Skoda Auto India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has taken the wraps of the all-new Skoda Kylaq, the company’s third model developed locally for the Indian market. With prices starting at INR 789,000, this is the most affordable Skoda car currently available in the market.

This also marks the Czech brand’s first model in the popular sub-4-metre segment, which at present accounts for nearly 50 percent of sales in the Indian car market. The Kylaq C-SUV is the first model in India to feature Skoda’s new Modern Solid design language.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, “The Skoda Kylaq is our first sub-4-metre SUV, designed in India and for India as a new entry point to our brand. India is key to our internationalisation plans, the world’s third-largest car market, and SUVs make up 50 percent of new vehicle sales. We want the Kylaq to welcome new customers who are looking in this popular and fast-growing segment. Adding to its appeal, the Kylaq marks the debut in India of our Modern Solid design language, with new visual accents.”

The Kylaq features 189mm of ground clearance, is 3,995mm long, 1,783mm wide and is 1,619mm tall with a 2,566mm wheelbase.

The 1.0 TSI engine produces 178Nm of torque and delivers 85 kW of power. The compact SUV can be had with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It has a claimed top speed of 188kmph and can go from zero to 100kph in 10.5 seconds.

Johannes Neft, Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development, said, “The Skoda Kylaq is our third offering based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, developed by our teams in India with comprehensive support by our colleagues in the Czech Republic for Indian customers. From the outset, this platform was designed to accommodate a sub-4-metre car like the Kylaq. This SUV is built on four key pillars: comfort, quality, global design language, and safety. That’s why the Kylaq has been rigorously tested across varied terrains, altitudes, and weather conditions. It will lead our presence in India’s fastest-growing and most competitive segment.”

The Kylaq gets over 25 active and passive safety features as standard including six airbags, multi-collision brake, roll over protection, motor slip regulation, electronic differential lock, XDS+, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, and electronic stability control, among others. Select variants come equipped with over 35 safety features, such as cornering lights, automatic headlights and wipers, Hill Hold Control, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

In terms of space, the five-seater compact SUV has 446 litres of storage, which can be expanded to 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded.

On the inside, it features 10.1-inch infotainment display, which gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with wireless charging support. The driver also gets a 8-inch digital cockpit that provides plenty of information.

Skoda India claims that the Kylaq has been tested for more than 800,000km of Indian terrain, including altitude test, temperature test and rigorous weather and water testing.

Piyush Arora, MD and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Today is another important milestone in our India journey with the World Premiere of the Skoda Kylaq. Kylaq has generated tremendous excitement and buzz through 2024. And I’m extremely proud to unveil the Skoda Kylaq to India and to the world. With its high levels of localisation, unmatched driving dynamics and uncompromising safety, Kylaq will make a significant impact in the market.”

Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Design, said, “With the new Kylaq, our Skoda Design team has preserved and re-interpreted key Skoda design elements, combining them with new ideas and visual accents. It is one of the hallmarks of our new Modern Solid design language, ushering in a new era for design in a car that ushers in a New Era for us in India. Modern solid stands for solidity, functionality and authenticity while conveying a sense of safety and strength. The Skoda Kylaq, with its distinctive shape, minimalist and clean looks and functional features like a high ground clearance is a perfect embodiment of our new design approach to customers in India.”

Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, shared, “The Kylaq has literally hit the ground running and is going to be powering our growth in India over the next few years. It is the beginning of a new era for us in India. We are aware we are entering what is currently the most competitive segment in India. And are confident the Kylaq has what it takes to make an impact with its safety and driving dynamics. Moreover, the Kylaq boasts some segment-leading features like a six-way front electric seat adjustment with seat ventilation, and a class-leading 446 litres of boot space. The Kylaq continues with our India-focussed product line-up following the Kushaq and Slavia and will further our goal of entering newer markets and bringing new customers into the Skoda family. We believe we have stuck to our promise of accessible pricing of the Kylaq and look forward to ensure it democratises European technology in India. It is a compact car but is larger than life. And that’s the reason we premiere it via a motion picture premiere like never before.”

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China’s SAIC Motor-owned British marquee brand MG has showcased two concept vehicles, the MG GO! and the MG Cyber Concept, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026. The concepts represent the company’s focus on blending its history with electric vehicle technology.

The MG GO! is a B-segment electric hatchback, providing a preview of a production model scheduled for 2027. Designed by the MG Design Centre in London, the concept draws inspiration from the brand’s mid-20th-century models, such as the MGB GT.

Carl Gotham, Design Director of Advanced Design, said, "With MG GO!, we wanted to create something compact and contemporary, but also warm, expressive and immediately likeable, an embodiment of all that we admire about the MG brand. It is not about looking back for its own sake, but about capturing some of the clarity, charm and emotional appeal that have always made MG so distinctive, and reinterpreting that in a way that feels relevant today and crucially creating something with strong charisma.”

