Tata Motors is preparing to expand into new overseas markets as part of its broader international growth strategy. Speaking during the company’s Q1 FY27 earnings call, Managing Director and CEO Shailesh Chandra said, “There will be either at the end of this financial year or maybe early next financial year we will open another big market.”
While the company has not officially named the market, Tata Motors has previously indicated that it is evaluating opportunities in the UK and Europe as part of its next phase of export expansion.
UK, Europe among Tata Motors’ identified focus regions
Exports to Australia and Malaysia also being explored
South Africa continues to drive current export growth
Tata Motors preparing next overseas expansion
Chandra said Tata Motors has identified several priority overseas markets over the next two to three years, covering both internal combustion engine and electric vehicle portfolios. “We have in the next two to three years some key focus markets identified… which would be ICE-focused markets as well as EV-focused markets,” Chandra said.
The comments build on Tata Motors’ earlier confirmation that it had begun preparations for a UK market entry. The company has already started work on vehicle certification and is preparing its sales and aftersales network, although it has not announced a launch timeline. Tata Motors has also not disclosed sales targets or investment plans for either the UK or Europe.
Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran had earlier said the company would deepen its presence in South Africa while exploring opportunities in Australia and Malaysia, adding that Tata Motors also plans to look more closely at the UK and Europe.
South Africa continues to drive export growth
While Tata Motors prepares for its next phase of international expansion, South Africa continues to drive the company’s current export growth. Tata Motors returned to the country’s passenger vehicle market in 2025 and currently sells the Punch, Curvv, Harrier and Tiago through its partnership with Motus Holdings.
Explaining the recent growth in exports, Chandra said, “This quarter will be equally strong because, as you know, we opened South Africa last year… Since then we have been expanding our product range as well as the number of outlets and dealerships.”
Tata Motors sold 2,408 passenger vehicles in international markets during the first quarter of FY27, up from 970 units in the corresponding period last year. Although exports have more than doubled, they still account for a small share of the company’s overall passenger vehicle volumes.
Mercedes-Benz India has revealed an AI-powered device that enables quicker vehicle inspection upon entry to its service centre. Dubbed the XENTRY Scanner, the service debuted at the brand’s newly established centre by Landmark Cars in Jogeshwari, Mumbai.
Mercedes’ first AI-powered car scanning system arrives at its largest workshop in Mumbai.
Uses a 360-degree camera system to identify damage on a car’s exterior.
Service Select debuts as a new scheme for older Mercedes vehicles.
Currently, the scanner is the only one of its kind in India at this service centre, which spans around 58,000 sq. ft., making it the brand’s largest in Mumbai. This facility consists of 16 preventive maintenance and general repair bays, 9 body and paint bays and 9 supporting bays, supported by a dedicated 6,000 sq. ft. spare-parts area.
How does Mercedes’ XENTRY Car Scanner work?
The brand calls it an MRI scanner for its cars
Mercedes-Benz’s XENTRY car scanner.
As the car enters the workshop, it is made to pass through the XENTRY scanner. The scanner utilises a 360-degree high-resolution camera system comprising 13 cameras and a LiDAR sensor. Images of the car are captured and analysed across four categories: body, underbody, windshield and tyres. The system captures 150 images within 3 to 5 seconds and then transmits the data to the Mercedes-Benz cloud.
Artificial intelligence then comes into play, identifying every kind of damage on the car’s exterior, even the ones that aren’t visible to the naked eye. It also provides in-depth tyre information, including their health, tread depth and braking performance. To maintain privacy, the system does not capture images of the driver. The findings are added directly to the job card of the particular car without manual entry, enabling better co-ordinated workshop processes. Mercedes says the process is entirely paperless, reducing walking distances, waiting times and paperwork that traditionally accompanied service reception.
Speaking about the thinking behind such initiatives, Mr Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “Productivity has to be the core. Reason being, from a real estate perspective, you need to turn cars around faster, while initiatives like the car scanner are more of a productivity enhancement. But on the customer side too, they expect the car to be turned around quickly, which is a pure mobility requirement for the customer.”
