UFI Filters, an industry leader in filtration and thermal management solutions, today launched a cabin air filtration, SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus, which delivers a 99.5% reduction in viruses and a 99.9% in bacteria.

According to UFI Filters,  the laboratory tests have certified the capacity of the new filter to neutralize coronaviruses from the SARS-COV family (kill rate 99.5%), as well as influenza A H1N1, H3N2 and H7N9, in addition to various types of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus (kill rate 99.9%).

For the Indian market, innovative SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus filters will be produced at SOFIMA FILTERS INDIA Plant in Bahadurgarh. It belongs to product code family ending with KN2 and caters to the aftermarket space.

Luca Betti, Group Aftermarket Business Unit Director, said, "We are extremely proud of the results achieved thanks to the collaboration of our Innovation Centers in China, India and in Italy. UFI Filters Group has chosen to give a meaningful name to this innovative D+FEND Anti-virus filter media, which has been certified according to ISO 11155-1:2001 standard having a filtration efficiency of more than 95 percent for aerosol particles, with dimension equal to 0.3 microns. When applied to cabin air filters, this innovative material thus offers a clear improvement in the quality of the air inside vehicles, during a historical period in which the health of the individual is absolutely paramount."

Hridesh Sharma, CEO of UFI Filters India, said, “The investment made by UFI Filters Group in Research and Development is ongoing. This innovative product bears testament to our desire to remain at the cutting edge when it comes to innovation and is evidence of the exceptional ability of our technicians to work with laboratories and certified institutions at international level."

SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus incorporates the antimicrobial and antiviral active substances into the fibers themselves, which are made up of polymeric material. Thanks to the prolonged release of ions from the two elements embedded in the fibers, the filter has the power to destroy the bacterial and viral load over a prolonged period, unlike other solutions on the market today, the properties of which are diminished after just a few working cycles following the installation of the filter on the vehicle. (MT)

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has attained a new milestone of having a total of 6,000 service touchpoints across India with the opening of a new facility in Kozhikode, Kerala. The company’s service network now operates in over 3,000 cities and towns.

The new workshop in Kozhikode covers 1,820 square metres and includes service bays, body repair bays and electric vehicle charging and service capabilities.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, said, “In automobile business, along with the product, the convenience of quality service support is essential to enhancing a customer’s vehicle ownership experience. As our customer base continues to grow, we are equally focused on expanding our service network to provide greater convenience and peace of mind to customers. The inauguration of our 6,000th service touchpoint reflects this commitment. I would like to thank our dealer partners and service team, as together we have accelerated workshop activation and added our most recent 1,000 touchpoints in just around two years. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen our service footprint, and in FY 2026-27, we plan to add about 500* service touchpoints across the country.”

The company’s service network includes workshops, sales and service points, rural workshops and mobile service units. Maruti Suzuki also provides digital tools for customers, such as the Maruti Suzuki App, an AI-powered virtual assistant called S-Assist and vehicle health assessment documents.

In the 2025-26 financial year, Maruti Suzuki opened 502 service touchpoints and recorded 28.4 million vehicle services.

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Tesla has inaugurated a destination charging station at Nexus Select Citywalk in New Delhi. The site features six 11 kW AC destination chargers located in the P1 parking area. This addition brings Tesla's total in India to 6 charging stations, comprising 20 superchargers and 20 destination chargers.

Alongside the charging site, Tesla has opened a pop-up store at the mall, which operates from 6 July to 10 July between 11 AM and 9 PM. Visitors can view the Model Y L and the 2026 Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive.

The Model Y L is a six-seat SUV with a cargo capacity of 2,539 litres and a range of 681 km. Pricing for the Model Y L begins at INR 6.19 million, with monthly EMIs from INR 49,990 and a down payment of INR 650,000.

The 2026 Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive seats five passengers, offers 2,138 litres of cargo space, and provides a range of 500 km. It is priced at INR 5.08 million, with EMIs starting at INR 39,990 and a down payment of INR 650,000.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched its Ownership Service Camp 2026, which runs from 3 July to 12 July 2026. The programme is available at 521 authorised workshops across 365 cities.

The service camp includes discounts on vehicle care, extended warranty packages, roadside assistance plans, parts, labour and accessories. Customers opting for the package will also receive a 36-point vehicle health check, which covers the exterior, interior, engine compartment and underbody. Additionally, the initiative provides used-car valuation services and exchange offers.

Bhimsen Gulabani, Vice-President - Customer Experience, Kia India, said, “Kia Ownership Service Camp 2026 embodies our unwavering commitment to delivering a seamless and differentiated ownership experience. Through this nationwide initiative, we aim not only to help customers maintain their vehicles in peak conditions but also to strengthen long-term relationships by providing transparent, accessible, and rewarding aftersales support. As we continue to enhance our service standards, our focus remains on creating a customer experience that inspires confidence and reinforces Kia's position as one of India's most trusted mobility brands."

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Autoverse Mobility has announced the launch of its Quick Commerce Program and Franchisee Program. These initiatives were introduced during the Garage Leadership Summit 2026 in Bengaluru, which was attended by garage owners, automotive experts and stakeholders.

The Quick Commerce Program allows garages to order spare parts – such as clutches, suspension components, filters and brake parts – through the Autoverse platform, with dispatch from local stores in 15 minutes starting with Bengaluru. The Franchisee Program enables entrepreneurs to open stores using Autoverse’s technology, sourcing and supply chain network.

Mihir Mohan, Founder & CEO, Autoverse Mobility, said, "India's independent garages are the backbone of the country's automotive service ecosystem. As vehicles become more connected, software-driven and technologically advanced, garages need more than just access to spare parts; they need knowledge, training, digital tools and a strong ecosystem that helps them compete and grow. The two initiatives launched by the company today are aimed at solving critical challenges faced by workshops, including faster access to spare parts and improved inventory management."

"Garage Leadership Summit 2026 reflects our commitment to building that ecosystem. Our vision is to empower every independent garage with the technology, expertise and trusted partnerships required to deliver world-class service while building profitable, future-ready businesses," added Mohan.

Rama Shankar Pandey, Co-Founder, Autoverse Mobility, said, "Independent garage owners today are looking beyond repairs; they are focusing on building brands, adopting technology and redefining customer experience. The conversations at the Summit highlighted the industry's readiness to embrace change and reinforced the importance of continuous learning and collaboration."

The summit included discussions on garage profitability, technical sessions on lubrication, E20 fuel and workshops on diesel particulate filter regeneration. A presentation titled ‘Before WhatsApp, Open Autoverse’ demonstrated how the company’s digital tools assist with spare parts sourcing and business operations.

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