3rd Generation Honda Amaze Launched In India

3rd Generation Honda Amaze Launched In India

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. 

Thierry Sabbagh

Japanese automaker Nissan has announced senior management changes within its Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region to support its ‘Re:Nissan’ transformation plan.

Effective 1 January 2026, Thierry Sabbagh has assumed the role of Divisional Vice-President and President for the Middle East, KSA, CIS and India for both Nissan and Infiniti.

The expansion of Sabbagh’s remit marks India as a priority for the manufacturer. The company plans to launch three models in the Indian market over the next 14 to 16 months. These include the Gravite, the Tekton and a seven-seater C-SUV. To support these launches, Nissan is expanding its retail presence to 250 touchpoints across the country.

Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson AMIEO, Nissan, said, “The Re:Nissan plan is about transformation and customer-centricity. By empowering regional leadership, we are creating a more agile organization that can respond quickly to market dynamics and deliver competitive, compelling products. I am confident these changes will strengthen our performance and supercharge our progress in 2026 and I wish Thierry every success in his new role.”

Sabbagh added, “I am honoured to take on this expanded role at a pivotal time for Nissan. The Middle East and India are dynamic, fast-growing and continuously evolving markets, with significant opportunities ahead. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and partners across the region to build on our strong foundations, accelerate growth and deliver meaningful value for our customers.”

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “This is a significant moment for Nissan in India as we enter a new phase of growth. Having Thierry on board reinforces our confidence in the path ahead, and his experience and leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our market presence and delivering even greater value to our customers. This appointment further strengthens our leadership as we move from transformation to execution, with a clear focus on products, customers and sustainable growth.”

The restructure also follows the departure of Leon Dorssers, Senior Vice-President and Chief of Commercial Operations for Nissan AMIEO, who had been with the company since 1992. The new leadership team will oversee the rollout of new technologies and products, with the Gravite and Tekton scheduled for release in early 2026.

Kia India Surpasses 500,000 Connected Vehicles On Indian Roads

Kia Seltos

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that it has exceeded 500,000 connected cars in the Indian market.

The OEM said its connected car variants now account for approximately 40 percent of the company’s domestic wholesale volumes. This growth is supported by the Kia Connect 2.0 platform and the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC).

The Kia Seltos is the main contributor to this total, representing about 70 percent of the connected vehicle sales, followed by the Sonet and Carens models. Data from the company indicates a trend of customers renewing their connectivity subscriptions after the initial complimentary period.

Technical features within the Kia ecosystem include:

  • OTA Software Updates: Remote vehicle diagnostics and software installations to reduce dealership visits.
  • Digital Key 2.0: Vehicle access and operation via smartphone or smartwatch using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or NFC technology.
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM): A 360-degree camera feed accessible through the Kia Connect app.
  • Voice Recognition: Multilingual support for vehicle functions in English, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, "Kia India has consistently differentiated itself through its vehicle design excellence and technology leadership. Our continued focus on enhancing connected features and customer engagement initiatives such as Kia Drive Green has strengthened adoption and interaction across our connected ecosystem. The strong customer retention beyond the complimentary subscription period underscores the sustained relevance and long-term value of Kia Connect.”

The company also utilises Plant Over-The-Air (P-OTA) updates, a system that ensures vehicles are programmed with the most recent software versions before they leave the manufacturing facility.

Hyundai Motor India Receives Tamil Nadu State Level Safety Award

The Sriperumbudur facility of Hyundai Motor India Limited has been honoured with the Tamil Nadu State Level Safety Award for 2022 by the state’s Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH). The prestigious award was presented by Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development C V Ganesan and DISH Director Anand to senior company executives Mukundan M S and Senthil Kumar R M. This accolade, granted in the Large-Scale Industry category, acknowledges Hyundai’s ongoing dedication to exceptional safety performance, marked by a notable decline in incident rates and a systematic focus on risk mitigation.

Operating in India for over 30 years, the plant has consistently fostered a robust safety culture through comprehensive initiatives. This includes implementing widespread safety campaigns, establishing diligent monitoring protocols and driving continuous improvement programmes. The company’s approach integrates rigorous processes, proactive assessments and regular training aligned with international benchmarks, all underpinned by strong safety governance. Hyundai Motor India reiterates that the well-being of its employees is a primary concern, and it remains steadfast in its mission to advance its safety systems and sustain an environment where a culture of excellence is paramount.

Gopalakrishnan C S, Whole-time Director & Chief Manufacturing Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Safety at Hyundai is not a standalone initiative – it is a deeply embedded culture practiced at every level of our operations. Our goal is simple: a safe, secure working environment for every employee, every day. This award affirms the collective commitment of our teams and motivates us to strengthen our safety excellence even further.”

Volkswagen India Confirms Tayron R-Line Launch In Q1 CY2026

Tayron R-Line

Volkswagen India has confirmed that its new flagship SUV, the Tayron R-Line, will launch in the first quarter of 2026. The vehicle is aimed at the seven-seater SUV segment and will be locally assembled at the company’s plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to ensure market competitiveness.

The Tayron R-Line occupies the top position in the brand’s SUV range in India. It features the 'R-Line' trim, which includes specific design enhancements to its silhouette. The model is intended for customers requiring a seven-seat capacity alongside a focus on road presence and lifestyle versatility.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said: “As we build a premium portfolio of products, we continue catering to the evolving aspirations of Indian car buyers. The all-new Tayron R-Line is the authentic flag-bearer that will drive this vision for Indian consumers. Ensuring competitiveness, we will be locally assembling this SUV at our plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.”

The introduction of the Tayron R-Line follows Volkswagen's strategy to expand its portfolio in the Indian market with vehicles that offer higher passenger capacity and updated design aesthetics.