MAY, 20269Save Fuel became a national talking point this week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce fuel use. Just four days later, oil companies increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre across India. The sudden move has triggered political reactions, online debates, and public concern over rising daily expenses.The fuel price hike came into effect on May 15. Petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel costs Rs 90.67. This is the first major increase in nearly four years.Experts say the decision was linked to rising global crude oil prices and tensions in West Asia. Oil supply concerns around the Strait of Hormuz have pushed international energy prices sharply higher. Toyota's Maharashtra plant by 2029 marks a major expansion for the Japanese automaker in India, as the company plans to set up a new vehicle manufacturing plant in the state. The move aims to meet rising demand and strengthen Toyota's long-term presence in one of the world's fastest-growing automobile markets. The new plant, expected to begin operations in 2029, highlights Toyota's growing confidence in India while giving a boost to the Indian automotive sector.The upcoming facility will come up in the Bidkin Industrial Area in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, formerly Aurangabad, and will become Toyota's third manufacturing plant in India. According to company plans, the factory is expected to start production in the first half of 2029 with an annual production capacity of around 100,000 vehicles annually. Maruti Suzuki green logistics push is gathering momentum as the country's largest carmaker has earmarked Rs 1,372 crore investment to strengthen sustainable transport operations. The company has also crossed the milestone of 30 lakh vehicle dispatches via rail, reinforcing its focus on sustainable mobility.The company's growing focus on rail-based vehicle dispatches reflects its long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions, cut fuel consumption, and ease pressure on road networks as vehicle demand continues to rise. Maruti Suzuki said it aims to increase the share of rail logistics in India to 35 percent of its total outbound logistics by FY2030-31, compared to 26.5 percent at present. The move is part of the automaker's larger sustainability plan, which focuses on reducing its environmental footprint while improving efficiency in vehicle transportation. As global economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and slowing industrial demand continue to pressure businesses, industry leaders are increasingly turning toward AI-led manufacturing as a key strategy for resilience and long-term growth. Experts believe artificial intelligence, automation, and quality-driven production systems could help manufacturers remain competitive despite mounting global headwinds.Speaking at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (PHDCCI) conference, experts emphasized that the country's next phase of industrial expansion must focus on quality, efficiency, and technological integration rather than mere capacity building. The call comes amid fresh challenges for Indian manufacturers, including global supply chain disruptions, weakening investor sentiment, and rising input costs. as India's next major deep-tech contender in the fast-growing AI semiconductor market.The proposed funding round could value Agrani Labs between USD 400 million and USD 500 million, according to reports. The startup is reportedly in talks with major investors including Qualcomm, Battery Ventures, and existing backer Peak XV Partners. Agrani Labs aims to build high-performance AI inference chips compatible with Nvidia's CUDA ecosystem, a move that could help developers adopt its technology without changing existing workflows. SAVE FUEL FIRST, PAY MORE LATER? PRICES RISE BY RS 3TOYOTA BETS BIG ON INDIA WITH MAHARASHTRA PLANT BY 2029MARUTI SUZUKI EXPANDS GREEN LOGISTICS WITH RS 1,372 CRORE PUSHINDIA ACCELERATES AI-DRIVEN MANUFACTURING PUSH DESPITE GLOBAL HEADWIND
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