Czech automaker Skoda Auto is celebrating its silver jubilee milestone in India. The OEM had entered the Indian market in January 2000 and had laid the foundation stone for its plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) making it the first Volkswagen Group brand to establish a presence in the domestic market.

The Skoda Octavia was the first model by the Volkswagen Group to be assembled locally in India.

Skoda Auto shared that its India operations plays a key role in its global plans, which has enabled to effectively leverage existing sales potential in the ASEAN region, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

It was in 2018, that Volkswagen Group appointed Skoda Auto to spearhead all activities in India jointly since 2018. Fast forward to present, Skoda has developed and produces three models locally in India for India, based on the localised MQB A0–IN platform: the Kushaq, the Slavia and the Kylaq compact SUV. 

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, “We have built on 25 years of experience in India to make this thriving market the cornerstone of our international growth strategy. With its tremendous talent pool, growing consumer demand, and access to other markets, India is becoming our second pillar outside Europe and helping leverage further sales potential in ASEAN, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region. Skoda has been a notable brand in India since we entered the market with the Octavia in 2001. We now produce in two plants. We have launched three all-new models specifically for India, achieving localisation of up to 95 percent: the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia and just recently the Kylaq compact SUV, which complement the Octavia and Superb we also sell through a growing dealer network. In the last two years, we have increased customer touchpoints across the country by 35 percent. India also contributes to the global sustainability goals of Skoda Auto. One plant already runs entirely on green energy, while the plant in Pune expanded its photovoltaic system to deliver up to 30 percent of its electricity needs. I want to thank all our Indian colleagues for helping power the next stage of our growth, and especially our customers for their trust in our products. With this passion, we can achieve even greater things in the next 25 years!"

Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Skoda was the first brand to establish Volkswagen Group’s presence in India, setting up its first plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar back in January 2000. As Skoda celebrates 25 years in the country, the Group’s focus on the Indian market continues to strengthen. With evolving consumer preferences, we are introducing products that combine the Group’s global expertise with a deep understanding of the Indian market. Today, our model lineup features advanced vehicles designed and built specifically for India, including the newly unveiled compact SUV, Skoda Kylaq.”

“This dynamic market has become the foundation of Skoda’s internationalisation strategy, driven by our commitment to innovation, safety, sustainability and customer-centric solutions. We are dedicated to enhancing our manufacturing capabilities & sales touchpoints and advancing our sustainability initiatives to deliver long-term value to our customers, employees, and communities,” added Arora.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Month, a dedicated campaign running from mid-February through the end of March across North India. This initiative is designed to engage customers directly with the brand’s pioneering Strong Hybrid technology through hands-on test-drive events. The activation spans key regions including the National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, offering exclusive value-driven benefits throughout the period.

Since its debut in 2022, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder has established itself as a prominent contender in the SUV segment, recently surpassing 200,000 units in sales. This milestone reflects increasing consumer confidence in its advanced hybrid system. Positioned as India’s inaugural strong hybrid electric SUV in the B-segment, the vehicle integrates a self-charging setup with an e-drive transmission, enabling significant electric-only operation for a quieter and more efficient drive. It achieves a fuel efficiency of 27.97 km per litre.

The exterior design features a prominent crystal acrylic grille, twin LED daytime running lamps, sculpted body lines and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin offers ventilated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat and an electronic parking brake. Technological enhancements include a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by 55 connected features through Toyota i-Connect. Additional amenities such as paddle shifters, wireless charging and an electronic rearview mirror contribute to everyday practicality.

Safety remains integral with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Hold Control, all-wheel disc brakes, a 360-degree camera and ISOFIX mounts. The ownership experience is supported by a comprehensive warranty package, including a three-year or 100,000-kilometre standard warranty, extendable up to five years or 220,000 kilometres, along with five years of roadside assistance. The hybrid battery is covered by an eight-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty. To further enhance accessibility, Toyota is offering benefits of up to INR 100,000, exchange bonuses and flexible payment schemes like Buy Now, Pay Later. Prices start at INR 1,094,000 (ex-showroom).

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced a ‘5-5-5’ ownership package for the MG Majestor, its entry into the D+ SUV segment. The programme aims to provide cost predictability and nationwide aftersales support for customers.

The package includes a five-year unlimited kilometres warranty, five years of roadside assistance with no mileage cap and five labour-free periodic services. The offering is standard for Majestor customers, designed to address maintenance costs and breakdown support during the initial years of ownership.

The MG Majestor is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm of torque. It features an 8-speed automatic transmission available in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations.

The SUV is equipped with differential Locks – triple locks for the front, rear and centre. An advanced 4WD system with 10 off-road modes. It features 219 mm of ground clearance with a water wading depth of 810 mm. Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Crawl Control Mode.

