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The Maestro gets a panoramic sunroof complete with the company’s Magic Sky Control Tech. This allows passengers to control how much light passes through the sunroof by electronically adjusting the opacity of the glass.

Daimler India aims 20% women workforce at its plant by 2022

The new employees have been deployed across key function areas-engine and transmission, cab trim, quality management, cabin-in-white and paint shop.

Production-spec Renault Kiger scheduled for global unveil on January 28

With Nissan launching the Magnite just last month at a very aggressive price tag, the Kiger will be one of the highlight launches in the Indian market set for the beginning of the 2021.

Electric vehicle or Ford JV: These were the choices before Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) believes EVs will become the mainstay of its business in future alongside SUVs

Nissan Magnite awarded 4 stars in ASEAN NCAP crash tests

The Nissan Magnite is based on the CMF-A+ platform, the same one that underpins the Renault Triber as well as the upcoming Kiger SUV.

2021 Toyota Fortuner teased on website, launch scheduled for January 6

The Fortuner has been spotted testing countless times on the streets and thanks to the spy pics we do know quite a lot about it already. Toyota will also be offering the Legender variant which will sit at the top of the Fortuner lineup.

TVS Motor sales up 17.5% in December

The total two-wheeler sales during the month stood at 2,58,239 units as against 2,15,619 in December 2019, up 20 percent.

Next-gen Mahindra Scorpio spied testing; launch scheduled for around mid-2021

The Mahindra Scorpio will be undergoing a generational update and with that comes new design and new mechanicals and this can be confirmed from the spy pictures.

Agreement with investor for SsangYong likely to happen next week: Mahindra & Mahindra

Currently Mahindra & Mahindra owns 75 percent equity stake in SsangYong. Going forward, the company will cease to be a major stakeholder by the end FY20-21.

KTM RC 200 spied on the assembly line at Bajaj’s Chakan plant

From what we can see in the image, RC 200 gets a completely new design, including the underpinnings. The current razor-sharp RC gives way to a larger fairing and tank. This design certainly plucks a few heart strings, but a proper reveal may change opinions.

Pandemic has changed the way business is done; workforce in auto industry needs upskilling: ASDC chairman

With digital training becoming vital, ASDC has already started working on developing new learning modules and around 90-95 percent of training will now happen online going forward.

Tata Gravitas 7-seater SUV to be unveiled on Republic Day 2021

At the front, we expect the Gravitas to not be very different from the Harrier. The rear, however, thanks to it being extended, should be more distinct. Expect newer exterior paint options as well along with new alloy wheels.

Auto parts industry revenue to grow 16-18% in FY22; outlook revised from negative to stable: ICRA

ICRA expects the domestic auto component industry's revenue to grow 16-18 percent in the financial year starting April 2021, supported by factors such as increasing content per vehicle, low base effect, and higher realisations.

Road Transport Ministry proposes making dual front airbags mandatory starting April 1, 2021

Over the next 30 days, stakeholders are allowed to make their suggestions, the ministry has said.

Tesla will enter India in early 2021: All you need to know

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on December 28 that the electric car manufacturer would be arriving in India ‘early’ in 2021.

New Land Rover Defender 2020 review: Does it live up to its name?

Can a boulder-bashing off-road tool make for a good everyday SUV? The answer lies somewhere between the new Land Rover Defender’s enormous wheelbase.

Hero Electric ties up with startup eBikeGO

eBikeGo will procure these Hero Electric bikes through the next financial year with the first batch of 120 already delivered to the startup, the company said in a release.

Commercial vehicle sales in India may take longer to recover than expected: Ind-Ra

The light commercial vehicles (LCVs) segment has started to recover as they provide last mile connectivity and because of increased e-commerce activities but medium and heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) sales are unlikely to recover before the fourth quarter of 2021-22, it said.

Apple Car launch unlikely before 2025-2027; EV development still in early stages, claims analyst Kuo

The iPhone 12-maker could also delay the Apple Car launch schedule to 2028 or later due to the changes in the EV/ self-driving market and the company’s high-quality standards.

BMW aims for 20% of its vehicles to be electric by 2023

BMW wants roughly every fifth car it sells to be powered by an electric engine by 2023, Zipse said, compared to about 8 percent this year.

Mercedes-Benz says reduction in cess to go long way in expanding luxury car segment in India

While the auto industry has lived with the 28 percent GST regime, which still is very high, the reduction in the additional cess should be closely looked at and reconsidered which will go a long way in attracting new customers and drive affordability of premium and luxury cars in India, Martin Schwenk added.

This week in Auto: 2020 was a forgettable year, welcome 2021?

Here is a complete look at all other stories that made headlines in the auto space

Why Honda pulled out the Civic, CR-V models from India and shut its Greater Noida plant

The combination of lower efficiency at the Greater Noida plant and poor sales of the Civic and CR-V meant that Honda had very little options to work with

SsangYong’s bankruptcy filing brings to light Mahindra & Mahindra’s struggle with partnerships

A look at its history highlights how M&M has struggled to diversify, to reduce dependence on its core tractors and domestic SUV business.

German regulator imposes Euro 32 mn fine on three Bharat Forge companies

Germany's national competition regulator – Bundeskartellamt (Federal Cartel Office) - announced the fines on Bharat Forge Aluminiumtechnik GmbH, Bharat Forge CDP GmbH, and Bharat Forge Global Holding GmbH in connection with two separate proceedings.

