India’s Auto Sector Charts Multi-Fuel Roadmap As Safety, Electrification Dominate Industry Agenda
- By TT News
- September 18, 2025
India’s passenger vehicle industry must embrace a technology-neutral fuel strategy whilst accelerating safety standards and building resilient supply chains, senior executives and policymakers concluded at a major industry gathering in Pune 2nd September 2025, as the country grapples with balancing affordability against rapid technological transformation.
The third edition of the Passenger Vehicle Forum, held at Hyatt Regency in Viman Nagar, brought together more than 300 senior industry leaders, policymakers, original equipment manufacturers, technology innovators and supply chain experts for discussions spanning electrification, software-defined vehicles, artificial intelligence integration and evolving consumer behaviour in the world’s third-largest automotive market.
Fuel Transition Demands Flexibility
Industry leaders stressed that India’s path to cleaner mobility cannot rely solely on battery electric vehicles, calling instead for a diversified approach incorporating hybrids, compressed natural gas, biofuels and hydrogen technologies.
“India’s path to cleaner mobility must be technology-neutral—balancing EVs with hybrids, CNG, biofuels, and hydrogen—while fostering indigenous R&D, supportive policies, and collaborative efforts to ensure energy security and sustainability,” panellists from NIBE, the International Council on Clean Transportation, IIT Kanpur, Hydrovert Energy and the Automotive Research Association of India said during discussions on the future fuel mix.
The forum opened with a research presentation by Hemal N Thakkar, senior practice leader and director at Crisil, outlining the passenger vehicle industry's present scenario and future roadmap. Thakkar subsequently moderated a panel featuring Shashank Srivastava of Maruti Suzuki India, Amar Jatin Sheth from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, automotive industry veteran Arun Kumar Malhotra, Puneet Anand of Hyundai Motor India, and Prashant Shitoot from Auto Yoga Car Wellness Centre.
“Sustainability, safety, technology adoption and affordability were identified as the four pillars shaping India’s automotive future, with collaboration across OEMs, government, and stakeholders seen as critical for long-term growth,” the opening panel concluded, whilst highlighting the dramatic shift in consumer preferences from hatchbacks to sport utility vehicles in the post-COVID period.
Panellists emphasised persistent affordability challenges in entry-level car segments and called for regulatory clarity on goods and services tax structures, ethanol blending mandates and corporate average fuel economy norms. The strengthening of aftermarket services and upgrading of local service providers were identified as critical priorities, alongside exploring new revenue models through telematics and subscription services.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Expose Import Dependence
A panel featuring senior executives from Honda Cars India, Omega Seiki Mobility, Tata AutoComp, BMW and Nomura Research Institute examined critical vulnerabilities in India’s electric vehicle supply chain, with particular emphasis on the country’s heavy reliance on imported battery cells.
Abhishek Sahi of Honda Cars India, Preetesh Singh from Nomura Research Institute, Dr Ajit Kumar Jindal of Tata AutoComp and Dr Arvind Gupta from BMW underscored the country’s dependence on imports—especially battery cells—while emphasising the strategic imperatives for building a sustainable EV ecosystem.
The executives highlighted the importance of accelerated localisation, stronger supplier partnerships and robust risk management frameworks to navigate global disruptions and build a resilient domestic manufacturing base.
Experts from IIT Kanpur, Altigreen, ARAI, Henkel and Stellantis discussed the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles during a separate electrification panel, addressing lightweighting strategies, advanced materials and the critical role of startups and research centres. Panellists identified limited domestic battery production, raw material dependence and talent development as significant hurdles, whilst stressing the need for a collaborative ecosystem to meet global standards and enhance India’s competitiveness against markets such as China.
Safety Emerges As Consumer Priority
Vehicle safety is rapidly shifting from a regulatory compliance issue to a consumer-driven purchasing criterion, according to experts from ARAI, the Institute of Driving Training and Research, ZF and Bharat NCAP, who participated in a panel moderated by Neelam Pandey Pathak of the Women in Mobility Alliance and Rozgar Dhaba.
