India’s passenger-vehicle market has witnessed astonishing growth in the past decade. Barring the current hiccups, on account of ongoing urbanisation, increasing expenditure from the middle-class and young generation, and the country’s economic growth and supportive regulations and policies, India is expected to emerge as the world’s third-largest passenger vehicle market in future. However, the growth story will bring severe challenges for the parking space segment, especially in metro cities for which parking space has been a perennial issue.

As per a survey, a person spends an average of 17 hours a year for searching parking slots in New York, and the situation is grimmer in India where on average a person spends around 80 hours per year on finding parking. However, the situation varies in different cities.

Amit Lakhotia, Founder and CEO, Parviom Technologies, which owns Park+, faced car parking-related issues like any other Indians residing in metro cities. “Every day, we face challenges in finding an available parking slot, be it in office parking, malls, hotels or any other busy places. This leads to frustration and loss of time and fuel as well,” says Lakhotia. Due to difficulty in finding spaces for parking, people park their vehicles in the non-parking area or on the roads that occupies half of the road and which again causes traffic congestion, accidents, environmental hazards and even criminal activities.

“Parking related day-to-day issues were on my mind for some time while I was working with Paytm,” recalls Lakhotia. Having faced such parking-related issues, Amit Lakhotia found a business opportunity and launched the App, Park+, in 2019, which provides a suite of solutions around parking and more. With the help of Park+ app, users can discover parking, book their slot as well as other services such as car wash and pay digitally. They also provide RFID based security solutions to apartments and corporate setups.

Early this year, Park+ has raised $11 million in a financing round co-led by venture capital funds Sequoia India and Matrix Partners India. Prominent angel investors, including Deep Kalra, Rajesh Magow, Ashish Hemrajani, Kunal Shah, Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal also participated in the round. Park+ is also the first company to collaborate with Aarogya Setu app for crowd management in malls.

The Park+ business model starts with identifying hot spots and taking suppliers- parking operators -onboard in these areas. For a selected site, the company takes the responsibility to build and maintain the infrastructure needed for the business. Infrastructure includes different servers and hardware. Light hardware is used to monitor entry and exit, while complicated hardware is used for barriers, parking sensors and RFID based security solutions. “Deployment of infrastructure is based on the needs, but charges vary accordingly,” adds Lakhotia.

Park+ earns a commission from the parking operators of the parking space and a service charge from that availing of the service.

Lakhotia is confident that his app-based business will boom on the surging numbers of smartphone users and operators. Explaining further, he says, “Till 2015-16, the internet had not reached to the last mile space in any sector. Online search, ordering, payments, tracking and delivery were not as smooth as of today. However, Ola, Uber, Swiggy and other e-commerce portals brought a revolution in the online payment system and have made it very convenient for users and last-mile operators. Online businesses are also taking good efforts on their last mile employees for reading maps and handling deliveries. Till last a few years, parking operators did not have smartphones with internet connectivity, but now they have. Users and operators were ready, so we felt this is the right time to launch the business.”

India had the world’s second-largest internet population of around 483 million users in 2018, and, of these, 390 million users accessed the internet via their mobile phones. As per a report, India will have over 760 million smartphone users in 2021.

Mobile-phone based parking apps have already been running in the developed markets such as the USA and Europe, but challenges for Park+ will be unique and tough considering the rapidly concentrating population, unplanned structures, and scarcity and skyrocketing prices of lands in cities. Expansion of cities in the western world have been well planned, and vehicle parking has been an integral part of the design of the new cities and the development of old cities. With the growing urbanisation, India is likely to have over 500 million people living in cities by 2030.

Considering the challenges for finding and booking parking space in India, the sweet spot for the Park+ is to help users to find and book parking spaces more conveniently and parking operators to utilise parking spaces more optimally.

