German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz India has expanded its footprint in the southern market with the inauguration of three new state-of-the-art facilities across Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reinforcing its customer-centric ‘Go to Customer’ strategy.

In Bengaluru, the luxury carmaker opened a sprawling 2S (Sales & Service) facility with a Delivery Bay by long-standing partner Sundaram Motors on International Airport Road. The 47,000 sqft facility, built to Mercedes-Benz’s global MAR20X luxury retail standards, features 10 dedicated service bays, a Premium Aero Hub and a Mercedes Cafe. It also offers fast EV charging and quick repair zones, enhancing convenience and sustainability.

Hyderabad saw the addition of two new 2S facilities. Mahavir Motors inaugurated a 39,000 sqft outlet in a high-net-worth residential area near the city’s growing IT corridor. The facility, equipped with 19 service bays, combines digital interfaces with personalised service zones and eco-friendly features.

Landmark Cars also launched a new 12,000 sqft service centre in Hyderabad with six service bays. The facility offers specialised vehicle servicing, body paint work and Premier Express service for priority customers.

These openings mark a significant investment in customer engagement and service infrastructure in key southern metros, aligning with rising aspirations and demand for luxury vehicles in India.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate 3 state-of-the-art luxury facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the best customer experience and deepening our presence in these key markets. These modern facilities reflect Mercedes-Benz’s vision of offering a world-class luxury retail experience, backed by digital innovation, modern luxury design and personalised customer consultation. We continue to invest in our luxury retail experience, with sharp focus on elevating customer experiences by creating new standards in luxury automotive retail. We are creating desire for the brand not only in emerging markets, but also in key metropolises like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Mercedes-Benz has a strong brand presence.”

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TATA.ev has launched the new Punch.ev in India, positioned to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in the entry-level segment with prices starting INR 969,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) for the 30 kWh battery variant, while the 40 kWh variant can be had at INR 1.08 million.

Furthermore, the company has also marked the introduction of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) financing model, which lowers the initial purchase price to INR 649,000, supplemented by a battery EMI of INR 2.6 per kilometre.

The Punch.ev is built on the acti.ev architecture and offers two battery configurations to address varying range requirements:

• Long Range: Features a 40 kWh LFP prismatic cell battery pack. It delivers a real-world range of approximately 355 km and an ARAI-certified range of 468 km.
• Standard Range: Includes a 30 kWh battery pack option for city-focused use.

The EV supports express charging, allowing the battery to transition from 20 percent to 80 percent in 26 minutes. A 15-minute charge can provide 135 km of real-world range.

TATA.ev has established a network of over 230,000 charging points across 1,500 cities. This includes a ‘.ev Verified’ network of 2,500 fast chargers and 130 hubs on 80 highways. The company plans to expand its highway charging presence to 800 points by the March 2026.

To support first-time buyers, TATA.ev has introduced a lifetime warranty on the high-voltage (HV) battery, covering unlimited kilometres. This measure is intended to address concerns regarding battery longevity and maintenance costs.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “The new Punch.ev, makes electric mobility truly accessible, practical and worry free for every household. With a real-world range of around 355 km, fast charging capability, a lifetime HV battery warranty and a highly accessible price point, it resolves the core concerns that have thus far held customers back from choosing an entry level EV as their primary car. By bringing together everything customers seek in their preferred car for both daily and long-distance travel, the new Punch.ev marks a significant leap forward in the democratisation of electric mobility in India.”

The Punch.ev can be had in three versions: Smart, Adventure and Empowered.

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Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has launched the Tayron R-Line SUV at an introductory price of INR 4.69 million (ex-showroom).

The Tayron R-Line features R-Line styling and is manufactured using the brand's design DNA and is part of the company’s strategy to expand its portfolio in the premium segment in India.

The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI EA888 evo4 engine, producing 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. It comes with a 7-speed DSG transmission and the 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which allows drivers to select from six driving profiles.

