Auto Sector

Honda Cars India is preparing an aggressive long-term expansion strategy for the Indian automobile market, with plans to introduce more than 10 new vehicles by 2030, including electric vehicles, compact SUVs, and midsize offerings. The announcement reflects the growing importance of India within Honda’s global growth roadmap as the company seeks to strengthen its position in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.

TVS Motor Company has strengthened its leadership framework by appointing technology entrepreneur Ravindran Shanmugam as an independent director for a five-year term. The appointment, effective May 13 and pending shareholder approval, reflects the company’s increasing focus on innovation, digital transformation, and technology-driven growth strategies. Shanmugam currently serves as co-founder and executive chairman of Singapore-based AI-powered interior design platform Mablle.

Honda Motor Co. has unveiled an ambitious long-term strategy to rebuild and expand its passenger vehicle business in India, with market-specific models scheduled to launch from 2028 onward. Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe identified India as one of the company’s highest-priority markets alongside Japan and North America, underscoring the country’s growing importance within Honda’s global growth roadmap. The automaker also plans to leverage its dominant two-wheeler presence to transition existing customers toward passenger vehicles.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, with commercial production scheduled to begin in the first half of 2029. Although the company has not officially disclosed the investment size, Japanese media reports suggest parent company Toyota Motor Corporation may invest nearly Rs. 15,900 crore (approximately USD 1.9 billion) to expand production capacity in India.

India’s automobile industry has fallen significantly short of its mandated vehicle scrappage obligations under the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicle) Rules, 2025, achieving only around 30 percent of the required steel-equivalent recycling target during FY26. The regulations, introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and implemented from April 1, 2025, were designed to strengthen sustainable mobility practices and formalize the vehicle recycling ecosystem.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has initiated a voluntary recall of an unspecified number of CB1000 Hornet SP motorcycles manufactured between September 30, 2024, and August 22, 2025, to address two identified technical issues. One of the concerns involves the routing of the fuel feed hose, a component critical to engine performance and rider safety. The recall reflects the increasing emphasis among automotive manufacturers on proactive quality control and regulatory compliance in India’s premium motorcycle segment.

India’s electric passenger vehicle segment recorded robust growth in April 2026, with sales rising 75.14 percent year-on-year to 23,506 units, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations. The surge underscores accelerating adoption of electric mobility, supported by favorable policy frameworks and increasing consumer acceptance. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd retained its leadership position, posting sales of 8,543 units, up 77.17 percent from the previous year.

BMW Industries Ltd reported a sharp 87 percent increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 33.01 crore for the quarter ended March 31, driven by strong revenue growth and improved operational performance. The company had posted a profit of Rs 17.66 crore in the corresponding period last year. Total income rose significantly to Rs 215.73 crore from Rs 161.52 crore, reflecting sustained demand and efficient execution.

Royal Enfield, the motorcycle division of Eicher Motors, will invest Rs. 2,200 crore to establish a new manufacturing facility and vendor park in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district. The project, approved by the State Investment Promotion Board chaired by N Chandrababu Naidu, marks Royal Enfield’s first major manufacturing expansion outside Tamil Nadu.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd reaffirmed its long-term commitment to India as it celebrated three decades of operations, unveiling an ambitious investment roadmap of Rs 45,000 crore between FY26 and FY30. Having already invested Rs 40,700 crore since its inception in 1996, the company aims to accelerate manufacturing capacity, electrification, and future mobility solutions while launching 26 new products by FY2030.