Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hero FinCorp to provide tailored financial options for new and pre-owned vehicles.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said “At Maruti Suzuki, we always keep our customers at the centre of all our offerings. Collaborating with Hero FinCorp builds on our ability to offer innovative, transparent, and attractive financing solutions that address ever-evolving customer needs for car finance. With this tie-up, MSIL today has over 40 retail finance partners for our customers to choose from, giving them a wide array of finance options to suit their varied needs.”

Abhimanyu Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero FinCorp, stated, “At Hero FinCorp, we’re on a mission to fuel Bharat’s aspirations. This partnership with Maruti Suzuki takes us a step further towards making car ownership easier, more accessible, and truly hassle-free for every Indian. As India trades up, our deep reach in Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and beyond, combined with seamless digital journeys powered by proprietary tech capabilities, ensures that we continue empowering every Indian’s dream of upward mobility.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the launch of the Hyundai Venue Knight compact SUV featuring a black-themed design.

The Knight edition is intended to provide a distinct visual identity through exclusive exterior and interior enhancements, with prices for the Venue Knight starting at INR 969,800 (ex-showroom).

The exterior of the Venue Knight includes a black painted front radiator grille, matte black front and rear logos & black skid plates. It also gets black painted roof rails, wing mirrors and 16-inch alloy wheels, complemented by red brake callipers and a Knight emblem. The interior features an all-black cabin with brass-coloured inserts and exclusive seat upholstery.

The Venue Knight is available with multiple powertrain options, including the Kappa 1.2-litre petrol, Kappa 1.0-litre Turbo petrol and the U2 1.5-litre diesel engine, with both manual and automatic transmissions offered.

Alongside this launch, Hyundai has introduced a dashcam with multiple recording modes on the HX6T, HX10 and N10 variants. This system allows for video downloads to mobile devices via a dedicated application.

The company has also expanded the standard Venue colour palette with the introduction of Hazel Blue Matte and Mystic Sapphire Matte.

Amit Dhaundiyal, Head of Product Strategy & Planning, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At Hyundai, we continuously strive to bring products that resonate with the evolving aspirations of Indian customers. The Hyundai Venue Knight represents a bold expression of style and individuality, specially crafted for customers who want their car to reflect their personality. With this launch, we are taking the distinctive black-themed Knight philosophy to one of our most popular compact SUVs. Every element of the Hyundai Venue Knight, from its blacked-out exteriors to its premium interiors with brass inserts, has been thoughtfully curated to create a strong visual identity that stands apart on the road. Alongside the Knight, the introduction of dashcam on select Hyundai Venue variants and the addition of new matte colours further enhance the overall line-up, addressing evolving customer expectations.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Model Year 2026 (MY26) update for the Kia Syros SUV, expanding the lineup with new HTE, HTE(O), HTK+(O) and HTX(O) trims.

The revised range starts at INR 839,900 and includes a wider availability of automatic transmission options. The Diesel Automatic variant is now accessible from the HTK+ trim onwards, priced at INR 1.27 million, to address demand for convenient diesel powertrains at lower price points.

The update includes design changes to the front and rear bumpers, featuring aero inserts and black skid plates. The HTX and HTX(O) trims receive a new 17-inch crystal cut alloy wheel design accompanied by neon-coloured brake callipers.

Kia has also added Magma Red, Ivory Silver Matte and Ivory Silver Gloss to the exterior colour palette. The vehicle maintains its 5-star BNCAP safety rating and includes a package of 20 safety features as standard.

Interior features for the Syros MY26 include a 30-inch panoramic display panel, a dual-pane sunroof, and ventilated front and rear seats. The vehicle is equipped with over 80 connected car features and supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. The seating configuration retains the sliding and reclining second row with a 60:40 split to manage interior space and comfort within a compact exterior footprint designed for urban driving.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Customer insights have guided the Syros MY26 evolution, with design enhancements and a revised trim and feature lineup delivering more meaningful value, along with greater choice across trims and powertrains. Syros has been highly recognised by the auto exports, winning multiple awards since launch. And this latest update further strengthens its appeal to a wider set of customers. This thoughtful evolution exemplifies Kia’s consumer-first innovation, blending great cabin space and comfort with city-friendly agility while making premium convenience more accessible than ever. We invite customers to visit their nearest Kia dealerships to experience the Syros MY26.”
 

