Hyundai Motor India Ltd said it will try to absorb rising input costs through internal efficiencies and cost optimisation, adding that any vehicle price hike will be a last resort and only undertaken if unavoidable. The automaker is also closely tracking commodity trends, including the recent softening in palladium prices, before taking any call on pricing. On exports, Hyundai said India continues to be a strong manufacturing and export hub, with overseas shipments growing around 18% so far this fiscal well above its initial 7–8% guidance. The company expects export momentum to sustain as more models from its global portfolio are introduced, including the new Venue, which is being produced exclusively in India, opening up fresh opportunities across international markets.
Maruti Suzuki grew 22% in Q3, beating industry growth of 20.5%, driven by a 24.5% surge in small cars after GST reforms. Net sales touched ₹47,500 crore, with margins improving after adjusting for a one-time labour code provision. The company now accounts for 46% of India’s car exports. Management says first-time buyers are returning, expects near-term demand to stabilise, and pegs sustainable growth at around 7% annually.
The India–EU Free Trade Agreement may accelerate innovation in India’s auto sector, but Mercedes-Benz India says vehicle prices are unlikely to fall anytime soon. MD & CEO Santosh Iyer points out that over 90% of sales come from locally manufactured models, with just 5% via EU imports. A weakening rupee — down 19% against the euro in 2025 — could also offset any benefits from reduced import duties.
After closing 2025 with record sales and triple-digit growth, Skoda Auto India is gearing up for an aggressive product-led strategy in 2026. The Czech carmaker sold 72,665 units to dealers last year, marking 107% growth, while customer deliveries stood at 70,600 units. Calling 2026 a year of consolidation and expansion, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director at Skoda Auto India, says the company has lined up 10 product actions including new launches, refreshes, trims and feature upgrades—aimed at sharper positioning, wider price coverage and stronger brand aspiration. The strategy has already translated into tangible gains, with Škoda climbing from 11th place in 2024 to seventh in the Indian passenger vehicle market in 2025, alongside an expanded footprint across 183 cities and over 325 customer touchpoints.
VinFast India is stepping up its India push with plans to launch one new product every six months, including a 7-seater MPV and a two-wheeler. India CEO Tapan Ghosh says the company has committed $1 billion in investments, with $500 million already deployed for a 50,000-unit four-wheeler manufacturing capacity. He adds that continued government incentives are crucial as EV penetration in India remains just 4%.
CARS24 expects to capture close to 10% market share in India’s used-car market over the next three to four years, growing at nearly twice the industry rate, CFO Shivanshu Makkar told Business Today. Makkar said the GST reduction on new cars caused short-term pressure, as inventory was bought at higher prices, but profitability rebounded sharply by December. He added that structural disruption has begun in the used-car market, with organised platforms gaining share.
Bengaluru-based EV maker Simple Energy has unveiled its Gen 2 electric scooter lineup, led by the Simple Ultra that claims an IDC range of up to 400 kilometres, the longest yet in India. The new range brings meaningful upgrades across design, performance and usability, including traction control, cruise control, regenerative braking, and a redesigned touchscreen dashboard. With reduced weight and enhanced storage, the Gen 2 scooters aim to address range anxiety and everyday riding comfort. Business Today TV test "rides" it on the roads of Bengaluru!
German luxury carmaker BMW Gorup India clocked its highest-ever car sales of 18,001 units, registering a growth of 14% year-over-year. BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar talks about the company’s outlook for 2026, electric vehicle market share, competition with Elon Musk’s Tesla, becoming India’s top luxury carmaker in Q3 and price hike plans owing to weak rupee.
Mahindra has launched the updated version of the XUV700. The popular SUV has been renamed as XUV 7XO and comes at a starting price of Rs 13.66 lakh (ex-showroom). The introductory prices are for the first 40,000 units. Bookings will open on January 14. The XUV 7XO adopts a bold new design while retaining the essence of its predecessor. The front fascia includes a redesigned grille and reworked LED headlamps with integrated C-shaped LED DRLs. The SUV comes with new alloy wheels, while the rear features connected LED taillights and a redesigned bumper. Business Today's Chetan Bhutani reviews the new XUV 7XO.
EV maker Simple Energy has rolled out its Gen 2 scooter portfolio, led by the new flagship Simple Ultra with a claimed 400km IDC range. Showcased ahead of pricing later this year, Ultra anchors a four-model lineup. Updated Simple One variants offer 236km and 265km ranges, while the Simple OneS Gen 2 delivers 190km. Prices start at Rs. 1.39 lakh and go up to Rs. 1.77 lakh, ex-showroom Bengaluru. Bookings open soon; deliveries expected to scale across key markets nationally.
