Expected to go on sale ahead of the festive season, the Tata Curvv coupe-SUV will not be positioned as a niche product. As a cross between a coupe, sedan (because it is a four door whereas coupes are usually two door) and an SUV, the vehicle is expected to be positioned as the one that would present superior addressability in terms of aspiration, style and performance. 

About attracting more customers by seeking their attention over other products – sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs – with its stylish demeanour, the Curvv is expected to create a position for itself in a highly competitive market place like the Punch ultra-compact SUV did after its introduction. 

Ironically, the Punch is not the first ultra-compact SUV to enter the Indian market. A few years ago, Mahindra explored this space with the XUV100. The market wasn’t open to such a vehicle then perhaps. Also the XUV100 could have been more appealing with a superior styling language. 

Mahindra & Mahindra could look at relaunching the next generation XUV100 once again with a superior styling and platform attributes. 

Back to the Curvv and it not be the only one of its kind to enter the market. Not even if it will be presented with an electric drivetrain, a petrol powertrain and at a later date, a diesel powertrain as well. The Citroen Basalt – a four-door compact sedan with coupe-SUV styling – is also expected to be launched at roughly the same time. 

The advantage Tata Motors may have over Citroen is the presence it has earned in the Indian passenger vehicle market with the likes of Nexon, Harrier and Safari. Despite the ‘right’ fundamentals, Citroen does not have the sales numbers or brand recall on its side yet.  

In terms of practicality, the coupe-SUV styling of the Curvv and Basalt is expected to signal some loss. But then, whether the buyers warm up to the styling and live with some loss of practically will be clear only after the two find their way to the showrooms and into the garages of the end users. 

Competitively pricing the Curvv in a market where automobiles are terribly expensive will be the key. It will be the same with the Basalt. 

Tata Motors' focus on democratising features is expected to provide an additional advantage to the Curvv. Numerous variants will be presented to cover various price points. 

In case of Basalt, Citroen is also expected to put its learnings in India to good practice.  

With cross over styled sedans like the Maruti SX4 doing well in the Indian market, there is reason to believe that the Curvv and Basalt will be well received. Practicality and price positioning will however matter most. 

South Korean automotive major Kia India has attained a new milestone of rolling out its 1.5 millionth vehicle – Carens SUV – from its Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh. What’s more, the company also announced that it will launch the newest iteration of Kia Carens SUV on 8 May, which it said will be loaded with tech and safety features.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Rolling out our 1.5 millionth 'Make in India' vehicle is a proud and emotional moment for Kia India and every partner who has been a part of this journey. From the very first Seltos to the 1.5 millionth Carens today, each car stands as a testament to the trust, love, and support of our customers and partners. We are deeply grateful for this association and look forward to continuing our pursuit of automotive excellence. The future of Kia India looks bright as we remain steadfast in driving innovation, offering industry-leading products, and shaping the mobility landscape in India.”

Interestingly, the Anantapur facility has so far manufactured over 700,668 units (46.7 percent) of Seltos, followed by 519,064 units (34.6 percent) of the Sonet, 241,582 units (16.1 percent) of the Carens, 23,036 units (1.5 percent) of the Syros and 16,172 units (1.1 percent) of the Carnival.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest car maker, has announced its financial results for FY2025.

The company, with sales of 2.23 million vehicles, clocked revenue of INR 1,451 billion in FY2025, up 7.5 percent YoY, as against INR 1,349 billion for the same period last year.

The net profit came at INR 139 billion, up 5.6 percent YoY, as against INR 132 billion last year.

During the year, the company recorded its highest-ever annual sales and exports. What’s more, Maruti Suzuki India continued to be the top exporter for the fourth consecutive year with a share of 43 percent of total passenger vehicle exports from the country.

JSW MG Motor India, one of India’s leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its Hector SUV is now certified for E20 fuel (20 percent Ethanol blended) petrol. The E20 fuel-compliant Hector SUV will be available in 1.5 L Petrol MT and CVT variants, aligning with India’s mandate for E20-compliant petrol-fuelled vehicles manufactured post 1 April 2025. The price for Hector SUV starts at INR 1.39 million (ex-showroom India).

Rakesh Sen, Director Sales, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The enduring popularity of the Hector highlights its outstanding quality and an alignment with our customers' needs. The introduction of the E20-compliant version demonstrates in no uncertain terms our commitment to innovation and sustainability in everything we do. We aim to provide vehicles that not only satisfy customer expectations but also play a vital role in fostering a more greener automotive future.”

Launched in 2019, the MG Hector was touted as the country’s first Internet SUV and offered features such as dual pane panoramic sunroof and a segment-best 14-inch HD infotainment system and more than 70 connected car features.

As part of its ‘Midnight Carnival’ marketing campaign, JSW MG Motor India invites car buyers to visit MG Motor showrooms open until midnight every weekend for a limited time to purchase the Hector SUV. What’s more, 20 lucky MG Hector buyers stand a chance to win a trip to London, along with exclusive benefits worth up to INR 400,000. 

Tata Motors, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has added another feather to its cap with the Nexon.EV extending its 5-star safety rating in Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP).

The automaker has been actively pursuing safety as a critical parameter in its passenger vehicles, with the Nexon SUV being the first vehicle manufactured in India to have scored 5-star rating at Global NCAP way back in 2018.

Going forward, the company has continued to strengthen its portfolio with actively getting its vehicles assessed in Global NCAP as well as Bharat NCAP protocols.

In June 2024, Tata Motors’ Punch.ev became the first electric vehicle in India to bag the 5-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP. And now, the company continued the tradition with the Nexon.ev continuing to sport the badge of 5-star safety rating.