The Sriperumbudur facility of Hyundai Motor India Limited has been honoured with the Tamil Nadu State Level Safety Award for 2022 by the state’s Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH). The prestigious award was presented by Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development C V Ganesan and DISH Director Anand to senior company executives Mukundan M S and Senthil Kumar R M. This accolade, granted in the Large-Scale Industry category, acknowledges Hyundai’s ongoing dedication to exceptional safety performance, marked by a notable decline in incident rates and a systematic focus on risk mitigation.

Operating in India for over 30 years, the plant has consistently fostered a robust safety culture through comprehensive initiatives. This includes implementing widespread safety campaigns, establishing diligent monitoring protocols and driving continuous improvement programmes. The company’s approach integrates rigorous processes, proactive assessments and regular training aligned with international benchmarks, all underpinned by strong safety governance. Hyundai Motor India reiterates that the well-being of its employees is a primary concern, and it remains steadfast in its mission to advance its safety systems and sustain an environment where a culture of excellence is paramount.

Gopalakrishnan C S, Whole-time Director & Chief Manufacturing Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Safety at Hyundai is not a standalone initiative – it is a deeply embedded culture practiced at every level of our operations. Our goal is simple: a safe, secure working environment for every employee, every day. This award affirms the collective commitment of our teams and motivates us to strengthen our safety excellence even further.”

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Maruti Suzuki India has announced the opening of its 200th NEXA Studio outlet. The company currently sells vehicles through its NEXA channel via two distinct formats: NEXA main outlets and NEXA Studio outlets.

The NEXA sales network currently consists of over 740 outlets located in more than 530 cities. NEXA Studio outlets are specifically designed to extend the reach of the brand into semi-urban areas where there is identified sales potential for the product range.

Launched in July 2015, the NEXA channel now contributes approximately 30 percent of Maruti Suzuki’s domestic sales. In FY2024-25, the channel recorded sales of over 540,000 vehicles.

The NEXA portfolio includes the following models Baleno, Ignis and Fronx in the hatchbacks and compacts segment. Grand Vitara, XL6, Jimny and Invicto in the SUVs and MPVs: The company also recently introduced the e Vitara electric-SUV.

The company plans to increase the number of NEXA Studio outlets to 600 by the end of the 2030-31 financial year. This growth is intended to address demand in regions outside of major metropolitan centres.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “NEXA stands for innovation, design, and premium ownership experience. The rapid expansion of NEXA Studios demonstrates our commitment to make this experience accessible to our aspirational customers in semi-urban areas. There is a growing segment of customers in these areas who are desirous of a premium car buying experience. To cater to their needs, we are happy to expand our NEXA footprint to such locations. We are thankful to our dealer partners and customers for their trust and enthusiasm that continue to drive NEXA’s growth story. With their support, we aim to take the total number of NEXA Studio outlets to 600, by the end of FY 2030-31.”

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Jeep India has announced the return of the Wrangler Willys 41 Limited Edition. The release follows the 2025 edition of the vehicle, which sold out within seven days. This model is inspired by the 1941 Willys MB and is limited to 41 units for the Indian market.

The limited edition is available at Jeep dealerships across India at a premium of INR 200,000 over the standard Rubicon price. The optional accessory kit is priced at INR 3,60,000.

The model is based on the Rubicon variant and includes heritage design cues such as WWII-themed graphics and ‘One of 41’ badging. It is positioned as a tribute to the brand's military origins and off-road history.

The Wrangler Willys 41 includes several hardware updates as standard:

• Motorised Side Steps: Automated steps for cabin entry and exit.
• Integrated Digital Video Recorder: A dash camera system for journey documentation.
• Heritage Detailing: Specific graphics and badging throughout the exterior and interior.

Jeep has also introduced an optional accessory kit for this edition. The kit includes: Roof Carrier – a storage system with an integrated side ladder. Sunrider Roof Top – an open-air roof solution.

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head and Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “The Willys legacy is more than a story – it is the foundation of Jeep’s character. The Wrangler Willys 41 2.0 is our tribute to that heritage. It reflects the spirit of the original 1941 Willys MB while delivering the capability, authenticity and emotional connection that Jeep owners value deeply blending timeless Willys cues with contemporary engineering to deliver capability, exclusivity and character in equal measure.”

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Nissan Motor India (NMIPL) has launched a retail finance scheme for the Nissan Magnite through Nissan Renault Financial Services India (NRFSI). The offer is available for vehicle bookings made until the end of March 2026.

The scheme provides a rate of interest (ROI) starting at 5.55 percent for customers with a CIBIL score. It includes options for 100 percent on-road funding, which covers the vehicle cost, registration, insurance and associated charges.

The programme is designed to provide repayment flexibility with loan tenures extending up to seven years. NRFSI has structured the product to include specific facilities for borrowers:

Foreclosure: Zero charges for closing the loan after 24 months.

Payments: Provision for part-payment of the loan amount.

Processing: A digital loan process, excluding KYC and RTO documentation.

Support: Access to a 24x7 WhatsApp chatbot and dedicated customer care.

The finance package includes additional incentives valued up to INR 22,000 for customers choosing NRFSI. Existing Nissan customers are eligible for loyalty benefits and add-on advantages when opting for this finance route.

The 5.55 percent ROI is applicable for a loan amount of INR 500,000, which Nissan states provides an EMI advantage compared to rates currently offered by commercial banks.

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TATA.ev has launched the new Punch.ev in India, positioned to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in the entry-level segment with prices starting INR 969,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) for the 30 kWh battery variant, while the 40 kWh variant can be had at INR 1.08 million.

Furthermore, the company has also marked the introduction of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) financing model, which lowers the initial purchase price to INR 649,000, supplemented by a battery EMI of INR 2.6 per kilometre.

The Punch.ev is built on the acti.ev architecture and offers two battery configurations to address varying range requirements:

• Long Range: Features a 40 kWh LFP prismatic cell battery pack. It delivers a real-world range of approximately 355 km and an ARAI-certified range of 468 km.
• Standard Range: Includes a 30 kWh battery pack option for city-focused use.

The EV supports express charging, allowing the battery to transition from 20 percent to 80 percent in 26 minutes. A 15-minute charge can provide 135 km of real-world range.

TATA.ev has established a network of over 230,000 charging points across 1,500 cities. This includes a ‘.ev Verified’ network of 2,500 fast chargers and 130 hubs on 80 highways. The company plans to expand its highway charging presence to 800 points by the March 2026.

To support first-time buyers, TATA.ev has introduced a lifetime warranty on the high-voltage (HV) battery, covering unlimited kilometres. This measure is intended to address concerns regarding battery longevity and maintenance costs.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “The new Punch.ev, makes electric mobility truly accessible, practical and worry free for every household. With a real-world range of around 355 km, fast charging capability, a lifetime HV battery warranty and a highly accessible price point, it resolves the core concerns that have thus far held customers back from choosing an entry level EV as their primary car. By bringing together everything customers seek in their preferred car for both daily and long-distance travel, the new Punch.ev marks a significant leap forward in the democratisation of electric mobility in India.”

The Punch.ev can be had in three versions: Smart, Adventure and Empowered.

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