Through AI, external wear and tear is automatically detected by the XENTRY car scanner.
Next, a service advisor receives all the information on a tablet and informs the customer of a detailed list of vehicle wear and tear. It is then up to the customer to approve servicing of the concerned parts on the spot. The brand claims that a digital record of service status eliminates the need for manual inspections by the customer.
Interestingly, Landmark’s own internal research points to a shift in service revenue coming from EV adoption growth. “Landmark did a study of the service cost of EV versus ICE. Over the last six months, they’ve seen that the cost is the same in terms of maintenance. But this isn’t coming from maintenance; it’s coming from the body shop. More of the latter is done on EVs compared to ICE cars, said Mr Iyer.
At around 58,000 sq ft, the Landmark Cars workshop in Jogeshwari is the brand’s largest in Mumbai.
India now adds to the list of countries to offer Mercedes’ XENTRY scanner. Previously, the tech was available in international markets like Germany, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Turkey. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz plans to expand to more than 20 ‘world-class’ luxury outlets in 2026 in India, supported by an investment of more than Rs 450 crore by franchise partners over the next two years.
Mercedes Service Select: A service plan for older Mercedes vehicles
While Mercedes-Benz provides a standard 3-year warranty on new cars, it has also introduced a new service scheme for older vehicles. Called ‘Service Select’, Mercedes cars 7 years or older are eligible for this service. The scheme enables up to 25 percent savings for periodic service and brake care, a 2-year warranty on spare parts, benefits of its ‘Mobilio Lite’ service facility, and residual value protection of the vehicle.
Skoda Auto will bring the diesel-powered Superb back to India in the first half of 2027, marking the return of the brand’s flagship sedan after a two-year hiatus. The previous, third-gen Superb had a brief second innings as an import, with a limited run of just 100 units. Skoda, however, hasn’t given up on its flagship. In fact, the latest fourth-gen Superb, which debuted globally in late 2023, was shown to the Indian public at the Bharat Mobility Show in January 2025, and Skoda had indicated at the time that it would bring the sedan to India.
Superb expected to return with a 2.0-litre diesel engine
Marks the return of diesel to a VW group brand since 2020
Could benefit from India-EU FTA set to take effect next year
The flagship sedan is expected to be imported as a completely built-up unit (CBU) and positioned at the top of Skoda’s Indian range.
Skoda Superb to return with a diesel
Significantly, the Superb will mark the return of diesel to Skoda’s India portfolio, and is expected to use VW Group’s 2.0-litre TDI engine. The carmaker discontinued diesel ahead of the transition to BS6 emission norms in 2020 and currently sells only petrol-powered models in the country.
The Superb diesel was showcased at the 2026 Bharat Mobility Global Expo.
The diesel engine could well be the Superb’s main selling point, as there is no premium diesel sedan on sale in India today. There is still a small but steady demand for diesel, and that’s exactly what Skoda cleverly wants to tap into. The model is expected to remain a low-volume import, with its role focused on strengthening the brand and the sedan legacy of Skoda.
Flagship appeal, halo effect
The Superb has played an important part in establishing Skoda’s premium image over its 25 years in India. Its return would give existing customers an upgrade path within the brand and add a large sedan option in a portfolio dominated by SUVs. It would also allow dealers to address a wider price band and reach customers from rival brands. If priced right, the Superb could be an alternative to the Toyota Camry, the only other sedan in the premium segment.
Superb diesel could be a unique proposition as there are currently no premium diesel sedans available.
As a CBU, the Superb will attracts steep customs duties, and local assembly isn’t an option either, as the Bratislava plant that builds the sedan has no facility to produce CKD kits for export markets. The timing, however, is just right. With the EU-India free trade agreement set to take effect from next year, a sharp reduction in customs duties could see the Superb diesel priced far more attractively than before. For now, though, expect the fully loaded variant to come in at around Rs 55 lakh-60 lakh.
Yamaha R2 could be priced between Rs 2 lakh – 2.20 lakh
To be powered by a 200-220cc engine
Will sit above the R15 M in Yamaha’s lineup
Yamaha R2: What to expect?
