The Economic Times

Automakers face doubled U.S. tariffs on Canadian vehicles and parts starting January 1. This move significantly increases costs for major manufacturers like Ford and General Motors. The planned 50% levy on Canadian imports rivals existing tariffs on Chinese vehicles. Industry executives express concern over this uneven playing field and supply chain disruption. However, some hope a resolution will be reached before the deadline.

JSW MG Motor India is pushing for lower taxes on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The company targets 70% localization for its Windsor and Hector Tomahawk models. Discussions are underway for the next investment phase with Chinese partner SAIC. JSW MG plans to increase its annual vehicle sales significantly in the coming years. The automaker aims to expand its production capacity beyond current plans.

JSW MG Motor India will invest Rs 6,000 crore for plant expansion and operations. The Halol plant capacity will double to 2.20 lakh units by January 2028. Discussions continue regarding JSW Group's potential acquisition of an additional stake. The company aims for 35-40 percent annual volume growth in coming years. MG Motor India is commissioning cell-to-pack assembly lines for battery storage.

Gabriel India Limited has formed a joint venture with South Korea's HL Klemove. This partnership will focus on manufacturing and selling autonomous driving solutions within India. The collaboration aims to develop advanced mobility products including radar and cameras. Gabriel India will acquire a significant stake in HL Klemove India for this venture. This strategic move expands Gabriel India's presence in high-growth automotive segments.

South India showed stronger automotive demand across all segments in Q1FY27. Passenger vehicle volumes grew twenty-five percent year-on-year, with southern regions leading. Two-wheeler sales also expanded twenty percent, boosted by GST reductions and electrification. Commercial vehicle segments experienced fourteen to twenty-one percent volume growth. The scooter mix within two-wheelers continued its accelerated structural shift.

Mumbais auto-rickshaws reflect the citys multilingual character, with drivers routinely switching between Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati and Hinglish.

The year 1866 marked a pivotal moment in communication history with Christopher Sholes' invention of the QWERTY keyboard layout. This groundbreaking design not only reshaped how people wrote but also facilitated quicker business transactions. The Sholes and Glidden typewriter emerged after its patent by E. Remington & Sons, showcasing the importance of the QWERTY system, which continues to endure amidst ongoing technological evolution.

Anil Rego, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer at Right Horizons PMS, believes the worst of the valuation-led correction may be behind us, while a broadening earnings recovery could provide the catalyst for the next leg of the market.

Bajaj Auto will launch three new products and two brands by mid-October. Updated Pulsar 125 and 150 models were recently introduced to the market. The company anticipates strong demand during the upcoming festive season. Near-term trends in the 125cc motorcycle segment show softer performance. Bajaj Auto aims to attract new buyers and retain existing customers.

India will amend regulations and introduce new rules within two months for manufacturers. The minister assured companies that their concerns were resolved during recent discussions. The government has simplified the Bureau of Indian Standards framework and approval processes. India aims to seed $50 billion in semiconductor and associated industries soon. This initiative is part of a long-term journey for India's manufacturing ecosystem.

Quote of the Day by Peter Coyote: Peter Coyote's famous quote, I spent ten years de-educating myself... challenges conventional assumptions about security and success. Drawing from his time in the 1960s counterculture movement, Coyote examines the tension between institutional conditioning and authentic independence. He argues that external safety nets can obscure innate resourcefulness, trapping people in comfortable compliance.

Indian car makers see strong sales volumes, but profits are declining. Rising commodity prices and currency shifts are impacting manufacturer margins. Maruti Suzuki's profits fell despite record sales, showing margin erosion. Tata Motors and Hyundai also reported lower profits due to cost pressures. Automakers are investing heavily in new technologies and plants, affecting current earnings.

Anticipated changes to road safety policies will restrict two-wheeler headlamps to low-beam mode only. Buses and heavy vehicles will be required to use genuine reflective tapes to improve visibility. Furthermore, stricter regulations will be introduced for headlamp intensity and colour temperature across all vehicle categories. An alert system may also be introduced to signal drivers when high-beam use is unnecessary in urban areas.

