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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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its new Seltos SUV has secured a five-star safety rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). The vehicle achieved a combined score of 76.70, the highest recorded for an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle tested by the agency to date.

The assessment resulted in a score of 31.70 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45.00 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP). These figures represent the highest AOP score for an ICE vehicle under the BNCAP protocol.

The SUV is built on the K3 platform, which utilises reinforced hot-stamped components and high-strength steel. This architecture is engineered for crash energy management by absorbing and distributing impact forces during a collision.

The Seltos incorporates a range of active and passive safety technologies. Its Standard Safety Pack includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) as standard across all variants.

It gets ADAS Level 2, which includes a suite of 21 autonomous features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. The Seltos SUV also features a 360-degree surround camera, Blind View Monitor and side parking sensors to improve situational awareness.

The BNCAP certificate was presented to Kia India by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. The Seltos is the second Kia model to achieve this rating, following the Kia Syros.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Safety is an integral part of Kia’s product philosophy as we continue our journey towards becoming one of the most trusted mobility brands in India. The All-New Kia Seltos achieving a 5-star rating, along with the highest-ever Adult Occupant Protection score across ICE vehicles under BNCAP, across ICE vehicles under BNCAP, with one of the strongest Child Occupant Protection scores recorded to date, has emerged as the highest-scoring ICE vehicle overall under BNCAP. This is a strong validation of our engineering capabilities and intent where every aspect of the vehicle, from its structure to its advanced safety technologies, has been developed with occupant protection at its core, making it a strong choice as a family SUV. This milestone sets a new benchmark for safety and reflects our commitment to bringing globally benchmarked safety standards to customers in India.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its new Venue and Venue N Line SUVs have received a 5-star safety rating from the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). The rating applies to both adult and child occupant protection, with the vehicles scoring 31.147 in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP).

The Venue is built on the Global K1 enhanced platform. Its body structure utilises 71 percent high-strength steel, including ultra-high-strength and hot-stamped steel, to improve crash protection.

As standard, it gets 33 safety features across all variants, including six airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seats and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The SUV is equipped with four-disc brakes, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and an electric parking brake with auto hold. It also gets a Surround View Monitor (SVM), a Blind View Monitor (BVM) and a Highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The models feature Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 ADAS, providing a suite of 21 intelligent features. This technology uses sensors and cameras to assist with collision avoidance, lane maintenance, and driver awareness.

The BNCAP certificate was presented by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, to Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO of Hyundai Motor India. Since its launch, the new Venue has recorded over 100,000 bookings in the Indian market.

Nitin Gadkari, said, “Congratulations to Hyundai Motor India Limited on achieving 5‑Star Bharat NCAP safety rating for both adult and child occupant for their recently launched Hyundai Venue and Venue N Line. This achievement reflects Hyundai’s strong commitment to enhancing vehicle safety in line with Indian road conditions and evolving customer expectations, while making advanced safety technologies more accessible to a broader segment of the market.”

Tarun Garg, stated, “We are extremely proud that the all-new Hyundai Venue and Venue N Line have secured 5‑Star safety rating under Bharat NCAP testing, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to offer world‑class products to our customers. This achievement further strengthens our commitment to making advanced safety technologies accessible to a wider set of customers in India.”

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Automotive major Stellantis has announced the formation of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council, a forum intended to increase collaboration between the carmaker and its supply chain. The council brings together senior Stellantis leadership and 26 supplier partners representing various automotive technologies and commodities.

The council will convene for three sessions during 2026, with each meeting lasting 1.5 days. The initiative includes participation from major European supplier associations, ANFIA and FIEV, to provide a collective voice for the regional supply base.

The Council's primary functions include:

• Operational Efficiency: Identifying bottlenecks and improvement opportunities across the value chain.
• Strategic Workstreams: Establishing joint Stellantis-supplier groups focused on production planning, cost competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Innovation Readiness: Accelerating the deployment of new technologies and ensuring launch readiness for future vehicle programmes.
• Regulatory Alignment: Addressing European Union regulatory requirements and geopolitical instability.

The council is designed to modernise supplier partnerships amid technological shifts and market volatility. By co-leading workstreams, Stellantis and its partners aim to align performance expectations and enhance the resilience of the European manufacturing and R&D platforms.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO, Stellantis Europe, said, “The launch of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council represents an important milestone in our journey to strengthen the region’s industrial performance. Today, more than ever, our success depends on deep collaboration with our supplier partners. By creating a shared forum where we openly discuss challenges and opportunities, we are building the foundation for faster execution, stronger competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Europe.”

Stephane Dubs, SVP of Purchasing and Supplier Quality for Stellantis Europe, added, “Our suppliers are essential contributors to Stellantis’ transformation. This new Council allows us to work side-by-side, with transparency and respect, to co-create solutions that benefit both sides. Together, we will address the critical issues shaping our industry—whether in quality, launch readiness, cost competitiveness, innovation, or supply chain resilience—and turn them into strategic advantages for our entire ecosystem.”

Jean-Louis Pech, President, FIEV, commented, “FIEV welcomes the opportunity to join Stellantis Supplier Advisory Council, which represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen our relationship and enrich the dialogue with suppliers. This participation will enable us to represent, with ANFIA, the collective voice of suppliers and actively contribute to the Council’s work.”

Marco Stella, President, ANFIA Components Group and Vice-President of ANFIA, stated, “Now more than ever, it is essential to invest in a fruitful partnership between Stellantis and the supply chain ecosystem, caught between European market weakness, geopolitical instability and fierceful competition, also to face united and together EU regulatory challenges and support EU manufacturing and R&D platforms.”

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Spinny, an Indian full-stack used car platform, has announced that it recorded a threefold increase in vehicle deliveries on Gudi Padwa compared to standard operating days. The surge indicates a trend of consumers aligning automotive purchases with festive milestones.

The festive period saw a 50 percent increase in footfall across Spinny Car Hubs in the days leading up to the holiday. Its data suggests that 86 percent of customers experienced a standard delivery process despite the heightened activity.

Regional demand was concentrated in western and southern India:

• Maharashtra: Pune and Mumbai recorded over six times their average daily delivery volumes, with each city serving more than 100 customers in a single day.
• Geographic Contribution: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka collectively accounted for 70 percent of total deliveries on the day.

In terms of demand trends, Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki India were the most preferred auto brands, while Hyundai Grand i10 was the most purchased vehicle. White remained the most popular exterior colour across all markets. It saw 53 percent of buyers utilised credit solutions to fund their purchases, reflecting a shift towards structured ownership.

Hanish Yadav, Senior Vice-President, Spinny, said, “Gudi Padwa holds deep cultural significance as a time of renewal and new beginnings. We are witnessing more customers align their car-buying journeys with such meaningful occasions. The strong surge in deliveries and increased engagement across our hubs reflects both evolving consumer intent and the trust placed in Spinny. Our focus remains on ensuring a transparent, reliable, and high-quality experience - regardless of demand cycles.”

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