Volkswagen India has expanded its footprint in Kerala with the inauguration of city stores in Calicut, Trivandrum and Kochi besides an additional body shop facility in Kochi and two more sales and service facilities at Kodungallur as well as Palakkad. 

The addition of these outlets marks a significant expansion for Volkswagen in Kerala, growing its footprint to 21 sales and 16 service facilities in the state. This growth underscores the brand’s commitment to providing premium mobility solutions to the growing customer base in Kerala.

The new city stores will showcase Volkswagen India’s premium product portfolio of the 5-star GNCAP safety rated Taigun, Virtus as well as the brand’s globally acclaimed Tiguan SUV. The Calicut city store features a two-car display, while the Trivandrum and Kochi outlets will each house displays of three cars from the Brand’s product portfolio. 

The new body shop facility in Kochi, is equipped with 11 service bays and will also offer comprehensive services including Express Service and full-fledged body repair facilities This facility is designed to provide efficient, high-quality service to meet the needs of Volkswagen customers in the region.

Rejoicing the upcoming festive spirit, the Volkswagen brand has also launched a special celebratory Onam Edition on the Virtus and Taigun that will feature Front Parking Sensors, Dual Tone Horn, Puddle Lamps, TSI Fender Badge and more.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “Kerala has always been a key market for Volkswagen India with its dynamic economy and discerning customer base. The opening of these new touchpoints as well as the introduction of special celebratory Onam Edition of Taigun and Virtus, are a testament to our commitment to the Kerala market and our endeavor to provide premium, German-engineered vehicles to our valued customers here. With the expanded network, we are well-positioned to meet the increasing demand from the upcoming festive season while continuing to offer a seamless, transparent, and value-for-money products and services to our customers in Kerala.”

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ReadyAssist, an Indian AutoTech firm, has launched its ‘Project Shakthi’ to increase female participation in the automotive service sector. The initiative aims to train 300 women across 15 Indian cities over the next two years, offering an earning potential of up to INR 50,000 per month.

The programme focuses on Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune, with an initial goal of onboarding 25 women within the next six to 12 months. Project Shakthi is designed to create technical, field-based career pathways for women in an industry where they have been historically underrepresented.

The initiative prioritises accessibility, requiring no minimum education or prior technical background. Eligible applicants include women of legal working age, possessing a valid driving licence and be able to operate a two-wheeler. The future technicians undergo a 10-day, zero-cost training programme that combines classroom instruction with hands-on field experience. Training starts with GPS and Dashcam fitment, covering installation, configuration and diagnostics. Graduates are onboarded as service partners under a flexible, freelance model, allowing them to choose their working hours.

ReadyAssist aims to move beyond a pilot phase in Bengaluru, where the first batch of technicians has already been deployed — to a nationwide rollout. The company plans to collaborate with women’s empowerment organisations, training institutes and government bodies to scale the programme.

Vimal Singh SV, Founder & CEO, ReadyAssist, said, “At ReadyAssist, we believe talent and capability are not defined by gender, but by opportunity and support. Through Project Shakthi, we are creating structured pathways for women to step into technical and on-ground customer facing roles with the right training, tools, and opportunities.”

ReadyAssist stated that early data from the Bengaluru pilot indicates high levels of customer satisfaction and technical proficiency from female technicians. Following the initial focus on GPS and dashcam fitment, participants will have the opportunity to upskill into broader automotive service areas.

By removing traditional barriers to entry, ReadyAssist intends to build an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of its customer base while providing sustainable financial independence for women.

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PB Wheels, a brand of PolicyBazaar Fintech Group, aims to centralise fragmented vehicle management tasks into a single application.

Beyond its core insurance business, the service now incorporates vehicle information, maintenance scheduling, FASTag management and compliance tracking for PUC and traffic challans.

PB Wheels is currently operational in over 185 cities, providing access to a network of multi-brand garages. The platform's model focuses on transparent pricing and digital tracking to improve the traditional maintenance experience.

Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, PB Fintech, said, “Insurance is often where the relationship with the customer begins, but vehicle ownership goes far beyond that. With PB Wheels, we are building a single, dependable platform that brings together everything a vehicle owner needs, from servicing and maintenance to compliance and on-road safety. Our goal is to make managing a vehicle as simple, transparent, and hassle-free as possible.”

