Jeep India has introduced the MY2025 Meridian with an aggressive pricing strategy and new features. A facelift, its prices start at INR 2,500,000 ex-showroom and climb up to INR 3,649,000 ex-showroom for the top trim ‘Overland’ variant.    
Available in four – Longitudinal, Longitude Plus, Limited (O) and Overland – trims, the new luxury SUV offers sophistication, cutting-edge safety, advanced technology and unparalleled comfort, according to the company. 
It repositioning in the seven-seat SUV segment that has the Toyota Fortuner commanding the space with roughly 96 percent of the market, the new Meridian isn’t a far cry in terms of appearance when compared to the one it replaces. 
Along with the familiar exterior comes a familiar interior that is spacious, comfortable and adorned with vegan leather (vinyl fabric in Longitude) and suede/vegan leather accents. There’s visible copper stitching that adds a touch of craftsmanship. 
Available with a seven-seat or five-seat configuration, the luxury SUV offers 824-litre of boot space with the middle and third row seats folded; 481-litre of storage space with the third-row seat folded, and 170-litre with all three seat rows in place. 
Based on the extended Compass SUV platform with an appearance that seems to have been inspired by the Cherokee rather than the Compass, the Meridian in its MY2025 avatar comes with ‘Uconnect’ connected services with GSDP 2.0 connectivity protocol. The key features of this include Automatic SOS Call, Remote Engine Start/Stop with AC Preconditioning, Alexa Home to Vehicle, Smartwatch Extension, Vehicle Health Report with alert, Connected One-Box Navigation Search with live traffic, weather and incident updates, and over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates
Equipped with a customisable 10.25-inch fully digital cluster and a 10.1-inch fully HD touchscreen media centre (with built-in navigation and wireless mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), the vehicle also comes with wireless smartphone charging and multiple USB ports across the cabin, dual-zone automatic climate control, electric-adjustable front seats, panoramic sunroof and ADAS Level 2 system. 
This system – found on the top-spec Overland variant – is tuned to 
Indian road and traffic conditions. It includes a front radar and camera and offers adaptive cruise control with stop and go, intelligent speed assist, full speed forward collision warning with collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, surround view monitor, smart beam assist, blind spot detection and driver attention alert among others.
Powered by a 174 bhp 2-litre turbodiesel engine, the Meridian could be had with a six-speed manual or a nine-speed auto transmission. 
“The Jeep Meridian was born from our understanding of the growing demand for a premium model for customers who have progressed through Jeep’s lineup. The Meridian will usher in a new phase for Jeep in India, offering a distinctive personality with imposing and sophisticated design, premium finishes, and cutting-edge technology, all while retaining the legendary adventure capabilities expected from a Jeep. With the additional variants, we’re excited to cater to a diverse audience, staying true to our commitment to making Jeep more accessible to enthusiasts in India,” said Kumar Priyesh, Brand Director, Jeep India.
The first Jeep model that was developed specifically for India with a global vision, the Meridian is exported to markets like Japan among others as the Jeep Commander. It is necessary to note, that Jeep India has not explained if these prices are relevant for 2WD or 4Wd models in its statement. From a brand point of view, the omission about a model's off-roading capability is very surprising. 

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, a partner of FIFA since 2007, has announced two programmes for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – ‘Kia Walk with Champions’ and ‘Kia Drive to FIFA World Cup 2026’. These initiatives offer customers opportunities to attend the tournament in the USA.

Kia Walk With Champions will allow two children, aged 10–14 years, to serve as Official Match Ball Carriers (OMBC) during a group stage match. One winner will be selected from customers who book and purchase a Carens Clavis ICE, and another from those who purchase the Carens Clavis EV between 12 February and 10 March 2026.

The selected children will walk onto the pitch with a parent or guardian. Kia will provide travel, visa and hospitality arrangements for the winners.

On the other hand, the Kia Drive to FIFA World Cup 2026 will award four customers an expenses-paid trip to watch a match live in the USA. The opportunity is open to customers who book and purchase the following models during the campaign period – Seltos, Sonet, Syros and Carens Clavis.

