It is no secret that hybrid cars are attracting the attention of more and more buyers in India as they promise a combination of an electric system and an IC engine, providing superior fuel efficiency, a silent ride when propelled by the electric system and good performance with the motor contribution to the power and torque output of the vehicle. 

Despite attracting a higher tax than the IC engine or electric vehicles in India at 42 percent as compared to the latter two which are taxed at 28 percent, hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Hycross and the Maruti Grand Vitara are selling god numbers in their respective segments.

As the demand for reduction in tax on hybrid turns vocal and state governments – the Government of Uttar Pradesh has announced a reduction in registration tax of a strong hybrid vehicle by eight to ten percent – begin to sops, hybrid vehicles seem to get into an advantageous position in terms of their market value and position. 

With this as a basis, the time may be right to ask if extended-range hybrids would make a good case for India? The extended-range hybrid technology in vehicles is promoted as a step towards full-electric, informed an industry source. It is led by China and as a technology subject to certain challenges, he added. 

With automakers like Stellantis and Ford gearing up to unveil range-extended hybrids in Europe, the challenge they are going to face is the European Union (EU) emission regulations. It would be necessary that such vehicles are excluded from the EU's 2035 combustion engine sales cut-off.

Essentially plug-in hybrids with a drive range of up to a whopping 2,100 km, the extended-range hybrid cars such as the two models (one is named Qin L) unveiled by BYD to challenge Volkswagen and Toyota in the Chinese market recently works in a manner that the electric power architecture, which is the foundation for achieving lower energy consumption and higher thermal efficiency, works smartly. 

In other words, the technology taps the higher thermal efficiency of electricity on the basis that the same amount of fuel can generate more electricity for the battery, directly enhancing the vehicle’s range. This in-turn should also explain the lower energy consumption factor. 

Providing an insight into the 2,100 km drive range claim by BYD for the two range-extended hybrid models it launched in China recently, an engineer mentioned that the company has simplified the conditions that govern the IC engine (this is unlike before when the IC engine handled various conditions as the sole powertrain) and have let the electric motor handle more. The result is an improvement in thermal efficient as the engine conditions are simpler. 

For a strictly electric vehicle company to enter IC engine manufacture and deploy it in its cars marks a significant shift in how the electric vehicle industry is responding to the market requirements. 

Innovating a powertrain such that the IC engine handles only 20 percent of what it handled as the sole powertrain of a petrol or diesel vehicle, BYD opted for a high compression ratio. The challenge this move presented saw the global EV leader from China to conduct over 240 combustion combination experiments to ensure the engine does not overheat, does not knock, does not experience reduction in power and speed and causing instability. 

The thermal efficiency of BYD’s engine is a very high 46.06 percent. That of the Great Wall Motor’s Hi4 hybrid system is 41.5 percent. The power density of the BYD system has gone up by about 70 percent, reducing significant the energy flow path losses. The overall efficiency achieved is about 92 percent. 

The cost of such a technology since it is at a nascent stage right now will be high. Its ability to cut down emissions by increasing the thermal efficiency is something that will put cars with such technology in a good position in India. 

The real excitement will however lie in democratizing this technology to bring it down to the volume production car level in the next three to five years. This will definitely make a good case for India. Ironically, the IC engine is not showing any signs of disappearing yet. 

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has upgraded its popular offering, the Scorpio-N Z8L variant, with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) tech.

This will see the Scorpio-N Z8L variant coming with Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Pilot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and High Beam Assist features.

The ADAS tech will further enhance safety quotient for the Scorpion-N with exclusive features such as Speed Limit Assist and Front Vehicle Start Alert, marking a first for Mahindra ICE SUVs.

