Škoda Auto India Launches ‘Škoda Superstars’ Campaign
- By MT Bureau
- April 29, 2025
Celebrating 130 years of automotive legacy globally and marking a presence in the Indian market for the last 25 years, Skoda Auto India has launched the ‘Skoda Superstars' campaign that underlines celebration of passion, persistence and people.
It aims at those who dare to dream and work relentlessly with actor Ranveer Singh as the anchor. A film featuring Singh along with iconic cars of the brand through the ages – as a key part of the campaign – highlights the resilience of Skoda’s iconic founders, Laurin and Klement. It also focuses on modern-day heroes from all walks of life, leaving viewers with a compelling call to action – to ‘celebrate your journey’.
Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, spoke about the campaign: “The ‘Skoda Superstars’ campaign is not just a tribute, it’s a movement. It’s our way of honouring the spirit of determination and drive that has defined Skoda Auto since 1895 and continues to thrive in the people around us today. As we celebrate 130 years globally and 25 years in India, we want to go beyond just showcasing our cars. We want to celebrate the human stories that mirror our own journey, from vision and grit to achievement. Through this campaign, we’re inviting every individual to share their personal triumphs and become a part of the Skoda legacy. Because in the end, it’s not just about where you come from, but how far your passion and work ethic can take you.”
As part of the campaign, Skoda Auto India is inviting fans to participate in a unique contest by sharing their stories of dreams turned into achievements. By uploading a personal photo that reflects their journey, users can generate a special double-exposure image featuring themselves and a Skoda car, symbolising how their personal milestones intersect with the brand’s enduring legacy.
Renault India Intros Upgraded 2026 Triber With Segment-First Features
- By MT Bureau
- April 29, 2026
Renault India has officially launched the updated 2026 Triber, introducing several segment-first comfort and convenience features aimed at strengthening its position in the compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market.
The upgraded model priced between INR 580,875 and INR 800,350 (ex-showroom) focuses on making premium features more accessible across the variant lineup, specifically targeting family buyers who require modularity and enhanced cabin technology.
The 2026 Triber introduces features typically found in higher-segment vehicles to improve the ‘value-driven premium’ experience, which includes Automatic Climate Control in the top-end Emotion variant. New 2nd-row full-fold seats increase the total boot capacity to a segment-best 1,065 litres. The standard one-touch tumble function remains for easy access to the third row.
It also gets a new dual-tone dashboard featuring a 20.32 cm (8-inch) floating touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2026 Triber is available in four distinct trims, with upgrades distributed across the mid and top-tier variants:
|
Variant |
Starting Price (Ex-Showroom) |
Key Feature Additions |
|
Authentic |
INR 580,875 |
Entry-level value with 21 standard safety features. |
|
Evolution |
INR 669,605 |
Steering-mounted controls, day/night IRVM, rear room lamp. |
|
Techno |
INR 739,120 |
Height-adjustable driver seat, armrest, electric foldable ORVMs, rear defogger. |
|
Emotion |
INR 800,350 |
Automatic AC (Climate Control), dual-tone exterior options (+INR 21,000). |
Mechanically, the Renault Triber continues to come with the 1.0-litre petrol engine delivering 72 PS and 96 Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed Easy-R AMT (available in the Emotion trim for INR 847,950).
In terms of safety, Renault has standardised 21 features across all variants, including 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with EBD and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Francisco Hidalgo Marques, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Renault India, said, "The Second-Generation Renault Triber has been celebrated as the ultimate family car in the segment, and with this thoughtful upgrade we’ve taken practicality and comfort to the next level. By introducing segment-first features like automatic air conditioning, full-fold second-row seats with best-in-class boot space, and the standard one-touch tumble function for easy third-row access, we are reaffirming our commitment to delivering unmatched value to our customers. We are confident that these enhancements will strengthen Triber’s position as the first choice for families across India."
To boost ownership confidence, the 2026 Triber comes with a 3-year standard warranty, which can be extended up to 7 years with unlimited kilometres under the Renault Secure programme.
Renault Group UK Names Gary Pearson As Head Of Sales For Renault And Dacia
- By MT Bureau
- April 29, 2026
Renault Group UK has appointed Gary Pearson as Head of Sales for Renault and Dacia. The move strengthens the company’s commercial leadership at a time when both marques are gaining traction in the British market. Pearson brings over 25 years of industry experience, having worked for established global automakers as well as agile challenger brands.
