Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co has appointed Takashi Nakajima as the new President and CEO of Honda Cars India (HCIL) effective 1 April 2025.

He will succeed Takuya Tsumura, who is set to move to Japan at Honda head office after completing his India tenure.

The carmaker shared that Tsumura played a key role in strengthening Honda Cars India’s brand positioning in the country, along with driving profitability and customer centric solutions. He played a key role in introducing new models including the Honda City e:HEV, Honda Elevate SUV, 3rd Gen Amaze.

Tsumura is also credited for laying a strong foundation for future model launches including Honda’s first electric vehicle for India.

On the other hand, Nakajima joined Honda in 1994 and has been associated with Honda Motor Co. for more than three decades. He comes with vast experience working in several international markets such as Japan, China, Spain, Czech Republic and Russia. He has held different roles across Business Planning, Product Planning, Marketing and Sales Promotion. He last severed as the President of Honda Motor Russia since 2021.

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Dubai-based M Monogram Atelier has completed the first G 3.0 Iconic, a bespoke project based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class that combines redesigned bodywork with an extensively customised interior. The vehicle is the first example of a planned worldwide series of 50 units and is currently available for sale.

The project focuses on reworking the G-Class's exterior proportions and bringing together individual design elements across the bodywork and cabin. The exterior features widened and lengthened bodywork, pronounced wheel-arch extensions, sculpted side steps and enlarged door hinges. A fine contrasting line runs along the body, visually connecting the front and rear sections.

The design draws inspiration from the expressive character of 1930s motoring, while the oversized front grille takes separate cues from automotive styling of the 1960s. M Monogram Atelier has used contrasting gloss-black upper surfaces and satin-black lower panels to emphasise the revised body contours. The side steps also feature a contrasting edge running between the wheel arches, while decorative side gills carry the atelier's emblem.

The front bumper incorporates three-pointed light modules that also house the turn indicators. The front splitter, rear diffuser and roof spoiler follow a consistent design approach, while two strobe-light sections are positioned at the outer edges of the front roofline. Completing the exterior are six-spoke sculpted wheels featuring M Monogram centre caps.

Inside, the G 3.0 Iconic adopts a Cognac Heritage colour scheme, combining warm cognac-coloured Nappa leather with black accents. The treatment extends across the seating, interior trim and luggage compartment creating a consistent finish throughout the cabin.

The rear seating features sculpted surfaces, vertical contours and detailed stitching. Individual tray tables with integrated cup holders have been incorporated for rear passengers, while an analogue clock with a circular dial adds a traditional design element to the dashboard.

Further detailing includes a combination of perforated leather and weave-textured inserts along with leather door pulls. The leather headliner features a pattern of stylised stars, accompanied by the Iconic inscription.

The same cognac finish continues into the luggage compartment through matching side panels and a luggage cover. On the rear door, a weave-textured insert surrounds a central panel bearing the M Monogram emblem. The project name and individual vehicle number are also incorporated into the interior.

M Monogram Atelier is offering three decorative treatments for the project: Black, Silver and Gold. These provide different combinations of finishes for elements such as the grille, wheels and exterior accents. Customers can also select individual colours, finishes and decorative details with the final specification agreed for each vehicle.

With the first example completed, the G 3.0 Iconic marks the beginning of the atelier's proposed 50-vehicle series. Its approach centres on combining exterior modifications with coordinated interior craftsmanship rather than limiting the customisation to individual cosmetic additions.

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French auto major Renault Group has secured a 4-star rating for adult occupant protection and a 3-star rating for child occupant protection in the latest Global NCAP Safer Cars for Africa crash tests for its popular Kiger SUV.

The results for the Indian-manufactured Renault Kiger are based on the updated rating following a voluntary submission by Renault after the SUV was initially selected for testing in its previous standard specification.

Global NCAP initially selected the Kiger when the model featured two airbags without ISOFIX anchorages or electronic stability control, resulting in a 2-star rating for adult occupant protection and a 1-star rating for child occupant protection.

Renault subsequently updated the vehicle specification to include six airbags, electronic stability control, ISOFIX anchorages, and pedestrian protection as standard equipment. In the re-assessment, the SUV demonstrated good protection for the head, abdomen, and pelvis in side impact testing, met UN127 pedestrian protection regulations, and complied with Global NCAP requirements for electronic stability control and seatbelt reminders.

Richard Woods, CEO, Global NCAP, said, “It’s satisfying to see the safety improvements Renault has introduced with the updated Kiger in South Africa. We welcome their positive engagement and hope that this approach now becomes a trend across the industry. It demonstrates what can be achieved when a manufacturer seeks to prioritise safety, and it shows why six airbags must become a standard requirement.”

