Toyota Kirloskar Motor has concluded the 24-hour Toyota Hackathon 2025 in Mumbai engineered to empower young innovators to drive road safety solutions. It has been a part of the automaker’s commitment to education and road safety. 
Held at Vidyalankar Institute, Wadala (East), Mumbai, and coinciding with ‘Road Safety Month’ (January 18 – February 17, 2025), the event brought together over 400 talented students from over 100 schools across Mumbai, turning in turn into an effective platform to develop actionable solutions to critical road safety challenges.
Attracting the presence of Atul Moreshwar Save, Minister for OBC Welfare, Dairy Development, and Renewable Energy, Government of Maharashtra; Arprit Save, President Chamber of Marathawada Industries and Agriculture, and Senior leadership from TKM (including Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, TKM, and Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President and Head State Affairs, TKM), the event – a key pillar of TKM’s comprehensive Road Safety Initiative designed to address this critical issue by integrating road safety education into school and college curriculums – began with team selection and idea submissions, progressed through a boot camp, culminated in a 24-hour final hackathon, and concluded with incubation support for the top one winner per city. 
Fostering critical thinking, innovation and a sense of responsibility, the Hackathon – structured in five phases – saw participants tackle key road safety themes such as ‘Road Safety Awareness and Education’, ‘Community Engagement for Safety’, ‘School Zone Safety’, ‘Road Infrastructure and Pollution’, ‘IoT/ICT in Road Safety’, ‘Traffic Easement’ and ‘Making Roads Inclusive’. 
Out of 100 initial teams, 28 advanced to post- boot camp, 10 teams completed in the final hackathon out of which 3 emerged as winners, earning continued support to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Following the success in Mumbai, the Toyota Hackathon 2025 will move to Bangalore on 14 February 2025. For the 2024-25 academic year, TKM aims to expand the initiative to 300 institutions across key cities, with over 400 innovative concepts already submitted.
Speaking at the event, Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we are driven by the belief that empowering the younger generation with the right tools, mentorship, and opportunities can lead to transformative change. The Toyota Hackathon 2025 serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to road safety and innovation, as it brings together young minds to ideate, collaborate, and develop solutions for safer roads. This initiative reflects our holistic approach to fostering a culture of safety and sustainability, aligning with Toyota’s global vision of zero traffic fatalities.”
 

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Japanese automotive luxury brand Lexus India has announced a standard 8-year/200,000 km warranty for all new vehicles sold from 1 April 2026.

This makes it the first luxury manufacturer in India to offer such extensive coverage. This enhancement significantly upgrades the brand's previous 8-year/160,000 km programme (introduced in 2024), specifically increasing the mileage cap to accommodate high-usage owners.

The initiative is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Omotenashi – anticipating customer needs – and aims to bolster resale value while providing long-term security.

The updated policy is designed to be comprehensive and ‘guest-centric,’ requiring no additional premium from the buyer.

As per the company, all new Lexus models sold in India starting 1 April 2026 will now get 8 years or 200,000km (whichever comes first) warranty from the date of delivery. The warranty is part of a broader ‘Lexus Life’ ecosystem that includes tailored finance plans, insurance and 24x7 roadside assistance.

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Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) has reported its most successful financial year to date, posting record annual net profits of INR 144,454 million for FY2025-26, as compared to INR 142,976 million last year.

However, the headline success comes with a caveat: the carmaker is officially ‘sold out,’ ending the year with a massive backlog of 190,000 pending orders.

Despite producing a record 2.42 million vehicles, consisting of 1,974,939 units in domestic market and exports at 447,774 units, Maruti is struggling to keep pace with a domestic market supercharged by ‘GST 2.0’ reforms.

In comparison, total sales last year at 2.23 million units, comprising 1.90 million units in domestic market and exports of 332,585 units.

For Q4, Maruti Suzuki India reports its highest-ever quarterly sales of 676,209 units, up 11.8 percent YoY. Domestic sales came at 538,994 units, while exports at 137,215 units was an all-time high.

Chairman R C Bhargava confirmed the company is operating at 100 percent capacity, with dealer inventories hitting a critical low of just 12 days.

"We are no longer fighting for customers; we are fighting for floor space," Bhargava noted during the earnings call. To address this, the board has greenlit a record capital expenditure (CAPEX) of INR 140 billion – the highest in the company’s history – to simultaneously develop mega-sites in Kharkhoda, Haryana and Gujarat.

