Kia Syros Bags 5-Star Crash Test Rating In Bharat NCAP
- By MT Bureau
- April 11, 2025
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has further made its latest SUV offering, the Kia Syros, more appealing to the consumers.
The latest offering from the South Korean automaker has become the first Kia car in India to score 5-star crash test rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) for adult occupants and child occupants.
The compact SUV scored 30.21 out of 32.00 in adult protection and 44.42 out of 49.00 in child protection.
Kia India marked the global debut of the Syros compact SUV in December 2024 to strengthen its footprint in the fast-growing segment.
Built on the K1 platform, the Kia Syros is equipped with a host of tech including Level 2 ADAS, rear sliding, reclining & ventilated seats, dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The company claims that in addition to be loaded with hi-tech it also gets 20 safety package including - Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist control, six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold. It also is equipped with Connect 2.0 that provides SOS emergency support, real-time diagnostics, and stolen vehicle tracking.
The Kia Syros is available in two engine options – Smartstream 1.0-liter turbo petrol engine (88.3 kW/120PS, 172Nm) and 1.5-liter CRDi diesel engine (85 kW/116PS, 250Nm). Both engines can be had with manual and automatic transmission choices, including Kia’s first-ever Smartstream G1.0 turbo GDI with a 6MT configuration.
Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “At Kia India, safety is not just a feature – it is a philosophy embedded in our DNA. Kia Syros receives the prestigious 5-star BNCAP safety rating, which is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety for our customers. This achievement reflects our relentless pursuit of making Kia one of the safest and most trusted mobility brands in India. We are not only enhancing driver and passenger safety but also setting new benchmarks in the segment. We remain focused on bringing globally proven safety technologies and innovations, such as ADAS Level 2 to the Indian market, making them accessible to a wider range of customers. Our dedication to safety will continue to drive us as we work to create safer, smarter, and more sustainable vehicles for the future.
Hyundai Motor India Reports Record 55,064 PV Wholesales In March 2026
- By MT Bureau
- April 01, 2026
Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesales for March 2026, selling 55,064 units in the domestic market, up 6.3 percent YoY, marking its best-ever performance for the month. The exports came at 13,940 units last month.
Furthermore, the company reported wholesales of 166,578 units in Q4 FY2026, which marks a 8.5 percent YoY growth. The exports came at 41,697 units, up 9.4 percent YoY.
Hyundai Motor India stated that its sales momentum has been supported by the recent updates to the Hyundai Verna and Exter models. For FY2026-27, it intends to focus on connected and innovative products despite prevailing geopolitical uncertainties.
Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Continuing the momentum gained in 2026, we have achieved highest-ever quarterly domestic sales of 166,578 units in Q4 FY2025-26. We remain confident of sustaining the pace with upcoming product interventions like our recently upgraded Hyundai Verna and Exter. While we stay mindful of the prevailing geopolitical uncertainties, Hyundai Motor India is well‑prepared for a strong FY2026–27, delivering aspirational, connected and innovative products, along with unmatched customer experience and pride of ownership.”
Mahindra Reports Record SUV & CV Sales For FY2026
- By MT Bureau
- April 01, 2026
Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has marked a 25 percent YoY growth for its wholesales for March 2026. The company sold a total of 60,272 passenger vehicles, as against 48,048 units sold last year.
For FY2026, the company reported its best-ever yearly wholesales for both SUVs and CVs.
Mahindra reported sales of 6.6 million passenger vehicles in FY2026, which was 20 percent higher than 5.51 million units sold a year ago.
On the exports front, the company witnessed a decline of 4 percent last month, with wholesales coming at 3,968 units, as against 4,143 units a year ago. But for FY2026, the company reported a healthy 18 percent uptick with 40,990 units exported as against 34,654 units in FY2025.
In terms of commercial vehicle sales, the company sold 24,928 units in March 2026, up 11 percent YoY. This includes 3,526 units of LCVs under 2-tonne and 21,402 LCVs in the 2-3.5-tonne segment. For FY2026, CV sales came at 289,597 units, up 13 percent YoY, as against 256,055 units a year ago.
Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Financial year ended on a very positive note, with Mahindra clocking its highest-ever volumes in both SUVs & LCVs (<3.5T) segments, a significant milestone for the company. In March, we achieved SUV sales of 60,272 units, a growth of 25 percent and LCV <3.5T sales of 24,928 units, a growth of 11 percent YoY. Total vehicle sales stood at 99,969 units, a 21 percent YoY growth.”
- Stellantis
- Stellantis Brand House
- Caculo Motors
- Jeep
- Citroen
- Dr Pramod Sawant
- Shailesh Hazela
- Manoj M. Caculo
Stellantis India Inaugurates Jeep And Citroen Brand House In Goa
- By MT Bureau
- March 31, 2026
European automaker Stellantis India has launched its Stellantis Brand House (SBH) dealership in Goa, operated by Caculo Motors. The 3S (Sales, Service, and Spares) facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, alongside Shailesh Hazela, Managing Director and CEO of Stellantis India.
The dual-brand retail format brings the Jeep and Citroen portfolios under one roof. The facility is designed as a ‘phygital’ ecosystem, integrating digital and physical touchpoints to manage customer engagement and transactions.
The Stellantis Brand House is spread across 4,000 square metres, a workshop featuring 10 bays equipped for routine and specialised maintenance. On-site spares and technical teams for both American and French automotive brands.
The facility aims to serve North and South Goa, targeting the lifestyle and youth-driven segments of the market. The Jeep brand focuses on off-road capability and adventure, while Citroen emphasises comfort and modular design.
Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, said, “Heartiest congratulations to the Caculo family on completing 100 remarkable years in the automobile industry. As a proud Goan family, they have played a pioneering role in bringing automobiles to Goa, with four generations dedicated to this business. From introducing international brands through Caculo Mall to creating employment for over 500 people, their contribution to both the automobile and service sectors has opened immense opportunities in the state.”
Shailesh Hazela, said, “Goa is an important and evolving market, with customers who value comfort, reliability, design, and capability. With this new Citroen SBH dealership, we are strengthening our commitment to Goa and ensuring that customers here have seamless access to our offerings—whether they seek the comfort-first approach of Citroen or the adventure DNA of Jeep. We are delighted to partner with the Caculo Group, whose legacy of trust and customer satisfaction aligns strongly with our own values.”
Manoj M Caculo, Chairman & Managing Director, Caculo Group, said, “For more than ten decades, the Caculo Group has remained committed to delivering quality and trust to customers across Goa. We are proud to partner with Stellantis to bring Citroën’s global expertise and customer-first philosophy to the state. This modern SBH facility reflects our dedication to offering world‑class automotive experiences to every customer who walks through our doors.”
Kia Seltos Achieves Five-Star Bharat NCAP Safety Rating
- By MT Bureau
- March 30, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its new Seltos SUV has secured a five-star safety rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). The vehicle achieved a combined score of 76.70, the highest recorded for an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle tested by the agency to date.
The assessment resulted in a score of 31.70 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45.00 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP). These figures represent the highest AOP score for an ICE vehicle under the BNCAP protocol.
The SUV is built on the K3 platform, which utilises reinforced hot-stamped components and high-strength steel. This architecture is engineered for crash energy management by absorbing and distributing impact forces during a collision.
The Seltos incorporates a range of active and passive safety technologies. Its Standard Safety Pack includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) as standard across all variants.
It gets ADAS Level 2, which includes a suite of 21 autonomous features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. The Seltos SUV also features a 360-degree surround camera, Blind View Monitor and side parking sensors to improve situational awareness.
The BNCAP certificate was presented to Kia India by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. The Seltos is the second Kia model to achieve this rating, following the Kia Syros.
Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Safety is an integral part of Kia’s product philosophy as we continue our journey towards becoming one of the most trusted mobility brands in India. The All-New Kia Seltos achieving a 5-star rating, along with the highest-ever Adult Occupant Protection score across ICE vehicles under BNCAP, across ICE vehicles under BNCAP, with one of the strongest Child Occupant Protection scores recorded to date, has emerged as the highest-scoring ICE vehicle overall under BNCAP. This is a strong validation of our engineering capabilities and intent where every aspect of the vehicle, from its structure to its advanced safety technologies, has been developed with occupant protection at its core, making it a strong choice as a family SUV. This milestone sets a new benchmark for safety and reflects our commitment to bringing globally benchmarked safety standards to customers in India.”

Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT