Auto recap, June 21: Lexus NX 350h Overtrail review, Tesla India business, Ultraviolette EV bookings

Here is your quick check on the biggest developments in the world of automobiles. (AFP)
Notify me
The automotive sector is undergoing swift transformations, making it challenging to keep up with all the recent developments. At HT Auto, we are committed to providing the most pertinent and up-to-date information as it emerges. Presented below is a brief summary of the main highlights from Saturday, June 21.
Lexus NX 350h Overtrail review: For the sophisticated adventurer
Launched in April 2024, the Lexus NX 350h Overtrail blends luxury with a mild adventurous streak. With its unique Moon Desert paint and trim exclusive features, this hybrid SUV aims to be more than just a luxurious commuter. This Japanese SUV reveals its character gradually, from bold design choices to surprising driving behaviour. But does it really prove all that it claims? Here's our in-depth take after testing the car for over 1,000 km over 4 days.
Also Read : Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: For the sophisticated adventurer Ultraviolette bags over 60,000 bookings for Tesseract, 7,000 for Shockwave
Ultraviolette Automotive will enter the mass-market electric two-wheeler space next year, and the company has garnered strong interest from buyers nearly a year before deliveries. The manufacturer has revealed that its maiden electric scooter, Tesseract, has garnered over 60,000 bookings, while the Shockwave electric off-roader has bagged 7,000 bookings so far. Both models are slated for delivery in the first quarter of 2026.
Also Read : Ultraviolette bags over 60,000 bookings for Tesseract, 7,000 for Shockwave Revolt Motors rolls out 50,000th electric motorcycle from Haryana plant
Revolt Motors has announced the rollout of its 50,000th electric motorcycle from the brand's production facility in Manesar, Haryana. One of the first movers in the electric two-wheeler space, the company began operations in August 2019 and initially retailed the RV400 electric motorcycle. Revolt's range now comprises the RV400, RV1+, and RV BlazeX e-bikes.
Also Read : Revolt Motors rolls out 50,000th electric motorcycle from Haryana plant Tesla to open India showrooms in July with Model Y
Tesla Inc. is officially gearing up to enter the Indian automotive market, with plans to open its first showrooms in July 2025. According to sources close to the matter, the electric vehicle pioneer will debut its presence in Mumbai by mid-July, followed by a second showroom in New Delhi shortly after. This long-anticipated move will mark the company's formal entry into the world's third-largest car market. The American EV giant has begun importing its flagship Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs from its Shanghai plant, signalling the start of its retail operations in India. Bloomberg News reviewed official import documents that confirm the arrival of at least five Model Y vehicles at the Mumbai port. These units were declared at ₹ 27.69 lakh (approx. $31,988), with over ₹ 21 lakh levied in import duties, reflecting India's high tariffs on completely built units.
Also Read : Tesla to open India showrooms in July with Model Y Royal Enfield Urbanite Hoodie Review: Stylish Urban Riding Gear for Everyday Commutes
When it comes to riding gear, Royal Enfield has made a name for blending style with practicality. The Urbanite Hoodie, one of the brand's more lifestyle-oriented offerings, promises comfort, safety, and urban flair. We got our hands on this hoodie for a test in Delhi's demanding riding environment, where dust, traffic, and fluctuating temperatures create unique challenges for motorcyclists.
Also Read : Royal Enfield Urbanite Hoodie Review: Stylish Urban Riding Gear for Everyday Commutes No fuel for end-of-life petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi from July 1
All end-of-life (EoL) vehicles in Delhi will not be allowed to refuel at fuel stations starting from July 1, 2025. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced the new initiative to crack down on EoL vehicles still plying in the national capital, contributing to the worsening air quality in the region. The EoL vehicles will be identified with the help of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at fuel stations across Delhi.
Also Read : No fuel for end-of-life petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi from July 1
Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.
First Published Date: 22 Jun 2025, 09:01 AM IST

