Auto News Aug 17–24: Launches, Price Hikes, GST 2.0, FASTag Surge

Mechanicals stay the same, with the 1.2‑liter petrol, AMT or MT, plus factory CNG on select trims. It’s a neat cosmetic and safety-leaning bundle for first-time SUV buyers who are searching for new car launches August 2025.

Mahindra BE 6 Batman pre-bookings: why did allocations jump by 699 in car news this week India?

Demand went full Gotham!

• Mahindra opened pre-bookings and expanded the BE 6 Batman Edition from 300 to 999 units.
• Price sits at Rs 27.79 lakh, booking amount at Rs 21,000, with deliveries timed for September 20, aligned to International Batman Day 2025.
• Buyers can even pick a badge number, with non‑exclusive numbering to keep things fun, not frenzied.
• Under the ‘cape’: Pack Three 79 kWh setup, single‑motor RWD, and an ARAI‑certified 682 km range claim.

Did Toyota Glanza just get costlier, and by how much?

Toyota raised Glanza prices by up to Rs 12,000 on most variants after making six airbags standard in July.

The S trims take the full Rs 12,000 bump, G variants are up Rs 8,000, and the base E climbs Rs 9,000. The top V stays unchanged.

Consider this a targeted car price update that shores up safety without shocking the entire lineup.

Will small cars under 1200cc actually get cheaper with the proposed GST drop?

That’s the plan on the table. The government is weighing a shift to a simpler two‑slab GST, with small cars under 1,200 cc potentially moving to an 18% bracket.

Analysts peg possible price drops around 8% for entry models if approved, which could revive a segment that lost ground to SUVs.

Timing points to decisions near Diwali, but the direction is clearly consumer friendly.

FASTag Annual Pass: how did it cross 5 lakh users in four days?

Because it solves a real headache!

• Launched August 15 at Rs 3,000, the Annual Pass covers one year or 200 NH/expressway crossings, and activates in about two hours via the Rajmargyatra app or NHAI site.
• Within four days, users crossed the five‑lakh mark, with Tamil Nadu leading sign‑ups, followed by Karnataka and Haryana.
• It’s optional, for private vehicles only, and it’s already smoothing commutes and road trips.

Car GST 2.0 India 2025: what shifts matter in car news this week India?

Two big ideas: most goods move to 5% or 18% GST, and a special 40% slab covers a few luxury or “sin” items.

For autos, that could mean small ICE cars at 18% GST, EVs staying at 5%, and larger cars/SUVs mapped to a 40% framework with possible levies to keep today’s overall burden similar.

Practical upshot for buyers: entry‑level models may see meaningful cuts, and mid‑segment vehicles some relief, especially if insurers also see GST ease.

Watch this space. It could reshape auto industry news India by Diwali.

BMW 3 Series LWB, M340i ‘50 Jahre’: what’s special in these luxury car launches India?

BMW is celebrating 50 years of the 3 Series with ultra‑limited ‘50 Jahre’ editions: 330Li M Sport at Rs 64 lakh, and M340i at Rs 76.90 lakh. 50 units each, Chennai‑built, online‑only.

Expect shadowline styling, carbon‑fiber trim, special emblems, and a laser‑engraved 1/50 badge.

The M340i keeps the 3.0‑liter straight‑six and 4.4‑second 0–100 km/h claim, plus a 1:18 BMW 3.0 CSL scale model for buyers. Clean, collectible, and very on‑brand.

That’s our roundup for this week. Stay tuned to CarOnPhone for the latest automobile news, useful blogs, and more.