In a notable departure from industry norms, Bhargava downplayed the slip in Maruti’s market share to below 40 percent. He dismissed the metric as a ‘sexy figure,’ arguing that physical production limits make market share a vanity metric.

"Why do I care about market share when my ability to produce and sell is intact?" he asked, pivoting the company’s focus toward National Interest – specifically through aggressive exports. Annual exports grew by 34.6 percent, with the UK emerging as the top market for the new electric e-Vitara.

While the e-Vitara marks Maruti’s serious entry into the global EV space, the company is doubling down on a diversified ‘green’ strategy:

The Small Car Revival: Demand for entry-level cars (18% GST bracket) has surged, making up 130,000 of the current order backlog.

The company is aggressively scaling Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), with its Hansalpur plant aiming to meet 50 percent of its energy needs from cow-dung-derived fuel within two years.

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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its first "new’R" experiential retail outlet in Ranchi, marking a transition towards a more urban and futuristic sales environment in Jharkhand.

The facility, located on Old H.B. Road, was opened by Francisco Hidalgo-Marques, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Renault India. During the inauguration, the company delivered five new Renault Duster units to customers, highlighting the regional demand for the recently launched SUV.

The launch is part of a broader network expansion that brings Renault’s total national presence to 638 touchpoints, which includes 200 ‘Workshops on Wheels’ designed for remote service delivery.

The Ranchi facility covers over 3,000 sqft and is designed to integrate both sales and technical support. It features four vehicle display units in a contemporary setting and is equipped with eight service bays and a dedicated delivery bay.

The ‘new’R’ theme utilises signature lighting and a central vehicle display to allow for a 360-degree customer view of the products.

The move underscores Jharkhand's growing importance in the Indian automotive market. By combining modern design with increased service capacity, Renault aims to improve long-term customer engagement through its ‘Renault Forever’ initiative.

Francisco Hidalgo-Marques, said, “Jharkhand is emerging as one of the most decisive car markets in India, and Ranchi is right at the heart of that shift. The response to the new Renault Duster tells us that customers are not just buying an SUV, they are buying into capability, design, and trust. With the new’R Store, we are transforming how customers engage with Renault, more modern, more intuitive, and closer to their expectations.”

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German luxury brand BMW Group has introduced the new MINI Convertible John Cooper Works (JCW) Pack in India, priced at INR 6.15 million (ex-showroom).

Available as a completely built-up unit (CBU), the JCW Pack adds a bold, performance-oriented aesthetic to the classic open-top MINI experience. Deliveries for the limited-quantity edition are set to commence immediately across all authorised dealerships.

The MINI Convertible JCW Pack is powered by the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, delivering a balance of efficiency and ‘go-kart’ handling featuring 150 kW (204 hp) and 300 Nm of torque. A claimed zero to 100 kmph in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 240 kmph. It is paired with 7-speed Double Clutch Steptronic Sport Transmission featuring a Boost Mode for immediate power delivery.

The JCW Pack focuses on an assertive stance with unique design elements such as specific bumpers, side skirts and door entry sills, complemented by 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke Black alloy wheels.

It comes with a electrically operated soft top opens in 18 seconds at speeds up to 30 kmph and includes a sunroof mode that can be opened up to 40 cm at any speed. The luggage capacity ranges from 160 litres (top down) to 215 litres (top up).

The cabin merges minimalist design with high-resolution technology including an OLED ‘MINI Interaction Unit’ display, which serves as both the instrument cluster and central command centre, running the MINI Operating System 9.

It gets sports seats feature Vescin upholstery – a high-quality, artificial leather-free material made from recycled components.

Smart features includes a Head-up Display, Harman Kardon Surround Sound and MINI Digital Key Plus, which allows a smartphone to serve as the vehicle key.

The MINI Convertible JCW Pack is equipped with a comprehensive safety suite, including a rollover protection system, Dynamic Stability Control, and a rear-view camera.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The new MINI Convertible JCW Pack is for those who want their MINI to reflect a bold, assertive personality without losing the signature ‘go-kart’ feel they love. It delivers a sporty JCW aesthetic that perfectly complements your cruises.”

MINI India offers a standard two-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with service and warranty extension options available for up to 10 years. Financial solutions, such as the MINI 360deg plan, provide assured buy-back options and lower EMIs compared to traditional bank loans.

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