After terming India’s import duty barriers high for some time, US President Donald Trump has expressed that 2 April 2025 will be remembered as the day the American industry was reborn as his government announced a broad new tariff policy that imposes at least a 10 percent duty on nearly all imports from certain countries. In the case of India, the policy speaks of 26 percent ‘discounted' reciprocal tariffs. The tariff on China, on the other hand, is 34 percent. 

Aimed at protecting American farmers and ranchers, according to Trump, the broad-based tariff policy is also being termed as ‘national emergency’ driven in view of the ongoing trade deficits, which hit a record USD 1.2 trillion in 2024.

The German auto industry has reacted to the US policy by stating that it 'will only create losers'. While the Asian stock markets have shrunk in response to the announcement, the Indian Ministry of Commerce is analysing the impact of the 26 percent ‘discounted’ tariff announcement. 
Mentioning in its statement that it understands the intent of the US administration to boost domestic manufacturing and address trade imbalances, the Indian auto components apex body ACMA (Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India) has said that autos and auto parts as well as steel and aluminium articles are already subject to Section 232 tariffs at 25 percent announced earlier by the US President’s order on 26 March 2025. A detailed list of auto components that will be subject to 25 percent import tariff is awaited, it mentioned.

Shraddha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA and CMD, Subros Ltd, averred, “ACMA remains hopeful that the ongoing bilateral negotiations between the Indian and U.S. governments will lead to a balanced resolution that benefits both economies. We believe that the strong trade relationship between India and the United States, especially in the auto components sector, will encourage continued dialogue to mitigate the impacts of these measures. ACMA is committed to engaging with all stakeholders to ensure the long-term interests of the Indian auto component industry.”

Saurabh Agarwal, Partner and Automotive Tax Leader, EY India, observed, "With US automotive tariffs rising, India's electric vehicle sector has a prime opportunity to capture a larger share of the US market, especially in the budget car segment.” He drew attention to the fact that China's 2023 auto and component exports to the US stood at US$17.99 billion whereas India's were only US$2.1 billion in 2024, highlighting the potential for growth. “To accelerate this, the government should enhance the PLI scheme by including more auto components, opening it to new players, and extending it by two years,” he added. 

Mrunmayee Jogalekar, Auto and FMCG Research Analyst, Asit C Mehta Investment Interrmediates Ltd, expressed, “Certain sectors such as auto and auto ancillary, which are already subject to a separate 25 percent tariff announced in March are exempt to the levy of reciprocal tariffs. This means no additional tariffs will be imposed on this sector.”
Stating that other exempted segments include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy products, she informed,

“Since import duties apply to all trading partners, the extent of impact will vary across sectors and countries based on competitive advantages.” “For the Indian auto component industry, which derives around 30 percent of its revenue from exports, with 30 percent of that coming from the US, this could result in a potential hit on sales or profit margins,” she added. 

In FY2024, ACMA reported that India exported USS$ 6.79 billion worth of auto components to the US. It imported only USS 1.4 billion, resulting in a substantial trade surplus in India's favour. 

Against the backdrop of the broader tariff policy that speaks of a 26 percent duty of Indian exports to US, the discussion between Indian and the US regarding the bilateral trade agreement will assume importance as well as urgency. For US automotive companies to find their way to the Indian market despite their near cult status – the likes of Harley Davidson and Tesla – will only mean facing a competition that is stiffer than expected and a customer mindset that is far different from how it is in the US. 

Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice-President & Co-Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA, said, "The US Government has imposed a 25 percent tariff on passenger vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans and cargo vans) and light trucks (collectively referred to as automobiles), which come into effect from 3 April  2025. As the PV exports from India to the USA represent less than 1 percent of the total PV exports, the tariff imposition of the tariff does not have any material impact on the Automotive OEMs. The scenario is however different for auto components. On 12 March 2025, a 25 percent tariff was imposed on all aluminium and steel components being imported into the US. Subsequent to this, on 26 March 2025, a 25 percent tariff was imposed on other key auto parts as well (including engines, transmissions, powertrain components and key electrical parts except those under USMCA), with processes to expand tariffs on additional parts, if necessary. The effective date is pending but is expected to be no later than 3 May 2025. Auto components have not featured in the latest set of additional tariff announcements that has been made on 2 April 2025. India’s auto components exports accounted for around 29 percent of industry revenues in FY2024. Of this, about 27 percent went to the US. While the situation is evolving, the recent tariff related development and the consequent inflationary pressures and slowdown in demand in the US could have a negative impact on revenue and earnings for component exporters (in the affected product categories) over the next few months. Nevertheless, with higher tariffs being levied on other competing nations, this could also create long-term opportunities for the exporters. Exporters dependent on the US are also trying to diversify their revenue base across other geographies (including Asia). Measures to improve value addition, diversification into non-auto segments and cost-optimisation strategies are also being worked upon to reduce the potential impact on margins.

