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

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Key Press Reports
Automotive Industry

EV growth boosts Wheels India's air suspension business: CMD

Business Line, 2 July 2026

  • Air suspension business growth driven by higher content per vehicle, inter-city transport, and EV penetration.
  • Company plans capex of ~₹300 crore for tractor, windmill, hydraulic cylinders, and air suspension segments.
  • Cast aluminium business ramping up with new orders from Indian OEMs

In major reprieve for auto sector, Centre waives ₹2,700 crore CAFE-2 penalties

Business Line, 3 July 2026

  • PMO intervention led to waiver of ₹2,700 crore penalties for Hyundai, Kia, M&M, and others for CAFE-2 violations.
  • Compliance runway extended to September 30, 2027, via carbon credit exchange.
  • New framework fundamentally dilutes rules; automakers no longer face immediate penalties for missing targets.

Auto retail sales jump 22% in June

Business Standard, 7 July 2026

  • June auto retail sales up 22% YoY to 2.5 million units, best-ever June across 2W, 3W, CV, and PV segments.
  • CV sales hit 3-month high (+17%); EV share in CV segment rose to 3.53% (all-time high) from 1.57%.
  • Two-wheeler EV share crossed double digits for first time at 11%.

China's share of auto component supply to India rose 36% in FY26

Business Line, 8 July 2026

  • China's share of auto component imports rose to 36% in FY26 from 29% in FY25.
  • US remains top export destination at 26%; sector turnover ₹7.6 lakh crore (+12.7% YoY).
  • ACMA expects 8-10% growth in FY27; China remains largest import source due to technology, policy, and price reasons.

US Still India's Top Export Market for Auto Parts Despite Tariff Woes

The Economic Times, 8 July 2026

  • US remains largest export market for auto parts at 26% share; total exports rose 5% to $24 billion in FY26.
  • Section 301 investigation underway on unfair labour and subsidy allegations; ACMA refutes claims.
  • Industry seeing RFQs from US companies explicitly requiring no China dependence in supply chains.

Mercedes-Benz India reports record H1 sales, up 9%; EV mix reaches 14%

Business Line, 8 July 2026

  • H1 sales up 9% to 9,768 units; Q2 sales up 10% to 4,637 units.
  • EV mix reached 14% (double earlier share); top-end luxury models (TEL) grew 20% to record 28% share.
  • AMG deliveries surged 50%; waiting periods of 4-12 months for TEL models; ₹450 crore franchise investment planned.

Chinese Car Sales Slump for Ninth Straight Month

The Economic Times, 9 July 2026

  • China domestic PV sales fell 23.4% in June; ninth consecutive monthly decline.
  • Exports jumped 82.1% to 882,000 vehicles; automakers increasingly turning to exports.
  • Budget car sales (under 80,000 yuan) fell 34-43% due to reduced subsidies and uneven economy.

Battery materials, auto component makers draw over ₹540 crore as supply chain investment cycle accelerates

Business Line, 10 July 2026

  • Sicona secured A$45 million (~₹255 crore) for silicon-carbon anode tech; JRG raised ₹125 crore; AISIN announced ₹150 crore expansion.
  • ICRA estimates auto component industry capex of ₹20,000-25,000 crore in FY27.
  • Investments targeting battery materials, precision manufacturing, and electronics to reduce import dependence.

Honda 2W recalibrating EV strategy: CEO

Business Standard, 10 July 2026

  • HMSI studying customer concerns on battery life and resale value; launching another electric scooter this year.
  • Domestic sales expected to grow 5-6% in FY27; production capacity remains key constraint.
  • EV transition for motorcycles may be more gradual than scooters; Delhi's ICE 2W phaseout will be complied with.

Auto retail sector chases three crore annual sales amid financing overhaul

Business Line, 14 July 2026

  • Auto retail on track to cross 3 crore annual sales; vehicle finance market ~₹2.65 lakh crore, insurance ~₹1.25 lakh crore.
  • Dealers urge dealer-centric credit models, real-time funding dashboards, and integrated digital platforms.
  • FADA finance satisfaction score improved to 841 from 786; AI-led underwriting reducing approvals from days to minutes.

