Record-weak rupee and surging metals threaten auto makers' margins even as festive demand holds

With the rupee at ₹96.18/dollar and lithium carbonate up 158%, copper up 38% and aluminium up 37%, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki face squeezed profitability. Revenue rose 22% YoY but EBITDA lagged at 10%, pointing to calibrated price hikes and faster localisation of battery cells.

— Filed Wed, 15 Jul, 2026, 12:39 IST · Source The Hindu BusinessLine · Updated

Weak rupee at record ₹96.18/dollar and surging commodity prices threaten Indian automakers' margins during festive demand. Tata Motors, Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki face input-cost pressure, likely calibrated price hikes and accelerated localisation of battery cells and components.

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