- Volkswagen Passenger Cars
- Volkfest 2024
- Volkswagen VirtusGT Line
- Volkswagen GT Plus Sport
- Volkswagen Taigun GT Line
Volkswagen India Delivers 131 Cars To Customers In Hyderabad On Navaratri
- By MT Bureau
- October 11, 2024
Volkswagen India has announced mega-deliveries of its cars in Hyderabad, Telangana. Celebrating the auspicious occasion of Navaratri.
The automaker delivered 131 cars to its customers, which it states underscores the brand’s commitment to providing customer experiences and highlights its strong acceptance in the Telangana market.
With the festive season well underway in India, Volkswagen has rolled out its annual festive extravaganza – Volksfest that provides offers and customer benefits for a limited period of time.
With Volksfest 2024, the brand has taken the festivities closer to where customers are, with curated activities and event zones across malls in 14 major metropolitans of India.
The brand has also launched the much-awaited Virtus GT Line and Virtus GT Plus Sport in October this year.
Both new variants of the Virtus come in enhanced avatar with a distinctly styled black theme. Along with this, the brand has also introduced an enhanced feature package for the Taigun GT Line while reinvigorating the line structure with the introduction of a new Highline Plus variant for both India 2.0 cars, thereby giving customers more for less with a highly accessible price point.
Kazuyuki Yamashita To Succeed Takanori Suzuki As Suzuki GB Managing Director
- By MT Bureau
- March 16, 2026
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.
Honda Cancels North American EV Models Amid Strategy Reassessment
- By MT Bureau
- March 16, 2026
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
|
Metric (Billion Yen) |
Previous Forecast |
Revised Forecast |
|
Sales Revenue |
21,100 |
21,100 |
|
Operating Profit |
550 |
-570 to -270 |
|
Profit Before Taxes |
620 |
-650 to -310 |
|
Profit (Parent Owners) |
360 |
-630 to -360 |
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.
Tata Motors’ Rajan Sharma Joins JSW Motors As Head Of Strategy & Planning
- By Nilesh Wadhwa
- March 16, 2026
Mumbai-based JSW Motors has further strengthened its management team with the onboarding of Rajan Sharma as the Head of Strategy & Planning.
Sharma comes with close to two decades of experience in the automotive industry and experience across sales and strategy.
Prior to joining JSW Motors, Sharma spent two years at Tata Motors as the Head – Sales Planning and was part of the company’s key product launches.
He begin his automotive career at Hyundai Motor India in 2004 and spent over nine years at the South Korean automaker, growing to the rank of Regional Manager for Rajasthan region.
Sharma then went on to have a two-year stint at Cardekho, before joining MG Motor India as the Field Sales Head for South and West Zone.
In his new role, Sharma will focus on accelerating JSW Motors presence in the Indian automotive market as the company gears up to launch a slew of new energy vehicles.
Ferrari Intros 849 Testarossa In India
- By MT Bureau
- March 15, 2026
Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari held its India premiere of the 849 Testarossa at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 15 March 2026. The event, led by CEO Benedetto Vigna and Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera, marked the first national reveal for the manufacturer in its history in India.
The 849 Testarossa is a plug-in hybrid sports berlinetta that replaces the SF90 Stradale at the top of the Ferrari range.
Ferrari reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market, which it views as a component of its global strategy. The Italian supercar manufacturer operates retail locations in Mumbai and New Delhi, supported by a service point in Bengaluru. Data from the company indicates that Indian owners are among the youngest globally.
“India is a country that offers a lot of opportunities. It is a young country with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and that energy resonates deeply with Ferrari’s own philosophy of innovation and passion,” said Benedetto Vigna, CEO, Ferrari.
The 849 Testarossa features a mid-rear twin-turbo V8 engine paired with three electric motors. The architecture includes a twin-tail rear design and active spoiler systems.
The supercar integrates electronic control systems, including SSC 9.0, eDiff and ABS Evo. It also features the FIVE vehicle dynamics estimator. The design blends references to Ferrari heritage with the return of the Testarossa name.
| FERRARI 849 TESTAROSSA | |
| Feature | Specification |
| Powertrain | Twin-turbo V8 with 3 electric motors |
| Total Power Output | 1,050 cv |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch F1 gearbox |
| 0-100 kmph | <2.3 seconds |
| 0-200 kmph | 6.35 seconds |
| Maximum Speed | >330 kmph |
| Electric Range | 25 km in eDrive mode |
| Dry Weight | 1,570 kg |


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