Will rival the Hero Karizma XMR and KTM RC 200
We exclusively reported early this year that the R2 will be launched in India. It will carry forth the same spirit of its younger sibling – the R15 – in terms of its riding experience. Which means, it’s safe to say that it will be powered by a high-revving, higher displacement, single-cylinder engine that will punch well above its weight, much like the R15’s, delectable 155cc engine does.
Details on the exact engine capacity are not yet clear, but we expect it to be slightly over 200cc, likely in the 200-220cc range. Power figures are also yet to be confirmed, although sources suggest performance should be on par with, if not better than, its key rivals. The Yamaha will go up against the KTM RC 200 and Hero Karizma XMR, both of which produce around 25hp, suggesting the Yamaha could offer a similar output.
Where the R15 also holds an advantage, and where the R2 is likely to as well, is kerb weight. It is expected to be lighter than its rivals, which should give it an advantage in terms of agility and power-to-weight ratio. For example, the KTM weighs 160kg, the Karizma 163.5kg, while the current Yamaha R15 V4 weighs in at just 141kg.
As mentioned earlier, the Yamaha R2 will not replace the Yamaha R15. That said, the current R15 line-up will be streamlined, and we expect that the range topping M will be discontinued to make way for the R2. It’s also possible that the current R15 S (which is based on the gen-3 R15) will also be discontinued.
With current R15 prices starting at Rs 1.57 lakh for the S and going up to Rs 1.98 lakh for the top M variant, we expect that the R2 range could start at around Rs 2-2.2 lakh, depending on how aggressive Yamaha plans to be. The R2 will be manufactured entirely in India and will also be exported from here to other global markets.
The pre-booking amount of Rs 10,000 is fully refundable, although refunds will only be processed after September 5. The bike is slated to launch on August 27, with Yamaha giving priority to customers who pre-book before the launch.
Jaguar has revealed the interior of the upcoming Type 01 electric GT. The Type 01’s cabin is inspired by the Type 00 concept on which it is based, and is as radical as its exterior design. Jaguar will debut the production-spec Type 01 in New York on October 6.
Has a ‘central spine’ spanning the length of the cabin
Gets a screen in front of the driver and a central screen for AC controls
Misses out on a rear windscreen, but features digital rearview cameras
Jaguar Type 01 interior revealed
4-seater electric GT has a minimalist cabin divided into four individual spaces
Jaguar’s “hidden on-demand technology” is integrated into the EV’s architecture.
The interior design of the Jaguar Type 01 concept takes inspiration from the Type 00 concept, calling it “a concept car vision brought to production”. The production-spec model features a ‘central spine’ spanning the length of the cabin and divides it into four individual segments – one each for every passenger. This central spine has a brass finish and features a small screen at the front for operating the climate controls. This AC control screen and another display on the dashboard are being called “hidden on-demand technology”, which, Jaguar says, is integrated into the EV’s architecture.
Strikethrough elements on the dashboard are similar to those on the bonnet’s top lip.
The interior features a 2-spoke steering wheel with touch-enabled buttons and a distinct dashboard design for the driver and front passenger areas. There’s a digital screen in front of the driver and ‘strikethrough’ elements in front of the co-driver. Similar ‘strikethrough’ design elements are also present on the top lip of the bonnet to fuse the Type 01’s exterior and interior design.
There is no glass rear windscreen.
A low swooping roof can also be seen with panoramic glass, which is likely to feature customisable lighting patterns. The Jaguar Type 01 does not feature a rear windscreen but digital rearview cameras instead. It features four seats with a dual-tone upholstery.
The doors sport the same brass finish as the central spine but additionally feature Jaguar’s ‘leaper’ logo. Jaguar says that the Type 01’s interior is inspired by travertine stone (a type of natural limestone) and textures of artisan textiles for a “deeply sensorial experience”.
Jaguar Type 01: Other details
Built on the JEA platform; will offer over 700km of range
The top section of the doors feature the Jaguar leaper logo.
