Skoda Auto India took the wraps off the much-awaited Kushaq and made its global debut after showcasing its concept version, Vision IN at the 2020 Auto Expo. After a series of teasers, we finally got to see, touch and sit inside the production version of this all-new SUV. The Kushaq has many firsts going for itself like it is Volkswagen Group’s first locally manufactured SUV in India and it is also the first vehicle to be rolled out under Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 Project. There’s further good news for SUV fans as Skoda will start accepting booking orders for the Kushaq from June with the first batch to be delivered in July.

The German manufacturer also squashed rumours of it planning to exit the Indian market by emphasising that the group is investing one billion euros to strengthen its presence in the Indian subcontinent and aim to achieve a combined market share of five percent by 2025. Thomas Schäfer, Skoda Auto CEO, further confirmed this by saying, “With the world premiere of the Skoda Kushaq, we are launching our model campaign on the Indian market and are fulfilling the mandate Volkswagen Group tasked us with roughly two and a half years ago when we were asked to assume responsibility for the Indian market. I would like to thank Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited and his team for what they have achieved so far. We are now focusing on a smooth market launch and the successful start of our new model while setting the course for the next steps on the Indian subcontinent. I am convinced of the country’s great growth potential. And we will make the most of it for Skoda and Volkswagen.”

Volkswagen Group’s India Project 2.0 focus is on manufacturing vehicles tailor-made for India, but more importantly, giving utmost importance to high-level localisation of parts and sharing key components with other vehicles in the group. The testimony to this is the Kushaq that’s managed to achieve 95 percent localisation level. The other thing the VW Group paid a lot of attention to was creating a platform for India and which fulfils the diverse demands of our market as well as meet the latest, stricter safety and emission requirements.

While targeting high-volume segments, the VW Group has built a new India-spec modular MQB platform, the MQB-A0-IN, based on which two SUVs including the Kushaq and two notchbacks will be launched under both the Skoda and Volkswagen brand. Again, in order to achieve a high level of localisation in India, Skoda has set up a new MQB production line at its Chakan plant near Pune.

One might ask, what’s in a name, but in Skoda’s case, it means quite a lot as it continues to follow its K & Q nomenclature. The name of the new SUV is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Kushak’, which means king or emperor.

Exterior design: The production version of the Kushaq has managed to retain quite a few of its design elements from its concept model. It showcases the typically solid and muscular design language of the Volkswagen family. The big butterfly shaped front grille with vertical slats in chrome finish and split L-shaped LED headlights with crystalline structures make the Kushaq stand out in the crowd. It sports quite a robust road presence thanks to the large air vents below the headlamps, the front bumper with a mesh finish and, of course, the skid plates in the front and rear. If that wasn’t enough to make a statement, the clean prominent lines on the bonnet and running across the shoulder line in the side and multiple creases in the rear give the Kushaq a no-nonsense image. The SUV will be available in three variants – Active, Ambition and Style – with the entry-level sporting 16-inch steel wheels while the mid-range gets 16-inch alloy wheels and top-of-the-range Style will boast two-tone 17-inch ones.

In terms of specifications, the Kushaq is 4,221 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and has a height of 1,612 mm with a ground clearance of 188 mm. Its wheelbase, on the other hand, is 2,651 mm in length, making it longer than mid-size SUV segment leader Hyundai Creta and the popular Kia Seltos. This ensures a spacious cabin for five passengers along with 385 litres of boot space.

Interiors: The Kushaq gets a multi-layered dashboard with black plastic on top then a metal band and finally a brown and a black layer. The centre of attraction is the 10-inch touchscreen and the mid and top variant comes with a touch control panel for climate control. The infotainment system gets internal memory storage, wireless Smartlink, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and My Skoda in-car connectivity app.

The Style trim is also equipped with some clever yet practical features like ventilated leather front seats, keyless entry, an electric sliding glass roof and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Skoda has given a lot of importance to practicality; as a result, the Kushaq comes with numerous storage compartments in the cabin like a glove box, centre console, additional cubby holes to store bottles and other knick-knacks.

The Kushaq gets a brand new two-spoke steering wheel and the automatic versions come with paddle shifters. It also comes with chrome finish scroll controls and buttons for audio, phone and cruise control. What was a bit of a surprise was that it came with an analogue instrument cluster and not a digital one like its cousin, the Volkswagen Taigun.

All this sounds great, but how comfortable is the cabin? Well, with big supportive seats and decent under-thigh support, both the front and the rear passengers will feel pampered. A big bonus is that passengers over six feet in height will enjoy plenty of knee and legroom.

Engine: Unlike most of its competition in the mid-size SUV segment, the Kushaq will not offer a diesel engine option. It will be available in two engine options – 1-litre three-cylinder petrol with an output of 108 bhp mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox like the Skoda Rapid. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol, on the other hand, churns out 145 bhp and will be available in either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Safety: The Kushaq comes fully loaded with safety features like electronic stability control, multi-collision brakes, six airbags including front side airbags, Hill-hold control, ISOFIX child seats and the list goes on. (MT)

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Stellantis-owned Jeep India has launched the Jeep Compass 85th Anniversary Edition, limited to 85 units at prices starting at INR 2.67 million (ex-showroom).

