Latest news with #Tata
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Why Are Maruti, Tata, Mahindra Making Fewer EVs?
India's electric vehicle (EV) dreams have long symbolised its aspirations for a cleaner, more self-reliant future. But today, those dreams risk stalling at the crossroads of geopolitics and supply chain fragility. With China's April 2025 export curbs on rare earth elements, a critical question looms: can India steer its EV revolution onto a resilient, independent path before it's too late? The India EV revolution, which was running in high gear until some time ago, has now been thrown into turmoil, with manufacturers slashing their EV production targets across the board. Maruti, Tata, Mahindra, the two-wheeler giants - none has been spared. For the average Indian hoping to buy an affordable EV, these disruptions could soon mean higher prices, longer wait times and dwindling options. And with this, India's ambitious goal of 30% EV penetration by 2030 now hangs in limbo. Importance of Rare Earth Elements REEs are a group of 17 metallic elements, including samarium, dysprosium, and neodymium, which are critical to modern technology. They power everything from EV motors and missile systems to smartphones and wind turbines. China has achieved near-total dominance in this sector, not just by mining these elements but by mastering the far more complex process of refining them. With an almost iron grip on global processing - controlling roughly 85% of the market - the latest curbs by the Red Dragon have restricted access to these elements, impacting not only the global defence sector but also commercial industries, such as clean energy and electric mobility. A House of Cards India's EV penetration has surged to 7.7% in 2024, a nearly fourfold jump from 1.75% in 2021. But this remarkable growth is marred by a heavy reliance on China. According to a CRISIL report, last year, India imported over 80% of its 540 tonnes of magnets, critical for manufacturing EV motors, from China. This dependency stems from the fact that domestic manufacturing has struggled to keep pace with sector demands, despite the government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) push over recent years. Ironically, India holds the world's sixth-largest deposits of rare earth elements - about 6.9 million metric tonnes - but has almost no domestic magnet production. The Economic Survey 2024-25 warned that EV production requires six times more minerals than conventional vehicles, with supply chains dangerously concentrated in a handful of countries, especially China. This stark reality exposes a brutal truth: India's electrification ambitions have outpaced its supply chain resilience planning. To make matters worse, Mint reports that the embargo and subsequent import hurdles could increase costs by as much as 8%, a burden likely to be passed on to customers. For India's cost-sensitive market, especially in the two-wheeler segment, this poses an existential challenge. Supply Chain Disruption The Centre for Science and Environment's State of India's Environment 2025 report highlights that component localisation has lagged due to a weak manufacturing base. Experts agree that building a full ecosystem - from mining to magnet production - demands sustained policy support, technical capacity, and major investment. Without swift action, India remains vulnerable to external shocks and geopolitical risks. While many states have launched EV policies with strong demand incentives, few have addressed supply chain security. Most rely on the Centre, and no state mandates local sourcing of critical components like batteries or motors. The PM-EDRIVE scheme does include localisation criteria, but state policies generally focus on consumer subsidies over R&D. Maharashtra stands out as an exception. Its policy explicitly promotes supply chain resilience and circularity, allocating ₹15 crore toward R&D in sodium-ion batteries, magnet-free motors, and recycling technologies. However, these efforts are still in early stages, and their outcomes will take time to unfold. Overall, sub-national policies have yet to fully grapple with the risks posed by global supply chain disruptions. Reducing Dependency Private participation in critical mineral mining became possible only after the 2023 amendment to the Mines and Minerals Act. Until then, IREL (India) Ltd held a monopoly, with rare earths classified as atomic minerals under the Atomic Energy Act. Following the reform, the government auctioned 13 exploration blocks in March 2025. Since then, progress has begun. Vedanta's subsidiary, Hindustan Zinc, recently announced plans to mine and process neodymium, a key input for permanent magnets. Sona Comstar - India's largest importer of rare earth magnets from China and a major supplier to Tesla and Stellantis - has also declared its intention to localise production and reduce dependence on Chinese imports. However, the transition from exploration to actual production takes time. The lithium auction in Jammu & Kashmir illustrates this challenge: despite relaxed rules, both rounds failed due to limited geological