TN CM M K Stalin signs first VF7 SUV at VinFast’s India plant inauguration in Thoothukudi. Vietnamese electric vehicle maker, VinFast, has officially marked its entry into India by setting up its first manufacturing facility in the country. The facility is located in Tamil Nadu and spans 400 acres. This is VinFast's third operational plant globally and the first one outside Vietnam. The Tamil Nadu plant will initially focus on assembling the VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs, with a

A recent report has brought to light significant concerns regarding the responsible maintenance of vehicles in India. Despite a surge in vehicle ownership, a large number of motorists are neglecting fundamental legal obligations such as insurance and pollution checks. Despite the implementation of stricter regulations and increased awareness about road safety, millions of vehicles in the country continue to operate without valid insurance or a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). These re

The National Highways Authority of India has tightened its policy against the misuse of FASTags, specifically targeting what are known as "loose FASTags" or "tag-in-hand" practices. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed the update in an official release, ANI reported. The new directive instructs toll collecting agencies and concessionaires to immediately report instances where FASTags are not affixed to a vehicle’s windscreen. This is a deliberate act by some users that disru

India's car market has been quite active lately with increasing demand for SUVs, electric vehicles, and feature-rich models. While Maruti Suzuki leads in overall sales, Hyundai has maintained the second spot for two consecutive months, staying ahead of Tata Motors and Mahindra according to Vahan data from June and July 2025.

Suzuki Motorcycle India has updated the Avenis, a 125cc scooter, by introducing an eye-catching new dual-tone colour option. The new variant (Metallic Matte Platinum Silver No. 2 with Glass Sparkle Black) is now on sale at Suzuki dealerships nationwide. While the change is purely cosmetic, Suzuki has maintained the same pricing, with the Standard Edition priced at Rs 91,400 and the Ride Connect variant at Rs 93,200, both ex-showroom. This new dual-tone addition joins the existing color choices,

Delhi's electric mobility plans have received a fresh update. The government is extending its current Electric Vehicle Policy until March 31, 2026, or until a new one is officially notified - whichever comes first. The extension was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi Secretariat.Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, as per PTI, said the move allows the government more time to conduct wide-ranging public consultations before rolling out a revised, fu

India is set to take a major step forward in two-wheeler safety. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently proposed a change to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. This proposal will require manufacturers to provide two BIS-certified helmets - one for the rider and one for the pillion - with every new two-wheeler sold in the country starting January 2026. The objective is to promote safer riding habits and reduce road fatalities, especially among pillion riders who often do not wear helmets. Dealerships will also need to deliver both helmets at the time of vehicle handover. For an industry that has long struggled with poor safety awareness and widespread use of fake helmets, this new regulation could bring about much-needed change. According to Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird, this rule could lead to a significant increase in helmet demand. Kapur mentioned that if every new two-wheeler comes with two helmets, the annual requirement could exceed 4 crore helmets. However, a challenge lies ahead as India's actual production capacity for genuine ISI-certified helmets is only around 3 crore units per year, leaving a substantial gap. The proposed rule aligns with the government's broader efforts to reduce road fatalities, with over 1.5 lakh deaths reported annually in India due to road accidents, a significant portion of which involve two-wheeler riders. Steelbird, one of India's largest helmet manufacturers, is already heavily investing in automation and plant expansion. The company plans to introduce 75 new helmet models over the next five years, catering to various segments from budget to premium. Despite these positive steps, the issue of fake helmets remains a concern. Approximately half of the helmets used on Indian roads are counterfeit, lacking safety standards and providing inadequate protection. Kapur emphasized the importance of strong enforcement to ensure that only genuine ISI-marked products are sold and that any law mandating two helmets per vehicle must have robust checks in place. Kapur believes that effective enforcement of this law will not only save more lives but also help eliminate counterfeit helmet suppliers from the market. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.

The article is authored by Hitesh Garg, VP and India MD, NXP Semiconductors. India is at a crucial point in its journey toward autonomous mobility with a vision of obtaining full autonomy, which is still on the horizon, but the groundwork is being laid with ADAS becoming more prevalent in mid-range and premium vehicles. A recent report by McKinsey & Company estimates that by 2030, up to 20–30% of new cars sold in India could come with at least Level 2 autonomy, including features like