Hyundai Motor Company and Skoda Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence collaboration on establishing a hydrogen mobility ecosystem.

The signing ceremony took place at the Korea-Czech Republic Business Summit in Prague, was attended by Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice-President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Company, and Petr Novotny, CEO of Skoda Group.

The partnership covers study on adoption of hydrogen fuel cell systems and technologies, study on adoption of energy efficient solutions for mobility projects and products and exploring hydrogen ecosystem and value chain opportunities beyond mobility.

Ken Ramirez said, “Our partnership with Skoda Group aims to accelerate hydrogen adoption, which would contribute to the advancement of hydrogen technology and carbon neutrality across global markets, including the Czech Republic. Together with Skoda Group, we strive to lead the rapidly growing hydrogen businesses by creating positive synergies between our fuel cell technology and Skoda Group’s mobility products and projects.”

Petr Novotny added, “We believe that hydrogen, alongside energy-efficient solutions, will play an essential role in transforming mobility for a more sustainable future. Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company aims at enabling us to look beyond national borders and explore wider markets where these technologies can have a larger impact. By working together, we can bring innovative, eco-friendly solutions to the global mobility ecosystem, advancing cleaner energy in the areas where it's needed most.” 

Both parties share the view that hydrogen will be a key pillar for a sustainable society, starting with mobility. As part of the understanding, the partners will explore the possibility that Hyundai would share its fuel cell system and technology, contributing to the acceleration of eco-friendly mobility across global markets where Skoda Group operates, including the Czech Republic.

Hyundai Motor Company and Skoda Group will also conduct feasibility studies for fuel cell system applications for diverse utilisation beyond mobility. Leveraging its global expertise and insights in operating various hydrogen applications in both mobility and energy sectors, Hyundai is poised to play a pivotal role in aiding the energy transition.

In addition, Hyundai Motor Group is committed to building a hydrogen society under its hydrogen value chain business brand HTWO, which encompasses the Group’s businesses and affiliates, enabling each stage of the entire hydrogen value chain.

Established in 2008, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) in Nosovice has an annual manufacturing capacity of 3,50,000 vehicles. Considered one of the most modern car manufacturers in Europe, the manufacturing plant was also the largest foreign investment in the Czech Republic.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has introduced the 2026 Fortuner Leader Edition in India, featuring exterior styling revisions and interior equipment updates.

Bookings for the model open on 12 October 2026 across company dealerships, with ex-showroom prices set at INR 3.65 million for the 4x2 Manual Transmission variant and INR 3.87 million for the 4x2 Automatic Transmission variant.

On the outside, the Leader Edition include the new redesigned front grille design, black rear door garnish, gloss black alloy wheels with matching hub caps, body side mouldings, a hood emblem and a black-finished roof and antenna.

In the cabin, the model features dual-tone black and maroon seat upholstery, matching door trims, ambient lighting and illuminated scuff plates. Additional functional additions comprise auto-folding outside rear-view mirrors and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "The Fortuner has always represented confidence, capability and a spirit of achievement. With the new Leader Edition of the Fortuner, we are further defining this legacy through exterior enhancements and convenience features that reflect the aspirations of today’s customers. As we continue to align with changing trends, it is our endeavour to continuously evolve the Fortuner experience while staying true to the inherent qualities that have made them iconic. We are confident that the Leader Edition will further strengthen our commitment to delivering ever-better cars and creating Mass Happiness for All."

The model will be offered in three exterior colour options: Super White, Platinum White Pearl and Attitude Black. Toyota offers ownership packages with the vehicle, including a standard three-year or 100,000 km warranty extendable to five years or 220,000 km, 5-years of complimentary roadside assistance, and financing options up to seven years.

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has expanded its Assured Buyback Programme to cover internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and electric vehicle models.

The programme provides customers with predetermined residual values at the time of purchase to simplify vehicle trade-in and upgrade procedures.

Under the updated terms, eligible internal combustion engine vehicles carry an assured residual value of up to 75 percent after three years, while electric vehicle models offer up to 70 percent over the same timeframe.

The scheme encompasses Kia's product range, including the Sonet, Syros, new Seltos, Carens, Carens Clavis and Sorento across petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid and electric powertrains.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, said, "A vehicle purchase is a long-term decision, and customers increasingly seek greater certainty around future value and upgrade convenience. By expanding our Assured Buyback Programme with industry best resale value of upto 75 percent on ICE and upto 70 percent for EV in 3 years, we are enabling eligible customers to understand their vehicle’s assured residual value at the outset and plan their ownership journey with greater confidence. The initiative reflects our commitment to building enduring customer relationships and delivering consistent value from the first purchase through to the next exchange or upgrade."

The programme offers tenure options of three, four, or five years for ICE models and three or four years for electric vehicles. Annual mileage limits can be set at 10,000 km, 15,000 km or 20,000 km, supporting total usage caps of up to 100,000 km across the contract period. Enrolment is managed through authorised Kia dealerships at the point of vehicle purchase, with guaranteed buyback values executed at the end of the selected tenure subject to contract terms.

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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its soon-to-be-launched Renault Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 has attained an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency rating of 29 kilometres per litre.

The company has started bookings for the model on 9 October 2026 across its dealership network and website for a booking amount of INR 21,000.

The SUV is powered by a strong-hybrid system combining a 1.8-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery, producing a combined output of 160 PS. The system utilises a multi-mode automatic transmission to switch between combustion power, electric drive and energy recovery modes during deceleration. The onboard battery recharges through regenerative braking and engine operation without external charging infrastructure.

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Renault Group India, said, "Bringing Renault’s proven E-Tech strong-hybrid technology from Europe to India is a significant moment for us. Indian SUV customers should not have to choose between performance and fuel efficiency. With a combined output of 160 PS and an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 29 km/litre, the Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 brings both together in a versatile SUV, without requiring external charging. For customers considering alternatives to diesel, it offers a compelling new choice for everyday driving. We are pleased to open bookings ahead of its official market debut."

The Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 marks the introduction of Renault's E-Tech powertrain technology in India under the company's regional product roadmap. The OEM will conduct the full product reveal and market launch on 17 October 2026.

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Jaguar has unveiled the Type 01, a four-door electric grand tourer, during a premiere event in New York. The model marks the start of the manufacturer's product architecture overhaul, with customer orders scheduled to open in early 2027 and initial deliveries expected in the second half of that year.

Designed, engineered and built in the United Kingdom, the Type 01 features a low roofline, long bonnet silhouette and aerodynamically focused body panels. Built on the bespoke Jaguar Electric Architecture, the 850-volt system produces over 1,000 PS of power. The electric vehicle provides an estimated 400-mile range under EPA testing standards, with 350kW rapid-charging capabilities adding 200 miles of range in 13 minutes.

During the event, Jaguar named actor Florence Pugh as the brand ambassador for its new product phase. The unveiling at STORIED in West Chelsea included displays detailing the vehicle's production engineering, structural panel development and testing protocols.

Rawdon Glover, Managing Director, Jaguar, said, "From its dramatic design to its captivating drive, Type 01 distils the essence of Jaguar into a luxury grand tourer for a new era. Type 01 is the foundation of this British brand, one that makes no compromise between design and engineering in our quest to create objects of desire, just as it was in the days of the E-type and XJS."

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