Each winner can travel with one companion. The selection process for both initiatives will be conducted through an audited lucky draw.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Kia’s association with FIFA spans nearly two decades globally, and we are proud to extend this legacy to our customers in India. The FIFA World Cup 2026 represents the pinnacle of global sporting passion, and through these initiatives, we are giving our customers an opportunity to be part of that extraordinary stage. Whether it is witnessing a live World Cup match or seeing their child walk onto the pitch as an Official Match Ball Carrier, these are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. At Kia, we aim to go beyond mobility and create meaningful moments that our customers and their families will cherish forever.”

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JSW MG Motor India has unveiled the MG MAJESTOR, positioning it as the country’s first D+ segment SUV. Designed for discerning customers who prioritise commanding aesthetics, dependable engineering and sophisticated comfort, the vehicle made its debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and now stands as the brand’s most rugged and premium offering tailored for diverse Indian driving conditions. With a focus on all-terrain capability, road presence, luxury and safety, the MAJESTOR introduces advanced 4x4 technologies and segment-first features. Pre-bookings commence today, while full pricing and availability will be confirmed nearer to the official launch.

The exterior of the MAJESTOR conveys strength and stature through its imposing proportions. With an overall length of 5,046 millimetres, width of 2,016 millimetres, height of 1,870 millimetres and a wheelbase measuring 2,950 millimetres, it surpasses competitors in every dimension. Design elements such as the Mosaic Matrix Combination Grille, Dragon Eyes Daytime Running Lamps, split headlamps, sequential turn indicators integrated into connected LED tail lamps, a raised hood and 19-inch alloy wheels collectively reinforce its bold yet polished character. The vehicle presents a commanding silhouette suited equally to metropolitan roads and long-distance travel.

Inside, the cabin offers a spacious and refined environment finished in black with premium leather upholstery and a streamlined centre console. Ventilated front seats come equipped with massage functionality, memory settings and multi-way power adjustment, with 12-way adjustability for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. A panoramic sunroof enhances the sense of openness, while sixty-four colour ambient lighting allows customisation of the interior mood. Three-zone automatic climate control ensures individual comfort across rows. Offered in six-seat and seven-seat configurations, the MAJESTOR adapts to both family use and adventure travel. Technological features include dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, wireless smartphone integration, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, dual wireless charging pads, a 220-volt power outlet and over 70 iSMART connected features.

At the core of the vehicle lies a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine generating 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm of torque, figures that lead its segment. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission available in both two-wheel drive and advanced four-wheel drive configurations. The four-wheel drive system offers ten off-road modes and operates intelligently, remaining in two-wheel drive under normal conditions and shifting to four-wheel drive automatically when traction is compromised. This ensures optimal fuel efficiency during daily commutes while delivering enhanced grip on wet, slippery or uneven terrain. The MAJESTOR is also the first in its class to incorporate front, rear and centre differential locks, enabling the vehicle to extract itself from challenging conditions even when multiple wheels lose contact with the ground. Complementing this capability are Crawl Control, 219 millimetres of ground clearance and a water wading depth of 810 millimetres.

Safety engineering remains integral to the MAJESTOR’s design. The vehicle is equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, offering features such as assisted braking, steering and acceleration to support driver confidence across varied scenarios. Additional protective technologies include a 360-degree high-definition camera and Electronic Stability Programme, which integrates Anti-lock Braking, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Traction Control and Roll Movement Intervention.

The model will be available in Sharp and Savvy variants, with both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options. Colour choices include Pearl White, Concrete Grey, Metal Black and Metal Ash. JSW MG Motor India’s Complete Peace of Mind Program applies to the MAJESTOR, offering a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five labour-free services. Through a collaboration with ICICI Bank, customers also receive an invitation for the ICICI Emeralde Credit Card with no joining fee. Early reservation holders will receive priority in the delivery sequence, along with invitations to exclusive previews in March 2026 and specially arranged driving experiences.

Pre-reservations open on 12 February 2026 via the official website at a token amount of INR 41,000. Price announcement, public display and test drives are scheduled to begin in April 2026, with deliveries expected to commence the following month.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “India’s premium SUV customer is evolving rapidly, looking not just for space but for a vehicle that projects stature, inspires confidence and integrates seamlessly into a more ambitious lifestyle. With MG MAJESTOR, we have created an SUV that is rugged in its capability, refined in its comfort and dependable in its engineering. MAJESTOR for us represents our vision of what a true, full-size SUV should stand for, which is a commanding presence, sophisticated premium craftsmanship, intelligent in technology and uncompromising in performance.”

