Arranged in one corner of Hall 6 of Pragati Maidan in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was an air-taxi called Shunya. Developed by Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, the air-taxi attracted a good deal of crowd, reflecting a new and future mode of transport or mobility.

The Shunya air-taxi prototype could facilitate a new mode of mobility much like a radio-taxi does to travel between Mumbai and Pune; between Mumbai and Kalyan; between Delhi and Jaipur or between Delhi and Meerut, for example.

Intending to launch the electric air-taxi in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India, Sarla Aviation (the company’s name is inspired by Sarla Thakral, India’s first female pilot) is steadfastly focusing on an indigenous design and manufacture since the beginning of the operations.

A testament to Sarla Aviation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the Shunya air-taxi proto has been designed to execute short trips of 20 to 30 kms with speeds of up to 250 kmph with up to six passengers onboard. As the first eVTOL of its kind in the country, it marks a pivotal moment in the history of Indian civil aviation, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in cutting-edge aerospace technologies.

Capable of carrying a maximum load of 680 kg, according to a source aware of the development, the air-taxi offers a market-leading payload capacity such that every passenger can bring his or her luggage. The luggage is conveniently stored in the rear of Shunya with exterior access for ease.

Prioritising safety, purpose-driven performance and accessibility, Shunya – poised to redefine mass transportation – can take off from any flat surface, whether on top of a building or in a rural area, making it the most infrastructure-efficient mode of mass mobility ever, according to the company.

Working on a strategy that will see Shunya facilitate efficient commuting in megacities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune, Sarla Aviation is also looking at how its offering could facilitate social commitments in the form of an air ambulance that reaches where no vehicle or other means of mobility is able to reach. An air ambulance could also be used in urban and semi-urban areas to beat the road congestion.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has unveiled Tata.Cars as its new consumer-facing global brand identity, alongside the brand line ‘Nothing’s Too Far’. The identity unifies the company's passenger vehicle portfolio under a single master brand across its digital, retail and service platforms.

The legal entity name, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, remains unchanged for statutory, regulatory and investor communications, while the vehicle emblem continues on existing and future models.

The new visual identity system introduces a design language termed Parallel Pathways, alongside a custom typeface and a revised colour scheme designated as Ambition Blue.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, "For decades, we have grown alongside India’s aspirations, helping make the future more accessible through meaningful innovation. From India’s first indigenous car to pioneering electric mobility and making safety mainstream, we have consistently challenged limits and expanded possibilities for millions of customers. Yet, we believe our boldest ambitions remain ahead of us. Today, we proudly introduce Tata.Cars. More than a new brand identity, it is a declaration of intent for the future we envision. Anchored in the promise, ‘Nothing’s Too Far’, it conveys our belief that mobility should open doors, embrace possibilities and empower people to get closer to what matters most to them. As the world moves towards a more connected, intelligent and sustainable future, Tata.Cars will continue creating breakthrough products, experiences and ecosystems that help customers unlock new possibilities and pursue their ambitions without limits.”

The identity consolidation encompasses the automaker's range of internal combustion and electric vehicles across hatchbacks, sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The branding roll-out will apply to customer touchpoints, retail spaces and service networks across domestic and international markets.

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T-Hub, the world's largest home for startups, has partnered with Honda Digital Innovation India to launch the Honda Innovation Challenge 2.0, an initiative designed to build digital mobility and customer experience applications alongside Indian startups.

The partnership expands upon the initial challenge framework to run three programmes over the next year, providing total project funding of up to INR 48 million. Each challenge will select four startups eligible to receive up to INR 4 million to construct proof-of-concept projects alongside Honda teams over a 12-week period, representing an increase from the INR 1 million offered per project during the first edition.

Furthermore, startups will also gain access to Honda's operational environments and T-Hub's mentorship network to support development leading toward potential commercial integration.

The launch follows the conclusion of the Honda Innovation Challenge 1.0 in May 2026, which selected four companies – Attento Technologies, Xane AI, SenSight Technologies, and AppTestify – to develop proof-of-concept projects covering driver behaviour analysis, vehicle resale evaluation and customer data systems for Honda's dealership network.

Toshiyuki Yanagisawa, CEO, Honda Digital Innovation India, said, “Honda Digital Innovation brings together two important elements: the transformation of people’s lives through digital technology, and the value that we want the Honda brand to create. Our mission is to explore and deliver new forms of value that can make people’s lives better. And Honda Innovation Challenge is the platform where we bring together people who share that ambition – people who have new ideas, new technologies, and the passion to create a better future for customers.”

Kavikrut, CEO, T-Hub, said, “Industries are solving increasingly complex problems, but building every solution in-house can take significant time and resources. Startups bring speed, agility and specialised capabilities to address these challenges. At T-Hub, we bring our industry partners and founders together to co-build solutions around real business needs and move them towards deployment. With automotive being an early adopter of technology, our partnership with Honda creates an opportunity to build in India and take these solutions to the world.”

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Swedish automotive manufacturer Polestar has appointed Arek Nowinski to its Board of Directors, succeeding Francesca Gamboni, who is set to retire from Polestar’s Board.

Till recently, Arek was Head of Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at Volvo Cars and has held several other senior sales leadership positions during his career. In his previous roles, Arek has also served as the President of Volvo Cars Poland, Senior VP of Volvo Cars EMEA and President of Volvo Cars International Markets. 

He holds an MSc in International Finance from the University of Derby and an MA in Finance and Banking from the Warsaw School of Economics. 

Winfried Vahland, Chair, Polestar, said, “I would like to thank Francesca for her excellent contribution to the work of the Board. I’m also pleased to welcome Arek, who brings significant commercial expertise and experience, as Polestar enters a phase of model expansion and sales network development across existing and new markets.”

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Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Cedric Ratinaud as the new Global Head of Brand, Nissan.

Ratinaud previously served as the Director of Creative and Campaigns for Global Communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, a role he held from April 2024. Prior to that position, he worked as General Manager of INFINITI Global Communications. His background includes two decades in the automotive sector across communications, marketing communications, and brand management roles.

His career at Nissan spans operations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for Nissan Motor Asia Pacific, operating out of Thailand.

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