CATEGORIES
'We now have a brand new design studio and a brand new design vision'
Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India, speaks with Pratap Bose, Chief Design Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra at the showcasing event of the five new electric SUV concepts that the marque has to offer to the automotive industry in India.
M&M's big EV push
India’s Mahindra & Mahindra plays catch-up and eyes for top spot in EV segment with an impressive line-up of five new cars.
INDICA, THE MODEL THAT IGNITED INDIA
The Indica was India's first indigenously engineered car that had a good run and was pitched as a car with the mileage of a diesel and interiors of an Amby.
Electric is now mantra for automakers
OEMs and start-ups are investing in new products and technologies to usher in an EV revolution that could change the face of motoring in India. A report by Mayank Dhingra.
'Being able to translate excellent Japanese systems into Indian systems was key to Maruti's success'
The chairman of Maruti Suzuki, RC Bhargava, on how his company learnt the ropes to make its value-for-money product propositions for India, and why Indians will continue to buy small cars, in an interview with Hormazd Sorabjee.
When the Japanese came calling in the '80s
The 1980s saw a slew of Japanese brands enter the Indian market where their focus was on light commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. What was astonishing was the way Telco blew them away in the cargo space with their its 407 while in two-wheelers, Indian companies have more than held their own even after parting ways with Japanese counterparts. Murali Gopalan brings you some interesting nuggets from the past in this essay.
Stalwarts who paved the way for India's auto story
In the Licence Raj days, government controlled every aspect of decision-making for automakers including capacity, product specs, royalty payments and even price points. The result was quality suffered and consumers did not have much choice. A report by Brian de Souza.
'I think India has lost a lot of time'
DK Jain, Chairman Emeritus of Lumax Industries, goes down memory lane in a freewheeling conversation with Mayank Dhingra. He believes that India may have lost valuable time by not going in for liberalisation sooner.
India's roads take a great leap forward
As India celebrates the 75th year of its 'tryst with destiny', its road network is the intake-off mode with new highways and expressways being built. These will further catalyse socio-economic change. While latest technologies are being used, funding and land acquisition issues persist.ShahkarAbidi reports.
A NEVER-SAY-DIE BRAND CALLED QUALIS
Many first-time buyers were impressed by the vehicle's fuel efficiency, low maintenance and reliability. Very few owners would part with it despite later service issues.
WHEN LUNA WAS THE BUZZWORD
Apart from its catchy ad campaigns, the Luna offered independent mobility for women as well as small business operators.
'I would have started liberalising the economy much quicker'
Keshub Mahindra now chairman emeritus of Mahindra & Mahindra was interviewed by Hormazd Sorabjee. He shares how the early days of India's auto sector were and the challenges it faced when doing business during the Licence Raj. Excerpts from an interview conducted in 2007 brought out by Autocar India and IOC.
Refurbishing is new mantra for Cars24
The Gurugram-based startup is betting big on refurbishment of its inventory and its phygital model, and has plans an IPO in 2-3 years’ time. Mayank Dhingra has the details.
Mira Erda’s winning formula
The Gujarat-based formula racer is encouraging women to take up motorsports and is leading from the front. A report by Manobhava Baruah on what it takes to reach the finishing line.
Tube Investments' EV plan
The company has set up an exclusive EV arm, and is foraying into making three-wheelers and tractors that will have a high level of local sourcing.
EV sales in the fast lane
Having notched 50 percent of FY22 sales in Q1 itself, the EV industry could be headed towards the 800,000-unit mark in FY23. A much-expanded model parc, high fuel prices, state subsidies and sops under FAME II and growing consumer awareness is driving the overall growth, writes Ajit Dalvi.
EV funding gains traction
Fire and fear notwithstanding, the EV startup segment has seen a steady inflow of funds from investors globally. Sumana Sarkar speaks to a few of the PE firms and other stakeholders to understand the investment rationale driving these funding rounds.
Eaton to sharpen focus on electric mobility
Its acquisition of US-based Royal Power Solution and Green Motion SA of Switzerland are powering this new drive towards electric, says ShahkarAbidi who was at the company's Pune plant.
Apollo Tyres to cut back big spends in revenue boost
Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman and MD, tells Shahkhar Abidi that the company has had a heavy capex cycle for a decade and time has come to think intelligently while boosting the top line to $5 billion by FY 26.
'India is a very important market for Harman'
Michael Mauser, President & CEO Harman speaks to Sergius Barretto on its India footprint, its capabilities in the automotive segment and the rise and importance of branded audio in automobiles.
‘Vehicle architectures are getting simplified significantly’
California-based Nakul Duggal, SVP and GM, Automotive, Qualcomm Technologies, in a freewheeling interview with Mayank Dhingra, dwells on a host of issues relating to connectivity, EVs, the chip shortage and the company’s outlook towards India. Duggal was in India recently.
Yamaha revs up premium focus for India, ASEAN
Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India group, drives home the need to have a terrain of solely Blue Square outlets in place by 2025. This premium focus will extend to all emerging markets as part of the renewed strategy in a post-Covid world, says Murali Gopalan.
EV sales in the fast lane
Having notched 50 percent of FY22 sales in Q1 itself, the EV industry could be headed towards the 800,000-unit mark in FY23. A much-expanded model parc, high fuel prices, state subsidies and sops under FAME II and growing consumer awareness is driving the overall growth, writes Ajit Dalvi.
Apollo Tyres to cut back big spends in revenue boost
Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman, and MD, tells Shahkhar Abidi that the company has had a heavy CAPEX cycle for a decade and time has come to think intelligently while boosting the top line to $5 billion by FY 26.
Eaton to sharpen focus on electric mobility
Its acquisition of US- based Royal Power Solution and Green Motion SA of Switzerland are powering this new drive towards electricity, says ShahkarAbidi who was at the company's Pune plant.
EV funding gains traction
Fire and fear notwithstanding, the EV startup segment has seen a steady inflow of funds from investors globally. Sumana Sarkar speaks to a few of the PE firms and other stakeholders to understand the investment rationale driving these funding rounds.
Refurbishing is new mantra for Cars24
The Gurugram-based startup is betting big on refurbishment of its inventory and its phygital model, and has plans an IPO in 2-3 years' time. Mayank Dhingra has the details.
'India is a very important market for Harman'
Michael Mauser, President & CEO Harman speaks to Sergius Barretto on its India footprint, its capabilities in the automotive segment and the rise and importance of branded audio in automobiles.
Yamaha revs up premium focus for India, ASEAN
Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India group, drives home the need to have a terrain of solely Blue Square outlets in place by 2025. This premium focus will extend to all emerging markets as part of the renewed strategy in a post-Covid world, says Murali Gopalan.
Mira Erda's winning formula
The Gujarat-based formula racer is encouraging women to take up motorsports and is leading from the front. A report by Manobhava Baruah on what it takes to reach the finishing line.