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Just In time for the festive season, automobile buyers have got a major relief when it comes to prices of new vehicles. After the Independence day announcement of rationalisation of GST rates by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Finance Ministry has announced new and simplified tax slabs for various goods, including passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as spare parts. This is likely to bring their costs down effective September 22nd, 2025.
Bigger cars will now attract a flat 40% tax with zero cess.
Cars which are under 4 meters in length and run on 1200cc Petrol engines or 1500 cc Diesel engines or lesser will now attract at GST rate of 18% instead of earlier 28%. This means cars in all mass market segments like hatchbacks, subcompact sedans and subcompact SUVs will now become cheaper than earlier. Any other car will attract a flat tax of 40% and unlike earlier there will be no cess applicable on their purchase. EVs will continue to attract a rate of 5% irrespective of the segment they belong to.
Bikes above 350cc will attract higher taxes than before.
Two-wheelers which run on 350cc engines or lesser will also now attract an 18% GST instead of earlier 28%. However motorcycles and scooters that run on bigger engines will now be taxed at 40% which will make them more expensive than earlier. The Government has also reduced tax slabs on trucks, buses and ambulances from an earlier 28% to 18% while three-wheelers will also now be taxed at 18% down from 28%. Spare parts will be sold with 18% GST too, starting September 22nd.
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Maruti Suzuki is set to launch a new SUV in India today, September 3, 2025. Although the official name is yet to be revealed, it is expected to be called either Victoris or Escudo. This SUV will be the flagship model for the company’s Arena dealership network, which has a wider market presence compared to the premium Nexa outlets.
The upcoming SUV is expected to be built on the same platform as the Grand Vitara, with spy images surfaced online earlier hinting at a similar overall silhouette. However, cosmetic changes to the exterior are expected to help distinguish it from its Nexa counterpart.
Maruti Suzuki is expected to offer the new SUV with both petrol and CNG powertrains. Given its shared underpinnings with the Grand Vitara, a strong hybrid variant could also be on the cards. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and an e-CVT, depending on the variant.
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Maruti Suzuki is set to launch a new SUV in India today, September 3, 2025. Although the official name is yet to be revealed, it is expected to be called either Victoris or Escudo. This SUV will be the flagship model for the company’s Arena dealership network, which has a wider market presence compared to the premium Nexa outlets.
The upcoming SUV is expected to be built on the same platform as the Grand Vitara, with spy images surfaced online earlier hinting at a similar overall silhouette. However, cosmetic changes to the exterior are expected to help distinguish it from its Nexa counterpart.
Maruti Suzuki is expected to offer the new SUV with both petrol and CNG powertrains. Given its shared underpinnings with the Grand Vitara, a strong hybrid variant could also be on the cards. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and an e-CVT, depending on the variant.
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At a showcase in Milan, Audi has pulled the covers off the Audi Concept C, a striking preview of what future Audis will look and feel like. But more than just a concept car, this unveiling is being pitched as the brand’s new design manifesto. But what we think right now is that the Concept C is what the reincarnated TT would look like, as the Concept C is green-flagged for production.
And the best part is, the Concept C looks almost production-ready, and the road-going coupe it will spawn won’t deviate much from what we see here. It may be a fresh design language by Four-Rings, but the elements are new to us. Firstly, the vertical design frame is inspired by the legendary Auto Union Type C racer, says the Ingolstadt-based carmaker. Secondly, the silhouette of a mid-engine sports coupe, with its raked roofline and fastback silhouette, and large alloy wheels, all hint at the design concepts of yesteryear.
Go back a few years (or decades) and you’d notice the Concept C shares similarities with the Nuvolari Quattro Concept shown in 2003. Then there was the RSQ Concept, which spawned the iconic R8. And the plethora of e-tron Concepts that made their way into production in some or the other form. The Concept C also shares some design elements with the Concept E from last year. However, unlike the TT, this one might be an electric only.
The low-slung, flat-top design of the Concept C is combined with upright fore and aft, sleek strips for headlamp and tail lamps, and a removable roof. It’s a proper two-seater and not a 2+2. Looking at it from some angles might recall the infamous Jaguar Type 00 Concept, as the flying buttress is sans a rear windscreen, and the squared-off panels do resemble the design study showcased by the British carmaker. And the simple, upright, square grille isn’t new in any way either; it is seen in some variation on older Audi design studies.
