At the beginning of March 2020, the Government declared the state of alarm in the country. As a consequence, citizens were forced to stay at home, being able to go out only in cases of urgent need. In May 2020, the measures began to relax. However, a survey conducted during this month showed the distrust of Spaniards to return to carrying out activities that before the pandemic were part of their regular lives, such as car pooling. Approximately 30 percent of those surveyed said they had no intention of using carpool services until a COVID-19 vaccine was found.

NOTE: THIS LAYER HAS BEEN DEPRECATED (last updated 5/31/2022). This was formerly a weekly update.

Summary The number of cases interviewed who had a completed answer to the question asking if they had physically gone to work in the last 14 days during their covidLINK interviews.

Description MD COVID-19 - Contact Tracing Cases Reported Employment layer reflects the number of cases interviewed who had a completed answer to the question asking if they had physically gone to work in the last 14 days during their covidLINK interviews. Respondents may indicate more than one category of employment if they have multiple jobs. For a variety of reasons, some individuals choose not to answer particular questions during the course of their interview.

Information about how to prevent and reduce COVID-19 transmission in businesses and workplaces — including for both employers and employees — is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Note the following regarding select employment categories: Childcare/Education: Includes teachers, babysitters, school administrators, etc. Commercial Construction and Manufacturing: Includes poultry/meat processors, electricians, carpenters, HVAC workers, welders, contractors, painters Healthcare: Includes home healthcare and administrative positions in a healthcare setting Restaurant/Food Service: Includes cooks, waitstaff, food delivery personnel, alcohol delivery services, etc. Retail, Essential Worker: Includes grocery and pharmacy workers Retail, Other: Includes all retail establishments that do not sell food or medicine Transportation: Includes positions related to transport of people or goods Other, Non-Public-Facing: Includes workers that do not have direct interactions with the public, including warehouse workers, some office workers, some car mechanics, etc. Other, Public-Facing: Includes workers who have direct interactions with the public such as, but not limited to, administrative/front desk workers, home repair workers, lawncare workers, security guards, etc.

Unknown: Indicates that the interviewer was unable to ascertain the employment category based on the information provided. Answers to interview questions do not provide strong evidence of cause and effect. Due to the nature of COVID-19 and the wide range of scenarios in which a person can become infected, most of the time it will not be possible to pinpoint exactly how and when a case became infected. Though a person may report employment at a particular location, that does not necessarily imply that transmission happened at that location.

The covidLINK interview questionnaire is updated as necessary to capture relevant information related to case exposure and potential onward transmission. These revisions should be taken into consideration when evaluating trends in case responses over time.

Terms of Use The Spatial Data, and the information therein, (collectively the "Data") is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed, implied, or statutory. The user assumes the entire risk as to quality and performance of the Data. No guarantee of accuracy is granted, nor is any responsibility for reliance thereon assumed. In no event shall the State of Maryland be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages of any kind. The State of Maryland does not accept liability for any damages or misrepresentation caused by inaccuracies in the Data or as a result to changes to the Data, nor is there responsibility assumed to maintain the Data in any manner or form. The Data can be freely distributed as long as the metadata entry is not modified or deleted. Any data derived from the Data must acknowledge the State of Maryland in the metadata.

The Volkswagen Group accounted for over quarter of new car registrations in the European market between January and December 2024. That year, the automaker sold some 3.3 million units, roughly 1.2 million units more than the manufacturer's closest rival. Stellantis becomes Europe's second largest auto manufacturer Second-placed Stellantis comprises 14 brands, including Opel and Vauxhall, two brands previously owned by General Motors, in 2017. Stellantis was formed by the merger of FCA and PSA. Incentives offered by the French government fuelled demand in PSA's domestic market, France. However, the French market crumbled in Autumn 2020 and Germany remained as Europe's leading passenger car market. In May 2021, German manufacturers – Volkswagen and peer automakers Daimler and BMW – held just under 40 percent of the European market. European car sales collapsed during the pandemic Between January and December 2020, passenger car sales in Europe decreased by about 24 percent to roughly 12 million units. Sales began to tank mid-March, amid the coronavirus pandemic in Europe. Year-on-year sales were still down 57 percent in May 2020, but car sales began to bounce back as economies reopened. Month-on-month sales more than doubled in May and continued on an upward trajectory in June. Sales were back to normal levels in September and October. Outbreaks of COVID-19 in the Autumn of 2020 prevented a positive end to the year for the automotive industry.

