Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has stepped down due to differences with the board, a news report in the CNN.com (Business) has mentioned. It has also mentioned that Tavares faced criticism for the lack lustre performance of the Group brands – formed with the coming together of FCA and PSA Groups – during the nine months of the current calendar year in the US. 
The announcement of Tavares’ departure comes at a time when popular group brands such as Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge have seen sales drop as the ‘affordable’ models are discontinued under the wake of a ‘lean’ strategy and in what looks like an attempt to elevate the brands to offer premium luxury vehicles. 
In India too, the Jeep vehicles are priced much higher than they may be worthy of. It is no surprise therefore that they are being undercut by Jeep-like vehicles from brands like Mahindra, which costs many million Rupees less. 
Beginning its journey in Mumbai after Independence by assembling Willys CJ3 Jeep under license from Willys Corporation, Mahindra has grown to be a leading utility and SUV vehicles manufacture in India. It has also found a strong footing in export markets of US, Australia and South Africa with its 4x4 vehicles. 
Also failing to extensively refresh or introduce next generation models such as the Compass in India, Jeep is not doing great in India either, the figures indicate. The other brand, Citroen seems to be better positioned and more agile in its ability to learn and adapt to the market requirements in the country. It too is yet to show its prowess to set the sales charts on fire in India.   
Criticised to have taken the lean strategy a bit too far to come back and bite the group where it hurts the most, Tavares’ stepping down comes at a time when dealers across many parts of the world struggle to move the inventory on their lots. 
Several workers laid off at several plants of the group – particularly in the US – have also criticised Tavares for the situation Stellantis got into in that market. 
The situation in other markets is claimed to be not very different either. 
The process to appoint the new permanent CEO is underway with a Special Committee of the Board expected to announce one in the first half of 2025 calendar year, as per the report. A new Interim Executive Committee, chaired by John Elkann, will be established, the report further mentions. 
Global sales volume for the first half of this year fell 10 percent in the case of Stellantis. In the third quarter, it plunged 20 percent. 
With many loyal buyers of Dodge and Jeep vehicles keeping away as the prices have risen way beyond, sales in US have been down by 17 percent in the first nine months of the year. 

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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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