JLR has expanded the Land Rover Defender line-up with a new variant called the Defender 130 Outbound. It is powered by a 494 bhp 5.0 l supercharged V8 engine (there is a choice of other engines also, including the six-cylinder Ingenium P400 and D300) and a new heritage-inspired ‘County Exterior Pack’.  

Providing wider choice to Defender loyalists, fans and buyers, the Defender 130 Outbound, whilst providing customary off-road capability and superior comfort, embraces an unprecedented combination of luxurious interior space and all-terrain capability. It is available exclusively with five seats and further elevates the potential for overland exploration for the active and adventurous lifestyle seekers. 

With a subtle, purposeful look with a ‘Shadow Atlas’ matt finish to the bumpers and grille insert whereas the side vents are finished in ‘Anthracite’, the vehicle comes with 20-inch dia wheels finished in ‘Gloss Black’. Fuji White, Santorini Black, Carpathian Grey and Eiger Grey make up the colour palette, while body-coloured rear signature panels and D-pillar finishers complete the exterior enhancements.  

Inside, buyers can choose luxurious full ‘Windsor’ leather or durable ‘Resist’ fabric. All are finished in Ebony, with an Ebony Morzine headliner, Robustec veneer and Defender’s signature cross-car beam in Satin Black Powder Coat Brushed finish.Practical touches like the durable floor matting, which can be folded down to protect the bumper when loading bulky or heavy equipment such as bikes and suitcases protects the interior. Additional stowage areas safely store smaller items out of sight, while extra lashing points and a new cargo net mean a variety of outdoor equipment – large or small – can be secured while driving, ready for action on arrival. 

The 4x4 capability is provided by a proven Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and Terrain Response 2 system. Electronic Air Suspension and Adaptive Dynamics are fitted as standard. Advanced off-road driving technologies ensure effortless and reassuring progress across any terrain with the Electronic Air Suspension allowing up to 430 mm of articulation and up to 900 mm of wading. 

Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “Defender 130 Outbound is an incredibly desirable addition to the Defender family, for our most adventurous clients who love to get out and explore and need greater load carrying space with a five-seat configuration. Its unique design enhancements and spacious interior provide a compelling blend of capability and practicality. The 4x4 family offers something for everyone, with the introduction of the V8 powertrain to Defender 130, while the new County Exterior Pack celebrates Defender’s roots with a modern take on a classic design.”
 

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has announced its financial results for Q3 FY2026, reporting a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of INR 46.75 billion, representing a 54 percent YoY growth.

The automotive division recorded quarterly volumes of 302,000 units, up 23 percent YoY. SUV revenue market share rose by 90 bps to 24.1 percent. The automotive business reported consolidated revenue of INR 303 billion, up 30 percent YoY, while PAT stood at INR 19.93 billion, up 42 percent YoY.

In the farm sector, tractor volumes reached 150,000 units, up 23 percent YoY, which translates to a market share of 44 percent for Q3. The revenue came at INR 115 billion, up 21 percent YoY, while PAT came at INR 10 billion, up 7 percent YoY.

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, said, “We are delighted to report solid operating performance across the group in Q3’F26, reflecting our strong focus on growth coupled with disciplined execution. Auto & Farm has maintained its leadership position on the back of steady customer demand, strong product acceptance and unwavering focus on operational excellence. TechM continues to make meaningful progress. Mahindra Finance delivered another solid quarter with meaningful PAT growth while maintaining strong asset quality. We are especially pleased to see breakout performance from two of our growth gems, Mahindra Logistics and Mahindra Lifespaces.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), said, “Auto and Farm businesses delivered strong performance in Q3’FY26. We have achieved a 90 bps YoY increase in SUV revenue share and 10 bps YoY increase in LCV (< 3.5T) market share in Q3. Our tractor business gained 20 bps YoY to reach an impressive 44.1 percent share for YTD FY26. Our new launches XEV 9S, and the XUV 7XO have received very positive response in the market.”

Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, added. “Our Q3 consolidated results reflects the strength and depth of our diversified portfolio. Our services businesses continue to increase their contribution to the overall results. Our results are also translating into a very strong Balance Sheet.”

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CEER, Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle (EV) brand and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), has signed 16 commercial agreements valued at over SAR 3.7 billion (USD 996.90 million). The deals were announced at the 4th PIF Private Sector Forum, following SAR 5.5 billion (USD 1.4 billion) in agreements secured at the previous year's event.