The President and CEO of BMW India highlights the growing luxury car market, particularly driven by younger entrepreneurs and professionals. He says BMW's unparalleled driving experience sets it apart from its rivals and welcomes competition as a driver of market growth. While the company continues to expand its electric vehicle lineup, the CEO expresses a personal preference for petrol cars. Notably, all recently sold BMWs are E25-compliant, aligning with India's ethanol-blending fuel initiativ

On August 21, five Nifty500 stocks that gained over 4% were highlighted in the RSI Trending Up scan, based on data from StockEdge.com. An uptrend signal is generated when the RSI value crosses above 50 from below, indicating strengthening price momentum and potential upward movement in the stocks.

After relocating to India, an ex-NRI prefers to travel by auto-rickshaw for her short commutes. Concerned about the hazardous paths and fast-moving traffic, she opts to spend around one hundred rupees daily to sidestep the stress associated with her return. This decision showcases her sensible method of dealing with urban life's hurdles, prioritizing safety over discomfort.

People who naturally lower their voice when someone nearby does the same may be responding to a combination of social cue detection, vocal accommodation, conversational entrainment and unconscious mimicry. A change in another persons voice can provide a subtle social signal that the brain quickly interprets. In response, your communication style may adjust automatically, sometimes before you consciously realize that you are doing it.

Mahindra & Mahindra plans to expand its export operations with a new pickup truck. This vehicle will target markets in South Africa, Australia, and Latin America. The Lifestyler pickup will also be introduced to the Indian market in 2027. Company officials expressed confidence in maintaining electric vehicle sales growth. Mahindra's automotive sector saw an 18.2 percent export volume increase last fiscal.

Indias passenger vehicle market has seen a sharp rise in the number of variants offered by automakers, making cars more customisable but also making purchase decisions more complicated.

Commercial vehicle loans will grow significantly over five years. Used car loans are the fastest-growing segment, formalizing credit access. Two-wheeler financing maintains the largest borrower volume, introducing many new customers. Auto loan disbursements are shifting towards higher values, increasing average ticket sizes. Delinquency indicators are improving across most vehicle loan categories.

Tesla and eight automakers are recalling 4.3 million vehicles in China. This recall addresses concerns about doors being difficult to open in emergencies. The remedies include software updates and improved warning labels for door handles. This action marks China's largest automotive recall to date. Regulators are increasing scrutiny of safety defects in the electric vehicle industry.

Quote of the day by Javier Bardem explores how personal autonomy can depend on social and economic conditions. His words focus on people who cannot choose their friends or escape harmful influences. The quote raises questions about coercion, control, poverty, empathy, social inequality and the freedom to make choices about the people around us.

JBM Auto on Friday clarified that a report on Bain Capital's proposed investment in its electric vehicle business relates to subsidiary JBM Electric Vehicles. The company told stock exchanges that there was no material information requiring disclosure under Regulation 30 of SEBI's listing regulations as of now.

Indian consumer companies are increasing festive marketing budgets by up to 20% as demand shows signs of strengthening and dealers build inventory ahead of the key consumption season. Automakers, FMCG and electronics firms are boosting advertising and consumer engagement despite margin pressures from higher input costs and rupee depreciation.

This 16-year-old built an autonomous AI-powered robot turtle that detects microplastics in water. The Canadian student created the turtle-inspired robot to scan water for tiny plastic particles using 3D holographic imaging and artificial intelligence. The innovative system can detect microplastics with high accuracy and won a major award and scholarship at an international science fair. The invention could offer a promising new way to monitor water pollution.

Pune auto fare hiked: Pune commuters report autorickshaw drivers charging higher fares before September 1. Passengers claim drivers cite revised tariffs and add arbitrary amounts to meter readings. Some drivers also demand extra money for CNG refueling time, causing disputes. Commuters booking through apps also face demands exceeding displayed fares. The RTO states no major complaints have been received regarding pre-implementation fare hikes.

