French automaker Renault has inaugurated its second new‘R store dealership in India, the first in Maharashtra, under its renault. rethink. brand transformation strategy.

Featuring a sleek black facade and an updated logo designed in line with global standards the new'R store in Mumbai showcases Renault’s New Visual Identity (NVI).

It features a redesigned layout that has ample room for cars, allowing visitors to move freely and explore each model from various angles.

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President (Sales & Marketing), Renault India Operations, said, “Renault’s vision for 2025 is built on renault. rethink. a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming our brand perception in India. Alongside our recent launch of the Design Centre in Chennai – the largest outside France – the opening of our first New Visual Identity (NVI) store in Maharashtra not only expands our footprint but also underscores our growing ambition to offer Indian customers the finest global innovations. We aim to deliver not only world-class products but also an exceptional buying experience that reflects our global commitment to excellence.”

The new facility spans across 2,100 sqft, offers a 360-degree product experience, houses three display vehicles and a dedicated consultation area.

Sanjay Thakker, Chairman and Founder, Group Landmark, said, “Renault India is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and we are thrilled to be part of this exciting journey. The new’R store in Mumbai represents more than just a physical expansion—it embodies Renault’s renewed vision and its unwavering commitment to delivering a world-class experience to Indian customers. We are proud to contribute to this groundbreaking new retail format that reflects the dynamic spirit of the brand and reaffirms our belief in its bright future in India.”

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched the Hector Tomahawk, the first vehicle built on its Advanced Drive Architecture Platform Technology (ADAPT) platform, with prices starting at INR 1.39 million plus INR 4.90 per km Battery Rental for the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model.

The platform serves as the company's multi-new energy vehicle system in India, supporting both electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrains.

The Hector Tomahawk EV features a 69.2 kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor delivering 150 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque, yielding a certified range of 517 kilometres. The PHEV variant combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a dedicated hybrid transmission and a 20.5 kWh battery pack, offering a pure-electric range of over 115 kilometres and a combined range exceeding 1,100 kilometres. It also incorporates vehicle-to-home energy transfer capabilities.

The SUV measures 4,745 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and 1,770 mm in height, with a 2,810 mm wheelbase and 230 mm of ground clearance at the battery. On the inside, it gets the largest in its segment, a 15.6-inch touchscreen display, an 8.8-inch multi-information display, a panoramic glass roof, Level 2 assistance systems and standard six airbags across all variants.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV can be had for INR 2.17 million plus INR 3.20 rupees per kilometre battery rental.

For customers looking for an outright purchase, the Hector Tomahawk can be purchased for INR 1.94 million for the EV model and INR 2.56 million for the PHEV model. The deliveries will begin in September 2026 for the EV variant, while PHEV deliveries are scheduled to commence in November 2026.

Parth Jindal, Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, "The Hector Tomahawk represents a significant milestone in our journey toward building a sustainable mobility ecosystem in India. We remain focused on bringing the world's-best available technologies and environmentally responsible solutions to Indian consumers, while supporting the country's transition to cleaner transportation. The introduction of the Hector Tomahawk EV and the Hector Tomahawk PHEV, India's first plug in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)^, reflects our commitment to offering a diverse portfolio of new-age mobility solutions that address evolving customer needs and driving patterns.”

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, "The future of mobility will not be defined by a single technology solution but by providing customers the freedom to choose the pathway that best suits their needs. We recently introduced India's First Multi New Energy Vehicle Platform – ADAPT as the foundation for our next generation of products. Today, the Hector Tomahawk becomes the first SUV to bring that vision to life. By offering both EV and Plug-in Hybrid technologies, we are democratising sustainable mobility while addressing the diverse requirements of Indian consumers. The Hector Tomahawk combines intelligent technology, advanced safety, premium comfort and electrified performance, reaffirming our commitment to developing future-ready products for a rapidly evolving automotive landscape."

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German luxury brand BMW Group-owned MINI India has launched Mod My MINI, a vehicle customisation programme for Cooper and Countryman models. The initiative enables owners to alter both new and existing vehicles through factory-supported upgrades.

The programme provides options to modify components, including the roof, mirror caps, spoilers and brake calipers. Customers can select from a catalogue featuring over 100 paint shades, thematic decals and original accessories, yielding up to 2.5 million potential configurations.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “MINI has never been just a mode of transport; it is a declaration of personal style. We firmly believe that no two MINIs on the road should look the same, which is why the 'Mod My MINI' programme puts the design canvas directly into the hands of our owners. True luxury is defined by the freedom to choose, and by offering this unprecedented tier of factory-backed customisation, we ensure that every driver can define their vehicle's identity entirely on their own terms. Ultimately, small changes drive a big personality, making your driving experience as completely unmatched as your fingerprint.”

