Access to the full report here: Automakers Offering Feature-Rich Connected Car Services in India to Beat Competition
India’s automotive sector is undergoing a digital shift, with connected car penetration increasing rapidly, aligning with consumer demand for seamless connectivity in vehicles. According to Counterpoint’s Global Connected Car Market Tracker, Q4 2024, around 37% of the passenger vehicles (PVs) sold in India in 2024 had embedded cellular connectivity, with connected car services becoming a key differentiator among carmakers. These services use telecom networks and cloud technology to bring new features to vehicles and make driving safer, convenient and enjoyable. Most connected cars in India rely on 4G networks to offer features like voice assistant, remote control, live navigation, predictive maintenance and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Major car brands providing connected car services in India, such as MG Motor, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Toyota, are working with telecom and tech companies to offer their own connected services platforms. Examples include MG’s i-Smart, Hyundai’s Bluelink, Kia-Connect, Maruti Suzuki’s Suzuki Connect, Tata’s iRA and Mahindra’s AdrenoX. These platforms provide a range of features – emergency calling, crash alerts, live vehicle tracking, OTA updates, remote start, voice control, geo-fencing, and integration with smart assistants like Alexa and Siri in regional languages. Generous free trials of connected car services provided by OEMs, sometimes for as long as five years, are accelerating adoption.
MG was one of the first OEMs to offer connected car service in India. MG’s i-Smart 2.0 stands out for its comprehensive approach. Backed by partners like Microsoft, Jio, Cognizant, and Adobe, it supports 100+ voice commands in regional languages and Hinglish. Key features include remote engine start, AC and lock control, live location tracking, geo-fencing, crash alerts, and built-in apps like JioSaavn and Gaana. Building on the growing demand for connected car features, volume player Maruti Suzuki introduced Suzuki Connect, which offers remote operations such as engine immobilizer, AC control, and vehicle tracking via smartphone. It also offers driving behaviour analysis, tow-away alerts, geofencing, and 24/7 emergency assistance, enhancing security and driver awareness.
India is the fastest-growing connected car market, with a projected CAGR of 18% between 2025 and 2030, according to Counterpoint’s Global Connected Car Market Forecast, Q4 2024. With 5G networks rolling out in the country, connected car services will only get better. We expect 5G connectivity penetration in connected cars in India will cross 75% by 2030. At the same time, OEMs want to offer more connected car features utilizing low-latency and high-speed 5G connectivity. As 5G network coverage grows and more connected features are offered, automakers in India must find the right combination of services and price to drive consumer interest in paid subscriptions.
* Sales here refer to wholesale figures, i.e. deliveries out of factories by respective brands, and consider only passenger cars.
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