1st Fortnight - Jan 2026 Read online
Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI)

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Key Press Reports
Automotive Industry

Bharat Forge receives ₹1,662 cr order

The Times of India | 1 January 2026

  • Bharat Forge signed a ₹1,662-crore contract with the Ministry of Defence to supply 2.6 lakh CQB carbines to the Indian Army.
  • The indigenously designed weapon was developed jointly with DRDO and ARDE.
  • The contract will be executed over a four-year period.

Commercial vehicle makers report robust December sales

Business Line | 2 January 2026

  • Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Eicher Motors posted strong sales growth in December 2025 and Q3FY26.
  • Tata Motors led with 24% growth in December; ILMCV and HCV segments showed highest demand.
  • Growth was supported by GST 2.0, festive demand, and rebound in construction and mining.

Petrol, diesel vehicles eat into EV pie after GST cut

The Times of India | 2 January 2026

  • Reduction in GST for ICE vehicles narrowed the price gap with EVs, impacting EV penetration in 2W and PV segments.
  • EV penetration fell in Q4 2025, though full-year EV sales still grew 16% y-o-y.
  • Electric PVs and three-wheelers showed strong volume growth despite market share pressure.

Replacement demand, GST reset may boost MHCV sales

Business Standard | 5 January 2026

  • MHCV segment is entering an early upcycle driven by replacement demand and better freight economics.
  • GST recalibration reduced tax-driven buying, improving market stability.
  • Brokerages expect MHCV volumes to grow 8–10% over FY26–FY27.

Suspend PM E-DRIVE truck-scrapping rule for a year: Auto industry

Business Standard | 10 January 2026

  • SIAM requested a one-year suspension of mandatory scrappage certificates for e-truck incentives.
  • Limited availability of scrappage certificates is creating operational bottlenecks.
  • Industry suggested relaxed weight-matching norms to improve scheme adoption.

2-wheeler industry expects 6–9% growth in 2026

Business Standard | 12 January 2026

  • Growth is supported by GST reduction, urban recovery and resilient rural demand.
  • Proposed ABS mandate for sub-125cc vehicles may raise prices and impact volumes.
  • Electric two-wheelers are expected to add incremental growth.

Maruti okays ₹4,960 cr land acquisition in Gujarat

Business Line | 13 January 2026

  • Maruti Suzuki approved land acquisition to expand capacity by up to 10 lakh units in Gujarat.
  • Investment will be funded through internal accruals and borrowings.
  • MSIL also signed an MoU with IOCL to expand vehicle service facilities nationwide.

Strong finish for autos

The Economic Times | 14 January 2026

  • Passenger vehicle sales rose 27% in December 2025; total auto sales grew 5.1% in CY25.
  • Commercial vehicles, three-wheelers and two-wheelers posted record or near-record sales.
  • GST 2.0, tax relief and repo rate cuts improved affordability and demand.

Targeted govt support needed to drive demand for sub-₹10 lakh EVs

The Economic Times | 14 January 2026

  • Tata Motors said mass adoption of EVs depends on support for sub-₹10 lakh segment.
  • Battery costs form up to 70% of vehicle cost, limiting affordability.
  • Fleet EV incentives offer higher environmental impact and should be prioritised.

Macroeconomics, affordability & policy to power autos in 2026

Business Line | 14 January 2026

  • SIAM expects positive momentum in 2026 due to stable macro conditions and policy support.
  • All vehicle segments recorded strong growth in CY25, with exports rising in double digits.
  • Industry will monitor geopolitical risks impacting supply chains.

US auto firms hesitant to acquire parts from Indian manufacturers

Business Standard | 15 January 2026

  • US tariffs have created uncertainty for future sourcing from Indian auto component makers.
  • Exports to the US remained flat in H1FY26; impact likely in H2FY26.
  • Existing supply contracts continue, but new orders are being delayed.

Luxury car market to remain flat in 2026

Business Line | 15 January 2026

  • Luxury car sales expected to remain flat due to forex pressure and geopolitical uncertainty.
  • Mercedes-Benz cited rising costs and cautious consumer sentiment.
  • High-end luxury vehicles and AMG models showed stronger growth.

US tariffs unlikely to hit automotive parts industry until FY27: ACMA

Business Line | 15 January 2026

  • ACMA said tariff impact on Indian auto components may be felt from FY27.
  • OEMs take time to shift suppliers due to long validation cycles.
  • Component industry grew 6.8% y-o-y in H1FY26.
Electric Vehicles

Electric two-wheeler registrations cross 1 million for second year in a row in 2025

Business Line | 1 January 2026

  • e-2W registrations rose 11% to 12.68 lakh units in 2025.
  • TVS Motor and Bajaj gained market share, while Ola Electric declined.
  • EV penetration plateaued around 6% due to reduced tax advantage.

e4W registrations soar 88% year-on-year in 2025

Business Line | 2 January 2026

  • Electric car registrations jumped to 1.7 lakh units in 2025.
  • Tata remained leader but lost market share to JSW MG and Mahindra.
  • New entrants Vinfast and Tesla recorded modest initial volumes.

BYD rear-ends Tesla to take pole position in EV circuit

The Economic Times | 3 January 2026

  • BYD overtook Tesla as global EV sales leader in 2025.
  • Tesla sales declined for the second consecutive year after US tax credits ended.
  • BYD gained strongly in Europe amid intensifying competition.

Delhi CM, minister meet six automakers on EV Policy 2.0

Business Standard | 3 January 2026

  • Discussions focused on EV incentives, charging infrastructure and grid readiness.
  • Automakers differed on including strong hybrids under EV incentives.
  • Access to land for charging stations emerged as a major bottleneck.

