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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AIS Windshield Experts, an ISO 9001:2015 certified automotive glass repair and replacement company, has announced the opening of its 143rd service centre. The expansion brings the company’s operations to more than 70 cities in India, supported by a fleet of mobile service vans for on-site repairs.

The company provides glass solutions for all vehicle makes and models using materials that meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards. Maintenance and replacement tasks are performed by certified technicians and include a one-year warranty on products and workmanship.

Beyond standard glass replacement, the network handles specialised technical requirements, including:

• Luxury and Commercial Vehicles: Glass replacement for high-end cars and heavy vehicles.
• Modern Vehicle Sensors: Management of sensor recalibration and sunroof glass.
• ADAS Recalibration: Realignment of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems following windshield replacement to ensure camera and sensor accuracy.
• Value-Added Services: Headlight restoration, wiper blade replacement and car battery services.

AIS Windshield Experts has established partnerships with major insurance providers to offer cashless facilities, intended to simplify the claims process for customers. The company’s growth strategy focuses on further penetration into Tier-II and Tier-III cities to standardise auto glass care in smaller markets.

Ratish Ramanujam, Executive Director & COO, AIS Windshield Experts, said, "Reaching 143 outlets is not just a number; it’s a testament to the trust over 1 million satisfied customers have placed in the AIS Windshield Experts brand. This expansive network significantly reduces downtime for vehicle owners and fleets, ensuring quick, reliable, and standardised service nationwide. We are proud to be driving the shift towards organised, quality-assured auto glass care in India. AIS Windshield Experts also specialises in high-end technical repairs and refinements like sunroof glass replacement, glass replacement in luxury cars as well as commercial vehicles, as well as handling the intricacies of delicate sensors in modern vehicles."

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has introduced ‘Quickstop’, a compact, prefabricated service touchpoint designed for rapid deployment in high-vehicle-density areas.

The units are constructed from modified containers and equipped with tools for routine maintenance and minor repairs.

Quickstop facilities are designed for locations such as corporate campuses, airports and fleet hubs. The format allows vehicle owners to access servicing at their place of work or transit points, reducing the need for dedicated service centre visits.

The modular, container-based design requiring minimal space and setup time. It utilises waterless car washing techniques and battery-powered service equipment. The facilities are operated by Maruti Suzuki dealer partners, with space provided by corporate entities or fleet operators.

In the initial pilot phase, the company has established 10 Quickstop facilities across Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Calicut and Surat.

The initiative targets both individual customers and commercial fleet operators. For professional drivers, the on-site format is intended to reduce vehicle downtime and increase operational availability. For office employees, the system allows for vehicle drop-off and pick-up within the workday.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “As workdays are getting increasingly busier and personal time is becoming more valuable, we recognise a growing need to make vehicle servicing even more convenient and accessible to customers. This led to the creation of Quickstop, which brings our service facilities to places customers regularly visit, such as offices, airport zones and fleet hubs. These compact, container-based units are easy to install and require very little time and space for set up, making them ideal for such locations.”

“Office‑goers can simply drop off their vehicles at on‑site Quickstop facilities and pick them up fully serviced after work. Similarly, for fleet operators and commercial users, minimising vehicle downtime is essential, as time directly impacts earnings. Quickstop helps reduce vehicle downtime and increase availability. Our idea is to seamlessly integrate vehicle servicing into a customer’s lifestyle, so that they don’t have to go out of their way. Cars should serve the customers, not the other way around,” he added further.

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GoMechanic has announced the nationwide expansion of its Roadside Repair Services (RSR) to provide assistance for vehicle breakdowns. The initiative aims to standardise roadside support in the Indian automotive service market through a tech-enabled fleet of service vehicles.

The expansion is being executed in two phases to ensure a presence in major urban centres:

• Phase 1: Currently operational with 200 service bikes across cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad.
• Phase 2: Deployment of an additional 300 service bikes scheduled for the second half of 2026, intended to cover all major Indian cities.

The service is available 24x7 and includes multilingual customer support. Assistance can be requested via the GoMechanic mobile application or a dedicated helpline.

The RSR network focuses on resolving common mechanical issues on-site to reduce vehicle downtime. Key services include repair or replacement for flat tyres, battery jump-starts & diagnostics and emergency fuel delivery.

The company stated that the service protocols are designed with a focus on driver safety and trust, particularly for individuals travelling alone or in unfamiliar locations.

Himanshu Arora, Co-Founder and CEO, GoMechanic, said, “Every journey in India is unique, and every car user deserves the security of knowing professional help is never far. With GoMechanic’s Roadside Repair Services, the focus is on reducing downtime during unexpected breakdowns by ensuring timely assistance, so car users can get back on the road without unnecessary delays.”

Muskaan Kakkar, Co-Founder and COO, GoMechanic, added, “This is more than just a service expansion; it is about building trust and reliability for every Indian car owner. With trained mechanics, nationwide coverage, and round-the-clock availability, GoMechanic remains committed to being there when it matters the most.”

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Cars24 has announced the acquisition of Vehicle Info, an automotive utility application. The move is intended to facilitate the development of a vehicle ownership platform in India.

The acquisition signals a shift in strategy for Cars24, moving from a focus on buying and selling transactions toward managing the vehicle lifecycle. Vehicle Info provides users with tools to track insurance validity, traffic challans, FASTag balances and vehicle documentation within a single interface.

Vehicle Info was founded by Chirag Pipaliya in Surat. Developed without venture capital, the application was designed to address the daily management needs of car owners rather than one-time transactions. The platform currently ranks among the most used automotive applications in India for document compliance and utility tracking.

Vehicle Info will continue to operate as a standalone application. Its existing team will work with Cars24 to integrate these utility features into a broader ecosystem for car management.

The integration aims to consolidate fragmented services that vehicle owners typically manage across multiple platforms. By combining transactional data with ownership utility, the companies intend to create a system that serves users throughout the duration of vehicle possession.

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