French automotive major Renault Group has appointed Francois Provost as the new CEO of Renault S.A. and Chairman of Renault s.a.s., effective 31 July, for a term of four years. The move is part of the recommendation of the Renault Group Board of Directors, under the chairmanship of Jean-Dominique Senard.

Provost earlier held the position of Chief Procurement, Partnerships and Public Affairs Officer and comes with over two decades of experience within the Renault Group. The company stated he has strong international experience in both operational and strategic roles, an in-depth understanding of the sector’s challenges.

In his new role, he will be responsible to continue and accelerate the development of Renault Group, particularly internationally. Through partnerships, capitalise on its strategic agility and maintain high performance standards, in full respect of the company’s values.

Jean-Dominique Senard, said, "I am confident that François Provost will lead the Group with discernment and determination in an environment that demands both rigor in execution, strategic vision, and the ability to innovate. In this rapidly changing industry, his determination and sense of responsibility will be true assets to guide the teams and sustain our momentum. At Renault Group, there is no place for the status quo. Thanks to his expertise and knowledge of the company, we will be able to complete the implementation of our strategic plan, finalise the terms of the next one, and ensure its successful execution. I sincerely look forward to working with him. I would also like to warmly thank Duncan Minto for serving as interim during these past few days."

Francois Provost, said, “It is with pride and gratitude that I welcome my appointment. I would like to warmly thank my President, Jean-Dominique Senard, and the Board of Directors for the trust they have placed in me. I have a special thought for the teams across the Group who have supported me throughout these past 23 years. I will dedicate all my energy and passion to contributing – alongside our 100,000 employees, our dealers, suppliers and partners – to the development of our Group, one of the flagships of French industry for the past 127 years. Renault Group benefits from strong fundamentals, with committed teams, an outstanding range of products, strong brands, and an innovative organisational model. These will be invaluable assets as we accelerate our transformation in an increasingly demanding environment for our industry. You can count on my commitment and determination to write the next page of our history together.”

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Tata Motors, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has added another feather to its cap, bagging two Red Dot Design Awards for the Avinya X Concept and Sierra Concept models. Martin Uhlarik led the in-house design for both models.  

The Red Dot Design Award, which was established in 1955, assesses design quality across three categories: Product Design, Brands & Communication Design and Design Concept. The competition has operated for nearly 70 years under the current brand structure developed in the 1990s by Red Dot CEO Professor Dr Peter Zec.

The Avinya X Concept first showcased at Bharat Mobility 2025 was recognised for its innovation through its design, stance and proportions. The vehicle features technologies such as matrix LED lighting, aero enhancements and wheels, which boost efficiency and emphasise its elegance. Its silhouette and enclosed surfaces balance strength, power and off-road capability while offering cabin space.

The interior is designed to rejuvenate mind and body, blending craftsmanship with wellness. Cabin details include fabric-wrapped soundbars, aroma diffusers and lounge-style rear seating. The dashboard integrates technology, providing information while minimising distractions for a driving experience. The Samudra exterior colour, paired with protective accents and detailing, enhances the concept's presence. The rear interior, crafted from materials, offers a lounge-like experience.

On the other hand, the revived Sierra design captures the charm of the original while embracing sophistication, balancing nostalgia with elegance. The rear glass has been reimagined as a combination of a finisher along the roofline and a panoramic sunroof to recreate the illusion of glass. This design gives the concept a roof appearance while meeting safety standards.

The exterior features surfaces that convey confidence and elegance. Haunches and a shoulder line contribute to a stance, reflecting the vehicle’s character. The rear is designed to express width and stability, with a tailgate that reinforces the stance. This design enables taillights. A D-pillar enhances the roof effect, creating continuity and flow.

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A traffic management initiative, undertaken by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) for Gurugram Traffic Police and supported by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), aims to improve traffic management across 22 major intersections in Gurugram.

A scientific audit for these 22 intersections was completed by the Traffic Engineering Centre (TEC) and Organisation Development Centre (ODC), established by IRTE for the Gurugram police. Work to improve traffic management at two intersections, Rajiv Chowk and Shankar Chowk, has begun.

Dr Rohit Baluja, President, IRTE, said, “The Traffic Engineering Centre (TEC) has been designed to scientifically audit develop sustainable traffic management system for Gurugram under the aegis of the Gurugram Traffic Police, where IRTE's Road Safety Engineers observe traffic movement, violations, and behavioural issues of vulnerable road users, along with studying the causative factors related to congestion. These will be monitored and analysed through camera inputs of 218 junctions with the valuable support of the ICCC Gurugram.”