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hindustan Times

20 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

US warns Iran against closing Strait of Hormuz: 'It's economic suicide'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday reacted to reports claiming that the Iranian parliament has approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying that it would be an 'economic suicide'. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC on June 20, 2025. (AFP) Speaking at Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" show, Rubia called on China to encourage Iran not to shut down the Strait of Hormuz after Washington carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Follow LIVE updates here. The Strait of Hormuz is situated between Iran and its Arabian Gulf neighbours. According to Bloomberg, this route enables the daily transportation of roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil," Rubio was quoted as saying on the show by Reuters. Also Read | How US military's decoy B-2 Bomber mission helped it achieve stealth before Iran strikes "If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours." The secretary of state additionally cautioned that closing the strait would represent a significant escalation, warranting a response from the US and others. Iran's closure of Strait of Hormuz After the US airstrikes on its nuclear installations, Iran is considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, EuroNews reported on Sunday. Also Read | 'Large volume of our supplies don't come through Hormuz': Hardeep Puri assures fuel stability amid Middle East tensions In an interview with local media, Revolutionary Guard commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari stated that closing the Strait of Hormuz "is under consideration, and Iran will make the best decision with determination," according to EuroNews. "Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response," added Kowsari, who is a member of the Iranian parliament in addition to his military position.

First Post

an hour ago

• First Post

Iran moves to shut Strait of Hormuz: What it means for India and the world

Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz after US airstrikes on its nuclear sites could trigger a global oil shock, disrupt trade routes and push prices sky-high. With over 60% of its crude coming from the Gulf, India faces serious energy and economic risks. read more Strait of Hormuz, Makran region in southern Iran and southwestern Pakistan, Gulf of Oman and the northern coast of Oman as seen from space. (Photo by NASA Earth Observatory/ AFP) The Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint is back in global focus after Iran hinted at a possible closure following a major US airstrike on its nuclear facilities. If Iran follows through, the move could trigger a seismic shock across global energy markets and pose significant risks to major oil importers like India. What sparked the threat? Following the US bombing of three major Iranian nuclear sites this morning, Tehran has indicated that closing the Strait of Hormuz for shipping is one of the options on the table to pressure its adversaries. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced a 'very successful' military operation that targeted three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—with full payloads of bombs. In response, Iran's parliament indicated support for closing the Strait of Hormuz, although the final decision rests with its Supreme National Security Council. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Esmail Kosari, a senior Iranian lawmaker and Revolutionary Guard commander, said the move to block the strait 'will be done whenever necessary.' Iran's state media has amplified these signals amid growing tensions with Washington, following what Tehran calls an act of 'unprecedented aggression.' Why is the Strait of Hormuz so vital? The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. At just 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, it's one of the world's most strategic maritime arteries. According to 2023 estimates, over 17 million barrels of oil—around 20% of global daily demand—pass through the strait each day. Key exporters like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and even Iran itself rely on it for crude and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. While alternate pipelines exist, they can only divert around 2.6 million barrels per day—barely a fraction of the daily flow through Hormuz. How would a closure affect the world? Global oil prices may skyrocket A complete or even partial blockade could send oil prices soaring past $120–150 per barrel, depending on the length of the disruption. Brent crude has already surged above $90 in anticipation, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) not far behind. Energy crises in Asia and Europe: Countries like India, China, Japan, and several European nations, all of which rely heavily on Gulf energy imports, could face inflation, energy shortages, and economic turbulence. Europe, already reeling from the fallout of the Ukraine war, may find itself in deeper crisis if Qatari LNG shipments are blocked. According to a recent analysis by the International Energy Agency, even a brief disruption of passage through the Strait of Hormuz will have a significant impact on oil markets. 'With geopolitical and economic uncertainties affecting oil producers and consumers alike, oil supply security remains high on the international energy policy agenda,' it said. Disruption to global shipping Beyond oil, the Strait is a vital route for container ships and cargo vessels. Its closure would increase freight costs, delay shipments, and reroute vessels through longer, more expensive paths—adding to already strained global supply chains. Stock market turmoil and recession fears: Rising energy costs, shipping delays, and inflationary pressures could trigger panic across global stock markets. Central banks may be forced to intervene, and developing economies with heavy energy import bills could face new debt challenges. Risk of wider war The US, UK and France maintain strong naval presences in the Gulf. A closure would likely trigger military escort missions or even direct intervention to reopen the waterway—further inflaming regional tensions. Why is India especially vulnerable? Any blocking or disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea – will have significant global and regional impact including for India's energy security, strategic affairs experts said on Sunday. Nearly 30 per cent of global oil and a third of the world's LNG (liquefied natural gas) passes through the Strait daily and its closure would immediately reduce global supplies triggering a spike in prices, they said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India, which imports over 60% of its crude oil from the Gulf, is particularly exposed. A disruption at Hormuz could: *Spike fuel prices domestically, impacting inflation and household spending. *Increase shipping and insurance costs for rerouted crude and LNG. *Delay imports from major suppliers like Qatar, Iraq, and the UAE. *Disrupt bilateral trade with Middle East partners, especially in sectors like chemicals, fertilisers, and heavy industry. *India's strategic oil reserves could cushion the blow temporarily, but prolonged disruption would pressure the economy and force urgent diplomatic manoeuvring. The shutting down of the narrow passage would have significant global repercussions across energy markets and it will impact India's energy security as well, Dr Laxman Kumar Behera, Associate Professor at Special Centre for National Security Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University told PTI. Behera said any disruption in the critical shipping lane, which is a geopolitical flashpoint, will majorly impact India's crude oil import from Iraq and to an extent from Saudi Arabia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Could Iran withstand the fallout? While Tehran may use the Hormuz threat as strategic leverage, analysts warn that closing the strait could backfire on Iran itself. Much of Iran's own oil exports—official or under-the-radar—transit through Hormuz. Cutting off this revenue stream, especially amid sanctions, would damage its already fragile economy. Moreover, a blockade would likely provoke military retaliation from the U.S. and its allies. Even countries like China, which continue to buy Iranian oil, may oppose such a move, leaving Iran further isolated. What's next? US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to pressure Tehran against escalation, warning that closing the strait would be 'economic suicide' for Iran. He added that the U.S. and its allies are prepared to respond if the closure goes ahead. With military tensions flaring and energy markets on edge, the coming days could determine whether this crisis remains a geopolitical standoff—or spirals into a global oil shock with far-reaching consequences for India and the world.

