Kia Unveils Carens Clavis 3-Row Model In India
- By MT Bureau
- May 08, 2025
Kia India has expanded its Carens lineup with the launch of the Carens Clavis, which is a three-row vehicle available in 6- and 7-seat configurations.
The company shared that the name ‘Clavis’ comes from the Latin phrase Clavis Aurea, meaning ‘Golden Key’, and is positioned by the company as a vehicle suited to families seeking flexible space and utility.
Since its debut three years ago, the Carens has gone home to over 200,000 families in India. According to the company, the Clavis is a response to changing consumer requirements and builds on the Carens platform with added features.
The Carens Clavis includes exterior elements such as Kia’s Digital Tiger Face, LED headlamps with DRLs, and connected LED taillamps. It rides on 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and includes front and rear skid plates, side door inserts and is available in a new Ivory Silver Gloss paint option.

On the inside, the Clavis features a dual-display setup combining infotainment and driver information panels, measuring 26.62 cm each. The cabin includes sliding and reclining second-row seating with one-touch tumble function, third-row access with a segment-first electric folding mechanism and an optional panoramic sunroof.
Other interior features include seat-mounted air purifiers, roof-mounted air vents, ambient lighting with multiple colour options, ventilated front seats, powered driver seat adjustment and an 8-speaker audio system from Bose.
The Carens Clavis comes with remote control for power windows and a 360-degree camera system paired with a blind view monitor displayed in the instrument cluster. Spot lamps have been integrated into the rear doors for additional visibility.
On the safety front, the Carens Clavis includes Level 2 ADAS with 20 autonomous features such as – Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance and more. The standard safety package includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and Rear Occupant Alert.
The Carens Clavis is offered with three engine options: the Smartstream G1.5 petrol, the Smartstream G1.5 Turbo-GDi petrol (available with a manual transmission) and the D1.5 diesel. The vehicle will be available in seven trims: HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, and HTX+.
Available colour options include Ivory Silver Gloss, Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Grey, Sparkling Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, and Clear White.
Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Innovation is the core of everything we do, driven by advanced technology and distinctive design. The unveiling of the Carens Clavis represents a key milestone in our journey, embodying our commitment to a progressive, premium and purpose-led approach. We recognise the evolving needs of our customers and with the Carens Clavis, we’re offering more than just a vehicle, it’s a thoughtfully crafted experience that enhances everyday mobility. As we continue to push boundaries, we remain focused on delivering smart, design-led solutions that empower families and inspire confidence on every drive.”
MINI India Expands Into Jharkhand With New Ranchi Dealership
- By MT Bureau
- May 21, 2026
MINI India, part of the BMW Group, has entered the Jharkhand market with the appointment of Titanium Autos as its authorised dealer partner in Ranchi. This opening is part of the brand’s 2026 expansion strategy, which has already seen market entries in Guwahati, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Surat.
The new Titanium Autos Retail.NEXT dealership, located at NH-33, Chakla, Ormanjhi, offers a multi-brand experience by housing BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles under one roof. The facility showcases eight BMWs, one MINI, and seven BMW Motorrad units, supported by a workshop featuring three mechanical bays and four body and paint bays.
The dealership utilises the BMW Group’s 'Retail.NEXT' immersive concept, focusing on a customer-centric environment that integrates modern architecture with digital tools.
Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “MINI’s entry into Jharkhand marks an important step in expanding the brand’s presence in emerging premium markets across India. Jharkhand is witnessing a growing appetite for distinctive, design-led and engaging luxury mobility, making it a strategic market for MINI. We are pleased to appoint Titanium Autos as our dealer partner for Jharkhand.”
Utkarsh Singhania, Dealer Principal, Titanium Autos, added, “Jharkhand represents a promising market with evolving customer aspirations, and we look forward to building a strong MINI presence through exceptional sales and service standards.”
Titanium Autos, which also represents the BMW Group in Guwahati and Patna, aims to provide comprehensive sales, service, and lifestyle offerings at this new location.
Hyundai Motor Group Showcases Hydrogen Ecosystem Vision At World Hydrogen Summit
- By MT Bureau
- May 21, 2026
South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Group is presenting its integrated hydrogen value chain at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which runs from 19th May to 21, 2026.
The exhibition highlights the Group's shift from a mobility provider to a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem player, featuring technologies across production, infrastructure and fuel cell systems.
The exhibition centres on the Group’s hydrogen brand and business platform, HTWO, and features the all-new NEXO, which serves as the successor to the company's fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). This model represents the Group's continued development in hydrogen mobility and fuel cell expertise.
Furthermore, the company also showcased its hydrogen fuel cell systems designed for use beyond mobility, supporting stationary power solutions, industrial applications and integration into broader energy systems.