German luxury carmaker BMW Gorup India clocked its highest-ever car sales of 18,001 units, registering a growth of 14% year-over-year. BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar talks about the company’s outlook for 2026, electric vehicle market share, competition with Elon Musk’s Tesla, becoming India’s top luxury carmaker in Q3 and price hike plans owing to weak rupee.
Mahindra’s auto business is seeing strong momentum, backed by record December sales and a solid start to January. R Velusamy said the company has around 10,000 units per month capacity, with nearly 40% headroom, and has invested ₹400 crore in the 7XO. While the SUV market is growing at 7%, Mahindra is expanding at 18%, with CNG and EV demand picking up amid supportive macroeconomic indicators.
The Mahindra XUV 7XO has been launched with prices ranging from Rs 13.66 lakh to Rs 24.92 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom, pan-India). The XUV 7XO is offered in six variants for now: AX, AX3, AX5, AX7, AX7 T, and AX7 L
Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 25% year-on-year jump in automobile sales to 86,090 units, including exports, in December 2025. Domestic passenger vehicle sales rose 23% to 50,946 units, compared with 41,424 units in December 2024. Domestic commercial vehicle sales stood at 24,786 units, registering a 34% year-on-year growth, the company said. In an exclusive conversation with Sakshi Batra, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Executive Director – Mahindra Electric Automobile, said the company is not ruling out a price hike, though the timing remains difficult to predict. He added that any price increase would be marginal and would not offset the benefits of GST rationalisation.
2025 turned out to be a landmark year for the Indian auto industry. From big launches and iconic nameplates making a comeback to EVs firmly entering the mainstream. But the action is far from over. In this video, Business Today’s Chetan Bhutani takes a clear, brand-wise look at the most important car launches expected in India in 2026. From Maruti Suzuki’s first all-electric SUV, the e Vitara, to Mahindra’s XUV 7XO, Tata’s Sierra EV revival, the new-generation Renault Duster, and key facelifts from Kia, Skoda and Nissan , the lineup is packed. With EVs, petrol comebacks, hybrids and global products on the way, 2026 could be one of the most exciting years yet for Indian car buyers.
The next-generation Kia Seltos is all set to go on sale in India on 2nd January, 2025. The all-new model has already been showcased, revealing design changes, feature upgrades and mechanical enhancements. Bookings for the SUV are currently open across the country at Rs 25,000, with deliveries to start by mid-January, 2026. Business Today's Chetan Bhutani reviews the all new Kia Seltos.
India’s top auto awards were announced yesterday, recognising excellence in the automotive industry. The winners were chosen by a jury of leading auto journalists from across the country. Among the key honours, the Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2026 award was won by the Apache RTX 300, applauded for its performance, design and innovation.
BTTV's Chetan Bhutani takes the Mini Cooper Convertible to Jaisalmer for a thorough real-world evaluation. The 204hp soft-top shows its lively character on long, open desert highways, delivering quick acceleration and a confident, planted feel. With the roof down, the cabin fills with natural light and the desert breeze, highlighting the car’s lifestyle appeal. Its 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox offers smooth shifts, while multiple drive modes let the car adapt to relaxed cruising or spirited sprints. On narrower village roads, the Mini’s compact size and sharp steering make it easy to place, proving that this convertible blends style with genuine everyday usability.
The third model on Mahindra’s INGLO pure-electric platform, the Mahindra XEV 9S, is also the most sensible yet. While the BE 6 and XEV 9e drew attention with bold design and heavy tech—and sparked plenty of debate—the XEV 9S takes a more mature, understated route. It delivers the same core strengths of the INGLO architecture but in a familiar, easy-to-accept SUV form.
Mahindra has launched the XEV 9S 3-row SUV with introductory prices starting at Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom) for the entry-level Pack One Above variant. Interestingly, prices for the XEV 9S, the first dedicated 7-seater mass-market electric SUV, start at Rs 1.95 lakh lower than those of the XEV 9e; both models are based on the INGLO platform.
The Mahindra BE 6 Formula E Edition has debuted as a sportier, motorsport-inspired variant of the BE 6 SUV, bringing exclusive styling features at a starting price of Rs 23.69 lakh (ex-showroom). the special edition taps into the motorsport culture while strengthening Mahindra’s position as the only Indian brand to win on the global Formula E grid. Customer preferences open on December 14, 2025, while bookings begin on January 14, 2026, and deliveries commence a month later on February 14. BTTV's Chetan Bhutani in conversation with Pratap Bose.
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