Luxury car buyers in India might have a reason to celebrate. India and the United Kingdom have officially signed a Free Trade Agreement that promises to bring down import duties on premium British cars - but only to a certain extent. This means that only select models and only in limited numbers, will qualify for the lower import tax. Here's why. India-UK FTA: Key details As part of the FTA, India will slash tariffs on automotive imports from the UK from the existing 100–110 per cent

India is set to take a major step forward in two-wheeler safety. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently proposed a change to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. This proposal will require manufacturers to provide two BIS-certified helmets - one for the rider and one for the pillion - with every new two-wheeler sold in the country starting January 2026. The objective is to promote safer riding habits and reduce road fatalities, especially among pillion riders who often do not wear helmets. Dealerships will also need to deliver both helmets at the time of vehicle handover. For an industry that has long struggled with poor safety awareness and widespread use of fake helmets, this new regulation could bring about much-needed change. According to Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird, this rule could lead to a significant increase in helmet demand. Kapur mentioned that if every new two-wheeler comes with two helmets, the annual requirement could exceed 4 crore helmets. However, a challenge lies ahead as India's actual production capacity for genuine ISI-certified helmets is only around 3 crore units per year, leaving a substantial gap. The proposed rule aligns with the government's broader efforts to reduce road fatalities, with over 1.5 lakh deaths reported annually in India due to road accidents, a significant portion of which involve two-wheeler riders. Steelbird, one of India's largest helmet manufacturers, is already heavily investing in automation and plant expansion. The company plans to introduce 75 new helmet models over the next five years, catering to various segments from budget to premium. Despite these positive steps, the issue of fake helmets remains a concern. Approximately half of the helmets used on Indian roads are counterfeit, lacking safety standards and providing inadequate protection. Kapur emphasized the importance of strong enforcement to ensure that only genuine ISI-marked products are sold and that any law mandating two helmets per vehicle must have robust checks in place. Kapur believes that effective enforcement of this law will not only save more lives but also help eliminate counterfeit helmet suppliers from the market. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.

Source: YouTube In an extraordinary display of engineering creativity, a 26-year-old man from Kerala has built a full-sized Lamborghini replica not in a factory, but in his garage. Using scrap materials, old car parts, and sheer passion, Bibin, a quality assurance professional, spent three years crafting a stunning homemade supercar that mimics the Lamborghini Huracan. The custom-built vehicle, powered by a Maruti Alto engine, has gone viral after being featured on YouTube. With minimal resource

TN CM M K Stalin signs first VF7 SUV at VinFast’s India plant inauguration in Thoothukudi. Vietnamese electric vehicle maker, VinFast, has officially marked its entry into India by setting up its first manufacturing facility in the country. The facility is located in Tamil Nadu and spans 400 acres. This is VinFast's third operational plant globally and the first one outside Vietnam. The Tamil Nadu plant will initially focus on assembling the VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs, with a

Mahindra is once again generating excitement as it gears up for its annual product showcase on August 15. The company has been releasing a series of teasers, with the latest one featuring the Vision SXT concept. The new teaser provides a closer look at the rear end of the vehicle, showcasing unique elements like vertical tail lamps and two spare tires mounted in the bed. All indications suggest that this is a rugged pickup concept likely based on the Scorpio-N platform, similar to the Global Pik

A recent report has brought to light significant concerns regarding the responsible maintenance of vehicles in India. Despite a surge in vehicle ownership, a large number of motorists are neglecting fundamental legal obligations such as insurance and pollution checks. Despite the implementation of stricter regulations and increased awareness about road safety, millions of vehicles in the country continue to operate without valid insurance or a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). These re

The article is authored by Hitesh Garg, VP and India MD, NXP Semiconductors. India is at a crucial point in its journey toward autonomous mobility with a vision of obtaining full autonomy, which is still on the horizon, but the groundwork is being laid with ADAS becoming more prevalent in mid-range and premium vehicles. A recent report by McKinsey & Company estimates that by 2030, up to 20–30% of new cars sold in India could come with at least Level 2 autonomy, including features like

Triumph's Thruxton 400 spied without camouflage. (Image: IG/Sohib_solomon) Triumph's upcoming cafe racer, the Thruxton 400, has been spotted in a production-ready avatar in Pune, giving us the clearest look yet at the brand's next addition to its 400cc lineup. The bike was reportedly being filmed for a TV commercial. The Thruxton 400 was first seen under heavy camouflage back in December 2024, but this new sighting confirms that the bike is almost ready for launch. Triumph is expec