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has announced its financial results for Q3 FY2026, reporting a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of INR 46.75 billion, representing a 54 percent YoY growth.

The automotive division recorded quarterly volumes of 302,000 units, up 23 percent YoY. SUV revenue market share rose by 90 bps to 24.1 percent. The automotive business reported consolidated revenue of INR 303 billion, up 30 percent YoY, while PAT stood at INR 19.93 billion, up 42 percent YoY.

In the farm sector, tractor volumes reached 150,000 units, up 23 percent YoY, which translates to a market share of 44 percent for Q3. The revenue came at INR 115 billion, up 21 percent YoY, while PAT came at INR 10 billion, up 7 percent YoY.

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, said, “We are delighted to report solid operating performance across the group in Q3’F26, reflecting our strong focus on growth coupled with disciplined execution. Auto & Farm has maintained its leadership position on the back of steady customer demand, strong product acceptance and unwavering focus on operational excellence. TechM continues to make meaningful progress. Mahindra Finance delivered another solid quarter with meaningful PAT growth while maintaining strong asset quality. We are especially pleased to see breakout performance from two of our growth gems, Mahindra Logistics and Mahindra Lifespaces.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), said, “Auto and Farm businesses delivered strong performance in Q3’FY26. We have achieved a 90 bps YoY increase in SUV revenue share and 10 bps YoY increase in LCV (< 3.5T) market share in Q3. Our tractor business gained 20 bps YoY to reach an impressive 44.1 percent share for YTD FY26. Our new launches XEV 9S, and the XUV 7XO have received very positive response in the market.”

Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, added. “Our Q3 consolidated results reflects the strength and depth of our diversified portfolio. Our services businesses continue to increase their contribution to the overall results. Our results are also translating into a very strong Balance Sheet.”

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CEER, Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle (EV) brand and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), has signed 16 commercial agreements valued at over SAR 3.7 billion (USD 996.90 million). The deals were announced at the 4th PIF Private Sector Forum, following SAR 5.5 billion (USD 1.4 billion) in agreements secured at the previous year's event.

The partnerships are part of a localisation strategy that aims to source 45 percent of vehicle materials and components from Saudi companies by 2034. The supply chain will support CEER’s production plan of seven models over the next five years.

The agreements cover a range of essential automotive components and services:

• Fluids and Plastics: Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) will supply windshield washer fluid and EV coolants. Zamil Trade & Services and Zamil Plastics will provide brake fluids and aerodynamic covers.
• Materials and Polymers: NSSPC is contracted for PP resin and polymer compounds, while KK Nag will provide Expanded Polypropylene (EPP).
• Engineering and Infrastructure: Mino will install steel Body Shop equipment. FEV and AVL will provide engineering services.
• Manufacturing: MK Tron will produce small stampings, window regulators, and door hinges. FPI will supply front-end modules and XYG will provide glazing solutions.
• Chemicals and HVAC: Sika is contracted for structural adhesives and cavity baffles, while AITS will work on HVAC localisation.

The project is expected to contribute SAR 30 billion (USD 8 billion) to Saudi GDP by 2034 and improve the trade balance by SAR 79 billion (USD 21 billion). CEER estimates the creation of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, aligning with the industrial diversification goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

James DeLuca, CEO, CEER, said, “These agreements are a cornerstone of CEER's wide and deep localisation strategy, which targets sourcing 45 percent of vehicle materials and components from Saudi companies by 2034. Our approach goes beyond mere assembly, we are utilising local raw materials and empowering Saudi companies to become global suppliers, directly contributing to Vision 2030’s mission to diversify the national automotive industry and drive sustainable economic growth.”

“These agreements represent a major step in building a comprehensive automotive ecosystem in the Kingdom. By using local materials and resources, attracting advanced technology and foreign investment, and localising the production of heavy and labour-intensive components, we aim to reduce CO2 emissions and create meaningful job opportunities for Saudi nationals,” added DeLuca.

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