“Safety is shifting from a regulatory mandate to a consumer-driven priority, with evolving standards, ADAS integration, and stronger OEM-supplier collaboration set to align India with global benchmarks by 2027-28,” the panellists said, noting that India accounts for 11 percent of global road accidents.
The discussion highlighted advances in crash testing methodologies, driver training programmes, localised safety technologies and the growing influence of Bharat NCAP ratings on consumer purchasing decisions. Integration of advanced driver assistance systems and enhanced collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers was identified as an essential step towards meeting international safety benchmarks.
Software, AI Reshape Automotive Landscape
The forum dedicated substantial attention to the transformation of vehicles into software-defined platforms, with experts from EY-Parthenon, Elektrobit, ARAI, Vayve Mobility and HackersEra exploring the shift from hardware-centric to software-driven architectures.
Nandakumar Kollu of Elektrobit India, Nilesh Bajaj from Vayve Mobility and Vikash Chaudhary of HackersEra Automotive Cybersecurity discussed the critical importance of cybersecurity, over-the-air update capabilities, evolving regulatory frameworks and new monetisation models for software features.
Panellists highlighted India’s opportunity to lead in SDV development by leveraging its strong IT talent, growing EV ecosystem, and increased R&D investments, while stressing the need for collaboration across OEMs, suppliers, regulators, and academia.
A separate panel examined artificial intelligence applications across automotive design, customer engagement, supply chain management and aftersales service. Experts from Xane AI, Skoda Auto Volkswagen, Kinetic Green and DaveAI addressed challenges around affordability, data privacy and scalability in emerging markets.
Panellists emphasised the need for responsible, empathetic AI solutions, stronger regulatory frameworks, and industry-academia collaboration to build talent and ensure localised, consumer-centric innovation.
Consumer Insights Reveal Market Evolution
A panel led by K Srikumar of ICRA, featuring executives from Mahindra & Mahindra, MG Motor, Chitra Cars, Honda and Trak N Tell, examined the evolving Indian passenger car market, identifying significant shifts in consumer mindset, dealership dynamics and financing trends.
Ravinder Singh Rawal from Mahindra & Mahindra Automotive, Saurabh Tripathi of Morris Garages India and industry veteran Minesh Jha discussed rising demand for safety and comfort features, the growing importance of digital research channels alongside the continued relevance of physical dealerships, and the rapid expansion of the used car market.
Panellists agreed that the future will be driven by safety, cost efficiency, electrification, and personalised customer experiences, whilst noting persistent challenges in electric vehicle adoption related to financing availability and charging infrastructure gaps.
A panel moderated by Kaushik Madhavan explored future in-vehicle infotainment and telematics systems, featuring insights from Pranshu Gupta, founder and chief executive of Trak N Tell, alongside experts from Stellantis India and the National Institute of Design. Priyanka Shukla of Stellantis and Pratheek P Ashok from the National Institute of Design joined discussions on how startups can build credibility whilst manufacturers drive differentiation through user experience and connected features.
Panellists also highlighted challenges around affordability, ADAS adoption, and consumer awareness, stressing the need for innovation, data-driven solutions, and industry-academia collaboration to shape India’s next phase of mobility.
Technical presentations during the forum included an introduction to telematics solutions by Gupta and a spotlight on noise, vibration and harshness challenges in electric mobility repair by Rohit Ekhe and Alistair Saldanha from Henkel’s ACM India division.
Other notable speakers included Anil Srivastava from IIT Kanpur, Avik Chatterjee from ARAI, and Achyut Deshmukh from Stellantis. They contributed diverse expertise across the forum’s two parallel tracks, which focused on strategy, growth, and market dynamics, as well as technology, innovation, and future trends.
The forum’s organisers said the event reinforced its position as India’s premier platform dedicated to shaping the future of the passenger vehicle ecosystem, with the next edition scheduled for 2026.
Laufenn Secures First European Original Equipment Deal With Škoda Octavia
- By TT News
- April 20, 2026
Hankook Tire has confirmed that its associate brand, Laufenn, will supply the second-generation S FIT2 summer performance tyre as original equipment for the Škoda Octavia. The Octavia is a cornerstone model for the Czech automaker under the Volkswagen Group, developed on the modular MQB platform and generating steady European demand. This agreement marks Laufenn’s first original equipment partnership with a European manufacturer, signalling the brand’s entry into the OE sector.
