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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Kumho Tire has secured an original equipment supply agreement for the Škoda Scala, equipping the European model with its ECSTA HS52 tyre in the 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 sizes. This nomination bolsters the South Korean manufacturer’s footprint within the European automotive sector.

Škoda, a Czech-founded automaker established in 1895 and now member of the Volkswagen Group, markets its affordable and utilitarian vehicles across over 100 countries. The Scala, a flagship compact hatchback, has garnered continental acclaim for its roomy cabin, generous cargo space, contemporary aesthetics and advanced driver-assistance features. Its efficient drivetrain and balanced handling cater effectively to both city commutes and extended highway journeys.

The ECSTA HS52 is engineered as a premium tyre prioritising comfort and dynamic performance. Its optimised tread pattern, featuring a solid block layout, ensures stable road adhesion, which diminishes vibrations and acoustic noise while simultaneously elevating ride quality and high-velocity stability.

This latest OE win underscores Kumho Tire’s ascending trajectory in Europe and its bolstered credibility with international automakers. Following a record-setting fiscal performance, the company is aggressively targeting annual revenues of KRW 5.1 trillion (approximately USD 3.41 billion) through enhanced sales, operational efficiencies and an expanded original equipment portfolio, solidifying its global premium brand aspirations.

Insoo Kim, Executive Vice President – OE Sales, Kumho Tire, said, “The selection of the ECSTA HS52 for the Škoda Scala underscores the global competitiveness of Kumho Tire’s technology and product quality. We remain committed to providing innovative, high-performance tyre solutions tailored to evolving mobility needs while strengthening our partnerships with leading global automotive manufacturers.”

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Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH has commenced the supply of FALKEN AZENIS FK520 (NG0) tyres as original equipment for the new Porsche Cayenne Electric. This marks a significant expansion of the longstanding partnership between Falken and the German sports car manufacturer within the high-performance vehicle segment.

The bespoke tyre package carries the exclusive NG0 designation, a hallmark reserved for rubber compounds that have undergone rigorous development, homologation and approval processes to satisfy Porsche’s stringent technical benchmarks. The fitment involves a staggered setup, with 255/55 R20 110Y XL tyres mounted on the front axle and larger 305/45 R20 116Y XL tyres on the rear axle, available through Porsche’s official configurator in conjunction with selected wheel designs.

Engineered specifically for the demands of an all-electric performance sport utility vehicle, this ultra-high-performance tyre features an optimised rubber formulation aimed at lowering rolling resistance to potentially enhance driving range. The architecture is fine-tuned to deliver precise steering feedback, stable high-speed handling and a Y speed rating that certifies capability up to 300 kilometres per hour while also supporting strong traction and efficient torque transfer to manage the vehicle’s substantial power and weight.

The collaboration extends beyond road applications, as Falken has competed in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the Nürburgring 24 Hours with a Porsche 911 GT3 R since 2011. Away from the racetrack, the partnership previously yielded original equipment approval for FALKEN AZENIS FK510A SUV tyres on the Porsche Macan, a relationship that commenced in 2018 and has now been reinforced with this latest electric vehicle development.

Christian Stolting, OE Sales Director at Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, home to the FALKEN tyre brand, said, "With the AZENIS FK520 (NG0), FALKEN underlines its expertise in developing innovative tyre technologies for the next generation of premium electric vehicles. This is the latest development in our long-term partnership with Porsche, and means we continue to strategically positioning ourselves as the first choice in the high-performance battery-electric SUV segment."

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India is losing more than 425.7 million litres of petrol worth over INR 45 billion each year because of underinflated tyres, according to a survey by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), which warned that poor tyre maintenance is also increasing road safety risks.

The findings come as higher crude oil prices and the continuing West Asia conflict put additional pressure on fuel costs, making fuel efficiency an increasingly important concern for motorists.

The tyre health survey, conducted by the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC), ATMA's technical arm, found that a significant proportion of passenger vehicles on Indian roads are operating with tyre pressures below manufacturers' recommended levels.

More than 130,000 passenger vehicle tyres, including those fitted to two-wheelers, have been inspected across India over the past few years, including nearly 100,000 during the past year. The survey found that 32 percent of tyres had air pressure more than 20 percent below the recommended level, while a further 21 percent were between 10 percent and 20 percent below the recommended pressure.

According to international studies cited by ATMA, every one PSI reduction in tyre pressure reduces fuel efficiency by about 0.2 percent. Based on the survey findings, the association estimates that underinflated tyres account for fuel efficiency losses equivalent to around 0.75 percent of India's total fuel consumption by vehicles.

With India's annual petrol consumption estimated at 56.77 billion litres, almost all of which is used by passenger vehicles, including two-wheelers, this equates to an annual loss of around 425.7m litres of petrol. At current retail fuel prices, the value of the wasted fuel exceeds INR 45 billion annually.

ATMA said the estimate covers only petrol consumption and excludes diesel-, CNG- and LPG-powered passenger vehicles, suggesting that the overall national fuel loss is likely to be even higher.

The association said the fuel loss assumes greater significance because India imports more than 80 percent of its crude oil requirements. Avoidable fuel consumption not only increases costs for consumers but also adds to the country's oil import bill and foreign exchange outgo.

Renji Issac, chairman of ITTAC, said: "The survey highlights a hidden but significant drain on both household budgets and the national economy. At a time when fuel prices have gone up owing to West Asia conflict, maintaining the correct tyre pressure is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel expenses. The low inflation pressure also increases the emissions resulting in more atmospheric pollution."

Apart from the economic impact, the association said underinflated tyres generate excessive heat, reduce vehicle handling and braking performance, increase stopping distances and make tyres more susceptible to damage or sudden failure, particularly during high-speed driving. Low tyre pressure also accelerates uneven tyre wear, shortening tyre life and increasing replacement costs.

Sudershan S Gusain, chairman of ATMA's Safety Awareness Group, said: "Apart from the economic cost, low tyre pressure also has serious safety implications. Tyres operating below the recommended pressure generate excessive heat, adversely affect vehicle handling and braking performance, increase stopping distances and are more susceptible to tyre damage or sudden failure, particularly during high-speed travel. Low tyre pressure also accelerates uneven tyre wear, reducing tyre life and increasing replacement costs."

ATMA said a tyre pressure check takes only a few minutes but can improve fuel efficiency, extend tyre life, reduce emissions and enhance road safety. The association advised motorists to check tyre pressure every fortnight, preferably when tyres are cold, and to maintain the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

The association also urged electric vehicle owners to pay attention to tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts. While most EVs display tyre pressure on the dashboard, these warnings are often ignored because drivers make fewer visits to fuel stations. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure improves vehicle range, tyre life, safety and environmental performance, ATMA said.

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Bridgestone has confirmed its role as the original equipment tyre supplier for Yamaha Motor’s newly unveiled Supersport model, the YZF-R7. The partnership will see the Japanese tyre giant provide its premium BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 tyres for the motorcycle, which has been extensively refined to balance racetrack-inspired performance with daily usability. This collaboration underscores a shared engineering focus between the two companies.

The latest iteration of the YZF-R7 features a comprehensively reworked chassis designed to deliver agile handling and precise cornering, allowing riders to fully exploit the motorcycle’s sporty character. Enhancements to stability and road feedback have been prioritised, resulting in a machine that offers both increased rider confidence and an exhilarating experience. The model retains the stylistic DNA of Yamaha’s racing heritage while incorporating practical features for everyday use.

Central to the tyre specification is the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23, which has been engineered with an optimised shoulder groove ratio and revised pattern rigidity to elevate road contact sensation and overall performance. These improvements ensure high dry grip and responsive manoeuvrability essential for dynamic riding. Furthermore, the rear tyre incorporates a Pulse Groove pattern, a design that significantly boosts water drainage and maintains superior wet-weather performance, ensuring rider security and enjoyment even under sudden rainfall.

The selection of the Bridgestone tyres resulted from intensive joint development between the two manufacturers from the project’s inception. Yamaha’s evaluation team acknowledged the advanced capabilities of the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23, leading to its integration into the final vehicle. Through this supply agreement and its broader premium BATTLAX strategy, Bridgestone reaffirms its dedication to fostering a safe and vibrant motorcycling culture. The company continues to align its efforts with its corporate commitment to inspire excitement and deliver lasting joy to the mobility sector.

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