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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JSW MG Motor India has unveiled the MG MAJESTOR, positioning it as the country’s first D+ segment SUV. Designed for discerning customers who prioritise commanding aesthetics, dependable engineering and sophisticated comfort, the vehicle made its debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and now stands as the brand’s most rugged and premium offering tailored for diverse Indian driving conditions. With a focus on all-terrain capability, road presence, luxury and safety, the MAJESTOR introduces advanced 4x4 technologies and segment-first features. Pre-bookings commence today, while full pricing and availability will be confirmed nearer to the official launch.

The exterior of the MAJESTOR conveys strength and stature through its imposing proportions. With an overall length of 5,046 millimetres, width of 2,016 millimetres, height of 1,870 millimetres and a wheelbase measuring 2,950 millimetres, it surpasses competitors in every dimension. Design elements such as the Mosaic Matrix Combination Grille, Dragon Eyes Daytime Running Lamps, split headlamps, sequential turn indicators integrated into connected LED tail lamps, a raised hood and 19-inch alloy wheels collectively reinforce its bold yet polished character. The vehicle presents a commanding silhouette suited equally to metropolitan roads and long-distance travel.

Inside, the cabin offers a spacious and refined environment finished in black with premium leather upholstery and a streamlined centre console. Ventilated front seats come equipped with massage functionality, memory settings and multi-way power adjustment, with 12-way adjustability for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. A panoramic sunroof enhances the sense of openness, while sixty-four colour ambient lighting allows customisation of the interior mood. Three-zone automatic climate control ensures individual comfort across rows. Offered in six-seat and seven-seat configurations, the MAJESTOR adapts to both family use and adventure travel. Technological features include dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, wireless smartphone integration, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, dual wireless charging pads, a 220-volt power outlet and over 70 iSMART connected features.

At the core of the vehicle lies a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine generating 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm of torque, figures that lead its segment. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission available in both two-wheel drive and advanced four-wheel drive configurations. The four-wheel drive system offers ten off-road modes and operates intelligently, remaining in two-wheel drive under normal conditions and shifting to four-wheel drive automatically when traction is compromised. This ensures optimal fuel efficiency during daily commutes while delivering enhanced grip on wet, slippery or uneven terrain. The MAJESTOR is also the first in its class to incorporate front, rear and centre differential locks, enabling the vehicle to extract itself from challenging conditions even when multiple wheels lose contact with the ground. Complementing this capability are Crawl Control, 219 millimetres of ground clearance and a water wading depth of 810 millimetres.

Safety engineering remains integral to the MAJESTOR’s design. The vehicle is equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, offering features such as assisted braking, steering and acceleration to support driver confidence across varied scenarios. Additional protective technologies include a 360-degree high-definition camera and Electronic Stability Programme, which integrates Anti-lock Braking, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Traction Control and Roll Movement Intervention.

The model will be available in Sharp and Savvy variants, with both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options. Colour choices include Pearl White, Concrete Grey, Metal Black and Metal Ash. JSW MG Motor India’s Complete Peace of Mind Program applies to the MAJESTOR, offering a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five labour-free services. Through a collaboration with ICICI Bank, customers also receive an invitation for the ICICI Emeralde Credit Card with no joining fee. Early reservation holders will receive priority in the delivery sequence, along with invitations to exclusive previews in March 2026 and specially arranged driving experiences.

Pre-reservations open on 12 February 2026 via the official website at a token amount of INR 41,000. Price announcement, public display and test drives are scheduled to begin in April 2026, with deliveries expected to commence the following month.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “India’s premium SUV customer is evolving rapidly, looking not just for space but for a vehicle that projects stature, inspires confidence and integrates seamlessly into a more ambitious lifestyle. With MG MAJESTOR, we have created an SUV that is rugged in its capability, refined in its comfort and dependable in its engineering. MAJESTOR for us represents our vision of what a true, full-size SUV should stand for, which is a commanding presence, sophisticated premium craftsmanship, intelligent in technology and uncompromising in performance.”

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has announced its financial results for Q3 FY2026, reporting a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of INR 46.75 billion, representing a 54 percent YoY growth.

The automotive division recorded quarterly volumes of 302,000 units, up 23 percent YoY. SUV revenue market share rose by 90 bps to 24.1 percent. The automotive business reported consolidated revenue of INR 303 billion, up 30 percent YoY, while PAT stood at INR 19.93 billion, up 42 percent YoY.