Under the Easy roads project, the IRTE team provided support to the Gurugram Traffic Police for:

• Conducting safety and traffic engineering audits across 22 major junctions and intersections.
• Reviewing and improving 15 km of key road stretches prone to congestion and risk.
• Rectifying identified blackspots to reduce accident occurrences.
• Developing safety and traffic management measures for school zones.
• Conducting feasibility studies on stakeholder proposals related to road safety and mobility.

Vikas Arora, Commissioner, Gurugram Police, said, “In coming days Gurugram police will increase enforcement by deploying 10-15 officers at each traffic violation spot across the city for a week to challan and stop violations. The Gurugram police has also increased challans for drunk driving as 30,000 challans were issued in a year as compared to 4000 in previous year. 32 black spots have been recognized in Gurugram and are being rectified by improving road engineering and signages”.

Saurabh S. Shrama, of Hyundai Motor India, said, “This initiative marks a significant step toward a data-driven and scientific approach to traffic management. Through collaboration with enforcement agencies and the application of forensic methodologies, we can ensure more sustainable and effective road safety interventions.”

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Iron Mountain, a global leader in information management services, has become an Official Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team, kickstarting a new multi-year partnership that will commence at the 2025 United States Grand Prix. The collaboration will leverage Iron Mountain’s expertise to spearhead a digital transformation of McLaren Racing’s legendary heritage archive.

Utilising an advanced AI-powered platform, the project will convert priceless historical materials, including vintage photography, film and technical blueprints, into an intelligent and dynamic digital resource. This initiative is designed to unlock new value from these assets, enabling McLaren to share its iconic history with a global audience. By creating new and immersive stories, the team aims to connect fans and partners more deeply to its legacy and the sport.

Furthermore, McLaren will utilise Iron Mountain’s global leadership in the secure and efficient management of end-of-life IT assets. As part of the agreement, Iron Mountain branding will be featured on the team’s race cars beginning in Austin, with additional visibility planned throughout the 2025 season and beyond.

Nick Martin, Co-Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Racing, said, “Our fans are at the centre of what we do, and we are passionate about sharing our storied past with them. With the integration of Iron Mountain, we will be able to bring to life more of the team’s rich history for our fans and partners as we look to shine a light on the McLaren Racing brand.”

Greg McIntosh, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Iron Mountain, said, “We are proud to partner with the McLaren Formula 1 Team, which embodies the spirit of innovation and high performance at Iron Mountain. Our AI-enabled digital platform will help to fuel new opportunities for success and transform McLaren Racing’s iconic heritage media – protecting these timeless assets for future generations, connecting them to fans and partners and activating them to unlock value like never before.”

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The latest wholesales data shared by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers Association (SIAM) for Q2 FY 2025–26 shows mixed domestic performance across segments, but strong growth in exports.

During Q2, passenger vehicle sales stood at 1.04 million units, down 2 percent compared to 1.05 million units last year. However, sales in September 2025 were up by 4 percent, with SUV segment with 204,938 units, down 1 percent YoY, accounting for around two-thirds of sales.

Two-wheelers posted sales of 5.56 million units, a growth of 7 percent YoY, supported by higher economic activity and the positive impact of a GST rate reduction. The scooter segment grew by 12 percent, compared to 5 percent YoY growth in motorcycles.

Three-wheelers recorded their highest-ever Q2 sales of 229,239 units, with a growth of 8 percent YoY, driven by the Passenger Carrier sub-segment’s 12 percent growth YoY.

Commercial vehicles sales stood at 239,781 lakh units, reflecting a growth of 8 percent YoY. Growth was broad-based, with Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHCVs) and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) both showing improvement.

The industry enters the second half of FY 2025–26 with renewed cheer, supported by the festive season momentum, stable macroeconomic conditions and GST 2.0 reforms. The extended festive and wedding season is expected to sustain growth momentum through Q3.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM, said, "The GST 2.0 reform is a landmark decision of the Government of India, which apart from catapulting the Indian auto industry to the next level, would bring in vibrancy in the entire economy, as this industry is closely intertwined with strong forward and backward linkages. Inspite of the new GST rates coming into effect from of September, i.e. only for 9 days of the month, Passenger Vehicles, Two-Wheelers and Three-Wheelers have already posted their highest ever sales of September. In addition, very strong exports growth, in all segments in Q2, indicates the growing brand acceptance on Indian made vehicles. Looking ahead, the outlook for the sector remains encouraging on the back of key tailw

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