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.  
  
 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Corporation has announced a major leadership change for the AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, & Oceania) region as part of its Re:Nissan recovery plan.

Effective 1^st October, Massimiliano (Max) Messina will take over as Chairperson of the region. He currently holds the position of Vice Chairperson and Senior Vice-President of Finance, Administration, and Strategy for the same region. His predecessor, Guillaume Cartier, will now concentrate on his global duties as Nissan's Chief Performance Officer.

His appointment is expected to provide continuity and align the region's operations with Nissan's global objectives. With over two decades of experience in the automotive industry, Messina will now oversee operations in 140 countries, 5 plants and a workforce of 13,000 employees.

"I'm honoured to take on this responsibility at such a critical moment for Nissan," said Messina.

The leadership change comes as Nissan prepares to launch four new electric vehicles in Europe and follows successful recent launches of models like the Patrol and Magnite in other markets. Victorino (Vito) Esnaola, will succeed Messina as Senior Vice President of Finance and IT for the AMIEO region. Esnaola joined Nissan in 2015 and has held several key financial roles within the company.

The Re:Nissan plan aims to return the company to profitability and achieve positive free cash flow by fiscal year 2026. Cartier stated that Messina's leadership will be crucial in ‘accelerating transformation’ and ensuring the region's performance contributes to this ambitious goal.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Stellantis-owned Citroen India has inked a strategic partnership with Oriental Insurance Company, one of India’s leading public sector insurers, to further expand insurance options for its customers.

The automaker stated that with Oriental Insurance on board, Citroen customers will now get access to a wider bouquet of tailored motor insurance solutions, including easy policy issuance, best-in-class coverage and faster, hassle-free claim processing.

Established in 1947, Oriental Insurance has an extensive branch network, including a strong presence in Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns.

Shishir Mishra, Business Head & Director – Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Business, Stellantis India, said “At Citroen India, our focus has always been on offering hassle-free mobility and a seamless ownership journey to our customers. Partnering with Oriental Insurance not only expands our insurance choices but also leverages Oriental’s vast reach and strong reputation. Their presence & reach in upcountry locations perfectly complements with growth plans of Citroën 2.0 – Shift into the New.”

Sanjay Joshi, Chairman and Managing Director, Oriental Insurance, said “We are delighted to be first PSU partnering with Citroen India, a trusted name in the automobile industry. This OEM tie-up highlights our focus on comprehensive coverage and service excellence-providing Citroen India customers with end-to-end protection, backed by Oriental's reliability and nationwide reach.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tata Motors, one of India’s leading automobile manufacturers, has announced that its all-new Altroz hatchback has recently bagged 5-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP (B–NCAP) crash tests.

The hatchback scored 29.65/32 in adult occupant protection and 44.9/49 in child occupant protection, which makes the Altroz, India’s safest hatchback.

Furthermore, the Altroz is also the first car in its segment and body style to attain 5-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP across all powertrains, including CNG.

The new Altroz was launched in May 2025 and can be had in three powertrain options – 1.2L Revotron Petrol (Manual, DCA & new AMT), 1.2L iCNG with Twin-Cylinder Tech and 1.5L Revotorq Diesel engine.

Interestingly, the Altroz continues to be the only premium hatchback in its segment to be offered with a diesel engine.

Mohan Savarkar, Vice-President & Chief Product Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “The Altroz has always been a pioneer in the premium hatchback segment. With its combination of contemporary design, advanced technology, and a multi-powertrain led approach, it truly makes the customer ‘Feel Special’. A trendsetter for the industry, the Altroz has once again redefined benchmarks by being the only car in its segment to achieve the coveted 5-star rating by Bharat-NCAP across petrol, diesel, and CNG powertrains, making it the safest CNG-powered car in India. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to deliver cars that our customers can depend on with confidence.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has reached a significant wage settlement agreement with the United Union of Hyundai Employees (UUHE) for 2024–2027. The deal, the company said, sets a new industry standard and was finalised and signed today after what both parties described as a period of constructive dialogue.

Effective from 1 April 2024, through 31 March 2027, the three-year agreement includes a substantial all-inclusive compensation increase of INR 31,000 per month. This raise will be implemented in three phases, with a 55 percent increase in the first year, 25 percent in the second and the remaining 20 percent in the final year.

Youngmyung Park, Function Head - People Strategy at HMIL, the agreement is a testament to “At Hyundai, our people are the cornerstone of our success. This agreement, built on mutual trust, respect and constructive dialogue, reflects our shared commitment to fostering a progressive workplace culture that prioritises employee welfare and supports long-term organisational growth.”

In addition to the pay raise, HMIL confirmed that it will continue to provide top-tier employee benefits, including best-in-class health coverage and advanced wellness programs.

The United Union of Hyundai Employees, which was registered in 2011, represents 1,981 employees – 90 percent of the company's technician and workmen cadre. The union is said to have played a crucial role in negotiating the new compensation package on behalf of its members.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!