Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has introduced the five-door version of its Thar SUV called as Thar Roxx in Chennai on the eve of India’s 78^th Independence Day. 

Touted as a category disruptor by company sources, the vehicle is priced upwards of INR 1,299,000 ex-shoroom and embodies a bold and unconventional spirit. Designed and engineered to turn heads and deliver a refined drive and powerful yet safe performance, the Thar ROXX conquers all terrains while offering an array of luxurious features.

It is built on Mahindra’s All-New M_GLYDE platform and could deliver an exceptionally smooth ride with crisp handling and class leading dynamics. It effortlessly blends Thar’s outdoor DNA with modern sophistication, offering a premium SUV experience that caters to those who demand the finest in every aspect of their lives. 

As a body-on-frame vehicle, the Thar Roxx has been rigorously tested in extreme conditions across diverse terrains and altitudes, including the scorching sand dunes of the Thar desert at over 50 degrees Celsius; the high altitudes of Umling La, tricky muddy surfaces in Coorg and the freezing cold of minus 20 degree Celsius in Kaza. 

Powered by either a 175 bhp 2-litre GDI engine (with 6-speed manual or 6-speed Aisin sourced automatic transmission) or a 173 hp 2.2-litre engine (with 6-speed manual or 6-speed Aisin sourced automatic transmission), the Thar Roxx draws much road presence with design features such as a bold front grille paired with Bi-LED projector headlamps and C-shaped DRLs. 

Its classic silhouette is characterised by a long hood, upright cabin and short overhangs for exceptional approach and departure angles. 

Drawing from the three-door Thar design, the vehicle sports angular wheel arches as compared to the round ones of the former, marrying timeless aesthetics with modern execution. There’s rugged cladding and R19 alloy wheels with 255/60 All Terrain tyres. 

The side-hinged split rear tailgate has an externally-mounted spare wheel whereas the interior boasts an ivory ambiance with leatherette trims and soft-touch materials; the leather-wrapped dashboard that is complemented by piano black and metallic finishes, and ambient footwell lighting.

With durable design elements, including low-gloss treatments on AC vents, sturdy dashboard sections, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, the Thar Roxx is available in seven striking colours. 

Featuring WATT’s Link suspension, advanced shock absorbers with MTV-CL and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD) technology, the vehicle also has a ‘first-in-category’ Hydraulic Rebound Stopper (HRS) to enhance ride quality. 

While the flat floor design in the second row ensures increased comfort for all passengers, particular attention has been paid to achieve superior NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) levels for a quiet and refined driving experience​.

Engineered to achieve the highest B-NCAP safety rating, the Thar Roxx comes with six airbags, three-point seat belts and seat-belt reminder for all seats along with passenger airbag on/off for child safety, ISO-FIX child seats with top-tether, L2 ADAS (1R1V) suite with 10 features including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), 360-degree surround view system with blind view monitor, adaptive cruise control which adds to the safety, comfort and convenience.

Also equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Tyre Direction Monitoring System (TDMS), the vehicle comes with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 9.3 system with BLD (Brake locking differential). There’s Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) too. 

The 4Xplor System (with four modes) provides superior traction through Electronic Locking Differentials. Touted as India’s first by company sources, the Crawl Smart Assist function offers precise low-speed control combined with IntelliTurn that enables effortless tight turns, enhancing maneuverability in challenging environments. 

With best-in-class approach, departure and ramp-over angles, the Thar Roxx has a 650 mm water-wading depth, the Thar ROXX is prepared for any adventure​.

Apart from the 644 litre boot space, the Thar Roxx could be had with a Panoramic Skyroof as well. There are Twin 26.03 cm HD screens and a Harman Kardon nine-speaker system with QuantumLogic surround, Bass enhancer, and a six-mode audio settings amplifier delivers an exceptional in-cabin audio experience.

The Adrenox connectivity with over 80 features includes Alexa integration and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

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Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has announced the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with 29 aftersales partners during its Global Business Conference held between 4 May and 10 May 2026.

The event gathered over 200 investors and partners from North America, Europe, the Middle East, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Kazakhstan to discuss the company’s international service expansion.

The MoUs outline plans for international partners to establish electric vehicle (EV) service workshops that adhere to VinFast’s global standards. To maintain service quality, VinFast intends to provide standardised technician training, certification programmes and operating procedures. The company is also developing a parts supply network with a target of delivering common spare parts within 24 hours in major markets.

