Nissan Motor Co Appoints Ivan Espinosa As Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO

Ivan Espinosa - Nissan

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co has announced changes to its senior management, which it shared is a renewed leadership line-up to achieve the company's short- and mid-term objectives while positioning it for long-term growth.

Ivan Espinosa, currently chief planning officer, is set to succeed Makota Uchida as the representative Executive Officer, President and CEO from 1 April 2025.

Furthermore, Guillaume Cartier, chief performance officer and chairperson of the Management Committee for AMIEO, will now also be responsible for global marketing and customer experience.

Eiichi Akashi, currently corporate vice president (CVP) of the Vehicle Planning and Vehicle Component Engineering Division, will succeed Kunio Nakaguro as Chief Technology Officer and executive officer.

Furthermore, Teiji Hirata, currently CVP of Vehicle Production Engineering and Development Division, will take on the role of Chief Monozukuri Officer and Executive Officer, responsible for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, succeeding Hideyuki Sakamoto.

Jeremy Papin, Chief Financial Officer, is also appointed executive officer.

Stephen Ma, Chairperson of the Management Committee for China; Mitsuro Antoku, chief quality officer; and Toru Ihara, chief HR officer will continue in their current roles.

Uchida and Sakamoto will retain their position of director until the annual general meeting of shareholders planned for June.

In addition to Nakaguro, Sakamoto and Uchida, Asako Hoshino, Chief Brand & Customer Officer; Hideaki Watanabe, Chief Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer are also set to step down from their current position on 31 March 2025.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Reports 28% Sales Growth In November

Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced its wholesales for November 2025, reporting total sales of 33,752 units, up 28 percent YoY.

This includes 30,085 units sold in the domestic market and 3,667 units exported.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales–Service–Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Following a positive festive season supported by the government’s progressive GST reforms, we continue to witness a strong momentum, with a growth of 19 percent. The recent introduction of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Aero Edition and Fortuner Leader Edition has also continued to help us reinforce this growth trajectory, receiving recognition across the country. The innovative initiatives such as the Drum Tao and the launch of the toyota experiential museum (tem) in Bangalore, have been highly appreciated, further strengthening customer engagement and brand connect.”

Kia India Teases Design Of All-New Seltos SUV Ahead Of December 10 Launch

Kia Seltos

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has released the first teaser of the all-new Kia Seltos SUV, offering a glimpse of its popular model ahead of its world premiere on 10th December.

The teaser shows the SUV’s sharper design language, reflecting an evolution of the Seltos silhouette. The model is redesigned to lead and strengthen Kia’s presence in the growing mid-SUV segment in India.

The all-new Kia Seltos is rooted in Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. It combines SUV styling with a forward-looking, high-tech character. With new proportions, sharper lines and a muscular stance, the Kia Seltos is positioned to be a visually striking SUV designed for modern Indian lifestyles. Its design merges the rugged spirit of past SUVs with the sleek, aerodynamic sophistication of Kia’s innovations.

The Seltos SUV features proportions, striking cladding and precise surfacing. The new Kia Digital Tiger Face grille dominates the front, complemented by the signature Star Map lighting, echoed at the rear, creating a cohesive and futuristic identity. Details like flush door handles enhance practicality.

Gwanggu Lee, MD & CEO, Kia India, said, "The Seltos has always set benchmarks in the mid-SUV segment, and this new evolution takes it to the next level. The all-new Kia Seltos represents a bold evolution of India’s favourite mid-SUV. Every detail, from its striking design to advanced technology and enhanced performance – has been reimagined around the aspirations of our customers. This teaser gives just a glimpse of what’s to come, and we are thrilled to soon bring this sharper, bolder, and more refined Seltos to the Indian market, continuing to lead and redefine the mid-SUV segment."

Mahindra SUV Sales Grow 22% In November 2025

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for November 2025, selling 56,336 SUVs, which was 22 percent higher than the 46,222 units sold last year.

Furthermore, the company sold 24,843 commercial vehicles in the domestic market, clocking a 17 percent YoY growth.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “In November, we achieved SUV sales of 56,336 units, a growth of 22 percent. The total vehicle sales stand at 92,670 units, a 19 percent year-on-year growth. We also celebrated the one-year anniversary of our Electric Origin SUVs and launched India’s first authentic Electric Origin 7-seater SUV – the XEV 9S - along with the world’s first Formula E-themed special edition SUV, the Mahindra BE 6 Formula E Edition.”

 

Changan Automobile Unveils New Energy Vehicles At Thailand Motor Expo

Changan

Changan Automobile has unveiled its latest lineup of new energy vehicles (NEVs) at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2025, presenting models across the AVATR and CHANGAN DEEPAL brands.

AVATR, the brand that focuses on ‘Emotive Luxury,’ headlined the event with the debut of the AVATR 07 SUV. Led by AVATR's European design team, the model has earned international honours, including the IDA International Design Gold Award and the 2025 German iF Design Award. The cabin combines materials, multi-sensory enjoyment, and quietness. The vehicle can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in a claimed 3.9s and features CDC adaptive air suspension, powered by ADAS to deliver a seamless, reliable, and confident driving.

CHANGAN DEEPAL, a part of Changan’s Thailand portfolio, continued its market momentum. The DEEPAL S05, the first made-in-Thailand model launched in March 2025, ranked No. 1 in EV SUV registrations for two consecutive months. Responding to consumer enthusiasm, Changan introduced the S05 Max Long Range, offering an all-black exterior and interior, a 68.82 kWh battery with 560 km NEDC range and a 200 kW motor capable of zero to 100 kmph in just 6.48 seconds.

As Thailand transitions toward electrification, it has become a strategic hub for Changan. Under its ‘In Thailand, For Thailand’ strategy, Changan is advancing localisation across local manufacturing, marketing, sales, and service.

In May 2025, Changan inaugurated its first overseas NEV plant in Rayong, Thailand – employing over 1,000 Thai workers and achieving approximately 60 percent local content. In August, Changan hosted its first Service Skills Competition in Bangkok to reinforce its global after-sales standards.

Looking ahead, Changan plans to launch seven models in Thailand over the next three years. Over the next five years, Changan will introduce more than 50 NEVs globally, driving the momentum of AVATR and CHANGAN DEEPAL toward leadership in mobility.