Pawan Goenka
Skoda Auto VW India’s Gurpratap Boparai

ACMA President Deepak Jain 
Lucas TVS’ Arvind Balaji

Sona Comstar’s Sunjay Kapur
The New Normal
Marketing pundits are dealing with new retail dynamics
Mahindra & Mahindra’s Veejay Nakra
Maruti Suzuki’s Shashank Srivastava 

Tata Motors’ Vivek Srivatsa
Citroen India’s Roland Bouchara
HMSI’s YS Guleria
FADA’s Vinkesh Gulati

 

Newsmakers of 2020
There are 17 movers and shakers. Click for page 97

 

New Mobility
Our ‘New Mobility’ section features the initiatives towards cleaner mobility. Exclusive interviews as well as guest columns

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland, focuses on the strategy to go global

There’s still more to read in this collector’s edition. Download it now. 

Autocar Professional’s December 1 issue

December 1 issue of the Autocar Professional is out and it is brimming with innovation, initiative and in-depth analysis. This 48-page issue takes you on a ride across India and we bring forth strategies that companies are adopting to rev up growth in the remaining part of the financial year.

·       Hella is looking to maximise gains from the low-hanging fruits in the EV space and targets innovation specifically in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment with a subsidiary, Hella eMobionics.

·       Tata Motors all petrol Ace is making big waves in the small commercial vehicle segment. The company is looking at maximizing the potential of the upgraded petrol engine used in nano to drive sales in the SCV space.

·       In an exclusive interview after the recent spate of ‘Safer Cars for India’ tests, Global NCAP’s David ward comes heavily on car makers who are not making customer safety a priority in India.

·       Satyakam Arya, the CEO and MD of Daimler India Commercial Vehicle outline their future growth plan and the ‘Make in India’ strategy.

·       Meanwhile Volkswagen’s commercial subsidiary, Traton is looking at making inroads to India via innovation and collaboration with the likes of Hino and Navistar.

·       Continental’s Technical Centre in India is a big believer in the country’s potential as a R&D hub.

But that is not all. This issue is filled with all the latest news and development from across the world and India as well. So go and download your e-copy today.

Autocar Professional’s November 15 issue

This Diwali we light up your festivities with a fair dose of all the automotive action across India Auto Inc. This mid-November issue is packed with exclusive interviews, crisp analysis and a host of new launches that is expected to rev up the sagging sales across the auto industry.

·       Mahindra Electric is keen about riding the demand for last-mile connectivity segment with the new electric Treo Zor. We tell you how e-commerce boom can charge up the growth trajectory for this electric vehicle.

·        Hyundai is looking to strengthen its presence in the Indian premium hatchback segment with the new i20. We also take you on an exciting first drive.

·       The just-launched Meteor 350 is Royal Enfield’s formula to get onto the growth highway again.

·        Scripting a success story that is truly made in India – the TVS Apache races past the four-million units sales landmark in just 14 years.

·       And in just 14 months since its launch, Kia Motors India has zipped past the 150,000 mark. It now grabs more than 14 percent of UV market share.

Two-Wheeler Conclave

It was an industry first and there is more action from there -- We bring you exciting snippets and interesting excerpts from Autocar Professional’s Two-wheeler Conclave.

Festive Season Offer
Team Autocar Professional decided to make your Diwali a little more special with this special subscription offer. New subscribers to Autocar Professional can save up to 30% off the subscription price of 24 magazine issues as part of an early-bird, special one-year subscription offer. You can take advantage of this offer by ordering online or by phone on 022-2378 7592 / 3.  Full details can be found here.

Autocar Professional – November 1-2020
The 64-page ‘R&D and Testing Special’ not only probes the most striking research and development work across India Auto Inc but also brings to light some exclusive interviews, innovations and in-depth analysis.
Tier-I supplier Visteon India is leaving no innovation unturned in transforming the cockpit experience and how we view infotainment systems in a car. From new display technologies to engineering innovation, the focus is also on effective cost optimisation.
Find out how TVS Srichakra is using R&D to make its business future-ready and get a strong grip of the electrification megatrend.
Robert Bosch Engineering & Business Solutions is pushing the engineering R&D envelope. In a bid to capitalise on existing global megatrends, its project X-PACE aims to become a one-stop solution for smart vehicles.
Meanwhile, Tata Technologies is now collaborating with GKN Automotive for cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions. CEO and MD, Warren Harris says their ability to integrate domain knowledge gives them the much-needed edge.
US-based MathsWorks is going whole hog in addressing the global megatrends in the eve- evolving automotive market and many leading electric scooter makers like Ather are using the solution to optimise their vehicles.
Partnerships the way forward
Autocar Professional broke the news about the Hero-Harley partnership. Read all about it in detail. Are car makers also contemplating joint endeavours to make businesses cost effective? We offer a ringside view on how companies are looking to optimise their excess manufacturing capacity.
There’s lots of action in the passenger vehicle segment – will Nissan’s Magnite draw buyers like a magnet?
Youth power is how Toyota Kirloskar Motor plans to drive its next leg of growth in India. Marketing chief Naveen Soni reveals just how the company is hitting the right chord with millennials.
All this but all the exciting news from the past fortnight. Enjoy your read.

