The iconic red walls along the Judges Court Road in Kolkata, which once housed the famed Alipore Central Correctional Home, recently welcomed hundreds of visitors to marvel at the sight of classic and vintage cars and bikes.

The century-old establishment once again served as host to the Vintage and Classic Car and Bike Show organised by Classic Drivers Club (CDC), which entered into its second edition. The show is also recognised by the Federation International des Vehicules Anciens, which is the worldwide federative association of historic automobile clubs.

As the Sunday crowd stepped through the towering doors of this renowned symbol of societal order and rehabilitation, eager for a glimpse into the lives of inmates, their eyes were drawn to the vibrant signage that read, ‘The Alipore Museum & Classic Drivers Club Presents The Vintage & Classic Car & Bike Show.’

As one entered the courtyard through the gate, their eyes were immediately drawn to a stunning display of vehicles—cars elegantly arranged in a semi-circle on the left and bikes lined up neatly in the center. To the right, another delightful sight awaited, captivating both seasoned car enthusiasts and the young, eager crowd.

The excitement didn’t end there. As one walked past the exhibits on the right, another collection of motorcycles came into view. Stepping back and entering a side lane that led to a former jail storage space, visitors were greeted by a line-up of classic cars, featuring icons such as the Hindustan Motors Ambassador, Contessa and Willys MB.

The corridors were bustling with the murmur of the crowd that crossed the 6,000 mark by 3pm. Sound of camera clicking resonated through those thick walls. People from far-off places had come to lay eyes of these historical masterpieces that were still in optimum shape.

A man in his early 70s moved from car to car in a wheelchair, guided by his granddaughter. He paused in front of a 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, lost in nostalgia, while his granddaughter snapped a selfie in front of the magnificent machine.

The automobiles had come from far-off places like Jamshedpur to give a glimpse of history. A total of 89 vehicles were exhibited including 64 cars and 25 motorcycles.

The Ford Model A (1930) and Chevrolet Fleetmaster (1947) stood proudly among the elegant line-up, their gleaming chrome reflecting the soft afternoon sun. Nearby, the Morris Minor (1951) and Austin 7 Ruby (1935) evoked memories of a bygone era, while the unmistakable curves of the Volkswagen Beetle (1958) drew curious onlookers.

As visitors moved through the display, the Rolls-Royce 20 HP (1923) stood as a testament to British luxury, positioned beside the sleek Triumph Spitfire (1963), a symbol of spirited motoring.

The two-wheeler section was just as mesmerising, with the legendary Yamaha RX 100 (1985) capturing the hearts of many, alongside the timeless Royal Enfield Bullet (1960s) and the Italian charm of the Vespa VBA 150 (1956). As the afternoon crowd swelled, nostalgia filled the air, with every turn revealing another masterpiece that had once ruled the roads, now standing as tributes to automotive history.

Speaking to Motoring Trends on the condition of anonymity, a car mechanic responsible for the upkeep of some of the cars said, “It is not easy to maintain these jewels, as original spare parts are hard to find, especially in the classic segment. Moreover, duplicate spare parts have flooded the market, hindering the performance of these powerful machines. I recently sourced a monogram for the owner of a 1962 Ambassador, which was transported from Bengaluru for a whopping INR 15,000 after a six-month search.”

He noted that the cars are taken to the roads at least twice a week and the engines are powered each day to keep them in running condition.

Besides the exhibition, an award ceremony was held at the auditorium to honour the owners, though it was strictly limited to CDC members. The event also included a special programme recognising the unsung craftsmen who work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain historic vehicles in pristine condition.

As the sun set over the historic walls of Alipore Jail Museum, the echoes of admiration lingered in the air. The event was more than just a showcase; it was a celebration of automotive heritage, craftsmanship and nostalgia. With each gleaming car and roaring bike, the past came alive, reminding everyone of the timeless charm of these mechanical marvels.

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for April 2025 at 84,170 vehicles, a growth of 19 percent, including exports.

The auto major sold a total of 52,330 SUVs in the domestic market, which was 28 percent higher than 41,008 SUVs sold for the same period last year. Commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market came at 22,989 units, which was 4 percent YoY. 

Veejay Nakra, President, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Building on the strong momentum of last year's performance, we began the year on a strong note in April by achieving SUV sales of 52,330 units, a growth of 28 percent and total vehicle sales of 84,170 units, a 19 percent growth over the same month last year. These numbers indicate the strength of our portfolio and customer offerings.”

JSW MG Motor India, a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for April 2025.

The company reported sales of 5,829 units, which was 23 percent higher over April 2024, when it sold 4,725 vehicles.

Interestingly, the automaker's popular offering, the Windsor EV, has continued to be the top-selling electric passenger vehicle for the seventh month in a row.

JSW MG Motor India's Windsor EV has now gone home to over 20,000 customers.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported its wholesales of 179,791 units in April 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to 168,089 units sold in April 2024. The growth was primarily propelled by strong performance in utility vehicles and a sharp rise in export volumes.

Domestic sales, including passenger and light commercial vehicles, remained flat with 142,053 units, as compared to 140,448 units in April 2024. Within this, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) like the Super Carry saw a significant jump of 34.2 percent, with sales rising to 3,349 units from 2,496 units last year.

In the passenger vehicle segment, SUVs such as the Brezza, Ertiga, Grand Vitara and others recorded a 4.4 percent increase, selling 59,022 units compared to 56,553 in the previous year. However, sales for Eeco declined by 5.2 percent, while the mini segment (Alto, S-Presso) saw a sharp 45 percent drop, falling to 6,332 units from 11,519 units. The compact segment, which includes high-volume models like the Baleno and Swift, grew by 8.1 percent, reaching 61,591 units.

Sales to Toyota Kirloskar Motor rose sharply by 79.2 percent, from 5,481 units to 9,827 units, indicating a growing demand for cross-badged products.

The standout performer was the export segment, which surged 26 percent to 27,911 units from 22,160 units in April 2024. This strong export growth helped bolster the company’s overall numbers despite weaknesses in domestic sub-segments.

While some product lines such as the mid-size sedan Ciaz (-63 percent) continue to struggle.

Tata Motors reported total wholesales of 72,753 units for April 2025, reflecting a 6 percent year-on-year decline from 77,521 units in April 2024.

The passenger vehicle (PV) segment, including electric vehicles, accounted for 45,532 units, down 5 percent from 47,983 units in the same month last year. Within this, domestic PV sales dropped 6 percent to 45,199 units, while international business (IB) sales rose significantly to 333 units, up from 100 units. Electric vehicle sales (domestic + IB) declined 16 percent year-on-year to 5,318 units.

Commercial vehicle (CV) sales stood at 27,221 units, marking an 8 percent YoY drop from 29,538 units in April 2024. Domestic CV sales contracted 10 percent to 25,764 units, while CV exports (IB) grew 43 percent to 1,457 units. Key sub-segments like Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV) and pickups saw a steep 23 percent decline.

Despite growth in certain categories like ILMCV trucks and passenger carriers, overall sales momentum was tempered across both PV and CV segments.