The automaker is building on its domestic aftersales foundation in Vietnam, where it operated nearly 400 workshops by the end of 2025. This contributed to a total global network of nearly 800 facilities at that time.

For 2026, the company aims to expand its global reach to more than 1,100 service workshops. This network will be implemented through several models, including – dealerships for retail customers, services for fleet and transportation business clients and partnerships with third-party local service workshops.

The expansion strategy includes specific support policies such as repair time commitments in Vietnam and the provision of replacement vehicles in international markets. VinFast also provides ongoing technical support, battery inspections and software updates for its customers.

Bui Viet Hung, Deputy CEO of Global Aftersales at VinFast, said, “Our goal is not simply to expand the network, but to build a customer-centric aftersales ecosystem that delivers an outstanding experience on a global scale. Through partnerships with experienced local operators and the application of VinFast’s global standards, we aim to provide aftersales services that are exceptional, responsive, and reliable”.

In addition to maintenance services, VinFast is collaborating with partners like V-Green to develop a global charging system. The company aims to establish more than 1.5 million charging ports worldwide to provide a comprehensive ownership experience for international EV users.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Tata Motors is upbeat on FY2027. The company reported revenue of INR 3,355 billion, down 9 percent YoY in FY2026, as compared to INR 3,660 billion a year ago. The profit before tax saw a decline of 13 percent at INR 2,333 billion, as against INR 3,142 billion last year.

The impact was primarily on the back of several headwinds at Jaguar Land Rover, including cyber incidents, tariffs, China's luxury tax, VME pressures and adverse commodities. The Consolidated Net Debt stood at INR 307 billion, on account of adverse free cash flows primarily owing to production stoppages at JLR.

However, Tata Motors management is quite optimistic about transitioning into the new fiscal year. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, outlined a ‘stay the course’ philosophy backed by aggressive technological pivots. Despite macroeconomic volatility, the company is doubling down on its multi-powertrain strategy to insulate itself from global commodity shocks.

While FY2026 was a year of ‘outperformance’ (15 percent growth), Chandra has set a realistic yet ambitious floor for the mid-term.

"We are confident growth can be over 10 percent for FY2027. There is no question about changing the long-term plan. Unless there is a significant geopolitical impact on petrol and diesel prices that may have a 1-2 percent plus or minus effect on new car sales, we remain on track," Chandra stated.

Perhaps the most significant outlook provided was the expected reversal of the traditional cost structure. Chandra views the rising cost of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) as an inevitability that will eventually make EVs the more profitable segment.

Interestingly, for Tata Motors’ alternative energy fuel mix (electric and CNG) now already accounts for 43 percent of passenger vehicle sales.

"ICE is going to be inflationary in the future," Chandra predicted. "Cost on the EV side has been disinflationary. If not equal, it will be better than ICE. We are not that concerned on profitability being impacted badly; there can be some pressure in the short-term, but it maybe for completely different reasons," he responded on the demand in the upcoming few months.

The automaker is also ramping up production to meet demand and expects to build on the strong momentum of H2 FY2026, and continue to deliver profitable and industry-beating growth in FY2027, supported by a robust demand pipeline, planned pipeline of new products and established multi-powertrain strategy.

By December 2026 or early CY2027, Tata Motors plans to enter the Flex-Fuel arena with at least one product to align with evolving government mandates.

"As far as Tata Motors is concerned, we are comfortable in terms of technology readiness," Chandra noted. "By end-December 2026 or early next year, we expect our first Flex-Fuel vehicle to be introduced. We are currently in discussion with the government through SIAM for E25 readiness."

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Maruti Suzuki India Limited has crossed a new threshold in its environmental logistics strategy, having now sent more than three million vehicles across the country by rail. The carmaker views this cumulative figure as proof of its deepening commitment to reducing emissions through supply chain innovation.

The share of trains in the company’s outbound vehicle movement has grown from just five percent in the 2014-15 fiscal year to 26.5 percent in 2025-26. The journey from two million to three million rail dispatches took only 21 months, setting a company record for the fastest addition of one million units moved by train.

