MT Bureau

Tata Motors has entered the premium hatchback segment with Altroz which will be available in five trim levels at an introductory price starting from INR 5.29 lakh for the petrol version and INR 6.99 lakh for the diesel. It is the first vehicle developed on the new ALFA architecture and the second one showing Impact 2.0 design language.

With its striking design, bouquet of industry-first features and the most recent achievement of Global NCAP 5-star rating, Altroz has set the GOLD Standard in Safety, Design, Driving Dynamics, Technology and Customer Delight. Altroz will come with 6 different factory-fitted customizable options to be chosen from 4 packs of Rhythm, Style, Luxe and Urban.

Tata Motors has also launched 3 fully BSVI-ready cars. Leading the line-up with the Altroz, they are Tiago, Tigor (safest in its category) and Nexon. With Altroz and Nexon, Tata Motors has BS-VI ready diesel variants in their respective segments.

Guenter Butschek, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Motors, said, “We have started writing a new chapter. We promised to kick-start the year with a product offensive and here we are. The future of efficient, green, sustainable mobility solutions needs to translate into reality and we have made a start by bringing the new generation of BS-VI solutions to the market. The new face of Tata passenger cars are not only BSVI-ready, but are designed and developed to enhance the value proposition for our aspiring customers. With Altroz, the class defining, new premium hatchback, we are expanding our market coverage further. We have lots more in store for 2020 and we have just commenced unveiling our well-defined future product portfolio.”

The new Nexon will be available in 1.2L Revotron turbocharged petrol BS-VI engine and 1.5L Revotorq turbocharged diesel BS-VI engine with a starting price of INR 6.95 lakh and INR 8.45 lakh respectively. Staying on course, Nexon 2020 has been developed to take the drive experience to NEX LEVEL with best-in-class safety features and will be the first car from Tata Motors to feature the ‘iRA Tech’ – the new connected car technology, which has been designed specifically for India and caters to its unique driving conditions. ‘iRA Tech’ consists of technologies such as What3Words, Connected Safety, Natural Voice system and the Tribes app. The Nexon 2020 will be offered in 6-speed manual and AMT options.

Tiago 2020 will be the successor to the highly successful first generation Tiago, which is currently being driven by 2.5 lakh happy customers. The Tiago 2020 sports a more confident, mature design while being young, premium and fun. The car will be available in both manual and AMT options. It will be available in a 1.2L Revotron petrol BS-VI engine at a starting price of INR 4.60 lakh.   

Tigor 2020 will be available at a starting price of INR 5.75 lakh and will come with a 1.2L Revotron petrol BS-VI engine. The new Tigor exhibits a poised, understated and executive-oriented design. It will also be offered in manual and AMT transmissions.

Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motors, said, “We are elated to begin 2020 in style with our new generation of passenger cars. This is a landmark achievement for us as we set new industry benchmarks. These new models are beyond BS-VI and will redefine every segment they are meant for with class-leading design, safety, technology and driving dynamics. We are also taking a significant step and defining what the new PV range brand promise is, through a new campaign -‘Drive New Forever.’ We are all set to ride the demand trend for new launches and excite our customers with a new product portfolio.” (MT)

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its largest MG SELECT Experience Centre in Surat. The facility is part of a national rollout of 14 centres across 13 cities, designed to showcase the brand’s luxury vehicle portfolio.

The Surat centre, located in the New City Light Area, follows a gallery-inspired design philosophy focused on minimalist aesthetics. The environment is intended to provide personalised services for customers in the luxury segment, moving away from traditional showroom layouts to immersive, art-focused spaces.

The centre features two primary models:

• MG Cyberster: A performance electric vehicle with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.2 seconds and a 580 km ARAI-certified range. It is priced at INR 7.49 million (ex-showroom).
• MG M9: Positioned as a luxury limousine, available at an ex-showroom price of INR 6.99 million.

According to the company, JSW MG Motor India is currently the second-largest brand in India's luxury electric vehicle segment.

Milind Shah, Head of MG SELECT, JSW MG Motor India, said, “We are delighted by the overwhelming response to the MG Cyberster and MG M9 since their launch. JSW MG Motor India has also risen to become the second largest* brand in the luxury EV segment, an impressive milestone powered by the combined success of both the cars. Surat is fast emerging as a hub for luxury automobiles with a positive customer response. We are committed to delivering a luxury automotive environment that is tailored, technology-driven, and truly resonates with the aspirations of our customers in this vibrant city.”

Sonam Jain, Dealer Principal, MG SELECT Surat, said, “This centre transcends the traditional showroom experience to redefine automotive luxury for our discerning clientele in Surat. This will also cultivate a community where every customer’s aspirations are realized and their patronage is genuinely cherished.”

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French automotive major Renault India has announced the prices of the much-anticipated new-generation Duster SUV at INR 1.04 million (ex-showroom).

