Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a major cut in the size of his official convoy as he pushes for greater use of electric vehicles as part of broader austerity and fuel-saving initiatives, PTI reports. Soon after his address in Hyderabad, where he urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption, the Prime Minister’s convoy numbers were reduced by nearly 50 per cent during his recent visits to Gujarat and Assam.Sources said the size reduction was done without compromising the security arrangements mandated under the SPG protocol. The Prime Minister has reportedly asked officials to include electric vehicles in the fleet wherever…
Author: manojkumar@frontplayers.com
As competition increases in India’s electric vehicle sector, global carmakers are now focusing beyond just launching new EVs. The next big battle is moving towards battery technology, localization and India-specific research. In line with this, Hyundai Motor Group has announced a major expansion of its EV research network in India.The company has expanded its Hyundai Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE) initiative into a larger pan-India academic and industrial collaboration focused on battery and electrification technologies. With the latest expansion, the research platform now comprises seven institutions and is currently working on 39 joint research projects across the country.As part of…
This article is written by Rajeev Kapoor, President, 2WHMA (Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association India).Most of the families in our country have a simple habit. Before anyone leaves home on a two-wheeler, there is always a warning: “Wear a helmet.” That sentence comes from caring. out of fear. With the hope that the person returns home safely. But what happens when the helmet itself cannot protect the rider? This is a reality that India needs to talk about more seriously.Over the years, road safety discussions have mainly focused on traffic violations, speeding, penalties and road conditions. No doubt, these are important…
What started as a discounted supercar purchase soon turned into a legal battle involving allegations of forgery, tax loss and an FIR, before the Karnataka High Court intervened and questioned the conduct of an RTO official during the seizure of the vehicle.According to court proceedings reported by Economic Times, Bengaluru resident Ram had purchased a demo supercar on September 1, 2025. The vehicle was originally manufactured in 2021 and briefly registered in 2022 before being returned by its first owner. The dealer had reportedly informed Ram about the demo status of the vehicle before the sale.However, trouble started months later…
The India-made Toyota Starlet, which is essentially the South African version of the Toyota Glanza, has received a zero-star safety rating in the latest Global NCAP crash tests under the Safe Cars for Africa programme. While the hatchback managed to score three stars for child safety, its performance in terms of adult passenger safety was surprising.Global NCAP tested the outgoing South African-spec Starlet which is manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat plant and exported overseas. The model tested was equipped with dual front airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) as standard, but not side and curtain airbags.In Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)…
The Indian car market has been moving in the same direction for years. Big stance, high ground clearance and SUV badges everywhere. Today almost every new car wants to look like an SUV. hatchbacks have turned into crossovers, compact cars are being called “micro SUVs”, and SUVs are slowly becoming the default answer to most car buying queries in India. However, 2025 took an unexpected turn.India’s best-selling car last year was not an SUV. The country’s most popular luxury car was also not one. Instead, the two sedans quietly topped the charts in their respective segments. The Maruti Suzuki Dezire…
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to cut fuel consumption amid rising global oil prices, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday chose a different mode of transport for his official commute. Instead of using his regular official convoy, Fadnavis reached Vidhan Bhavan riding on a Royal Enfield Classic 350 motorcycle.Pictures shared by Fadnavis on social media showed him riding a motorcycle from his official residence to Vidhan Bhawan along with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar. His security personnel were also seen following him on Bajaj Pulsar 220 motorcycles, which appeared to be part of the police fleet.Sharing the…
The ongoing conflict in West Asia is beginning to impact global oil supply and fuel prices. In India too, emphasis is being laid on saving fuel and reducing unnecessary usage. While many people focus only on driving style to improve mileage, car maintenance also plays a big role. A neglected car usually consumes more fuel. On the other hand, a well-maintained vehicle runs smoothly, feels light to drive and can also save fuel in the long run. The best part is that these aren’t expensive fixes. A few basic checks and habits can really make a remarkable difference.Keep tire pressure…
AI-generated image. ” decoding=’async’ fetchpriority=’high’/> Japanese carmaker Honda has officially confirmed plans to launch a new sub-4-metre SUV for the Indian market in 2028. This will mark the brand’s return to one of the most competitive and fastest growing vehicle segments in the country. The upcoming SUV is expected to take on established rivals like Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and others. The announcement was made during Honda’s latest global business briefing, where the company also outlined its future strategy for the Indian market.Honda’s re-entry into the compact SUV segment will take place in 2023, almost five years…
A recent RTI response from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has revealed more details on how India NCAP conducts crash testing and safety ratings in India. The RTI was filed in March 2026. A post on TeamBHP reveals that it sought information about re-testing, crash test modifiers and how vehicles are selected for India NCAP assessment.According to feedback shared online, India NCAP had tested 35 car models till March 31, 2026. These were submitted voluntarily by all vehicle manufacturers. The reply also mentioned that none of the cars tested so far were directly selected by the Indian government,…