Around 50 percent Indian experience back ache, neck ache and other physical strains, while driving, reveals a research conducted by Citroën India on where and how Indians seek comfort.

Citroën India conducted the research across ten cities in India with total of 1801 respondents from diverse ages and genders.

Citroën India’s ‘Comfortology’ research revealed some fascinating insights to Indians’ comfort levels at varied stages, with larger weightage to mobility. 19% of respondents said their drive to work as ‘the most uncomfortable hour of their day’ because of potholes and jerks, while 29% of respondents admitted that the drive to work is so full of noises and honking from outside, that they can barely concentrate on anything. The research also added that 16% of respondents try to call up their friends and try to catch up; but it is very difficult and uncomfortable because of traffic disturbances.

Citroën India’s ‘Comfortology’ report will be published, in full, in January 2021.

Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Citroën India, highlights the objective and a key finding from the research, “Comfort – or its absence – represents a defining element of the driving experience; it is also a key consideration for road users and vehicle purchasers.  This research provides unique insight into how and where Indians seek comfort, with respect to the daily lives, but also with respect to how they travel. Initial findings, for instance, demonstrate the profound impact the pandemic has had on people’s sense and definition of comfort; 25% respondents would have been most comfortable in a private car for short journeys (up to 3km) prior to the pandemic, a figure that has risen to 34% today. Preference for shared/public transport (buses/trains)) has declined from 28% to just 12% in the same period.”

Citroën India’s ‘Comfortology’ research also revealed some fascinating differences between Indians’ comfort levels; nearly a quarter (23%) find working from home (WFM) ‘extremely comfortable’, while a similar proportion (22%) describe it as quite the opposite (‘extremely uncomfortable’). 

In terms of gender, women appeared more comfortable managing the demands of work and home life during confinement than their male counterparts; two thirds (66%) of female respondents were ‘comfortable’ or ‘extremely comfortable’ juggling both responsibilities during COVID-19, compared to just 49% of men.

The findings were published in advance of a detailed report examining the changing nature and sources of comfort in India being published by Citroën India.

The company will launch Citroën C5 Aircross SUV soon in India. . Roland Bouchara reinforced the brand’s link and commitment to comfort and explained that comfort – in all its forms – represented a core value of the brand. “Since 1919, Citroën has been at the forefront of automotive comfort, from the revolutionary ‘Moteur Flottant’ [floating engine] to the innovative Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. Citroën’s benchmark in comfort is reflected in the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme, aimed at bringing unprecedented comfort to every passenger. For us, comfort is a principal consideration for the entire driving experience.  Our designs and features aim to reduce the mental load on the driver, combining clever driver aids with light, spacious cabin formats. All these elements translate into a stress-free travelling environment, innovative solutions and smart technology dedicated to ensuring the well-being of body and mind for all passengers.” (MT)

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Renault India has released the new Kiger, an updated version of its sub-four-meter SUV at prices starting INR 629,000 with prices going upto INR 1.12 million (ex-showroom).

The SUV is an evolution of the previous model, features over 35 updates. It was developed to align with the ‘rethink performance’ philosophy.

The new Kiger has a refreshed exterior and an updated interior. It now includes a multi-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. The Kiger is also equipped with a 20.32 cm touchscreen and a sound system.

The Kiger is available with two engine options: a 100 PS turbocharged engine and a 72 PS naturally aspirated engine. For safety, the new Kiger offers 21 standard safety features across all versions, including six airbags, ESP and Hill Start Assist.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, MD and CEO, Renault India, said, “We are excited to launch the New Kiger in a segment which is growing fastest and contributes 50% to the SUV sales and 31% to the TIV of the country. Kiger has been a unique product in its segment, and with this latest evolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to making expressive design, intelligent engineering, and real-world performance accessible to Indian customers. This marks a pivotal moment in Renault’s India centric transformation journey renault. rethink.”

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Renault India, said, “Renault Kiger has shaped expectations in the compact SUV segment with its aesthetic design, modern details, and bold stance combined with the lightweight CMFA+ platform. The New Kiger remains highly agile and responsive, giving customers the confidence of SUV DNA with the ease of everyday driving on city roads and highways- ticking all that is required for perfect performance.” 

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced ‘PRO’ Pack in its popular compact SUV the Hyundai Exter at starting price of INR 798,390 (ex-showroom).

The new Pro pack features wheel arch cladding, side sill garnish, all-new Titan Grey Matte colour and a Dashcam to make the SUV more safer.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, "At HMIL, we are continuously evolving our product offerings to resonate with the aspirations of today's young and progressive customers. The introduction of PRO Pack in Hyundai EXTER is a step further in this direction, combining bold styling, advanced technology and strong safety to create a truly distinctive value proposition. With its refreshed appeal, the PRO Pack in Hyundai EXTER strengthens our commitment to redefining customer delight and making every drive a PRO experience."

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MOL, Suzuki Motor Corporation and TradeWaltz have announced a new partnership to streamline and decarbonise the automobile trade between India and Africa. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.

This collaboration aims to address current challenges in the trade by leveraging digital solutions and enhancing efficiency. The companies will focus on identifying problems in the supply chain and developing solutions for smoother transportation. A key part of the initiative is also promoting decarbonisation efforts within the logistics process.

The partnership aligns with the ‘Japan-India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa,’ launched in February 2025. By combining their individual strengths, MOL, Suzuki and TradeWaltz hope to contribute to the economic development of both India and Africa. The companies stated that this MU is the first step toward building a more robust and interconnected automobile supply chain between these two rapidly growing markets.

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Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced a significant increase in the production of its highly anticipated its limited BE 6 Batman Edition, raising the total number of units available from 300 to 999. The decision comes in response to what the company described as an ‘extraordinary outpouring of enthusiasm’ from fans and collectors.

Initially envisioned as a small, limited run, the BE 6 Batman Edition has generated immense excitement, particularly among younger fans of the iconic superhero. The company stated that the overwhelming demand made it clear that fans wanted more, and the production increase aims to meet this desire while still maintaining the vehicle's exclusive nature.

Bookings for the special edition SUV will open on 23 August 2025, at 11 am, with deliveries slated to begin on 20 September 2025, which is International Batman Day. Customers interested in securing a vehicle can pre-register starting 21 August at 5 pm, by visiting the official Mahindra website. This pre-booking process allows for a faster checkout once reservations officially begin.

Each of the 999 vehicles will feature a unique ‘badge number’ from 001 to 999, which customers can select after their booking is confirmed. Mahindra highlighted that this approach focuses on celebrating the individual's connection to the brand and the hero, rather than just the vehicle's exclusivity.

The company hinted at a potential collaboration with other limited-edition models in 2026, building on the success of this partnership.

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