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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Universo Ferrari India has concluded its two-week exhibition at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, recording more than 22,000 visitors. The event showcased the automaker's heritage, motorsport involvement, engineering and future product strategy to clients, industry partners and students.

The display featured a range of road cars, including the Ferrari F80, 849 Testarossa Spider, 12Cilindri Spider, Amalfi Spider, Daytona SP3, and F50. Motorsport exhibits included the Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 Formula 1 car, the 499P hypercar, the 296 GT3, and the 296 Challenge. The exhibition also featured Ferrari Luce, the brand's first electric car, alongside heritage models such as the 365 GTB4 and the 612 Scaglietti from the 2008 Magic India Discovery tour, while the Ferrari Hypersail made its debut in Asia. During the event, Ferrari conducted seminars for approximately 1,000 students and held a charity auction supporting Bal Raksha Bharat to assist educational programs.

The event was preceded by a drive featuring 25 Ferraris travelling 1,800 kilometres from Mumbai to New Delhi via Vadodara, Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra.

Ferrari also announced Avelon Luxe as its India-based partner for the Ferrari Hypercar and Ferrari Challenge Middle East series. To support its growth in the market, Ferrari plans to expand its retail footprint in India by opening two new dealerships in Chennai and Ahmedabad by the end of 2026.

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Volkswagen is gearing up to launch the New Virtus, a refreshed take on a sedan that has won over discerning buyers since its June 2022 debut. The model earned its standing as the segment's most loved premium sedan through distinctive styling, German engineering credentials, engaging driving dynamics, a premium experience and a strong safety focus. The new version carries those traits forward while introducing a fresh visual identity.

Beyond transportation, the Virtus holds meaning for Volkswagen customers as a symbol of pride, aspiration and individuality, blending premium ownership with driving thrill. Its road presence, performance and German engineering have made it a source of owner satisfaction. The refreshed styling, drawing on triangular geometry, sharpens the sedan's already distinctive look with greater definition and a contemporary edge.

The New Virtus keeps celebrating the joy of driving while remaining faithful to the attributes that built its following. By extending that legacy, Volkswagen aims to preserve what made the sedan a segment favourite while adding a new dimension to its established character.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said, “We are excited to introduce the New Virtus to the Indian market. The Virtus has built a strong connect with its discerning set of customers and has clearly established a leading position in its segment as a stylish, sophisticated and performance-oriented sedan offering great driving pleasure. With this facelift, we are building on a much-loved product, bringing a fresh and contemporary character while retaining the qualities that make the Virtus special. We look forward to continuing to bring the joy of driving to our customers with the New Virtus.”

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Renault India has commenced customer deliveries of the Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160, with the initial key handover taking place at its newly inaugurated new'R store in HITEC City, Hyderabad.

The delivery of the first unit was completed by Francisco Hidalgo, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Renault Group India, to T Krishna Gopal, Chief Executive Officer of Eduzi Academy.

The new'R store in HITEC City covers 7,000 square feet with space to display eight vehicles, making it Renault’s largest showroom facility in Hyderabad and its 30th upgraded new'R store nationwide.

The facility is operated in partnership with the VVC Group, which manages three Renault showrooms and two service workshops in the region.

Renault India plans to transition all 73 of its showrooms across 24 major Indian cities to the new'R format by July 2027, with 30 locations converted to date. The Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 was launched in India on 17 October 2026, at a starting price of ₹16.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Renault Group India, said, "During our planning phase, we set ourselves an ambitious target: to bring the Duster Hybrid to customers in less than a year, in time for the festive season. We are proud to have delivered on that promise, and we begin handing over the Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 to our customers around Diwali. The strong response since launch reflects growing acceptance of hybrid technology in India. Our commitment, however, goes beyond the product. Hyderabad is an important market for us, and with the new'R store we are building a best-in-class buying and ownership journey, so that every customer enjoys the same standard of experience at the showroom and in service as they do behind the wheel."

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Maruti Suzuki India has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Transport Department, Government of Telangana, to set up 12 Automated Driving Test Tracks across six locations under its corporate social responsibility initiative. The tracks will be established at Ibrahimpatnam, Karimnagar, Kondapur, Medchal, Nagole and Uppal.

The facilities will evaluate applicants for two-wheeler, light motor vehicle and heavy motor vehicle driving licences, with heavy motor vehicle testing available at the Nagole and Karimnagar locations.

The tracks will feature high-definition cameras, RFID sensors, analytics software and an integrated IT system to automate testing in accordance with Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

With this agreement, Maruti Suzuki India's operational network of automated test tracks expands to 98 locations across nine states and two union territories. The company has also established eight Institutes of Driving and Traffic Research and 19 Road Safety Knowledge Centres in collaboration with state governments, evaluating over 5.5 million individuals.

K Ilambarithi, Transport Commissioner for the Government, Telangana, said, "Road safety remains a key priority for Telangana. Through technology, stronger enforcement, and improved driver testing, we are working to build safer roads. We welcome car market leader Maruti Suzuki’s partnership in establishing 12 Automated Driving Test Tracks across 6 locations in the state. These tracks will make driving tests more transparent and efficient, while ensuring that only competent and qualified applicants are awarded driving licenses."

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer of Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Driver skill is key to ensuring road safety. ADTTs bring fairness and transparency, to the licensing process by eliminating human bias. ADTTs will ensure rigorous driver evaluation and promote disciplined driving practices, vital to enhance road safety. Our partnership with the Government of Telangana to deploy Automated Driving Test Tracks is an important step in this direction. We are pleased to contribute to Telangana’s road-safety journey and look forward to deepening this collaboration in the future."

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