The partnerships are part of a localisation strategy that aims to source 45 percent of vehicle materials and components from Saudi companies by 2034. The supply chain will support CEER’s production plan of seven models over the next five years.

The agreements cover a range of essential automotive components and services:

• Fluids and Plastics: Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) will supply windshield washer fluid and EV coolants. Zamil Trade & Services and Zamil Plastics will provide brake fluids and aerodynamic covers.
• Materials and Polymers: NSSPC is contracted for PP resin and polymer compounds, while KK Nag will provide Expanded Polypropylene (EPP).
• Engineering and Infrastructure: Mino will install steel Body Shop equipment. FEV and AVL will provide engineering services.
• Manufacturing: MK Tron will produce small stampings, window regulators, and door hinges. FPI will supply front-end modules and XYG will provide glazing solutions.
• Chemicals and HVAC: Sika is contracted for structural adhesives and cavity baffles, while AITS will work on HVAC localisation.

The project is expected to contribute SAR 30 billion (USD 8 billion) to Saudi GDP by 2034 and improve the trade balance by SAR 79 billion (USD 21 billion). CEER estimates the creation of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, aligning with the industrial diversification goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

James DeLuca, CEO, CEER, said, “These agreements are a cornerstone of CEER's wide and deep localisation strategy, which targets sourcing 45 percent of vehicle materials and components from Saudi companies by 2034. Our approach goes beyond mere assembly, we are utilising local raw materials and empowering Saudi companies to become global suppliers, directly contributing to Vision 2030’s mission to diversify the national automotive industry and drive sustainable economic growth.”

“These agreements represent a major step in building a comprehensive automotive ecosystem in the Kingdom. By using local materials and resources, attracting advanced technology and foreign investment, and localising the production of heavy and labour-intensive components, we aim to reduce CO2 emissions and create meaningful job opportunities for Saudi nationals,” added DeLuca.

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Cars24 has unveiled a refreshed brand identity, moving from its original transactional focus towards a car ownership ecosystem.

Founded in 2015, the company originally utilised an all-caps logo – CARS24 – to establish a presence in a fragmented market. The updated identity shifts the name to sentence case, Cars24, which the company states reflects maturity and a focus on trust.

The core of the redesign features an open circular logo. According to the company, this form represents the continuity of car ownership, where vehicles change hands and user needs evolve. The open shape is intended to signal flexibility rather than closure.

The brand has also replaced its traditional blue with a brighter shade. This ‘younger blue’ is intended to make the brand appear more attentive and human as it scales its operations.

The identity update was the result of over 1,200 hours of design and iteration. The goal of the project was to create a look that remains relevant as the company expands its services beyond buying and selling into broader ownership systems.

Vikram Chopra, Founder & CEO, Cars24, said, “When we started, being loud helped. But as the company and the team grew up, the work started speaking for itself. This change is about reflecting who we are today, calmer, more human and focused on earning trust over time.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has reported the dispatch of over 585,000 vehicles using the railway network in CY2025, which marked an 18 percent growth compared to CY2024.

Over the last decade, the company's use of rail for outbound logistics has risen from 5.1 percent in 2016 to approximately 26 percent in 2025. The shift aims to reduce carbon emissions, oil imports and road congestion.

In 2025, Maruti Suzuki India inaugurated an in-plant railway siding at its Manesar facility. The company also became the first manufacturer to dispatch vehicles to the Kashmir valley using the railway bridge over the Chenab river.

Combined dispatches from in-plant sidings at Gujarat and Manesar accounted for 53 percent of the company's total rail volumes during the year. The manufacturer currently employs 45 flexi-deck rakes, with each train capable of transporting approximately 260 vehicles.

The company was the first automaker to receive an Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator (AFTO) license in 2013. Since FY2014-15, it has transported more than 2.8 million vehicles to 600 cities using a hub-and-spoke model.

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The year 2025 marks our highest-ever rail dispatch, with over 585,000 units. During the year, we strengthened our green logistic efforts through two landmark events – the inauguration of India’s largest automobile in-plant railway siding at our Manesar facility and second was we dispatched vehicles by rail to Kashmir valley through the world's highest railway arch bridge over Chenab river, a first by any automobile manufacturer. Our mid-term goal is to increase rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35 percent by FY 2030-31, contributing to India’s net-zero ambition by 2070. Maruti Suzuki India has adopted a comprehensive ‘Circular Mobility’ approach to sustainability, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycle – from design and production to logistics and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management.”

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