data, small block sizes, and technical complexities. This gap between ambition and on-ground readiness remains a key hurdle. Still, the liberalisation of mining policy marks a crucial step toward reducing import dependence and building a resilient domestic rare earth supply chain. A Bloomberg report indicates the government may temporarily ease localisation norms to allow imports of fully-built motors. While this offers short-term relief, it does little to advance long-term atma-nirbharta. What's needed is a strategic, well-resourced response. First, KABIL's overseas mineral missions in Argentina, Australia, and Chile must be fast-tracked to shield India from future supply shocks. Second, a strong circular economy push is vital - scaling battery recycling can recover up to 90% of critical minerals like lithium and cobalt. Third, the Economic Survey 2024-25 calls for greater R&D investment in next-gen batteries like sodium-ion to further de-risk and secure supply chains, along with tech transfer agreements to share costs and diversify supply chains. Fewer EVs today, Resilience Tomorrow? The supply chain shock is already visible - Maruti has slashed production targets for its upcoming EV, an early warning sign. If rare earth shipments don't resume soon, Indian manufacturers may be forced to import fully built motors from China, raising costs by 5-10%. Ironically, this disruption may succeed where years of policy have fallen short: pushing India toward genuine automotive self-reliance. While diplomatic outreach to China is underway, it remains a short-term fix. Meanwhile, the Hon'ble Prime Minister's recent visit to Ghana set the tone with a high-stakes agreement on rare earth mineral mining - an important step toward long-term resilience. As RMI notes, India's success in renewable energy proves that self-sufficiency is achievable when backed by coherent, risk-aware policy. With global uncertainties mounting, India must accelerate efforts to localise its EV supply chain. The question isn't whether rollout will be slow - it will - but whether this crisis will finally drive the structural reforms needed to secure India's electric future.
NDTV
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Tesla Faces Rough Ride Online As Indians React To Pricing, Road Conditions
Tesla has arrived in India, with its first showroom in Mumbai and plans underway for a second outlet in Delhi. The Mumbai showroom, located at Maker Maxity in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), features the Model Y in Long-Range RWD and AWD variants, with deliveries expected to begin in August. The EVs are being imported as completely built units (CBUs), with prices ranging from Rs 59.9 lakh to Rs 67.9 lakh, driven by India's high import duties (up to 70 per cent). For now, there are no local manufacturing plans, but Tesla has posted 13 new job listings across India and is mapping out supercharger networks in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Despite the premium launch, Tesla's India debut triggered a wave of critical reactions online, pointing out price sensitivity, road conditions, and the impracticality of self-driving in India's unpredictable traffic. A user on X wrote, "Rs 60 lakh and a 500 km range. Mahindra, Tata, Hyundai, etc - these brands are better suited for us... and please don't cry about self-driving features. This is India, you're not safe even when you're driving manually. You think you can trust self-driving?" 60 Lacs and 500km Range ???? Mahindra, Tata, Hiyundai etc… yahi brand thik hai apne lie… and dont cry on self driving features This is India, manually control karne pe tum safe nahi ho???? self pe bharosa kroge ? #teslaindia Tesla Model Y #TeslaModelY — Tech Swami (Aman Nayyar) (@techswami_yt) July 15, 2025 Another shared a video of a car gliding through a waterlogged road with the caption, "Tesla is ready for Indian monsoon." Tesla is ready for Indian monsoon — Torque India (@TorqueIndia) July 11, 2025 In one post, a clip of a man rapping in English while playing the dhol was captioned, "Tesla cars on Indian roads be like..." Tesla cars on indian roads be like: — INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MEMES (IIM) (@ShubhenduMurari) July 15, 2025 Another user said, "Tesla just launched in India. It's priced nearly 2x compared to other countries." Tesla just launched in India. It's priced nearly 2x compared to other countries. — amrit (@amritwt) July 15, 2025 A meme read: "After one month with Tesla in India: Reporter: How are you feeling here? Tesla: *curses*" After one month with Tesla in India: Reporter: How are you feeling here? Tesla: — Shubham Sakhuja (@ishubhamsakhuja) July 15, 2025 A meme showed two people driving a destroyed car, with the caption, "Coming back after riding Tesla on self-driving mode in India." *Tesla launched in India* Coming back after riding Tesla on self-driving mode in India — Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) July 15, 2025 Someone said, "I wonder who these people (clueless) who really thought Tesla cars in India are going to be around 20-25 lakh. Absolute jokers." I wonder who are these people (clueless) who really thought Tesla cars in India are going to be around 20-25 lakh. Absolute jokers! — ︎︎︎ ︎ (@Shimographer) July 15, 2025 This premium positioning places Tesla in direct competition with luxury EV offerings from BMW and Mercedes, far above the more affordable electric options from Indian automakers like Tata and Mahindra.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nelco's Q1FY26 net profit slumps over 60%, expenses rise 8.5%