“Since there is a minimal scope to build new infrastructure to make parking sites, we focus on to make these parking spaces available more efficiently. For instance, on weekdays, parking space is fully occupied in corporate parks, but malls, hotels and shopping complexes are less crowded, so are their parking sites. This scenario is vice versa on weekends. If a corporate park is near to a mall, the former can use the parking site of the latter on weekdays; the same can be done vice versa on weekends. That is how parking space can be used effectively, and operators’ revenue can go up,” explains Lakhotia.

Though as now of Park+ is offering its services in major cities, it sees opportunities in Tier -2 as well. Residents in metro cities are still reluctant to buy a car owing parking and traffic issues and opt for the shared mobility but growing middle-class incomes pushing car sales in Tier-2 cities. “What parking-related issues we are facing in the Tier-1 cities, eventually we will face the same in Tier-2 in future. So, we also see big business opportunities in Tier-2 cities in the country,” predicts Lakhotia.

Park+ will also explore possibilities to tie up with city corporations which operate parking sites in the cities. “We are looking for such tie-ups. It is just a matter of time when we can have to tie up with municipal corporations.”

Apart from the core service, Park+ is also offering services for insurance, pollution control certificate, RTO service, and information on traffic rules and fuel prices. The company now plans to widen its service offering with vehicle services, maintenance, washing and others. “Some of these services will be provided by third parties, while some services we will provide to the customer directly,” adds Lakhotia.

The company will also explore the option to have tie-ups with OEs to provide the Park+ inbuilt services in their vehicles. “We will try to make available our services to OEs as the business scales up.”

Lakhotia has spent more than ten years building significant size internet businesses. He is ex-Paytm, Tokopedia and Makemytrip and played a critical role in scaling them to multi-billion dollar companies. His experience with the internet business is helping him to build his own business. “Paytm is a digital platform which is being used by masses in India. It is being used by auto drivers, tea sellers, literally by everyone. The distribution of Paytm is available everywhere for both users and merchants in both urban and rural areas. When we started the business, we never thought we would go that big. It does not matter how great your product is; it should work on all devices and networks. The product should win the trust of users since you are handling their money. Transparency is must in internet businesses,” says Lakhotia.

Today, the company has around two lakh subscribers, and Lakhotia expects the subscriber number will reach two million by 2021. The company adds 40,000 cars to the network every month, and 300,000 cars have their RFID tags. So far, the company has set up 800 sites in India. “Currently, we have around 18,000 real-time slots available, and overall, we have 60,000 slots.”

Talking on challenges, Lakhotia says Park+ is a pioneer in the business, and the challenges are new and unpredictable. “Since it is a real-time business, the challenge is how to deliver the services in the expected time. Also, this is a low-ticket business; we will have to make sure it will work smoothly.” (MT)

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Kia Connect has named Olivier Pascal as President and Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 January 2026. He brings over 15 years of automotive industry expertise to the position, having most recently acted as General Manager of Connected Cars, where he led European initiatives for connected vehicle experiences and data development. His career includes leadership across engineering, sales, marketing and technology functions at various dealership, regional and global levels. In his new capacity, Pascal will oversee the company’s connectivity, digital, data and charging strategies, emphasising customer experience, innovation and sustainable growth throughout Europe.

This leadership transition sees Marc Hedrich and Pablo Martínez Masip departing from their positions as President & CEO and COO, respectively. During their tenure, they were instrumental in driving strategic and operational performance across European markets. Hedrich moves to the role of President for Kia France, while Martínez Masip continues as Vice President of Product and Marketing at Kia Europe.

Kia Connect is dedicated to enhancing the customer journey through a fully integrated digital ecosystem, which now supports nearly two million users. The platform combines connected car services, digital mobility solutions and charging infrastructure, aligning with Kia’s broader shift towards software-defined and electrified mobility. Central to this ecosystem is the Kia App, launched last May, which consolidates connectivity, charging and ownership services into one interface. The app provides features such as remote status checks, vehicle diagnostics and charging control, with regular over-the-air updates introducing continual improvements informed by user feedback.

