BMW Group India Set To Display Mobility Products At Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025

BMW Group India Set To Display Mobility Products At Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025

BMW Group India is all prepped up to display its range of mobility products at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Global Expo, which is scheduled to run from 17 to 22 January 2025.

At its pavilion in Hall No 6 of Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, BMW Group India will showcase a number of exciting new releases from BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad. Visitors will be able to buy the unique BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad Lifestyle Collections and Accessories at the expo. Expert BMW driver trainers will provide thrilling drift demonstrations with stunning BMW M vehicles every day at Auto Expo 2025, boosting the excitement.

With its premium materials, ample standard specifications and sophisticated digitalisation, BMW will introduce the all-new BMW X3 in India. The new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect, which is based on the BMW Operating System 9, sets the tone for the upscale atmosphere within the meticulously designed interior. The all-electric BMW i7, BMW X7, BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase, BMW M5, BMW M4 and BMW M2 will also be on display.

With the introduction of the brand-new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure and the new BMW S 1000 RR, BMW Motorrad will increase the excitement even further. The BMW M 1000 XR, BMW R 1300 GS, BMW F 900 GS, BMW F 900 GSA, BMW R 12 nine T, BMW G 310 GS, G 310 R, G 310 RR and the all-electric BMW CE 02 and CE 04 will also be on show from BMW Motorrad.

A unique MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Pack, which blends MINI's recognisable body language with the athletic persona of John Cooper Works, will be introduced by MINI India. Unique black highlights and a JCW-inspired redesign of the alloy wheels, rear spoiler and aerodynamics package go well with the exclusive exterior colour options. To spark athletic flair, intriguing JCW elements are included into the inside. The all-electric MINI Countryman will also be on exhibit.

Honda Cancels North American EV Models Amid Strategy Reassessment

Honda O

Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co has announced the cancellation of three electric vehicle (EV) models intended for production in North America.

The decision affects the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 Saloon and the Acura RSX, which the company stated is due to the changes in the business environment and a reassessment of its electrification strategy.

The company identified several developments impacting its automotive operations:

  • Market Demand: A slowdown in the expansion of the US EV market linked to changes in fuel regulations and revisions to incentives.
  • Trade Policy: The impact of US tariff policies on the profitability of petrol and hybrid vehicle segments.
  • Regional Competition: A decline in product competitiveness in China, where newer manufacturers lead in software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies and development cycles.
  • Resource Allocation: Challenges in delivering value for money in Asia due to the concentration of resources on EV development.

Honda expects to record write-offs, impairment losses on assets, and expenses related to the cancellation of these models. Total losses associated with the strategy reassessment are estimated to reach a maximum of USD 18.5 billion (YEN 2.5 trillion) in the coming years.

Revised Forecast for Fiscal Year Ending 31 March 2026

Metric (Billion Yen)

Previous Forecast

Revised Forecast

Sales Revenue

21,100

21,100

Operating Profit

550

-570 to -270

Profit Before Taxes

620

-650 to -310

Profit (Parent Owners)

360

-630 to -360

Estimates are preliminary as of 12 March 2026.

Despite the revised earnings, Honda will maintain its dividend forecast based on its dividend on equity (DOE) ratio indicator.

Going forward, Honda will reorganise its framework to focus on hybrid models in the US and Japan. The company intends to expand its model lineup and cost competitiveness in India, where market growth is anticipated.

In response to the financial revisions, executive compensation will be reduced:

  • President and Vice-President: 30 percent reduction of monthly compensation for three months and forfeiture of performance-linked bonuses.
  • Executive Officers: 20 percent reduction of monthly compensation for three months.

Total annual compensation for representative executive officers will decrease by 25 percent to 30 percent.

Tata Motors’ Rajan Sharma Joins JSW Motors As Head Of Strategy & Planning

JSW Motors - Rajan Sharma

Mumbai-based JSW Motors has further strengthened its management team with the onboarding of Rajan Sharma as the Head of Strategy & Planning.