80-year-old Ottocar J, likely the biggest Porsche fan, now owns his 80th vehicle from the brand

With the number of Porsches in Ottocar’s garage, he can drive a different car every day of a month and still have at least seven sitting at the end.

Apple car with Lidar sensor and cutting-edge battery technology may launch in 2024: Everything we know so far

The car being developed by the tech giant is internally known as the Titan and of course, it will be an electric vehicle. Plans for Apple’s own electric car have been in the pipeline since 2014. Since then however, these plans changed from EV to a focus on autonomous tech.

Parliament panel concerned over lack of clarity on EV switchover plans

Citing the lack of infrastructure and an ecosystem, the committee advised the government to adopt a phased manufacturing programme for the switchover to e-mobility as the entire automotive manufacturing system would have to be overhauled. It also recommended a reduction of GST on fuel-based automobiles to 18 percent to spur demand and improve GST revenue.

SUVs beat other body styles to become fastest growing segment

Mid-size SUVs and compact SUVs turned the demand tide in 2020, which was otherwise a forgettable year for the industry. As of the end of November, compact SUVs controlled 15.5 percent of the passenger vehicle market, up from 11.46 percent at the end of August.

Bajaj Auto to invest Rs 650 crore to set up new plant in Maharashtra

The facility is expected to commence production in 2023.

Electric vehicle market in India expected to hit 63 lakh units per annum mark by 2027: IESA

Similarly, the annual battery demand is forecasted to grow at 32 percent to hit 50GWh by 2027, of this, 40 plus GWh will be on lithium-ion batteries, the IESA report said.

Volkswagen Vento TSI Review: Is the new model better than its predecessor?

The new Vento has a smaller but punchier engine and no DSG gearbox. Is it all the better for it?

PSC recommends formation of franchise protection law for auto dealers

The original recommendation came from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), whose members had protested against the alleged unfair treatment meted out by Harley-Davidson.

Mahindra & Mahindra's South Korean arm SsangYong Motor files for bankruptcy

The troubled automaker has also applied for an autonomous restructuring support (ARS) programme which is a court designed process, M&M said in a regulatory filing.

Audi opens booking for the new A4 sedan in India

The fifth-generation Audi A4 powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine can be booked with a booking amount of Rs 2 lakh, either through online mode or at the company's dealerships, Audi India said in a statement.

Isuzu Motors India to hike prices of pick-up range from January

The increase is expected to be approximately Rs 10,000 from the current ex-showroom price, the company said in a statement.

Here’s why bicycles are suddenly selling like hot cakes

The fear of taking public transport during the pandemic, combined with health and environmental consciousness, has suddenly made the humble bicycle all the rage

This week in Auto: A ‘U’ turn by Maruti Suzuki on diesel?

Here’s a look at all the news that made headlines in the past week.

Italian bike brand Benelli revs up for a revamped ride in India

Starting January, Benelli intends to launch one product every month till August. The company will also open more than one dealership per week till the end of March. This will take the total dealership count to 50 from 34 now, with most coming up in Tier-2 and Tier 3 locations.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 review: Hating on Royal Enfield is so last year

I already knew the Interceptor 650 was a good bike, at least in the way it looks and on paper. So I set myself off to prove that it isn’t what it was all churned out to be.

Tata Motors to buy out partner Marcopolo’s share in bus venture for Rs 100 crore

The all-cash deal is expected to close by end of February, 2021, informed Tata Motors

With auto companies on song, be prepared to shell out more in 2021

Automakers across the board are expected to hike prices of their vehicles to cope with rising costs, especially raw material costs, and boost bottomlines

Sold 1 lakh 'connected cars' in India, says Kia Motors

One out of two Kia cars sold in India is a connected car, which is equipped with the company's UVO connect system, an advanced and dynamic solution that seamlessly integrates smartphone or smartwatch with the car and its infotainment system into a single unit, Kia Motors India said in a statement.

Bajaj launches Platina 100KS at Rs 51,667; brings in new features, aesthetic upgrades

Powering the Platina 100 Kick Start is the same 102cc single cylinder engine. This produces 7.9 PS of power at 7,500 rpm and 8.3 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. All of this is transmitted via a 4-speed gearbox.

Fiat Chrysler to set up $150 million digital hub in Hyderabad

This new innovation and technology development facility is the FCA’s largest digital hub outside of North America and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Kia to launch all-new MPV in India by early 2022

The variety of tech that Kia has offered with its cars have always been the deciding factor for most customers and this time shouldn’t be much different.

Take a look at the discounts carmakers have rolled out in December

It’s that time of the year again, when car makers dole out discounts in an effort to get rid of stocks and start the New Year with a clean slate. This year’s discounts are, however, lower than those offered this Diwali and last December. In December 2019, companies were keen to get rid of Bharat Stage IV stocks

Daimler to launch India's first electric truck

While several commercial vehicle makers have launched fully electric buses on Indian roads, no manufacturer has shown interest in launching electric trucks. If it succeeds, Daimler will have the first mover’s advantage. The company says it will detail the plan at its Future Mobility event next year

New Volvo S60 Review | Safe, sensible and supple: The 5-seater sedan has its priorities right

The value of the Volvo S60 will be ascertained by its price, which is expected to be around the Rs 45 lakh mark (ex-showroom).

KTM will not upgrade the Duke 790 to BS-VI norms; may roll out Duke 890 instead

Essentially the bigger sibling to the 790 Duke, the 890 Duke R still looks almost identical to the former.