The Government of Maharashtra has announced that owners of vehicles sold prior to 1 April 2019 must register for HSRP installation through the Maharashtra Transport Department website. The deadline for installation is 31 March 2025. Vehicles registered after 1 April 2019 are already being fitted with HSRPs – license plates – that claim to improve traceability of vehicles. HSRPs have advanced security features to deter theft and unauthorised use. HSRPs are made of a rare aluminum alloy and have a unique serial number, making them tamper-proof.
While the contract to make and fit the HSRPs has awarded to private companies like Yavatmal-based Real Mazon, the price for tractors and two-wheelers has been determined at INR 531. For three-wheelers it is INR 590 and for larger vehicles, it is INR 879. The prices include snap lock fees and GST. 
The documents necessary to order HSRPs are, Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC), proof of identity such as an Aadhar Card, PAN Card or Driving License and proof of address such as a recent utility bill or Aadhar Card. 
 

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European auto major Stellantis will participate in Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, held from 8 to 12 September in Germany, where it plans to utilise the event to showcase the Eurorepar Car Service network and its multi-brand aftermarket support ecosystem.

Stellantis will recreate a workshop environment at the event to demonstrate its support framework for independent repairers. The network currently includes over 6,200 workshops worldwide, with more than 4,900 located in Europe.

The Stellantis aftermarket offering for independent garages includes:

• Parts Supply: A multi-brand portfolio featuring Mopar, Eurorepar, SUSTAINera and various supplier ranges.
• Logistics: Distribution via the Distrigo network.
• Operational Support: Training, diagnostic assistance, digital management tools, and marketing resources.
• Technology: Access to field expertise, analytics, and AI-powered tools.
• Circular Economy: Integration of SUSTAINera solutions, covering remanufactured, repaired, reused, and recycled components.

Francesco Abbruzzesi, Head of Enlarged Europe Parts & Services, Stellantis, said, “Independent repairers operate in an increasingly complex environment, where access to parts, expertise and tools is essential. Stellantis supports this evolution with a structured, multi-brand approach designed to strengthen daily operations and long-term performance, and we’ll showcase it at the Automechanika”.

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Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has announced the commercial launch of its first-ever quick-service format, ‘Skoda Express Care’, which aims to further boost its domestic brand equity.

The inaugural facility was opened at Kun Motor Enterprises in Perungudi on OMR Road, Chennai. Operating as a specialised tier under the umbrella of the Skoda Super Care program, the concept is engineered to shorten vehicle turnaround times for routine maintenance without compromising factory service protocols.

The inauguration scales Skoda’s footprint in Tamil Nadu to 31 customer touchpoints across 14 cities, contributing to a wider nationwide service network that now numbers over 335 touchpoints across 185 cities.

The new facility occupies a 27,900 square foot footprint and features 16 mechanical service bays. Rather than operating via traditional workshop scheduling, the Express Care centre relies on a highly synchronised, high-throughput assembly line approach to routine check-ups.

The quick-turnaround framework is driven by four integrated operational changes – digital check-in architecture, parts pre-kitting, parallel service execution and eligibility parameters.

The Express Care rollout serves as a physical touchpoint extension for the brand's long-term Skoda Super Care program, which includes a standard four-year manufacturer warranty, four years of roadside assistance and four labour-free scheduled services. By optimising workshop space efficiency and vehicle throughput metrics, the company aims to improve dealer profitability while lowering the total cost of ownership friction for retail buyers in critical Southern Indian markets.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “2026 has been a year of strengthening our connection with customers through a focused product offensive, customer-first initiatives, and an unwavering commitment to delivering greater value throughout the ownership journey. The inauguration of our first Express Care facility in Chennai is a natural extension of that philosophy. Introduced under the Skoda Super Care programme, which offers customers four years of standard warranty, four years of roadside assistance and four labour-free services, Skoda Express Care further strengthens our commitment to delivering greater convenience and peace of mind. As we continue to expand our network and get closer to customers, Chennai and Tamil Nadu remain important markets for us, and through this new facility and our growing network, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing customers with the highest standards of care and support.”

