JSW MG Motor India, one of India’s leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its Hector SUV is now certified for E20 fuel (20 percent Ethanol blended) petrol. The E20 fuel-compliant Hector SUV will be available in 1.5 L Petrol MT and CVT variants, aligning with India’s mandate for E20-compliant petrol-fuelled vehicles manufactured post 1 April 2025. The price for Hector SUV starts at INR 1.39 million (ex-showroom India).

Rakesh Sen, Director Sales, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The enduring popularity of the Hector highlights its outstanding quality and an alignment with our customers' needs. The introduction of the E20-compliant version demonstrates in no uncertain terms our commitment to innovation and sustainability in everything we do. We aim to provide vehicles that not only satisfy customer expectations but also play a vital role in fostering a more greener automotive future.”

Launched in 2019, the MG Hector was touted as the country’s first Internet SUV and offered features such as dual pane panoramic sunroof and a segment-best 14-inch HD infotainment system and more than 70 connected car features.

As part of its ‘Midnight Carnival’ marketing campaign, JSW MG Motor India invites car buyers to visit MG Motor showrooms open until midnight every weekend for a limited time to purchase the Hector SUV. What’s more, 20 lucky MG Hector buyers stand a chance to win a trip to London, along with exclusive benefits worth up to INR 400,000. 

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Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has launched the nationwide ‘Hyundai Smart Care Clinic’, a service initiative designed to deliver comprehensive vehicle health assessments and special benefits to its customers. This programme underscores the company’s dedication to service excellence, drawing upon its three-decade legacy in the country and its foundational principles of trust, progress and pride.

Scheduled to run from 24 June to 8 July 2026, the clinic will be available at all Hyundai service centres. The offering includes a complimentary 30-point check-up for critical systems like brakes and suspension, alongside significant savings on extended warranty, mechanical labour, parts, car care, roadside assistance and Bluelink subscriptions, with discounts reaching up to 30 percent.

Timed ahead of the anticipated monsoon season, the initiative aims to ensure vehicles are prepared for wet conditions. By promoting timely maintenance and essential repairs, the programme is positioned to enhance vehicle longevity, safety and the overall driving experience for Hyundai owners.

Nilesh Shah, National Service Head, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “As Hyundai celebrates 30 years of its journey in India, we remain committed to placing our customers at the heart of everything we do. The Hyundai Smart Care Clinic reflects our customer-first philosophy, offering proactive vehicle care and a holistic service experience. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen customer trust by ensuring their vehicles remain in optimal condition while delivering enhanced convenience, transparency and a truly rewarding ownership journey.”

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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has initiated exports of the new Duster SUV, with an initial shipment of 750 vehicles departing from Chennai to South Africa.

This development follows Renault Group's strategy to position India as a hub for manufacturing, engineering, and exports. The company has set an objective to reach EUR 2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030.

Stephane Deblaise, CEO, Renault Group India, said, "The start of exports of the all-new Duster is an important moment for Renault India and a strong validation of the quality, capabilities, and competitiveness of our operations in Chennai. It reflects the progress we have made in building India into an integral part of Renault’s global industrial footprint.”

"India possesses all the fundamentals required to emerge as a leading automotive export hub: world-class manufacturing capabilities, engineering talent, scale, and a rapidly evolving logistics ecosystem. As Renault continues to expand its international footprint, India will play an increasingly strategic role in our future plans. We remain committed to contributing to the country’s manufacturing ambitions and are working towards our objective of generating EUR 2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030,” he added.

The new Duster is the first vehicle in India built on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), which supports multiple powertrain technologies. All variants have achieved a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.

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Stellantis-owned Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has announced a significant operational milestone, reaching 1.5 million cumulative vehicle deliveries worldwide.

This delivery landmark comes eight months after the company surpassed the 1-million-unit threshold, signalling an upward shift in its global production and sales trajectory.

Since commencing its initial vehicle deliveries in China in June 2019, Leapmotor has maintained a consistent growth trajectory, which has experienced a notable surge over the last two years. It was in June 2019, the company delivered its electric vehicle in China. It reached 500,000 cumulative deliveries in October 2024 and 1 million in October in 2025.

The compression of the timeline between the 1 million and 1.5 million delivery marks was significantly accelerated by the company's formalised global export strategies executed through the Leapmotor International joint venture.

Leapmotor's product strategy relies on a diversified vehicle lineup designed to target distinct global consumer segments. The brand’s portfolio ranges from compact, agile city cars optimised for urban demographics to larger, versatile, family-oriented SUVs and sedans.

By scaling its manufacturing output, the company aims to sustain this momentum across key international markets by focusing on integrated software innovation, engineering efficiency and user-centric design principles to provide accessible electric mobility solutions.

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The Indian passenger vehicle industry is projected to achieve wholesale volume growth of 4–6 percent in FY2027, according to a sector update by credit rating agency ICRA.

Whilst the sector enters the upcoming financial year with demand momentum, the growth rate reflects a moderation compared to previous near-term spikes. The industry's baseline expansion continues to be supported by consumer demand, tax-driven affordability improvements, and a structural shift towards utility vehicles.

Data from May 2026 highlights near-term performance across manufacturing, wholesale allocations and retail customer handovers. Domestic wholesale volumes recorded a 27 percent YoY growth, reaching 440,000 units during the month.

Retail sales volumes outpaced wholesales by expanding 33 percent YoY. This retail growth was driven by consumer fundamentals, the commercial introduction of newly launched models, and an extended summer wedding season. Export volumes rose 13 percent YoY in May 2026, reflecting a supply push by Indian automakers looking to expand market shares across global markets.

The product mix in the Indian automotive market continues to skew towards larger body styles, though policy changes have sparked a recovery in entry-level segments. Utility vehicles continued to command the largest market share, contributing approximately 68% of overall passenger vehicle sales in FY2026. Demand recovery became visible across the mini and compact car categories, which was aided by improving affordability following recent GST rate cuts. The adoption of electric vehicles strengthened further, with EV penetration in the broader passenger vehicle segment rising to nearly 6 percent in early FY2027.

Despite underlying demand fundamentals, ICRA pointed out several headwind factors that could restrict growth or affect consumer sentiment in FY2027. Rising commodity prices threaten manufacturer margins, whilst increasing fuel prices could affect the total cost of vehicle ownership. Furthermore, concerns surrounding a potentially weak or uneven monsoon season remain a risk factor, as agricultural output impacts rural purchasing power and entry-level vehicle sentiment.

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