Explore every episode of the podcast Deep Drive | Autocar India

There’s a slew of hybrid cars and SUVs beings readied for launch in India. While battery electrics remain the end goal, why are carmakers rethinking their powertrain strategies to include hybrids and which are the models in the pipeline? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss  on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Prime. 

India-made car exports are on course to surpass the one-million mark this year. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar discuss what's driving automotive exports from India and why they're a matter of survival for many manufacturers. 

Car buyers will be left spoilt for choice this festive season with a slew of important new models all set for launch. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss what's coming and why you should be interested. 

Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota combined have well over 90 percent share of India's car market, leaving the remaining players with a minuscule share to fight for. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime,  Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss how the top 6 players have big plans to go from strength to strength and the tough fight ahead for the other carmakers.  

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

A whole host of Chinese cars are headed to India and all of them will be premium products. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss China's upmarket push on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.  

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

Ather is entering a new phase of growth, with its new scooter, the Konarc, new EL platform, a new manufacturing plant and a growing product portfolio aimed at taking the brand into the mainstream. Rishaad Mody - Bikes Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss Ather’s strategy, the significance of its new platform and plant, and what this means for its ambitions in India on this edition of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

 2025's GST reduction on sub-4m cars has spurred demand for hatchbacks, compact sedans and compact SUVs. What does the renewed interest in small cars mean and can sales sustain? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

The JSW Group is in talks with Skoda-Volkswagen for a potential JV in India. What's in it for both parties? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

Lifestyle pickups might make up a minuscule share of car sales in India but over the past month we've seen the debut of two models - Toyota's Hilux and Mahindra's Scorpio Lifestyler - that have put the spotlight on the segment. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the new models and why pickups could see increased interest.   

Kia has had a strong run in 2026 on the back of the gen 2 Seltos' success. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss how the Korean carmaker is preparing for the next phase of growth in India.  

After years on the sidelines, Audi India is finally in attack mode with their most ambitious product offensive in over a decade, with six all-new locally assembled models planned over the next 18 months. Homazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India, talk on the comeback of the four rings on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.  

At a big bang event in New Delhi last week, Honda revealed 10 new premium models that are slated to launch before March 2027. Rishaad Mody - Bikes Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the bikes and scooters in question and the significance of the announcement on this edition of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.  

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

JSW MG Motor India has unveiled its new ADAPT platform which can support BEVs and hybrids. Among the first products to come will be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV. Later this year, BYD will be launch the Seal U PHEV in India. What's driving the interest in PHEVs and are plug-in hybrids an ideal solution for India? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.   

 

The Delhi EV Policy 2026 has come into effect with a view to dramatically increase EV adoption. However, one of its contentious provisions is that only new electric two-wheelers (e2Ws) will be eligible for registration in Delhi from April 1, 2028. Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Rishaad Mody - Editor (Bikes), Autocar India - discuss the development and what it means for the buyers and the industry. 

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

We've just completed a mega 19,000km drive from Pune to Prague in a Skoda Kylaq. It's a time as good as any to talk about the joys (and challenges) of inter-country and inter-continental drives. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Rahul Kakar - Manager, Special Projects, Autocar India - discuss all that goes in to making such drives possible, and how you can do it too.  

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

 4x4s make up just a minuscule portion of overall sales in India but have an outsized impact on product appeal. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime,  Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss how 4x4 go beyond adding capability and help share brand identities.

 

On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss China's influence on the cars we buy and how Chinese trends resonate with Indian buyers.  

E85 fuel has just been introduced in India. We've tested a Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 FFV on E20 and E85 and the findings are quite revealing. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Rishaad Mody - Editor - Bikes, Autocar India - discuss the test, if there's an economic case for E85 and the concern over higher ethanol base blends.  

Conducted in association with Spinny, the fourth edition of Autocar India's Used Car Study analyses real-world resale values across a broad spectrum of vehicles. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime,  Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Saumil Shah - Editor, Vehicle Evaluation, Autocar India - break down the numbers, discuss the findings and tell you the factors that have a bearing on how well your car holds its value. 

The Indian scooter market is undergoing a major transformation. Once dominated by practical 110cc family scooters, buyers are increasingly shifting towards more powerful, feature-rich and premium 125cc scooters. In fact, the 125cc segment is now on the verge of overtaking the 110cc category in sales. Rishaad Mody and Ketan Thakkar discuss the changing dynamics of the scooter market.

At its 2026 Investor Day, Stellantis announced plans to leverage global partnerships for its next-gen models. An announcement of particular interest was of a future Jeep to be built on a Tata Motors platform. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the development and what it means for Jeep and Tata. 