Arun Uppuswamy, Dealer Principal, Kun Motor Enterprises, added, “Kun Motor Enterprises shares a long-standing and successful partnership with Skoda Auto India, with multiple sales and aftersales Touchpoints serving customers across Tamil Nadu. We are proud to further strengthen this association by launching Skoda Auto’s first-ever Express Care facility in the country. This new facility reinforces Skoda Auto’s commitment to delivering an enhanced ownership experience through efficient processes, skilled manpower, and high-quality service standards.”

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STUDDS Accessories, a leading global manufacturer of two-wheeler helmets, has expanded its DC Super-Heroes inspired lineup with the launch of the STUDDS Trooper Legacy Shield Helmet at INR 2,425.

Developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), this new variant introduces a bold Superman-themed graphic identity to the Trooper, one of STUDDS' most popular modular (flip-up) helmets in the Indian market.

The Legacy Shield features a distinctive visual expression built around a three-zone typographic and graphic hierarchy that flows seamlessly across the helmet's outer shell.  The rear shell features a large-format layout of the iconic Superman ‘S’ shield, emblazoned with the ‘SUPERMAN’ wordmark, which also gets ‘GREATEST DEFENDER’ text inscribed on the chin bar.

The collection consists of five colour variants, all built on a sleek, dark base. The Black & White, Black & Grey and Black & Red variants offer varying levels of sharp contrast. Additionally, two premium Metallic Foil options (Teal and Red) use embedded foil instead of standard paint in the graphic zones, creating an intense, reflective light catching finish unique to the material.

The helmet is designed with a full-face flip-up configuration. Riders can easily raise the chin bar for brief stops or face-to-face interactions, or lock it securely down into place to provide the full-coverage protection of a closed full-face helmet. Constructed with a high-impact ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) thermoplastic outer shell and a regulated density EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) inner liner to absorb and distribute impact force. The helmet carries dual certifications, meeting India's BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) under ISI standards as well as the DOT (Department of Transportation, USA) criteria.

It is outfitted with a hypoallergenic inner liner engineered to reduce skin irritation during long commutes. The complete liner padding is entirely replaceable and washable to maintain hygiene across hot and rainy seasons.

The Trooper Legacy Shield Helmet features a quick-release, tool-less visor mechanism using scratch-resistant glass, a removable/replaceable modular lower trim and a quick-release chin strap anchored by a rust-proof stainless-steel buckle. It is coated in a specialised UV-resistant paint finish to protect the graphic decals and metallic foil from cracking, fading, or peeling under prolonged sun exposure.

Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories, said, “The Trooper Legacy Shield marks a new chapter in interpreting the Superman identity on a helmet. The 'Greatest Defender' identity aligns naturally with what a helmet represents, reflecting its core purpose of protection on every ride. The Trooper has built a strong following in the modular segment in India and this design brings a graphic language to it that riders can genuinely connect with. We expect it to resonate strongly with riders who want their safety gear to make a statement.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has established a new corporate benchmark by servicing over 28.4 million vehicles across its domestic network in FY2025–26. This represents the highest annual service load handled by the carmaker since its inception.

The volume throughput was sustained by an expansive retail and aftersales infrastructure consisting of 5,926 service touchpoints across India. To accommodate evolving powertrain architectures and growing volume requirements, Maruti Suzuki India has outlined a long-term network expansion roadmap targeting the establishment of approximately 8,000 active service touchpoints by FY2030–31.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Achieving our highest‑ever annual service load is a significant milestone and reflects the trust customers place in Maruti Suzuki’s after‑sales capabilities. I would also like to thank our channel partners for their continued commitment and tireless efforts, which have been instrumental in achieving this milestone.”

“High-quality after-sales service is essential for maintaining vehicle health and ensuring optimal performance throughout its lifecycle. It plays a key role in building long-term customer confidence and strengthening brand loyalty. Since our inception, we have consistently believed that our service footprint should remain ahead of sales. As vehicle technologies advance and customer expectations continue to evolve, we remain committed to expanding our service footprint and introducing innovative service formats to address diverse customer needs more efficiently. By FY 2030-31, we aim to establish about 8,000 service touchpoints,” he added.

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