The anniversary edition incorporates visual updates to the exterior and interior of the vehicle platform. External changes include 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black alongside anniversary badging. The interior cabin features a black colour scheme paired with gold accents and contrast trim detailing.

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head and Director of Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, "The Jeep Compass has always been central to the Jeep story in India, bringing the brand's legendary capability, design and authenticity to customers who expect more from their SUV. As Jeep celebrates 85 years globally, the Compass 85th Anniversary Edition gives this iconic nameplate a distinctive new expression. With exclusive anniversary-inspired styling, curated accessories and safety technologies, this special edition has been crafted for customers who seek a Compass that feels even more personal, intelligent and exclusive."

The vehicle is offered with optional accessory packages under the brand's personalisation options. These packages add functional and cabin features, including sunroof illumination, ambient lighting, a digital inner rear-view mirror and integrated front and rear dashcams. Bookings for the limited-run vehicle have opened across the company's dealership network and online sales platform.

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German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz India has opened its new sales facility in Lucknow in partnership with dealership operator T&T Motors. The outlet expands the company's network in Uttar Pradesh to 10 touchpoints across cities including Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi, contributing to a national presence of over 150 locations across more than 60 cities.

The new facility occupies 9,000 square feet, including over 5,000 square feet of carpet area and was completed in five months. The showroom accommodates four vehicle display bays, private and semi-private consultation zones, a lounge section for vehicle lines and a dedicated delivery bay. To support battery electric vehicles, the location incorporates a 180 kW DC fast charger with two charging bays, backed by a staff of 88 employees.

Brendon Sissing, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz continues to strengthen its luxury retail footprint across India, reflecting our ‘Go to Customer’ strategy. The inauguration of T&T Motors’ new facility in Lucknow marks yet another important milestone in bringing world-class luxury products, services and experiences closer to our customers. Uttar Pradesh remains an important emerging market for Mercedes-Benz, and the growing aspiration for luxury mobility in Lucknow presents strong growth potential for Mercedes-Benz. Through modern luxury infrastructure, personalised consultations, digital capabilities and EV readiness, we are elevating luxury retail experience for our discerning customers in the city.”

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled its first global pick up christened Lifestyler, which will be launched in India as the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler. The vehicle will go on sale by April 2027 with prices starting below INR 1.97 million ex-showroom. 

First shown as a concept in Cape Town, South Africa, in August 2023, the pickup was designed at the Mahindra India Design Studio in Mumbai and developed at Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai. It is built on Mahindra’s next-generation body-on-frame architecture and is intended for both payload and lifestyle use. The company claims to have around 267 patents in terms of innovation for the Lifestyler.

Dr Velusamy R, President, Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “From the outset, our vision was to create a world-class global pickup that raises the bar for the segment while remaining true to Mahindra's strengths in authentic capability and value. The Scorpio Lifestyler is a testament to the strong product development capabilities at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV). Built on our advanced next-generation body-on-frame architecture, it has been engineered to deliver the capability, durability, safety and refinement demanded by customers around the world.”

Pratap Bose, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Scorpio Lifestyler is inspired by how our customers work, play and explore. Combining bold exterior design, plush interiors and SUV-like comfort with unmistakable Mahindra toughness, it brings style and refinement to every journey. This philosophy is reflected in the three editions showcased today: Valley celebrates purposeful refinement, Reef embodies freedom and exploration, and Trail captures the spirit of boundless adventure. Together, they express our vision of a pickup that celebrates individuality while remaining rooted in capability, authenticity and the freedom to explore without limits.”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Scorpio Lifestyler represents the convergence of global engineering and evolving customer aspirations. As we prepare for its India launch, we see a growing appetite among customers for a vehicle that delivers authentic capability without compromising on technology, safety, comfort or everyday usability. We are investing in building awareness, strengthening our network and creating the right ownership experience for this category. We believe the Scorpio Lifestyler has the potential to redefine expectations and shape the future of the pickup segment in India.”

While the technical details are still under the wraps, the company showcased three editions - the Valley Edition finished in Artemis Grey, the Reef Edition uses an Aquareef finish and the Trail Edition finished in Sahara Beige.

The Mahindra Lifestyler is aimed at the midsize lifestyle pickup segment in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. It has been developed to meet requirements for capability, durability, safety, technology and everyday use across those markets.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, one of the leading automakers in the country, is charting a confident course for FY2027. The company is sees its multi-powertrain leadership, capacity flexibility and industry-outperformance ambitions to drive a strong H2 for fiscal 2027.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO, of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, struck a distinctly forward-looking tone in the company’s Q1 FY27 virtual conference, outlining a strategy built on sustained demand for alternative-energy vehicles, flexible manufacturing, product intensity and disciplined capital allocation even as the broader industry navigates inflationary and commodity headwinds.