Ashok Leyland opens plant in Lucknow to manufacture EVs

Business Line | 10 January 2026

  • Ashok Leyland inaugurated a green EV-focused plant with 5,000-unit annual capacity.
  • Facility features solar power, water neutrality and energy-efficient systems.
  • The plant supports the company’s Net Zero 2048 goal.

Destination EU: Incentive for electric car may be tweaked

The Economic Times | 13 January 2026

  • Government may revise EV manufacturing incentives ahead of India–EU FTA.
  • SPMEPCI scheme received no applications due to duty and investment constraints.
  • EU tariff cuts could change the incentive structure.

Bajaj Auto plans to take Chetak EVs to over 100 countries

Business Standard | 15 January 2026

  • Bajaj Auto plans a phased global rollout of Chetak EVs using distributor networks.
  • Focus is on localisation, certification and infrastructure readiness.
  • Chetak C25 launched as a more affordable EV scooter.
Tractor

Domestic tractor sales cross 10 lakh units in ’25

Business Line | 10 January 2026

  • Domestic tractor sales rose 20% to 10.9 lakh units in 2025.
  • Growth driven by good monsoon, lower GST and strong farm output.
  • Exports crossed 1 lakh units for the first time.
Raw Material

Steel safeguard duty imposed for 3 years

Business Standard | 1 January 2026

  • Centre imposed up to 12% safeguard duty to curb cheap steel imports.
  • Duty will taper over three years and end in April 2028.
  • Move aims to protect domestic steelmakers amid margin pressure.

Steelmakers rejig production system as CBAM kicks in

Business Standard | 7 January 2026

  • Indian steel exporters are shifting to low-carbon production for EU compliance.
  • Companies are securing emission verification and EPD certifications.
  • CBAM increases compliance costs, especially for small exporters.

Initial Probe by CCI Finds Steel Biggies Colluding Over Pricing

Business Line | 8 January 2026

  • CCI’s investigation wing found 28 steel companies, including Tata Steel, JSW Steel, JSPL and SAIL, guilty of alleged price collusion between 2015 and 2023.
  • The probe also held top executives personally liable; companies have denied any cartelisation.
  • The final CCI order is awaited, with scope for further investigation before a decision.

Steel companies hike prices by ₹4,000/t post safeguard levy

Business Standard | 8 January 2026

  • Steelmakers raised hot-rolled coil prices to about ₹51,000/tonne and cold-rolled coil prices by 2–4%.
  • Price hikes followed the imposition of a 11–12% safeguard duty on steel imports for three years.
  • Analysts caution further hikes may face resistance if global steel prices weaken.
Government Policies

SPREE scheme deadline extended till January 31

The Times of India | 1 January 2026

  • The government extended the SPREE 2025 deadline to January 31, 2026, to widen ESI coverage.
  • Unregistered employers can enroll without inspections, penalties, or past dues during this period.
  • Failure to register after the deadline will attract contributions, interest, penalties, and legal action.

PLI in auto: Investment target of ₹42,500 cr in sight

The Times of India | 3 January 2026

  • Auto PLI scheme investments have crossed ₹35,000 crore, nearing the ₹42,500-crore target.
  • 72 of 82 applicants have committed investments; MSMEs are among the biggest beneficiaries.
  • Incentives worth ₹2,000 crore were disbursed, with strong domestic value addition in EVs and PVs.

MSME exporters get ₹7.3k cr credit lifeline

The Times of India | 8 January 2026

  • Government announced interest subsidy and collateral guarantee schemes for MSME exporters.
  • Interest subsidy offers 2.75% support, while collateral guarantees aim to unlock ₹60,000–65,000 crore credit.
  • Measures target high borrowing costs and lack of collateral, boosting MSME export competitiveness.

Auto players seek EV protection in EU pact

Business Line | 14 January 2026

  • Indian automakers want safeguards in the India–EU FTA to prevent low-duty entry of Chinese EVs via Europe.
  • Industry seeks restrictions to high-end EVs only, with limited volumes and at least 50% value addition.
  • Concern is to protect domestic EV ecosystem while balancing trade-offs in negotiations.

To hike competitiveness, Stalin unveils circular economy policy

Business Line | 14 January 2026

  • Tamil Nadu launched the Circular Economy Investment Policy 2026 to support low-carbon manufacturing.
  • The policy aligns industry with global norms like EU’s CBAM and Deforestation Regulation.
  • Incentives include capital subsidy, EPF reimbursement for new jobs, and skill subsidies across key sectors.

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Recent Activities

 

      • Northern Region Meeting, 7th Jan 2026, Chandigarh
      • Training on “Maintenance of Induction Billet Heater”, 8th Jan 2026, Ludhiana
      • Training on ''Problem Solving Of Forging Defects & Die Life Improvement",13th Jan 2026, Pune
      • Training on "Maintenance Of Hammer, Forging Press and Triming Press",20th Jan 2026, Bengaluru
      • AIFI Information Booth At IMTEX FORMING 2026 & TOOLTECH 2026, 21st Jan - 25th Jan 2026, Bengaluru
Upcoming Activities

 

    • Western Region Meeting,30th Jan 2026, Pune
    • Post Budget Session - "Analysis of Union Budget 2026 - 27, 5th Feb 2026, Virtual 
    • Training on "Maintenance Of  Forging Press, Trimming Press and Hammer", Feb 2026, Chennai
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