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French automotive major Renault Group has launched futuREady India, a strategic initiative designed to integrate its Indian operations into the company's global value chain.

The plan aims to establish India as one of the brand’s top three markets by 2030 through a product offensive and the expansion of its manufacturing and engineering capabilities. Renault intends to generate EUR 2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030, covering vehicles, components and R&D services.

The group will expand its Indian portfolio to 7 models by 2030, focusing on high-value segments and multi-energy powertrains. These vehicles will be built on two shared platforms, RGEP (Renault Group Entry Platform) and RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform), which support internal combustion, hybrid and electric configurations.

Following the recent introduction of the Duster SUV, Renault has previewed the Bridger Concept, a compact SUV that will include a fully electric variant. To support customer retention, the company has introduced the Renault Forever initiative, which includes a 7-year warranty.

Renault has also moved to full ownership of its manufacturing facility in Chennai to improve supplier integration and supply chain optimisation. This site, alongside an engineering centre employing 6,000 specialists, will transition into a global centre of excellence. The Chennai operations will now develop architectures and software for both the domestic Indian market and international projects, specifically supporting Renault’s requirements in regions such as South America.

Francois Provost, CEO, Renault Group, said, “With futuREady, our new Vision, Renault Group is accelerating its international growth by building on high-potential, fast-growing markets where the Group already has a strong presence. India, where we have been established for fifteen years, is a prime example: it represents more than one-third of the growth potential across the markets where the Renault brand already operates. India is set to become not only a growth market, but also a centre of excellence and an export hub. Thanks to the commitment and expertise of our local teams, it will strengthen the Group’s overall competitiveness. Thirty years ago, Renault Group began its first wave of international expansion. With futuREady, we are opening a new era in our global growth story – and India will be at the heart of it!”

Stephane Deblaise, CEO, Renault Group in India, said, “By 2030, we will offer a seven-model portfolio in India, spanning key segments from compact cars to larger SUVs, and featuring a full spectrum of electrified powertrains—from strong hybrids to fully electric vehicles. Leveraging world-class engineering, competitive manufacturing, and a clear, ambitious product roadmap, India is poised to be a major driver of sustained value for Renault Group.”

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McLaren Automotive has appointed Kemal Curic as Chief Design Officer with effect from April 2026. As a new member of the Executive Leadership Team, Curic will guide the overall design vision and creative strategy for the entire McLaren Automotive range. His appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the brand’s future direction.

Bringing over 20 years of international automotive design expertise, Curic has worked extensively on both high performance and luxury vehicles. He joins McLaren following a tenure at Ford Motor Company, where he served as Global Design Director for Performance Vehicles and was responsible for some of the industry’s most celebrated performance car designs. His career reflects a consistent ability to honour a brand’s heritage while pushing design boundaries.

In his new position at McLaren, Curic will oversee all design disciplines, including interiors, exteriors, colour and materials as well as digital design. He will collaborate closely with engineering and product strategy teams to ensure McLaren continues to set benchmarks in lightweight construction, high performance and emotionally compelling luxury vehicles. Known for successfully evolving iconic cars without losing their essence, Curic’s grasp of performance DNA and his talent for blending innovation with brand authenticity make him an exceptional fit for the company.

Curic said, “McLaren is one of the most respected and aspirational brands in the world. I’m excited to be part of their journey to help shape the design vision of a company so deeply rooted in engineering excellence and racing heritage. I look forward to working with the talented teams at McLaren to create the next generation of breathtaking, purpose‑driven cars.”

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