2025-12-08
South Korea’s Ministry of Environment is continuing the “Electric Motorcycle Subsidy Program and Battery Swap Charging Facility Support Program,” which was launched in spring 2025. Its effects appear to be gradually emerging in the market.
The EU-US trade agreement is facing intense criticism from European policymakers and industry leaders who deem it unbalanced, unfair, and a “significant policy mistake.” The persistence of high US tariffs and mounting non-tariff barriers are severely hurting Europe’s export-oriented industrial sector. Experts warn the deal has cornered the EU, increasing its dependency on critical raw materials and semiconductors.
Specifically, US Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium derivatives are crippling the machinery sector with complex compliance rules. Failure to comply can trigger punitive tariffs up to 200%, prompting some firms to halt US exports entirely and leading to a sharp drop in sales (e.g., German machinery exports have fallen 18.5%). EU lawmakers are now pushing for amendments, including sunset clauses and safeguards, amid concerns that the current framework is unsustainable.
Source: Euractiv Read The Article
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with the 2027 timeline for its heavy-duty NOx rule—currently set to take effect with the 2027 model year—but says changes are in store.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA), National Tank Truck Carriers, Truckload Carriers Association, and 49 state trucking associations in August penned a letter to EPA, asking the regulator to push implementation to 2031, citing “substantial compliance costs and operational burdens at a time when the trucking industry is already contending with historically difficult market conditions.”
Administrator Lee Zeldin in March announced that the EPA was reevaluating the Biden-era 2022 Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle rule that regulates oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other emissions beginning with Model Year 2027.
2025-10-19
INDIA REPORT
The Indian automobile industry has received a significant policy boost with the rollout of GST 2.0, a major change in indirect taxes aimed at restoring affordability and stimulating consumption. The reform, which reduces GST rates on vehicles and components, arrives at a crucial juncture when entry-segment sales, rural demand, and OEM margins have been under pressure.
Scale of reduction and market impact. GST 2.0 lowers the rate on small cars and two-wheelers from 28% to 18%, while standardizing the rate on most auto components at 18% instead of the earlier 18%–28% range. Larger SUVs and luxury models now fall under a simplified 40% composite slab, down from nearly 50% earlier. These changes translate into tangible price cuts—ranging from $750 USD (₹65,000) for hatchbacks to over $3,400.00 USD (₹3 lakh) for premium models—resulting in an estimated 10-percentage-point drop in overall tax burden for the sector. Analysts see this as a long-awaited correction that could lift FY26 passenger-vehicle demand by 8–10%.
European carmakers sold 38% more electric cars in the first seven months of this year, ensuring that all but Mercedes-Benz are on track to comply with the EU’s 2025–27 emission targets, new T&E research finds
The report suggests that the two-year extension of the targets allowed carmakers to take the foot off the gas and will lead to 2 million fewer electric cars being sold between 2025 and 2027
2025-09-13
How things have changed. Less than a year ago the industry was gearing up for a huge 2026 class 8 truck pre-buy ahead of the phase 3 GHG emission regulations that would add significant cost to the price of a truck. Road freight was expected to rebound after the post covid freight recession, and the heavy truck replacement cycle was expected to begin. OEMs filled dealer lots in anticipation of strong demand starting in early to mid-2025 and lasting through all of 2026.
As a result of very strong freight shipments and supply chain disruptions during the Covid era, fleets were purchasing as many trucks as possible which resulted in very high truck sales from 2022 – 2024. This resulted in truck overcapacity within the market.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry says it will support the development of an industry-wide system for sharing information on the degradation status of EV batteries. Toyota and Honda will provide battery-related data to used car dealers, insurance companies and others. The aim is to prevent the export of used EVs overseas and enable the domestic utilization of batteries containing critical minerals.
Currently, battery degradation is difficult to assess, resulting in low trade-in prices for used EVs in the domestic market. The fact that approximately 80% were exported overseas was a cause for concern.
The September 2025 GST Council meeting introduced sweeping tax revisions that significantly lower GST rates across multiple vehicle and farm equipment categories. Tractors and their components now attract a 5% rate (from 12% for standard tractors, and from 18% for parts), while small cars, two-wheelers (up to 350cc), three-wheelers, buses, and certain commercial vehicles are enjoying reduced GST from 28% to 18%.
These changes are expected to improve affordability, stimulate demand (especially in rural and semi-urban areas), boost manufacturing and ancillary industries, and lead to job growth across the value chain.
Source: The Times of India. Read The Link
2025-08-26
India is preparing for one of its biggest tax reforms in recent years, targeting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. If approved, the proposal will slash GST on small cars and two-wheelers from 28% to 18% and reduce GST on insurance premiums to between 5% and zero. The change, expected around Diwali, has the potential to reshape production planning and sales strategies for automobile manufacturers.
Source: Reuters. Read The Article
Impact on Small Cars and Two-Wheelers. Small cars and two-wheelers have traditionally been the backbone of India’s automobile industry, serving middle-class buyers who are highly price sensitive. However, in recent years, growth in these categories has slowed as buyers shifted toward SUVs, which now account for nearly half of passenger vehicle sales. By lowering taxes, the government aims to make small cars and two-wheelers more affordable, correcting the imbalance in demand and giving OEMs in these categories a much-needed boost.
2025-08-16
Vietnam, a country known for its large number of motorcycles, is experiencing controversy over its electric vehicle policy. The policy bans gasoline-powered motorcycles in certain areas of Hanoi, the capital, and has caused a stir. Honda, which holds an 80% share of the local motorcycle market, must rethink its strategy because most of its models run on gasoline. This sudden policy change could also disrupt daily life for residents.
In July, the Vietnamese government outlined bold measures to regulate gasoline-powered motorcycles in “Prime Ministerial Directive No. 20.” Starting in July 2026, operating gasoline-powered motorcycles within the Inner Ring Road in Hanoi will be banned. The Inner Ring Road spans over seven kilometers and includes the city center, home to government offices, the Japanese embassy, and the historic Old Quarter, a popular tourist destination.
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