The Jaguar Type 01 will debut in New York on October 6, 2026, as the luxury marque’s first car after its ‘reinvention’ as an all-electric brand. It will be underpinned by the Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), offering a claimed range of over 700km and featuring three electric motors producing over 1,000hp. It is expected to arrive in international markets by the first half of 2027 as a rival to the Ferrari Luce, Audi e-tron GT, Porsche Taycan and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.
Indian Motorcycle has unveiled the Chief Vintage Sturgis Edition at the 86th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – a limited-edition model commemorating the origins of what has become the world’s largest motorcycle rally. Just 125 units will be produced, with a small number available in select markets outside North America.
Limited to just 125 units worldwide
Commemorates the 1938 origins of the Sturgis Rally
Powered by the Thunderstroke 116 V-twin
Indian Chief Vintage Sturgis Edition details
Painted number 56 on the side plate pays tribute to the hand-painted race numbers used at the original 1938 gathering.
The Sturgis Edition is built around the standard Chief Vintage platform and is powered by the air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-twin. In typical Indian Motorcycle fashion, the manufacturer has not revealed peak power figures, but has confirmed a peak torque output of 156Nm. Design elements such as the valanced fenders, wire-spoke wheels, solo seat and old-school handlebars have been carried over. Other notable touches include painted cylinder heads and pushrod tubes, along with black-finished cylinders that the brand says are reminiscent of Indian Motorcycle models from the 1940s.
The most distinctive visual element is the exclusive two-tone red and cream paint scheme, paired with a multi-coloured Indian Motorcycle headdress logo on the fuel tank inspired by the brand’s 1930s motorcycles. A painted number 56 on the side plate is a nod to the hand-painted race numbers used by riders at the very first Sturgis gathering. Each of the 125 motorcycles will also feature a serialised badge.
The inaugural Sturgis gathering was organised in 1938 by a local Indian Motorcycle dealer and a motorcycle club. Just nine riders took part, with around 200 spectators in attendance. Today, the event has grown into the world’s largest motorcycle rally, drawing hundreds of thousands of riders and visitors each year, and this limited-edition model serves as a tribute to those beginnings.
Audi will pursue a broader powertrain strategy spanning battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and combustion engines, stepping away from its earlier plan to become an all-electric carmaker. Global CEO Gernot Döllner said he reviewed Audi’s all-electric strategy after taking charge and decided that the company needed a more balanced product and powertrain mix to address the varying pace of EV adoption across markets.
“When I joined Audi, there was an all-electric strategy in place, which was one of the first things I reviewed,” Döllner told Autocar India in an exclusive interview. “We found a more balanced strategy between plug-in hybrids, especially important for Europe, combustion engine and electric.”
Global EV sales downturn lent ICE powertrains more time
The slower-than-expected pace of EV adoption in several global markets has extended the relevance of combustion engines and plug-in hybrids. Audi expects to retain a focused combustion-engine and plug-in-hybrid portfolio, particularly for SUVs.
Audi Q3 PHEV
The company has recently completed a major investment cycle covering new petrol and diesel engines, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles designed to meet Euro 7 and other global regulations.
“For sure, the majority of our investment will be in battery electric. That’s a given,” Döllner said.
Audi will continue to invest selectively in combustion engines, including efficiency improvements and transmission technology, but Döllner expects the pace of innovation to be much faster in EVs.
Audi RS5 plug-in hybrid powertrain
“The combustion engine is fairly mature. It’s at the very end of a 100-year innovation cycle, and battery electric is still at the very beginning, to be honest,” he said. “The dominant part of our investment will definitely be on the battery-electric side.”
Electric remains Audi’s leading technology
Audi’s decision to retain combustion engines and plug-in hybrids does not alter its long-term direction towards electric vehicles.
“Electric is, for Audi, still the leading technology,” Döllner said. “It’s our main priority to step by step become more electric.”
Prototypes of upcoming Audi A2 e-tron
Audi currently has four battery-electric model lines globally and expects to increase this to five by the end of the year, with some available in more than one body style. The company will, however, tailor the powertrain mix to individual regions. Plug-in hybrids will be particularly important in Europe, while the requirements of the US market will influence Audi’s future combustion-engine and PHEV portfolio, especially for SUVs.
