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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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced the appointment of Peyman Kargar as Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 27 January 2027.

He will succeed K N Radhakrishnan, who will remain in the role until the transition date before serving as Non-Executive Director until the company's Annual General Meeting in July 2027.

At present, Kargar serves as the President of International Business at TVS Motor Company, overseeing operations that represent 29 percent of the sales volume. He has over three decades of automotive industry experience across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, covering research and development, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing.

The leadership change follows a financial year in which TVS Motor Company reported global sales of 5.9 million units and revenue growth of 30 percent. In his upcoming role, Kargar will oversee the manufacturer's domestic operations in India alongside its international expansion into developed markets.

Sudarshan Venu, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, "This appointment marks an important step for TVS Motor Company as we prepare for the future. Peyman is an accomplished global leader with deep industry experience, strategic vision and a strong understanding of customers and markets. As President, International Business, he has already made a meaningful contribution to our business, and I am confident he is the right person to lead TVS Motor Company and further strengthen our position among the world's leading mobility companies. At TVS Motor Company, our values and culture are fundamental to who we are and how we operate. I am confident that Peyman will continue to build on these values and work towards our vision of transforming the quality of life of people across the world through mobility solutions that are exciting, responsible, sustainable and safe. I would also like to thank K. N. Radhakrishnan for his outstanding contribution to TVS Motor Company and the wider TVS VENU group over many years. His leadership, passion, and commitment have helped shape the company into the strong organization it is today. I am personally grateful for his valuable counsel, guidance and support."

Peyman Kargar said, “It is a privilege to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of TVS Motor Company. Building on our momentum, we are entering into a new phase of growth, expanding our presence and further consolidating our position in India and global markets. As we do so, the guiding principles of the TVS Way and its values will always be the North Star. I will be focused on realizing the company’s vision and strengthening our technology leadership, AI capabilities, commitment to quality, and customer centricity. Together, these principles have helped create a culture where individuals and teams can thrive, innovate and deliver exceptional outcomes. I look forward to working closely with our teams in India and around the world to strengthen our position in key markets, deliver for our customers and build on the foundations we have created."

K N Radhakrishnan said, "It has been a privilege to serve TVS Motor Company as CEO and work alongside an exceptional team. I am grateful for the support, commitment and dedication of colleagues across the business, whose efforts have shaped the company that we are today. I am confident Peyman will lead TVS Motor Company with distinction and wish him every success in the role and I look forward to supporting a smooth transition over the coming months."

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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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