Mahindra Is Eyeing An Uptake Of Its EVs In The Bengal Market

Mahindra Is Eyeing An Uptake Of Its EVs In The Bengal Market

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the SUVs BE6 and XEV 9e electric SUVs in West Bengal. The company introduced them at a function in Kolkata. Present at the function was Rahul Kamani, Managing Director, NR Autos (the Kolkata dealer), and Joysubha Mukherjee, the Mahindra Regional Business Manager.  
Commenting on how the market penetration for Mahindra is changing in Bengal, especially in the electric vehicle era, Kamani noted, “Mahindra still has a dominance in the internal combustion engine segment. However, the EV race has seen changes in the market race. Earlier, Mahindra had a 15 percent market share in the state but we expect that to grow up to 22 percent in the next fiscal with the introduction of the new models.” 
Besides the metropolitan area, Kamani has a dealership network that spans several districts including South and North 24 Parganas. It is also coming up with a new showroom in Arambagh. 
Alluding to the supply chain model that will be used for deeper penetration of EVs in the state, Mukherjee noted, “We will use our own dealership network other parts of Bengal as we have a robust on ground presence. This launch is mainly slated for Kolkata and nearby localities.” 
The launch event witnessed an overwhelming response from car enthusiasts, industry experts and potential buyers eager to experience the future of electric vehicles. With Mahindra’s commitment to redefining mobility, the BE6 and XEV 9e showcased a range of industry-first features including ADAS Level 2++ technology with five radars and a vision camera, high-performance computing powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 and secure 360-degree live footage recording. 
Alluding to the demand for EVs in Bengal, Kamani noted, “EV segment has picked up pace in the last one year because of more charging stations. The state government has formulated a plan to boost up the charging infrastructure in the state this year. Hence, the market remains very bullish and the business is going to grow in double digit.”
He added, “Earlier, we used to sell around 150 electric vehicles that were made in the old platform. Today, we are going increase the sales as there has been good market response. We expect around 300 bookings and we believe that these two models will have a good urban and rural penetration.” 
NR Autos – a division of the 100-year-old Narbheram Group of Companies – has started accepting bookings for the two ‘born’ EVs at its showrooms in Chowringhee and Salt Lake, effective 14 February 2025. Those who book either of two electric vehicles, will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of attractive colour options without any price difference. The ex-showroom price of the BE6 starts at INR 1,940,000 and INR 2,240,000 for the XEV 9e, depending on the battery pack configurations.
Speaking on this occasion, Kamani said, “At NR Autos, we are proud to be part of Mahindra’s vision of ‘Unlimit India,’ which pushes the boundaries of innovation and performance. This grand launch event celebrates technology, sustainability and superior engineering, reaffirming Mahindra’s leadership in the electric mobility sector. With a structured production ramp-up ensuring optimised delivery timelines, Kolkata’s automobile enthusiasts can now look forward to owning a vehicle that not only sets new benchmarks in performance and safety but also represents the future of sustainable transportation.”

Key Specs

BE6

XEV 9e

Range

557 - 683 km

542 - 656 km

Battery Capacity

59 - 79 kWh

59 - 79 kWh

Charging Time AC

6 / 8.7 h (11 .2kW / 7.2 kW Charger

6 / 8.7 h (11 .2kW / 7.2 kW Charger)

Power

228 - 282 bhp

228 - 282 bhp

Charging Time DC

20Min with 140 kW DC

20Min with 140 kW DC

Boot Space

455 Litres

663 Litres

Renault Launches New Kiger SUV At INR 629,000

Renault Kiger

Renault India has released the new Kiger, an updated version of its sub-four-meter SUV at prices starting INR 629,000 with prices going upto INR 1.12 million (ex-showroom).

The SUV is an evolution of the previous model, features over 35 updates. It was developed to align with the ‘rethink performance’ philosophy.

The new Kiger has a refreshed exterior and an updated interior. It now includes a multi-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. The Kiger is also equipped with a 20.32 cm touchscreen and a sound system.

