SMK, the premium brand of Studds Accessories Ltd, launched the SMK Cygnus helmet and a new collection of riding gear at India Bike Week 2025. The company, part of the world’s largest helmet manufacturer by volume, introduced several models and a complete riding jacket line-up following their debut at EICMA.

The SMK Cygnus features a 180deg rotating chin bar, a flip-back innovation that allows the helmet to convert between full-face and open-face modes. This mechanism enables the helmet to sit differently to suit various postures, such as an upright position for cruisers or a tucked position for sport riding.

The helmet is one of the few in India with P/J Certification, allowing it to be used safely in both open and closed positions. It is constructed with an Energy Impact Resistant Thermoplastic (EIRT) shell and a multi-density EPS liner. Features include a wide anti-scratch visor with Pinlock MaxVision @120, an integrated sun visor, a double D-ring fastener, and a removable hypoallergenic liner. The Cygnus is expected to retail between INR 17,000 and 20,000 in the coming months.

SMK also announced the arrival of the Ares and Nova models. The Ares includes a detachable sun peak and sun visor, while the Nova features an eyeglass-friendly harness and an optically corrected field of vision. These models will be priced at INR 6,350 and INR 3,900 respectively.

For urban and touring needs, the brand introduced the Delta City and Delta Tour demi-jet helmets:

Delta City: A lightweight helmet for commuting with an internal clear visor and moisture-wicking fabric.

Delta Tour: Designed for long distances with an external dual visor, contoured cheek pads, and pockets for Bluetooth communication systems. Prices for the Delta series start from INR 3,299.

The brand displayed its full riding jacket collection, all of which are CE Level A certified. The Infinity Rush and Gladiator models are designed for summer with mesh panels and waterproof liners. The Apex Adventura is a 3/4-length touring jacket with thermal liners and a hydration pack system. For women, the Athenova provides a winter solution with waterproofing and ergonomic styling.

Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories, said: “India Bike Week has always been about celebration of the evolving spirit of riding in India. As demand grows for premium motorcycles and high-quality riding gear, SMK has been at the forefront of leading this shift with our commitment to premium design, advanced safety and superior comfort, for diverse riding styles. We are proud to introduce our new helmet range, led by the Cygnus, along with refreshed graphics and an expanded jacket collection. The overwhelming response from riders today further validates SMK preference as a premium helmet Brand in India.”

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Zoomcar, a leading peer-to-peer car-sharing platform and ride-hailing company Uber have formed a partnership to integrate outstation travel options within the Zoomcar application.

As per the understanding, users searching for self-drive vehicles on the Zoomcar platform can access and book Uber Intercity chauffeur-driven rides. The integration allows travellers to compare self-drive rentals alongside chauffeur-driven options on single-trip and round-trip routes within a single interface.

The service has launched across Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai, with plans to extend the integration to additional cities over time.

The collaboration aligns with shifting consumer preferences in India toward shared mobility access and flexible transport options over vehicle ownership across urban and intercity travel routes.

Deepankar Tiwari, CEO, Zoomcar Holdings, said, “Zoomcar is where India’s most intentional travelers come to plan how they move. Some of them want the freedom of a self-drive car. Others, on other days or other trips, want the comfort of being driven. Both needs are valid, and both deserve a world-class experience. By partnering with Uber, we’re making sure that when a Zoomcar user faces that choice, they don’t have to leave our platform to find the answer. That’s what serving the traveler fully looks like.”

Rishant Ghosh, Director of Consumer & Growth at Uber India & South Asia, said, "Uber Intercity has increasingly become the preferred choice for travel across cities, with demand growing across Tier-2 and metro markets alike. We're also seeing more Indians choose road trips for weekend getaways, family visits and holidays. Through this partnership with Zoomcar, we're making Uber Intercity accessible to even more travelers, giving them another convenient way to book reliable, comfortable outstation rides."

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New Delhi-headquartered helmet manufacturer Steelbird has introduced the Fairy Helmet at prices starting at INR 1,299. The helmet is especially targeted for women riders in India, with the launch coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.

The Fairy helmet construction utilises an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene shell paired with high-density expanded polystyrene padding. The design holds Bureau of Indian Standards certification and features a polycarbonate anti-scratch visor, a top ventilation port and a micrometric buckle system.

Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird, said, “Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of care, protection and the beautiful bonds we share. With the Fairy Helmet, we wanted to bring that thought into something women can use every day. It is designed specially for women and combines safety with colours, comfort and a sense of personal style. We want every woman who wears it to feel confident, comfortable and completely herself on the road.”

The model range includes decal patterns and finishes across three size options: Small (560mm), Medium (570mm) and Large (580mm). The series is available across Steelbird retail outlets and online distribution channels.

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Tata Motors, one of the leading automakers in the country, has opened a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) under its Re.Wi.Re (Recycle With Respect) brand in Patna, Bihar.

The facility is spread across 5.5 acres and is operated by Kalahanu Bothra Group. It has the capacity to dismantle up to 15,000 end-of-life vehicles annually across all brands and vehicle segments, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Operations at the unit are digitised and paperless. The facility uses cell-type dismantling setups for commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers and line-type dismantling systems for passenger vehicles. Dedicated stations process individual components, including tyres, batteries, fuel, oils, liquids and gases, to meet national vehicle scrappage standards.

Speaking at the inauguration, Damodar Rawat, Minister of Transport, Government of Bihar, said, "The launch of this Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility in Patna is a significant step towards safer roads and a cleaner transport ecosystem for the state. In line with the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy, the facility will help phase out old and unfit vehicles in a scientific and responsible manner, while encouraging owners to move to newer, safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Modernising our vehicle fleet is essential to reducing emissions and improving road safety across Bihar. I congratulate Tata Motors and the Kalahanu Group on this initiative and look forward to more such efforts that advance safe and sustainable mobility in the state."

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors, said, “The inauguration of our Patna facility marks another step in building a responsible, organised ecosystem for end-of-life vehicles across the country. The National Vehicle Scrappage Policy has created a structured framework to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles and, through well-designed incentives, encourages owners to transition to cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Guided by the principles of circular economy, we are equipped with the widest nationwide network of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities to responsibly dismantle close to 200,000 end-of-life vehicles annually. We deeply value the unwavering support and collaboration of our partners, state governments and local authorities in turning this vision into reality.”

The Patna site brings the total number of Tata Motors vehicle-scrapping locations to 12. The company also maintains operations in Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Pune, Guwahati, Raipur, Lucknow, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

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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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