In the farm sector, tractor volumes reached 150,000 units, up 23 percent YoY, which translates to a market share of 44 percent for Q3. The revenue came at INR 115 billion, up 21 percent YoY, while PAT came at INR 10 billion, up 7 percent YoY.

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, said, “We are delighted to report solid operating performance across the group in Q3’F26, reflecting our strong focus on growth coupled with disciplined execution. Auto & Farm has maintained its leadership position on the back of steady customer demand, strong product acceptance and unwavering focus on operational excellence. TechM continues to make meaningful progress. Mahindra Finance delivered another solid quarter with meaningful PAT growth while maintaining strong asset quality. We are especially pleased to see breakout performance from two of our growth gems, Mahindra Logistics and Mahindra Lifespaces.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), said, “Auto and Farm businesses delivered strong performance in Q3’FY26. We have achieved a 90 bps YoY increase in SUV revenue share and 10 bps YoY increase in LCV (< 3.5T) market share in Q3. Our tractor business gained 20 bps YoY to reach an impressive 44.1 percent share for YTD FY26. Our new launches XEV 9S, and the XUV 7XO have received very positive response in the market.”

Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, added. “Our Q3 consolidated results reflects the strength and depth of our diversified portfolio. Our services businesses continue to increase their contribution to the overall results. Our results are also translating into a very strong Balance Sheet.”

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CEER, Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle (EV) brand and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), has signed 16 commercial agreements valued at over SAR 3.7 billion (USD 996.90 million). The deals were announced at the 4th PIF Private Sector Forum, following SAR 5.5 billion (USD 1.4 billion) in agreements secured at the previous year's event.

The partnerships are part of a localisation strategy that aims to source 45 percent of vehicle materials and components from Saudi companies by 2034. The supply chain will support CEER’s production plan of seven models over the next five years.

The agreements cover a range of essential automotive components and services:

• Fluids and Plastics: Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) will supply windshield washer fluid and EV coolants. Zamil Trade & Services and Zamil Plastics will provide brake fluids and aerodynamic covers.
• Materials and Polymers: NSSPC is contracted for PP resin and polymer compounds, while KK Nag will provide Expanded Polypropylene (EPP).
• Engineering and Infrastructure: Mino will install steel Body Shop equipment. FEV and AVL will provide engineering services.
• Manufacturing: MK Tron will produce small stampings, window regulators, and door hinges. FPI will supply front-end modules and XYG will provide glazing solutions.
• Chemicals and HVAC: Sika is contracted for structural adhesives and cavity baffles, while AITS will work on HVAC localisation.

The project is expected to contribute SAR 30 billion (USD 8 billion) to Saudi GDP by 2034 and improve the trade balance by SAR 79 billion (USD 21 billion). CEER estimates the creation of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, aligning with the industrial diversification goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

James DeLuca, CEO, CEER, said, “These agreements are a cornerstone of CEER's wide and deep localisation strategy, which targets sourcing 45 percent of vehicle materials and components from Saudi companies by 2034. Our approach goes beyond mere assembly, we are utilising local raw materials and empowering Saudi companies to become global suppliers, directly contributing to Vision 2030’s mission to diversify the national automotive industry and drive sustainable economic growth.”

“These agreements represent a major step in building a comprehensive automotive ecosystem in the Kingdom. By using local materials and resources, attracting advanced technology and foreign investment, and localising the production of heavy and labour-intensive components, we aim to reduce CO2 emissions and create meaningful job opportunities for Saudi nationals,” added DeLuca.

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Cars24 has unveiled a refreshed brand identity, moving from its original transactional focus towards a car ownership ecosystem.

Founded in 2015, the company originally utilised an all-caps logo – CARS24 – to establish a presence in a fragmented market. The updated identity shifts the name to sentence case, Cars24, which the company states reflects maturity and a focus on trust.

The core of the redesign features an open circular logo. According to the company, this form represents the continuity of car ownership, where vehicles change hands and user needs evolve. The open shape is intended to signal flexibility rather than closure.

The brand has also replaced its traditional blue with a brighter shade. This ‘younger blue’ is intended to make the brand appear more attentive and human as it scales its operations.

The identity update was the result of over 1,200 hours of design and iteration. The goal of the project was to create a look that remains relevant as the company expands its services beyond buying and selling into broader ownership systems.

Vikram Chopra, Founder & CEO, Cars24, said, “When we started, being loud helped. But as the company and the team grew up, the work started speaking for itself. This change is about reflecting who we are today, calmer, more human and focused on earning trust over time.”

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