APRIL 20268TOP STORIESand improved consumer confidence, all of which have made vehicle purchases more affordable.Across the board, all major segments performed well, including passenger vehicle sales India, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers. Passenger vehicle sales, in particular, saw a sharp rise, while auto exports India growth also increased, showing strong global demand for vehicles made in India. The overall performance signals a steady recovery for the industry after the slowdown experienced during the pandemic years.Policy support has played a key role in this growth. Measures such as revised income tax slabs and easing of interest rates have boosted consumer demand in auto industry and made financing easier. As a result, more people are now willing to invest in vehicles, even amid global uncertainties. India's smart meter market is heating up as the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund explores the sale of IntelliSmart Infrastructure, drawing strong interest from global funds and domestic energy players.The company, co-owned with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, has received around 10 bids, with 4­5 bidders likely to be shortlisted for due diligence soon.The deal is expected to value IntelliSmart at around $400 million (3,700 crore). Global investors, including KKR, Macquarie, Partners Group, and Actis have submitted bids. Domestic contenders include Adani Energy Solutions, GMR Group, and Apraava Energy. The process is being managed by Deloitte.Founded in 2019, IntelliSmart has secured orders for 22 million smart meters, with installations underway in states like Assam and Uttar Pradesh. German engineering major Bosch is exploring plans to launch its own branded air-conditioners in India, while continuing to sell products under the Hitachi label. This signals a possible dual-brand strategy in one of the fastest-growing cooling markets in the world.Company officials have indicated that introducing Bosch-branded ACs is under consideration, though no clear timeline has been set yet. If the plan moves forward, it would mark Bosch's entry into the air-conditioner segment in Asia under its own name, expanding beyond its current presence in Europe and select global markets.At present, Bosch Home Comfort India markets air-conditioners only under the Hitachi brand. The company has clarified that Hitachi will continue to operate in India through a long-term licensing agreement, even if Bosch introduces its own brand in the future. This approach would allow the company to cater to different segments of customers without disrupting its existing business. India's transition toward cleaner mobility is set to take another step forward as TVS Motor Company prepares to introduce ethanol-powered vehicles in a phased manner. The company's Chairman and Managing Director, Sudarshan Venu, confirmed that these models are already production-ready.This move aligns with the government's broader push to reduce fuel imports and promote sustainable mobility. India has already achieved its E20 fuel target--blending 20% ethanol with petrol--earlier than expected, highlighting strong progress in alternative fuel adoption. Ethanol is now emerging as a practical solution for reducing emissions without requiring major changes in existing vehicle infrastructure.Venu highlighted that ethanol will work alongside electric vehicles (EVs) rather than replace them. While EVs continue to grow, they still face challenges such as charging infrastructure and higher costs. Ethanol-powered vehicles, on the other hand, can be integrated more easily, especially in the two-wheeler segment and three-wheeler market that dominate India's roads. Russian crude oil imports to India jumped sharply in March 2026, reflecting a strong rebound in buying as global energy markets stayed volatile.The surge comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, shifting trade routes, and price pressure in international crude markets.According to industry data, Russian crude oil imports to India climbed to $6.2 billion in March, more than three times February's $1.65 billion.India's automobile industry is seeing strong momentum, with auto sales in India reaching a record high in FY26. This growth has been largely driven by tax cuts impacting the auto sector, lower interest rates, GLOBAL FUNDS & ADANI EYE NIIF SMART METER UNIT SALEBOSCH EYES INDIA AC ENTRY WITH DUAL-BRAND STRATEGY INTACTINDIA AUTO SALES HIT RECORD HIGH; LUXURY SEGMENT SET TO DOUBLETVS TO ROLL OUT ETHANOL-POWERED MODELS IN PHASED MANNERRUSSIAN CRUDE OIL IMPORTS TO INDIA HIT USD 6B AMID GLOBAL OIL SHIFT
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