From 1 April 2025, all drivers in Mumbai will have to pay tolls using FASTag at every toll plaza. This is in line with Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s (MSRDC) announcement some time ago regarding a FASTag-only system to make toll payments, which would facilitate quicker and easier passage of vehicles through toll gates. But that is not the key news. The key news is that the toll on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will rise by three percent from 1 April 2025. This hike is expected to dig a hole of up to INR 10 in every passenger car owner every time he gets on the respective expressway. 
Fully operationalised in April 2002, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway – first of its kind in India – was built on a BOT basis. It cost more than INR 16.3 billion to complete, according to a report found on the Magicbricks.com website dated 5 February 2025. An analysis in 1994 estimated the cost to be INR 11.46 billion. 
In its affidavit in response to a PIL filed in the Bombay High Court in 2019 citing a CAG report, MSRDC – the Maharashtra state’s special vehicle that built the respective expressway – mentioned that the CAG failed to consider aspects such as traffic flow in initial years, fluctuation in interest and value of money at the time when the first contract was awarded in 2004. 
After taking into consideration the internal rate of return at 16 percent, the total amount recoverable in 2021 was INR 223.7 billion (22,370 crore), MSRDC is known to have stated in its affidavit filed by Kamlakar Phand, Chief General Manager, MSRDC, justifying the extension of contract to collect toll.  
Known as India’s highest toll collecting expressway and also the costliest, the toll collection across the nine gates of the expressway in FY2022-23 was an estimated INR 480.28 billion (48,028.22 crore). In FY2023-24, it was an estimated INR 648.09 billion (64,809.86 crore), a 35 percent increase from the previous year. The average daily collection of around INR 1.5 billion in FY2023-24 in the respective fiscal marked an all-time high. 
But then it is not just the Mumbai-Pune Expressway that will see a hike in toll tax, driving in turn the cost of consumables, essential goods etc., up, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will also increase the toll tax on national highways and expressways that it governs, effective 1 April 2025, mention sources. 
This hike will also touch two-wheelers as stretches such as the Delhi-Lucknow expressway are known to charge toll from that class of vehicles as well. The toll tax increase, sources say, will be in line with the tradition to yearly revise the charges to account for changes in the wholesale price index (CPI)-based inflation. 
Not stopping there and not taking into account the poor quality as well as sheer unsafe stretches of key highways such as the one connecting Pune with Belgaum, which is said to have been under construction for many-many years now, or the one that connects Mumbai with Goa, motorists of all class of vehicles, two-wheelers included, should brace themselves to see their pockets burn a bigger hole effective 1 March 2025 as road fines increase. 
Not supposed to complain about bad road surface, unsafe road design, crater-like patches or the suddenly appearing speed humps and simply pay the roll tax, motorists found to be under the influence of alcohol will have to pay a fine of INR 10,000 and/or face a six months term in prison for the first offence. Repeat offenders will have to pay INR 15,000 and may face up to 2 years in prison.
Those riding without helmets will have to pay INR 1,000 (earlier it was INR 100) and face license suspension for three months. Failing to wear a seat belt, the fine will be INR 1,000. 
Found talking on the phone while driving, the fine will be INR 5,000. Found driving without a valid driving license, the fine will be INR 5,000. Riding triple seat on a two-wheeler, the fine will now be INR 1,000. Sans a valid insurance (insurance attracts 18 percent GST whereas buying a vehicle amounts to between 28 to 50 percent of the price being taxes!), the fine will now be INR 2,000. Besides three months of imprisonment and community service, a repeat offence will see the fine double to INR 4,000. 
The absence of pollution certificate will attract a fine of INR 10,000 along with a prison sentence of six months and community service. Dangerous driving and over speeding with attract a fine of INR 5,000 each here after. Blocking of emergency vehicles will lead to a fine of INR 10,000. Overloading of commercial vehicles will lead to a fine of INR 20,000. 
Jumping a red signal will attract a fine of INR 5,000. Earlier it was INR 500. Offence committed by juveniles behind the wheel or handlebar will lead to a fine of INR 25,000 rather than INR 2,500. A prison sentence of three years and cancelation of vehicle registration for a year besides ineligibility to get a driving license till the age of 25 will be there too. 

Image for representative purpose only.