In India, Audi’s immediate focus remains on petrol and electric vehicles. Diesel is not part of its current plan. The case for plug-in hybrids will depend partly on whether they receive any benefit under the India-EU FTA. New electric products are also planned for India.
Audi Q6 e-tron
“From what I know, we also have decided to enter with new products in the electric segment in India,” Döllner said.
Audi has decided to assemble an electric vehicle in India, Autocar India learns, although the model and launch timing are still being worked out. The move from fully imported EVs to local assembly is now a question of when, rather than if.
The company was among the first luxury carmakers to enter India’s EV market with models such as the e-tron, e-tron Sportback, e-tron GT and Q8 e-tron. High import duties, however, restricted their reach and affected their resale-value proposition.
Audi Q6 e-tron
The Q6 e-tron is among the products being studied, but Audi has not decided which EV will be assembled in India. The selected model will need to offer the right combination of volume, pricing and suitability for local conditions.
Audi believes electric SUVs make more practical sense in India because their ground clearance is better suited to local road conditions. Sedans have not been ruled out, but SUVs offer a more practical proposition for battery-electric vehicles in the country.
Regional focus to shape future products
The broader powertrain approach is part of Döllner’s effort to make Audi more responsive to the requirements of individual regions.
“Audi has to act much more regional,” he said. “The times where we had a one size fits all, and we then bring it to China, just extend the wheelbase and do the same car, that doesn’t work anymore. We have to listen carefully to the markets.”
The Q9 is the first clear example of that approach. Conceived around the requirements of American customers, it will be the first Audi to make its market debut in the US.
Audi Q9
“The Q9 is a perfect proof point of a car. The biggest Audi we’ve ever built,” Döllner said. “That car would not be there without the American market.”
India does not yet generate the volumes required for Audi to develop country-specific models. Local requirements covering ground clearance, suspension, tyres, weather, dust and fuel quality are, however, fed into its global development process. The introduction of new models in India is also expected to move closer to their global launches, helping Audi benefit from the interest created when a vehicle is revealed internationally.
Döllner said the improvement in India’s manufacturing and automotive technology has changed how the country is viewed within the global industry.
Audi Q9
“India is also an excellent proof point. It’s really unbelievable what the car industry has developed in India and what level of perfection and technology products are delivered,” he said.
“In the past, there has been this strong European automotive industry, and the world has turned around. Now we have a very dynamic Chinese market, a growing and rising Indian automotive industry. The US is a story of its own.”
“What keeps me awake at night is if we are able to change fast enough,” Döllner said. “We have to speed up.”
Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon recently confirmed 3 new launches in the next 12 months, but we have dug around a bit, and there’s a whole line-up of other models in bound as well. Apart from the new-gen Q3, the A5 and the flagship Q9, Audi will also be bringing the next-gen Q5 and Q7 in 2027. There will also be an EV making a comeback in Audi’s lineup in the form of the Q6 e-tron, and the big news is that all of these models will be locally assembled in India. Essentially, Audi’s entire Q-range will be thoroughly revamped in India by the end of next year.
Audi Q6 e-tron
Estimated price: Rs 85 lakh; launch: Mid-2027
The Q6 e-tron will be Audi’s first EV to be assembled here. The electric SUV was the first to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s 800V Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, co-developed with Porsche.
It’ll be offered in SUV and Sportback body styles and is likely to have a 100kWh battery (an 83kWh unit is offered overseas) with a single 306hp rear-mounted motor, offering 641km of WLTP range (656km for the aero-efficient Sportback). The EV also introduced Audi’s latest curved display that comprises an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, and an optional 10.9-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger.
Next-gen Audi Q5
Estimated price: Rs 75 lakh; launch: October 2027
The third-gen Q5 will arrive to take on the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3. Sharing Audi’s latest PPC architecture with the A5, it gets sharper styling than its predecessor, much improved aerodynamics and a thoroughly modern cabin featuring a curved 11.9-inch digital driver’s display and 14.5-inch touchscreen, along with an optional passenger display.
