Mercedes-Benz unveiled its Concept CLA Class, a new electric iteration of the CLA, alongside the latest Gelandwagen and a Mercedes-Maybach ultra-luxury SUV at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. Positioned as the electric successor to the CLA, the Concept CLA Class is the first model to feature the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). It debuts the brand’s latest operating system, alongside fresh design and technological updates.

The Concept CLA Class previews the latest electric-drive technology from Mercedes-Benz, drawn directly from the Vision EQXX concept. With a claimed range exceeding 750 km and an energy consumption of 12 kWh/100 km, it has been dubbed the "one-litre car for the electric age" in reference to hyper-efficient internal combustion vehicles. The 800V electric architecture supports 250 kW DC fast charging, enabling the vehicle to recharge up to 400 km in just 15 minutes. Two battery variants are available: silicon-oxide anode for higher-spec models and lithium-iron phosphate for entry-level variants. Powering the vehicle is a 235 bhp permanently excited synchronous motor coupled with a 2-speed transmission. Weighing only 110 kg, the powertrain delivers an impressive 93% energy efficiency during long-distance driving.

Built on the MMA platform, the Concept CLA Class is designed primarily for electric drivetrains but also accommodates combustion engines. The vehicle is rear-wheel-drive by default, though the modular platform can be configured for all-wheel-drive. The concept also includes bi-directional charging, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-appliance (V2A) functions, underscoring its potential for smart energy integration.

Inside, the MBUX Superscreen delivers a full-width digital dashboard powered by the new MB.OS operating system. It integrates Google Maps and other embedded apps for a seamless user experience. Notable interior features include digitally visualised AC vents with floating effects and physical control interfaces, dynamic ambient lighting in blue and violet, and sustainable nappa leather upholstery in silver and crystal white. The cabin is also designed with advanced Level 3 Lidar-based autonomous driving capabilities, with over-the-air updates enabling future upgrades to higher levels of autonomy.

A standout safety feature is the Child Presence Detection (CPD) system, which uses cameras and sensors to detect breathing patterns. If a child is left unattended, the system triggers air conditioning, sounds the horn, and issues alerts to mitigate risks in hot weather.

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the Concept CLA Class in India in 2025. The production model will closely resemble the concept and will offer Indian buyers a preview of the future of luxury electric mobility. Pricing details are yet to be announced.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its financial results for Q1 FY2027.

The company reported net sales of INR 499.59 billion, up 36 percent YoY, as compared to INR 366.206 billion for the same period last year. The net profit saw a decline of 10 percent YoY, to INR 33.52 billion, from INR 37.58 billion, on the back rise in material cost due to the ongoing geopolitical situation.

During Q1, the wholesales grew by 29.3 percent YoY, with domestic small car sales seeing 34 percent growth, while SUVs and exports clocked 44.6 percent and 28.6 growth YoY, respectively. 

Maruti Suzuki India said its inventory level was at 13 days, despite sales growth on the commissioning of its second plant in Kharkhoda.

The company also has announced an investment of INR 5.61 billion towards setting up 4 compressed biogas (CBG) projects, which would serve as a key learning opportunity to plan future expansion for the same.

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has received the 2026 Red Dot Brand & Communication Design Award in the Interior Architecture category for the office space at its Pune manufacturing facility.

The selection represents the first instance of an automotive manufacturing site receiving a Red Dot Award for its administration and employee support facilities. The design layout at the Pune plant combines individual workspaces with open collaboration zones. The office incorporates employee support infrastructure, including a mother care room, dedicated meditation rooms, meeting areas fitted with writing surfaces to address language differences, personal lockers, and central document storage units for paper-based operational workflows.

Architecturally, the building utilises biophilic design elements, including interior landscaping, a central courtyard configuration and upcycled terrazzo flooring. The spatial design was developed following workforce analysis covering employee demographics, gender diversity and team communication patterns.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Winning the prestigious Red Dot Award is a proud milestone for Hyundai Motor India and for the global manufacturing community. The award-winning facility at our Pune Plant demonstrates how thoughtful workplace design can positively influence collaboration, employee well-being and operational excellence. Every space has been created with our people at the centre, encouraging innovation, inclusivity and sustainability while reflecting Hyundai’s global design philosophy. This recognition reinforces our commitment to building world-class manufacturing ecosystems where exceptional products begin with exceptional workplaces.”

The award acknowledges the integration of administrative facility design within an industrial automotive context, setting standard practices for employee environment design in manufacturing complexes.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has strengthened its Board with the elevation of Mukundan MS as Whole-time Director, effective 1 September 2026.

He is a mechanical engineer holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA), currently serves as Function Head of Production in the Chief Manufacturing Officer's office. His career spans 25 years across plant operations and production management, including supervision of capacity expansion at Hyundai's Chennai Plant 1 and integration of mixed internal combustion engine and electric vehicle assembly lines.

In addition, Young Geon Kim has been appointed to a leadership role effective 1 August 2026. Kim possesses three decades of experience in vehicle manufacturing, production technology and plant operations. Having joined Hyundai Motor India in 2025 following senior roles during the setup of Hyundai's Brazil manufacturing plant, he has overseen Genesis production readiness, Chennai plant integration and facility setup initiatives for the company.

On the other hand, Gopalakrishnan CS, Whole-time Director, Hyundai Motor India, is set to retire on 31 August 2026, due to superannuation.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its Q1 FY2027 results with revenue at INR 163 billion in revenue, which was marginally lower than INR 164 billion a year ago.

The EBITDA came at INR 15.11 billion, down 31 percent YoY, while net profit dropped 35 percent YoY to INR 8.88 billion.

Hyundai Motor India stated that fiscal 2027 began robustly, with cumulative sales in April and May growing 13 percent YoY and domestic volumes for the full quarter rose 5.4 percent to 139,374 units. However, a fire at a supplier facility constrained production in June, limiting overall growth. Total sales (including exports) stood at 178,082 vehicles, down 1.3 percent YoY, while exports fell to 38,708 units amid the residual impact of the US-Iran conflict on Middle East shipments and the production halt.

The company reported that its all-new Venue clocked its best-ever quarterly sales in the domestic market, while Aura and Exter attained highest-ever CNG penetration of 95 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

The rural market performed better than urban market, with penetration now reaching at an all-time high of 26 percent.

Supported by production normalisation, festive demand, new launches and capacity expansion, Hyundai Motor India expects to deliver its stated 8–10 percent volume growth guidance for FY2027 while driving sustainable and profitable growth.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hyundai Motor Indai, said, “Q1 FY2027 was a challenging quarter affected by multiple headwinds impacting volumes and profitability. With 100 percent normalisation of production, coupled with healthy demand environment and upcoming product pipeline, recovery is likely to gain pace from Q2 onwards across both domestic and export businesses. Looking ahead, we remain committed to achieving our stated guidance of 8-10 percent YoY volume growth for both domestic and exports as well as 11-14 percent EBITDA margin in FY27.”

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