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO – Automobile Association of South Africa, said, “The Automobile Association of South Africa welcomes this considerable improvement in the Global NCAP safety rating of the Renault Kiger, going from a concerning two-star rating to a commendable four-star result. This updated Indian-built Kiger proves that the #SaferCarsForAfrica program is indeed yielding real change and saving many lives on South African roads. It is also a reminder to both the manufacturer and the consumer that improving safety needn’t cost much nor affect the production of entry-level model ranges. The result, when manufacturers prioritise the safety of their customers, saves many lives and revives the image of the industry. We commend the French brand on voluntarily submitting the Kiger for testing and strongly encourage those local brands with recent poorer results to work with us on improving the safety of their affected entry-level models, ensuring that safety is prioritised over cost and proving that African lives indeed matter.”

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced that its XUV 3XO ZNG has achieved a 5-star safety rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP), making it the first sub-compact CNG vehicle in India to receive the score.

The compact SUV recorded 29.36 out of 32 points for Adult Occupant Protection and 45 out of 49 points for Child Occupant Protection. The model features 35 standard safety items, including six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.

Safety provisions specific to the CNG system include an integrated gas-leak detection mechanism that switches the fuel source to petrol mode if a leak occurs. The c-SUV features an underfloor twin-cylinder tank layout that maintains a flat boot floor and 270 litres of cargo space. Power output stands at 82 kW with 200 Nm of torque across petrol and CNG modes, alongside a certified fuel efficiency rating of 24.7 km/kg.

Dr Velusamy R, President of the Automotive Business, Mahindra Group, said, "At Mahindra, safety is a fundamental commitment that guides every stage of vehicle development. The XUV 3XO ZNG was engineered to excel across every aspect of the ownership experience, delivering ‘zero compromise’ in space, technology, performance and driving experience. Its robust architecture is engineered to provide high levels of occupant protection and peace of mind on every journey. The 5- star Bharat NCAP rating is a testament to our engineering excellence and reinforces the XUV 3XO ZNG's position as an SUV that excels across every dimension.”

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Mahindra and Mahindra is preparing to roll out four new products for its SUV portfolio and one light commercial vehicle in the first half of calendar 2027 as the automaker looks to sustain growth through a pipeline of new models and a significant expansion in production capacity.

The five planned launches will comprise a new product based on the company's new NU-IQ platform, an all-new battery electric vehicle, a lifestyle vehicle and one product refresh alongside a new LCV, informed Executive Director and CEO, Auto and Farm Sectors, Rajesh Jejurikar during the company's Q2 FY27 earnings call.

The product pipeline comes as Mahindra continues to face capacity constraints amid strong demand for its SUV portfolio. The company said it was operating at or above its available production capacity with October production exceeding the monthly capacity it had indicated for the end of September.

Mahindra began FY27 with SUV production capacity of around 64,500 units a month. This is expected to increase to 82,000 units a month by the end of the current financial year followed by 92,000 units in the next financial year. The company is targeting capacity of 132,000 units a month by the exit of FY31 as a new plant comes upstream.

Jejurikar also confirmed that the company was progressing with its Nagpur project. “We are on track for setting up the Nagpur project. We got the parcel of land and work is starting very shortly on that,” he said, adding that the facility would support the rollout of new products according to the schedule presented by the company.

Capacity expansion to support SUV growth

Mahindra reported 26 percent year-on-year growth in SUV volumes in the second quarter, while volumes for the first half increased 20 percent. However, the company said its sales performance continued to be constrained by production capacity.

At the end of September, its monthly capacity was around 61,000 units for internal combustion engine products and 8,000 units for electric vehicles. Jejurikar said the company had produced more than this indicated capacity in October reflecting the strength of demand.

The company maintained its expectation of mid-to-high-teen growth in its SUV business during FY27 with additional capacity expected to support volumes.

The company is also expanding its electric vehicle ecosystem. It had established 49 ultra-fast charging stations covering around 12,000 kilometres of highways with charging facilities available approximately every 200 kilometres on the covered routes. Mahindra and Mahindra plans to increase this network to 215 stations by the end of calendar 2027.

Commodity inflation puts pressure on margins

The expansion and product pipeline come against a backdrop of elevated input costs. The company’s earnings presentation highlighted year-on-year increases of 42 percent in copper prices, 40 percent in rubber and 17 percent in steel.