The latest data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) show that the Indian automotive industry wrapped up FY 2024-25 with a solid performance, driven by resilient domestic demand, an uptick in exports, and a renewed push toward green mobility.

While the pace of growth varied across segments, the industry overall clocked a healthy 7.3 percent increase in domestic sales, reinforcing its steady recovery trajectory in a post-pandemic economy.

The passenger vehicles segment posted its highest-ever annual sales, breaching the 4.3 million mark – a 2 percent rise over the previous year. Although the high base of FY 2023–24 tempered the growth rate, the segment continued to impress with its scale.

SUVs emerged as the dominant sub-segment, accounting for 65 percent of total PV sales, up from 60 percent last year.

The market responded enthusiastically to new launches and customer demand towards higher ground clearance models. It is also important to note that discounts and promotions kept demand buoyant.

On the exports front, a record 770,000 units were shipped, up 14.6 percent, fuelled by demand from Latin America, Africa and emerging interest from developed markets.

India’s ubiquitous two-wheelers rebounded strongly with 19.6 million units sold, marking a 9.1 percent growth over the previous year. The scooter category led the charge, boosted by improved rural and semi-urban road connectivity.

EV penetration crossed 6 percent, reflecting a growing preference for sustainable options.

Two-wheeler exports rose by 21.4 percent, supported by macroeconomic stability in Africa and expansion into Latin American markets.

The three-wheeler segment on the other hand scaled new highs with 741,420 units sold, a 6.7 percent growth over FY 2023–24. Urban and semi-urban demand for last-mile transport, especially electric models seem to have played a key role.

The commercial vehicles segment posted a slight 1.2 percent decline in annual sales, though Q4 offered a glimmer of hope with a 1.5 percent uptick. Light CVs struggled, while Medium & Heavy CVs (M&HCVs) remained steady. Infrastructure development spurred demand for buses and higher-GVW trucks.

CV exports jumped by 23 percent, indicating global recovery in freight mobility.

In terms of EV sales, the country saw 1.97 million green vehicles sold, up 16.9 percent, with electric two-wheelers seeing a 21.2 percent rise in registrations.

Looking Ahead: Optimism with Caution

The industry body stated that going forward leaders are cautiously optimistic about FY 2025–26. Normal monsoon forecasts are expected to aid rural demand. Recent personal income tax reforms and RBI rate cuts could boost vehicle financing and overall consumer sentiment. Continued export momentum, especially in Africa and neighbouring regions, will offer strategic resilience.