Even the cabin looks ready for a road-going car, using modern, recycled materials for door pads, seats and dashboard. The minimalistic theme is present with an empty centre console and a simple dashboard layout. The infotainment screen also read “Charge 100%” giving a clear nod to its electric underpinning.
With its debut at IAA and first production plan rolling off in 2027, the Concept C might mark the return of the two-door coupe for Audi after a long hiatus. It will have competition in the form of reborn 'Neue Klasse' BMW Z4 or the reincarnated Mercedes-Benz ‘Vision’ GT, you catch the drift?
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Maruti Suzuki is set to launch a new SUV in India today, September 3, 2025. Although the official name is yet to be revealed, it is expected to be called either Victoris or Escudo. This SUV will be the flagship model for the company’s Arena dealership network, which has a wider market presence compared to the premium Nexa outlets.
The upcoming SUV is expected to be built on the same platform as the Grand Vitara, with spy images surfaced online earlier hinting at a similar overall silhouette. However, cosmetic changes to the exterior are expected to help distinguish it from its Nexa counterpart.
Maruti Suzuki is expected to offer the new SUV with both petrol and CNG powertrains. Given its shared underpinnings with the Grand Vitara, a strong hybrid variant could also be on the cards. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and an e-CVT, depending on the variant.
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Two-wheeler manufacturers in India have started releasing their sales figures for August 2025. Several key two-wheeler manufacturers in India reported varying sales performances. Here's a look at how the two-wheeler brands performed in August 2025.
Royal Enfield registered cumulative sales of 1,14,002 units, marking a 55 per cent increase compared to August 2024. Domestic sales contributed 1,02,876 units, reflecting a 57 per cent growth, while exports accounted for 11,126 units, reflecting a 39 per cent growth.
For the year-to-date period of FY26 (April to August 2025), the company recorded total sales of 4,67,575 motorcycles, a 27 per cent increase. Domestic sales during this period reached 4,07,909 units, representing a 23 per cent growth. Meanwhile, exports grew by 64 per cent, with 59,666 units exported between April and August 2025.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) reported total sales of 5,34,861 units in August 2025. This includes 4,81,021 units sold in the domestic market and 53,840 units exported. Compared to July 2025, the company's overall sales grew by 4 per cent on a month-on-month basis. For the year-to-date period of FY26 (April to August 2025), HMSI’s cumulative sales reached 24,22,880 units. Of this, 21,73,834 units were sold within India, while 2,49,046 units were exported to international markets.
Hero MotoCorp reported total sales of 5,53,727 motorcycles and scooters in August 2025, marking an 8 per cent year-on-year growth. This included 5,01,523 motorcycles and 52,204 scooters. Domestic sales stood at 5,19,139 units, while exports reached 34,588 units, a 72 per cent increase over August 2024. For the year-to-date period of FY26 (April–August 2025), total sales were 23,70,552 units. Motorcycle sales accounted for 21,76,049 units while scooter sales stood at 194,503 units. Exports accounted for 1,36,359 units.
Suzuki Motorcycle India reported total sales of 1,13,936 units for August 2025. This marks a 9 per cent increase compared to the 1,04,800 units sold in August 2024. Domestic sales for the month stood at 91,629 units, reflecting a 5 per cent rise from 87,480 units in the same period last year. Export volumes reached 22,307 units, representing a 29 per cent increase over the 17,320 units exported in August 2024.
TVS Motor Company reported total sales of 5,09,536 units in August 2025, marking a 30 per cent year-on-year growth. The brand sold 4,90,788 two-wheelers in August 2025, reflecting a 30 per cent year-on-year growth. Domestic two-wheeler sales grew by 28 per cent, with 368,862 units sold. Motorcycle sales spiked by 30 per cent to 221,870 units, while scooter sales increased by 36 per cent to 222,296 units.
Electric two-wheeler recorded sales of 25,138 units in August 2025. On the export front, two-wheeler exports also saw a 36% increase, rising from 89,768 units in August 2024 to 121,926 units in August 2025.