Despite these cost pressures, Mahindra reported 25 percent growth in revenue and profit after tax in Q2 FY27. Revenue stood at INR 575.53 billion, while PAT was INR 45.88 billion.

Managing Director and Group CEO, Dr Anish Shah, said the company had taken proactive measures to manage inflationary pressures including pricing actions, hedging, product-mix improvements and supplier diversification.

Mahindra had implemented price increases of 5 percent in its auto business and 4 percent in its farm business. Dr Shah indicated that the company expected some margin pressure in Q3, while the outlook for Q4 would depend partly on how commodity prices evolved.

Farm business outlook revised

Mahindra has revised its FY27 tractor industry growth outlook from 5 percent to a flat performance, citing deteriorating rainfall conditions, lower reservoir levels and pressure on farmers’ terms of trade.

Company officials noted that Maharashtra and Karnataka had experienced significant industry contraction with drought conditions affecting demand in these important tractor markets. Higher input costs had also weakened farmers’ purchasing power.

The international farm business continued to face difficult market conditions. Mahindra and Mahindra reported industry contractions of 15 percent in the US, 18 percent in Brazil and 36 percent in Turkey.

It has completed its exit from Sampo’s harvesting business in Finland and Arcon Foundry in Turkey, while the restructuring of its Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery subsidiary in Japan is expected to be completed by Q4 FY27.

LCV business operating at capacity

Mahindra's LCV business recorded 19 percent volume growth in Q2, while first-half volumes increased 20 percent. The company said it was producing around 30,000 LCVs a month covering its pick-up and Supro ranges and was operating at capacity.

Jejurikar said demand in the LCV industry had strengthened following the GST reduction with monthly industry volumes rising from around 20,000–23,000 units to approximately 30,000 units. The company expects double-digit growth in the LCV industry for the entire FY27.

The planned new LCV launch in the first half of 2027 will add to the company's product pipeline as it works to address capacity constraints.

Mahindra's Q2 performance also reflected growth across its wider businesses. The group reported 25 percent year-on-year growth in PAT, while first-half PAT increased 29 percent.

Quarterly snapshot

The company reported SUV volumes of 183,000 units during the quarter, while its SUV revenue market share stood at 24.3 percent. Total automotive volumes increased 26 percent to 331,000 units.

The automotive business recorded consolidated revenue of INR 377.56 billion representing a 39 percent year-on-year increase. Consolidated PAT rose 55 percent to INR 23.88 billion. Standalone PBIT stood at INR 26.14 billion, up 15 percent, while the standalone PBIT margin was 7.7 percent. Excluding e-SUV CMA, the margin stood at 9.1 percent.

In the electric vehicle segment, the company reported an e-SUV revenue market share of 30.1 percent. Its electric SUV portfolio maintained the number-one position in revenue market share during the first half of FY27.

Mahindra and Mahindra also retained its leadership position in the light commercial vehicle segment below 3.5 tonnes with a market share of 52.3 percent. The figure includes the Bolero Max Pickup 2T variant classified under the 2–3.5-tonne LCV category and Jeeto volumes.

The company reported tractor volumes of 116,027 units during Q2 FY27 compared with 122,936 units in the year-ago quarter, marking a decline of 6 percent. Its tractor market share stood at 41.5 percent. Consolidated farm revenue declined 6 percent to INR 95.72 billion, while PAT fell 9 percent to INR 10.53 billion. Standalone PBIT was INR 14.41 billion with the PBIT margin at 16.8 percent, down 300 basis points.

The company also reported a 37 percent year-on-year increase in combined Q2 FY27 volumes across its commercial vehicle businesses as Mahindra Trucks and Buses Division (MTBD) and SML Mahindra together sold 8,416 units. It was also noted that the company is looking to expand manufacturing capacity for its heavy commercial vehicle range after strong fleet demand for the Blazo i-TRK, launched in August, drove plant utilisation to full capacity.

Across its other businesses, Mahindra Finance reported a 15 percent increase in assets under management, while PAT grew 61 percent. Tech Mahindra's PAT increased 33 percent with its EBIT margin improving to 14.8 percent, up 260 basis points.

Mahindra Lifespaces recorded residential pre-sales of INR 11 billion, up 41 percent, while Mahindra Logistics reported revenue of INR 20.95 billion, an increase of 24 percent with PAT growing threefold.

At the group level, Mahindra's standalone revenue increased 26 percent to INR 442.82 billon, while EBITDA rose 4 percent to INR 67.18 crore. Standalone PAT increased 13 percent to INR 51.02 billion. The company reported a return on equity of 21 percent on an annualised basis and year-to-date earnings per share of INR 89.5.

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