The Group is aiming to strengthen its role in Europe’s transition to hydrogen energy by leveraging real-world experience gained from deployments in Korea.
Mark Freymuller, CEO, Hyundai Energy & Hydrogen Europe, said, “Our goal is to become a reliable partner in Europe’s hydrogen journey. We see hydrogen not as a stand-alone technology, but as a key enabler for cleaner mobility, resilient energy systems, and new industrial opportunities. Europe has ambitious hydrogen plans, and we bring experience from successful deployments that can help turn these plans into robust ecosystems. Hyundai Motor Group has accumulated extensive real-world experience with hydrogen across the entire value chain in Korea. We now want to bring this system-level expertise to Europe, with proven technologies, industry-leading expertise, and the willingness to build lasting relationships with policymakers, industry, and infrastructure partners.”
Stellantis, Dongfeng Group Ink MoU For Europe-Based Joint Venture
- By MT Bureau
- May 20, 2026
Stellantis and Dongfeng Group have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to expand their 34-year partnership. The companies intend to create a Europe-based joint venture focused on the sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing and engineering of Dongfeng’s new energy vehicles (NEVs).
The proposed 51/49 joint venture led by Stellantis will primarily focus on sales and distribution of Dongfeng’s Voyah-branded premium NEVs in designated European markets, utilising the network and after-sales infrastructure of Stellantis.
The entity will also manage joint purchasing and engineering, accessing Dongfeng’s NEV ecosystem. Furthermore, the partners are considering the production of Dongfeng NEVs at the Rennes plant in France.
Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis, said, “The plans we are announcing today take our recently strengthened cooperation with Dongfeng to an all-new dimension of an international partnership to the benefit of customers around the world. With this new chapter in our collaboration, we will give our customers an even greater choice of competitive products and pricing, leveraging the best of Stellantis’ global footprint alongside Dongfeng’s access to China’s advanced new energy vehicles ecosystem.”
Qing Yang, Chairman, Dongfeng, added, “Dongfeng will further strengthen and expand our partnership with Stellantis, closely aligning with China’s national strategies of high-level opening up, dual circulation and stabilising foreign investment, business and employment. This also meets both shareholders’ development needs. Through coordination in technology, branding and global markets, it will unlock greater value from the joint venture, accelerate Dongfeng’s global expansion, support Stellantis’ global strategic shift and China presence.”
This development follows a recent announcement regarding the strengthening of the existing Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile Co (DPCA) joint venture. That entity is scheduled to produce Peugeot and Jeep-branded NEVs at its Wuhan plant for China and global export starting in 2027. Since its start, the DPCA joint venture has produced over 6.5 million vehicles.
The implementation of the new project remains subject to the finalisation of agreements and the receipt of necessary approvals.
- Skoda Auto India
- G.O.A.T
- Asia Book of Records
- India Book of Records
- CoASTT
- Kylaq
- Kushaq
- Kodiaq
- Octavia RS
- Ashish Gupta
Skoda Auto India Launches ‘Greatest On A Track’ Brand Campaign
- By MT Bureau
- May 20, 2026
Skoda Auto India has launched a campaign titled ‘Greatest On A Track’, which redefines the acronym G.O.A.T to highlight the performance capabilities of its vehicle range. The initiative aims to showcase the motorsport heritage and engineering focus of the brand.
The campaign began with a record for the ‘Fastest Multi-Car Relay of a Single Manufacturer on a Circuit’. Supervised by the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records, a fleet of five Skoda vehicles completed a relay at the Coimbatore Automotive Sports and Technical Training (CoASTT) track in a total time of 12:30:97.
The fleet included the Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia, Kodiaq and Octavia RS. Each vehicle was driven in a relay format to demonstrate the performance across the portfolio.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “Every Skoda is engineered to deliver precision, control, and dynamism at the very edge of performance. For us, motorsport DNA isn’t a halo; it is inherent, and it comes standard across our entire range. This belief anchors our newest campaign, where we redefine ‘Greatest On A Track’ to mean, quite simply, a Skoda on a track. This campaign is a natural extension of our strategy of democratizing performance, ensuring that every Skoda, across segments, offers uncompromising dynamic capability, safety, and confidence that translates seamlessly into the real world. At its core, G.O.A.T celebrates the intangibles that truly define the Skoda driving experience: steering precision, chassis balance, braking assurance, and the deep connection between driver and machine. These are qualities that will never be captured on a spec sheet but are unmistakable the moment you get behind the wheel.”
The campaign draws on the history of Skoda, including its motorsport involvement since 1901 and the introduction of the RS badge in 1975. The brand states that this performance-focused engineering is present across its current Indian lineup, from the Kylaq to the Octavia RS.

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