After lockdown due to Covid 19 Kia Motors India resumes production today at its Anantapur facility adhering to stringent and comprehensive safety protocol. The company is currently operating on a single shift and hopes to go full steam once situation improves.
The company invested the initial few days to ready its facilities, putting all safety measures in place for the well-being of its employees and vendors. The state-of-the-art manufacturing plant started functioning again on May 8, 2020 to cater to both domestic and export markets after its operations were suspended following the nationwide lockdown announced by the Government of India. All the necessary permissions from the Andhra Pradesh Government and Anantapur local municipal corporation were taken before operations resumed at the Kia Motors India manufacturing facility.
Commenting on the development, Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director & CEO, Kia Motors India said, “As we resume production and bring processes back on track, we have introduced a comprehensive safety protocol to ensure a safe environment at our Anantapur plant to ensure all employees at our facility are protected. These are unprecedented conditions and we are committed to adapting to the new norms of the world while we work towards normalcy. Our initial focus is to keep our employees motivated, retain a positive outlook and deliver on our promises to our customers.”
He further added that “Kia Motors India priorities are to clear pending orders for the best-selling Seltos and luxurious Carnival, and also to prepare the line for the eagerly anticipated compact SUV, Sonet. Our stakeholders, including suppliers and logistics partners, are all in-line with the current production and have assured us support in case we have to increase production volumes over the coming days.”
Kia Motors India is taking all the necessary precautions to ensure physical distancing at the work environment. Health and hygiene measures such as sanitization, distribution of masks, regular temperature checks, and medical check-up before entering the plant premises, etc. will be adhered to.
As a responsible corporate, Kia Motors India has donated INR 2 crores to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Relief Fund, along with one lakh masks to the government to support its COVID-19 control measures. Additionally, the company announced several support initiatives for its dealer partners to sustain and improve the cash flow in these difficult times of the pandemic. The company has also distributed 50,000 masks to its dealer partners to ensure safety of dealers and customers. The company has taken up several initiatives to encourage online sales, thereby reducing physical interactions and maintaining social distancing at all times possible. A detailed guideline on dealership operations has been issued to maintain required hygiene and distancing protocols at its facilities to ensure the safety of customers and staff. As a step towards spreading awareness about the global pandemic, the brand also came up with the #RewindKia campaign, urging everyone to stay home and be safe. (MT)
JSW MG Motor India Sells 6,578 Vehicles In August 2025
- By MT Bureau
- September 01, 2025
JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesales for August.
The company marked a 52 percent growth YoY last month when it sold 6,578 units, as against 4,323 units a year ago.
The OEM attributed the healthy performance to the start of the festive season, which marked the highest deliveries for the automaker this year. The MG Windsor EV and the MG Comet EV saw a 5 percent 21 percent growth over July.
Furthermore, the company has been expanding its dealer network with three new facilities being inaugurated last month. With this the company now has over 543 sales and aftersales touchpoints across 270 cities, which enables to cover 90 percent of India’s geographical footprint.
BMW X5 Launched In India At Prices Starting INR 10.03 Million
- By MT Bureau
- August 28, 2025
BMW India has released the new BMW X5 at prices starting INR 10.03 million (ex-showroom). The cars are produced at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai and come with petrol and diesel engine options.
The ex-showroom prices for the new variants are as follows:
- BMW X5 xDrive30d: INR 10.23 million
- BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport Pro: 11.5 million
- BMW X5 xDrive40i: INR 10.03 million
- BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport Pro: INR 11.3 million
The new X5 models include a BMW Widescreen Curved Display, which combines a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. The cars also feature Comfort Seats with electric adjustments and lumbar support. Standard equipment includes a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and a 4-zone automatic climate control system.
Both the petrol and diesel engines are equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 3-litre 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine of the X5 xDrive40i produces 381 hp and 520 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.4 seconds. The 3-litre 6-cylinder in-line diesel engine of the X5 xDrive30d produces 286 hp and 650 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds. Both engines also feature a 48V electrical motor.
The xOffroad package is now available for the X5, providing four driving modes: xSand, xRocks, xGravel and xSnow. The package also includes reinforced underbody protection.
Safety systems on the new X5 include Parking Assistant Professional with Surround View Camera, Reversing Assistant and Drive Recorder. The cars are also equipped with airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and an electronic immobiliser.
Maruti Suzuki True Value Attains Milestone Of Selling 6 Million Pre-Owned Vehicles
- By MT Bureau
- August 28, 2025
Maruti Suzuki True Value (MSTV), India's leading pre-owned car retail network, has attained a new sales milestone of selling over 6 million cars since its launch in 2001, which includes 492,697 vehicles in FY2024–25 alone.
The milestone, the company shared, highlights the channel's sustained growth and its status as a preferred choice for consumers seeking quality pre-owned vehicles.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "As we celebrate the 6 million sales milestone, we are deeply grateful to all our valued customers for their trust in True Value cars," he said. "Established over two decades ago, Maruti Suzuki True Value has consistently been a top consideration for a diverse demography of customers as a reliable and safe pre-owned car channel."
Banerjee also noted that MSTV is especially popular with younger buyers, with an average customer age of 31. Eighty-five per cent of True Value customers are first-time car owners. The company's focus on "industry-leading services" is designed to provide customers with "complete peace of mind."
All Maruti Suzuki True Value-certified vehicles undergo a rigorous 376-point quality check and are refurbished with genuine Maruti Suzuki parts. The company stated it verifies each car's service history and documentation before it is offered for sale. To further build customer confidence, certified cars come with a warranty of up to one year and three free services.
At present, the company’s network includes 606 showrooms across 305 cities in India.
Skoda Teases New Vision O Concept Interior
- By MT Bureau
- August 25, 2025
Skoda has released a teaser video offering the first look inside its upcoming Vision O concept car, revealing a new interior design language. The car will be officially unveiled on 8th September in Munich.
The interior showcases the next evolution of the brand’s Modern Solid design philosophy, focusing on a customer-centric and sustainable approach. The design emphasises a spacious layout with clean lines for a harmonious feel.
Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Design, said, “The interior design concept of the Vision O showcases our commitment to combining simplicity and sustainability with enhanced comfort. The combination of clean lines and intuitive functionality reflect our efforts to create a harmonious and functional interior. It features materials and design elements that are not only aesthetically an evolution of our Modern Solid design language but also emphasise environmental responsibility.”
The interior features a minimalist, ergonomic design that prioritises practicality and intuitive functionality. It includes unique 3D-printed headrests for a comfortable and airy feel. Following circular economy principles, the materials used throughout the cabin are sustainable, with a focus on plant-based and compostable components to reduce the car’s environmental impact.
The Vision O will be a look at the future of Skoda’s estate segment.
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