India’s passenger vehicle industry must embrace a technology-neutral fuel strategy whilst accelerating safety standards and building resilient supply chains, senior executives and policymakers concluded at a major industry gathering in Pune 2^nd September 2025, as the country grapples with balancing affordability against rapid technological transformation.

The third edition of the Passenger Vehicle Forum, held at Hyatt Regency in Viman Nagar, brought together more than 300 senior industry leaders, policymakers, original equipment manufacturers, technology innovators and supply chain experts for discussions spanning electrification, software-defined vehicles, artificial intelligence integration and evolving consumer behaviour in the world’s third-largest automotive market.

Fuel Transition Demands Flexibility

Industry leaders stressed that India’s path to cleaner mobility cannot rely solely on battery electric vehicles, calling instead for a diversified approach incorporating hybrids, compressed natural gas, biofuels and hydrogen technologies.

“India’s path to cleaner mobility must be technology-neutral—balancing EVs with hybrids, CNG, biofuels, and hydrogen—while fostering indigenous R&D, supportive policies, and collaborative efforts to ensure energy security and sustainability,” panellists from NIBE, the International Council on Clean Transportation, IIT Kanpur, Hydrovert Energy and the Automotive Research Association of India said during discussions on the future fuel mix.

The forum opened with a research presentation by Hemal N Thakkar, senior practice leader and director at Crisil, outlining the passenger vehicle industry's present scenario and future roadmap. Thakkar subsequently moderated a panel featuring Shashank Srivastava of Maruti Suzuki India, Amar Jatin Sheth from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, automotive industry veteran Arun Kumar Malhotra, Puneet Anand of Hyundai Motor India, and Prashant Shitoot from Auto Yoga Car Wellness Centre.

“Sustainability, safety, technology adoption and affordability were identified as the four pillars shaping India’s automotive future, with collaboration across OEMs, government, and stakeholders seen as critical for long-term growth,” the opening panel concluded, whilst highlighting the dramatic shift in consumer preferences from hatchbacks to sport utility vehicles in the post-COVID period.

Panellists emphasised persistent affordability challenges in entry-level car segments and called for regulatory clarity on goods and services tax structures, ethanol blending mandates and corporate average fuel economy norms. The strengthening of aftermarket services and upgrading of local service providers were identified as critical priorities, alongside exploring new revenue models through telematics and subscription services.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Expose Import Dependence

A panel featuring senior executives from Honda Cars India, Omega Seiki Mobility, Tata AutoComp, BMW and Nomura Research Institute examined critical vulnerabilities in India’s electric vehicle supply chain, with particular emphasis on the country’s heavy reliance on imported battery cells.

Abhishek Sahi of Honda Cars India, Preetesh Singh from Nomura Research Institute, Dr Ajit Kumar Jindal of Tata AutoComp and Dr Arvind Gupta from BMW underscored the country’s dependence on imports—especially battery cells—while emphasising the strategic imperatives for building a sustainable EV ecosystem.

The executives highlighted the importance of accelerated localisation, stronger supplier partnerships and robust risk management frameworks to navigate global disruptions and build a resilient domestic manufacturing base.

Experts from IIT Kanpur, Altigreen, ARAI, Henkel and Stellantis discussed the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles during a separate electrification panel, addressing lightweighting strategies, advanced materials and the critical role of startups and research centres. Panellists identified limited domestic battery production, raw material dependence and talent development as significant hurdles, whilst stressing the need for a collaborative ecosystem to meet global standards and enhance India’s competitiveness against markets such as China.

Safety Emerges As Consumer Priority

Vehicle safety is rapidly shifting from a regulatory compliance issue to a consumer-driven purchasing criterion, according to experts from ARAI, the Institute of Driving Training and Research, ZF and Bharat NCAP, who participated in a panel moderated by Neelam Pandey Pathak of the Women in Mobility Alliance and Rozgar Dhaba.

“Safety is shifting from a regulatory mandate to a consumer-driven priority, with evolving standards, ADAS integration, and stronger OEM-supplier collaboration set to align India with global benchmarks by 2027-28,” the panellists said, noting that India accounts for 11 percent of global road accidents.

The discussion highlighted advances in crash testing methodologies, driver training programmes, localised safety technologies and the growing influence of Bharat NCAP ratings on consumer purchasing decisions. Integration of advanced driver assistance systems and enhanced collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers was identified as an essential step towards meeting international safety benchmarks.

Software, AI Reshape Automotive Landscape

The forum dedicated substantial attention to the transformation of vehicles into software-defined platforms, with experts from EY-Parthenon, Elektrobit, ARAI, Vayve Mobility and HackersEra exploring the shift from hardware-centric to software-driven architectures.

Nandakumar Kollu of Elektrobit India, Nilesh Bajaj from Vayve Mobility and Vikash Chaudhary of HackersEra Automotive Cybersecurity discussed the critical importance of cybersecurity, over-the-air update capabilities, evolving regulatory frameworks and new monetisation models for software features.

Panellists highlighted India’s opportunity to lead in SDV development by leveraging its strong IT talent, growing EV ecosystem, and increased R&D investments, while stressing the need for collaboration across OEMs, suppliers, regulators, and academia.

A separate panel examined artificial intelligence applications across automotive design, customer engagement, supply chain management and aftersales service. Experts from Xane AI, Skoda Auto Volkswagen, Kinetic Green and DaveAI addressed challenges around affordability, data privacy and scalability in emerging markets.

Panellists emphasised the need for responsible, empathetic AI solutions, stronger regulatory frameworks, and industry-academia collaboration to build talent and ensure localised, consumer-centric innovation.

Consumer Insights Reveal Market Evolution

A panel led by K Srikumar of ICRA, featuring executives from Mahindra & Mahindra, MG Motor, Chitra Cars, Honda and Trak N Tell, examined the evolving Indian passenger car market, identifying significant shifts in consumer mindset, dealership dynamics and financing trends.

Ravinder Singh Rawal from Mahindra & Mahindra Automotive, Saurabh Tripathi of Morris Garages India and industry veteran Minesh Jha discussed rising demand for safety and comfort features, the growing importance of digital research channels alongside the continued relevance of physical dealerships, and the rapid expansion of the used car market.

Panellists agreed that the future will be driven by safety, cost efficiency, electrification, and personalised customer experiences, whilst noting persistent challenges in electric vehicle adoption related to financing availability and charging infrastructure gaps.

A panel moderated by Kaushik Madhavan explored future in-vehicle infotainment and telematics systems, featuring insights from Pranshu Gupta, founder and chief executive of Trak N Tell, alongside experts from Stellantis India and the National Institute of Design. Priyanka Shukla of Stellantis and Pratheek P Ashok from the National Institute of Design joined discussions on how startups can build credibility whilst manufacturers drive differentiation through user experience and connected features.

Panellists also highlighted challenges around affordability, ADAS adoption, and consumer awareness, stressing the need for innovation, data-driven solutions, and industry-academia collaboration to shape India’s next phase of mobility.

Technical presentations during the forum included an introduction to telematics solutions by Gupta and a spotlight on noise, vibration and harshness challenges in electric mobility repair by Rohit Ekhe and Alistair Saldanha from Henkel’s ACM India division.

Other notable speakers included Anil Srivastava from IIT Kanpur, Avik Chatterjee from ARAI, and Achyut Deshmukh from Stellantis. They contributed diverse expertise across the forum’s two parallel tracks, which focused on strategy, growth, and market dynamics, as well as technology, innovation, and future trends.

The forum’s organisers said the event reinforced its position as India’s premier platform dedicated to shaping the future of the passenger vehicle ecosystem, with the next edition scheduled for 2026.

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Continental has secured original equipment tyre supply for the new Audi Q3 compact SUV, delivering a comprehensive portfolio engineered for diverse seasonal demands. The German manufacturer’s approvals encompass a full range of summer, all-season and winter tyres, spanning wheel diameters from 17 to 20 inches to suit varying driver preferences and regional climates.

For warm-weather performance, Audi has approved the EcoContact 6 Q summer tyre, which prioritises energy efficiency through a specialised rubber formulation and an optimised tread pattern that lowers rolling resistance. This model also demonstrates reduced acoustic emissions and dependable stopping power on both wet and dry pavement and is available for the Q3 in 18-, 19- and 20-inch variants.

Addressing the need for year-round versatility, the ProContact TX10 all-season tyre offers balanced traction across changing weather conditions, including reliable wet braking and moderate snow grip. This tyre is specifically certified for the United States and Canadian markets and comes in the same 18- to 20-inch range as its summer counterpart.

For harsh winter environments, the WinterContact TS 870 P is recommended, featuring a novel tread design and pliable rubber compound that maintains flexibility in freezing temperatures. This winter tyre ensures secure handling and short braking distances on snow and ice, and is homologated for the Audi Q3 in 17- and 19-inch sizes.

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Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying original equipment tyres for two Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. models in Japan and China, as it pushes to increase the share of higher-value products under its mid-term strategy.

The group said it is supplying its ADVAN V61 tyres for the new Elgrand premium minivan, launched in Japan in July 2026. The tyres, sized 235/60R18 103H, are positioned as premium summer products within Yokohama’s flagship ADVAN range, combining fuel efficiency, handling stability and low noise for both urban and long-distance driving.

Nissan’s Elgrand is equipped with the third-generation e-POWER hybrid system, e-4ORCE all-wheel control and Intelligent Dynamic Suspension, alongside the ProPILOT driver assistance system, aimed at enhancing ride comfort and driving performance.

Separately, Yokohama Rubber is supplying ADVAN dB V553 tyres as original equipment for the N6 plug-in hybrid sedan produced by Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, a joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng Motor Corporation. The model was launched in China in December 2025 and uses tyres sized 225/50R18 95V.

The ADVAN dB V553 has been developed as a premium comfort tyre, with an emphasis on sustained quietness and wet performance over its lifespan. The tyre also carries Yokohama’s “E+” marking, indicating suitability for electrified vehicles.

The N6 features a plug-in hybrid system combining a 1.5-litre engine with a 155 kW electric motor and a 21.1 kWh battery, delivering an electric driving range of 180 km and fuel consumption of 2.79 litres per 100 km. The vehicle also includes a digital cockpit powered by Nissan OS and driver assistance technologies.

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Bridgestone Americas has secured an original equipment supply agreement with Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., providing its premium BATTLAX RACING STREET RS121 tyres for the newly released Ninja ZX-10R Supersport model. This collaboration positions the tyre as a key component for Kawasaki’s flagship motorcycle, which is renowned as a championship-calibre machine designed for professional racing and high-performance enthusiasts.

The latest Ninja ZX-10R represents a continuous evolution in Supersport engineering, retaining its World Superbike Championship-proven foundation while achieving improved emission standards and enhanced circuit potential. Its newly integrated large winglets contribute to heightened front-end feel during cornering, while refined chassis geometry offers superior controllability, collectively pushing the boundaries of rider capability.

Developed under the ‘From Circuit to Street’ philosophy, the BATTLAX RACING STREET RS12 stands as the pinnacle of dry grip performance within Bridgestone’s road-legal tyre portfolio. Leveraging endurance racing-derived technologies, the tyre features a novel compound and tread pattern combination that sustains high grip over multiple laps, ensuring consistent circuit performance. This design provides dependable safety and confidence for riders navigating everything from spirited dry-road riding to demanding track sessions.

Kawasaki’s selection of this tyre followed a rigorous evaluation, confirming its ability to match the motorcycle’s formidable power through superior dry grip and stable cornering. By delivering this tailored tyre solution, Bridgestone aims to continue supporting Kawasaki’s commitment to rider value across its diverse model lineup.

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Continental has secured original equipment approval for the new all-electric Volkswagen ID. Polo, marking a significant supply agreement with the Wolfsburg-based automaker. The compact model will come factory-fitted with the German manufacturer’s EcoContact 7 summer tyre, with Volkswagen officially sanctioning the 17-inch and 18-inch sizes for standard production.

The EcoContact 7 summer tyre prioritises energy efficiency through a specialised material blend that minimises internal friction, thereby lowering rolling resistance and reducing electricity consumption. Its Aerodimple sidewall technology, modelled after golf ball surface textures, cuts air turbulence to further decrease drag, while the Silent Pattern tread design optimises block spacing and angles to suppress urban driving noise frequencies.

For cold-weather performance, Volkswagen has endorsed the WinterContact TS 870 P, whose tread layout and advanced sipe structure deliver dependable traction on snow and ice. The compound stays pliable in freezing temperatures to ensure short stopping distances and secure handling on wet, frigid or slippery roads.

As a year-round alternative, the AllSeasonContact 2 has been recommended by the automaker in 18-inch dimensions. This Continental tire provides balanced capability across warm summer conditions and wet winter environments, offering drivers a single-set solution without compromising seasonal safety or performance.

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