Podcast

Deep Drive | Autocar India

Automotive, Leisure

Welcome to Deep Drive by Autocar India — where we delve beyond the headlines to uncover the untold stories shaping the automotive landscape. Join our editor, Hormazd Sorabjee, and our seasoned editorial team as we take you on a journey through the heart of the industry. From industry trends to insider insights and exclusive interviews with automotive leaders, get ready for a deep dive into all things automotive. Buckle up and join us for the ride!

Episodes
136
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
30 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
3 days ago

Episodes

136 episodes, newest first

  1. Tata Cars: One Year of Going Solo: The Gains, Gaps & Challenges | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 136

    Show notes

    On October 1, 2025, Tata Motors demerged into two entities: Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and TML Commercial Vehicles Ltd (TMLCV). In this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the passenger vehicle business, what's gone right and what hasn't since the demerger.

    43 min
  2. Can Jeep and Citroen get back on track? | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 135

    Show notes

    Stellantis has announced a fresh Rs 4,000 crore investment in India which includes 12 launches from Jeep and Citroen by 2030. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Driive Podcast powered by Kotak Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the models that could come our way, and Stellantis' plans to turn things around for Jeep and Citroen in India.

    31 min
  3. Why hybrids are suddenly in the limelight | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 134

    Show notes

    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.

    41 min
  4. From India to the world - Auto exports at record highs | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 133

    Show notes

    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.

    47 min
  5. Hot new cars coming this festive season | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 132

    Show notes

    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.

    26 min
  6. The great divide: India’s top 6 carmakers vs the rest | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 131

    Show notes

    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.

    29 min
  7. Chinese carmakers on an upmarket drive | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 130

    Show notes

    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.

    23 min
  8. Inside Ather’s plan to go mainstream | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 129

    Show notes

    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.

    28 min
  9. The big picture on small cars | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 128

    Show notes

    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.

    27 min
  10. Skoda and JSW’s potential JV - What’s driving the deal? | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 127

    Show notes

    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.

    28 min
  11. The lowdown on pickups | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 126

    Show notes

    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.

    26 min
  12. What's next for Kia in India | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 125

    Show notes

    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.

    28 min
  13. Audi India’s comeback plan | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 124

    Show notes

    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.

    28 min
  14. Decoding Honda 2-Wheelers' premium strategy for India | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 123

    Show notes

    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.

    35 min
  15. Plugging in to PHEVs | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 122

    Show notes

    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.

    31 min
  16. Is Delhi’s EV policy the start of the end for ICE bikes? | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 121

    Show notes

    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.

    25 min
  17. What it takes to drive across 13 countries | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 120

    Show notes

    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.

    38 min
  18. How 4x4 shapes brand image | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 119

    Show notes

    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.

    33 min
  19. China's growing influence on the cars we buy | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 118

    Show notes

    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.

    35 min
  20. How flex fuel vehicles impact your pocket | Deep Drive Podcast | Autocar India

    Season 1, Episode 117

    Show notes

    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.

    28 min