Demand revival puts auto sales in top gear, Maruti posts 50% growth

Auto sales, a key indicator of the macro economy, showed significant growth in July, with passenger vehicle volumes improving on the back of a healthy order book and an uptick in enquiries and bookings in urban and rural areas. The wage revisions for government employees have also likely aided demand.   India’s largest carmaker, Maruti … Read more

Amara Raja Batteries to diversify into emerging energy opportunities

Amara Raja Batteries Ltd (ARBL) on Monday announced energy and mobility as its strategic focus going forward to capitalise on emerging opportunities.   It announced expansion of lead acid batteries business and establishment of a new energy strategic business unit encompassing lithium cell and battery pack, EV chargers, energy storage systems, advanced home energy solutions … Read more

Taxation slowing growth of luxury cars in India: Mercedes

India needs to review the overall taxation of premium luxury vehicles, which is slowing the growth of such vehicles in the country, said Martin Schwenk, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India. “Duties, schemes, taxation is a massive burden… that is slowing the growth. So, we will have growth, but will not have exponential growth,” Mr. Schwenk … Read more

From April, new cars must have airbag for front passenger seat

New models of all cars will have to provide airbags for the front passenger seat from April 1 while all existing models can be sold after August 31 this year, only after being fitted with this safety gear. This mandatory provision was notified by the road transport ministry on Tuesday. “This has been mandated as … Read more

starbucks: Tata Starbucks offers two-wheeler financing support to employees

Tata Starbucks has launched an employee benefits programme that will give its staff in India a special financing support to purchase a two-wheeler vehicle for professional or personal use. The two-wheeler support programme is created based on a survey of employees that showed reliable transportation as one of the top areas of concern. In a … Read more

Honda Motorcycle, India’s second-biggest two-wheeler maker, announces VRS

Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India (HMSI) introduced a voluntary retirement scheme on Tuesday as it seeks to “realign its production strategy” and improve overall efficiency in these “uncertain times,” the company said in an internal circular to its employees. Employees above the age of 40 or who have completed 10 years in the company are … Read more

Auto sales take fast lane in Dec; carmakers see double-digit rise in sales

Indian automakers replenished stocks before the new year, helping wholesale auto sales witness healthy growth. Inventory was lower than usual for passenger vehicles and tractors, leaving headroom for higher inventory filling in the coming months, industry executives said. They said spillover demand from the festive season and inventory refilling would drive demand for passenger vehicles … Read more