Image for representative purpose only.

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GreenCell Mobility (GCM), the electric bus platform backed by Eversource Capital, has completed a USD 89 million mezzanine funding round. The investment was provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII) and Tata Capital. The capital is designated to support the expansion of GCM’s electric vehicle operations across India.

The company currently operates a fleet of more than 1,200 electric buses and 270 charging stations. This funding will facilitate the growth of the fleet to 3,700 units. The expansion includes buses secured through the National E-Bus Programme and the PM Seva E-Mobility initiative. These vehicles will serve routes in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Puducherry.

The mezzanine financing structure is intended to catalyse private and institutional capital for the transport sector. By increasing the number of electric buses on intra-city and intercity corridors, GCM aims to address air quality and carbon emission targets. The project also focuses on establishing payment-security models and financing structures that can be replicated in urban transport markets.

GCM functions as an OEM-agnostic platform, allowing it to integrate various bus models into its network. The investment will also fund the development of charging infrastructure required to support the larger fleet, specifically targeting connectivity in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Dhanpal Jhaveri, Vice-Chairman of Everstone Group and CEO of Eversource Capital, said, "Through this funding round for GreenCell Mobility, we are deepening our partnership with IFC, BII and Tata Capital (leaders in sustainable investments). The transaction exemplifies the catalytic role that private, development and institutional capital can play in accelerating India’s clean transport revolution. GCM’s expanded operations will drive transformation efficient transportation to cities and commuters while delivering returns."

Devndra Chawla, Managing Director & CEO, GreenCell Mobility, said, "This fundraise marks a significant milestone in GreenCell Mobility’s journey to build electric mobility as a mainstream, scalable public transport solution for India. The participation of IFC, BII and Tata Capital reflects strong conviction in our platform, our operating model, and our ability to execute at scale. As we expand our fleet and charging infrastructure across states under programmes such as PM Seva E-Mobility, our focus remains on delivering reliable, cost-efficient and zero-emission transport for cities and intercity corridors."

Katherine Koh, Regional Industry Manager, IFC, added, “Electrifying buses is central to India’s urban transformation agenda, and our mezzanine investment in GreenCell will accelerate the rollout of sustainable public transport for thousands of people across India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It will create jobs while catalyzing private capital through innovative financing and payment-security models.”

Shilpa Kumar, Managing Director and Head of India, BII, said, “Climate action is a key priority for BII in India, with electric mobility as a key pillar of our climate investment strategy. Electric buses are a critical lever for decarbonising public transport at scale. Our investment in GreenCell Mobility reflects our commitment to supporting proven platforms that accelerate clean mobility.”

Manish Chourasia, Chief Operating Officer, Tata Capital, noted, "Tata Capital is pleased to participate in this strategic investment that accelerates India’s transition to cleaner, more efficient transport. GCM’s innovative approach aligns with our vision for sustainable urban development and inclusive growth.”

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ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions recently hosted its landmark ZEISS Quality Innovation Worldwide forums in New Delhi and Pune. These events, integral to a global series originating from the flagship summit in Berlin, positioned India as a central architect in the evolving narrative of worldwide metrology. Focused squarely on ‘The Future of Metrology’, the gatherings engaged key manufacturing sectors – from automotive and electric mobility to medical technology and electronics – on overcoming modern precision and quality challenges.

A core insight emphasised metrology's transformative shift from merely assessing outcomes to proactively predicting performance. This evolution empowers manufacturers to accelerate innovation while adhering to rigorous quality standards. The forums established a pioneering national platform, merging strategic dialogue with exhibits of advanced technology. Attendees engaged with cutting-edge innovations across optical, tactile and X-ray measurement, explored connected digital ecosystems like ZEISS PiWeb and witnessed AI-driven and automated inspection solutions aligned with smart industry principles. Practical, hands-on demonstrations bridged these technologies with real-world production scenarios.

