AUTO

Delhi-based app-based intercity bus service provider LeafyBus has announced plans to deploy over 100 electric intercity sleeper buses across the capital, aiming to make long-distance travel more comfortable and eco-friendly. For this, the company has partnered with Volvo Eicher Trucks and Buses. Partnership with Volvo EicherThe partnership will officially begin with 35 buses by 31 March 2026, after which the fleet will expand over the next 18 months to serve popular and busy routes including Delhi-Dehradun and Delhi-Lucknow. The buses will be provided on lease by Inetra EV Private Limited, supporting LeafyBus in scaling the electric sleeper fleet across the country. Replacing Diesel with ElectricLeafyBus is India’s first operator of long-distance electric buses. Traditionally diesel-...

New Delhi: Yamaha India has officially entered the electric scooter segment with the launch of its first electric scooter, the EC-06, priced at ₹1.67 lakh (ex-showroom). Combining a premium, stylish design with advanced features, the EC-06 aims to compete with popular electric scooters like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Simple One, Ather Apex, and Hero Vida V2. Design and Availability The Yamaha EC-06 comes in a Blueish White color option and will be available in select cities through Blue Square showrooms. With a modern, sporty look, the scooter is designed for young, tech-savvy riders who seek both style and sustainability. Performance and Battery The EC-06 is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor paired with a 4 kWh fixed battery. The scooter generates 9 PS of power and...

New Delhi: Tata Motors has made a strong statement in the Indian car market, as its Nexon and recently launched Punch SUVs recorded record-breaking sales in January 2026, leaving competitors like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Mahindra stunned. Market Shake-Up In December 2025, Maruti Suzuki’s Frondx and Baleno led the sales charts, occupying the top spots in the top 10 list. However, January 2026 witnessed a major shift. The Tata Nexon surged to the number one position, while the Tata Punch climbed to third place. Maruti’s Frondx fell out of the top 10 list, and Baleno slipped to the eighth position, highlighting Tata’s rising dominance in the compact SUV segment. Tata Nexon – January 2026 Sales The Tata Nexon, a sub-4-meter compact SUV, sold a record 23,365 units in January 2026...

New Delhi: The Indian SUV market is showing no signs of slowing down, with a record 1,57,416 SUVs sold in January 2026, marking a 28% increase compared to January 2025, when 1,22,513 units were sold. SUVs continue to attract buyers across age groups, offering road presence, premium features, and versatility. Here’s a look at the top 10 best-selling SUVs in India in January 2026: 1. Tata Nexon – 23,365 Units The Tata Nexon led the sales chart with 23,365 units, reflecting a 51% growth from 15,397 units in January 2025. Its market share stood at 14%, making it the most popular SUV last month. 2. Tata Punch – 19,257 Units Second on the list, the Tata Punch saw 19,257 units sold, growing 18% year-on-year. It held a 12% market share, maintaining its strong presence in the compact...

New Delhi: February 2026 promises to be an exciting month for car enthusiasts in India, with five major new launches lined up, most of them in the SUV segment. These include the MG Majester, Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line, BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro, Nissan Gravité, and the Skoda Kushaq facelift, all poised to go head-to-head with segment leaders like the Toyota Fortuner and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. MG Majester – Competing with Fortuner JSW MG Motor India is set to launch its most powerful SUV, the Majester, on 12 February 2026. Touted as the longest, widest, and tallest SUV in its segment, the Majester stands out with an aggressive exterior, premium interiors, and modern features. With its bold design, it will compete directly with the Toyota Fortuner in India’s SUV market. BMW X3 30 xDr...

Denmark: A Danish company, Awake Boards, has unveiled a revolutionary electric vehicle that looks like a motorcycle but glides above water instead of roads. Named Awake Navi, the futuristic vehicle was launched at Germany’s prominent Boot Düsseldorf show and is already capturing global attention for its unique design and technology. Hydrofoil Technology Makes It “Fly” The standout feature of Awake Navi is its hydrofoil system. When the vehicle reaches a certain speed, specially designed foils lift it above the water surface. This reduces drag, smoothens the ride, and allows the vehicle to glide above waves with minimal disruption. The sensation is akin to floating above the water rather than riding through it, providing a remarkably smooth and almost “airborne” experience. Riding ...

Beijing: In a major move to prioritize passenger safety, China has announced a ban on hidden or flush car door handles. The new regulation will come into effect on January 1, 2027, meaning Chinese car buyers will no longer see retractable door handles on vehicles. The decision comes after a tragic incident involving a Xiaomi electric car in one of China’s provinces, where a passenger lost their life because they could not open the door during a fire. Investigations revealed that the hidden handle design prevented the person from escaping the vehicle in time, highlighting a serious safety concern. Major Design Overhaul Ahead for Cars in China Following the incident, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued new guidelines mandating that, except for the trunk, a...

Rome: Italian design house Bertone has stunned the automotive world with the unveiling of its new Runabout supercar — a machine that looks less like a conventional road car and more like a luxury speedboat built for land. Inspired by marine design, the ultra-exclusive vehicle features a floating compass on the dashboard and deliberately avoids modern digital screens, embracing a pure, driver-focused philosophy. Only 25 units of the Runabout will be produced worldwide, instantly placing it among the rarest collector supercars. A Design Inspired by the Sea The Runabout’s dramatic styling is the work of Andrea Mocellin, a designer with experience at Ferrari and Maserati. The car sits extremely low at the front, with a distinctive rear roll-hoop and sculpted bodywork that echoes the s...

In a record-breaking auction, a vehicle number plate DDC 001 was sold for ₹2.08 crore, making it India’s most expensive number plate ever. The auction was held by Big Boy Toyz (BBT), a luxury used-car showroom that recently launched its Auction House, India’s first platform for auctioning rare and high-value items. The winning bid was placed by Kiran Kolpakula from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, who outbid other participants to secure the historic number plate. Previously, the most expensive number plate in India was KL 07 DG 0007, sold for ₹46 lakh to a businessman for his Lamborghini. Auction HighlightsThe auction also featured luxury cars and watches owned by celebrities, including cricketer Dinesh Karthik’s Range Rover Sport, Shilpa Shetty’s Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, and filmmaker Rohit...

Renault India witnessed a 33.6% year-on-year growth in car sales in January 2026, selling 3,715 units across its three models—Kiger, Triber, and Kwid. This marks a strong start to 2026 for the French automaker, even before the official launch of its new Duster SUV, which is scheduled for March. Strong Demand for Kiger and TriberThe facelifted Kiger SUV and Triber MPV played a major role in the growth, attracting customers with enhanced features and competitive pricing. Renault India had already reported a 45% year-on-year growth in the second half of 2025, indicating a steady upward trajectory in the market. New Duster Creates BuzzThe upcoming Duster is expected to compete with popular mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, and Kia Seltos. The mode...