JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has further upped its game to grab a bigger piece of the lucrative Indian market. The company has today launched the Windsor EV at an introductory price of INR 999,000 plus an INR 3.5 per km for the battery under the industry first Battery as a Service Model (BaaS), while usage of the EV charging facility under MG eHUB initiative is absolutely free.

The 4.3-metre Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) is being positioned as a vehicle offering the comfort of a sedan and the elegance of an SUV. For the unversed, the Windsor EV is already sold in the global markets as the MG Cloud EV.

In terms of tech specs, the Windsor features a IP67 certified PMS Motor; a 38 kWh li-ion battery pack and 4 driving modes (Eco+, Eco, Normal and Sport) that delivers 100KW (136ps) power and 200Nm of instant torque. The Windsor EV has a claimed range of 331km and can be charged in 40 minutes at any DC fast charger.

On the inside, it gets spacious aero lounge seats that can be reclined to 135degrees, coupled with the infinity view glass roof (segment first). It also features a massive 15.6-inch Grandview Touch Display in the central console.

What’s more to further disrupt the segment and expand the share of electric vehicles in its overall sales, the Windsor EV will be available with several industry-first features. It was just last month that JSW MG Motor India announced the initiative partnering with leading EV Charging players and operators under the unified platform, which is claimed to consist of 80 percent of all the public charging stations across the country. 

The BaaS model the company says is part of its efforts to bridge the gap between the cost of an IC-vehicle and that of an EV. Furthermore, through the 3-60 assured buyback plan for the Windsor EV, JSW MG Motor India also will offer 60 percent value of the vehicle after 3 years/45,000km.

At present, JSW MG Motor India sells five models in India – Hector SUV, ZS EV, Astor C-SUV and the Comet EV. What’s more the company already sees 35 percent of its retail sales coming from the electric vehicles offerings, and with the Windsor it expects that it could easily help surpass the 50 percent threshold. 

For consumers wanting to buy the EV outright, the company will be announcing the pricing in the coming two weeks. 

Parth Jindal, Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The Windsor is the first car that has come out of the JV and the team has worked very hard in developing and bringing it to the Indian market. This vehicle embodies our commitment to delivering to our Indian customers the best of innovation the world has to offer. As a crossover utility vehicle, the Windsor merges the comfort of a sedan with the expanse of an SUV, making it an ideal car for the Indian household. With its advanced features." 

Rajeev Chaba, CEO Emeritus, JSW MG Motor India said, "With its delightful features and easy to drive dynamics, MG Windsor will certainly invite newer sets of customers to try EVs. Enabling this, we have created a clear channel for smart and unique ownership through the BaaS program, complemented with additional benefits. With these initiatives, we are addressing the barrier of incremental upfront cost of owning an EV and supporting easy and hassle-free ownership through the user-friendly eHUB by MG app that brings the EV ecosystem to the fingertips of customers.”

The Windsor CUV will be available in three variants: Excite, Exclusive, and Essence; and four colours: Starburst Black, Pearl White, Clay Beige, and Turquoise Green.

Atul Greentech, a subsidiary of Atul Auto, has inked a strategic partnership with Amara Raja Group for collaboration in the development and supply of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery packs and chargers for electric vehicles.

To start with, Amara Raja will supply batteries for Atul Greentech’s three-wheelers from its Giga Corridor in Divitipalli, Telangana. The partners will also collaborate for future battery chemistries.

Vijay Kedia, Director, Atul Auto, said, “Amara Raja and Atul Greentech have long-standing mutually beneficial partnership and I am happy to strengthen it further with the MoU we have signed today. Atul Greentech has always been at the forefront of innovation that benefits and empowers our customers. Together with Amara Raja we are confident of advancing our successful EV journey as India adapts to electric mobility.”

Vijayanand Samudrala, President, New Energy, Amara Raja Energy and Mobility (ARE&M), said, “Amara Raja Group is committed to play the role of a catalyst in India’s energy transition. We believe that a domestic ecosystem of cells, packs, chargers along with research and development is critical as India embraces electric vehicles and are working with likeminded partners to offer them best in class products for their needs. We have immense respect for their contribution to electrify mobility in India and we are hopeful that this new agreement will further enhance their product portfolio.”

Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania has acquired the Industrial Division of Northvolt Systems, including production capabilities, a R&D Centre and a team of approximately 260 employees. The acquisition will provide Scania access to Northvolt’s battery manufacturing and designing capabilities especially in the heavy industry and off-highway market segments, material handling, construction equipment and mining.

The operations are based in two locations: a leased production facility in Gdansk, Poland, and an R&D centre in Tomteboda, Stockholm, Sweden.

Sara Hermansson, Head of Scania Power Solutions, said, “Northvolt Systems Industrial Division brings valuable expertise in battery technology and assembly. Their capabilities strengthen our modular approach and support the development of complete electrified solutions for off-road applications. I’m pleased to welcome the team to Scania."

The acquired business will compliment Scania Power Solutions and operate as a stand-alone venture within Scania Ventures and New Business, aligning with its strategy to develop complementary and transformational businesses.

Jonas Hernlund, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Scania Ventures and New Business, said, “By combining Northvolt Systems Industrial Division’s battery expertise with Scania's deep industry knowledge, we are not only driving innovation but also strengthening our ability to serve our customers in their transition journeys. This acquisition demonstrates how Scania Ventures and New Business leverage our capabilities in opportunity identification, M&A and growth-stage company management to enable our core business and enhance our position as a transformation partner for our customers — all in support of a more sustainable transport system.”

Elin Akerstrom, Vice-President, Northvolt Systems Industrial, stated, “Since 2017, Northvolt Systems Industrial has developed advanced battery systems for machines operating in demanding environments such as construction, mining, and material handling. Our flagship solution, Voltpack Core, reflects our ability to meet real-world industrial challenges. Joining Scania marks the next chapter in our journey. This acquisition brings together two strong legacies in electrification and powertrain innovation. I am confident that, together, we will strengthen our capabilities and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

JSW MG Motor India has announced that its popular electric vehicle offering, the MG Windsor, has clocked a new sales milestone with sales crossing 20,000 units in six months of launch.

This makes it the fastest-selling electric vehicle in India. Launched on 11 September 2024, the company positioned the Windsor as a CUV (crossover utility vehicle) and the most comfortable EV in its segment.

Rakesh Sen, Director Sales & Marketing, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Since its launch, the MG Windsor has delighted car buyers with its exceptional value proposition. Customers have praised its futuristic design, intuitive tech features, spacious cabin, all combined with a sustainable and pocket-friendly driving experience. In addition, with the MG Windsor, we have successfully addressed category barriers and dispelled several myths around EVs in India through our innovative approach. This has enabled newer customers to adapt to the EV lifestyle. These factors have propelled MG Windsor to become the fastest EV model to achieve 20,000 sales milestone in record time.”

The Windsor EV is available at a starting price of INR 999,000 and INR 3.9 per km under the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. The MG Windsor EV with 38 kWh Li-ion battery pack, delivers 100 KW (136ps) of power and 200Nm of torque with an ARAI-certified range of 323 km.

CUPRA has announced that its latest electrified SUV, the CUPRA Terramar, has achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The sporty SUV secured maximum score and joins the CUPRA Tavascan, CUPRA Born, CUPRA Formentor and CUPRA Leon.

The CUPRA Terramar achieved outstanding scores in all three of the Euro NCAP test areas – Vulnerable Road User (82 percent), Adult Occupant (89 percent) and Child Occupant (87 percent), thanks to its suite of advanced safety system. The CUPRA Terramar received a score of 76 percent in the Safety Assist category, which is the last component of Euro NCAP's evaluation.

To ensure that cars are as safe as possible for all users of the road, especially the most vulnerable, Euro NCAP's test procedures are revised on a regular basis. More stringent requirements will be enforced by Euro NCAP in 2025, including biomechanical values of the occupants, rescue sheets in all EU languages, vehicle immersion tests to guarantee the exit of occupants by ensuring the operation of relevant electrical systems for a specific period of time, new leg impactors in pedestrian protection tests that evaluate the femur and tibia more realistically and new active safety scenarios to enhance and lessen damage to other road users.

Dr Werner Tietz, Executive Vice-President – Research and Development, CUPRA, said, “The CUPRA Terramar’s 5-star Euro NCAP rating is a reflection of the importance we place on safety, not only for the vehicle’s occupants but every road user. CUPRA’s new sporty and electrified SUV embraced the challenge, and thanks to its suite of advanced safety system, was able to join the CUPRA Tavascan, Born, Formentor and Leon with the maximum score possible.”