Japanese auto major’s Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have decided to further strengthen collaboration in the supply of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) SUV model developed by Suzuki to Toyota.

The new model is scheduled to be manufactured at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India from the spring of 2025.

Both Suzuki and Toyota’s businesses have their roots in Enshu - the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture - and both companies took on the challenge of switching their businesses from looms to automobiles.

Since Suzuki’s Chairman (current Senior Advisor) Osamu Suzuki and Toyota’s President (current Chairman) Akio Toyoda started exploring business partnerships in 2016, both automakers have engaged in a wide-ranging collaboration. The fields of collaboration are diverse and include production and mutual supply of vehicles, and the spread of electrified vehicles. As a result, the market launch of collaboration vehicles has expanded to Japan, India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

This new development marks the first BEV in the OEM relationship between the two companies. It will be launched worldwide, providing a BEV choice even in the SUV market, which is showing remarkable growth.

With this new addition, both Suzuki and Toyota will further promote their respective initiatives toward realising a carbon-neutral society. The new model was designed exclusively as a BEV.

A nimble SUV with the sharp driving characteristics of a BEV, it is said to feature ample cruising range and a comfortable cabin. It is also available with a 4WD system, offering exceptional drivability on rough roads and a more powerful driving performance.

The BEV unit and platform adopted for this model were jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor Corporation, utilising each company’s strength.

Toshihiro Suzuki, President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “Suzuki will supply our first BEV to Toyota globally. I am grateful that the collaboration between the two companies has further deepened in this way. While continuing to be competitors, we will deepen our collaborations toward solving social issues, including the realisation of a carbon-neutral society through a multi-pathway approach.”

Koji Sato, President, Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “By leveraging the BEV unit and platform that we jointly developed, we will take a new step in our collaboration in the field of electrified vehicles. This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide. We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”

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The Indian passenger vehicle industry experienced its strongest festive season recently, driven by a combination of GST rate cuts and consumer demand, said a recent ICRA report.

In October 2025, passenger vehicle retail sales grew by 15 percent YoY. A sequential surge of 86 percent was observed as retail activity, deferred from the late-September Navratras, shifted into October.

Wholesale volumes also saw an uptick, increasing by 17 percent YoY and 24 percent sequentially to reach 460,000 units in October 2025, as OEMs boosted dispatches to dealers for the festive period.

Inventory levels with dealers reduced to 53-55 days by the end of October 2025, down from 60 days in September 2025, as reported by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA). This improvement was supported by a 21 percent YoY growth, with 800,000 units sold during the 42-day festive period.

Utility vehicles (UVs) continue to dominate the market, accounting for 66-67 percent of total industry volumes. However, the compact and super compact car segments showed signs of revival following the GST reductions.

Export volumes recorded a 12 percent YoY growth in October 2025. Maruti Suzuki India maintained its position as the top exporter, followed by Hyundai Motor India. For the first seven months of FY2026, export volumes expanded by 17 percent YoY, indicating a supply push from Indian OEMs in international markets.

Looking ahead, ICRA expects wholesale volume growth for the full fiscal year FY2026 to be in the range of 1-4  percent, supported by the demand momentum from GST rate cuts, continuous new model launches by OEMs and anticipated demand during the ongoing wedding season.

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Škoda Auto has rapidly reached a significant production milestone, having manufactured 100,000 units of its all-electric Elroq compact SUV since the start of the year. This achievement highlights the model's strong market reception. The landmark vehicle, an Elroq vRS finished in Hyper Green, represents the pioneering embodiment of the brand's new ‘Modern Solid’ design language. Its manufacturing process is a key part of its success; the Elroq is built on a flexible production line that also assembles the Enyaq and the Octavia. This innovative approach allows Škoda to seamlessly produce both electric and combustion-engine vehicles side-by-side, providing the agility to respond dynamically to customer demand.

The Elroq's popularity is clearly demonstrated by its sales performance. In the first three quarters of 2025, it ranked as the second best-selling battery-electric vehicle in Europe, while its sibling, the Enyaq, secured sixth place. This success extends across the continent, with the Elroq becoming the top-selling BEV in the Czech Republic, Denmark and Slovakia, and ranking among the top three in Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. In Škoda's largest single market, Germany, the model was the best-selling electric vehicle in October and also led the European BEV market overall in April, July and October of the same year.