An overview of COVID-19 orders and restrictions in Virginia (as of August 3, 2020).

The subway traffic in Moscow at 9:00am on July 21, 2020 was 27 percent lower compared to the same day in 2019. Moscow was Russia's city with the majority of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Car sharing services resumed working on May 25, 2020 after they were suspended by the city's government to prevent the spread of the disease. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

In 2021, the sale of new cars in Saudi Arabia was led by Toyota with a share of 28.4 percent of the total sales, followed by Hyundai at 16.6 percent. The best-selling car model during that year was Toyota Camry for the first time since 2018.

Automotive sector trends in GCC

The vehicle market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has been expanding over the years. Saudi Arabia is the largest new automotive sales and auto parts market in the Middle East, accounting for an estimated 40 percent of all vehicles sold in the region. Saudi Arabia imports more than a million vehicles including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and light trucks. It remains a very important market for Japanese and Korean automakers. However, the GCC region has been witnessing a shift in the preference of buyers from new cars to used cars. This was a consequence of the decreasing consumer confidence following the COVID-19 pandemic that took place during 2020, and the increased financial cautiousness. It has led to a chance for the growth of the aftermarket of cars. During 2018, before the pandemic, the value of automotive aftermarket sales in the region was expected to grow to almost 40 billion U.S. dollars by 2024.

Saudi Arabia car market during COVID-19

The Saudi Arabian car market had started 2020 with positive growth in car sales, with forecasts of about 1.5 million passenger car sales during the year. This came after King Salman bin Abdulaziz Alsaud signed a decree in 2018 allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia, with expectations of more than two thousand female drivers in 2020. This quickly changed following the spread of the COVID-19 virus during the early months of 2020. In March, the car market was nearly flat after the government-imposed closure restrictions on all non-essential businesses. In April, the sales dropped by more than 70 percent, causing the industry great losses. Later, the government announced a car value-added tax (VAT) that will be introduced at the beginning of July, which caused a sudden jump in car sales of more than 100 percent in June. With the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, exceeding 345 thousand cases by August, car sales plunged every month due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global automotive parking cooler market size will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.90% from 2023 to 2030.

The global automotive parking cooler market will expand at a significant rate of 5.90% CAGR between 2023 and 2030.
The demand for vehicles and trucks and the growing understanding of the benefits of using automotive parking coolers are factors influencing the market's growth.
In the automotive parking coolers market, passenger car demand is still stronger.
The manual category held the highest share in the automotive parking cooler market in 2023.
While Asia Pacific will continue to develop fastest through 2030, North America will dominate the automotive parking cooler market.

Rapid Rise in Temperature to Drive Market Growth

The increase in average global temperature mostly drives the need for automotive parking coolers. Climate change, brought on by things like greenhouse gas emissions, has led to increased global temperatures over time. This global tendency has caused summers to get hotter and dangerous heat waves to last longer in many places. As a result, automobiles parked outside are exposed to greater temperatures, which makes them uncomfortable to enter and even dangerous. Additionally, customers are looking for solutions to stay comfortable and safeguard their health while driving due to the rising temperatures. By lowering the interior temperature of parked automobiles, making them more comfortable to enter, and lowering the risk of heat-related illnesses, parking coolers assist in resolving this issue. Furthermore, worries about climate change are intimately related to the growing popularity of electric cars (EVs). Extreme temperature sensitivity can impact the battery performance of electric vehicles (EVs). Parking coolers can aid in keeping EV batteries at a healthy temperature, ensuring maximum performance and range.