Bajaj Auto reported total two-wheeler sales of 3,41,887 units in July 2025. Domestic sales stood at 1,84,109 units, registering a 12 per cent year-on-year decline, while exports accounted for 1,57,778 units, reflecting a 25 per cent growth. For the April to August 2025 period, Bajaj Auto recorded total two-wheeler sales of 15,86,925 units, nearly flat compared to the same period last year. Domestic two-wheeler sales declined by 11 per cent, with 8,52,732 units recorded, while exports witnessed a growth of 18 per cent with 7,34,193 units sold.
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Hyundai has updated the Creta SUV line-up with new top variants and updates to the feature list of lower variants. The compact SUV is now available in two new variants, King and King Knight, priced at Rs 17.89 lakh and Rs 19.49 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively. Also introduced is a King Limited Edition priced from Rs 19.64 lakh (ex-showroom).
Focusing on the new variants, the King and King Knight trims, being range-topping variants, offer all the bells and whistles. Both variants come loaded with kit such as 18-inch alloy wheels (diamond cut in the King and black painted in the King Knight), powered front seats, a Dash cam, dual-zone climate control, seat back tables for the rear passengers, a sliding centre armrest and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The King Knight also gets blacked-out finishes to exterior trim pieces.
The Creta King is offered with all three engine options - 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5 turbo-petrol and 1.5 diesel. The 1.5 petrol and 1.5 diesel are offered with both manual and automatic gearbox options, while the 1.5 turbo-petrol is DCT only.
The King Knight, meanwhile, is available only with the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.5 diesel, both solely with automatic gearboxes.
Hyundai Creta King Limited Edition: What's New?
Based on the King trim, the Limited Edition adds cosmetic elements such as special edition ‘King’ branded seat belt covers, headrest cushions, floor mats, key cover, and door cladding. The King Limited Edition also gets an adaptor for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Limited Edition is offered with the 1.5 petrol and 1.5 diesel engine options and solely with the automatic gearbox options. Buyers can pick from three exterior colours - Abyss Black, Atlas White and a new Black Matte.
Hyundai has also announced a slew of updates for the other variants of the Creta and Creta N Line. Depending on the variant, Hyundai says that buyers will now get additional features such as dual-zone climate control, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, a dash cam and 18-inch alloy wheels.
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Barely a few days after starting production of its first electric car, the e Vitara Maruti Suzuki has dispatched the first lot of cars outside to country. A total of 2,900 units of the SUV have been shipped from Pipavav Port in Gujarat to 12 European countries which include United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Austria, and Belgium.
The e Vitara is exclusively manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat. Production began on August 25, 2025 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance along with Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki. According to Maruti Suzuki, ‘Made in India’ e Vitara will eventually be exported to over 100 countries around the world. It is likely to be launched in India in early 2026.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, "The start of export of e VITARA to Europe is indeed a proud and defining moment for us. To delight customers in over 100 countries, the product has to be truly world class in terms of technology, design, safety and performance. Built on an all-new electric vehicle (EV) platform, HEARTECT-e, the e VITARA features a design that combines a sense of advanced technology and strength. We are sure that with a nimble and sharp driving experience, it will delight customers in Europe.”
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BYD India has announced that it has delivered its 10,000th passenger car. The Chinese carmaker launched its first passenger vehicle in India in late 2021 in the form of the e6 electric MPV, initially targeted squarely at the commercial markets with sales to private customers starting in the second half of 2022.
Commenting on the occasion, Rajeev Chauhan, Head of Electric Passenger Vehicles Business at BYD India, said, “Reaching the 10,000-customer milestone in India is a proud achievement that reflects the growing trust and enthusiasm for BYD’s vision of cleaner, greener mobility. Every vehicle we put on the road reduces emissions, advances EV technology, and strengthens a sustainable mobility ecosystem. Referrals from existing customers have also contributed to this growth, underscoring the confidence and satisfaction they place in our brand.”
BYD currently offers a four-car line-up in the Indian market - all of them electric. The line-up comprises of the premium Seal sedan and Sea Lion 7 SUV alongside the smaller Atto 3 SUV and the eMax7 MPV - the facelift of the e6 that arrived in 2021. The carmaker is expected to grow its line-up in the Indian market over the coming years with models such as the Atto 2 - a Creta EV rivalling SUV, having been spotted testing on Indian roads.
