Autocar Professional Magazine - 15th January 2026

In this issue

The latest edition of Autocar Professional chronicles a historic shift in India's automotive landscape, where domestic manufacturers have fundamentally altered the competitive order that held firm for decades. In 2025, Mahindra & Mahindra achieved a landmark breakthrough, becoming India's second-largest passenger vehicle maker by domestic retail sales, displacing Hyundai from the top three. Tata Motors secured third position, leveraging its diversified powertrain strategy and strong electric vehicle portfolio to cement its place on the podium. The edition examines how this transformation represents more than a statistical milestone. Both Indian manufacturers have redefined competitive benchmarks across safety, design, technology, and electrification, demonstrating that the shift is structural rather than cyclical. Mahindra's success stems from a decade-long investment in research and development, building an ecosystem of over 6,000 engineers focused on creating globally competitive SUVs. Tata Motors has capitalised on the broader Tata Group ecosystem, including Jaguar Land Rover, auto components, and IT services, to maintain its edge in electrification and software-driven development. The latest issue explores how global manufacturers, despite maintaining an active market presence, are no longer dictating market direction. Their slower SUV transitions and tentative EV strategies contrast sharply with the speed and conviction of Indian OEMs, who benefit from localised platforms, faster development cycles, and deeper consumer insights. This edition also features Toyota's multi-pathway mobility strategy, Tesla's India market progression, and an exclusive profile of Francisco Hidalgo Marques, Renault India's VP of Sales and Marketing. The issue offers comprehensive perspectives from across the automotive ecosystem, including insights from component suppliers, tractor manufacturers, lubricant companies, commercial vehicle players, and battery producers.