Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has launched its third generation Amaze compact sedan in India. Available with an introductory price of INR 799,900 to INR 1,089,900 ex-showroom, Delhi, the new car is stylish and more premium in its approach when compared to that of the car that it replaces. 
Developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Center in Thailand under the grand concept of 'Elite Booster Sedan’, which reflects the automaker’ vision to empower users to express their success and sophistication, the new Amaze is also an outcome of its manufacturer’s quest for zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050. 
Equipped with – what is claimed to be a segment first -- Honda ‘Sensing’ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), the Amaze is available in three trim levels – V, VX and ZX. With a choice of six colours, the car measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,733 mm in width and 1,500 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2470 mm. 
Powered by an E20 complaint 1.2-litre four cylinder ‘i-VTEC’ petrol engine, the compact sedan could be had with a CVT (with Paddle Shift) or a five-speed manual unit. 
Packed with over 28 active and passive safety features, sone of which form a part of the ADAS suite, the Honda Amaze also offers ‘LaneWatch Camera’ and six airbags (as standard). 
With an efficient ‘Connected’ car experience via Honda Connect on the cards (it is backed by a five-year subscription), the compact sedan is supported by 3 years of unlimited kilometres warranty as standard benefit to the customers. Customers can also opt for an extended warranty up to seven years for unlimited kilometres. 
“We are thrilled to present the all-new Amaze – a sedan that is set to outclass in all parameters of Styling, Safety, Connectivity, Drive and Comfort. The Amaze has always held a special place in the hearts of Indian customers, and this new generation model reflects our commitment to meeting their evolving needs. We are confident that this new Amaze will set new standards and continue to strengthen Honda’s legacy in India. For the first time in this segment, we are delighted to bring Honda SENSING, our advanced suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, to the Amaze. With this application, we now have ADAS technology introduced in all models of our India line up and Honda Amaze is the most affordable ADAS enabled car in India,” said Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. 

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VinFast Auto India, a subsidiary of the global electric vehicle (EV) brand VinFast, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Capital to establish a comprehensive auto and inventory financing framework for its exclusive dealer network.

The partnership is structured to provide VinFast’s retail partners with customised credit lines to manage working capital requirements, optimise inventory volumes and fund physical network expansion as the brand establishes its commercial footprint in India.

The collaboration bridges VinFast's entry into the Indian automotive space with the expansive fiscal network of Tata Capital, which ranks as India's third-largest non-banking financial company (NBFC).

The dealer financing agreement functions as an operational anchor for VinFast’s broader strategy to build a self-sustaining electric vehicle ecosystem in India. Furthermore, to alleviate consumer hesitation regarding EV depreciation curves, VinFast is launching structural assured resale value programs.

It was just recently that VinFast announced an extension of its free charging program across the V-Green charging network, which will remain active for owners until 31 March 2029.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “VinFast India is pleased to partner with Tata Capital, one of the most trusted financial services providers in the country, in a collaboration that reflects our shared commitment to advancing electric mobility in India. This partnership will enable us to offer comprehensive financing solutions for our dealer network, thereby supporting greater accessibility, operational ease and long-term growth for the brand. We are confident that their strong pan-India presence and financial expertise will play an important role in enhancing the ownership journey for our customers and partners.”

Narendra Kamath, COO - SME Finance, Tata Capital, said, "India’s transition to electric mobility is gathering significant momentum, creating a growing need for innovative and scalable financing solutions. Through our partnership with VinFast, we aim to empower dealers with tailored financing support that enables business growth and operational efficiency. Together, we are committed to strengthening the EV ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility across the country."

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Maruti Suzuki India Limited has launched the Smart Maintenance Plan (SMP), a flexible prepaid after‑sales service package aimed at giving existing customers a worry‑free ownership experience. The plan is open to all private and commercial vehicle owners.

Customers can subscribe at the time of vehicle purchase or later during a periodic maintenance visit to any authorised workshop. The plan offers various configurations, including labour‑only, parts and labour, commercial vehicle minor services, customer‑demanded services and engine oil with coolants. Optional wear‑and‑tear coverage for clutch and brake parts is also available.

Subscribers save at least 10 percent on labour costs, with extra savings on parts and consumables, while gaining protection against future inflation. Tenure and mileage options range from two years or 20,000 kilometres up to 10 years or 100,000 kilometres for private vehicles, and 10 years or 160,000 kilometres for commercial vehicles. The plan applies nationwide at any Maruti Suzuki authorised workshop.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Since inception, our focus has been to deliver complete peace of mind and a truly joyful ownership experience to our customers. As customer expectations continue to evolve towards greater flexibility and personalised solutions, we are introducing the Smart Maintenance Plan. It is a prepaid service offering designed around individual driving needs. Customers can customise service packages while also protect themselves from future fluctuations in service costs by locking in maintenance expenses. Through this initiative, we aim to further enhance convenience, trust and long-term value for our customers.”

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French automotive major Renault is accelerating the international rollout of its high-value C-segment SUV, the Renault Boreal. Originally launched in Latin America out of the Curitiba production facility in Brazil, Renault has established a second major industrial hub for the vehicle at its OYAK Renault plant in Bursa, Türkiye.