Mumbai: Tata Group-backed Nelco Limited on Monday reported a sharp decline in its consolidated net profit year-on-year (YoY) for the first quarter (Q1) of FY26, with profits plunging 60.52% to ₹1.80 crore, compared to ₹4.56 crore in the same period previous year (Q1 FY25). Profit before tax (PBT) also dropped significantly by 60.70% to ₹2.40 crore during the quarter, according to its stock exchange filing. Total expenses rose by 8.56% to ₹67.05 crore from ₹61.76 crore a year ago, driven largely by a 15.67% jump in the purchase of stock-in-trade, which reached ₹6.42 crore. Operating performance was also under pressure. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) declined 36% YoY to ₹7.8 crore from ₹12.2 crore in Q1 FY25. As a result, the company's operating margin contracted sharply to 10.4% from 16.5% in the same quarter previous year. However, the company's revenue from operations slightly rose to ₹74.79 crore, compared to ₹74.08 crore. Additionally, the company's total income grew marginally by 1.57% YoY to ₹75.36 crore in Q1 FY26. Following the earnings announcement, Nelco shares closed 5.28% or ₹50 lower on Monday at ₹897 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The stock has fallen over 20% in the past one month and is currently down over 40% from its recent high of ₹1,502. Nelco, established in 1940 and now a part of Tata Power, focuses on satellite-based communication services. It offers VSAT connectivity, Satcom project implementation, and integrated security and surveillance solutions for enterprise and government clients. The company holds key licenses such as VSAT, ISP, and IFMC, and caters to sectors like banking, oil and gas, education, and renewable energy.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Preliminary report gives ‘greater clarity' and raises ‘additional questions'; don't draw any conclusion yet as AI 171 crash probe far from over: Air India CEO to staff
Following the release of the preliminary report into the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft in Ahmedabad, the Tata group airline's MD and CEO Campbell Wilson on Monday told employees that the report has unsurprisingly 'provided greater clarity', but also 'opened additional questions' about the tragic accident. In a message to staff, Wilson said that instead of focusing on media speculation about the causes of the crash, they should note that the report didn't find any mechanical or maintenance issue with the ill-fated aircraft and its engines, and found no problems with the fuel quality, the aircraft's take-off role, and the pilots' medical status. He also urged staff to not draw any conclusion at this stage as the preliminary report didn't identify the cause of the accident and the investigation is far from over. 'It (preliminary report) also triggered a new round of speculation in the media. Indeed, over the past 30 days, we've seen an ongoing cycle of theories, allegations, rumours and sensational headlines, many of which have later been disproven. Instead of focusing on such interpretations, I suggest we note that the Preliminary Report found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft or engines, and that all mandatory maintenance tasks had been completed,' Wilson said. 'There was no issue with the quality of fuel and no abnormality with the take-off roll. The pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyser and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status,' the Air India CEO added. The doomed aircraft was operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, and crashed moments after take-off, killing 260 people—241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on ground. It was the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian airline in four decades, and globally the first-ever fatal crash of Boeing's latest-generation wide-body aircraft—the 787 Dreamliner. The preliminary investigation report released early Saturday by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has zeroed in on the probable primary trigger of the accident—the engines being starved of fuel with the transitioning of the fuel control switches from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position within a second of each other moments after lift-off. From the cockpit voice recorder data, the report notes that one of the pilots asked the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded saying he did not. The report just says the engine fuel control switches that allow and cut fuel flow to the plane's engines transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF. It does not state these were moved by either of the pilots. According to experts, the investigators should now focus on unearthing the cause behind the transitioning of the fuel control switches, which are used to allow and cut fuel supply to the engines. There is considerable speculation on whether the switches were flicked by one of the pilots—inadvertently or otherwise—or whether the transition signal to the system was due to any technical, mechanical, or software issue. The report did not issue any recommendation to other operators of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft and its GE engines, suggesting that at this stage, the investigators do not have a reason to believe that there was any issue with the plane or its engines. 