A recent December update introduced a 3D visualisation feature for the EV9 model, allowing drivers to view an accurate digital representation of their own vehicle’s configuration, including exterior colour and wheel design. This addition aims to create a more intuitive and tangible connection between the driver and their car through the app. Following an evaluation period, Kia intends to extend this 3D visualisation to other electric vehicle models in 2026.

Pascal said, “Kia Connect’s mission is to make every driving and charging journey smarter, safer, more convenient and more personal. In 2026, we will deliver tangible value for our B2C and B2B customers and partners, higher-quality features, a truly personalised digital experience, scalable B2B services and a robust charging solution. By combining innovation, unique customer experiences, responsible data use and operational rigour, we will build sustainable growth and a platform that supports Kia brand differentiation and business success in Europe.”

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Caterham and Motul have solidified their ongoing collaboration with a new long-term agreement, blending Caterham’s focus on lightweight sports cars with Motul’s extensive expertise in advanced lubrication, honed over more than a century and a half. The alliance was celebrated publicly at Rétromobile 2026 in Paris, where a 2005 K-Series and a 2025 Super Seven 2000 were displayed on Motul’s stand. Under the renewed partnership, every new Caterham Seven produced at the company’s Dartford headquarters will leave the factory using Motul lubricants, spanning all models from the road-going 170 to each race car competing in the five Caterham Motorsport UK Championships.

Further deepening the relationship, Motul will take on the role of title sponsor for the Caterham Seven Championship UK in 2026, the brand’s premier national racing series. Known globally for its high-performance, motorsport-oriented fluid solutions, Motul brings decades of experience supporting automotive reliability and competitive success. Its technical innovation and research capabilities, proven through partnerships with major events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally, ensure that its products meet the most demanding requirements, making Motul a natural and strategic partner for Caterham’s engineering and racing ambitions.

Ali McColl, Global Head of Marketing, Caterham, said, “This partnership is a significant milestone for Caterham, aligning our brand with a world-renowned leader in lubricants and fluid technology, reinforcing our commitment to performance across both our road and race cars. Motul brings a depth of experience in performance and efficiency that few other partners can offer. This agreement also marks an exciting new chapter for Caterham Motorsport. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, we are proud to unveil the Motul Caterham Seven Championship UK as the new name for the pinnacle of Caterham racing in the UK.”

Andreea Culcea, Chief Brand & Communication Officer, Motul, said, “We are proud to renew our partnership with Caterham, a brand renowned for its exceptional sports car expertise. Since 2019, our collaboration has been driven by shared values of performance, craft and precision. At Motul, we are developing tailor-made solutions designed to unlock the full potential of our partners’ machines. Working alongside a manufacturer like Caterham, where hand-crafted, limited-production cars are born from deep engineering know-how and passion, reflects our vision of authentic partnerships.”

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The Indian automotive industry has commenced the 2026 calendar year on a high note, with automakers across two-wheeler, passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle segments reporting significant YoY wholesale growth for January. The performance reflects a resilient domestic market and a burgeoning recovery in international exports.

The two-wheeler sector saw massive volume gains, spearheaded by Hero MotoCorp, which recorded dispatches of 557,871 units, marking a robust 26 percent growth compared to 442,873 units in January 2025. This performance marks the company’s 25th consecutive year of market leadership. TVS Motor Company followed with a 30 percent increase in domestic two-wheeler sales, reaching 383,262 units, while its electric vehicle (EV) wing grew by 50 percent to 37,756 units.

Royal Enfield achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 1 million year-to-date sales in just 10 months, posting January sales of 104,322 motorcycles – a 14 percent YoY increase, which includes 93,781 units in the domestic market and 10,541 units exported.

B. Govindarajan, Managing Director, Eicher Motors and CEO, Royal Enfield, said, "The new year has begun on a positive note for Royal Enfield – extending the strong momentum from the previous quarter and marking four consecutive months of healthy double-digit growth. We have crossed 1 million motorcycle sales in this financial year across the globe and also crossed 100,000 motorcycle sales in exports."

