Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that building on the success of its A Behavioural Change Demonstration (ABCD) initiative, it is now expanding the program to an additional 400 government schools in Raichur district for FY2024-25 and FY2025-26.

This program has already been successfully implemented in 100 schools over the past two years, positively impacting more than 26,000 students. The initiative will now benefit over 68,000 students in this next phase.

The program’s expansion officially commenced today with a one-day orientation session for the headmasters of the participating schools, held at the Krishi Vigyana Kendra (KVK) in Raichur. The orientation was inaugurated by Nitish K, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Raichur, who was the Chief Guest at the occasion. This session was aimed at equipping the headmasters with tools and strategies to effectively deliver the program’s hygiene and sanitation curriculum.

As part of the program, TKM will actively promote essential hygiene practices among students through a series of training sessions that focus on handwashing, sanitation practices, water conservation, waste management, and personal hygiene.

Additionally, the program will provide sanitary pads to 24,000 adolescent girls till March 2026. This initiative aims to ensure effective menstrual hygiene management and support young women in their health and well-being, empowering them to take charge of their menstrual health and advocate for their needs. Through this project, essential sanitation supplies, including buckets, mugs, cleaning agents, handwashing soap, and mopping items will be provided to support hygiene maintenance.

Beyond hygiene education, the program aims to strengthen school cabinets and School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs), empower students to advocate for better sanitation, and encourage families to build household toilets where needed. Community engagement will also play a pivotal role, with awareness campaigns, video demonstrations, and annual quiz and drawing competitions to reinforce the lessons learned in schools.

Nitish K said, “Education today is not just about academic excellence but about nurturing responsible, aware citizens who understand the importance of health and hygiene. The ABCD program by Toyota Kirloskar Motor is a shining example of how private enterprises can meaningfully contribute to community well-being. By teaching essential sanitation and hygiene practices to young minds, the program creates a foundation for healthier, more resilient communities. It’s heartening to see Toyota's commitment to expanding this initiative further into Raichur, reaching thousands of students and families. We look forward to the transformative outcomes this program will bring.”

Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs & Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we believe that true progress is driven by collective responsibility, and our ABCD program stands as a testament to this. The success of our first phase has encouraged us to scale up our efforts and reach an additional 400 schools in Raichur. We remain deeply committed to supporting the Swachh Bharat mission by promoting hygiene education and sustainable practices. Through this expanded initiative, we aim to not only improve sanitation in schools but also foster a culture of awareness and positive change across the community.”

Launched in 2015, the ABCD program begin its focus in Karnataka, especially in the Ramanagara district. By 2019, the initiative had reached 1,004 schools, benefiting 58,000 students and positively impacting 430,000 community members. Following its revitalisation in August 2023, the program continues to align with the national ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ mission, contributing to India’s ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene.

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BMW Group India has launched the MINI Convertible Stardust Edition in India at an ex-showroom price of INR 6.29 million. The limited-run model is imported into the country as a completely built-up unit (CBU) and is available to order through the MINI India web portal, with customer deliveries starting immediately.

The BMW MINI Convertible Stardust Edition features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower turbo petrol engine, which produces 150 kW (204 hp) at 5,000–6,500 rpm and 300 Nm torque at 1,450–4,500 rpm, featuring a 7-Speed Double-Clutch Steptronic Sport. It has a claimed acceleration from zero to 100 kmph in 6.9 Seconds and a top speed of 240 kmph.

The Stardust Edition comes in a Sparkling Copper Grey metallic paint finish paired with Vibrant Silver mirror caps and 18-inch JCW Rallye Spoke alloy wheels made from recycled aluminium. The vehicle features LED headlights with three selectable light signatures, alongside rear lights aligned flush to the bodywork.

The soft-top roof incorporates a woven Union Jack graphic. The electrically operated fabric roof opens in 18 seconds at speeds up to 30 km/h and closes in 15 seconds. The soft top also includes a sunroof function that opens the front section by 40 centimetres at any speed. Luggage capacity measures 160 litres when the roof is lowered and increases to 215 litres when closed.

The interior features sports seats upholstered in Vescin, an artificial leather material made using recycled components. The dashboard layout centers around a circular OLED display running MINI Operating System 9, which handles instrumentation, infotainment, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety equipment includes airbags, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, brake assist, a rear-view camera and a tyre pressure monitoring indicator. Vehicle support features include auto start-stop, brake energy recuperation and active cooling air ducts.

