German automaker Audi expects India’s luxury car market to grow by about 5–7% in 2026, even as the entry-level segment faces pressure from rising prices, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director at Audi India said. The company, which on Tuesday launched the SQ8 luxury SUV at an introductory price of ₹1.78 crore to strengthen its presence in the ₹75 lakh-plus segment, is also working on a new electrification strategy focused on “right-priced, right-sized models” to boost EV adoption in the entry luxury space. Despite the growth outlook, India’s luxury car market remains relatively small within the broader passenger vehicle industry, with annual volumes estimated at around 50,000 units.
Renault India’s VP Francisco Hidalgo outlines the roadmap for the new Duster—quick petrol deliveries, hybrid launch around Diwali, and a rapid push towards 100% localisation to tackle forex volatility. He also said production remains stable with no impact from ongoing global conflicts, while localisation is expected to boost exports.
For 2026, the India-spec V-Class will be offered exclusively in an extended wheelbase version, boasting a generous 3,430 mm between the front and rear axles. Overall length stretches to nearly 5.4 metres, and the MPV is slightly over 1.9 metres wide. It also stands tall at approximately 1.9 metres in height. With such commanding dimensions, the V-Class delivers undeniable presence and kerb appeal. The power-operated doors immediately set a premium tone, even before you step inside the cabin of this Mercedes. The interior of the V-Class is impressively spacious, particularly in the four-seater configuration, though even the six-seater version offers ample room. The four-seat layout features two sets of opposing seats, with the forward-facing ones being especially indulgent—they come equipped with extendable leg rests and offer cooling, heating, and massage functions. For those prioritizing practicality, the six-seater layout includes all forward-facing individual captain chairs.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. reported a strong performance for February 2026, with total auto sales rising 18% year-on-year to 97,177 units. The growth was led by its SUV portfolio, where domestic sales surged 19% to 60,018 units, reflecting sustained customer demand across segments. Commercial vehicle sales also remained steady, while exports posted healthy growth. In this exclusive management interaction, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, discusses the momentum in SUV demand, market trends, and the company’s outlook going forward.
In this powerful conversation on Business Today TV, Aabha Bakaya speaks with Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson of Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, about the urgent need to normalise mental health conversations in India. From battling stigma and silence to building structured mental health ecosystems across schools, colleges, corporates, and government institutions, Neerja Birla shares insights from a decades-long journey of systemic change. She discusses how anxiety and depression are often misunderstood, why mental health is not a weakness but a chemical imbalance influenced by sociological triggers, and how leadership and vulnerability can coexist. The conversation also explores mental health in law enforcement, education, and among youth, along with challenges around accessibility, affordability, and privacy… especially for women. Neerja Birla highlights preventive mental health programs like Minds Matter and COPE, and the importance of embedding emotional resilience early in education systems. She also reflects on leadership lessons, resilience, boundaries, trade-offs, and the evolving mental health landscape in India and South Asia. The exclusive conversation is a must-watch for leaders, parents, educators, and anyone invested in building emotionally resilient communities.
Valeo Global CEO Christophe Périllat says India’s auto market is undergoing a structural shift as demand rises for safer vehicles and electric mobility. The French auto tech major plans to invest €200 million to expand three manufacturing facilities and localise production under the “vocal for local” approach. With global EV penetration at 18% and expected to reach 25% in India by 2032, Valeo sees strong growth potential. He adds that upcoming safety regulations like automatic emergency braking and rising adoption of ADAS and ARAS technologies across cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers will drive the company’s next phase of expansion. He also highlighted growing India-France tech collaboration as a strategic advantage.
JSW MG Motor India MD & CEO Anurag Mehrotra tells Business Today that the company is preparing to expand exports to African markets after shipping vehicles to Nepal and Bhutan. He says upcoming FTAs in the next 18–24 months could be “historic,” while GST rationalisation has helped revive demand. Mehrotra expects the auto industry to grow in high single digits to low double digits, with JSW MG aiming to outperform the market.
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.
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