In the passenger vehicle (PV) segment, Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 25 percent growth in utility vehicles, selling 63,510 units domestically. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles saw a dramatic 47.1 percent rise in total sales (including EVs) to 71,066 units.

Hyundai Motor India achieved its highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 59,107 units, up 9.5 percent, while Toyota Kirloskar Motor registered 30,630 units, representing a 17 percent YoY growth. Kia India also started the year strong with 27,603 units, a 10.3 percent increase and JSW MG Motor India grew 9 percent with 4,843 wholesale units.

Honda Cars India reported domestic wholesales of 6,193 units and 748 units in exports. These figures follow a January 2025 performance where the company registered 7,325 domestic units and 4,979 units in exports.

The current sales volume is supported by demand for the Honda Amaze, alongside steady contributions from the City and Elevate models.

Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, "January 2026 marks a defining chapter in Hyundai Motor India’s journey. Achieving our highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 59,107 units... reflects not only Hyundai’s brand leadership but also the collective strength of our people, partners and customers."

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, "Building on the strong momentum of last year's performance, we began the year on a strong note in January... On 14th January, we opened bookings for XUV7XO and XEV 9S clocking 93,689 bookings for a booking value of INR 205 billion - a record-breaking milestone in just 4 hours."

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, "The encouraging start to 2026 reflects the continued trust customers place in the Kia brand. The positive response to the new-generation Seltos, steady demand for the Sonet, and growing popularity of the Carens Clavis and Clavis EV, underline the strength and balance of our portfolio."

Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd, said: “The year has begun on a strong note, supported by a healthy sales momentum. The Honda Amaze continues to bring in strong demand for its value for money offering along with the City and Elevate that contribute steadily to the overall business. We remain confident of sustaining this positive momentum in the coming months.”

The commercial vehicle (CV) sector also demonstrated strength, particularly in heavy and light cargo segments. Tata Motors reported total CV sales of 38,844 units, up 29.1 percent from 30,083 units in the previous year. Within this, Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) trucks saw the sharpest rise at 41.2 percent. Mahindra’s domestic CV sales grew by 22 percent to 27,656 units, driven largely by the LCV 2T–3.5T category.

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In a strategic pivot from direct consumer subsidies to foundational supply-chain resilience, the 2026-27 Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focuses on bolstering the structural integrity of the Indian automobile industry.

A cornerstone of this year’s fiscal policy is the massive infrastructure and logistics push, highlighted by the development of the Dankuni-Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor and the operationalisation of 20 new national waterways. These initiatives, alongside a coastal cargo promotion scheme aiming to double the share of waterway freight to 12 percent by 2047, are designed to drastically lower logistics costs and ease the movement of components across the country.

Simultaneously, the government is reinforcing the industry's backbone by establishing a INR 100 billion SME Growth Fund to provide long-term capital for auto-component MSMEs, while enhancing liquidity through the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and easing regulatory hurdles via ‘Corporate Mitras’ in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

To secure the future of high-tech mobility, the Budget further expands the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM 2.0) to include domestic equipment manufacturing and chip IP, while nearly doubling the allocation for the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme to INR 400 billion. This technological drive is matched by a robust commitment to the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, specifically through the creation of ‘rare earth corridors’ in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These hubs will provide plug-and-play ecosystems to insulate the industry from global mineral volatility and supply curbs. Complementing this is a series of customs duty exemptions on capital goods used for lithium-ion cell manufacturing and critical mineral processing, which is expected to drive down battery costs and encourage local gigafactory expansion. Finally, for the clean energy segment, the full excise duty exemption on the biogas portion of blended CNG offers immediate relief to fuel prices, marking a comprehensive effort to foster a self-reliant, sustainable, and cost-competitive automotive landscape in the wake of previous GST reforms.

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