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 2^nd 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.

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Westlake will present a new range of commercial truck tyres at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, as it expands its Gen II portfolio for European fleets.

The company said it would introduce new products developed to improve rolling resistance, fuel efficiency and mileage performance, in collaboration with Interpneu and Pneuhage Fleet Solution .

The latest developments focus on two product lines: the Long Run series, designed to reduce rolling resistance, and the PRO series, aimed at high-mileage applications.

The Long Run range includes the WSL2 steer tyre, WDL2+ drive tyre and WTL2 trailer tyre. Westlake said the WSL2 and WDL2+ achieve EU Tyre Label Class A for rolling resistance. The tyres are designed for long-haul operations, with an emphasis on fuel efficiency and extended service life.

The WSL2 steer tyre is designed to support stable handling and high mileage, using a tread design and compound aimed at reducing heat generation and rolling resistance. The WDL2+ drive tyre focuses on mileage, traction and efficiency, incorporating a wider tread design and low rolling resistance compound.

The WTL2 trailer tyre is intended to provide durability and stability in trailer applications, combining a low rolling resistance compound with a tread design aimed at extending service life.

Alongside the Long Run series, Westlake will showcase its PRO series, developed for fleet operations where durability and mileage are priorities. The WTR PRO trailer tyre features a wider tread design and wear-resistant compound, aimed at improving mileage and ensuring consistent wear.

The four new tyres — WSL2, WDL2+, WTL2 and WTR PRO — will be available for order during the event.

Westlake said it would also present selected Gen II commercial tyres as part of its broader portfolio for European fleet applications.

IAA Transportation 2026 will be held from 15 to 20 September in Hannover, Germany.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has introduced a new truck-bus radial tyre aimed at mixed-service applications, targeting fleet operators running rigid tippers across highways and off-road terrain.

The company said the Endutrax MD HD tyre has been developed for vehicles operating in demanding conditions, where usage typically involves a combination of on-road and off-road activity . Such applications expose tyres to heavy loads, rough terrain and abrasive surfaces.

Apollo Tyres said the product is designed to improve durability, traction and uptime, with the aim of reducing downtime and supporting fleet productivity.

Rajesh Dahiya, vice-president and business head at Apollo Tyres Ltd, said: “Fleet operators need tyres that can perform consistently under demanding conditions while keeping vehicles on the road. Apollo Endutrax MD HD, the new TBR tyre combines advanced engineering with extensive field validation to deliver higher durability, dependable traction and longer service life for mixed-service applications.”

The tyre features an optimised casing design intended to reduce heat build-up, alongside improvements in bead and belt durability. The company said the product delivers 45 per cent higher bead durability and 25 per cent higher belt durability, while an advanced tread compound offers 10 per cent greater resistance to cuts and chips.

A tread pattern inspired by a bear’s footprint is designed to enhance traction on loose and rugged terrain.

The tyre has undergone validation at the company’s Global R&D Centre, followed by field testing in operating conditions. Apollo Tyres said the results demonstrated performance in durability, traction and load-carrying capability.

The launch expands the company’s commercial vehicle portfolio, with a focus on improving uptime and total cost of ownership for fleet operators.

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Nexen Tire will supply its N'FERA Sport tyres as original equipment (OE) for the newly launched Audi A6 premium sedan, expanding its partnership with the German carmaker.

The tyres will be supplied in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes for the latest generation of the Audi A6, the company's flagship premium sedan.

The N'FERA Sport is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre designed for high-performance vehicles. According to Nexen Tire, the tyre uses high-strength internal materials to distribute contact pressure and load evenly, supporting handling and braking performance in both dry and wet conditions.

The tyre received a "Good" rating in the summer tyre test conducted by German automotive publication Auto Bild, with strong scores in dry and wet braking, rolling resistance, pass-by noise and mileage. It also achieved a "Good" rating in the 2025 summer tyre test conducted by ADAC, where it performed well in driving safety and comfort.

Nexen Tire began supplying OE tyres to an overseas vehicle manufacturer in 2012 and has since expanded its customer base to include several global automotive groups, including Volkswagen Group. The company previously supplied OE tyres for the Audi A3 and the eighth-generation Audi A6.

The latest agreement extends that relationship to the redesigned Audi A6 and is expected to support future replacement tyre demand as vehicles enter the aftermarket.

"The supply for the all-new Audi A6 demonstrates that NEXEN TIRE's technology and quality continue to be recognized by the world's most demanding premium brands," said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of NEXEN TIRE. "We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with global premium automakers and expand our OE supply capabilities moving forward."

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Continental has secured original equipment approval for its EcoContact 7 summer tyre on the all-electric Škoda Elroq. The German automotive supplier will supply the SUV with specific front and rear fitments, namely size 235/50 R20 for the front axle and 255/45 R20 for the rear, both designed for 20-inch rims. Each tyre includes the FR marking, signifying an integrated rim protection rib that reinforces the sidewall to guard against curb damage.

To enhance the vehicle's efficiency, Continental incorporated a distinctive aerodynamic feature inspired by golf ball dimples. Small indentations on the tyre surface, branded as the ‘Aerodimple’ structure, are engineered to reduce air turbulence around the sidewalls. This design principle, which mirrors the dimples on a golf ball that minimise drag, helps lower energy consumption by requiring less force to maintain forward motion.

Beyond rolling resistance and aerodynamics, the tyre development focused on acoustic comfort. The tread pattern benefits from optimised block spacing and angles specifically tuned to mitigate noise frequencies generated during low-speed urban driving. This acoustic engineering results in a quieter ride environment for both the vehicle occupants and the surrounding community.

Continental has finalised the tyre lineup for the Škoda Elroq with the EcoContact 7 in specifications 235/50 R20 100H FR and 255/45 R20 101H FR. The summer tyre is also formulated with a specialised rubber compound and construction to deliver low rolling resistance, high mileage and reduced noise levels, contributing to the overall efficiency and refinement of the electric SUV across numerous global markets.

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