Uber scraps commissions for auto drivers, shifts to subscription model like Ola, Rapido

Uber has recently introduced a subscription-based model for auto rickshaw drivers in India, replacing its previous commission-based structure. The company announced this transition in a blog post, stating that under the new system, drivers will pay a fixed subscription fee instead of a per-trip commission. According to the ride-hailing company, this move follows a broader … Read more

BYD puts self-driving tech in $10,000 EVs, taking on Tesla in China’s fierce price war

BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs), is making advanced driving assistance systems widely accessible by incorporating its “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system into nearly all its models, including entry-level cars priced below $10,000. BYD, earlier in a live-streamed event, announced that 21 of its models, including the budget-friendly Seagull hatchback, which starts … Read more

Volkswagen seeks quashing of $1.4 billion Customs show cause notice, calls it ‘matter of life and death’

German auto giant Volkswagen approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash a $1.4 billion show cause notice issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs in Maharashtra, which alleges willful tax evasion. The company has warned that if a penalty is levied, its total tax burden could soar to $2.8 billion, a move … Read more

Samvardhana Motherson CFO expects minimal impact from potential US tariffs

Kunal Malani, CFO of Samvardhana Motherson International said the impact of tariffs will be minimal due to pass-through elements in customer-nominated parts and commodities. About 18% of Motherson’s revenue comes from the US and 4% from Mexico. Malani talked about the company’s global local strategy, which means they manufacture products in the same regions where … Read more

Overdrive: First ride review of the Land Rover Defender Octa and Skoda Kylaq

The British automaker has unveiled a remarkable version of the Land Rover Defender—the Defender Octa. The name “Octa” signifies a diamond, making this SUV a true gem. Equipped with a powerful 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 635 PS and 750 Nm of torque, the Defender Octa brings several refinements, including a revised steering ratio and … Read more

Auto updates this week: Volvo EX30 goes off-road, BYD Sealion 7 launch date confirmed

With several new launches and surprising updates, the week has witnessed exciting developments in the automotive industry. Highlights of the week were the Volvo EX30 Cross Country, BYD Sealion 7, Honda NX200 and Simple ONE Gen 1.5 Electric Scooter, among others. Volvo EX30 Cross Country Volvo introduced the latest version of its compact electric SUV, … Read more