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GST 2.0 Could Be Fiscal Reset for Auto Industry
INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar 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%.
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50% Tariff Turns European Machinery into Gold
Emiliano Marzoli In recent weeks, the US has expanded its 50% tariff on steel and aluminum to over 400 derivative products, creating a new, complex trade landscape with the EU. This goes beyond raw materials and now includes a wide array of manufactured goods. The EU has a new deal with the US, which introduces a 15% tariff ceiling on a large portion of European exports, including strategic sectors like vehicles. However, the 50% metal tariffs override this, a development that has caused alarm in Europe’s industrial sectors. The deal is a “first step,” with both sides still working out details, but the high metal tariffs remain a source of significant uncertainty and a point of contention.
Sources: Read This Article Read This Article
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Another Major Automaker Is Abandoning Big EV Plans
Guy Youngs Yet another big name in automaker is pulling back on its EV plans, blaming slower than expected demand for electric vehicles. Volkswagen’s luxury sports car brand, Porsche, has announced that it no longer plans to build EV batteries in-house.
Cellforce, Porsche’s high-performance EV battery company, will shrink and only focus on research and development, rather than production. In a statement, Porsche blamed “the slower ramp-up” of EVs and “challenging market conditions” in its biggest markets, the US and China, for the changes.
Porsche plans to continue offering internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and all-electric options across every segment “well into the 2030s.”
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Brazil Vehicle Exports Hit Highest Level in Seven Years
Fabio Ferraresi By the month of August 2025, Brazil’s automotive exports reached 57,100 vehicles, marking the highest monthly level since June 2018. This figure represents a 19.3% increase over July and a 49.3% increase compared to August 2024. Argentina played a pivotal role, accounting for 59% of the country’s annual exports.
From January to August, total exports summed 313,300 units, up 12.1% compared to the same period in 2024. Production stood at 247,000 vehicles in August, nearly flat from July (+3%) but down 4.8% year-on-year. Overall production in the year reached 1.743 million units, an increase of 6% over 2024. Domestic market performance remained largely stable, with 225,400 vehicle registrations in August, though the average daily sales were slightly below 2024 levels at 10.7 thousand per day, raising caution for the final quarter
Source: Automotive Business
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Sharing of EV Battery Data Supported by METI
Akihiro Komuro 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.
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New GST Is Game Changer for Autos, Tractors
Aditya Kondejkar 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
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Dongfeng Plans To Sell 50% Stake in Honda Engine
Jack Hao Dongfeng Motor Group reportedly plans to sell its 50% stake in Dongfeng Honda Engine Co., Ltd. Joint venture with Honda Motor Co., according to an Aug. 18post on the official website of Guangdong United Property and Equity Exchange. The project is in the pre-listing phase, with no reserve price set, and the deadline is Sept. 12.
According to the audited figures in the listing documents, Dongfeng Honda Engine was valued at RMB 5.4 billion (approximately USD 752 million) in 2024. The company posted a net loss of RMB 227.8 million for the same period, carries liabilities of RMB 3.3 billion.
According to the official website of Dongfeng Honda Engine Co., Ltd., the company was established in 1998. Its shareholders are Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd., holding 50%, 40%, and 10% of the shares respectively.
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