Honda plans to enter the sub-4 metre SUV segment, accelerate electrification

Business Line, 14 July 2026

  • Planning entry into sub-4 metre SUV segment in 2028; offered with multiple powertrain options.
  • First India-developed BEV SUV to launch in H2 FY27; will offer petrol, hybrid, and EV based on preferences.
  • Tapukara plant at 60-70% utilisation; six launches planned this calendar year.

Volkswagen's global model cull may enhance India's production role

Business Line, 15 July 2026

  • VW to eliminate up to 50% of global models and 75% of variants by 2030; India has already consolidated under India 2.0.
  • India may become more important as manufacturing/localisation base; niche imports face higher scrutiny.
  • Restructuring targets 9 million annual capacity and 8-10% return on sales.

Hero MotoCorp unveils long-term growth blueprint

Business Line, 15 July 2026

  • Strategy centred on premiumisation, AI, connected mobility, and global expansion.
  • Connected Vehicle Platform manages entire vehicle lifecycle; technology-agnostic approach across multiple low-emission powertrains.
  • Future competitiveness will depend on organisational capabilities beyond manufacturing scale.
Electric Vehicles

Bajaj Auto overtakes TVS to lead electric two-wheeler market in June

Business Line, 1 July 2026

  • Bajaj Auto led June e2W sales with 50,741 units (18% share), overtaking TVS (47,952 units, 17% share).
  • Overall e2W registrations up 52% YoY to 2.85 lakh units; penetration crossed 10% for first time.
  • Hero MotoCorp fastest-growing (+155%); Ola Electric continued to lose ground with 15,096 units.

TaMo widens EV lead as competition hots up

Business Standard, 2 July 2026

  • Tata.ev market share in ePV rose to 39% in Q1 FY27 from 36.1%; overall PV share rose to 14.2% from 12.5%.
  • Mahindra increased share to 24.3%; JSW MG declined to 20% despite Windsor EV popularity.
  • Maruti Suzuki and VinFast captured 5.9% and 4.8% respectively in first full quarter; Hyundai share fell to 1.7%.

Hero, Ather and Greaves drive 58% of India's incremental e2W sales in H1 CY26

Business Line, 3 July 2026

  • Hero, Ather, Greaves, River, BGauss contributed 58.4% of incremental e2W sales (1.9 lakh of 3.25 lakh additional units).
  • Combined market share expanded to 37% from 26% a year earlier; market evolving into broader, more competitive ecosystem.
  • Greaves registered 65.2% growth; River scaling rapidly; BGauss registrations up 82.1%.

EV registrations race to an all-time high in June, surge 63% to 3.06 lakh units: FADA

Business Line, 8 July 2026

  • June EV retail hit all-time high of 3.06 lakh units (+63% YoY); overall EV penetration crossed 12% for first time.
  • ePV at 31,823 units and eCV at 3,214 units delivered best-ever months; e2W at 1,93,735 units.
  • Three-wheelers over 64% electric; two-wheelers in double-digits at 10.6%; electrification moving mainstream.

EV penetration crosses 12% for the first time

Business Standard, 8 July 2026

  • Overall EV penetration crossed 12% in June; e2W penetration hit 10.6%; ePV and eCV had best-ever months.
  • TVS led e2W retail with 47,064 units; Bajaj 43,306; Ather 31,230; Hero jumped 175.5% to 21,820.
  • Ola Electric declined 22% to 16,150 units; legacy manufacturers strengthening hold on market.

Sun Mobility to launch battery-swapping platform for e-trucks

Business Line, 9 July 2026

  • Launching world's first modular battery-swapping platform for 3-tonne to 55-tonne trucks/buses; $78 million JV with IOCL.
  • Platform supports 330V and 660V architectures; 50kWh and 100kWh packs swapped in under 3 minutes.
  • BaaS model reduces upfront cost by ~40%; rollout to focus on freight corridors and intercity bus routes.

EV companies raise ₹3,800 crore as investor interest accelerates

Business Line, 6 July 2026

  • Craftsman Automation raised ~₹2,000 crore via QIP; Ola Electric ~₹780 crore; Simple Energy ~₹250 crore; JBM Ecolife ~₹750 crore.
  • Rane (Madras) acquiring Hindustan Composites' friction business for ~₹370 crore.
  • Delhi EV Policy envisages ₹15,000 crore investment plan; auto ancillary companies dominate deal activity.

