The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) held its first Finance and Insurance Summit- 2022 in Mumbai. FADA said in a statement that the summit was organised to bring industry stalwarts on one platform to discuss the ongoing opportunities and challenges in the Indian Automobile industry with reference to finance and insurance. The leadership shared their views and vision for the sector and urged the industry to initiate some of the best practices for a better future. 

Ashish Kumar Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport & Ports), Maharashtra, along with some of the Industry leaders from finance and insurance sector attended the summit. B Ganesh Kumar, Founder and CEO, Kuwy Technology Service Pvt. Ltd; Rajan Pental, Sr. Group President and Global Head – Retail Banking Yes Bank; Ramesh Iyer, Chairman, FIDC & MD - Mahindra Finance; Amar J Sheth, State Chairperson Maharashtra; Vinkesh Gulati, President, FADA, and Manish Raj Singhania, Vice President, FADA, led the sessions, the release said. 

Gulati said, “Throughout their existence, finance and insurance (F&I) have been the backbone of the Indian economy. In recent years, the F&I sector has made enormous contribution to the growth of the Indian automobile industry and the dealer community. Dealerships are a dynamic business and need finance support every off and on, the Finance and Insurance sector has really given us the best of their support we needed from them. Insurance and Finance Industry holds a significant role in revitalising the confidence of the industry both on supply and demand sides. As a representative of the entire fraternity, I would like to thank you for your continued support of our business model & giving it the trust it deserves. As we move forward, I assure you the dealer community will do its best to make this relation efficient and drive the sector forward." 

The first power panel focused on the changing Dynamics of Automotive Industry and vehicle financing business. The session discussed crucial industry topics, such as continued supply chain constraints, high used-vehicle values, rising interest rates, increased cost of funds and revised MISP guidelines.  

The power panel 1 was moderated by Sai Giridhar, Treasurer, FADA, along with industry stalwarts such as B Ganesh Kumar, CEO and Founder, Kuwy Technology Service Pvt Ltd; Ajay Raghuvanshi, Head Sales- India Region, Skoda Auto India P Ltd; Eric Vas, President (Urbanite Business), Bajaj Auto Ltd; Mahavir Agrawal, Head - Credit Risk (Retail & SME), YES BANK; and
Vikas Pandey, Executive Vice President & Business Head - Auto & Gold Loans, HDFC Bank Ltd. 

The second power session focused on the Automotive Industry and Vehicle Insurance. The session discussed the current situation for vehicle insurance business in the automotive market. Vehicle Insurance has grown as a greater opportunity for dealers to sustain a longer relationship with the customer and retain the business opportunity at large for future.  

The panellists for the Power Panel 2 were Anand Singhi, Chief Distribution Officer, Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd; Gunasekhar Boga, Executive Director, IFFCO TOKIO General Insurance Co. Ltd; Jagjeet Siddhu, Senior EVP & Head, Multi-Channel Distribution, Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Co. Ltd; Parthanil Ghosh, President - Motor Business, HDFC Ergo General Insurance Co. Ltd and the session was moderated by C S Vigneshwar, Secretary, FADA. 

The summit was further extended to FADA Dealership Excellence Awards 2022. Dr Avinash Dhakane, IAS, Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra, was the chief guest. Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman IN-SPACe, Department of Space, Government of India and executives from Indian Automobile sector, Finance, and Insurance institutions, as well as representatives of FADA were also present. 

The objective of the summit was to bring industry leaders together at one platform to explore future trends. The summit and award ceremony witnessed the participation of over 317 auto retailers and delegates from Maharashtra region, the release added. (MT)

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Automotive major Stellantis has announced the formation of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council, a forum intended to increase collaboration between the carmaker and its supply chain. The council brings together senior Stellantis leadership and 26 supplier partners representing various automotive technologies and commodities.

The council will convene for three sessions during 2026, with each meeting lasting 1.5 days. The initiative includes participation from major European supplier associations, ANFIA and FIEV, to provide a collective voice for the regional supply base.

The Council's primary functions include:

• Operational Efficiency: Identifying bottlenecks and improvement opportunities across the value chain.
• Strategic Workstreams: Establishing joint Stellantis-supplier groups focused on production planning, cost competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Innovation Readiness: Accelerating the deployment of new technologies and ensuring launch readiness for future vehicle programmes.
• Regulatory Alignment: Addressing European Union regulatory requirements and geopolitical instability.

The council is designed to modernise supplier partnerships amid technological shifts and market volatility. By co-leading workstreams, Stellantis and its partners aim to align performance expectations and enhance the resilience of the European manufacturing and R&D platforms.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO, Stellantis Europe, said, “The launch of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council represents an important milestone in our journey to strengthen the region’s industrial performance. Today, more than ever, our success depends on deep collaboration with our supplier partners. By creating a shared forum where we openly discuss challenges and opportunities, we are building the foundation for faster execution, stronger competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Europe.”