The S FIT2 was developed through close technical collaboration with Škoda to align precisely with the Octavia’s performance requirements. Supplied in a 17-inch size, the tyre delivers stable handling, showcasing Hankook’s engineering capability in OE development. Designed for Europe’s varied climate, the S FIT2 secures reliable stopping power and control through optimised grip and drainage while improving efficiency and mileage over its predecessor.
A high content silica compound and optimised tread block design reduce wet braking distances by approximately 16 percent. Four wide straight grooves enhance water evacuation for superior handling on rain slicked surfaces. An optimised structural design maintains grip on hot asphalt while minimising vibration and noise for a quiet urban ride. A next generation polymer compound extends mileage by roughly 15 percent.
Laufenn shares Hankook Tire’s global top tier technology and rigorous quality system. Since its 2014 debut at the SEMA Show in United States, the brand has expanded across international markets with a complete lineup for passenger cars, SUVs, trucks and buses, reflecting regional driving conditions and customer lifestyles.
Subaru’s New Uncharted BEV Rolls Out On Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-CV Tyres In North America
- By TT News
- April 09, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated original equipment supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Subaru’s new Uncharted (US model) SUV-type battery electric vehicle (BEV), which was launched in North America in December 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V.
The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.
This supply agreement aligns with the strategic goals outlined in Yokohama Transformation 2026, the company’s medium-term management plan running through 2026. A core initiative of this strategy is to increase the proportion of high-value-added tyre sales by expanding original equipment placement for key global brands. This includes actively promoting both the flagship ADVAN line and the GEOLANDAR series for SUVs and pickup trucks on new vehicles worldwide.
NEXEN TIRE’s ROADIAN GTX Chosen For Renault FILANTE Across Korea, Latin America and Middle East
- By TT News
- April 06, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has been selected to supply original equipment tyres for the Renault FILANTE, a crossover model from Renault Korea that merges sedan comfort with SUV practicality. The chosen tyre is the ROADIAN GTX, an all-season model engineered for SUVs and crossover utility vehicles, fitted in a 19-inch specification. Its zigzag tread pattern across a wide contact patch promotes even pressure distribution for stable handling, while a precision load distribution structure boosts road grip. Additionally, a low noise optimised block arrangement delivers the quiet ride that electrified vehicles require.
Hybrid vehicles like the FILANTE, which features Renault Korea’s latest hybrid powertrain, place high technical demands on tyres due to the combined use of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. NEXEN TIRE’s selection proves its ability to provide solutions for various powertrain types. The supply covers not only domestic Korean sales but also export models heading to Latin America and the Middle East.
This collaboration builds on a growing partnership with Renault Korea, following OE fitment for the Grand Koleos midsize SUV launched in 2024. Since entering the overseas OE market in 2012, NEXEN TIRE has become a key supplier to global automakers. From 2016 onward, the company has continued to demonstrate its technological strengths by partnering with numerous premium global brands across Europe and beyond.
John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "We are continuously advancing our tyre technology to keep pace with the next generation of mobility, where electrification and artificial intelligence are converging. We will further strengthen our strategic partnerships with global automakers to solidify our presence in international markets and enhance the company's overall value."
Yokohama To Supply Tyres For Toyota’s Electric C-HR
- By TT News
- March 24, 2026
Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its Geolandar X-CV tyres as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new battery electric C-HR SUV, launched in North America this month.
The vehicle is being fitted with 235/50R20 100V size tyres. Part of a new generation of highway terrain equipment, the Geolandar X-CV is designed to balance high-speed performance and drivability with safety, comfort and fuel efficiency.
The tyres supplied for the C-HR feature Yokohama’s "E+" mark, indicating technology tailored to the specific requirements of electrified vehicles, such as increased durability and reduced road noise.
Development was conducted through HAICoLab, the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence framework. The system aims to merge human creativity with data processing to accelerate digital innovation in tire design.
The Geolandar X-CV is already used across several models in Toyota’s electric lineup, including the Lexus RZ and the bZ in North America.
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