Globally, BYD has also become a popular ‘new energy vehicle’ company with over 13 million NEVs produced in 2025. The achievement is notable as the brand reached its first million NEV production milestone in 2021. The Atto 3 SUV by itself has sold over 10 lakh units across global markets.
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Audi is coming up with a fresh new concept that is undoubtedly a spiritual successor to the long-gone TT Roadster. The two-door concept showcased in a silhouette picture by Audi Canada, and like its predecessor, the new TT appears to be mid-engine with a design that looks unmistakably that of the small, Four-Ring coupe, which was on sale for over two and a half decades.
Direct influence of the TT comes in the form of a long bonnet, a sloping C-pillar, and a tight posterior that has grown a bit with sharper creases than the erstwhile TT. However, the discontinued TT was petrol-only; it's not ruled out that the new one could be electric. As the direct rival when the new TT arrives will be the electric derivative of the Porsche 718 twins, the new TT could also come in an electric-only avatar.
The sleek lights both fore and aft, along with clean lines, do hint at an electric nature. Audi is not new to the electric game and has everything from a fast GT to large SUVs in their electric portfolio. An electric TT would only sweeten the recipe for the Ingolstadt carmaker’s line-up. Unlike the older TT, the new one – even in concept guise – doesn’t look very compact either. Some similarities to the Jaguar Type 00 Concept are also seen, but that can be rubbed off as the EV trait of most modern cars. There are no visible door handles there, but the wing mirror looks production-ready.
This yet-to-be-named sports coupe concept from Audi will most likely make its public premiere at the forthcoming IAA 2025 in Munich.
August 2025 looks to be a mixed bag for carmakers with brands posting a mix of sales growth and month-on-month decline. Some brands, like Mahindra, have revealed that they have decreased dealer dispatches as they await news on the rationalisation of GST rates, which are set to affect carmakers across the board. Here is a look at how the car companies have performed.
Toyota
Toyota India reported an 11 per cent growth in sales year-on-year for the month of August with 34,236 units sold cumulatively in the month. Total sales in August 2024 stood at 30,879 units. Sales in the domestic market stood at 29,302 units, while exports amounted to 4,934 units.
Sales in August were also higher compared to July 2025, when the company reported cumulative sales of 32,575 units. Sales in the domestic market amounted to 29,159 units - only marginally lower, while exports stood at 3,416 units in July.
JSW MG Motor
JSW MG Motor reported total sales of 6,578 units in August 2025 - the company’s highest in a month. The company said that this marked a 52 per cent growth over August 2024, when it had sold 4,323 units. Sales, however, were marginally lower than in July 2025 (6,678 units).
Moving to the individual models, MG said that the Windsor EV sales grew 5 per cent over July 2025, reporting its best-ever sales in a month. Similarly, the company said that it witnessed growing demand for the diminutive Comet EV as well as sales for which grew 21 per cent month on month. The company, however, did not provide individual sales numbers for the two EVs.
Tata Motors
Tata Motors posted a 3 per cent year-on-year drop in passenger vehicle sales in August 2025 with 43,315 units sold - down from 44,486 units sold last year. Sales in the domestic market stood at 41,001 units, putting the carmaker ahead of rivals Mahindra, which reported domestic sales of 39,399 units. Exports, meanwhile, amounted to 2,314 units - up 573 per cent year-on-year from 344 units last year.
Tata Motors also revealed that August was the best month ever for its EVs, with a cumulative 8,540 units sold across India and international markets - up 44 per cent over August 2024.
Month-on-month, sales saw a revival over July 2025 when the carmaker reported cumulative passenger vehicles sales of 40,175 units. Domestic sales in July stood at 39,521 units.
Mahindra
Mahindra posted a 9 per cent decline in passenger vehicle sales in the Indian market with 39,399 units sold. This also marked a notable downturn month-on-month, with the carmaker having reported passenger vehicle sales of 49,871 units in the Indian market in July 2025. Cumulative passenger vehicle sales, including exports, for August 2025 stood at 40,846 units.
Commenting on the brand’s performance Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd said, “With the final GST announcement approaching, we consciously decided to bring down the wholesale billing to minimize the stock being carried by our dealers. We look forward to the GST rationalisation, which would be a demand driver through the festive season.”
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