Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

August 25, 2026

This issue features July U.S. vehicle production statistics showing a 6.1% increase, an exclusive interview with KPIT Technologies on the transition from SDVs to AI-driven vehicles, detailed supply chain and production insights for the Mahindra Thar in India, and an extensive overview of in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems.

Updated daily with the latest information for the automotive industry. Coverage (Japanese/English/Chinese) of information directly related to business, including complete vehicles, EVs, automated driving, sales figures, and industry reports.

Table of contents

▶ Statistics

▶ KPIT Exclusive Interview

▶ Supply chain: Mahindra Thar (India)

▶ IVI System Supply Chain

▶ New Info on Regulations

▶ News

Statistics

U.S. July production up 6.1%

Production increase is driven by increased output of SUVs and pickup trucks. Gains are led by GM (Silverado), Honda (CR-V), and Nissan (Rogue), with Stellantis also recording an increase; the higher output from GM and Honda boosted the overall total. In contrast, Tesla and BMW significantly cut production, while Toyota’s output fell below the previous year's level.

Ford Group 160,701 → 166,231（+3.4%）
GM Group 120,932 → 143,165（+18.4%）
- Silverado 22,365 → 33,513（+49.8%）
Toyota Group 95,144 → 91,350（-4.0%）
Honda 67,336 → 88,911（+32.0%）
- CR-V 18,730 → 26,402（+41.0%）
Stellantis 63,760 → 70,138（+10.0%）
Hyundai Kia Automotive Group 59,609 → 60,407（+1.3%）
Nissan 38,541 → 43,711（+13.4%）
- Rogue 11,252 → 15,236（+35.4%）
Tesla 49,405 → 37,309（-24.5%）
BMW Group 38,565 → 29,779（-22.8%）
Subaru 23,035 → 24,432（+6.1%）

GlobalData Global Light Vehicle Sales Update (July 2026)
India reaches record selling rate as China domestic sales stall, but decline eases.
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KPIT Exclusive Interview

KPIT Eyes Growth as the Automotive Industry Shifts from SDVs to AI-Driven Vehicles

What comes after the software-defined vehicle? MarkLines spoke with executives from KPIT Technologies, an India-based automotive software company, about the shift toward AI-driven vehicles and how KPIT is helping OEMs shorten development cycles. The interview also explores India’s distinctive path to SDV adoption, growth opportunities across regions, vehicle segments and technology domains, and KPIT’s expansion into areas including micromobility.

More exclusive interviews
Going beyond press releases and publicly available information, we explore on-the-ground perspectives, the background behind business initiatives, and future strategic directions.

KPIT Technologies Ltd. Detailed Report

Supply chain: Mahindra Thar (India)

Supply chain: Mahindra Thar (India)

The Mahindra & Mahindra Thar, launched in India in October 2020 as its second generation, is Mahindra's flagship 2-door, 4-seat, full-fledged off-road SUV. Including the 5-door variant, the "Thar ROXX," the model sold an average of approximately 11,000 units per month in India from January through June 2026. Production takes place at Mahindra's Satpur plant in Nashik, Maharashtra. The vehicle utilizes a diverse range of global suppliers for key components, including Aisin for transmissions, Bosch for brakes, Lumax for lamps, and MSKH Seating (a joint venture between Magna Seating and Krishna) for seats.

Launch Schedules for the Mahindra & Mahindra Thar
The second-generation Mahindra & Mahindra Thar was launched in 2020 with gasoline and diesel powertrains, followed by the addition of the five-door Thar ROXX in 2024. It was refreshed in 2025, while a BEV variant is expected to be added in 2026 as Mahindra expands its electric SUV lineup.
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Production plant for Mahindra & Mahindra Thar:
Mahindra Automotive, Nashik (Satpur) Plant (India)
Mahindra related plant news

Customized Aggregation of SUV Production Volumes in India (2020–2025)

IVI System Supply Chain

Search by Model / Supplier/ Component category
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Car navigation Suppliers List
Car audio Suppliers List
Display unit Supplier List
Telematics Control Unit (TCU / DCM) Supplier List
Meter Supplier List
Antenna Supplier List
Head Up Display (HUD) Supplier List
Cockpit Analysis Report
Car Navigation System Analysis Report
Global HMI Trend Report
(Approximately 900-page report summarizing HMI trends in production vehicles, compiled by MarkLines' technical consultant, HMIpro Inc., based on research conducted at domestic and international exhibitions and motor shows covering 100 vehicle models from Japan, Europe, the US, China, and South Korea.)

New Info on Regulations

Updated for Aug 2025
Laboratory Measurement of Brake Emissions for Light-Duty Vehicles, On-Board Monitoring (OBM) Systems, Environmental Vehicle Passport (EVP) and In-Vehicle Display of Environmental Data, RDE (Light-Duty Passenger and Commercial Vehicles)

FMVSS - Updated for Aug 2025
Automatic Emergency Braking Systems (Light Vehicles), Child Restraint Systems, General, Occupant Crash Protection