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At 4.5 lakh units, PV despatches grow 11% on-year in January

Business Line, 3 February 2026

• PV wholesales grew 11% in January to 4.5 lakh units, driven by record monthly sales from Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.
  
• Maruti Suzuki posted its highest-ever total despatches, including an all-time high in exports.
  
• Two-wheeler sales surged, with Hero MotoCorp and Honda both reporting ~26-29% growth.

Hero MotoCorp to invest additional ₹275 cr in Euler Motors

Business Line, 6 February 2026

• Hero MotoCorp will invest an additional ₹275 crore in EV maker Euler Motors.
  
• Q3 net profit rose 14.4% to ₹1,267 crore, driven by a 16% rise in vehicle sales.
  
• Growth was supported by strong rural demand, partly offset by a one-time charge of ₹119 crore due to new labour codes.

Maruti Suzuki to set up automated driving test tracks in Andhra Pradesh

Business Line, 7 February 2026

• Maruti Suzuki will set up four Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Andhra Pradesh under its CSR initiative.
  
• The tracks will use cameras and sensors to enable a fully automated, transparent licence testing process.
  
• Maruti will maintain the facilities for three years post-commissioning.

M&M to invest ₹15,000 cr to set up PV, tractor manufacturing unit in Nagpur

Business Line, 7 February 2026

• M&M will invest ₹15,000 crore to build its largest manufacturing plant in Nagpur, with capacity for 5 lakh vehicles and 1 lakh tractors annually.
  
• The facility, starting production in 2028, will build next-gen vehicles across multiple powertrains including EV.
  
• The 10-year investment also includes a supplier park in Sambhajinagar and expansion in the Igatpuri-Nashik region.

Tata Motors rolls out first JLR car from Ranipet plant

Business Line, 10 February 2026

• Tata Motors rolled out the first JLR vehicle (Range Rover Evoque) from its new CKD plant in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu.
  
• The ₹9,000 crore facility was built in 16 months and will eventually produce 2.5 lakh vehicles annually.
  
• The plant adds Tamil Nadu to JLR's global manufacturing map and is expected to create over 5,000 jobs.

Tata Motors secures its largest-ever Indonesia order for 70,000 vehicles

Business Line, 11 February 2026

• Tata Motors' Indonesian arm won its largest order to supply 70,000 commercial vehicles to a state-owned enterprise.
  
• The trucks and pick-ups will be used to modernize agricultural supply chains and improve food security across Indonesia.
  
• The deal highlights growing global acceptance of Indian commercial vehicles.

TaMo, long-time partner Stellantis ink fresh MoU

The Times of India, 11 February 2026

• Tata Motors and Stellantis signed an MoU to explore new manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain collaborations.
  
• The partnership builds on their two-decade-old joint venture, Fiat India Automobiles, which operates the Ranjangaon plant.
  
• Experts view the move as a strategic response to industry shifts like electrification and software-defined vehicles.

Auto component firms go digital amid world crises

Business Standard, 12 February 2026

• A BCG-ACMA report says smart factories are now critical for India's $80 billion auto component industry amid global supply chain shifts.
  
• The industry targets $200 billion by 2030 but must invest in automation to achieve productivity and cost gains.
  
• Suppliers face a dual investment squeeze as they run parallel ICE and EV programmes.

Eicher gets nod for Cheyyar plant expansion: Royal Enfield capacity to rise to 20 lakh units

Business Line, 13 February 2026

• Eicher Motors received clearance to expand its Royal Enfield plant in Cheyyar, boosting annual capacity from 14.6 to 20 lakh units.
  
• The company will invest ~₹958 crore in the brownfield expansion to meet growing demand.
  
• The Cheyyar plant is being developed as an all-women facility.

Dragon Draws Red Line for Autos afterJanuary Passenger Car Sales Drop 20%

The Economic Times, 13 February 2026

• China banned below-cost pricing to curb a severe price war after passenger car sales dropped nearly 20% in January.
  