'The Preliminary Report identified no cause nor made any recommendations, so I urge everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over. We will continue to co-operate with the investigators to ensure they have everything they need to conduct a thorough and comprehensive enquiry,' Wilson said. He also reiterated that 'out of an abundance of caution and under the oversight of the DGCA', every Boeing 787 aircraft operating in Air India's fleet was checked within days of the accident, and all were found fit for service. The airline continues to perform all necessary checks, and will fully comply with any additional checks that the country's aviation authorities may suggest. 'Until a final report or cause is tabled there will no doubt be new rounds of speculation and more sensational headlines. We must nevertheless remain focused on our task and be true to the values that have powered Air India's transformation journey over the past three years – integrity, excellence, customer focus, innovation and teamwork. Let us not be diverted from what are our top priorities: standing by the bereaved and those injured, working together as a team, and delivering a safe and reliable air travel experience to our customers around the world,' Wilson said. An aircraft is an extremely sophisticated and complex machine, and detailed and painstaking investigations are required to ascertain the exact cause or combination of causes behind an accident. The odds that an aviation accident has a single trigger are rare; there could be many, or one leading to another. The AAIB is expected to release the final probe report within a year of the crash, as per international guidelines. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
India.com
2 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
Top 7 SUVs Set To Launch In 2026: From Tata To Mahindra; Check Expected Launch Timeline And Price
photoDetails english 2931711 Top 7 SUVs India Launch In 2026: The upcoming year is shaping up to be an exciting one for SUV enthusiasts, with a host of new launches lined up across various price points. From budget-friendly options to premium hybrids, major automakers like Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Mahindra, Kia, Honda, and Renault are gearing up to introduce their next-gen models. Interestingly, five of the upcoming SUVs are expected to have hybrid engines, making them more fuel-efficient and better for the future. Here's a quick look at the top 7 SUVs launching in 2026, with their expected prices and launch dates. Updated:Jul 14, 2025, 03:30 PM IST Honda Elevate Hybrid 1 / 7 The Honda Elevate Hybrid is expected to cost Rs 14 lakh onwards, launching in the second half of 2026. It will likely offer a premium cabin, strong hybrid efficiency, and Honda's reliable performance in the mid-size SUV segment. Maruti Fronx Hybrid 2 / 7 Maruti is set to launch the Fronx Hybrid in early 2026. The car is expected to be priced from Rs 10 lakh onwards, this compact SUV will offer better fuel efficiency with a refined hybrid powertrain for urban commuters. Tata Scarlet 3 / 7 The Tata Scarlet is expected to launch around Diwali next year in 2026. The four-wheeler is likely to be priced between Rs 8–9 lakh. The much-anticipated SUV will feature a fresh design, modern safety features, and Tata's growing focus on EV-hybrid technology. New-Gen Mahindra Bolero 4 / 7 Mahindra will unveil the next-gen Bolero in 2026. With an expected price of Rs 10–12 lakh, it will retain its rugged DNA while offering upgraded features, enhanced comfort, and a more refined, possibly hybrid, powertrain. Mahindra XUV3XO Hybrid 5 / 7 The XUV is set for a late 2026 launch, the Mahindra XUV3XO Hybrid will likely start from Rs 10 lakh. This hybrid SUV aims to balance performance with efficiency, targeting urban buyers who seek style and sustainability. Renault Duster (Hybrid) 6 / 7 The company is planning to reintroduce the Duster as a hybrid SUV in early 2026. Priced between Rs 10–18 lakh, this SUV will blend rugged capability with modern tech, targeting both city drivers and adventure enthusiasts alike. New-Gen Kia Seltos (Hybrid) 7 / 7 The hybrid version of the popular Kia Seltos will arrive in early 2026. The vehicle is expected to be priced from Rs 11.50 lakh. The SUV will combine aggressive styling, advanced features, and improved fuel efficiency in a futuristic package. (Image Credit: Company's official Website/Representative pics)
