The Indian Blue Book (IBB) report by Car&Bike and Das WeltAuto (the used car division of Volkswagen) has underlined a significant uptake in used car sales in the country. As per the report, the sale of used cars is expected to reach 10.92 million units by FY2027-28 as the supply of good quality cars that were bought post the covid years starts to grow in the market. 

Valued at USD 31.33 billion in FY2022-23 as per the sixth edition of IBB report, the used car market in India is currently witnessing higher demand versus supply in response to the drastic slowdown in new car purchases in the Covid fiscal (FY2020-21).  

Expected to more than double to USD 70.48 billion in FY2027-28 as high-quality passenger vehicles bought in the years after the pandemic, the Indian used car market is in for a good show.

Roughly linked to a phenomenon where the slowdown in purchase of new cars leads to a surge in the demand for used cars, the arrival of passenger vehicles no more than 3.5 to five years of age, the used car market in India is expected to experience good momentum. It is also expected to see some formalisation, according to source, but grow nonetheless on the organised side as well as the unorganised side. The organised side of the used car market in the country is currently an estimated 35 percent. 

As owners of new cars purchased post the pandemic period decide to upgrade, the buyers of used cars are expected to get to choose from high-quality cars, albeit with records and a higher residual value. Budget buyers looking at quality pre-owned cars on the back of being more informed about car technicalities, the present situation points at an increasing availability of cars that are not just well maintained, but are also replete with a good safety kit among other attributes. An example of such an offering is the Volkswagen Taigun, which has managed to retain 80 percent of its residual value after three years unlike the models sold by the German automaker earlier.  

With the make, model and variant turning out to be a big consideration among 71 percent used car buyers, the tendency of buyers to inform themselves well is increasingly witnessed as per the BBI report. Stressing on the fact that majority of buyers are highly budget conscious (63 percent) even as they look for quality cars, the report highlights a pull towards used cars that offer a better safety kit and safety rating. The Volkswagen Taigun for example, is five-star GNCAP rated. 

The sixth edition of the BBI – walking the foot steps of the earlier edition – highlights the fact that 71 percent of the used car buyers also acknowledged overall repairs and servicing costs as a big consideration.

About 45 percent of buyers/intenders prefer local dealers for exploring, followed by auto tech start-ups (26 percent) and OEM backed brands (23 percent). In terms of awareness and preferences of car leasing, 28 percent of buyers were found to be aware of the concept. The indication, as per the report, is that 62 percent of used car buyers would avail of the same in the future.

In the case of used car buyers, warranty and financial assistance topped the list of demands as a service. A majority of them – 56 percent of them – did not prefer an EV used car.

From the vehicle seller’s perspective, 59 percent of them reasoned that they wanted to upgrade to a new vehicle as the reason to do away with their existing set of wheels. Some of them reasoned that it was the sufficiency of having another vehicle. The extra cars bought during Covid-19 period are being sold now, the sixth edition of BBI report highlights. 

What has been aiding the arrival of high-quality cars that were bought during the post pandemic period is being attributed to the fast tracking of auto technology. Automotive tech startups and OEM backed companies are ensuring that the actual Turn Around Time (TAT) to sell a car is down to three days! 

Full payment within 24 hours remains the top priority for sellers followed by vehicle inspection at a location of their choice.

“The pre-owned car market is significantly growing with the potential of it being double by FY2028. The growth primarily comes from the evolving trends and customer preferences while selecting a pre-owned vehicle. A notable shift is the top priority for safety features, a transition similar to the new car industry, enabling a brand like Volkswagen, to be more accessible and in-demand for customers with our 5-star GNCAP rated product portfolio – Taigun and Virtus. The high preference for safety features and standards among customers is positively impacting the residual value of Volkswagen cars, especially the Taigun. We are confident the Das WeltAuto. business, will continue to grow as one of the top certified pre-owned car brands in India for customers,” said Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India.

Ashutosh Pandey, CEO & MD, Mahindra First Choice, averred, “The latest edition of the Indian Blue Book, a collaboration with Das WeltAuto. by Volkswagen, reinforces our confidence in the Indian pre-owned car market's explosive growth potential. The increasing involvement of organized players is bringing stability and trust to this market; achieving consistent profitability and providing superlative customer experience remains the top priorities for organised players.” 

Mahindra First Choice Wheels-backed Indian Blue Book launched the first edition in 2015 to highlight the trends in the used car industry in India. Since then, the annual report has been established as the largest and most intensive primary research conducted in India. Since 2022 Das WeltAuto., the pre-owned car brand of Volkswagen, and Car&Bike, a 100 percent subsidiary of Mahindra First Choice Wheels, have co-curated this research report. 

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has expanded its Alcazar SUV range with a new Corporate variant with diesel powertrain at prices starting INR 1.78 million and an expansion of automatic transmission options in the Prestige DCT Petrol (7-speed) at INR 1.86 million.

The Alcazar Corporate variant is equipped with a voice-enabled smart Panoramic Sunroof and is available with both 6-speed Manual and 6-speed Automatic transmission choices, and is designed to appeal to the evolving aspirations of Indian SUV buyers.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At Hyundai Motor India, we are continuously listening to customer feedback and evolving our product offerings to meet their aspirations. The introduction of the Corporate variant in Alcazar Diesel with a voice enabled smart panoramic sunroof and the inclusion of DCT in the Prestige Petrol variant reflects our commitment to providing a more personalized and premium SUV experience. With these updates, we aim to offer more choice and delight to our customers who seek performance, technology and sophistication in their vehicles.”