Sharma comes with close to two decades of experience in the automotive industry and experience across sales and strategy.

Prior to joining JSW Motors, Sharma spent two years at Tata Motors as the Head – Sales Planning and was part of the company’s key product launches.

He begin his automotive career at Hyundai Motor India in 2004 and spent over nine years at the South Korean automaker, growing to the rank of Regional Manager for Rajasthan region.

Sharma then went on to have a two-year stint at Cardekho, before joining MG Motor India as the Field Sales Head for South and West Zone.

In his new role, Sharma will focus on accelerating JSW Motors presence in the Indian automotive market as the company gears up to launch a slew of new energy vehicles.

Ferrari Intros 849 Testarossa In India

Ferrari 849 Terratosa

Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari held its India premiere of the 849 Testarossa at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 15 March 2026. The event, led by CEO Benedetto Vigna and Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera, marked the first national reveal for the manufacturer in its history in India.

The 849 Testarossa is a plug-in hybrid sports berlinetta that replaces the SF90 Stradale at the top of the Ferrari range.

Ferrari reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market, which it views as a component of its global strategy. The Italian supercar manufacturer operates retail locations in Mumbai and New Delhi, supported by a service point in Bengaluru. Data from the company indicates that Indian owners are among the youngest globally.

“India is a country that offers a lot of opportunities. It is a young country with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and that energy resonates deeply with Ferrari’s own philosophy of innovation and passion,” said Benedetto Vigna, CEO, Ferrari.

The 849 Testarossa features a mid-rear twin-turbo V8 engine paired with three electric motors. The architecture includes a twin-tail rear design and active spoiler systems.

The supercar integrates electronic control systems, including SSC 9.0, eDiff and ABS Evo. It also features the FIVE vehicle dynamics estimator. The design blends references to Ferrari heritage with the return of the Testarossa name.

FERRARI 849 TESTAROSSA
Feature Specification
Powertrain Twin-turbo V8 with 3 electric motors
Total Power Output 1,050 cv
Transmission 8-speed dual-clutch F1 gearbox
0-100 kmph <2.3 seconds
0-200 kmph 6.35 seconds
Maximum Speed >330 kmph
Electric Range 25 km in eDrive mode
Dry Weight 1,570 kg

Kia India Expands Sonet Automatic Range With Diesel & Turbo Petrol Variants

Kia Sonet

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Model Year 2026 (MY26) edition of the Kia Sonet, increasing the availability of automatic transmissions across its diesel and turbo petrol variants.

The update introduces the 1.5-litre Diesel 6-speed Automatic and the 1.0-litre Turbo Petrol 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (7DCT) in lower trim levels, with prices starting from INR 977,900 and INR 989,900, respectively. This move makes the Sonet the first SUV in its segment to offer both automatic technologies at a price point below INR 1 million.

The diesel automatic option has been expanded to the HTE(O), HTK(O), HTK+ and HTK+(O) variants. The turbo petrol 7DCT is now available in HTK(O) and HTK+(O) trims. These additions are intended to address the increasing demand for automatic vehicles in urban traffic conditions. The Sonet portfolio now includes five powertrain options, 70 connected car features and 10 Level 1 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Standard safety equipment across the Sonet range includes 15 features. The vehicle recently reached a sales milestone of 5 lakh units in the Indian market since its launch in 2020. Alongside the mechanical updates, Kia has added a new exterior colour option, Magma Red, to the palette. The model continues to feature a cabin equipped with a range of technologies designed for the compact SUV segment.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “We have been closely listening to evolving customer needs, particularly the growing preference for the convenience of automatic driving in everyday conditions. With the model year 2026 update, we are expanding our automatic line-up with Diesel Automatic and Turbo Petrol 7DCT options at highly competitive price points, enabling more customers to experience the ease of automatic mobility while further strengthening Sonet’s leadership in the segment.”