NDTV

3 hours ago

• NDTV

Tesla To Launch Paid Robotaxi Service In Austin With Driverless Model Y SUVs

San Francisco: Elon Musk's vision of Tesla's future is set for a public test on Sunday, when a dozen or so self-driving cars in Austin, Texas start a limited, paid robotaxi service. Though Tesla is dispensing with a webcast product launch event helmed by Musk, fans will be scouring the internet for videos and reports from the coterie of invited riders that will be allowed to hail the small stable of Model Y SUVs for trips within a limited area of the city, accompanied by a Tesla safety monitor in the front passenger seat. The driver's seat will be empty. "Wow. We are going to ride in driverless Teslas in just a few days. On public roads," posted Omar Qazi, an user with 635,200 followers who writes often about Tesla using the handle @WholeMarsBlog and received an invite. The service in Austin will have other restrictions as well. Tesla plans to avoid bad weather, difficult intersections, and won't take anyone below the age of 18. Musk has said he is ready to delay the start for safety reasons, if needed. Tesla is worth more than most of its biggest rivals combined, and Musk has said that is supported by the company's future ability to create robotaxis and humanoid robots. For years, he has promised self-driving cars were just around the corner. Commercializing autonomous vehicles has been risky and expensive. GM's Cruise was shut down after a fatal accident and regulators are closely watching Tesla and its rivals, Alphabet's Waymo, which runs a paid robotaxi service in several US cities, and Amazon's Zoox. Tesla is also bucking the young industry's standard practice of relying on multiple technologies to read the road, using only cameras. That, says Musk, will be safe and much less expensive than lidar and radar systems added by rivals. Nonetheless, Musk says he is being "super paranoid about safety" with the rollout. "So far, this launch lags significantly behind the company's promise and what competitors have already delivered," said technology researcher Forrester's principal analyst Paul Miller. Fans have welcomed the caution and the long-awaited arrival. Qazi said on X, Tesla was launching "extremely cautiously, which is good."