Autocar Professional Magazine - 15th February 2026

In this issue

Strap: The latest edition takes a long-range view of one of the most consequential trade developments in recent memory — the India–EU Free Trade Agreement — examining it not as a market disruptor but as a strategic instrument designed to deepen economic ties between two major industrial powers. This edition of Autocar Professional examines the India–EU Free Trade Agreement as a long-term strategic framework rather than a short-term trigger for price corrections or import surges. The latest edition argues that the agreement, shaped by over fifteen years of negotiations, reflects a shared intent between India and the European Union to deepen trade and investment ties at a time when global supply chains are being reconfigured by geopolitical pressures. The latest edition argues that the FTA is best understood as a framework for investment, technology transfer, and supply-chain integration rather than a near-term pricing event. Autocar Professional places particular focus on the automotive sector, which has historically been among the most contested chapters in the talks, with disagreements over tariffs and market access repeatedly stalling progress. The edition highlights that European OEMs currently account for roughly 4 percent of India’s passenger vehicle market, and the proposed 250,000-unit annual import quota represents a limited share of overall volumes. Even at full utilisation, the impact on domestic industry volumes is expected to be modest. The real opportunity lies in strengthening India’s position as a manufacturing and sourcing base for European automakers and suppliers. Beyond the FTA, the issue also tracks structural shifts across the automotive landscape, including evolving OEM strategies, electrification economics, and supplier repositioning around automation, software and advanced powertrains. Coverage from SIAT in Pune and India Energy Week in Goa, along with earnings-season insights, rounds out the edition’s industry-focused perspective