Alexandre Malval has been named Vice President of Design for the Renault brand, with effect from 2 January 2026. Malval will report directly to Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer of Groupe Renault, and will join the Renault brand's management committee, contributing to the company's strategic direction.

This appointment marks a significant homecoming for the executive, who brings nearly three decades of extensive international experience back to the company where he began his career. A distinguished graduate of London’s Royal College of Art, Malval first joined Renault in 1994 as an exterior designer in the Advanced Design department.

His subsequent career path saw him hold influential positions across the European automotive industry, building a remarkable portfolio. He contributed to the design languages of Audi and Volkswagen at the Volkswagen Group’s Design Center Europe in Barcelona. He later advanced through key roles at Citroën and Peugeot, a tenure that culminated in his appointment as the Head of Citroën Design in 2012, where he was responsible for shaping the brand's creative vision.

Most recently, Malval served as the CEO and Design Director of the Mercedes-Benz International Design Center Europe in Sophia Antipolis. In this senior capacity, he was entrusted with comprehensive management and creative oversight for a critical satellite studio. His responsibilities encompassed pioneering advanced design research, directing the creation of concept vehicles and steering the design of production models for the entire Mercedes-Benz portfolio, including the Maybach, Smart and AMG brands.

Laurens van den Acker said, “We are very happy to welcome Alexandre Malval to our Design team. His experience with major automotive groups, his international outlook and his ability to create strong design-led brands will be essential assets to push Renault to the next level. The future of mobility is exciting and I’m looking forward to working with Alexandre to make our dreams come true.”

Fabrice Cambolive, Renault brand CEO and Chief Growth Officer Renault Group, said, “The arrival of Alexandre Malval marks a new milestone in our ambition: to design ‘voitures à vivre’ that fully embody Renault’s strategic vision, combining emotion, innovation and an exceptional customer experience. His international experience and innovative mindset will be key assets in driving Renault’s growth in Europe and on the global stage.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has attained a new export milestone for the Made in India Jimny 5-door SUV, which crossed the 100,000-unit milestone.

The Jimny 5-door, manufactured exclusively in India, began its export journey in 2023, shortly after its launch in the country. The vehicle has been shipped to over 100 countries, including Japan, Mexico and Australia.

The model’s debut in Japan in January 2025, branded as the ‘Jimny Nomade,’ saw orders exceed the 50,000 mark within days of introduction.

The Jimny 5-door features a ladder-frame chassis with Suzuki’s Allgrip Pro (4WD), which provides off-road capability and stability. It is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The Jimny has over half a century of heritage, globally. Jimny 5-door crossing 1 lakh export mark is a proud achievement for Maruti Suzuki. We are deeply thankful to customers around the world for their trust in this acclaimed SUV. Jimny’s strong off-road DNA, reliable performance and uncompromising quality have earned admiration in over 100 countries.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has appointed Sunil Moolchandani as the new Function Head – National Sales.

Moolchandani comes with over two decades of experience in leading teams and driving market expansion. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening Hyundai India’s national sales structure and building connections with customers across markets.

He has worked in leadership positions across automotive and mobility brands, where he led initiatives in sales transformation, dealer network expansion and customer engagement strategies.

Hyundai Motor India aims to leverage his experience in using data and optimising channel performance, positioning him as a key driver for future expansion.

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Skoda Auto India has marked its 25th anniversary in the country by re-introducing the Octavia RS in the country but in limited numbers as a Fully-Built Unit (FBU) at INR 4.99 million (ex-showroom).

At the core of the Octavia RS is a 2.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 195 kW (265) of power and 370 Nm of torque. Paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, the car accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in just 6.4 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 kmph. It features progressive steering and sports suspension to aid handling.

The model is built on Skoda’s design language, featuring full LED Matrix headlights, LED tail lamps with dynamic indicators and glossy black styling elements. It sits on 19-inch Elias anthracite alloy wheels. On the inside, the cabin features Suedia/Leather upholstery with red contrast stitching, Sports front seats (with electric adjust, memory, heating and massage functions) and a virtual cockpit.

The Octavia RS is equipped with Skoda’s latest ADAS suite, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Assist and Intelligent Park Assist. Safety features are further enhanced with 10 airbags and a 360deg Area View camera.

The Octavia was Skoda’s first car in India in 2001. The RS variant first arrived in 2004 as the first turbocharged petrol engine passenger car in the country. The new launch is a symbol of Skoda’s commitment to combining legacy with performance in the Indian market.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “The response to the Octavia RS has been phenomenal. This iconic model has truly ignited the passion of driving enthusiasts across India, reinforcing the cult status that Octavia RS enjoys globally. As we celebrate 25 remarkable years of Skoda Auto in India, our commitment to delivering world-class cars remains stronger than ever. The RS badge symbolises more than just performance. It represents the emotional connection and trust our customers have in the Skoda brand. We are excited to welcome a new generation of enthusiasts into the Skoda family and continue building on the strong legacy and fandom that defines our brand in this market.”

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In a special event held at its facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Audi officially presented the FC Bayern Munich football squad with their new company cars for the upcoming season. The players had the opportunity to choose from a comprehensive selection of the brand’s latest fully electric and hybrid models, reflecting a diverse range of personal preferences and needs.

Team captain Manuel Neuer and several of his colleagues opted for the Audi Q8 SUV TFSI e quattro, while Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise selected the high-performance, all-electric RS e-tron GT. Other choices included the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron for young talent Tom Bischof and the spacious, seven-seat Audi Q7 SUV S line TFSI e quattro for Joshua Kimmich, catering to his family requirements.

The vehicle handover was part of a broader, action-packed day for the stars. They participated in the Audi driving experience, testing their skills on dynamic handling courses where the Audi RS e-tron GT performance was a particular source of excitement. The agenda also featured an exclusive look at the Audi F1 Project, offering the team a rare behind-the-scenes tour. They visited the assembly workshop for V6 hybrid engines, observed the dynamic simulator, Mission Control Room, and saw the engine test benches, gaining a deeper understanding of the sophisticated technology that powers the future of Formula 1.

Adding to the significance of the day, 100 Audi employees, chosen through an internal competition, were given the chance to meet the football stars. For 16 of these employees, the experience was especially memorable as they had the honour of personally presenting the players with the keys to their new vehicles, creating a unique and lasting connection between the automotive brand and the celebrated team.

Marco Schubert, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Audi AG, said, “It’s great to see how enthusiastic the players are about driving our flagship electric models. It shows just how emotionally engaging electric mobility can be. The FC Bayern players chose vehicles that impressively reflect the diversity of our range – from the compact Q4 e-tron series to the powerful Audi Q8 SUV TFSI e quattro and sporty RS e-tron GT performance. Everyone found a model that was right for them.”

Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO, FC Bayern, said, “The handover of vehicles from Audi to FC Bayern is a longstanding tradition that reflects our dependable partnership and is always a special event for our players. After 23 successful years together, we continue to pursue the same ambitious goals and spur each other on to peak performance. That connects us on and off the field! In this day and age, such a long-term partnership is not commonplace, and we all truly value it.”

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