It is expected to use Audi’s localised 2.0 turbo-petrol in a higher 265hp state of tune, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and Quattro AWD. There is no word on whether Audi will bring the Sportback or the 367hp SQ5, but the India-EU FTA could create potential for a launch.
Audi Q7
Estimated price: Rs 1.2 crore; launch: December 2027
While the recently revealed Q9 is now Audi’s flagship SUV, the Q7 still has big cachet in India. The third-gen model brings in a brawnier form, which harks back to the original Q7. A three-row, seven-seat layout will be standard, and there will also be the option of a six-seat configuration with captain chairs in the middle row.
Cabin space and quality have been upped. The Q7 will sport Audi’s new triple-screen dash layout. While markets abroad get a mild-hybrid diesel, in India, it is expected to retain the 3.0 V6 turbo-petrol.
Audi is preparing a new plan for India built around a stronger product portfolio, greater local assembly and faster introduction of its global models, as the German luxury carmaker seeks to regain momentum in one of the world’s most promising automotive markets.
Global CEO Gernot Döllner said India is becoming increasingly important to Audi and the company is now working towards the right product and operating structure for the market. “We will see a substantial portfolio, but it has to be focused to be able to be successful in India,” Döllner told Autocar India in an exclusive interview. “Every successful strategy starts with products. Without products, it does not make sense.”
Audi’s renewal plan with focus on new products
The renewal will begin with the new-generation Q3 in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by the A5 in the first half of 2027. The Q9 flagship SUV is also being evaluated for India, with work underway to assemble it locally. These three models could reach the market within around twelve months. Audi also plans to reduce the delay between global and Indian launches, which has left parts of its local range out of step with competitors in recent years.
The carmaker is targeting a doubling of its share of India’s luxury-car market from around 8-9 percent to 18-20 percent over the next three to five years.
The new-gen Q3 will be the first to arrive under Audi’s new model onslaught.
“India is an increasingly important market, and we have to be honest. We have been struggling to find the right setup in that market,” Döllner said. “I hope that we now, with the decisions that we have taken over the past years, are able to step by step find our position in the market. Trade agreements will help in the future, but we still have to clean up some things that we did wrong in the past.”
Audi sees the long-term potential but is still working out the volumes and cost structure needed to make the business viable. “We somehow still have not found the right complete volume and setup and business case behind that for the brand,” said Döllner.
Local assembly is only step one
Greater local content will be necessary for Audi to compete in India, where import duties and adverse currency movements have pushed up prices. “You will be only in the game if you have local content and you follow these rules that are implemented. That’s what we have to do,” Döllner said.
Locally assembled models are expected to account for around 90-95 percent of Audi’s future India business, Autocar India learns. Fully imported vehicles will largely be restricted to niche and brand-shaping models.
Audi currently assembles its core models at the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The EA888 2.0-litre petrol engine used across much of the range is also assembled in India. The company is working on the local assembly case for the Q9 and studying what would be required to assemble its 3.0-litre engine in India.
Audi is considering localising the 3.0-litre V6 for the Q9 in India.
The Q9 will sit above the Q7 and add a new flagship to Audi’s India portfolio. It has been developed with greater emphasis on rear-seat occupants and is expected to offer different seating configurations, an important consideration in India’s chauffeur-driven luxury segment. Deep component sourcing will take longer. The relatively small volumes generated by individual luxury models make it difficult to create a viable domestic supplier base for every part. Audi will widen local assembly first and increase local content where the volumes support it.
New-generation models are becoming more expensive because of additional technology and regulatory requirements. The stronger euro has compounded that increase by raising the cost of imported vehicles and parts.
“The very strong euro compared to the dollar and other currencies is really hitting us badly, especially in markets like India where, due to the big competition, the margins are quite critical,” Döllner said.
Audi does not plan to counter the cost increase by offering stripped-down variants. Its sales data over the past five years shows that Indian luxury-car buyers favour better-equipped versions. The top variant accounts for around 55 percent of sales, the middle version for 35 percent and the entry variant for just 10 percent.