• Domestic demand is weak, but exports jumped 49% as automakers like BYD target overseas markets.
  
• Analysts expect domestic sales to dip further in 2026 despite strong export growth.

Ashok Leyland may redraw EU and UK export playbook

Business Standard, 13 February 2026

• Following new FTAs, Ashok Leyland may shift electric bus production for the EU/UK from the UAE to India.
  
• The company is expanding in the GCC with a new plant in Saudi Arabia to meet rising demand.
  
• It also sees new opportunities in ASEAN markets like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Maruti drives PV exports up 33% in January

Business Line, 14 February 2026

• India's PV exports rose 33% in January, driven by an 89% surge in Maruti Suzuki shipments.
  
• Maruti alone accounted for 66% of total PV exports, helped by strong demand for its e-Vitara in Europe.
  
• Hyundai's exports grew 21%, but Nissan and Volkswagen saw sharp declines.

PV, 2W and 3W dispatches in January in top gear: SIAM

Business Line, 14 February 2026

• All three segments—PVs, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers—posted record-high dispatches for January.
  
• Total vehicle wholesales grew 23.5% year-on-year, driven by sustained demand and policy support.
  
• Exports also boomed, with total vehicle exports rising 23.5% in the month.

Slow to Start EV Race, Legacy 2W Makers Now Lead

The Economic Times, 15 February 2026

• Legacy players (TVS, Bajaj, Hero) now hold 60% of the electric two-wheeler market, up from 34% in 2023.
  
• Mainstream buyers prefer the reliability, distribution, and service networks of established brands.
  
• Startups built the category, but legacy players are now leading as the market matures.

VinFast, Maruti debut drives e4W registrations in Jan

Business Line, 3 February 2026

• EV four-wheeler registrations jumped 63% in January, driven by new models from VinFast and Maruti.
  
• VinFast became the fourth-largest EV maker within months of launching in India.
  
• Tata Motors led the market, followed by JSW MG, with Mahindra Electric also posting strong gains.

Newer Models, Sharper Pricing Help EV Market Shift to Top Gear in Jan

The Economic Times, 3 February 2026

• EV passenger vehicle sales rose 51% in January, driven by new models and aggressive pricing.
  
• Tata Motors and MG Motor lost market share to fast-growing rivals M&M and VinFast.
  
• The shifting landscape reflects intensifying competition as more players enter with longer-range, faster-charging models.

Karnataka to set up EV city near Bengaluru

Business Line, 6 February 2026

• Karnataka plans to build an EV City near Bengaluru as a hub for innovation, testing, and skilling.
  
• The facility will include a 50-acre proving ground, a Centre of Excellence, and shared infrastructure for startups.
  
• The government aims to reduce entry barriers with pay-as-you-use facilities and partnerships with ARAI and ICAT.

India's aim is to achieve leadership in EV space

Business Line, 11 February 2026

• India aims to become a global leader in EVs as part of its net-zero by 2070 goal, said Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
  
• The government is supporting the transition with PLI schemes and ₹2,000 crore for EV charging infrastructure.
  
• The EV market is growing at over 60% CAGR, though penetration remains around 4%.

Electric vehicle retail sales zoom in Jan

Business Standard, 12 February 2026

• EV retail sales surged in January, with passenger vehicle sales up 55% and two-wheeler sales up 25%.
  
• Mahindra & Mahindra and VinFast gained ground in PVs, while TVS became the largest E2W player.
  
• Ola Electric's retail volumes plunged 69%, reflecting a major shuffle in the E2W landscape.

M&M sees green shoots in US tractor market as tariffs ease

Business Standard, 13 February 2026

• M&M expects a US market recovery after tariffs on Indian tractors fell from 50% to 18%.
  
• The company will now supply inventory from bonded warehouses and rebuild volumes.
  
• Its OJA compact tractor has gained ~10% market share in North America's sub-20 HP segment.

55 firms commit over ₹13,000 cr investment under latest PLI scheme for specialty steel

Business Line, 10 February 2026

• 55 companies committed ₹13,203 crore under the third round of the PLI scheme for specialty steel.
  