Stephane Dubs, SVP of Purchasing and Supplier Quality for Stellantis Europe, added, “Our suppliers are essential contributors to Stellantis’ transformation. This new Council allows us to work side-by-side, with transparency and respect, to co-create solutions that benefit both sides. Together, we will address the critical issues shaping our industry—whether in quality, launch readiness, cost competitiveness, innovation, or supply chain resilience—and turn them into strategic advantages for our entire ecosystem.”

Jean-Louis Pech, President, FIEV, commented, “FIEV welcomes the opportunity to join Stellantis Supplier Advisory Council, which represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen our relationship and enrich the dialogue with suppliers. This participation will enable us to represent, with ANFIA, the collective voice of suppliers and actively contribute to the Council’s work.”

Marco Stella, President, ANFIA Components Group and Vice-President of ANFIA, stated, “Now more than ever, it is essential to invest in a fruitful partnership between Stellantis and the supply chain ecosystem, caught between European market weakness, geopolitical instability and fierceful competition, also to face united and together EU regulatory challenges and support EU manufacturing and R&D platforms.”

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Spinny, an Indian full-stack used car platform, has announced that it recorded a threefold increase in vehicle deliveries on Gudi Padwa compared to standard operating days. The surge indicates a trend of consumers aligning automotive purchases with festive milestones.

The festive period saw a 50 percent increase in footfall across Spinny Car Hubs in the days leading up to the holiday. Its data suggests that 86 percent of customers experienced a standard delivery process despite the heightened activity.

Regional demand was concentrated in western and southern India:

• Maharashtra: Pune and Mumbai recorded over six times their average daily delivery volumes, with each city serving more than 100 customers in a single day.
• Geographic Contribution: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka collectively accounted for 70 percent of total deliveries on the day.

In terms of demand trends, Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki India were the most preferred auto brands, while Hyundai Grand i10 was the most purchased vehicle. White remained the most popular exterior colour across all markets. It saw 53 percent of buyers utilised credit solutions to fund their purchases, reflecting a shift towards structured ownership.

Hanish Yadav, Senior Vice-President, Spinny, said, “Gudi Padwa holds deep cultural significance as a time of renewal and new beginnings. We are witnessing more customers align their car-buying journeys with such meaningful occasions. The strong surge in deliveries and increased engagement across our hubs reflects both evolving consumer intent and the trust placed in Spinny. Our focus remains on ensuring a transparent, reliable, and high-quality experience - regardless of demand cycles.”

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Renault India has officially released the ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figures for the newly launched Duster, which is now powered by the Turbo TCe 160 engine. This latest iteration of the SUV delivers a fuel economy rating of 18.45 kmpl when paired with the DCT automatic gearbox, while the version equipped with the six-speed manual transmission achieves a rating of 17.75 kmpl.

Developed specifically to suit Indian driving conditions, the vehicle combines robust performance with what Renault describes as best-in-class ride and handling characteristics. At the heart of the Duster is a turbo-petrol unit that generates 163 PS of power along with 280 Nm of torque, securing its position as the most powerful engine in its category.

Through intelligent engineering and a carefully optimised powertrain, Renault has managed to create a compelling balance that merges high output with segment-leading fuel efficiency, ensuring drivers do not have to compromise between spirited performance and economical running.

Dr V Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering, Renault Group India, said, “The ARAI-certified figures highlight the strength of our technology and our commitment to delivering superior all-round value. New Renault Duster’s Turbo 160 engine integrates advanced solutions such as low-friction coatings and high-pressure fuel injection to optimise combustion and efficiency. Paired with Renault’s latest DCT automatic transmission, which ensures fast and seamless gear shifts, the powertrain delivers an excellent balance of performance and fuel efficiency while remaining strong and responsive on the road.”

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South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Company has named Bradley J. Arnold as Chief Designer and Head of Hyundai Design North America (HDNA) in Irvine, California.

He will oversee vehicle and concept design for the North American market, focusing on the company’s design-led strategy.

Arnold rejoined Hyundai in 2016 and has held various leadership roles within the California studio. Since 2021, he led the exterior design team, contributing to the 2023 Hyundai Palisade facelift and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. His previous experience includes:

• Hyundai (2008–2011): Contributions to the Hyundai Genesis Coupe exterior and Hyundai Curb Concept interior.
• General Motors Design (2011–2016): Work on the Cadillac Elmiraj Concept, Chevrolet Tru 140S, and mobility concepts.
• Academic: Graduate of and former instructor at the ArtCenter College of Design.

In 2025, Arnold served as interim design head at HDNA, where he managed the development of production and concept vehicles. He directed the global XRT off-road strategy within 'The Sandbox,' a design hub at the California studio.

Under his guidance, this facility has produced the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO, the CRATER Concept, and upcoming XRT models scheduled for production.

Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “Design is the clearest expression of our ambition as a brand. Brad brings clarity, courage, and a strong connection to North American customers. His leadership will be instrumental as Hyundai Design North America shapes vehicles that are both emotionally engaging and globally relevant.”

SangYup Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design, commented, “With more than 18 years of experience working with highly respected global automotive brands, Brad brings an exceptional level of creative leadership and vision. We are excited to have him lead Hyundai Design North America and build on the strong momentum of our vehicle design direction.”

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