Hyundai Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has introduced two new variants – S Smart and SX Smart – for the Hyundai Exter SUV with prices starting at INR 768,490.

The new variants of the Hyundai Exter see the introduction of an electric sunroof on the S Smart variant and a smart key with push-button start on the SX Smart variant. Additionally, customers can upgrade to a 22.96-cm infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, along with a rear camera at a special price of INR 14,999, backed by a 3-year warranty. The OEM has now standardised Child seat anchor - ISOFIX for Exter.

The new variants are available in both manual and AMT transmissions, in petrol and Hy-CNG Duo powertrains.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we are committed to democratising technology and making meaningful innovations accessible to a wider set of customers. The introduction of S Smart and SX Smart variants on the Hyundai Exter is a reflection of this customer centric philosophy. With these new variants, we are offering a more compelling value proposition to young and tech-savvy Indian buyers. We are confident that the Hyundai Exter will continue to redefine aspirations and further strengthen its position as a preferred SUV for customers.”

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Nissan Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced the Phase 2 rollout of its CNG retrofitment kit for the Nissan Magnite SUV 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol model.  

It was in May 2025, the automaker had first rolled out the CNG option for Magnite SUV at INR 74,999 at its authorised dealerships in 7 states – Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Karnataka.

Now, the company has expanded the availability of the CNG kit in Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu. With this the company will cover 13 states in India with more to be added under Phase 3.

The CNG retrofitment kit is developed, manufactured and quality-assured by Motozen, a government-approved third-party vendor.  The customers can get their Magnite SUV fitted with CNG kit at the government-authorised fitment centres using a homologated kit compliant with local regulations and safety standards. Motozen is providing a 3-year/100,000 km warranty on the kit components.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “The New Nissan Magnite continues to be a key growth driver for us in India, and we’re committed to expanding its relevance in line with evolving customer needs. The Phase 2 rollout of our CNG retrofitment option reflects both the growing demand for cleaner mobility and our intent to offer credible, high-quality alternatives without compromising on the core strengths of the Magnite. With government-certified kits, authorised fitment, and extensive dealer network, this initiative enhances the Magnite’s value proposition while reinforcing our focus on accessible, sustainable solutions.”

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s popular offering the Innova HyCross has become a more attractive offering with the recent 5-star safety rating achievement for both adult and child occupant protection under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). Since its launch in November 2022, the Innova HyCross has quickly become a segment leader, with over 135,000 units sold in India.

The certificate was formally presented in New Delhi by the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari to Vikram Gulati, Country Head & EVP, Corporate Affairs & Governance and Sudeep Dalvi, CCO, SVP & Head State Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

The Innova HyCross is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which is said to be engineered for robust crash safety and structural rigidity. It integrates the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite, an advanced driver assistance system that includes features like a Pre-Collision System, Lane Trace Assist and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Further enhancing its safety credentials, the Innova HyCross is equipped with six airbags across all grades, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

 Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, safety is the fundamental pillar of our product development, manufacturing process, and also our customer-first approach. The Innova HyCross embodies this commitment, delivering a mobility experience where ownership experience is just as important as performance and comfort. The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for the Innova HyCross is a recognition of this philosophy as it assures our customers that they are not only investing in advanced and sustainable mobility but also one of the safest vehicles. With a safety mindset, we will continue to raise the bar in making advanced safety accessible, thus strengthening trust in the Toyota brand as a pioneer in safe and reliable mobility.”

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Geely-owned British-luxury brand Lotus Technology, a leading provider of intelligent and luxury mobility, is set to acquire the remaining 49 percent stake in Lotus Advance Technologies (Lotus UK) from Etika Automotive. This follows a similar move by Geely International (Hong Kong), which exercised its put option earlier.

With this, Lotus Technology will acquire 100 percent of Lotus UK through non-cash transactions based on pre-agreed valuations. This strategic acquisition, expected to be completed by the end-2025 pending regulatory approvals, will allow Lotus Technology to fully integrate all businesses and operations under the Lotus brand and consolidate Lotus UK's financial results.

Lotus UK is responsible for the manufacturing of Lotus's sportscars and hypercars and also houses Lotus Engineering, a consultancy providing services to various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers worldwide.

The put options granted to Geely HK and Etika were part of a previous business combination agreement. These options became exercisable after Lotus UK and its subsidiaries exceeded 5,000 vehicle sales in 2024. The acquisition will involve Lotus Technology issuing new shares, valued at USD 10 per share, in exchange for the Lotus UK shares.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has reported its wholesales for June 2025 and Q1 FY2026.

The company sold 118,906 passenger vehicles in the domestic market in June 2025, 8,812 units in sales to other OEMs and 37,842 units in exports. This translates to a decline of 13 percent, 12 percent and growth of 22 percent YoY, respectively.

For Q1 FY2026, the company’s domestic volumes contracted by 6 percent at 393,572 units in the domestic market, as compared to 419,114 units last year. Sales to other OEMs, grew by 19 percent at 28,807 units, as against 24,248 units sold a year ago. The company grew its exports by a robust 37 percent at 96,972 units, as against 70,560 units shipped last year. Overall, the company reported flat growth at 527,861 units across categories and segments. 

Interestingly, the company witnessed a decline across segments, including SUVs.

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