Decals applied through the programme carry a 24-month warranty from the installation date. The service is available across MINI India’s 17 sales touchpoints in 16 cities, with vehicle servicing integrated into the broader BMW Group India network spanning 51 locations.

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South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Company has announced plans to achieve 5.55 million annual global vehicle sales by 2030, targeting a 6 percent global market share. The OEM intends to increase the share of electrified vehicles in its sales mix to 60 percent by 2030, up from 23 percent in 2025.

Interestingly, the company’s ambitious strategy includes launching or refreshing more than 100 models by 2030 across major markets, including 58 in North America, 49 in South Korea, 41 in Europe, 26 in India and 22 in China.

The product offensive features Extended Range Electric Vehicles offering over 600 miles of range, with the Santa Fe EREV set to begin production at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in the first half of 2027.

Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Our fundamentals have never been stronger. Hyundai Motor Group is the third-largest automotive group and the second-most profitable, which gives us the ability to invest while others are pulling back. We are bringing more than 100 new models to market by 2030 with multiple powertrain options and raising our operating margin above 9 percent. We are leveraging partnerships to scale new technologies and opportunities and becoming a physical AI company which will produce and deploy robots and robotaxis.”

Hyundai Motor plans to add 1.27 million units of global manufacturing capacity by 2030. The expansion allocates 500,000 units to North America, 320,000 to India, 250,000 across complete knock-down sites and 200,000 to South Korea, including a facility at its Ulsan operations.

In North America, Hyundai aims to raise its local parts sourcing target to 80 percent by 2030. The brand plans to offer more than 10 hybrid models in the region, targeting a 50 percent hybrid sales mix produced at its Alabama and Georgia facilities.

The Genesis luxury brand aims to achieve 350,000 annual sales across more than 40 markets by 2030. Genesis will launch the GV80 Hybrid in the fourth quarter, followed by the GV90 flagship SUV and an EREV variant targeting a range of over 640 miles in early 2027.

The group will begin deliveries of IONIQ 5 Waymo robotaxis in the fourth quarter of 2026 from its Georgia plant, ahead of commercial driverless services later in the year. Hyundai is also collaborating with Boston Dynamics to commercialise manufacturing robotics, planning to deploy the industrial humanoid robot Atlas at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America from 2028.

Autonomous driving development includes testing Atria AI in South Korea this year, followed by Level 2+ autonomous integration on mass-produced vehicles in 2028 through a collaboration with NVIDIA. To support computing requirements, Hyundai plans to open the 100-megawatt Saemangeum AI Data Center in 2029.

In-house battery developments feature cells delivering higher output and 40 percent faster charging speeds, alongside cloud-based battery management systems aimed at extending cell life by 20 per cent by 2028. The company is introducing Thermal Runaway Protection technology on the Genesis GV90 to prevent heat transfer between battery cells.

Financial targets for 2030 include raising the consolidated operating profit margin target to above 9 percent, supported by a 3 percentage point reduction in the cost of sales ratio. For the first half of 2026, Hyundai reported revenue of 95.2 trillion won (USD 70 billion) and an operating profit margin of 5.6 percent.

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Maruti Suzuki India has announced that cumulative exports of its Fronx model have passed 200,000 units in under 38 months following the commencement of overseas shipments in June 2023.

Manufactured at the company's Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, the SUV is exported to nearly 90 markets, including Japan. The Fronx reached its initial 100,000 export milestone within 25 months, with the subsequent 100,000 units shipped over the following 13 months.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Every vehicle exported by Maruti Suzuki carries the hard work and pride of our people. Together, these vehicles take a piece of Indian manufacturing to nearly 120 countries. Fronx has been a key contributor to Maruti Suzuki’s success in exports. Since FY 24-25, it has been India's No. 1 exported passenger vehicle* and is now shipped to nearly 90 countries. After crossing the milestone of 100,000 exports in record time, Fronx reached its second lakh significantly faster, underlining its growing demand in the international markets.”

“Aligned with ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, Maruti Suzuki continues to showcase the prowess of India’s manufacturing ecosystem. Sustained focus on exports has earned the Company the number one position in passenger vehicle exports from India*. Illustrating this leadership, all three of India’s top exported passenger vehicles in Q1 FY 26-27^ were from Maruti Suzuki. The growing export volumes year-on-year are a strong endorsement of the reliability and appeal of the Company’s products across global markets,” added Takeuchi.

The Fronx remains the company's primary export model within its passenger vehicle lineup, supporting its total export volume across international regions.

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