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When Tata Motors launched the Harrier.ev, it wasn’t just introducing another electric vehicle — it was signalling a shift in India’s premium electric vehicle landscape. Based on Tata’s Gen 2 EV (acti.ev+) architecture, the Harrier.ev blends familiarity with futuristic design, making electrification a natural progression rather than a disruptive leap.

Interestingly, the company is providing a lifetime warranty on the battery for the first vehicle owners, applicable only to private owners. 

Anand Kulkarni, Chief Product Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, told Motoring Trends, “We have said that our Gen 2 approach is basically a pure EV approach. Much the same way, the acti.ev+, in fact, we have taken that architecture further ahead on the Harrier.ev to make sure that you can get the seating comfort of a regular SUV without any compromise on the battery or powertrain.”

While rivals explore born-electric platforms from scratch, Tata’s strategy with the Harrier.ev is different – marrying known aesthetics with a ground-up EV design. That’s not just a technical decision, but as Kulkarni stated, it’s rooted in customer behaviour.

“There is a section of people who are saying, who want the comfort and the familiarity of the product that they are using. So we have ​made a product that retains that familiarity, while giving them the benefits of electrification,” Kulkarni explained.

The Harrier.ev isn’t just about powertrains and batteries – it’s about creating a ‘third space.’ With features like a 14.5-inch Neo QLED screen and Dolby audio, Tata wants the Harrier.ev to be as comfortable and connected as a living room.

“You have office, you have home, and everything in between is where you spend a lot of time in the car. People expect it to be comfortable, convenient, connected and safe,” Kulkarni said.

Even as the EV market rapidly matures, Tata remains mindful of long-term viability. Decisions around battery size, AWD vs FWD configurations, and software-driven features were all taken with a delicate balance of affordability and future-readiness in mind.

“We worked with two sizes of batteries. This was about making the right choices,” said Kulkarni, noting how Tata’s dual-battery strategy is now industry standard.

As Kulkarni explained, For Tata, the Harrier.ev is more than a product – it's a culmination of years of foresight, strategic evolution and a deep understanding of the Indian consumer. It’s a vehicle that reflects not just where the market is headed, but how Tata Motors is determined to lead it there.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Fortuner and Legender in a new Neo Drive in a hybrid avatar, featuring a 48-volt system that delivers improved fuel efficiency. The models are priced at INR 4.47 million and INR 5.09 million, respectively.  

Since its debut in 2009, the Toyota Fortuner has defined the premium SUV segment in India, admired for its rugged design, robust performance and unmatched all-terrain capabilities. The stylish and feature-rich Legender complements the Fortuner, exemplifying Toyota’s core values of quality, durability and reliability. Together, they have cultivated a loyal following among urban adventurers and off-road enthusiasts alike.

The new Neo Drive variants introduce Toyota’s advanced 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine paired with a 48V system comprising a belt-integrated starter generator and lithium-ion battery. This technology mirrors hybrid electric systems by recuperating braking energy during deceleration, contributing to smoother low-end acceleration, quieter operation and improved fuel efficiency. The Smart Idle Start-Stop function further enhances efficiency by automatically shutting off the engine when stationary, resulting in lower emissions and fuel savings.

Importantly, the company claims that these enhancements do not compromise the Fortuner and Legender’s formidable payload capacity, durability or off-road performance. The Multi-Terrain Select system optimises throttle response, braking and traction control to deliver a superior driving experience across diverse terrains.

On the design front, the Fortuner retains its bold, purposeful stance, ideal for rugged adventures, while the Legender exudes a more dynamic and premium appeal with dual-tone body colours, split LED headlamps and a sleek fascia. Both models offer dual-tone leather upholstery, soft-touch materials and ergonomic seating designed for long-distance comfort.

In terms of safety the SUVs come with ABS, Vehicle Stability Control with Brake Assist, WIL Concept Seats, Hill Assist Control, Traction Control and more. Toyota’s focus on customer convenience extends to tailored finance solutions, including up to 8-year funding plans, Toyota Smart Balloon Finance and pre-approved value-added services such as extended warranty and genuine accessories. Buyers will also benefit from five years of complimentary roadside assistance and a standard 3-year/100,000 km warranty, extendable to 5 years/220,000 km, along with the customisable Toyota Smiles Plus service package.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “As the SUV market in India grows steadily, customers are seeking advanced features and differentiated styling. The new Fortuner and Legender Neo Drive variants meet these expectations with bold design, powerful performance, and comprehensive features, underscoring Toyota’s commitment to delivering ever-better cars and advancing towards carbon neutrality.”

Bookings for the Fortuner and Legender Neo Drive variants commenced on 2 June 2025, with deliveries set to begin from the third week of June.

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Hyundai Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has onboarded popular actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador.

The company shared that Tripathi, who is known for his versatility and grounded charm, embodies Hyundai India’s values of reliability, authenticity and a deep-rooted connection with the country’s diverse audience. With this association, HMIL further strengthens its ambassador lineup that already includes iconic personalities.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we celebrate stories of progress and inspiration. We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to HMIL family. His grounded persona, exceptional talent and widespread appeal resonate with the values of HMIL and our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Together, we aim to drive deeper emotional connections with our diverse customer base across India.”

Pankaj Tripathi, said, “It is an honour to associate with Hyundai Motor India, a brand that has long stood for trust, innovation and customer-first approach. My first car was a Hyundai, and over the years, that relationship has grown into something truly personal. As someone who deeply values simplicity, sincerity and staying true to one’s roots, I find a natural alignment with HMIL’s ethos. I look forward to this partnership where together, we can connect with people across the country - not just through technology, but through shared stories and values.”

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