His career began with a 16-year tenure at Audi, where he held senior roles in sales, marketing and network development. He later moved into global and start up environments, including positions at McLaren and INEOS Automotive. Most recently, Pearson held senior commercial posts at Andersen EV and Morgan Motor Company, focusing on growth, brand positioning and commercial performance. His work with retailer networks and international corporate operations has given him a broad perspective on the current automotive landscape.
A key early priority for Pearson will be collaborating with the sales operations team to build momentum and ensure strong internal alignment, supporting further growth for both brands. He joined Renault Group UK on 28 April and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Maple Cross.
Ben Fish, Sales & Network Operations Director, Renault Group UK, said, “Gary understands how to drive performance in complex environments, whether that’s within large OEM structures or newer, more agile businesses. That combination is particularly valuable as we continue to evolve our sales operations and strengthen how we support our retailers. His experience and approach make him a strong fit for the team, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact he will have across Renault and Dacia’s portfolios.”
Pearson said, “The UK market is at a really interesting point, with rapid change in both customer expectations and the broader shift to electrification. Renault and Dacia are both well positioned, with clear identities and strong product line-ups across their car and LCV ranges that speak directly to those changes. I’m looking forward to working closely with the retailer network and the wider team to build on that momentum and ensure we continue to deliver for customers in a very competitive environment.”
Lexus India Introduces Industry-First 8-Year Or 200,000km Warranty
- By MT Bureau
- April 28, 2026
Japanese automotive luxury brand Lexus India has announced a standard 8-year/200,000 km warranty for all new vehicles sold from 1 April 2026.
This makes it the first luxury manufacturer in India to offer such extensive coverage. This enhancement significantly upgrades the brand's previous 8-year/160,000 km programme (introduced in 2024), specifically increasing the mileage cap to accommodate high-usage owners.
The initiative is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Omotenashi – anticipating customer needs – and aims to bolster resale value while providing long-term security.
The updated policy is designed to be comprehensive and ‘guest-centric,’ requiring no additional premium from the buyer.
As per the company, all new Lexus models sold in India starting 1 April 2026 will now get 8 years or 200,000km (whichever comes first) warranty from the date of delivery. The warranty is part of a broader ‘Lexus Life’ ecosystem that includes tailored finance plans, insurance and 24x7 roadside assistance.
Maruti Suzuki Hits Record Profits In FY2026, Plots INR 140 Billion Towards Capacity Expansion
- By MT Bureau
- April 28, 2026
Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) has reported its most successful financial year to date, posting record annual net profits of INR 144,454 million for FY2025-26, as compared to INR 142,976 million last year.
However, the headline success comes with a caveat: the carmaker is officially ‘sold out,’ ending the year with a massive backlog of 190,000 pending orders.
Despite producing a record 2.42 million vehicles, consisting of 1,974,939 units in domestic market and exports at 447,774 units, Maruti is struggling to keep pace with a domestic market supercharged by ‘GST 2.0’ reforms.
In comparison, total sales last year at 2.23 million units, comprising 1.90 million units in domestic market and exports of 332,585 units.
For Q4, Maruti Suzuki India reports its highest-ever quarterly sales of 676,209 units, up 11.8 percent YoY. Domestic sales came at 538,994 units, while exports at 137,215 units was an all-time high.
Chairman R C Bhargava confirmed the company is operating at 100 percent capacity, with dealer inventories hitting a critical low of just 12 days.
"We are no longer fighting for customers; we are fighting for floor space," Bhargava noted during the earnings call. To address this, the board has greenlit a record capital expenditure (CAPEX) of INR 140 billion – the highest in the company’s history – to simultaneously develop mega-sites in Kharkhoda, Haryana and Gujarat.
In a notable departure from industry norms, Bhargava downplayed the slip in Maruti’s market share to below 40 percent. He dismissed the metric as a ‘sexy figure,’ arguing that physical production limits make market share a vanity metric.
"Why do I care about market share when my ability to produce and sell is intact?" he asked, pivoting the company’s focus toward National Interest – specifically through aggressive exports. Annual exports grew by 34.6 percent, with the UK emerging as the top market for the new electric e-Vitara.
While the e-Vitara marks Maruti’s serious entry into the global EV space, the company is doubling down on a diversified ‘green’ strategy:
The Small Car Revival: Demand for entry-level cars (18% GST bracket) has surged, making up 130,000 of the current order backlog.
The company is aggressively scaling Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), with its Hansalpur plant aiming to meet 50 percent of its energy needs from cow-dung-derived fuel within two years.

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