The new Q3 and A5 will therefore be positioned competitively, but pricing alone will not be Audi’s play. The company believes buyers will pay for the latest technology and features if the product delivers enough value.
India-EU FTA opens the door for niche imports
The RS5 is under consideration for India to be brought as a brand shaper.
The India-EU free trade agreement, expected within nine to twelve months, adds a second lever. Lower duties open the door to niche imports, what Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon calls “brand shapers” and “the cherry on the cake.” This could lift CBUs from 5 percent of the mix to perhaps 10. The RS5 is under consideration, though as a plug-in hybrid it sits in a regulatory grey zone: nobody yet knows whether PHEVs will qualify for concessional duties. Pure-ICE bruisers like the RS Q8 face no such ambiguity.
The India-EU FTA could allow Audi to introduce more niche and high-performance models. Imports, however, will remain a small part of the business, with locally assembled models continuing to drive volumes.
Even with a wider locally assembled range, Döllner expects profitability to remain challenging. “Even with the local content, the margin situation in India is not fun,” he said.
Bengaluru-based electric mobility startup E3 Electric.AI has launched its first electric scooter, the Trion, at an introductory price of Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). The new electric scooter is available in three variants – C1, C1x and C2 – and the company is positioning AI-based predictive features and a modular platform as its key differentiators.
Trion range starts at Rs 1 lakh
Available with 2.3kWh and 3kWh LFP batteries
Top-spec C2 has an 82kph claimed top speed
E3 Trion battery, range and performance
The C1x has a claimed IDC range of 165km
The entry-level Trion C1 uses a removable 2.3kWh LFP battery, while the C1x and C2 get larger, fixed 3kWh LFP units. All three variants use a PMSM hub motor, although E3 has yet to disclose detailed motor output figures.
E3 claims an IDC range of 165km for the C1x. The range figure for the C1 hasn’t been revealed yet. Meanwhile, the range-topping C2 has a claimed top speed of 82kph and can accelerate from 0-40kph in 6 seconds. The C1 and C1x have Eco and Power riding modes, while the C2 adds a Sport mode.
The Trion rides on 14-inch wheels, which are larger than those on most electric scooters currently on sale in India. E3 also says the scooter offers up to 52 litres of combined storage across its underseat compartment, floorboard and glovebox. However, just the underseat storage hasn’t been disclosed.
E3 Trion features
Its connected suite includes predictive diagnostics, navigation and remote vehicle functions
E3 describes the Trion as India’s first AI-powered intelligent electric scooter. Central to this is what the company calls the E3 CommandCenter, which uses vehicle and cloud data to monitor the scooter and provide predictive diagnostics and service alerts.
The scooter gets a 5-inch LCD display and connected functionality through the company’s TripSense system, which essentially uses the Rider’s smartphone as a secondary display to provide additional information. Features include navigation, a trip planner with charger locations, remote battery monitoring, vehicle controls, geofencing, SOS assistance and a dashcam. E3 also claims that its AI HealthScan feature can perform vehicle diagnostics in 10 seconds.
The battery system incorporates what E3 calls an AI Digital Twin, which is claimed to provide real-time diagnostics and predictive information about the battery. Both battery options use LFP chemistry.
Other equipment includes dual-projector LED headlights, LED tail-lights and IP67-rated weather protection. The Trion is based on E3’s Triaxisframe modular architecture, which has been designed to accommodate different battery configurations and future derivatives.
E3 Trion price, variants and availability
Pre-bookings have opened in Bengaluru, with more markets to follow
The Trion is available in six colours: Solar Red, Misty Green, Graphite Grey, Nova Blue, Teal Blue and Luna White. Accessories include a backrest, helmet, phone holder and pillion footrest.
The E3 Trion C1 has been introduced at Rs 99,999, while the C1x costs Rs 1.10 lakh and the range-topping C2 is priced at Rs 1.20 lakh. All prices are introductory and ex-showroom, Bengaluru.
Pre-bookings have opened in Bengaluru, and E3 says other markets will follow. The company is also offering an extended warranty of up to eight years or 1 lakh kilometres.