The Kiger is available with two engine options: a 100 PS turbocharged engine and a 72 PS naturally aspirated engine. For safety, the new Kiger offers 21 standard safety features across all versions, including six airbags, ESP and Hill Start Assist.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, MD and CEO, Renault India, said, “We are excited to launch the New Kiger in a segment which is growing fastest and contributes 50% to the SUV sales and 31% to the TIV of the country. Kiger has been a unique product in its segment, and with this latest evolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to making expressive design, intelligent engineering, and real-world performance accessible to Indian customers. This marks a pivotal moment in Renault’s India centric transformation journey renault. rethink.”

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Renault India, said, “Renault Kiger has shaped expectations in the compact SUV segment with its aesthetic design, modern details, and bold stance combined with the lightweight CMFA+ platform. The New Kiger remains highly agile and responsive, giving customers the confidence of SUV DNA with the ease of everyday driving on city roads and highways- ticking all that is required for perfect performance.” 

Hyundai Exter Gets New Pro Pack, New Colour Options & Features

Hyundai Exter

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced ‘PRO’ Pack in its popular compact SUV the Hyundai Exter at starting price of INR 798,390 (ex-showroom).

The new Pro pack features wheel arch cladding, side sill garnish, all-new Titan Grey Matte colour and a Dashcam to make the SUV more safer.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, "At HMIL, we are continuously evolving our product offerings to resonate with the aspirations of today's young and progressive customers. The introduction of PRO Pack in Hyundai EXTER is a step further in this direction, combining bold styling, advanced technology and strong safety to create a truly distinctive value proposition. With its refreshed appeal, the PRO Pack in Hyundai EXTER strengthens our commitment to redefining customer delight and making every drive a PRO experience."

MOL, Suzuki Motor Corporation And TradeWaltz Join Forces To Decarbonise Automobile Trade Between India & Africa

MOL, Suzuki Motor Corporation, TradeWaltz

MOL, Suzuki Motor Corporation and TradeWaltz have announced a new partnership to streamline and decarbonise the automobile trade between India and Africa. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.

This collaboration aims to address current challenges in the trade by leveraging digital solutions and enhancing efficiency. The companies will focus on identifying problems in the supply chain and developing solutions for smoother transportation. A key part of the initiative is also promoting decarbonisation efforts within the logistics process.

The partnership aligns with the ‘Japan-India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa,’ launched in February 2025. By combining their individual strengths, MOL, Suzuki and TradeWaltz hope to contribute to the economic development of both India and Africa. The companies stated that this MU is the first step toward building a more robust and interconnected automobile supply chain between these two rapidly growing markets.

Mahindra To Increase Production Of BE 6 Batman Limited Edition To 999 On Back Of High Demand

Mahindra BE 6 Batman edition

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced a significant increase in the production of its highly anticipated its limited BE 6 Batman Edition, raising the total number of units available from 300 to 999. The decision comes in response to what the company described as an ‘extraordinary outpouring of enthusiasm’ from fans and collectors.

Initially envisioned as a small, limited run, the BE 6 Batman Edition has generated immense excitement, particularly among younger fans of the iconic superhero. The company stated that the overwhelming demand made it clear that fans wanted more, and the production increase aims to meet this desire while still maintaining the vehicle's exclusive nature.

Bookings for the special edition SUV will open on 23 August 2025, at 11 am, with deliveries slated to begin on 20 September 2025, which is International Batman Day. Customers interested in securing a vehicle can pre-register starting 21 August at 5 pm, by visiting the official Mahindra website. This pre-booking process allows for a faster checkout once reservations officially begin.

Each of the 999 vehicles will feature a unique ‘badge number’ from 001 to 999, which customers can select after their booking is confirmed. Mahindra highlighted that this approach focuses on celebrating the individual's connection to the brand and the hero, rather than just the vehicle's exclusivity.

The company hinted at a potential collaboration with other limited-edition models in 2026, building on the success of this partnership.