Automotive customisation brand DC2, together with Mercury EV-Tech, unveiled two futuristic products – e-TANQ, a futuristic off-roader, and Europa, an ultra-luxurious showroom on wheels – at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

The e-TANQ, an all-electric commercial vehicle developed in-house by DC2 in a partnership with Mercury EV-Tech Ltd, is intended to transform commercial and urban transportation. With a huge 180 kWh battery that produces 650 BHP, the off-roader blends sustainability and performance. DC2 also launched Europa, a custom-built, unique mobile showroom in partnership with Goldmedal Electricals. The cost of designing the opulent, cutting-edge mobile store was INR 180 million.

DC2 also displayed four other innovative items at the event. These include the Empyrean, a family-oriented luxury car that blends comfort and style; the Lex Lounge, which offers first-class luxury on daily commutes; the e-Rover, a sleek and contemporary take on the urban rickshaw; and the Vellfire Quad Luxe, a modified Toyota Vellfire that offers the luxury of a private jet on wheels.

Dilip Chhabria, Founder, DC2, said, “Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 has been an opportunity to reconnect with automotive enthusiasts and showcase our vision for the future of mobility. The Expo offered the perfect stage to present our innovations to a passionate audience, and we are thrilled to have been a part of it. Our collaboration with Mercury EV-Tech has been an incredible journey. Together, we’ve created a vehicle that combines the boldness of a rugged off-roader with cutting-edge electric technology, making a strong statement about our commitment to sustainability and innovation. This is just the beginning of a new chapter for DC2."

Jayesh Thakkar, Chairman, Mercury EV-Tech Ltd, said, "We believe in Dilip Chhabria's legacy of futuristic design and engineering excellence, which made his brand the perfect partner for the e-TANQ. DC2’s commitment to transforming futuristic ideas into reality is well-aligned with our vision. With the e-TANQ, both our brands aim to redefine the future of mobility by focusing on cutting-edge design and sustainability. This collaboration is a step toward creating vehicles that cater to the expectations of the modern consumer.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Gulf Oil Lubricants India, a Hinduja Group company, has announced a four-year extension of its partnership with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Gulf will serve as the Official Lubricants Partner for the franchise, continuing an association that has spanned 13 seasons.

The renewal maintains one of the longest-running brand partnerships in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The collaboration focuses on consumer engagement through marketing campaigns and fan-focused initiatives.

The 13-season history between Gulf and CSK has been a central part of Gulf’s brand strategy in India. The company uses the platform to reach cricket fans through digital activations and on-ground experiences.

This follows the recent announcement of fellow Hinduja Group company, Ashok Leyland, joining CSK as an official sponsor.

Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said,“Gulf’s 13-season journey with CSK reflects a relationship built on trust, shared passion, and mutual success. This partnership has consistently delivered far beyond the commercial contract, forging a deep emotional connection with the loyal CSK fan base and cricket enthusiasts across the nation. Continuing this association is a proud moment for Gulf as it reflects our global heritage of supporting performance sports and iconic teams that inspire millions of fans.”

KS Viswanathan, Managing Director, Chennai Super Kings, stated, "We are pleased to continue our long-standing association with Gulf, a partner that has been with us through many memorable seasons. Over the years, Gulf has consistently brought creativity and energy to the partnership while engaging with our fans. We look forward to strengthening this relationship over the next four years. We are really pleased about how it has come together"

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Volvo Car UK is marking a major milestone in automotive safety this year, celebrating seven decades of pioneering seatbelt innovation with a groundbreaking new system in the EX60 model. This latest development represents the world’s first multi-adaptive safety belt.

The brand’s legacy began in 1956, when the Volvo Amazon prototype was fitted with a two-point diagonal chest belt, making it one of the first European vehicles to offer such a feature. Just three years later, Volvo made history by becoming the first manufacturer to fit three-point seatbelts as standard. This design, created by engineer Nils Bohlin, combined a lap belt with a diagonal strap anchored at a low point beside the seat, establishing the template for the safety belts found in every modern vehicle.

Volvo’s commitment to saving lives was further demonstrated when it made the three-point belt patent available to all competitors free of charge. This altruistic move accelerated the widespread adoption of seatbelts globally and helped fast-track legislation making them a legal requirement, ultimately saving millions of lives. The engineering principles established 70 years ago continue to inform modern Volvos, with the new EX60’s multi-adaptive belt representing the latest evolution.

This advanced system leverages real-time data from interior and exterior sensors to tailor protection for each individual occupant. It considers factors like height, weight and seating position, adjusting its response based on the specific crash scenario. For instance, a larger occupant in a severe collision would receive a higher belt load to mitigate head injury risks, while a smaller person in a minor incident would experience a lower load to protect against rib fractures. Crucially, the system is designed to learn. Through over-the-air updates, the vehicle can continuously refine its understanding of occupant dynamics and crash responses, ensuring the technology improves throughout the car's life. This landmark achievement arrives as Volvo prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2027.