Autocar Professional’s October 15 issue is out!
Autocar Professional’s latest 64-page issue takes a close look at how India Auto Inc is upping its game to get demand back.
Staying connected, retail therapy
As cars turn computers on wheels, technology suppliers like Tata Elxsi are aggressively stretching the innovation envelope to give OEMs what they want. Along with the latest update on the company, we speak to Nitin Pai, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Tata Elxsi.
Keeping the price-conscious India customer satisfied is quite an achievement and that’s just what Kia Motors India has done in barely 14 months. In an exclusive interview, Manohar Bhat, VP & Head, Sales and Marketing, Kia Motors India reveals the tips and tricks that are keeping the Korean carmaker on top of the popular chart.
Meanwhile, German car major Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled its new global strategy that focuses on revving up both its luxury and e-mobility quotient.
On two wheels only
The two-wheeler industry is leading the revival story in India and is seeing lots of action. On September 30, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India entered the midsize bike market with its H’ness CB350. Findout why Yadvinder Singh Guleria, director, Sales, Marketing, Aftersales, Logistics, Premium Bikes, Brand and Communication, is so bullish on the bike making a mark.
Making sense of vehicle scrap
Is it coming or not? If yes, when? The much-awaited Vehicle Scrappage Policy is apparently close to being introduced. Can India handle over 22 million end-of-life vehicles by 2025? What should a well-designed scrappage policy contain? Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director -Research And Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, has the answers.
Lots of exciting reading material in this latest issue. Enjoy. 

Autocar Professional’s October 1 issue

Talk of the top trends in the world of automotive and it is hard not to talk about the constant initiative to reduce weight and enhance efficiency. That is exactly why the October 1 issue of Autocar Professional is a ‘Lightweighting Special’. This 64-page issue take you on an extensive, in-depth and comprehensive journey of the initiatives trending across the automotive world.

 

Lightweighting Special

-          German chemical major Henkel has joined forces with RLE International and is helping OEms reduce vehicle weight rapidly by as much as 30kg per car.

-          Ajay Kapur, CEO - Aluminium and Power Business, Vedanta Aluminium believes there is ample scope for Indian OEMs and component makers to use aluminium.

-          Israel’s REE Automotive partnered M&M with next-gen EV platform tech. Co-founder and CEO Daniel Barel details the strategy.

-          Chandigarh-based start-up EVage has created India’s first exoskeleton structure which will serve as an affordable common platform for EVs.

-          Altair recognises the best lightweighting initiatives with its Enlighten Awards. 


Strategy talk

-          Steffen Knapp, Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, details the 2.0 revival story in India on the back of the Taigun compact SUV.

-          Even as the general market trend is biased heavily towards petrol, Hyundai is keen on a contrarian call by betting on diesel.

-          Meanwhile Ashok Leyland is revving up its EV strategy.

It was a fortnight that saw Harley-Davidson quit India after 11 years. All this and much more in this heavyweight issue.

Autocar Professional’s September 15 Issue on making India Auto Inc Future-ready

As the momentum to make India self-reliant gathers pace, Autocar Professional’s September 15 issue brings you a comprehensive collection of strategy, concepts, views, news and opinion from Industry leaders, government and all other stake holders. This 64-page issue also gets you the highlights of the recent launches too.

Localisation the big theme


·       Industry leaders at the annual conventions of key industry bodies, SIAM, ACMA and FADA highlight the need for localisation and import substitution and government representatives assure support in terms of policy push.

·       Meanwhile ACMA-McKinsey study highlights how India Auto Inc can make the most of the supply chain shifts underway globally.

·       But it was also a time for some reality check and introspection for key industry bodies like SIAM on how they script their roles going forward.

New Launches
Its raining new launches -

·       Ashok Leyland places its bets on LCVs on the road to revival, launches the Bada Dost on the indigenously developed Phoenix platform. It is targeted at growing demand in India and key global markets.

·       Meanwhile Mahindra Electric launches the new MESMA 48 platform for light EVs.

E-mobility
The e-mobility space is buzzing with lot of action

·       Grinntech, an IIT-Madras incubated start up has now unveiled its range of high-tech batteries.

·       Lithium Balance, a Denmark based BMS solution provider sees big potential in Indian markets.

·       Electric commercial vehicle start-up Volta Trucks unveils its first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne truck, Volta Zero

 

But that is not all. We get you an exclusive interview with Nissan Motor COO, Ashwani Gupta and take you on an exciting first drive on the Kia Sonet. Ensure you get your copy today.

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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.

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Autocar Professional - March 1, 2013

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