Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Starts Kylaq Production At Chakan Plant
- By MT Bureau
- December 14, 2024
L-R: Piyush Arora, MD & CEO of SAVWIPL and Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production & Logistics at Skoda Auto at the official Start of Production (SoP) ceremony for the Skoda Kylaq.
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has begun local production of the Skoda Kylaq compact SUV at its Chakan facility in Pune.
The Skoda Kylaq is the company’s fifth model on the MQB-A0-IN platform and is the most affordable model in its portfolio. Powered by Skoda's 1.0-litre TSI engine that produces 115bhp and 178Nm the Skoda Kylaq can be had in either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT torque converter. The SUV can accelerate from zero to 100kmph in 10.5 seconds and attain a claimed top speed of 188kmph. It is launched at starting price of INR 789,000. The Czech carmaker stated it has expanded its local supplier base by 10 percent that will help bring down the cost of ownership and also enable faster turnaround time.
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “We’re thrilled to begin production of Skoda Auto India’s first sub-4-meter SUV. Congratulations to the entire team on the successful start of production. Kylaq is engineered and developed in India to cater to the evolving requirements of Indian customers. By manufacturing Kylaq locally, we proudly support the Make-in-India initiative, maintaining Group’s DNA of delivering safety, comfort and driving dynamics.”
Furthermore, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has increased production at its Chakan facility by 30 percent, which now can produce 255,000 vehicles per year.
Andreas Dick, Member of the Board of Management of Skoda Auto for Production and Logistics, said, “The successful start of production for Skoda Kylaq reflects the incredible teamwork and collaboration between our teams in India and the Czech Republic. Every detail has been meticulously planned and executed, from design to the implementation of advanced manufacturing processes, ensuring we meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. These efforts have created the ideal prerequisites for Kylaq to become a cornerstone of our success in India, setting new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment and strengthening our commitment to this dynamic market.”
PPS Motors Inaugurates New Mahindra Dealership In Pune's Camp Area
- By MT Bureau
- July 15, 2026
PPS Motors has inaugurated a new Mahindra touchpoint in Pune, further solidifying its presence within Maharashtra as part of a broader strategy to enhance customer accessibility and service quality. The facility was officially opened in the presence of senior officials from Mahindra & Mahindra, including Aman Malik, National Sales Head; Gaurav Beohar, Zonal Sales Head (West); Prabhakar Jakkan, Regional Sales Manager; Pakshal Shah, Chief of Staff, PPS Group, marking a significant collaboration between the two organisations.
Located strategically on East Street in Camp, the newly established 3,600 sft showroom is engineered to offer a premium and immersive customer journey. The space can accommodate up to five vehicles simultaneously, displaying Mahindra’s full range of passenger vehicles, which includes both internal combustion engine and electric options. Every aspect of the dealership, from its modern colour scheme and dynamic lighting to its intuitive technology, has been meticulously crafted to reflect progressive design and refined elegance, allowing visitors to explore breakthrough innovations such as the INGLO Electric Origin architecture and the advanced MAIA automotive mind.
This launch significantly bolsters PPS Motors’ extensive network, as the group now operates 149 Mahindra touchpoints across six states, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Camp location represents the eighth Mahindra facility in Pune, comprising seven showrooms and one workshop. Within just two years of commencing local operations, PPS-Mahindra has sold over 6,200 vehicles in the Pune region, and the group achieved approximately 41,500 Mahindra vehicle sales nationwide in FY 2026, cementing its status as the manufacturer’s largest sales and after-sales partner in India.
The expansion arrives amid robust regional automotive growth, with Pune’s passenger vehicle registrations rising to 74,814 units in 2025. Furthermore, Maharashtra has maintained its dominance in the electric vehicle sector, recording retail sales of 34,139 e-PVs in FY 2026, a remarkable 100 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, underscoring the growing consumer appetite for both conventional and electric mobility solutions in the state.
Rajiv Sanghvi, Dealer Principal, PPS Group, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate our 149th Mahindra touchpoint at the prestigious Camp location in Pune. This expansion reinforces our nearly seven-decade partnership with Mahindra, built on trust, shared growth and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction while further strengthening our position as its largest dealership partner in India, with around 41,500 vehicle sales in FY2026. With Mahindra’s future-ready products, customer-focused approach coupled with our deep understanding of the customer needs, we together endeavour to provide best-in-class ownership experience for our customers.”
Maruti Suzuki Commences Bookings For New Brezza C-SUV
- By MT Bureau
- July 14, 2026
Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has opened bookings for the 2026 Brezza, which is set to be launched on 24 July 2026.
The SUV can be reserved at Maruti Suzuki ARENA showrooms or via the company website for an amount of INR 11,000. Since its launch in 2016, the company has sold over 1.4 million units of the Brezza.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Brezza's extraordinary journey since its introduction in 2016 has made it India’s highest selling compact SUV. In 10 Years, Brezza has won the trust of over 1.4 million customers which is a testament of its product supremacy and segment domination. In 2026, The new Brezza will represent a perfect synthesis of customer’s love and unlock a new dimension of excitement. We invite customers to book the new Brezza today and be among the first to experience it."
Kia Carens Sales Crosses 300,000 Units Milestone in India
- By MT Bureau
- July 14, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that the Carens SUV family has reached a cumulative sales milestone of 300,000 units, which includes the Carens, Carens Clavis and the Carens Clavis EV.
At present, the Carens lineup sales consist of 60 percent petrol, 30 percent diesel and 10 percent electric. The Carens Clavis EV is available with two battery capacities: a 51.4 kWh option providing a 490 km range and a 42 kWh option with a 404 km range. The EV features fast charging, capable of reaching 80 percent charge from 10 percent in 39 minutes, and is powered by motors delivering 255 Nm of torque.
Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “The 300,000-unit milestone for the Carens underscores its position as a segment leader and a true gamechanger in the MPV space. This achievement is a direct result of our product-led strategy, our sharp understanding of customer needs, and our unwavering focus on quality. It strengthens our conviction that the Carens is the benchmark for its class, and we are energized to build on this momentum as we accelerate our growth journey."
Furthermore, for Carens the top trim levels account for 18 percent of total sales.
- Toyota Kirloskar Motor
- TKM
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- CSR
- Bannerghatta Biological Park
- A V Surya Sen
- B Padmanabha
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Completes Ecological Restoration At Bannerghatta Biological Park
- By MT Bureau
- July 14, 2026
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has handed over a 10-hectare ecological restoration project in the Herbivore Safari Zone of Bannerghatta Biological Park to the Zoo Authority of Karnataka. The initiative is part of the company's ‘Harmony with Nature – Green Wave’ projects and its commitment to biodiversity and sustainability.
The restoration involved weed removal and the planting of native saplings to improve habitat quality and forage availability. Protective measures include solar fencing, which will remain around the area for two years to prevent grazing on the new plantings. The project also includes a borewell equipped with a solar-powered pumping system to provide water during dry seasons.
A V Surya Sen, Executive Director of Bannerghatta Biological Park, said, “Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in strengthening conservation efforts across Karnataka. This initiative by Toyota Kirloskar Motor demonstrates how the industry can actively contribute to restoring ecosystems and enhancing wildlife habitats. The integration of renewable energy solutions further reflects a responsible and sustainable approach to environmental stewardship.”
B Padmanabha, Executive Vice-President & Director, Manufacturing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At TKM, we believe that biodiversity conservation is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. This project reflects our commitment to the Harmony with Nature initiative under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. By implementing scientific weed management, native afforestation, protective measures for young plantations, and renewable-energy-powered infrastructure, we seek to restore ecological balance and foster a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem.”

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