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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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its first "new’R" experiential retail outlet in Ranchi, marking a transition towards a more urban and futuristic sales environment in Jharkhand.

The facility, located on Old H.B. Road, was opened by Francisco Hidalgo-Marques, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Renault India. During the inauguration, the company delivered five new Renault Duster units to customers, highlighting the regional demand for the recently launched SUV.

The launch is part of a broader network expansion that brings Renault’s total national presence to 638 touchpoints, which includes 200 ‘Workshops on Wheels’ designed for remote service delivery.

The Ranchi facility covers over 3,000 sqft and is designed to integrate both sales and technical support. It features four vehicle display units in a contemporary setting and is equipped with eight service bays and a dedicated delivery bay.

The ‘new’R’ theme utilises signature lighting and a central vehicle display to allow for a 360-degree customer view of the products.

The move underscores Jharkhand's growing importance in the Indian automotive market. By combining modern design with increased service capacity, Renault aims to improve long-term customer engagement through its ‘Renault Forever’ initiative.

Francisco Hidalgo-Marques, said, “Jharkhand is emerging as one of the most decisive car markets in India, and Ranchi is right at the heart of that shift. The response to the new Renault Duster tells us that customers are not just buying an SUV, they are buying into capability, design, and trust. With the new’R Store, we are transforming how customers engage with Renault, more modern, more intuitive, and closer to their expectations.”

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German luxury brand BMW Group has introduced the new MINI Convertible John Cooper Works (JCW) Pack in India, priced at INR 6.15 million (ex-showroom).

Available as a completely built-up unit (CBU), the JCW Pack adds a bold, performance-oriented aesthetic to the classic open-top MINI experience. Deliveries for the limited-quantity edition are set to commence immediately across all authorised dealerships.

The MINI Convertible JCW Pack is powered by the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, delivering a balance of efficiency and ‘go-kart’ handling featuring 150 kW (204 hp) and 300 Nm of torque. A claimed zero to 100 kmph in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 240 kmph. It is paired with 7-speed Double Clutch Steptronic Sport Transmission featuring a Boost Mode for immediate power delivery.

The JCW Pack focuses on an assertive stance with unique design elements such as specific bumpers, side skirts and door entry sills, complemented by 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke Black alloy wheels.

It comes with a electrically operated soft top opens in 18 seconds at speeds up to 30 kmph and includes a sunroof mode that can be opened up to 40 cm at any speed. The luggage capacity ranges from 160 litres (top down) to 215 litres (top up).

The cabin merges minimalist design with high-resolution technology including an OLED ‘MINI Interaction Unit’ display, which serves as both the instrument cluster and central command centre, running the MINI Operating System 9.

It gets sports seats feature Vescin upholstery – a high-quality, artificial leather-free material made from recycled components.

Smart features includes a Head-up Display, Harman Kardon Surround Sound and MINI Digital Key Plus, which allows a smartphone to serve as the vehicle key.

The MINI Convertible JCW Pack is equipped with a comprehensive safety suite, including a rollover protection system, Dynamic Stability Control, and a rear-view camera.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The new MINI Convertible JCW Pack is for those who want their MINI to reflect a bold, assertive personality without losing the signature ‘go-kart’ feel they love. It delivers a sporty JCW aesthetic that perfectly complements your cruises.”

MINI India offers a standard two-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with service and warranty extension options available for up to 10 years. Financial solutions, such as the MINI 360deg plan, provide assured buy-back options and lower EMIs compared to traditional bank loans.

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Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Co has announced an upward revision to its financial forecast for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026 (FY2025). The updated guidance reflects a significant shift in operating performance, primarily driven by regulatory changes in the United States and internal cost efficiencies.

The turnaround from a projected operating loss to a profit is attributed to three main factors. Firstly, a major one-time positive impact resulting from the revocation of specific U.S. emissions / greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations, which allowed the company to reverse prior provisions.

Secondly, the impact of ongoing cost reduction measures implemented as part of Nissan's broader recovery strategy. And finally, favourable movements in foreign exchange rates supported both net sales and operating income.

Nissan Motor Co, stated that despite the projected net loss for the year, its cash position remains robust. It expects automotive free cash flow to remain positive for the second half of the fiscal year. And net cash is forecasted to exceed JPY 1 trillion by year-end.

Nissan is scheduled to release its finalised full-year financial results on 13 May 2026, where it is expected to provide a more detailed breakdown of these one-time impacts and its forward-looking ‘The Arc’ business plan.

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ICRA, one of the leading rating agencies, anticipates wholesale volume growth for the passenger vehicle industry to reach 4-6 percent in FY2027, as the market balances sustained demand against a high base from the previous year and uncertainties regarding monsoon performance.

In March 2026, industry wholesale volumes increased by 16 percent to 440,000 units, while retail sales grew by 21 percent over the same period. This activity followed the implementation of revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and the introduction of new vehicle models.

For FY2026, wholesale volumes reached 4.7 million units, representing an 8.6 percent increase on the year, while retail volumes rose by 11 percent to 4.6 million units.

ICRA states that inventory levels reported by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) fell to 28 days by March 2026, down from 60 days in September 2025. This reduction resulted from the increase in retail offtake.

Within the passenger vehicle segment, utility vehicles represented 68 percent of volume in FY2026. Models in mini, compact and super-compact segments experienced recovery following tax changes.

Export volumes grew by 18 percent in FY2026. Maruti Suzuki India retained its position as the exporter with a 49 percent market share, followed by Hyundai Motor India.

Looking ahead, the passenger vehicle sector expects the utility vehicle segment to provide the volume, alongside an increase in demand for passenger cars. Factors such as the West Asia crisis and inflation levels remain indicators for future demand.

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