The vehicle comes with a two-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance. Service packages are available for terms ranging from three years or 40,000 kilometres up to 10 years or 100,000 kilometres, alongside extended warranty options.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO of BMW Group India, said, "The new MINI Convertible is the perfect car for those who are open to fun and also enjoy making a distinct lifestyle statement. With the 'Stardust' limited edition, we are dialing up that sense of exclusivity a notch higher. The thought behind this special car was to capture the shifting, indefinable colours of the sky at twilight - blending a deep dusk-grey paint with shimmering champagne details that mimic stardust. The Stardust edition is engineered for MINI fans who view their car not just as a mode of transport, but as a bold expression of individuality. It is a vehicle that remains magnificently rare by design, and even rarer on the road."

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German luxury carmaker Audi has introduced the Q9, a full-size SUV that serves as the top-tier model in its lineup. Measuring 5.31 metres long, 2.21 metres wide and 1.81 metres tall with a 3.14-metre wheelbase, the vehicle is the largest SUV produced by the brand to date.

Order books open in Germany at the end of July 2026, with European deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter. Prices start at EUR 108,400 for the 220 kW TDI model.

The Q9 expands the upper end of Audi's product line, incorporating curved digital OLED rear light panels, power-adjustable second-row seats, automatic doors and a panoramic sunroof measuring over 1.5 square metres.

Gernot Dollner, Chief Executive Officer, Audi, said, "The Audi Q9 is the new flagship of the Audi portfolio. With our first large full-size SUV, we are elevating our brand’s premium positioning. In the future, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ will increasingly be defined by the in-car experience – because cars are much more than just a means of transportation. For many of our customers, they are becoming mobile living spaces. That is exactly what the Audi Q9 represents as the new flagship of our portfolio. Premium materials, individual electric seats in the second row, and automatic doors underscore our commitment to quality in the interior. When combined with the latest driver assist systems and a holistic user experience, it becomes clear where we are taking the Audi brand."

The Q9 is offered in 6-seat and 7-seat configurations. The seven-seat layout features a 35/30/35 split second row with Isofix mounting points across all three seats, alongside a power-folding third row. The six-seat option replaces the middle row with individual power-adjustable seats.

It includes automatic doors with obstacle detection sensors and soft-close mechanisms. Front sports seats feature power adjustments, with heating, ventilation and massage functions available on upgraded trims.

Cabin electronics centre on the curved MMI panoramic display, combining a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touch display. A 12.3-inch front passenger display with a display privacy filter is fitted as standard. The system operates on Android Automotive OS with integrated third-party applications, the Audi voice assistant and ChatGPT integration. The SUV come with a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system delivering 1,360 watts, incorporating headrest speakers and seat-mounted tactile actuators.

The exterior features an upright Singleframe grille, offered in an advanced line trim with vertical slats or an S line trim with an open grille design and updated bumpers. Wheel options range from 20 to 23 inches.

The rear illumination uses curved digital OLED panels constructed with 0.1-millimetre glass substrates across six individual panels. The system integrates communication lighting that projects hazard symbols to surrounding traffic and projects turn signal indicators directly onto the road surface at night.

At launch, the Q9 will be available with a 220 kW V6 diesel engine in Germany, while a 180 kW version will also be offered in selected European markets. The 220 kW version delivers 630 Nm of torque, while the 180 kW diesel engine delivers 500 Nm.

Both the engines use an MHEV plus system, comprising a powertrain generator refined for the Q9, a belt alternator starter and a lithium iron phosphate battery.

An adaptive air suspension system comes standard, offering up to 90 millimetres of height adjustment. Driving assistance features include hands-free partial automated driving under the Adaptive Driving Assistant Plus framework at speeds up to 130 kmph on approved highways, supported by an eye-tracking camera on the steering column. Emergency Assist capabilities include automated lane-changing to the road shoulder if driver inactivity is detected.

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German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz’s all-new electric C-Class, a battery-electric vehicle in the midsize segment has achieved a two-thirds reduction in carbon footprint across its life cycle compared to the combustion-powered C-Class model, which has been verified through an independent 360deg Environmental Check.

The reduction is supported by supply chain measures that lower supply chain carbon emissions by 23 percent.

Mercedes-Benz sources two-thirds of the vehicle's aluminium requirements from electrolysis plants powered by renewable energy or using recycled content for components including the body, steering knuckles, wheels and battery housing. For steel components produced in-house, approximately 45 kilograms of steel sourced from electric arc furnaces operating on renewable energy are used.

Recycled thermoplastics account for 49 kilograms of material across various components, including frunk tubs with 50 percent post-consumer recyclate, wheel arch liners with 93 percent recycled content, bumper carriers with 83 percent recycled content and jack mounts made from end-of-life vehicle bumpers. Nonwoven fabric and yarn in seat covers contain 34 percent and 50 percent recycled content, respectively.

