BUSINESS
Of all the EV startups, why is Ather Energy's valuation down?
Fresh round of fund-raisings by startup automobile companies, backed by big brands, indicate a surge in their valuations though profitability remains a distant possibility. Here’s a look at such companies.
BUSINESS
Thailand, Vietnam reap benefits as India imports less tyres from China
As per data shared by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, Chinese tyre companies have lost market share in almost every segment of the vehicle market
BUSINESS
Nine reasons why Harley Davidson failed in India
What made the world’s most famous cruiser bike brand Harley Davidson quit the world’s largest two-wheeler market? Read on to find out
BUSINESS
This week in Auto: Harley-Davidson quits India; govt moves one step closer to allowing fuel-cell vehicle launch
Here is a complete round-up of the headlines during the week from the auto world
BUSINESS
Auto industry divided over next-gen emission norms deadline of 2022
Component makers oppose postponement of implementation of new norms. SIAM seeks two-year delay in implementation as vehicle manufacturers may find it impossible to recoup the investments made for BS-VI before 2022. CAFÉ and RDE are the two norms in question.
BUSINESS
Charged up by demand from B2B companies, Hero Electric to design customised e-scooters for segment
The company is customising e-scooters specifically for institutional buyers, particularly last-mile delivery providers. E-commerce and courier-delivery agents cover 80 km in a day, while food-delivery and fleet operators cover 40 km in a day. Such requirements are met by most electric scooters, which offer around 100-120 km mileage on a full charge for a fraction of the petrol cost
BUSINESS
Explained: Are automakers, including Toyota, right in complaining about high taxes in India?
The applied duty in India ranges from 29 percent to 50 percent. How do China, Europe and the US markets fare?
BUSINESS
This week in Auto: Kia Sonet – the disruptor, Toyota’s flip-flop, Volkswagen’s India EV plan, and more
Kia Sonet's launch caused ripples in the Indian auto industry this last week. A quick look at what else made the headlines in the auto space
BUSINESS
Volkswagen has no plans to launch electric vehicles in India
Blames lack of infrastructure, low price point; other carmakers are meanwhile racing ahead to develop affordable EVs in a market that is yet to see demand pick up. Only 3,400 electric passenger vehicles were sold in India in FY20, 6% less than the previous year
BUSINESS
Company procuring electric vehicles for govt firms sees worst performance in five years
Energy Efficiency Services records net profit of Rs 34.51 crore in FY20, a fall of 54 percent from FY19. Mounting receivables from PSUs said to be one reason. EESL’s total receivables, as on March 31, 2020, touch Rs 2,800 crore.
BUSINESS
Piaggio to step up play in the electric three-wheeler space; to launch first electric cargo vehicle by year-end
Demand from e-commerce companies for last-mile delivery vehicles has made manufacturers come out with electric three-wheelers in the cargo segment. Piaggio also sees positive response for swappable battery technology-enabled passenger three-wheelers.
BUSINESS
Is auto demand booming? Companies say yes, but dealers paint a different picture
The inauspicious Shraadh period has hit retail offtake, say dealers. Adhik Maas, an extra month in the Hindu calendar, and expectations of a GST cut have also impacted volumes, they say
BUSINESS
Is it high taxes? What really ails Toyota in India?
Company says halting expansion plans in the country because of high taxes. It later clarifies that it continues to be committed to the Indian market. Though the Japanese firm has an eight model line-up in India, Korean firm Kia Motors sold nearly two times more in August.
BUSINESS
Honda outsells Bajaj to clinch the second spot in the motorcycle lane in August
The Japanese auto giant recorded a 26 percent surge in its bike sales volume during the month, against just 3 percent for Bajaj
BUSINESS
This week in auto: Tractors become first to beat previous year’s sales even as cars, bikes struggle
Here is a complete look at what made headlines in the automotive space this week
BUSINESS
Luxury car sales are in free fall… But exotic ones are still in demand
This is the second year in a row that sales of luxury cars have tanked. This year’s performance is on cue to be the segment’s worst since tabulation of records began
BUSINESS
Hero MotoCorp’s ride into two-wheeler EV market faces family-pact speed bump
A Hero by any other name may not be as appealing. We look at how a family pact is preventing the Pawan Munjal-led Hero MotoCorp from using the famous Hero brand name to launch electric two-wheelers. The pact is proving a dampener as the company gears up to ride into the two-wheeler market on its own
BUSINESS
E-vehicle sales without batteries: Gadkari promises to discuss issue with auto industry
Manufacturers who make fixed-battery type vehicles have opposed the move to allow sale of EVs without batteries, stating that this would result in quality issues
BUSINESS
Kamath Committee report | Implementation is key, says auto sector
The report will come handy in resolving the borrowing related issues of the sector and financing of technology investments for the industry, say industry insiders
BUSINESS
Ather Energy shelves electric motorcycle plans as COVID-19 disrupts ride
The start-up aims to focus on strengthening its existing line-up instead. The pandemic has also disrupted its expansion into eight cities. Once that happens, Ather plans to roll out the 450X, India’s most expensive electric scooter, in these markets, with deliveries beginning in November
BUSINESS
Maruti Suzuki may double production from Gujarat; demand reaches 90% of pre-COVID levels
Another shift in Gujarat from August-September will push its total output up by 22%
BUSINESS
Ousted from Renault, Thierry Bolloré takes charge at Jaguar Land Rover at a crucial time
JLR is struggling, having recorded a GBP 469 million net loss in FY20, which was preceded by a GBP 3.3 billion net loss in FY19
BUSINESS
Market share at all-time low but Tata Motors aspires to enter league of top three
If it has to get even to the third spot, currently occupied by Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors will either have to almost double its FY20 market share or hope other companies lose share
BUSINESS
New factory in Rajasthan, electric cruise scooter on track: Okinawa
Company will also launch the Oki100 fully battery electric bike, which will be priced under Rs 1 lakh. It will be the cheapest electric motorcycle in India. Expansion plans got delayed only by a quarter, says top executive.
