Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has announced the commercial launch of its first-ever quick-service format, ‘Skoda Express Care’, which aims to further boost its domestic brand equity.

The inaugural facility was opened at Kun Motor Enterprises in Perungudi on OMR Road, Chennai. Operating as a specialised tier under the umbrella of the Skoda Super Care program, the concept is engineered to shorten vehicle turnaround times for routine maintenance without compromising factory service protocols.

The inauguration scales Skoda’s footprint in Tamil Nadu to 31 customer touchpoints across 14 cities, contributing to a wider nationwide service network that now numbers over 335 touchpoints across 185 cities.

The new facility occupies a 27,900 square foot footprint and features 16 mechanical service bays. Rather than operating via traditional workshop scheduling, the Express Care centre relies on a highly synchronised, high-throughput assembly line approach to routine check-ups.

The quick-turnaround framework is driven by four integrated operational changes – digital check-in architecture, parts pre-kitting, parallel service execution and eligibility parameters.

The Express Care rollout serves as a physical touchpoint extension for the brand's long-term Skoda Super Care program, which includes a standard four-year manufacturer warranty, four years of roadside assistance and four labour-free scheduled services. By optimising workshop space efficiency and vehicle throughput metrics, the company aims to improve dealer profitability while lowering the total cost of ownership friction for retail buyers in critical Southern Indian markets.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “2026 has been a year of strengthening our connection with customers through a focused product offensive, customer-first initiatives, and an unwavering commitment to delivering greater value throughout the ownership journey. The inauguration of our first Express Care facility in Chennai is a natural extension of that philosophy. Introduced under the Skoda Super Care programme, which offers customers four years of standard warranty, four years of roadside assistance and four labour-free services, Skoda Express Care further strengthens our commitment to delivering greater convenience and peace of mind. As we continue to expand our network and get closer to customers, Chennai and Tamil Nadu remain important markets for us, and through this new facility and our growing network, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing customers with the highest standards of care and support.”

Arun Uppuswamy, Dealer Principal, Kun Motor Enterprises, added, “Kun Motor Enterprises shares a long-standing and successful partnership with Skoda Auto India, with multiple sales and aftersales Touchpoints serving customers across Tamil Nadu. We are proud to further strengthen this association by launching Skoda Auto’s first-ever Express Care facility in the country. This new facility reinforces Skoda Auto’s commitment to delivering an enhanced ownership experience through efficient processes, skilled manpower, and high-quality service standards.”

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Motul India has expanded its Sehat Ki Samriddhi healthcare initiative in partnership with Smile Foundation, scaling the programme to 108 health camps across 27 districts from April to December 2026.

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative targets over 21,000 beneficiaries, providing medical diagnostics, consultations and medicines to auto mechanics & their families.

The rollout more than doubles the 51 health camps conducted in the previous year. Since 2024, the initiative has held 91 camps across hubs such as Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and Mangalore, delivering care to over 18,300 individuals.

Nagendra Pai, CEO, Motul India and South Asia, said, "Auto mechanics are the people who keep India's vehicles running every day, yet they remain one of the most underserved communities when it comes to healthcare. Sehat Ki Samriddhi's expansion to 108 camps this year reflects our deepening commitment to these communities. We want to ensure that auto mechanics and their families receive the care and support they deserve, right at their doorsteps."

Each camp provides consultations, diagnostics for blood sugar and haemoglobin, essential medicines and first-aid kits, with support from Motul employees & distributors handling ground operations.

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder, Smile Foundation, added, "Sehat Ki Samriddhi is a strong example of what happens when corporate commitment meets grassroots need. Auto mechanics might be facing occupational hazards every day that go unaddressed until it becomes serious health crises. By bringing doctors, diagnostics, and screenings directly to these beneficiaries, we are promoting and ensuring preventive care."

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GS Caltex India has unveiled the global identity of its lubricant brand, Kixx, featuring a modernised Kixx logo and the brand slogan ‘Lubricating the Future.’

Sung Hur, Executive Vice-President & Head of Chemical & Lubricants Business, GS Caltex, said, "The refreshed Kixx identity reflects our vision to lead the future of lubrication through innovation and customer-centric solutions. India is a strategic market for us and this launch reinforces our long-term commitment to delivering world-class lubricant technologies to customers across the country."

Vijay Savant, CEO & Managing Director, GS Caltex India, said, "The new Kixx identity represents more than a visual transformation, it reflects our commitment to delivering advanced, high-performance lubricant solutions backed by global expertise. As India's mobility and industrial sectors continue to evolve, Kixx is well-positioned to support their growth."

K Madhu Mohan, VP-Marketing, GS Caltex India, added, "'Lubricating the Future' embodies our promise to drive better performance, efficiency and sustainable progress. The refreshed identity will strengthen Kixx's presence while reinforcing the trust customers place in our brand."

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Lusso Designs India, a vehicle customisation company and part of Arpanna Group of Companies, has opened its first flagship experience centre in Mumbai.

The facility will function as a showroom and design atelier, displaying vehicles and components such as alloy wheels and upholstery. Lusso Designs is collaborating with designer Dhanesh Chheda of Just Men for this venture.

The company operates production hubs in Pune and Dubai and caters to brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kia India and Hyundai Motor India.

Pratik Malkan, Chairman, Arpanna Group of Companies, said, "For over five decades, our Group has been built on the belief that enduring businesses are created by combining craftsmanship, innovation and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Lusso Designs represents the natural evolution of that philosophy into the luxury mobility space. India today is witnessing a new generation of discerning consumers who seek experiences that are deeply personal and globally benchmarked. With Lusso, we are not simply introducing another automotive customisation brand—we are creating an ecosystem where design, engineering and craftsmanship come together to redefine luxury ownership for the Indian market and beyond."

Vihaan Malkan, Director, Lusso Designs, said, "The inauguration of our flagship experience centre in Mumbai marks the beginning of a new chapter for the luxury automotive ecosystem in India. Over the past five decades, our group's legacy has been anchored on absolute discretion, precision engineering, and uncompromising quality. Through this experience centre, we are seamlessly fusing international luxury benchmarks with local design sensibilities. We are empowering discerning Indian vehicle owners to realise their ultimate vision of ultra-luxury, personalised comfort, and sustainable design, transforming their vehicles into a true extension of their individual identity."

The new facility is designed for vehicle customisation, offering services ranging from interior overhauls to the integration of materials.

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Tropicool Autotronics has unveiled its 360deg Around View Monitoring (AVM) System for commercial vehicles at the Prawaas 5.0 exhibition in India. The system is designed to improve driver visibility and eliminate blind spots.

It provides a bird's-eye view using four HD cameras, offering dynamic guidelines for parking and reversing. The system features automatic camera switching based on vehicle movement and multi-channel recording. The architecture is built to support future safety applications and is designed for buses, trucks and commercial vehicles.

Khushboo Shinagare, CEO, Tropicool Autotronics, said, "Commercial vehicle safety is evolving rapidly, and visibility is one of the biggest challenges drivers face every day. Our 360deg AVM System empowers drivers with complete situational awareness, reducing blind spots and improving passenger and pedestrian safety. We are delighted to introduce this solution at Prawaas 5.0 and support India's vision for safer, smarter mobility."

This launch expands the company’s portfolio, which includes vehicle electronics, parking assistance and passenger systems.

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