Furthermore, the company has also expanded the Scorpio-N line-up with the introduction of the Z8T variant at INR 2.02 million. The new variant will sit between the Z8 and Z8L variants. It comes with a compelling mix of premium features, including R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 12-speaker Sony-branded audio system, front camera, front parking sensors, 6-way powered driver seat, electronic parking brake (EPB), ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming IRVM.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a new milestone in its aftersales service. The company recorded servicing (free and paid) over 2.45 million vehicles in May, the highest in a single month in its history.

The feat was achieved through the company’s vast network of over 5,400 service touchpoints.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “This is the first time in the company’s history that we have serviced over 24.5 lakh vehicles in a month, an achievement that reflects scale, depth, and efficiency of the service network. It is a result of the tireless efforts of our service teams and dealer partners across the country.”

“Good quality aftersales service is critical to maintain vehicle health, leading to a delightful car ownership experience and strengthen customer retention. Even before we started mass sales of vehicles in India, our focus was on building a robust service network, a foundation that continues to support us as we expand our business further. Going forward, we aim to expand our service touchpoints to 8,000 by FY 2030-31 and introduce innovative formats to cater to the requirements of diverse customer needs. This will help in our EV launch as well. We are preparing 1,500 EV enabled service workshops covering over 1,000 cities with specially trained manpower and special equipment to extend all EV related support to our customers,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki India has through its dealer partners introduced several innovative and industry-first service formats, to address the smallest query to full-car service needs ranging from traditional brick-and-mortar workshops to mobile workshops. Over the years, it has also created a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) to provide emergency on-road assistance across the country.

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Mercedes-Benz India, the German luxury car brand, has announced a significant organisational change, effective from 1 August 2025, with the appointment of Brendon Sissing as the new Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. He will take over from Lance Bennett, who has moved to Mercedes-Benz Middle East as their Chief Financial Officer.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "We are excited to welcome Brendon Sissing as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz India. Brendon takes over the responsibility from Lance Bennett, who has joined Mercedes-Benz Middle East as the CFO. Brendon brings rich experience from the world of financing and insurance, as he successfully steered Mercedes-Benz Financial Service India, doubling its portfolio, driving record profit and business transformation, while elevating the integrated customer journey. We are confident Brendon will continue the growth momentum of Mercedes-Benz in this highly diverse and dynamic Indian luxury car market. We thank Lance for his immense contribution and wish them both, the very best in their respective new roles."

Brendon Sissing previously served as the Head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India, where he was instrumental in doubling the company's portfolio and achieving record profits. He is recognised for his strong advocacy of digital transformation and risk management, leveraging his expertise in credit risk to drive operational excellence. He has extensive experience within the Mercedes-Benz group, having worked with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz South Africa, leading Credit Operations in both markets. He also held roles in Credit Underwriting and Key Accounts at Daimler Mobility, Stuttgart, before joining Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India in 2022.

The German brand stated that under Sissing's leadership, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India significantly enhanced customer journeys through integrated online and offline platforms. He is also noted for his passion for coaching and mentoring, fostering high-performing team environments. Sissing holds a B. Tech degree in Cost & Management Accounting from Technikon Pretoria, South Africa and a Diploma in Credit Management from the Institute of Credit Management. He is also a founding member of Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, established in 2012.

A South African national, Sissing has worked in various international locations, including Malaysia, South Africa, Germany and India.

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Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, the Honda City Sport, adding a dynamic and youthful edge to the City line-up. Priced at INR 1.48 million (ex-showroom, Delhi), the City Sport is positioned as a limited-edition offering designed to appeal to style-conscious, spirited drivers.

The new variant will be exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission and is offered in three colour options — Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Sporting a blacked-out exterior theme, the car features a Sporty Black Grille, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Trunk Lip Spoiler and multi-spoke grey alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin gets an all-black treatment with red stitching, leather seats and ambient lighting for a premium, performance-inspired feel.

Under the hood, it retains the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. The model also comes equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced driver assistance suite.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.”

The City Sport is being positioned as a limited-unit, exclusive edition for customers seeking distinction in both design and driving dynamics.

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