Kia Motors India revealed the first official rendering of the new production-ready Kia Sonet compact SUV, which was unveiled for the first time at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo. With new image released today, the Sonet aims to set new design benchmarks and inject a new dynamism in the compact SUV segment when it is revealed later this summer.

To be made in India following the introduction of Seltos, the new car is targeted at a younger generation who are tech-savvy, aspirational and socially connected.

Kia’s rendering of the Sonet emphasize the brand’s dynamic DNA, merging emotive design with a premium and youthful appeal to create a strong on-road presence. The bold design of the compact SUV combines Kia’s signature design traits, such as the prominent ‘tiger nose’ grille, with a three-dimensional ‘stepwell’ geometric grille mesh for a strong visual impression. Its aggressive stance indicates its rugged appeal, while showcasing the car’s India-inspired influences in Kia’s signature grille.

 “With the new Kia Sonet, we had the ambition to give this compact SUV a strong and muscular character found only in much larger vehicles. With this in mind, we have designed what we believe is a great SUV with a uniquely sporty attitude, a confident stance and a dynamic silhouette. We also gave the new Kia Sonet an uncompromising attention to detail and a selection of colors and materials that could have only be inspired by the great cultural heritage that our designers found all over India,” said Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Center at Kia Motors Corporation. “As a whole we believe the new Kia Sonet will be a fantastic SUV with a very compelling and attaching character to our young and young at heart, always connected customers in India and beyond…”

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Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, the Honda City Sport, adding a dynamic and youthful edge to the City line-up. Priced at INR 1.48 million (ex-showroom, Delhi), the City Sport is positioned as a limited-edition offering designed to appeal to style-conscious, spirited drivers.

The new variant will be exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission and is offered in three colour options — Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Sporting a blacked-out exterior theme, the car features a Sporty Black Grille, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Trunk Lip Spoiler and multi-spoke grey alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin gets an all-black treatment with red stitching, leather seats and ambient lighting for a premium, performance-inspired feel.

Under the hood, it retains the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. The model also comes equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced driver assistance suite.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.”

The City Sport is being positioned as a limited-unit, exclusive edition for customers seeking distinction in both design and driving dynamics.

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Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has is celebrating the 20^th anniversary for its premium hatchback the Maruti Suzuki Swift.

It was in May 2005, the Swift marked its India debut, which at that time was amongst the most premium sporty hatchback available to customers, thus carving out a niche amongst its peers.

Over the years, the Swift has been updated with new design language and technology. In 2011, Maruti Suzuki India introduced lighter and agile 2^nd generation Swift, the 3^rd generation was introduced in 2018 and last year the Swift was introduced with the new Z-series engine in its 4th generation avatar.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The Swift is an icon in its own right. Celebrated by over 3 million customers in India alone, the Swift is an expression of fun and freedom. The Swift has set new benchmarks over the years with every new model, improving on the inherent ‘fun-to-drive’ DNA. This ever so special nature of the Swift has ensured that nearly one out of every four Swift owners come back to buy another Swift. Today, it enjoys an admirable 31 percent market share in its segment, contributing to over 10 percent of MSIL sales. On this special 20-year anniversary, we would like to thank all our customers for their unwavering love for brand Swift.”

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Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India has launched the EQS 580 4MATIC 'Celebration Edition’, an upgraded version of its flagship EQS 580 4MATIC sedan.

This special edition commemorates the brand’s growing success in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment, driven by high-end models and celebrates the EQS range’s position as a benchmark in luxury BEVs. The EQS boasts cutting-edge technology, including the ‘MBUX Hyperscreen’, opulent interiors and an industry-leading range for electric vehicles in India. The ‘Celebration Edition’ enhances rear-seat luxury, offering best-in-class comfort, space and an elevated experience for discerning customers.

Simultaneously, Mercedes-Benz inaugurated the ‘Atelier Experience’ at Sundaram Motors in Adyar, Chennai, expanding its premium retail network across key metros like New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. This facility underscores the brand’s commitment to bespoke luxury, featuring personalised consultations and modern retail concepts. Strategically located in an upscale neighbourhood with strong luxury customer presence, the 3,800 sq. ft. showroom spans a 7,500 sq. ft. plot, offering flexible displays for sub-brands like Maybach, AMG and G-Class. The design allows effortless brand element transitions, maximizing premium showcase impact.

Aligned with its ‘go to customer’ strategy, Mercedes-Benz is expanding into emerging mini-metros, planning 30 new or upgraded luxury touchpoints in 2025, with 19 set to launch in the next five months. This initiative reinforces the brand’s focus on accessibility and elite retail experiences.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "We are excited to launch the EQS 580 'Celebration Edition' alongside our strategic network expansion in Chennai. This dual announcement exemplifies Mercedes-Benz's deep commitment to uphold both product excellence and customer experience. The EQS 'Celebration Edition' signifies growing customer interest in our top-end BEVs, as we continue to outpace the market growth, regularly upgrading our luxury BEV portfolio. Our BEV growth is strongly driven by demand for top-end BEVs comprising EQS sedan and SUV, EQS Maybach SUV and the G 580 with EQ Technology. Similarly, qualitative network expansion demonstrates our customer commitment beyond luxury products, introducing boutique luxury experiences in established metropolises like Chennai.

“After the highly exclusive Maybach Lounge in Hyderabad, the G-Lounge in New Delhi, we are now introducing the bespoke ‘Atelier Experience’ in Mumbai and in Chennai, where discerning customers can configure their cars with MANUFAKTUR range of customization options. Hyper-personalisation is an emerging trend at the top-end luxury segment, and with exclusive Maybach Kit and G-Class Kit comprising physical material samples combined with state-of-art online configurator, customers can have a physi-digital experience, while configuring their personalised top-end Mercedes-Benz car.”

Sharath Vijayaraghavan, Executive Director, Sundaram Motors, said, “We are extremely proud of our association with Mercedes-Benz known for its innovation, Leadership & Strong Legacy. With both brands having vintage over 100 years, the shared values of both the companies have paved the way for such formidable partnership of 25 years with several more years to come. Our eleven facilities are designed for customer convenience, and our eleven Sundaram Signature Service offerings provide flexible support to meet any additional customer requirements.”

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Vietnamese automotive brand VinFast has announced its collaboration with Global Assure to strengthen its customer service network across India. The automaker aims to strengthen its aftersales service network before formally introducing its products in the Indian market.

As part of the understanding, Global Assure will oversee the seamless delivery of essential customer care services, including a dedicated 24x7 call centre, nationwide Roadside Assistance (RSA), Mobile charging solutions and on-demand Mobile service operations. These services will be accessible to VinFast customers across the country, ensuring quick, reliable, and convenient support, anytime and anywhere.

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO – Asia, VinFast, said, “As VinFast is gearing up to launch its premium electric SUVs – the VF 7 and VF 6 in India market, this partnership underlines the brand’s commitment to ensure prompt, dependable and customer-focused support across the country. Global Assure’s strong capabilities and nationwide reach are well aligned with our commitment to quality, convenience and care. Together, we aim to establish a holistic and reliable electric mobility ecosystem in India that extends beyond our vehicles to offer true peace of mind for our customers.”

Manish Vij, Co-founder & CEO, Global Assure, said, “We are excited to be the trusted partner of VinFast’s customer support in India. With Global Assure’s extensive expertise in deep understanding of Indian customer needs and pan-India presence, VinFast customers can expect efficient response times and high-quality service making every journey smoother, safer, and more reassuring for VinFast owners.”

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