• The investments will add 8.7 million tonnes of capacity by FY31 for sectors like auto and defence.
  
• Earlier rounds had already attracted ₹43,874 crore in committed investments.

'Champions' in the making: SMEs get ₹10,000 cr booster shot

The Times of India, 2 February 2026

• The Budget announced a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to help MSMEs become "Champions."
  
• TReDS will be strengthened to boost liquidity, with mandatory use for all CPSU purchases.
  
• A cadre of "Corporate Mitras" will be trained to help MSMEs with compliance at low cost.

Budget allocation for PM E-DRIVE reduced to ₹1,500 cr

Business Line, 2 February 2026

• Budget allocation for the PM E-DRIVE scheme was cut 62.5% to ₹1,500 crore, though it's still above the revised estimate.
  
• The PLI scheme for auto and components saw a major boost, with allocation more than doubling to ₹5,940 crore.
  
• 4,000 e-buses were also announced for Purvodaya states.

Tariff cut to help auto components sector gain competitive edge in the US market

Business Line, 4 February 2026

• ACMA welcomed the US tariff cut to 18%, saying it boosts competitiveness for Indian auto components.
  
• The US is a key market, with India exporting $6.2 billion in components in FY25.
  
• Industry leaders see this as a gateway to export-led growth and deeper tech collaboration.

Government seeks industry roadmap for aviation push

Business Line, 6 February 2026

• The government met aviation industry leaders to discuss boosting MRO and domestic manufacturing using Budget incentives.
  
• Key focus areas include utilising customs duty exemptions on components and improving financing for eVTOLs.
  
• New schemes for seaplane manufacturing and route development were also discussed.

Pact puts auto parts exporters in driver's seat

The Times of India, 9 February 2026

• The India-US trade deal offers preferential, zero-duty access for some auto parts previously taxed up to 50%.
  
• ACMA and companies like Uno Minda and Tenneco India say this boosts competitiveness and tech collaboration.
  
• The deal strengthens India's position in global auto supply chains.

Micro, small enterprises with good track record can get collateral-free loans up to ₹25 lakh: RBI

Business Line, 10 February 2026

• RBI doubled the collateral-free loan limit for MSEs from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, effective April 2026.
  
• Units with good track record may get loans up to ₹25 lakh based on bank policy.
  
• Gold and silver can now be accepted as voluntary collateral for such loans.

January power demand at 16-year high

Business Standard, 11 February 2026

• India's power demand hit a 16-year high in January, rising 4.5% due to cold waves and sustained manufacturing activity.
  
• Power generation rose 6%, with coal playing a key role in meeting fluctuating demand.
  
• Renewable energy generation also grew 10%, driven by new capacity additions.

'India sharpening trade strategy to boost mfg competitiveness'

The Times of India, 12 February 2026

• India is sharpening its trade strategy through deals with the US and EU to boost manufacturing competitiveness.
  
• The US deal offers preferential access for auto components, while the EU pact focuses on standards and sustainability.
  
• SIAM President stressed the need for close industry-government alignment to seize this opportunity.

Pune MSMEs sign ₹36 cr MoUs with foreign buyers

The Times of India, 12 February 2026

• Pune MSMEs signed 58 MoUs worth ₹36 crore with buyers from eight countries under the RAMP scheme.
  
• The "reverse buyer seller meet" facilitated 600 rounds of talks between foreign buyers and local sellers.
  
• Sectors covered included automotive, engineering, electronics, and agriculture

BEE may rationalise technology credits

Business Standard, 14 February 2026

• BEE plans to rationalise fuel-saving tech credits under the upcoming CAFE-3 norms effective FY28.
  
• Common features like start-stop systems may be excluded, and the total credit cap may be reduced to 6 g/km.
  
• A new list of 17 globally proven technologies, including electric water pumps and solar-reflective paint, will be eligible

Access all press reports in a single PDF document.

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