Citroen India’s all-new Basalt SUV Coupe has got 4-star rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat - NCAP) safety tests.

This significant achievement the company says not only highlights the vehicle’s safety prowess but also demonstrates Citroen’s commitment to equipping all variants with enhanced safety features as standard.

The Citroen Basalt distinguishes itself with a robust and intelligently engineered body structure designed to offer optimal protection in the event of a collision.

Shishir Mishra, Brand Director, Citroen India said, "We take immense pride in Citroën Basalt’s 4-Star rating from Bharat NCAP. This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring safety is at the forefront of our design philosophy. The Basalt’s impressive safety credentials empower our customers to drive confidently and securely. As the safety discussion evolves among Indian car buyers, we are proud to drive ahead, ensuring that the safety of our customers remains our top priority. We are optimistic that this recognition will reinforce the Basalt's appeal and establish it as a preferred choice in the market."

The Bharat NCAP crash test cars and conduct performance assessments on safety features and technologies. It publishes a simple star rating to indicate relative safety performance. 

The vehicles tested by Bharat NCAP sees frontal offset impact test performed at 64kmph while the side impact test is performed at 50kmph and the pole side impact test is performed at 29kmph.

The Citroen Basalt comes with over 40 active and passive safety features including as standard. It employs high-strength steel, Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) to effectively manage front and side impacts while minimizing cabin intrusion.

Additional advanced safety features include six airbags, an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Control, 3-point seat belts & seat belt reminder for all Seats, and ISOFIX child seat anchors—all standard across variants.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has completed 25 years of operations for its pre-owned vehicle retail network – Maruti Suzuki True Value, recording cumulative sales of 6.5 million pre-owned cars since its establishment in 2001.

The pre-owned vehicle network currently operates 662 retail outlets spanning 338 cities across India. True Value's operational model includes digital integration, vehicle evaluation frameworks, certification processes and warranty coverage policies for used cars.

The platform also provides financing options through the Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance digital portal, connecting buyers with public and private sector banks and non-banking financial companies.

Interestingly, the company observed an increase in first-time vehicle buyers and younger demographic groups within its pre-owned sales network as organised used-car retail and structured financing options continue to expand across urban and regional markets in India.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "For 25 years, Maruti Suzuki True Value has worked towards making pre-owned car ownership more trusted, transparent and accessible for customers. Over its quarter-of-a-century journey, True Value has constantly reimagined itself to not just evolve with the times, but also to give customers exactly what they want. True Value has been designed as a comprehensive pre-owned car ecosystem serving buyers and sellers through 662 outlets across 338 cities. With pre-owned car ownership striking a new chord with aspirational customers, the share of young first-time buyers are constantly increasing amongst True Value customers. As we celebrate this momentous milestone, we remain committed to making personal mobility accessible and aspirational through assured quality, transparent processes and technology-enabled customer experiences."

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Japanese luxury car brand Lexus India has inaugurated its new Guest Experience Centre in Surat, expanding its retail presence in Gujarat following a recent opening in Ahmedabad.

The facility is operated by Lexus Bharat, a joint venture between Kirloskar Systems, Toyota Tsusho India and Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corporation. The location features a vehicle showroom and an operational Lexus Service Point for aftersales maintenance. The inauguration ceremony was led by Lexus Bharat Managing Director Sreenivas Chivikula and Lexus India Executive Vice President Ryosuke Tawara.

Hikaru Ikeuchi, President, Lexus India, said, "India's luxury automotive market is evolving rapidly, with guests increasingly seeking distinctive products, meaningful experiences and brands that align with their values. At Lexus, our vision is to bring the Lexus experience closer to guests across the country. The inauguration of Surat Guest Experience Centre marks an important milestone for Lexus India. As the second GEC in Gujarat, following the recent inauguration of Ahmedabad GEC, the Surat outlet further strengthens our presence in this vibrant and growing luxury market. Known for its entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of craftsmanship, Surat's pursuit of quality and excellence resonates strongly with Lexus. We are delighted to welcome guests into a space that reflects our dedication to innovation, exceptional hospitality and Omotenashi. Through this new Guest Experience Centre, we look forward to building deeper connections with our guests while delivering the unique luxury experience that defines Lexus."

Sreenivas Chivikula added: "The inauguration of our Guest Experience Centre at Surat marks an exciting new chapter for Lexus in India. Lexus Bharat is committed to supporting Lexus India's efforts to deliver exceptional guest experiences. As we enter new markets, our focus remains on delivering world-class luxury retail standards and personalised guest experiences that embody Lexus' unique experience."

The Surat facility increases Lexus India's retail network to nine Guest Experience Centres across major metropolitan markets, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kochi and Ahmedabad, supported nationwide by 19 Lexus Service Point locations. Ownership programs include an eight-year or 200,000-kilometre warranty covering the vehicle and hybrid battery system, alongside five-year roadside assistance packages.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has attained a new sales milestone of 1.5 million units for its popular compact SUV – the Brezza.

The achievement follows the launch of the updated Brezza model, which has accumulated over 100,000 customer bookings.

The Brezza range includes multiple powertrain options, featuring the K15C petrol engine, a turbocharged Boosterjet variant and S-CNG technology. The S-CNG variant incorporates an underbody fuel-tank packaging layout to preserve boot compartment capacity. Safety specifications for the updated model include a 5-star rating under the Bharat NCAP testing protocol.

The company said that customer demand indicates that 56 percent of buyers evaluate the Brezza prior to starting their vehicle purchase process.

The milestone reinforces the model's position within Maruti Suzuki's SUV portfolio as production and sales volumes continue across domestic dealerships.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the XUV 3XO ZNG, marking its initial entry into the compressed natural gas (CNG) passenger vehicle segment. The model is priced from INR 999,000 (ex-showroom), with top-tier variants reaching INR 1.22 million (ex-showroom).

The vehicle utilises a 1.2-litre mStallion TCMPFi turbocharged engine engineered to deliver 82 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque in both CNG and petrol operating modes. The engine system incorporates a 10-bar CNG injection pressure configuration, achieving a certified claimed fuel efficiency of 24.7 km/kg and zero-to-60 kmph in 4.9 seconds. Storage design features an underfloor twin-cylinder layout below the rear compartment, maintaining a flat cargo floor and 270 litres of usable boot space, with the spare tyre positioned externally under the body.

Dr Velusamy R, President of the Automotive Business at Mahindra & Mahindra, said, "The XUV 3XO ZNG comes with a clear promise: Zero Compromise. Customers today want the space, technology, safety and driving experience of an SUV, along with the lower running costs of CNG. With category-leading torque, turbocharged performance and impressive efficiency, the XUV 3XO ZNG brings together the practicality of CNG and the excitement of an SUV, setting a new benchmark for customer expectations from a CNG SUV."

Standard safety hardware across all variants includes six airbags, electronic stability control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and an integrated gas leak detection system programmed to automatically switch fuel supply to petrol if a leak occurs. Higher trim levels feature a 26.03 cm infotainment display, digital instrument cluster, sunroof options, automatic climate control and connectivity software.

The company is set to begin test drives from 15 October 2026, with formal bookings and customer deliveries scheduled to open on 20 October 2026.

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