Kush Maini has joined the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team as their latest reserve driver for the 2025 season. This makes him the only Alpine F1 reserve driver actively competing in the Formula 2 Championship, where he will be racing for Dams Lucas Oil. 
The development marks the end of a 13-year hiatus for an Indian talent to be part of an F1 team, making him an inspiration for upcoming motorsport enthusiasts in the country.  His role as Formula 1 Reserve and Test driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team makes him an important asset for the upcoming campaign. To contribute to the team and further his own development and performance, Kush will continue testing the F1 car to gain valuable experience and provide feedback.  
Maini successfully completed four tests with the BWT Alpine F1 Team last season, impressing stakeholders with his performance at each outing. A strong performance this year could make him a potential contender for a full-time seat in 2026. The young Indian driver had an exceptional Formula 2 season last year where he secured five podium positions, with a standout victory in Hungary, playing a pivotal role in Invicta Racing’s Teams’ Championship victory for the 2024 F2 season. He also made history in Jeddah by becoming the first Indian driver to claim a pole position in Formula 2.  
  
 

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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its domestic wholesales of 3,399 units in September 2026, down 20 percent YoY, as compared to 4,265 units a year ago.

For YTD (January to September 2026), the company recorded domestic sales of 35,378 units, marking a 36.6 percent increase compared to 25,886 units sold during the corresponding period in 2025.

During September, the company resumed exports to Sri Lanka through a partnership with AMW Motors, expanding its international distribution footprint to 16 countries. The initial shipment of 100 units from Chennai included the Triber, Kwid, and Kiger models.

Renault also recently introduced the Triber 100PS, built on the Renault Group Entry Platform (RGEP). The vehicle features a seven-seat layout and a turbocharged powertrain, with prices starting from INR 784,000 ex-showroom. As part of its future strategy, the company plans to introduce the Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 on 17 October 2026.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its wholesales of 236,013 units in September 2026, up 24 percent YoY, as compared to 189,665 units sold last year.

In the domestic passenger vehicle segment, total sales reached 181,838 units in September 2026, up from 132,820 units last year.

Passenger car models – comprising the Alto, Baleno, Celerio, Ciaz, Dzire, Ignis, S-Presso, Swift and WagonR – accounted for 91,887 units, compared to 74,090 units in September 2025.

SUVs, including the Brezza, Ertiga, eVitara, Fronx, Grand Vitara, Invicto, Jimny, Victoris and XL6, reached 78,911 units, up from 48,695 units. Sales of the Eeco van came at 11,040 units against 10,035 units in the year-ago period.

In commercial and supply operations, Super Carry light commercial vehicle sales stood at 3,414 units for the month, compared to 2,891 units in September 2025.

Supplies to other OEMs came at 6,542 units, down from 11,750 units YoY, bringing total domestic sales including LCVs and OEM supplies to 191,794 units compared to 147,461 units in September 2025. Export sales rose to 44,219 units from 42,204 units.

For the first half of the financial year 2026–27 (April to September), Maruti Suzuki recorded cumulative total sales of 1.37 million units, up from 1.07 million units a year ago.

 Cumulative domestic passenger vehicle sales reached 1.08 million units, while total domestic sales including commercial vehicles and OEM supplies reached 1.14 million units. Total exports for the six-month period stood at 232,855 units, compared to 207,459 units in the previous financial year.

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Honda Cars India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has opened pre-launch bookings for the updated Honda Elevate SUV ahead of its scheduled launch on 6 October 2026.

Customers can reserve the SUV at authorised dealerships across India with a booking amount of INR 21,000.

India serves as the initial market for the release of the updated model, which incorporates revisions to exterior styling, interior appointments and equipment specifications.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India, said, "The Honda Elevate has established a strong position among SUV buyers in India, appreciated for its bold design, road presence, driving pleasure, safety, space and comfort. With the new Elevate, we are taking this proposition further by introducing several strongly desired features and enhancements, along with a bolder design and more premium cabin experience. India is the lead market for the Elevate and we are proud to introduce the new Elevate first in India. As we open pre-launch bookings ahead of the festive season, we look forward to offering our customers an even more compelling Honda SUV and making their celebrations even more special."

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for September 2026, selling 114,874 vehicles, up 15 percent YoY.

Last month, the company sold 64,092 SUVs in the domestic market, up 14 percent YoY, as compared to 56,233 units sold a year ago.

Commercial vehicle sales, including three-wheelers, came at 30,420 units, up 14 percent.

In terms of exports, the company saw a decline of 7 percent last month, with a total of 4,019 units shipped, as compared to 4,320 units a year ago.

Dr Velusamy R, President, Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “In September, SUV sales clocked 64,092 units with a growth of 14 percent, and total vehicle sales stood at 114,874 units, a 15 percent YoY growth. Adding to this momentum, we are proud to have crossed the milestone of 100,000 units billing of our Electric Origin SUVs since launch.”

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