Customers can pre-reserve the MG Majestor for a fee of INR 41,000. Display vehicles and test drives are scheduled to arrive at dealerships in April 2026, with customer deliveries beginning in May 2026. The 5-5-5 programme benefits will be available to the first 3,000 customers who secure a booking at the pre-reserve price.

Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The MG Majestor has been created as an SUV that is rugged in its capability, refined in its comfort, and dependable in its engineering. For us, delivering a strong product was only one part of the commitment and ensuring complete peace-of-mind in ownership was equally important. With the 5-5-5 programme, we have built structured, long-term assurance into the proposition from day one. This reflects our customer-first philosophy and our confidence in the Majestor as a true full-size SUV engineered for Indian conditions and usage patterns.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched the new Hyundai Verna, featuring over 25 updates to its design, technology and safety systems at prices starting INR 1.09 million.

The sedan remains the longest and widest in its segment, with a wheelbase of 2,670 mm and a width of 1,765 mm.

The exterior receives a black chrome radiator grille, dual LED projector headlamps and 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Both front and rear bumpers have been redesigned for a more modern appearance.

Inside, the cabin features a D-cut steering wheel and leatherette upholstery. The dashboard houses a dual-display setup comprising a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch digital cluster.

It also gets 8-way electric driver seat with memory and 4-way electric passenger seat. Bose premium sound system with eight speakers. 528-litre boot space with a hands-free ‘Smart Trunk’ function. Rear window sunshades and a switchable controller for infotainment and climate settings.

The Verna is equipped with Hyundai Bluelink, offering 70 connected features such as remote lamp control and vehicle tracking. The vehicle supports over 350 voice commands and includes wireless smartphone integration.

The sedan is available with two petrol engine options:

• 1.5-litre MPi Petrol: Available with a 6-speed manual or Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
• 1.5-litre Turbo GDi Petrol: Produces 117.5 kW (160 PS) and 253 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

In terms of safety, it gets 7 airbags and Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 ADAS, which provides 20 autonomous features. Standard safety equipment includes 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Hill Start Assist Control (HAC).

Additional safety features include:

• Surround View Monitor: Provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle.
• Blind Spot View Monitor: Displays camera feeds in the digital cluster.
• Integrated Dashcam: First-in-segment factory-fitted recording device.
• Braking: All-wheel disc brakes and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “The new Hyundai Verna is more than a product upgrade, it is a statement. In a market that often shifts towards trends, we remain committed to engineering excellence and driving purity. The new Hyundai Verna represents the essence of what a true car should be - stable, safe, performance-driven and premium. The new Hyundai Verna is crafted for customers who seek refinement without compromise and performance without limits. With its bold design, advanced safety and exhilarating performance, the new Hyundai Verna strengthens Hyundai’s commitment to delivering world-class technology and unmatched value to Indian customers.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced the return of the BE 6 Batman Edition, a themed electric SUV developed in association with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. The decision to reopen bookings follows the initial launch, where 999 units were sold in 135 seconds.

The EV available at INR 2.84 million is based on the top-end Pack Three 79 kWh variant of the BE 6. This second release provides a window for customers who missed the previous allocation. Priority for deliveries will be granted to new bookings referred by existing owners of the original 999 units.

The BE 6 Batman Edition incorporates design motifs from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. The exterior features a satin black colour with alchemy gold accents on the suspension and brake callipers. It sits on R20 alloy wheels.

External features include:

• Badging: BE 6 × The Dark Knight rear badging and signature stickers on door cladding.
• Emblems: The Bat emblem is placed on hub caps, quarter panels, bumpers, and windows.
• Lighting: Carpet lamps projecting the Bat emblem.
• Roof: An Infinity Roof featuring trilogy-inspired graphics.

On the inside, it gets a brushed alchemy gold Batman Edition plaque and pinstripe graphics on the dashboard. Suede and leather seating with gold sepia stitching and embossed emblems upholstery. Emblems on the ‘Boost’ button and custom detailing on the steering wheel and key fob. A digital themed welcome animation on the infotainment system and custom exterior engine sounds.

For customers interested in purchasing the limited-edition model, Mahindra has outlined the specific schedule for the procurement process:

• 6 March 2026: "Add Your Preference" window opens on the official website.
• 10 March 2026: Bookings commence at 11:00 AM for a 24-hour period.
• 10 April 2026: Commencement of vehicle deliveries.

Mahindra stated that the reopening of bookings is a response to demand across social media platforms. The technical architecture remains identical to the high-performance BE 6 electric platform, utilising the 79 kWh battery system for range and power delivery.

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