In terms of dimensions, it is 4792 mm in length, 1866 mm width and 1665 mm height. The wheelbase is 2789 mm features 19-inch Coventry alloys. On the inside, it gets a 38.1 cm infotainment screen and a 26.03 cm digital cockpit. The front seats feature 12-way electric adjustment with memory, ventilation, heating and an 8-mode massage function.

The Tayron R-Line features IQ Light with HD Matrix LED headlamps and illuminated front and rear logos. It is equipped with 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with 700 watts output, dual 45W USB-C ports and wireless charging for two devices. Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display and gesture-controlled tailgate.

In terms of safety, the Tayron R-Line is equipped with Level 2 ADAS featuring 14 functions. Standard safety equipment includes 9 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, and Hill Ascent and Descent control.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “The Tayron R-Line embodies our vision of aspirational premium cars that add meaningful value to customer lives. It is designed for those who value performance as much as luxury, and who seek a vehicle that reflects their progressive mindset. With the Tayron R-Line, we are reinforcing our commitment to bringing globally admired, performance-led products that elevate the brand’s presence in India.”

The Tayron R-Line SUV can be had in seven colour options: Dolphin Grey Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic, Ultraviolet Metallic, Cipressino-Green Metallic, Nightshade Blue Metallic, Grenadilla Black Metallic and Oryx White Mother-of-Pearl Effect.

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has appointed Nitin Selot as Executive Director for Finance, IT and Legal Affairs. He takes over the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as the group manages its operations in India for brands including Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.

Selot comes with over 35 years of experience in financial leadership and will oversee financial strategy and IT transformation at the company’s manufacturing sites in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Prior to joining SAVWIPL, he held senior positions at JCB India, Compass Group India, Shell and Mars Wrigley. He is a member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and holds an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad.

The company states that his expertise includes steering long-term investment and growth; managing legal affairs & compliance and modernising systems to support operational efficiency.

Holger Peters, Board Member for Finance, IT and Legal Affairs, Skoda Auto, said, “We welcome Nitin Selot to Skoda Auto Volkswagen India at a pivotal moment where India is the most important market for Skoda Auto a.s. outside Europe. His appointment comes at a crucial time as we continue to strengthen our financial discipline, enhance governance, and build resilience across our operations in India. Nitin’s vast experience across multiple industries and his proven ability to lead complex financial and IT transformations will be invaluable as we align our long-term strategy with the evolving needs of the Indian market.”

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, SAVWIPL, added, “I am pleased to welcome Nitin Selot as Skoda Auto Volkswagen India enters an exciting new chapter of transformation driven by the collective momentum of our six aspiration brands. We continue to redefine our processes, improving productivity and advancing our local-for-local approach, strengthening the foundation of our India operations. Looking ahead, the robustness of our financial strategy and the agility of our IT systems will be central to sustaining this progress.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its popular Seltos SUV has surpassed 600,000 cumulative sales milestone since its market entry in 2019. The achievement, the company said confirms the model's position in the mid-SUV segment, with top-tier variants contributing 29 percent of total volume.

The Seltos was introduced with a strategy focused on multiple powertrain options, including petrol and diesel engines with automatic transmissions, alongside connected car technology. Over time, Kia has updated the model to include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and expanded digital interfaces.

Data shows a preference for higher specifications, with nearly a third of buyers selecting top trims. The model's sales have been supported by its appeal to customers upgrading from smaller vehicle categories who seek features such as large-format infotainment and enhanced safety packages.

The new Generation Seltos comes with 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and has a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.

The latest generation of the Seltos features increased dimensions and an upgraded safety architecture. Kia India intends for the model to continue anchoring its mid-SUV strategy through a mix of engine and transmission combinations.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “Crossing 600,000 sales reflects sustained customer preference for a product that delivers strong fundamentals in design, safety, technology and performance. Seltos expanded expectations in the mid-SUV segment by offering features and configurations that were not widely available at the time of its launch. The consistent uptake across variants, including strong demand for top trims, indicates growing customer confidence in advanced safety systems and connected technologies.”

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