He characterised the remainder of FY2027 as a period of continued outperformance relative to the passenger-vehicle industry. Tata Motors at 14.1 percent had already delivered growth roughly twice the industry average of 7.9 percent in FY2026 and a robust 45 percent in Q1 FY2027 as against the industry average of 25.9 percent.

The management expects this momentum to persist. Industry volumes are projected in the mid-double-digit range of 15-20 percent for the remainder of the year in some scenarios.

Tata Motors, on the other hand, is targeting sustained growth even if overall industry expansion moderates to single digits in the second half because of a high base effect from strong H2 FY2026 demand.

Inventory levels are meaningfully lower than a year earlier, creating scope for healthier retail offtake. Q2 is expected to be more challenging for the industry as a whole due to cost pressures, with the second half potentially tighter still for conventional passenger vehicles.

Chandra, however, intends to defend and expand market share through timely product refreshes, facelifts and new nameplates across both ICE and electric portfolios, while prioritising supply-side capacity increases. Waiting periods across the Tata Motors range currently stand at 4-6 weeks, reflecting healthy demand.

Hatchbacks continue to contribute around 15-20 percent of the mix, while SUVs remain the structural growth engine. Export plans include opening a significant new market next year, with a dual focus on ICE and EV products; recent export growth has been driven primarily by South Africa.

Alternative Energy Mix

The shift toward alternative powertrains is central to Chandra’s vision. Industry EV penetration has reached approximately 8 percent – the highest among passenger-vehicle markets – and is expected to climb toward 10 percent by end-FY2027.

Tata Motors’ own EV share of its portfolio has risen from around 38 percent and is targeted at upwards of 40 percent (for the remainder of the year), supported by strong customer acceptance. EV demand has jumped sharply (management noted a 3-4 times increase relative to February levels for the company), but supply remains the binding constraint rather than underlying demand. Chandra revealed that the strong demand for EVs versus supply-side constraints has led to waiting periods for EVs of around 4-6 weeks.

CNG demand is robust: industry CNG share stands near 22 percent, while Tata Motors’ mix is higher at around 27 percent. The outlook remains positive as the CNG station network expands from roughly 8,500 to 15,000-16,000 stations in the coming year. CAFÉ norms (particularly CAFÉ 3 and CAFÉ 4) will further accelerate the push toward alternative-energy vehicles; for OEMs with credible EV offerings, electrification is the most powerful compliance lever.

Sharing his perspective on hybrid technology, Chandra stated that its share in the overall PV segment has stabilised at a modest 2-2.5 percent share. Tata Motors remains ready to introduce hybrids if market conditions warrant, but current emphasis is clearly on CNG and pure electric.

In Q1 the combined CNG-plus-electric mix rose from 19-21 percent to 24 percent. Management is optimistic that EV volumes for the company could grow 70 percent in FY2027, even allowing for some high-base effects in the second half, with overall company growth of 10-15 percent still feasible.

Capacity, Cost Pressures and Capital Plans

For Tata Motors internal EV capacity is not a bottleneck since production systems are fungible and flexible; capacity has already been stepped up from 9,000 to 13,000-14,000 units and reached more than 15,000 units last month, with further increases planned.

Responding to lower-than-anticipated sales for the popular Sierra SUV, the company attributed the temporary production impact to constraints from casting and sheet-metal suppliers plus a five-day production loss at the Sanand plant due to heavy rains, but corrective actions are under way.

Profitability in the recent period was pressured primarily by commodity-price inflation (approximately 4-4.5 percent impact) plus roughly 1 percent from other factors. Cost-reduction initiatives have partially offset these headwinds; in a normalised quarter, margins would have expanded more significantly. Certain PLI benefits were deferred because of new-product launches but will be reapplied in due course.

However, it is important to note that Chandra has emphasised that CAPEX plans remain unchanged at around 6-8 percent of revenue, which will continue to be directed toward new products, technologies and capacity expansion. Management sees no need to revise the programme despite margin pressure.

On the E20 contamination issue raised in the market, Tata Motors has not experienced customer reports and was not among the OEMs that submitted data on the matter.

Jaguar Land Rover Perspective

Richard Molyneux, CFO of JLR, noted that the luxury brand is a truly global business with only a small percentage of sales in India. China remains challenging, production of legacy products (including Jaguar) has been wound down, and a fire plus broader global slowdown affected Range Rover output. Q1 is seasonally soft for JLR, but the team is optimistic about sequential improvement. India is viewed as a significant growth market going forward, supported by existing domestic assembly and imports, with plans to expand the brand’s presence rapidly.

Chandra’s message is one of controlled confidence. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles enters the balance of FY2027 with lower inventories, a flexible multi-powertrain portfolio that is already capturing rising CNG and EV demand, fungible capacity that can scale with the market, and an intact investment programme focused on product and technology. While the industry faces near-term cost and base-effect challenges, the company’s leadership in alternative energy, combined with ongoing product intensity and supply-side focus, positions it to continue outgrowing the market and to deepen its role in India’s evolving mobility landscape.

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