But on the other hand, challenges loom in the form of global geopolitical tensions and evolving supply chain dynamics.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM, said, “The Indian automobile industry continued its steady performance in FY2024–25, driven by healthy demand, infrastructure investments, supportive government policies and continued emphasis on sustainable mobility. Passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers grew in FY2024-25 compared to FY2023-24, but growth rates have been varied across segments. Passenger vehicles and three-wheelers witnessed a moderate growth on account of the high base effect but saw the highest-ever sales in these categories, while the two-wheeler segment registered strong growth in FY2024-25. However, commercial vehicles witnessed a slight degrowth in the FY2024-25, though performance in recent months has been comparatively better. On the exports front, good recovery is seen across all segments, particularly passenger vehicles and two-wheelers reflecting improved global demand and India's growing competitiveness. In FY2024-25, the government of India introduced the PM E DRIVE scheme and PM e-Sewa schemes which underscores the firm commitment of the Government towards promoting sustainable mobility. Looking ahead, the backdrop of stable policy environment, along with recent measures such as reforms in personal income tax and RBI’s rate cuts, will help in supporting consumer confidence and demand across segments.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M Ltd) has inaugurated the Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS), a state-of-the-art creative facility that marks a significant leap ahead in the company’s automotive and industrial design capabilities. 
Located in the group’s automotive manufacturing site at Kandivali in Mumbai, MIDS marks the expansion of the existing design studio at the same location with the addition of new and modern equipment such as the Kolb clay milling machine with two five-axis milling centres on a single ‘bed’ that would enable prototyping of two projects – an exterior or interior of a vehicle, two exterior works or more – at the same time in an effort to contribute to time-to-market. 
Marking the doubling of the studio size and reaffirming M&M's commitment to design excellence as a cornerstone of the product development strategy, the MIDS has also acquired a new paint booth to support paint design and development activities regarding new designs. 
With ‘Heartcare’ design philosophy driving the group’s push into the SUV space, the MIDS will also work on other automotive areas such as commercial vehicles and tractors. 
Marking a significant upgrade of a facility that was originally set up in 2015 as a dedicated studio to support M&M's auto and farm business, the newer and bigger set up is already tapping the growing talent in the respective field in the country.  
To be headed by Ajay Saran Sharma, the MIDS will have a 100 strong team to drive design project management, concept design, digital designing, physical modelling, studio engineering, CMF design, design quality/Realisation and HMI/UI/UX. The finer elements would include exterior and interior designing, visualisation, clay modelling, prototyping and more. 
Capable of supporting working progress on two or three projects at the same time and not just regarding passenger vehicles but also regarding commercial vehicles and tractors, MIDS will serve as a collaborative bridge between India and Mahindra’s global design outpost – the Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE). 
Aiming to inspire innovation by blending digital tools with hands-on craftsmanship, MIDS will play a central role in shaping vehicles and experiences that are distinctly global, yet Indian. 
“It is a pleasure to have this new avatar of Mahindra India Design Studio commissioned. With state-of-the- art design spaces and machinery backed by world-class skills that hugely expands its capability and capacity, the footprint of the space stands doubled to take on and deliver the ever-expanding project portfolio across businesses. The end-to-end delivery on projects from the first concept sketch through to production stands further strengthened with the new working structure that along with the classic design verticals includes new functions such as HMI Design, Design Quality & Realisation,” explained Sharma. 
Pratap Bose, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, averred, “We are thrilled to inaugurate our future ready Mahindra India Design Studio bringing world class design technologies and tools to create stunning, design outcomes across our Auto and Farm businesses. The new studio will attract the best design talent from India and become a leading automotive design centre in India. The influence of MIDS on our products will be felt for many years to come.” 

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the racing arm of Japanese automotive major Honda, has launched its new memorabilia business.

This will allow racing enthusiasts to collect a piece of Honda’s racing history, including signed merchandise, limited-edition collectibles and rare artifacts.

As part of the launch, Honda Racing Corporation has selected rare, limited items from the historical Honda RA100E F1 engine, which powered the championship machine driven by Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger in the 1990 F1 season. 

Racing fans will get a part own a piece of Honda’s RAE100E F1 engine at the Monterey Car Week in Monterey Peninsula, Ca. USA.

The automotive company shared that its skilled mechanics at Honda Racing Corporation’s factory in Japan have carefully RA100E F1 engine and fans can purchase items such as camshafts, cam covers, pistons and connecting rods, beautifully housed in ready to be displayed cases, each accompanied by an original HRC certificate for authenticity.

Koji Watanabe, President, Honda Racing Corporation, said, "We aim to make this a valuable business that allows fans who love F1, MotoGP, and various other races to share in the history of Honda's challenges in racing since the 1950s. Including our fans to own a part of Honda’s racing history is not intended to be a one-time endeavour, but rather a continuous business that we will nurture and grow."

Going forward, HRC is selecting heritage machines and parts from the IndyCar series to historical racing motorcycles for private sales and auctions too.

Travelling across highways and expressways has become more expensive in India. Effective from midnight of 31 March 2025, commuters have been shelling out INR 5-10 more on major highways and expressways.

However, commercial vehicles with more than seven axles have been the hardest hit, as their toll has risen by a whopping INR 590.

In sum total, the changed toll fee is part of a yearly exercise to revise rates as per Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation. On average, rates have gone up by 4-5 percent across the country. Some of the highways on which the toll hikes are visible include the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Delhi-Jaipur Highway and Delhi-Meerut Expressway, among others. The toll rate from Ghaziabad to Meerut has risen from INR 70 to INR 75. The National Highway of India (NHAI) levies tolls across 855 plazas, out of which 675 are publicly funded and 180 are concessionaire-operated.

Jeeps and commercial cars are now being charged INR 85 per side, and the charges for their monthly passes have increased from INR 1225 to INR 1255. On the other hand, single-journey tolls for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and minibuses on the Chhijarsi toll plaza on NH9 have increased from INR 275 to INR 580.