Nicole Melillo Shaw, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK, said, “Volvo has always been at the forefront of safety evolution and innovation, and we’re pleased that we can continue to make new developments on such vital features like the seatbelt. The latest multi-adaptive seatbelt in the new EX60 is a testament to our pioneering technology and approach to safety that is continued today.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has taken a significant step in its ongoing collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra by completing the upgrade of the Government ITI Deogiri in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This development is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing the state’s network of Industrial Training Institutes. The company has already facilitated the modernisation of 16 ITIs across the Marathwada and Nagpur divisions. The core objective of this partnership is to uplift rural youth by providing them with advanced technical training, thereby preparing them to become skilled technicians ready to support India’s expanding industrial sector.

A structured three-pillar strategy has been established to drive this transformation. The first pillar concentrates on educator development through specialised training programmes and workshops, including sessions held at Toyota’s facility in Bidadi. The second involves equipping the institutes with modern tools and learning materials, such as fundamental skill training kits and visual aids, to create an industry-relevant learning environment. The third pillar is dedicated to instilling a strong work culture by integrating practices that promote discipline, safety and environmental awareness. This holistic approach aims to cultivate graduates who not only possess technical expertise but also demonstrate integrity and a sense of social responsibility.

The rollout is planned in three distinct phases. Following the completion of the first phase covering 17 ITIs in the Marathwada and Nagpur regions, the subsequent phases will extend the initiative to the Amravati and Nashik divisions and finally to the Mumbai and Pune divisions by 2030. With the upgrade of ITI Deogiri, the institution now serves as a blueprint for this scalable skilling framework. Starting this academic year, it will begin offering training in both manufacturing and service domains to align with current industry demands. This long-term project, which ultimately aims to uplift 45 ITIs across the state, reinforces the national Skill India Mission by leveraging global manufacturing insights to address local skill development needs.

Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Government of Maharashtra, said, “Our youth are the foundation of Maharashtra’s future, and by nurturing their skills and aspirations, we are building a self-reliant society. This collaboration with TKM reflects our commitment to providing young people with industry-relevant training that enhances their confidence, employability and contribution to nation-building. Such initiatives ensure that our students are ready for the future to drive the country's growth story."

Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we firmly believe that the youth in rural India deserve the same opportunities as those in urban centres. Our vision is to empower them with world‑class technical capabilities so they can excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress. Guided by our philosophy of ‘Grow India, Grow with India’ and our mission of ‘Producing Happiness for All’, this initiative underscores our commitment to strengthening skilling at the grassroots level. As India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, we are dedicated to enabling equitable access to industry‑relevant skills that uplift communities and build a more resilient future.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex body representing automotive dealers in India, has reported a 25.62 percent YoY increase in retail sales for February 2026, reaching 2.40 million units, surpassing previous records for the month.

The growth followed the GST 2.0 announcement and was distributed across five of the six main vehicle categories. Tractors emerged as the fastest-growing segment with a 36.35 percent increase.

The two-wheeler segment clocked retail sales of 17,00,505 units, a 25.02 percent increase. This includes 28.96 percent growth in the urban markets and 22.16 percent in rural markets. Dealers cited improved rural liquidity from crop outcomes and tax revisions as drivers for demand.

The passenger vehicle segment grew by 26.12 percent to 3,94,768 units with rural demand surging 34.21 percent, outperforming the 21.12 percent growth in urban areas. This trend supported small car sales alongside utility vehicles. Inventory levels reduced to 27–29 days, moving closer to the FADA recommendation of 21 days.

The commercial vehicle segment saw registrations of 1,00,820 units, up 28.89 percent with the demand driven by infrastructure projects, e-commerce activity and freight availability.

Lastly, three-wheeler sales grew by 24.39 percent, while Construction Equipment (CE) was the only category to record a decline, falling 1.22 percent YoY.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “February 2026 has turned out to be a landmark month for the Indian auto retail sector, further strengthening the positive momentum seen after the GST 2.0 announcement. Despite being a shorter month, the industry delivered an exceptional performance with total vehicle retails touching 2.40 million units, marking a strong 25.62 percent YoY growth and surpassing the previous best Feb of 2024. The growth was broad-based across almost all segments. On a YoY basis, Two-Wheeler grew by 25.02 percent, Three-Wheelers by 24.39 percent, Passenger Vehicles by 26.12 percent and Commercial Vehicles by 28.89 percent, reflecting healthy demand across both personal mobility as well as economic activity-driven segments.”

“Encouragingly, PV inventory levels have further reduced by about five days and now stand at 27–29 days, which is an extremely healthy sign. We appreciate PV OEMs for moving inventory closer to FADA’s recommended 21-day level, reflecting improved supply discipline and stronger alignment between wholesale dispatches and retail demand,” he added.

Going forward, FADA maintains a positive dealer outlook, with 75.51 percent of respondents expecting further growth in March. Momentum is expected to be sustained by the financial year-end buying cycle and festivals including Navratri, Ramzan, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa and Eid.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!