Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has completed the first year of ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, a holistic social initiative to support people with disabilities in India. Launched in 2023, the initiative is in line with Hyundai Motor Company’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’ and aims at raising awareness and building a movement for the inclusion of people with disabilities in India.

The event was attended by various dignitaries from the Government of India, including Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Sports; Dr Virendra Kumar, Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment and Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director; Tarun Garg, Whole Time Director and Chief Operating Officer and J T Park, Function Advisor, Sales & Marketing were present at the event from HMIL’s side. Several other key government officials, NGO partners and stakeholders also joined the celebration.

The highlights of the event were the felicitation of Indian Paralympians, where the company felicitated seven Paralympians supported under ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative for their outstanding achievements, and the presentation of the ‘Charter of Recommendations for Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity’ to Government of India by HMIL. The company also announced the launch of the ‘Samarth Hero Awards’ to honour individuals and organisations contributing to the empowerment of people with disabilities.

As an example of its dedication to inclusion, HMIL has worked to raise awareness, give assistance and create opportunities for those with disabilities over the past year through Samarth by Hyundai and its numerous projects. By raising awareness, establishing accessible spaces at HMIL dealerships, introducing car accessories that are accessible to persons with disabilities and establishing important alliances with NGOs, the media, and other stakeholders, the firm has achieved tremendous progress in empowering individuals with disabilities.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “At Hyundai, we believe in making a meaningful impact beyond mobility. ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ is a testament to our commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all. I am immensely proud of the strides we’ve made in our first year, and I thank our partners, stakeholders and the government for their unwavering support. Together, we will continue to drive change and provide opportunities for people with disabilities, as we remain deeply committed to India and its people."

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has begun local production of the Skoda Kylaq compact SUV at its Chakan facility in Pune.

The Skoda Kylaq is the company’s fifth model on the MQB-A0-IN platform and is the most affordable model in its portfolio. Powered by Skoda's 1.0-litre TSI engine that produces 115bhp and 178Nm the Skoda Kylaq can be had in either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT torque converter. The SUV can accelerate from zero to 100kmph in 10.5 seconds and attain a claimed top speed of 188kmph. It is launched at starting price of INR 789,000. The Czech carmaker stated it has expanded its local supplier base by 10 percent that will help bring down the cost of ownership and also enable faster turnaround time.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “We’re thrilled to begin production of Skoda Auto India’s first sub-4-meter SUV. Congratulations to the entire team on the successful start of production. Kylaq is engineered and developed in India to cater to the evolving requirements of Indian customers. By manufacturing Kylaq locally, we proudly support the Make-in-India initiative, maintaining Group’s DNA of delivering safety, comfort and driving dynamics.”

Furthermore, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has increased production at its Chakan facility by 30 percent, which now can produce 255,000 vehicles per year.

Andreas Dick, Member of the Board of Management of Skoda Auto for Production and Logistics, said, “The successful start of production for Skoda Kylaq reflects the incredible teamwork and collaboration between our teams in India and the Czech Republic. Every detail has been meticulously planned and executed, from design to the implementation of advanced manufacturing processes, ensuring we meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. These efforts have created the ideal prerequisites for Kylaq to become a cornerstone of our success in India, setting new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment and strengthening our commitment to this dynamic market.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has unveiled the all-new Camry hybrid electric vehicle, further strengthening its commitment towards realising the company’s carbon neutral goals.

Developed under the concept of ‘Sedan to the Core’, the new Camry hybrid is powered by a 2.5L Dynamic Force Engine and delivers 221 Nm of torque at 3,200 rpm. The sedan comes with electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) and offers multiple driving modes – Sport, Eco and Normal – to accommodate a variety of driving situations and styles. A high-capacity Li-ion battery is another component of Toyota's 5th Generation Hybrid Technology System that boosts output to an amazing 169 kW (230 PS) maximum power. This advanced hybrid system is the ideal option for the luxury sedan enthusiast who cares about the environment since it combines performance with an amazing fuel efficiency of 25.49 km/l.

Among the many active and passive cutting-edge safety features available on the luxury sedan are the best-in-class nine SRS airbags, Electronic Parking Brake with Brake Hold Function, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Clearance & Back Sonar, Parking Assist with Back Guide Monitor and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. The hybrid battery in the new Camry is covered for eight years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first.