Two of Maruti Suzuki’s manufacturing hubs, at Hansalpur and Manesar, are equipped with in-plant railway sidings, a distinction held by no other passenger vehicle maker in India. These facilities were built under the national PM GatiShakti master plan. The Hansalpur siding became operational in March 2023 and received a virtual inauguration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi a year later. In February 2026, it earned global recognition as the first modal shift transport project registered under Verra’s carbon standards. The Manesar siding, the largest of its kind in the country, saw its first train flagged off in June 2025 by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

With a combined annual capacity of 750,000 vehicles, the two sidings feed a hub and spoke network covering more than 600 cities from 22 hubs. Popular models like the Swift, Brezza, Baleno, Grand Vitara and Ertiga, produced in Gurugram, Manesar and Gujarat, are moved through this system. Rail connectivity also extends to the ports of Mundra and Pipavav, supporting the company’s export shipments.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki, said, “Achieving three million cumulative vehicle dispatches through railways marks a significant milestone in Maruti Suzuki’s green logistics journey. Since 2014, our rail-based vehicle dispatches have increased ninefold in volume, now contributing 26.5 percent of the Company’s total vehicle dispatches. Maruti Suzuki has committed over INR 13,720 million towards dedicated green logistics infrastructure. This includes development of in-plant railway sidings at our Hansalpur and Manesar manufacturing facilities, rail yards setup at key logistics hubs, procurement of specialised automotive rakes and supporting multiple infrastructure upgrades.

 “We thank the Government of India for the visionary PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, which has created a strong enabling framework for integrated, multimodal logistics and has supported the industry’s transition towards efficient, rail-led and sustainable freight movement. Going forward, we aim to increase the share of rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35 percent by FY2030-31 and plan to establish an in-plant siding at our new Kharkhoda facility. This would further help reduce carbon footprint, lower fuel consumption and ease overall road congestion.”

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The 110th birthday of Ferruccio Lamborghini Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI, the famous Italian automobile designer and industrialist who created Lamborghini Trattori in 1948 and Automobili Lamborghini in 1963 was on 28 April 2026. The force behind the conceptualisation, design and development of some of the most iconic supercar models ever to come out of Italy, such as the Miura and Countach, Lamborghini was driven by an unceasing desire to improve and innovate. 
Born in Renazzo, a hamlet in the municipality of Cento (province of Ferrara), on 28 April 1916, Lamborghini – the eldest son of farmers Antonio and Evelina Lamborghini – was attracted to mechanics than to the land that his father harvested. At the very young age, he spent his afternoons in the farmstead workshop. 
Managing to get hired by the best mechanical workshop in Bologna, where he discovered the secrets of mechanics, Lamborghini was drafted and assigned to the 50th Mixed Maneuver Motor Fleet stationed in Rhodes at the outbreak of World War II.
He successfully repaired (and broke) vehicles belonging to the Italians, German and British. Founding his first company in Rhodes, a small mechanical repair shop, Lamborghini returned to Italy in 1946 and, taking advantage of incentives put in place to support the economic recovery, opened a machine shop in Cento to repair motor vehicles and build small utility vehicles. 
Observing the crisis suffered by local agriculture, he built inexpensive agricultural tractors within reach of small landowners, using the components of old military vehicles. The first was made from a Morris truck where he applied a fuel vaporiser of his own invention. He sold some eleven such machines, establishing himself as an entrepreneur.
Counted among the most important industrialists in Italy by 1963, Lamborghini decided to build the best grand touring cars in the world. An incident often told is that he complained to Enzo Ferrari about a broken clutch in his personal Ferrari. Ferrari reportedly told him: “Stick to making tractors and leave the sports cars to me.”
Determined to build a better car than his Ferrari 250GT, Lamborghini hired top talent, including former Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, to design a new V12 engine, and Gian Paolo Dallara as technical director. The first prototype – the 350 GTV – was built in Sant’Agata Bolognese and shown at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. 
The refined production version – the 350 GT – debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. The Muira, launched in 1966, redefined the supercar segment like no other, establishing firmly Lamborghini and his car venture into the domain that Ferrari ruled. 
The emblem found on the bonnet of the Muira was a result of an exercise where Lamborghini contacted a well-known local graphic designer, Paolo Rambaldi, who asked him what personal characteristics he felt he possessed. “I’m tamugno (which translated from dialect means hard, strong, stubborn) like a bull,” was the reply. An emblem was born thus with a raging bull in it, popularly referred to as the world-famous logo of Automobili Lamborghini.
Retaining his spirit after he left this world on 20 February 1993, Automobili Lamborghini continues to make among the best and most desirable supercars today. They are made with his conviction that the best can still be improved and new avenues can be explored.
 

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