Notably, the India editions amplified the voice of local industry, with leading manufacturers detailing their own journeys in quality transformation. They shared experiences in building resilient quality cultures, pioneering process innovation and implementing best practices in complex environments. This highlighted a collaborative model for progress, where the future of Indian metrology is being jointly shaped by global technology leaders and domestic industrial innovation.

By selecting two of India’s premier industrial hubs, ZEISS reinforced its deep commitment to the nation's manufacturing ascent. The initiative frames India not merely as a growth market but as a vital contributor to global manufacturing excellence. Ultimately, the events united industry leaders and quality champions to collectively define how predictive intelligence and precision will forge the next decade of manufacturing.

Aveen Padmaprabha, Head of Industrial Quality Solutions, ZEISS India, said, “As manufacturing continues to transform, the expectations from metrology are expanding rapidly – from speed and accuracy to data-driven decision-making. ZEISS Quality Innovation Worldwide in India, which witnessed a humbling participation of 350+ individuals from the manufacturing fraternity, demonstrated how advanced metrology solutions can empower the industry to achieve higher productivity and quality consistency. Our focus remains on enabling our customers with future-ready technologies and deep application expertise.”

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BASF Coatings has released its latest Color Report for Automotive OEM Coatings, revealing a shift in global vehicle colour preferences for 2025. The data indicates that green has become the fastest-growing chromatic colour, while gray has increased its share within the achromatic category.

The report finds that while white remains the dominant choice in India, there is a growing shift towards individual expression. Globally, the report identifies green as the fastest-growing chromatic colour and gray as a primary riser in the achromatic category.

According to the report, Indian consumers continue to favour white for its traditional appeal and resale value, yet nature-inspired aesthetics are gaining traction. Green now ranks among the top three chromatic colours globally, trailing only blue and red. While blue dropped by one percentage point and red declined to 3 percent of the total market, green continued a steady rise. Gray recorded an increase of two percentage points worldwide, whereas white saw a slight decline in other markets despite its stronghold in India. Solid finishes have also decreased globally, now representing 18 percent of the total market.

Florina Trost, Head of Design EMEA, BASF Coatings, said, “The green trend was already making waves in EMEA a few years ago. Different shades have been featured in our Automotive Color Trends collection, hinting at the huge variety of shades we see fitting to this movement today.”

The Americas showed an increase in chromatic paints by nearly two percentage points. While red and blue remain historically significant in this region, colours such as green, beige, brown and violet are gaining momentum.

Mark Gutjahr, Global Head of Automotive Color Design, BASF Coatings, said, “In 2021, brown and beige have been key colours of our trend collection. The sales now validate these early predictions and illustrate, how long-term trends continue to shape the market.”

In the Asia Pacific region, gray is trending upwards as white declines. Green is expanding its presence with a range extending from light tones to natural shades.

Chiharu Matsuhara, Head of Automotive Color Design for Asia Pacific, BAF Coatings, said, “In our past trend forecast, we have introduced a solid-like gray with subtle colour interference and highlighted an urban nuance green for adaptability. Today, gray strengthens while green expands across the region.”

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in partnership with the Delhi Traffic Police and Maruti Suzuki India, has completed road safety refresher workshops in New Delhi. The sessions were organised as part of National Road Safety Month and targeted commercial vehicle and three-wheeler drivers.

The initiative, part of the ‘सुरक्षित सफर (Safe Journey)’ programme, involved over 200 participants. Workshops took place on 12 January 2026 at the Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) in Loni/Burari and on 15 January 2026 at IDTR, Sarai Kale Khan.

The workshops provided health check-ups for drivers, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye examinations. Eyewear was distributed to drivers through support from the Eicher Group Foundation and Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital.

Following the medical checks, faculty from IDTR and the Delhi Traffic Police delivered training on traffic regulations, defensive driving, and on-road behaviour. The curriculum focused on safety messages through participant engagement and learning.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “Road safety is a shared responsibility, and sustained awareness among drivers is critical to reducing road accidents. Through our ‘सुरक्षित सफर" initiative, SIAM, along with its member companies and enforcement authorities, remains committed to promoting safer driving practices and strengthening road safety culture across the country.”

Vinay Dhingra, Vice-President, SAFE, said, “Drivers are the lifeline of our nation. It is through their hard work and dedication that we are able to support and strengthen our country. Consistent training and awareness programmes are crucial in building a strong culture of road safety. These initiatives equip drivers with a better understanding of traffic regulations, encourage safer driving habits, and help create safer roads for everyone.”

Officials from the Delhi Traffic Police and representatives from Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India also attended the sessions to interact with the drivers.

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