Skoda will launch the Slavia facelift on August 18 with exterior and interior revisions. The updated sedan may feature revised headlights and a redesigned front grille. Inside, a larger digital display and new upholstery are anticipated for the cabin. The 1.0 TSI engine could receive an upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission. This facelifted Slavia will continue its rivalry with established segment competitors.

In major Indian cities, the popularity of petrol cars is waning as consumers turn to CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles. This is largely influenced by the allure of lower operational costs and superior fuel efficiency. To keep pace with this transformation, automobile manufacturers are diversifying their offerings to include various powertrain types, signaling a significant shift.

A container truck collided with an auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle. The tragic accident occurred in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Saturday evening. Five individuals, including a minor, lost their lives in the collision. The incident took place in the Dedh Tangawa valley area. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted after the rescue operation concludes.

Mahindra Racing will remain in Formula E through the Gen4 era until at least 2030, using the championship to develop electric vehicle technology. The team aims to transfer advances in software, powertrain efficiency and engineering expertise to Mahindras road cars.

In July, fund managers recalibrated their blue-chip stock portfolios, focusing on select sectors like IT, automotive, and pharmaceuticals for increased investments. Notably, financial services, particularly non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and private lenders, received a surge in fund inflows. Conversely, stakes in public sector banks such as SBI and Bank of Baroda saw a decline, a strategic choice that underscores a preference for industries with stronger earnings visibility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography on Wednesday. He recalled his long association and guidance from the former President. The book is titled 'Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles'. Kovind expressed that sharing his journey in the book was emotional. He urged the younger generation to read and learn from his experiences.

A woman from Gurgaon recently took to Instagram to express her frustration after an auto rickshaw driver charged her eight hundred rupees for a mere seven-kilometer ride. This incident, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, has led to widespread complaints among commuters, who are grappling with inflated travel fares during the challenging monsoon season, further amplifying the struggles faced by city dwellers.

Honeybees learned to identify face-like patterns by observing feature arrangements. Researchers discovered bees focused on relative positions of eyes, nose, and mouth. This visual strategy could inspire new facial recognition technologies. The insects demonstrated this ability even with unfamiliar images. Their tiny brains achieved complex visual analysis, offering valuable insights.

Rockstar Games will reveal an extended look at Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 28. The highly anticipated game is officially slated for a November 19, 2026 console release. Indian PC players are still awaiting an official announcement for their platform. This extended look will offer more details about the game's world and characters. Fans should await official confirmation regarding any PC version release.

The Delhi High Court has asked the government for its response on a plea. This plea seeks automatic tax deducted at source refunds for individuals not owing income tax. Currently, these individuals must file an income tax return to claim their refunds. The court is considering directing immediate processing of unclaimed TDS refunds up to 5,000. A permanent automatic TDS refund mechanism for future years is also being sought.

In 1941, a Black American scientist and industrialist and business magnate built a car with never-seen-before plastic made from soybean and other crops through the collaboration of George Washington Carver and Henry Ford. The Soybean Car used plant-based materials instead of a full steel body. The project aimed to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel use, and connect farming with manufacturing. World War II stopped further development before the concept reached production.

The India-UK CETA agreement enhances agricultural exports by reducing tariffs on processed food products. This pact improves India's price competitiveness against non-FTA suppliers, supporting export diversification. Automotive exports will see UK tariffs eliminated, boosting Indian manufacturers' market access. India's import duties on passenger vehicles will also decline over fifteen years.

Supreme Court orders cameras to identify uninsured vehicles and issue automatic e-challans, tightening enforcement of mandatory vehicle insurance across India. The court found it shocking that more than 50 percent vehicles don't have insurance in India.

JSW Group plans a new entity for its Volkswagen alliance talks. This partnership will focus on mass-market VW and Skoda vehicles. Manufacturing assets and operations will transfer to the new standalone company. JSW aims for majority economic interest and leadership in the joint venture. Both companies target signing an agreement in the coming weeks.

Maruti Suzuki produced a record 2,48,845 vehicles in July, up 33% year-on-year, driven by strong demand across segments. Despite record output and sales, dealer inventory remained at just 16 days, well below the industry average, with pending bookings of around 1.6 lakh units.