Market Dynamics of Automotive Parking Cooler

Machine Translation Limitations to Hinder Market Growth

Advanced cooling technologies are used in automotive parking coolers, which frequently include premium compressors, refrigerated systems, and digital controls. Even in sweltering heat, these parts are designed to cool the car's interior effectively. Utilizing cutting-edge technology raises the cost of manufacturing. Additionally, installing a parking cooler might need to be done by an expert, especially when retrofitting existing automobiles. Installation-related labor expenditures may increase the overall cost.

Impact of COVID–19 on the Automotive Parking Cooler Market

The COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the market for automotive parking coolers in several ways. The pandemic delayed the production and shipping of car parts, especially parking cooler systems, by upsetting worldwide supply lines. Manufacturers had trouble finding components and materials, which limited their capacity to meet demand. Additionally, numerous car manufacturing facilities temporarily ceased operations to safeguard staff members and adhere to lockdown regulations during the pandemic's initial waves. Because of this, fewer vehicles with parking coolers were produced. Introduction of Automotive Parking Cooler

An air-conditioned parking lot where cars are parked or stored is known as a parking cooler. The benefit of having a parking cooler is that it maintains a constant temperature inside the garage, so preserving the cars from harsh weather. The demand for cars and trucks, as well as the expanding knowledge of the advantages of employing automotive parking coolers, are both contributing factors to the market's expansion. Furthermore, market expansion is being supported by strict government regulations on vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards. The rising popularity of electric and hybrid automobiles is also fueling the expansion of the automotive parking cooler market during the anticipated period.

In March 2023, the two new brushless fans enable the thermospecialist Webasto's new parking cooler to operate more efficiently, quietly, and for a longer period. It uses the 24-volt battery in the car to provide the necessary power and can produce cool air while sparingly using up to 2,500 watts of electricity. Because the unit functions separately from the engine, fuel efficiency increases because idling times are decreased.

(Source:www.webasto-group....

Global vehicle sales have experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades, with 2023 marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. The industry saw a sharp decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a gradual recovery. However, the semiconductor shortage in 2022 led to inventory issues and a slight decrease in sales. Despite these challenges, the market rebounded strongly in 2023, surpassing 92 million units sold worldwide. Recovery and future outlook The automotive industry's resilience is evident in its rapid recovery from the pandemic-induced slump. Light vehicle sales are projected to increase by 1.8 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, with further growth of 2.5 percent expected in 2025. This positive trend is supported by the rebounding sales in China, the world's largest automotive market, and the growing demand for electric vehicles. The global production of motor vehicles reached 94 million units in 2023. Electric vehicles driving growth The shift towards electric vehicles is playing a crucial role in the industry's growth. In 2023, plug-in electric light vehicle sales reached an estimated 13.7 million units globally. This surge in demand is particularly noticeable in China and Europe's largest markets. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and semiconductor shortages, the electric car market experienced record growth, with market share increasing significantly. However, as government subsidies for electric vehicles begin to be rolled back in some countries, the industry may face new challenges in maintaining this growth momentum.

In 2019, Grab was the leading ride-sharing platform in Vietnam with 73 percent of the market share. Founded in Singapore in 2012, Grab offers transportation, food delivery, and digital payment services via its mobile app.

Ride-hailing market in Vietnam

Alongside its economic development and the growing internet economy, Vietnam has one of the highest ride-hailing market values within the Southeast Asia region. While Grab has consistently held a prominent part of the market share, other brands have been expanding their portfolios to compete with the market leader. For instance, the Indonesian platform Gojek has expanded its ride-hailing service to include a car-sharing option in addition to bike hailing in early 2021. In the meantime, Vietnamese brand be Group recently partnered up with local taxi brands across the country to launch its beTaxi service.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ride-hailing market The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global mobility market, including in Vietnam. The spending intention on transportation among Vietnamese consumers decreased drastically during the major outbreak in July 2020 compared to pre-pandemic levels. During lockdowns imposed by the government, the demand for mobility reduced significantly, and ride-hailing services were not spared. For instance, the number of Grab rides went down by over 80 percent in the first half of 2020. On the other hand, the revenue of the ride-hailing segment was forecasted to recover together with Vietnam’s economic recovery.