Nissan bets on India revival with Tekton, maps EV entry by 2028

Business Line, 10 July 2026

  • Launched all-new Tekton mid-size SUV at ₹10.49 lakh; plans to expand local portfolio from 1 to 4 models.
  • Evaluating multiple EV pathways including local manufacturing, imports, and technology partnerships.
  • EV entry expected around 2028; project-level collaboration with Honda being evaluated globally.

Chinese EVs Average Only 1.8 Years on Road, Less than Mobile Phones: Report

The Economic Times, 13 July 2026

  • Chinese EVs on road average just 1.8 years old vs 8.2 years for gasoline cars (21st Century Business Herald report).
  • Average EV after 3 years worth 43.35% of original price; lower resale values encourage faster turnover.
  • 43% of EV owners replace vehicles primarily to upgrade intelligent features; buyers under 35 are core customer base.

BMW Races to Catch Up in Chinese EV Market

The Economic Times, 15 July 2026

  • BMW China sales plunged 30% in Q2; new CEO issued profit warning partly blamed on China.
  • Neue Klasse iX3 SUV due in November; analysts say two years too late as Chinese rivals develop cars in 18 months.
  • Only 5% of BMW China sales are electric vs 46% market average; German premium brands struggling.

TVS, Bajaj, Hero, Ather drive 96% of e2W growth

Business Standard, 15 July 2026

  • Four companies contributed 95.6% of incremental e2W registrations in H1 2026; combined share rose to 76.7% from 66.6%.
  • TVS leads with 2.51 lakh units; Bajaj 2.18 lakh; Ather 1.69 lakh (+91%); Hero 1.06 lakh (+208%).
  • Ola registrations down 44% to 65,999 units; share fell from 18.6% to 6.8%; but showed sequential recovery.
Tractor

Tafe planning to export its e-tractors to Europe

Business Standard, 7 July 2026

  • Tafe to launch born-electric e-tractor in Europe during Q3 at €20,000-22,000; Indian launch depends on economic viability.
  • Facing supply chain constraints including tungsten/carbide shortages and rising shipping costs.
  • Focus on automation, expanding supplier base, and increasing localisation to build resilient operations.
Government Policies

E20 is more a communication than a tech issue: Reji Mathai

Business Line, 7 July 2026

  • ARAI Director-General says E20 fuel efficiency reduction is 2-6% under controlled conditions; consumer complaints due to driving conditions.
  • No authorised retrofit programme; E25 only at technical evaluation stage; E85/E100 require dedicated flex-fuel vehicles.
  • Biggest lesson from E20 rollout: technical information must be communicated more effectively to counter social media misconceptions.

Petition in SC claims E20 rollout undermines the rights of the consumer

Business Line, 8 July 2026

  • Petition filed in Supreme Court alleging "silent compulsion" in E20 rollout; seeks full disclosure on composition and compatibility.
  • Contends ethanol is not inert additive; may affect fuel-system materials, engine performance, and long-term vehicle health.
  • Seeks independent expert committee to examine real-world E20 compatibility; not seeking rollback of policy.

SIAM asks Centre to Increase Import Duty on Tractors, Prime Movers

The Economic Times, 8 July 2026

  • SIAM requests increase in import duty on commercial tractors and prime movers from 10% to 40% to prevent dumping from China.
  • Current 10% BCD allows foreign OEMs to import CBUs cheaply without substantial investment in India.
  • Cheap imports posing threat to business case for domestic EV tractor makers investing heavily in manufacturing.

EPF Scheme, 2026: How subscribers should adapt to revised norms

Business Standard, 13 July 2026

  • New EPF Scheme effective June 29, 2026; statutory contribution rate and wage ceiling remain unchanged.
  • Partial withdrawals consolidated into 3 categories; minimum 25% balance must be retained; waiting period for full withdrawal extended to 12 months.
  • Employees should ensure digital records (Aadhaar, PAN, bank account, UAN) are updated; EPF should remain retirement nest egg, not emergency fund.

Access all press reports in a single PDF document.

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