On the other hand, the MG Cyber Concept is a D-segment electric performance SUV. It is intended to combine the utility of a larger vehicle with the driving dynamics associated with sports cars. The design was influenced by the EX181 land speed record vehicle.

Jozef Kaban, Vice-President of Global Design, MG, said, “Great design begins with people, not products. Technology and innovation are essential, but they can be shared. Character cannot. The future of automotive design is about creating cars with a strong identity that people instantly recognise and emotionally connect with. Great design should spark curiosity, excitement and desire. It should make people stop, smile and want to discover more. Our MG concepts express this vision for the future of the brand. Because great design is never just about the car. It’s about people, their experiences and their dreams. Our role is to inspire them and create products that enrich their journey through life.”

Alongside the concepts, MG presented a ‘Future Motion Show’ to demonstrate its work in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and connectivity.

The company also displayed six production vehicles currently in its range:

• MGS9 PHEV: A seven-seat SUV.
• MG4 EV Urban: A hatchback.
• MG HS Plug-in Hybrid.
• MG IM5: A saloon.
• MG ZS Hybrid+.
• MG Cyberster: An electric roadster.

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Nissan Motor India has unveiled its latest product offering for the Indian and the global market the Tekton, C-segment SUV, which will compete with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

The Tekton is based on the recently introduced Renault Duster SUV and has also incorporated design cues from its popular Patrol SUV. Manufactured at Renault’s Chennai plant, it is designed for both domestic sales and export to markets including the Middle East and Africa.

The SUV features a turbocharged engine lineup, consisting of the Turbo T160 and Turbo T280 options. The T280 provides 163PS of power and 280Nm of torque, available with a 6-speed wet clutch DCT or a 6-speed manual transmission. The SUV offers a ground clearance of 212 mm and 700 litres of boot space.

On the inside, the Tekton features a dual-screen setup comprising a 25.65 cm infotainment system with Google built-in and a 26.03 cm digital cockpit. Connectivity features include navigation via Google Maps, voice assistance through Google Assistant and access to applications via Google Play.

In terms of safety the Tekton comes with 6 airbags as standard, a high-strength steel frame and a suite of 17 driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

Guillaume Cartier, Chief Performance Officer, Nissan, said, "We are building a stronger and more competitive Nissan in India. As we continue to strengthen our SUV-led portfolio and sharpen our market focus, the World Premiere of the all-new Nissan Tekton reflects our ambition to combine global product strength with deep local relevance. Tekton is a clear expression of how Nissan is transforming with purpose - towards a more competitive, future-ready portfolio."

Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson, AMIEO Region, Nissan, said, "India is powering Nissan's growth across markets and regions. Tekton is a strong example of our 'One Car, One World' approach - a global product engineered through India, manufactured for Indian customers and developed for export markets across the region. It strengthens India's role as a growth engine and SUV production hub for Nissan."

Thierry Sabbagh, DVP - President, Middle East, KSA, India, CIS - Nissan and INFINITI, said, "Tekton is a strong signal of our capability, bringing global SUV excellence to India. Following the launch of the all-new Gravite, the World Premiere of the all-new Nissan Tekton accelerates our resurgence journey and strengthens our SUV portfolio in India. Tekton combines bold design, premium features, advanced technology and strong SUV character in a way that aligns with evolving customer expectations."

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, "Nissan's resurgence in India is taking formidable shape, driven by a sharper product focus, network expansion and a deeper understanding of what Indian customers truly value. Tekton is the flagship proof point of Nissan's India resurgence. It has been crafted to deliver commanding presence, unmistakable luxury, intelligent technology, confident performance and everyday practicality in a package that is made in India and ready for the world."

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Ford Motor Company has opened an 800-seat Global Capability Centre in Coimbatore. It is part of the automaker’s strategy to expands its India operations. The company sold its Sanand plant to Tata Motors but has retained its Chennai plant, which is indicative of the fact that it is still interested in the Indian market.
The Global Capability Centre commissioned at Coimbatore is third centre by the company of its kind. It follows centres in Chennai and Bengaluru. The 82,000 sq ft facility at Coimbatore will mainly support accounting, Ford Credit and other business operations, while also serving as a business continuity hub for the company's Chennai GCC.
“We earlier operated a centre in Coimbatore, which we closed during the COVID pandemic. We have had positive experience with the local talent pool here especially in terms of quality and the range of talent across commercial, operational and engineering operations,” said Gangapriya Chakraverti, India Site Head and Managing Director, Ford Business Solutions. “Ford's biggest talent demand in India continues to be in software engineering, data science and data analytics, alongside the company's growing investments in AI,” she added.

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced a leadership change within its sales, marketing and digital division. Jan Bures, who currently serves as Executive Director of Sales, Marketing, and Digital, will conclude his assignment in India and move to a new role at Volkswagen, effective September 2026.

Following the departure of Bures, Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, will take on the additional responsibility of Executive Director of Sales & Marketing for the group in India.

The company stated that this structure is intended to improve strategic alignment, decision-making and accountability across the organisation.

At present, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India operates six brands: Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.

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