The strategic expansion positions the Bursa facility to satisfy high domestic demand in Türkiye – Renault’s second-largest market globally – while serving as a primary export base for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Renault Boreal features dimensions that exceed conventional C-segment benchmarks, leaning into upper-tier spacing realities – 4.56 metre body length, 2.70 metre wheelbase and 630 litres of boot space, expandable up to 1,868 litres with the easy break rear seats completely folded down.

The exterior design language combines a high-riding stance with modern brand markers, highlighted by a body-colour front grille housing the backlit ‘Nouvel’R’ emblem. It features a sweeping roofline, prominent fender flares, a Niagara Concept-inspired LED headlight signature, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a black-contrast panoramic glass roof.

The Turkish manufacturing rollout introduces a pragmatic mix of combustion and hybrid systems tailored for cross-continental regulatory and driving conditions. It can be had in full hybrid e-tech with multi-mode automatic transmission option that produces 160 hp of peak power, a WLTP range of 100 km on 4.8-litre fuel, 1.3 Turbo TCe with 6-speed wet dual-clutch (EDC) producing 145 hp of peak power, offering a WLTP range of 100 km with 6.6-lite of fuel consumption and a Hybrid E-Tech 4x4 (launch in Q4 CY2026) with multi-mode automatic transmission option producing a peak power of 150 hp.

The 160 hp full hybrid variant utilises the HR18-coded engine built locally by Oyak Horse. The system is engineered to prioritise urban efficiency, running in pure electric mode up to 80 percent of the time during stop-and-go city commutes. It supports pure electric acceleration at speeds up to 110 kmph.

Drivers can modulate performance metrics through the Multi-Sense system. In addition to Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso settings, the vehicle features a new Smart Mode that automatically recalibrates steering weight, throttle response, ambient cabin lighting and exhaust/sound notes based on real-time road conditions.

The driver-oriented cabin integrates digital technology with premium family utilities, featuring a 10-inch digital driver instrument display sitting flush alongside a 10-inch openR link central multimedia touchscreen.

The Boreal deploys up to 25 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) depending on trim levels, highlighted by Active Driving Assist. This Level 2 system blends adaptive cruise control with automated Stop & Go routing and continuous lane-centring technologies.

Fabrice Cambolive, CEO, Renault Brand, said, “Boreal embodies Renault’s ambition to accelerate growth beyond Europe by delivering more value to our customers and strengthening our position in the strategic C-SUV segment. First launched in Latin America from our Brazilian hub, its expansion to Türkiye marks a new step in our international development. Boreal is also a strong illustration of Renault’s brand markers in action: Electrified by Passion with the introduction of our new E-Tech full hybrid technology; Designed to be Loved through its expressive design, elegant proportions and distinctive lighting signature that create an immediate emotional connection; People-First Technology with a seamless connected experience powered by Google, advanced driver assistance systems and intuitive onboard technologies; and Crafted Space through a spacious, versatile and comfortable interior designed around the needs of modern families. More broadly, Boreal demonstrates our ability to develop global voitures à vivre, produced close to their markets and thoughtfully adapted to local customer needs, combining desirability, innovation and everyday relevance for customers around the world.”

Ivan Segal, Renault Brand Head of Sales & Operations, added, “Boreal now enters a new phase of commercial deployment. Production in Bursa will enable us to address the Turkish market, Renault’s second-largest market worldwide, while opening up exports to a group of markets across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With strong product appeal and a competitive industrial footprint, it will support our presence in the high-value C‑SUV segment across our international markets.”

Lionel Jaillet, CEO of Renault Group Türkiye, said, “We are very proud to introduce Boreal to the Turkish market. Being manufactured at our OYAK Renault facility in Bursa will both support domestic demand and strengthen Türkiye’s position in the global automotive ecosystem by contributing to our export targets.”
 

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Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has announced the expansion of its Rally Sport (RS) performance portfolio with the introduction of the all-new Kodiaq RS. Marking the first time Skoda’s performance badge has been applied to an SUV in the Indian market, the flagship model combines a three-row, seven-seat premium layout with a dedicated mechanical tune.

The company said official order books for the high-performance SUV are scheduled to open nationwide on 22 June 2026.

The core differentiator of the Kodiaq RS lies in its upgraded internal combustion hardware. The vehicle features a heavily revised iteration of the Volkswagen Group's EA888 engine architecture, tuned identically to the high-output configurations found in the global Octavia RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The vehicle’s announcement follows a marketing campaign where Skoda Auto India’s entire active fleet – comprising the Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia, standard Kodiaq and the limited-volume Octavia RS – established an official India and Asia Book of Record at the CoASTT circuit in Coimbatore. The group achieved the 'Fastest Multi-Car Relay of a Single Manufacturer on a Circuit' with a total combined lap time of 12:30.97.

The Kodiaq RS will arrive in the country via the Completely Built Unit (CBU) import route, serving as an elite flagship positioned above the locally assembled multi-tier Kodiaq lineup (Lounge, Sportline and L&K trims).

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “The RS badge carries over 50 years of global performance legacy and a fiercely loyal following in India since the Octavia RS arrived more than two decades ago. The latest Octavia RS, launched last year, sold out in just 20 minutes, highlighting its cult status among enthusiasts. Now, we’re taking that legacy forward with the Kodiaq RS, our first-ever seven-seater in India to wear the iconic RS badge and the quickest Skoda yet in the country. It blends performance, space, and 4x4 capability into a bold, unmistakable expression of our racing DNA.”

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