Electric vehicles amounted to nearly 16 percent of global passenger car sales in 2023, which was a rise of around 2.8 percentage points year-over-year. Electric vehicle sales have rapidly increased since 2017, when they rose above one percent of the market, and have particularly accelerated since 2020. Many consumers started looking for more sustainable transportation methods amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased environmental consciousness. This contributed to the EV market expansion worldwide. A market driven by innovation Various factors contribute to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, including consumer perception, governmental targets, and investments in technological innovation. Regional institutions and national governments are committing to policies supporting electric vehicle adoption worldwide, with around 97 percent of the light-duty vehicle market comprising countries with these policies. Governmental spending on electric cars reached around 45 billion current U.S. dollars in 2022, the steepest increase recorded in the past five years, and global automakers are also allocating part of their revenue toward research and development expenses. Challenges and opportunities for EV charging Electric vehicle charging was the second technology type receiving the most early and growth-stage venture capital investments in 2023, above electric vars and electric two-wheelers. In 2023, there were around 11 electric vehicles per charging point worldwide, and access to this infrastructure was unequal, with China boasting the largest electric vehicle supply equipment network. Slow chargers, typically alternating current, were also the most common charging type, creating opportunities for the development of fast charging across the globe.

In 2023, the best-selling car brand in Qatar was Toyota with about 31.6 percent share of new car sales. It was followed by Nissan with a market share of 7.8 percent. GCC automobile trends   The automotive manufacturers worldwide recognize the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with the noticeable expansion of the region’s vehicles market over the years. It is a promising market for both mass-market vehicle manufacturers and companies manufacturing premium vehicles. Premium vehicles have been gaining popularity in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2019, the three most searched for car models above 240 thousand Emirati dirhams in the UAE were Mercedes S-Class, LR Range Rover, and Porsche Cayenne. The GCC region has been witnessing an increase in the aftermarket and used car sales volume with an expectation in 2018 of reaching almost 40 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in the early months of 2020, the public started changing their preference from buying new cars to used cars instead. This was a result of reduced consumer confidence and financial consciousness that came with the uncertainty. Qatar automobile industry Qatar has a very promising and quick growing vehicle market in the GCC. In 2019, the number of passenger cars sold was almost 40 thousand, and the number of commercial vehicles was almost eight thousand. The automobile industry in Qatar depends on factors such as the availability of workers, government support, continuous research and development efforts, and geographic advantages. The country had the second-highest road density in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region of more than 866 meters of road per square kilometer in 2020. The industry has shown a great growth potential, with the country’s economic development and increasing household purchasing power. However, the car market in Qatar was strongly affected by the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak. It has led to a significant drop in car sales compared to 2019.

Maruti Suzuki had the leading share in the passenger car market across India in the year 2024 with more than 40 percent. The top four players held approximately 80 percent of the market share. This was predominantly due to brand loyalty and new launches. Kia Motors India Beating these odds was Kia Motors which entered the Indian market in the second half of 2019. With special utility vehicles (SUV), the company saw a considerable increase in sales. Within a short span, the company outperformed its well-established foreign competitors, including German-based Volkswagen, Toyota, and Honda. Slowdown of the passenger vehicle segment Despite the company’s success, the industry overall witnessed a double-digit decline in the sales volume of passenger cars between 2020 and 2022. This was presumably due to new emission standards, a general slowdown in the economy, and the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Since 2023, the sales volume started to slowly climbing back to pre-pandemic level.

Sales of used light vehicles in the United States came to around 38.9 million units in the third quarter of 2024. The same period, approximately 15.6 million new light trucks and automobiles were sold here. Declining availability of vehicles In the fourth quarter of 2023, about 288.5 million vehicles were in operation in the United States, an increase of under one percent year-over-year. The rising demand for vehicles paired with an overall price inflation lead to a rise in new vehicle prices. In contrast, used vehicle prices slightly decreased. E-commerce: a solution for the bumpy road ahead? Financial reports have revealed how the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has triggered a shift in vehicle-buying behavior. With many consumer goods and services now bought online due to COVID-19, the automobile industry has also started to digitally integrate its services online to reach consumers with a preference for contactless test driving amid the global crisis. Several dealers and automobile companies had already begun to tap into online car sales before the pandemic, some of them being Carvana and Tesla.