The platform is designed to handle the entire vehicle lifecycle through several key features:

• Maintenance: Users can book services with pickup and drop-off options and receive real-time updates on repairs.
• Compliance: The system provides active tracking for traffic fines and the status of mandatory certifications.
• Road Safety: The brand recently introduced ‘Safe Drive Home’ in Delhi NCR, a complimentary driver service intended to reduce drink-driving incidents.

By combining insurance claims processing with preventive maintenance, PB Wheels seeks to create a connected ecosystem that benefits both the consumer and the insurer through proactive vehicle care. The expansion reflects a broader strategy to move from a transaction-based insurance model to a long-term ownership relationship.

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Spinny has introduced a comprehensive Seller Protection Policy to manage legal and operational risks for car owners during the vehicle ownership transfer process.

The initiative addresses common concerns in the used car market, where delays in transferring the Registration Certificate (RC) can leave sellers liable for traffic fines, legal notices and accidents occurring after the vehicle has been handed over.

Under the new policy, Spinny will assume full accountability for the vehicle from the moment of handover until the official transfer of ownership to the new buyer is complete.

The company says its full-stack operational model allows for greater control over the documentation lifecycle compared to traditional intermediaries. It reports a 95 percent RC transfer completion rate within 12 months of a buyer purchasing the vehicle. This structured approach aims to provide a more predictable timeline and reduce the period of legal exposure for the original owner.

The service includes the verification of essential seller and buyer documentation, such as PAN and bank details, to ensure all transactions remain compliant with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) regulations.

The Seller Protection Policy provides several layers of security for car sellers:

• Challan Management: Spinny takes responsibility for any traffic challans issued after the vehicle is handed over to their custody.
• Legal Representation: The company provides legal support and representation in the event of disputes or accidents involving the vehicle during the interim ownership period.
• Misuse Protection: Coverage is provided against any unauthorised use of the vehicle while it remains in Spinny’s possession.
• Documented Custody: Spinny maintains verified documentation to establish a clear paper trail of when physical custody of the vehicle was transferred.

Beyond legal protection, the platform has integrated features to streamline the sale process. Sellers receive final price offers typically within 3–4 percent of the initial online estimate, with payments processed on the same day as vehicle handover. The entire process is supported by digital tracking, allowing sellers to monitor the status of their RC transfer in real time.

By formalising these protections, Spinny aims to build long-term trust in the used car ecosystem, ensuring that the transition from seller to buyer is transparent, fast and legally secure.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its 500th service workshop in Chandkheda, Ahmedabad, marking a major expansion of its aftersales network.

This milestone brings the company’s total service touchpoints to 800 across 391 cities, supporting a customer base that now exceeds 1.5 million vehicle owners.

The new facility, operated by West Coast Kia, is one of the brand's largest in the country, spanning 76,069 square feet. It is equipped with 57 service bays and 100 parking bays, with the capacity to service up to 40,000 vehicles annually. The workshop is staffed by 90 trained professionals and includes a ‘Shine Zone’ dedicated to premium exterior treatments like ceramic coating.

As part of Kia’s transition toward electrification and responsible growth, the Ahmedabad facility includes a 90 kW DC fast charger capable of supporting two vehicles simultaneously. The workshop features 145 kW solar power generation, rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems. It is part of 124 ‘green workshops’ Kia has established nationwide, which collectively generate 8.90 MW of solar energy.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director & CEO, Kia India, said, “The inauguration of our 500th Service Workshop is a proud milestone that reflects our deep commitment to customer-centricity. This achievement is not just about scale, but about ensuring that every Kia customer experiences convenience, transparency, and trust throughout their ownership journey. As we continue to expand our network, our focus remains on delivering a future-ready, sustainable, and digitally enabled aftersales ecosystem.”

The workshop supports Kia’s ‘contactless’ service model, which utilises RFID tracking and digital health reports accessible via the My Kia App. Beyond technical services, West Coast Kia has launched a green drive in collaboration with local authorities to plant 10,000 trees across Ahmedabad to support community sustainability.

Baljeet Singh Bagga, Dealer Principal, West Coast Kia, added, “Achieving the 500 workshops milestone is a matter of immense pride for us. Our association with Kia India since its inception has been strong and progressive. This new workshop represents another meaningful step in bringing the Kia brand closer to our customers, while elevating service accessibility and experience in the region.”

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