The SUV, which was first revealed on 26^th January 2026 in Chennai, is the first vehicle launched under the Renault International Game Plan 2027, a strategy establishing India as a primary hub for the company's operations outside Europe.

The Duster is constructed on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), with 90 percent of its components developed for the Indian market. Technical dimensions include 2,657 mm wheelbase, 212 mm ground clearance, 26.9deg approach angle and 34.7deg departure angle.

The SUV comes with the largest-in-segment panoramic sunroof, a 10.1-inch OpenR Link multimedia system with Google built-in, providing access to Google Maps and Assistant. A 10.25-inch TFT display serves as the instrument cluster and can replicate navigation data.

It introduces three engine configurations, including the first hybrid variant for the nameplate in India.

• Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160: A 1.8-litre engine paired with a 1.4 kWh battery. The system is designed to operate in electric mode for up to 80 per cent of urban driving.
• Turbo TCe 160: Produces 163 PS and 280 Nm of torque.
• Turbo TCe 100: An entry-level petrol option.

Transmission choices consist of a six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) featuring a wet clutch.

As per the company, it has received 91 percent bookings for the Turbo TCe 160 engine variant, 39 percent pre-bookings in metros came for the Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 engine variant. Renault Duster Hybrid variant has been sold out for the year with bookings reaching capacity.

Interestingly, the Duster SUV comes with an industry-first maximum seven-year warranty or 160,000km under Renault Forever program. The warranty is also transferable to make the resale value of the SUV.

The automaker has also introduced ‘Renault Subscription’ plans with no down payment options for the Duster SUV to attract a newer set of customers.

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Renault India, said, “The new Renault Duster reflects exactly what Indian customers expect today: strong performance, real-world durability and everyday usability. With 163 PS from the Turbo TCe 160 and the advanced RGMP platform, it delivers genuine gains in ride, handling and robustness. Backed by flexible ownership options including subscription and a 7-year warranty, the SUV is engineered for how India actually drives.”

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Suzuki GB has announced a leadership transition, with Managing Director Takanori Suzuki set to retire at the end of May 2026. He will be succeeded by Kazuyuki Yamashita, who is joining the UK operation in April after a five-year tenure as Managing Director of Suzuki Deutschland.

Yamashita brings extensive international experience to his new role. He began his career with Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1987, holding various positions at the company’s Hamamatsu head office and across its global network. His leadership portfolio includes serving as Director of Automotive Sales for Suzuki Canada from 2001 to 2006, followed by a six-year term as Managing Director of Suzuki Auto South Africa until 2013. Most recently, he led Suzuki Deutschland from 2021 to 2026.

Takanori Suzuki’s retirement marks the end of a distinguished four-decade career with the corporation. This current term as Managing Director for Suzuki GB and the Republic of Ireland, which spanned three successful years, was his second in the role. He originally headed the Milton Keynes-based headquarters from 2005 to 2010 before returning to Japan to oversee operations for Suzuki Europe, Oceania and Latin America.

Following his retirement at the end of May, Takanori Suzuki will return to Japan. The company has extended its best wishes to him for a long and happy retirement while expressing anticipation for Yamashita’s arrival in UK to lead the next chapter for Suzuki GB.

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Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co has announced the cancellation of three electric vehicle (EV) models intended for production in North America.

The decision affects the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 Saloon and the Acura RSX, which the company stated is due to the changes in the business environment and a reassessment of its electrification strategy.

The company identified several developments impacting its automotive operations:

• Market Demand: A slowdown in the expansion of the US EV market linked to changes in fuel regulations and revisions to incentives.
• Trade Policy: The impact of US tariff policies on the profitability of petrol and hybrid vehicle segments.
• Regional Competition: A decline in product competitiveness in China, where newer manufacturers lead in software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies and development cycles.
• Resource Allocation: Challenges in delivering value for money in Asia due to the concentration of resources on EV development.

Honda expects to record write-offs, impairment losses on assets, and expenses related to the cancellation of these models. Total losses associated with the strategy reassessment are estimated to reach a maximum of USD 18.5 billion (YEN 2.5 trillion) in the coming years.

Revised Forecast for Fiscal Year Ending 31 March 2026

Estimates are preliminary as of 12 March 2026.

Despite the revised earnings, Honda will maintain its dividend forecast based on its dividend on equity (DOE) ratio indicator.

Going forward, Honda will reorganise its framework to focus on hybrid models in the US and Japan. The company intends to expand its model lineup and cost competitiveness in India, where market growth is anticipated.

In response to the financial revisions, executive compensation will be reduced:

• President and Vice-President: 30 percent reduction of monthly compensation for three months and forfeiture of performance-linked bonuses.
• Executive Officers: 20 percent reduction of monthly compensation for three months.

Total annual compensation for representative executive officers will decrease by 25 percent to 30 percent.

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