Masakazu Yoshimura, Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The Launch of All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle is a testament to our vision of developing ever-better, sustainable mobility options in line with the Toyota’s Global Environmental Challenge 2050. India remains a crucial market, and our product strategy aligns with India’s national priorities to lower the carbon emissions and achieve energy security goals. Towards this, we have embraced the adoption of multiple-pathway approach to drive clean mobility and promote mass electrification with greater agility and speed. The introduction of the All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle, being a green mobility offering, will continue to further strengthens our contributions toward building a futuristic carbon-free, happy society.”

Tadashi Asazuma, Deputy Managing Director – Sales-Service-Used Car, Toyota Kirloskar Motor & Lexus, said, "The all-new Camry exemplifies our unwavering commitment to crafting vehicles that blend performance, sustainability and cutting-edge innovation. Developed under the concept of ‘Sedan to the Core’, the all-new Camry delivers an unmatched driving experience thanks to its advanced 5th generation hybrid system, offering enhanced performance and exceptional responsiveness. I believe that our new offering will bring the pride of ownership with its sporty design, tech-loaded features and advanced safety systems offering peace of mind to our customers thus reinforcing our vision to offer mobility that is both aspirational and responsible for the Indian market.”

Sabari Manohar, Vice President – Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The launch of the All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle is an exciting milestone for us in India. This new model with its 5th Gen Hybrid Technology, striking design and luxurious specs, is crafted for those who seek contemporary elements – sleek, spacious, safe and seamless driving experience. Equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and a suite of connectivity features, it offers our valued customers not just elevated style but also peace of mind, comfort and convenience at every turn. We sincerely thank our customers for their trust in the brand and appreciation for our sustainable mobility offerings that gave us the confidence to introduce this new and advanced model, aimed at fulfilling their eco-friendly vehicle choices.”

The luxury sedan is priced at INR 4.8 million ex-showroom and is available in four stunning new colours – Precious Metal, Dark Blue, Cement Grey and Emotional Red – along with the existing options of Attitude Black and Platinum White Pearl. Bookings for the All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle are now open.

South Korean passenger vehicle manufacturer Kia has announced that it has delivered 400 units of its all-new Carnival Limousine within two months of delivery commencements in India.

Priced at INR 6.39 million, the new Carnival Limousine was launched on 3 October 2024 in India. Available in a single top loaded variant the Carnival has got over 3,350 bookings and sees a waiting period of six months at present.

Hardeep Singh Brar, Senior Vice-President and Head of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, stated, "We are thrilled to announce that we have achieved the milestone of delivering 400 Kia Carnival Limousines to our esteemed customers within 2 months of delivery commencement. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering trust of our customers in the Kia brand. The Carnival has a rich legacy, and we were confident that its latest iteration, with its unparalleled blend of luxury, advanced technology, and premium features, would resonate with our discerning customers."

The company is also gearing up to expand its product portfolio in the compact SUV segment with the Syros SUV set to be unveiled on 19 December.

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co, which has been under pressure on the back of dwindling sales, is set to restructure its leadership team to create a lean, flat structure, which it believes will enable to respond flexibly and quickly to changes in the business environment.

From 1 January 2025, Stephen Ma, currently CFO, will take over the role of Chairperson of Management Committee for China. He will continue to report to Makoto Uchida, CEO, Nissan Motor Co.

Jeremie Papin will succeed Ma, from his current role as the Chairperson of the Management Committee for Americas.

Christian Meunier will join Nissan as chairperson of the Management Committee for Americas. He will report to Guillaume Cartier, chief performance officer (CPO).

Asako Hoshino, who currently serves as Chief Brand & Customer Officer (CBCO) and Chairperson of the Management Committee for Japan/ASEAN, is set to retire from her role overseeing Japan/ASEAN operations.

Shohei Yamazaki will take over as the Chairperson of the Management Committee for Japan/ASEAN from her current role as chairperson of the Management Committee for China.

Makoto Uchida, President and CEO, Nissan, said: “These leadership appointments will bring the necessary experience and urgency to the countermeasures we are taking to get the company back on track. With the support of our leadership team, we will carefully execute our turnaround actions to secure sustainable profits while focusing on future growth."