Beyond commercial success, the Elroq has garnered substantial critical acclaim, winning several prestigious international awards. These include the Red Dot Design Award and the title of 'German Car of the Year 2026'. A jury of forty automotive journalists selected the Elroq for this honour, praising it particularly for its quality, environmental characteristics, and outstanding price-to-performance ratio. This combination of high production volume, leading sales figures and expert endorsement solidifies the Elroq's position as a cornerstone of Škoda's electric vehicle strategy.

Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “Producing 100,000 Elroqs in under a year of series production is a major achievement for the whole team. It also reflects rigorous preparation and targeted adaptations to our production processes. From the outset, we’ve fully leveraged the flexibility to build battery-electric and ICE vehicles on the same line. The result is clear: the tremendous response from customers highlights the excellent manufacturing quality of cars ‘made in Mladá Boleslav’.”

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported that its flagship electric roadster – the MG Cyberster, touted as the world's fastest MG and India's highest-selling sports car has gone home to over 350 customers since its launch in July 2025.

The model sold under the brand's luxury retail channel, MG SELECT, is priced at INR 7.49 million and is now seeing a waiting period of four to five months for new customers.

Milind Shah, Head - MG SELECT, said, “The phenomenal response to the Cyberster from sportscar enthusiasts has been extraordinary, particularly due to its striking design language and innovative features - including the iconic electric scissor doors and impressive acceleration from 0-100 in just 3.2 seconds. This remarkable success underscores that today's buyers are seeking high-performance sports cars that combine sustainable luxury with cutting-edge engineering. We have built a healthy order book and are efficiently working to cater to the current demand and upcoming bookings. From sports champions to movie stars, the Cyberster continues to capture the imagination of new India and its aspirations, drawing the attention of people from different walks of life. Beyond the vehicle itself, we are also creating immersive, curated experiences exclusively for our customers - ensuring that the MG SELECT ownership journey extends far beyond the drive."

The MG Cyberster draws on the heritage of the MGB Roadster. Powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup it delivers 510 PS and 725 Nm of torque. A claimed acceleration from zero to 100 kmph in 3.2 seconds. It features electric scissor doors, soft-top roof and a low drag coefficient. In terms of braking power, it gets Brembo 4-piston front brake callipers stop the car from 100 kmph in 33 metres. It sports 20-inch staggered alloy wheels paired with Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

The company said that the combined success of the MG Cyberster and the MG M9 Presidential Limousine has established JSW MG Motor India as the second-largest brand in the Indian luxury EV segment.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has launched the all-new Tata Sierra at introductory prices starting INR 1.14 million. The iconic SUV has been introduced in a new avatar as 'Premium' offering in the mid-size segment.

Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “With the new Sierra, we are setting a new benchmark for what Indian mobility can be. The Tata Sierra stands as a testament to our belief that customers deserve more than the ordinary: they deserve innovation that inspires, design that resonates emotionally, and a premium experience that elevates every journey. This legend returns to inspire pride, express individuality and embrace progress, while enjoying the highest standards of comfort, technology, and safety. The Sierra is our commitment to lead, to challenge conventions, and to deliver an icon that truly moves India forward with purpose and distinction."

Sierra first debuted as a premium SUV offering in the country in 1991. The new model carries forward its identity while updating design, technology, capability and craftsmanship. The new Sierra aims to elevate the mid-size SUV segment by enriching space, comfort, safety and daily usability.

The SUV has already received the Red Dot Design Award and is available with three powertrain options across six versions:

• 1.5-litre direct injection petrol (Hyperion)
• 1.5-litre Revotron petrol
• 1.5-litre Kryojet diesel

The new Sierra has a monocoque design and five doors, unlike the original, which had three. It measures under 4.4 metres in length. In terms of safety, the Sierra gets over 20 ADAS 2+ features, including the ability to read speed signs and inform the driver. Six airbags and a sealed fuel system are standard.

On the inside, it gets tonnes of tech, including a triple screen display system laced with Dolby Atmos audio. Depending on the trim, Nippon-Desay and Harman (JBL) audio systems are available.

The design highlights include the slimmest headlamps in its category, a pillarless design past the B-pillar and a substantial glasshouse. The interior uses soft materials to create a living room feel and draws inspiration from contemporary Indian art. The SUV also offers water wading ability and good approach and departure angles.

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