The Indian government is accelerating the shift to higher ethanol fuel blends like E25 and E85 to cut oil imports, lower emissions and support energy security. But what does this transition mean for motorists, engines, fuel efficiency and running costs? Hormazd  Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the real-world impact of the ethanol push on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

With over 280 car models on sale in India today you'd think every kind of customer need is catered to. However, there are a fair few high volume yet underserved segments with just 1-2 options. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the models and manufacturers that rule these segments, and if others can tap into the opportunities.

 Electric vehicle sales haven’t matched early projections, leaving carmakers with billions invested in dedicated EV platforms. Now, a new solution is emerging - converting born-electric architectures to support hybrid powertrains, giving manufacturers far greater flexibility in a changing market. Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the development and strategies carmakers are adopting for India. 

Nissan has been struggling in India for years but a revival plan is now in place. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss what lies ahead for the Japanese carmaker.

The choice of fuel type has greatly changed over the past decade. On this epsiode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the decline of petrol, the future of diesel, the rise of CNG and EVs, and also what's shaping the change. 

India's two-wheeler sales touched a record high of 21 million units in FY26. Rishaad Mody - Editor, Bikes,  Autocar India - and Ravi Bhatia - President and CEO, JATO Dynamic India - break down the numbers on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

India's passenger vehicle sales touched a record high of 4.7 million units in FY26. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ravi Bhatia - President and CEO, JATO Dynamic India - break down the numbers on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

Toyota has quietly worked its way up the sales charts over the past few years, helped largely by Maruti Suzuki-sourced models. However, there's a lot more in the pipeline from Toyota. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the products and strategy that will drive Toyota's future growth in India.  

What makes a strong brand? And is today's buyer swayed by a brand to begin with? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor - Autocar India - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

 The Tata Nexon has sold over a million units powered by a record 200,000 unit sales in FY26. What keeps the Nexon ticking even in the face of fresh competition and what's next for the compact SUV? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor - Autocar Professional - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

 

Battery electric vehicles might be growing in popularity but there's also a long road ahead for ICE vehicles. How are carmakers preparing for this multi-fuel future? Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.

 The JSW Group has a huge presence across steel, energy, cement and infrastructure sectors and has made an ambitious foray into the automotive space. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editoer, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss JSW's gameplan on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.  

 

 Maruti Suzuki has finally entered the EV race with the e Vitara. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the product and what it means for Maruti Suzuki and the EV segment on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast. 

 Indian manufacturers are enjoying a stellar run, with record sales, robust launch pipelines and more ambitious plans than ever before. In this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor of Autocar India, and Ketan Thakkar, Editor of Autocar Professional, discuss what’s driving this rise and what it means for the future of India’s auto industry. 

 This episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime is all about your questions. Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Rishaad Mody - Editor, Bikes at Autocar India - answer some frequently asked questions.

 

The India-EU FTA has opened up a whole new and exciting conversation for European cars in India. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional talk on its advantages, myths and what to expect. 

 The new Renault Duster made its high voltage debut in India on January 26, 2026. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the Duster and what it means for Renault on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

TVS Motor Company has grown to become the world's third largest two-wheeler manufacturer. What's driving the growth and what's next? Rishaad Mody - Editor - Bikes, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for car buyers and enthusiasts. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the most important cars set for launch in 2026 and what they mean for their respective manufacturers. 

We've completed 25 years of the new century so it's a time as good as any to look back and reflect on  how the Indian car market has evolved in the period. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - go from past to present in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.  

Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

Two-wheeler sales crossed the 20 million milestone in 2025. Rishaad Mody - Editor - Bikes, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - break down the numbers, discuss the stories behind the numbers and also discuss the road ahead in 2025. Welcome to episode 93 of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

 As 2025 comes to an end, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - give a wrap up of the automotive year gone by. Welcome to Episode 92 of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

 

 There's been a spurt of activity in the mid-size SUV segment with the arrival of the new Tata Sierra, second-gen Kia Seltos and Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, and there are even more models coming soon. What's driving the craze for mid-size SUVs and which carmakers readying their own challengers in the segment? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss on the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.  

 Tata Motors second attempt to take down Creta’s dominance comes with the return of an iconic nameplate. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the importance of the Sierra’s success and what impact will it have on Tata Motors. 

With 2026 just a few days away, there is also a wave of new cars set to launch in India. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss what’s in the pipeline for manufacturers, the rumors with regards to new cars and when can you expect them. 

 

On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss good cars that aren't selling to their potential. 

News of collaborations, shared development, technical tie-ups and strategic investments between carmakers have become increasingly frequent over the past few years. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss what's driving carmakers to get into or at least consider alliances and partnerships with other manufacturers.  

 

 Honda revealed big plans for India at the recently concluded 2025 Japan Mobility Show. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss where Honda’s at currently and break down why the announcement is a big deal.

 

Electric vehicles might have come into the limelight for zero tailpipe emissions but a deeper look will tell you their wider impact on the entire automotive ecosystem. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the other facets of EVs.