The Mercedes-Benz C 400 4MATIC electric variant reports combined energy consumption figures of 18.5–14.1 kWh/100 km and zero carbon emissions under WLTP standards. The vehicle delivers a driving range exceeding 762 kilometres on a single charge. Mercedes-Benz plans to release additional rear-wheel and all-wheel drive variants next year, including a rear-wheel-drive model with an expected range of 800 kilometres.

The powertrain utilises an 800-volt architecture alongside a multi-source heat pump that harvests waste heat from the electric drive system, battery and ambient air to heat the interior, using one-third of the electrical energy required by standard auxiliary heaters.

A One-Box braking system enables up to 99 percent of braking processes to occur via energy recuperation at outputs up to 300 kW. Fast-charging capabilities allow 325 kilometres of range to be added within ten minutes.

The EV is produced at the Kecskemét plant in Hungary, where 42.3 MWp of installed photovoltaic capacity supplies 25 percent of the facility's annual energy demand. A new paint shop facility reduces energy consumption by 20 percent and carbon emissions by 80 percent compared to previous operations.

Interior offerings include an optional vegan package certified by The Vegan Society, covering soft-touch materials, seat upholstery, headliners, door and pillar trims and carpets without animal-derived components. All suppliers involved in production must adhere to the company's Responsible Sourcing Standards, with binding carbon reduction targets set for steel, aluminium, plastics and battery cell manufacturing.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched the ninth-generation Hilux pickup in India, with prices starting from INR 3.19 million (ex-showroom) for 4x2 GX AT variant, INR 3.36 million for the 4x4 GX AT variant and 4x4 VX AT can be had for INR 3.66 million.

The company has started bookings, with customer deliveries scheduled to commence in the second week of August.

The Hilux is powered by a 2.8-litre BS6 Phase 2 diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission generating 150 kW (204 PS) of power and 500 Nm of torque. For off-road operation, the four-wheel-drive variants feature high (H4) and low (L4) range settings, an electronic differential lock and downhill assist control. The chassis utilises double wishbone suspension at the front, leaf springs at the rear and an 80-litre fuel tank.

Exterior styling incorporates design elements derived from the Cyber Sumo concept, including a wide front grille, LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, piano black bumper accents and alloy wheels.

On the inside, it gets a 12.3-inch infotainment display supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch instrument cluster display, connected vehicle technology via Toyota i-Connect, an eight-speaker audio system, wireless charging and PM2.5 air filtration.

Safety features include seven SRS airbags, vehicle stability control, anti-lock braking with brake assist, a panoramic view monitor, parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. The vehicle structure utilises Toyota's Global Outstanding Assessment impact-absorbing body architecture.

Masakazu Yoshimura, Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, customer centricity means understanding what customers need today and preparing for what they will aspire for tomorrow. With nearly three decades in India, we continue to grow by listening to our customers, investing for the future, and delivering mobility solutions built on trust, quality and reliability. Guided by our vision of ‘Mobility for All’, we remain committed to creating long-term value and building products that earn customer trust for generations. The all-new Hilux further strengthens this direction, bringing Toyota’s proven durability, capability, and dependability to customers who seek a vehicle that is both powerful and trusted."

Tadashi Asazuma, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "The all-new Hilux is tougher, smarter and more expressive, a reflection of our commitment to continuously evolve to meet the raising aspirations of our customers. Backed by Toyota’s authentic engineering and legendary durability, the new Hilux combines bold design and powerful performance representing the growing convergence of utility and lifestyle. India is witnessing a significant shift in mobility preferences. Customers are looking for vehicles that go beyond transportation to support diverse lifestyles, professional needs and the pursuit of new experiences. At Toyota, we view this as an opportunity to deliver products like the all-new Hilux that empower customers with greater freedom, confidence and peace of mind."

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice President – Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, added, "The exterior and interior of the all-new Hilux is designed under the "Tough & Agile" concept, combining "strength with agility”, emphasizing simplicity that is also powerful. With a 2.8-litre engine, the hallmark 4WD capability, advanced connected technologies like the 12.3-inch infotainment system with i-Connect, and comprehensive safety features including seven airbags and driver assist features, we are confident that all-new Hilux will continue to uphold its unchanged promise of serving generations."

The Hilux is available in six exterior paint options – Super White, Platinum Pearl White, Attitude Black+, Emotional Red, Sulphur Metallic+ and Ash.

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