In financial year 2024, Maruti Suzuki sold approximately 1.6 million passenger cars across India. This made it the leading car manufacturer in terms of car sales in India, followed distantly by Hyundai and Tata. The automobile sector across India saw recovering from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the same year. Is the Indian automobile market in trouble? There were more than 326 million vehicles registered in India in the financial year 2020. Vehicle registrations grew at a compound annual growth rate of over 10 percent between 2017 and 2020. However, due to economic slowdown, the introduction of new Bharat Stage Emission Standards VI (BS-VI) in 2019, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the domestic sales of vehicles have been declining since the financial year 2020 for two consecutive years. This continued until the financial year 2023. New trend – electric vehicles With strong government support through policy initiatives such as the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 introduced in 2013, Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) in 2015, and further FAME phase II in 2019, India was aiming to achieve 30 percent private electric vehicle ownership. As two-wheelers were the most popular types of automobiles for the last decade, in the financial year 2023, the majority of electric vehicles sold in India were also two-wheelers. The demand for electric vehicles is expected to rise significantly in the future.

Maruti Suzuki has dominated the Indian passenger vehicle market for many years. In 2024, six out of the top 10 best-selling cars in the country were from the company. And the most popular model from Maruti Suzuki was Wagon R, with around 191,000 units sold around the country. Wagon R is a five-door hatchback, first launched in India in 1999. Story of the company The company was established by the Indian government in 1981, as Maruti Udyog Limited, and is based in New Delhi, India. It merged with Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor to formally become a joint venture in 1982. In 2003, the government sold all its stake to Suzuki Motor. Since then, Suzuki Motor has become the majority stakeholder of the company. Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and disruption caused by the new emission standards, Maruti Suzuki has achieved its highest sales in financial year 2024, with over 1.85 million cars sold domestically. Car body types For the last two decades, the popularity of SUV and crossover cars has risen. In 2002, only three percent of passenger cars sold in India were SUVs and crossovers. 22 years later, this number has risen to more than 50 percent. There is a visible shift to SUVs and crossovers from hatchbacks and sedans. During the same period, the market share of multi-utility vehicles has remained more or less the same, at around 11 to 14 percent.

Passenger vehicle sales in India saw an increase of 10.3 percent in financial year 2024, recovering from intermittent disruptions caused by supply chain issues specific to semiconductors and electronics. In the same year, there were around four million passenger cars sold across the South Asian country. In 2020 and 2021, the industry was heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Major playersMaurti Suzuki, a subsidiary of the Japanese Suzuki Motor Corporation, is India’s biggest car manufacturer. The company had a share of around 41 percent in the automotive sector in 2023. The market for commercial vehicles was led by Tata Motors during the same time period. Hero Motocorp had the maximum share in the two-wheeler segment, which dominated the domestic automotive industry within the country. Recovering from the slump?Even though the two-wheeler segment experienced a boom in both electric and conventional vehicle sales, the economic slowdown with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the production in all industries alike. The slowdown forced manufacturers to lay off almost 15 thousand employees in the past and over 200 thousand jobs were affected as a result of the output cuts. The government announced a delayed registration period for purchased vehicles and reduced interest rates on vehicle loans to cope with the market slump. However, as India's economy recovers, vehicle sales have also come out of the slump.

China led the market for motor vehicle production in 2023, producing more than 30 million cars and commercial vehicles that year. This was even greater than the production values of the other top five countries combined. In comparison, vehicle production in the United States—the second-ranking country—amounted to approximately 10.6 million units, the majority of which were commercial vehicles.

