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.

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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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Motul India presented a comprehensive vision for the future of automotive fluids at SIAT Expo 2026, centred on innovation, sustainability and supporting the industry’s technological transition. The company’s exhibition was built around the event’s core theme of pioneering safe and sustainable mobility, demonstrating a strategic commitment to evolving alongside new vehicle architectures.

A cornerstone of this vision is the development of fluids for new propulsion systems. A keynote address by Dr Julien Plet, Global Head of R&D, elaborated on the critical role of innovative fluids for next-generation mobility. The company showcased its E-Gen series, engineered for the thermal management of electric vehicle components like motors, batteries and power electronics, positioning it as a critical solution for evolving electrified mobility. Simultaneously, for alternative fuels, Motul presented specialised lubricant formulations for hydrogen internal combustion engines, reflecting early and active research into diverse energy sources. This dual focus underscores a readiness to support the industry’s broad technological transition.

Further solidifying its technical credibility, Motul emphasised its race-to-road development philosophy. The exhibit featured OEM-validated products, including a lubricant with formal Mercedes-Benz approval and another born from collaboration with Toyota Racing Development. These examples illustrate how the company leverages the extreme demands of motorsport as a dynamic proving ground for future commercial technologies, rather than for immediate market launch.

Integral to its presentation was a strong sustainability narrative, exemplified by the NGEN lubricant range. This product line utilises base oils derived from re-refined materials, embodying circular economy principles and a long-term commitment to reducing environmental impact through responsible resource use.

Ultimately, by participating in the expo, Motul India reinforced its role as an innovation-led partner to the automotive ecosystem. With a robust global research backbone and deep industry relationships, the company showcased its structured approach to developing high-performance, sustainable fluids tailored to meet the specific demands of the Indian market as it advances.

Dr Plet said, “Motul’s research and development teams across geographies continue to focus on advancing lubricant performance for existing powertrains while developing technologies aligned with future mobility needs and local market conditions.”

Nagendra Pai, CEO, Motul India & South Asia, said, ‘’SIAT Expo is a key platform for future mobility, and Motul is proud to showcase its global innovation strength in India. By combining advanced technologies with local adaptability, Motul is ready to lead solutions across electrification, sustainability and alternative fuels.”

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In a move that signals a seismic shift in global trade dynamics, the European Union and India today concluded negotiations for a historic and ‘commercially significant’ Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As the largest deal ever brokered by either side, the pact creates a massive free trade zone encompassing 2 billion people and the world's second and fourth largest economies.

While the agreement spans sectors from agriculture to pharmaceuticals, it is the automotive industry that stands as the centrepiece of this industrial realignment.

Cracking the 110% tariff wall

For decades, European automakers have struggled against India’s formidable trade barriers. Under the new agreement, these hurdles are set to crumble. India has committed to a radical reduction in car tariffs, which currently sit at a staggering 110 percent. According to the official release, these duties will be gradually slashed to as low as 10 percent.

Furthermore, the deal provides a massive boost to the automotive supply chain. Tariffs on car parts – a critical sector for European manufacturers – will be fully abolished within a 5-to-10-year window. This move is expected to integrate Indian and European manufacturing hubs more closely than ever before.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the deal as a milestone for rules-based cooperation. "The EU and India make history today. We have sent a signal to the world that rules-based cooperation still delivers great outcomes," she said.

With a population of 1.45 billion and a GDP of EUR 3.4 trillion, India is currently the world’s fastest-growing large economy. This FTA grants European carmakers and industrial firms a ‘privileged access’ that no other Indian trading partner currently enjoys.

Beyond the finished vehicles, the deal addresses the broader industrial ecosystem:

• Machinery & Chemicals: Tariffs of up to 44 percent on machinery and 22 percent on chemicals will be mostly eliminated.
• SME Support: Dedicated contact points will be established to help smaller European component manufacturers navigate the Indian market.
• Intellectual Property: The agreement guarantees high-level protection for designs and trade secrets, providing the legal certainty required for high-tech automotive transfers and R&D investment.

The deal is not merely about volume; it is about the future of mobility. A dedicated chapter on trade and sustainable development focuses on climate change and environmental protection.

To support India’s transition toward sustainable industrialisation – a move critical for the electric vehicle (EV) sector – the EU intends to provide EUR 500 million in support over the next two years. Additionally, a new EU-India platform for climate action cooperation is slated to launch in early 2026, likely serving as a catalyst for joint ventures in green hydrogen and battery technology.

The EU expects the deal to double its goods exports to India by 2032, saving European businesses approximately EUR 4 billion per year in duties.

The path to implementation now moves to the legal and political stage. The negotiated texts will undergo legal revision and translation before being presented to the European Council and the European Parliament for consent. On the Indian side, the agreement will move toward formal ratification.

After nearly two decades of stop-and-start negotiations – beginning in 2007 and relaunching in 2022 – the road is finally clear for a new era of Euro-Indian industrial synergy.

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