The Worldwide Drop in Automotive Production The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many problems for the worldwide automotive sector. Since governments took rapid actions to slow down the spread of the virus—such as national lockdowns, large-scale social distancing, and stringent border controls—global motor vehicle production shrunk by 15 percent in 2020. Motor vehicle production declined in all regions, especially in Europe and Noth America, where the production value experienced a decrease of around 21 percent. Although, in 2022, the automotive industry was showing signs of recovery, the production volume of 2022 was still below the levels of the pre-pandemic years.

The Chinese Market Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
China is a leading player in the global vehicle manufacturing industry, both in supply and demand. As of 2019, motor vehicle production in China accounted for nearly 29 percent of manufacturing operations worldwide. This figure reduced to 25 percent during 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global supply chain and most industries. On a closer look, China's leading motor vehicle producer SAIC-General Motors slimmed down production numbers by 13 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, another joint venture between SAIC and Volkswagen manufactured approximately 22.4 percent fewer cars than the previous year. In 2022, China's share increased again and reached almost 32 percent of the global production.

Light truck retail sales in the United States increased to 12.9 million units in 2024. This was a year-over-year increase in sales of some 3.94 percent compared to 2023. In contrast, 2022 was the second drop in sales in a decade, after the drop reported in 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales had been increasing since 2010, when the auto industry began recovering from low vehicle purchases after the 2008-2009 financial crisis. In 2024, sales of light trucks accounted for about 81.2 percent of the approximately 15.9 million light vehicles sold in the United States. Ford, with its signature truck, the Ford F-150, was one of the leading North American car brands in the United States. Why are consumers buying trucks now? Before the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, the U.S. economy had largely recovered from the woes of the financial crisis and unemployment in the United States fell to 3.7 percent in 2019. This meant that consumers were better able to purchase new vehicles. Similarly, due to lower gasoline and diesel fuel prices, motorists were more willing to buy trucks over smaller, more fuel-efficient sedans. 2022 presented a challenge for this automotive market, with Russia's war on Ukraine leading to motor fuel price inflation and to higher new and used car prices.

India was one of the leading countries in the world in terms of vehicle production. In financial year 2024, the total production volume of vehicles in India was around 28.43 million units, which was an increase from the previous year. In 2020, the production value contracted the first time during the presented period. This was partially due to the introduction of the new Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emissions standards from April 1, 2020, and overall scaled down production to lower stock of the old BS-IV vehicles. Further decline in production was contributed by the coronavirus pandemic in India. Two-wheeler industry in India Two-wheelers have been the predominant vehicle type produced in India and also made up the majority of automobiles sold domestically. Two-wheelers in India are divided into three subcategories, namely, motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds. Hero MotoCorp had the highest market share in this segment, occupying more than one third of the market. The company was also the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheel vehicles. The future growth point of this sector is expected to be electric scooters and motorcycles and many leading manufacturers have already started producing electric vehicles. Bharat Stage VI emission standards The new emission standards were first introduced in 2016 by the Indian government. India was the first country to skip BS-V altogether and start with a higher stage of standards. Within just four years, India turned the challenge into an opportunity and completed the transition of fuel and vehicles complying with the BS-VI standards. Combining with a scrappage program, BS-VI standards could significantly improve the air quality and public health in India.

In financial year 2024, around 968 thousand units of commercial vehicles were sold across India. It was the highest since 2020. Tata Motors dominated the market with a share around 40 percent. The overall economic slowdown due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), the transition to BS-VI emission standards, and revised axle load norms were some of the contributing factors for the two consecutive years’ decline of sales volume in this sector. BS-VI emission standards The Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES) are emission standards that regulated by the Indian government to control the output of air pollutants from combustion and spark ignition equipment. From April 1, 2020, all vehicle manufacturers were mandated to follow the new standards to replace the old BS-III standards that were implemented back in October 2010. The first emission standards were introduced to India in 1991 for petrol and in 1992 for diesel vehicles. Road freight in India Road freight was the preferred method of cargo transportation in India, trucks could provide more reliability and flexibility compared to other means of transportation. However, rampant overloading had contributed to many road accidents, the government introduced new axle load norms in an effort to tackle this issue. The new norms, together with fast improving road infrastructure, high gross vehicles have become more and more popular in the road logistics industry.