A few weeks ago, when I heard the name Stellantis, I thought it was some new medical drug for the treatment of acidity or constipation. In my mind, the name also rhymed with Atlantis, a fabled island in the Atlantic Ocean that, according to legend, sank beneath the sea! Anyway, now the world knows that Stellantis is the new auto company formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA, completing a more than two-year effort to form one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers. According to reports, the merger of FCA and Peugeot creates the world’s fourth-largest automaker with 400,000 employees in 130 countries and 30 manufacturing plants with 14 brands.

According to the company, Stellantis draws on the Latin “stello,” meaning “to brighten with stars”, and surely hopes to be a stellar performer. “We believe that Stellantis needs to be great rather than big,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. The merger is estimated to save about Euro five billion a year by converging vehicles and powertrains, jointly procuring parts and integrating sales and marketing functions. “You can trust our management in our execution capability,” Tavares said while launching its stock on the New York stock exchange. “We are here to get the job done,” he said.

He also assured the FCA employees that he doesn’t expect any layoffs due to company’s new global scale. But history tells a different story. One auto analyst, Sam Abuelsamid, says mergers end up with fewer jobs somewhere down the line, if not right away. “American jobs are probably less at risk, but I do expect that we will see some job losses in Europe than North America,” said Abuelsamid. To be sure, the auto industry is driving toward an uncertain future, where cars increasingly run off of batteries and software, with the internal combustion engine may be headed for demise. Bloomberg Intelligence service said, “Stellantis faces a mixed outlook as US stimulus plans may buoy Chrysler versus a more uncertain outlook for Peugeot in Europe.

Chrysler’s History

The American Big Three OEMs – GM, Ford, and Chrysler – all have a checkered history, but none as varied as that of Chrysler! GM, due to its dominant size and anti-trust regulations, is not a candidate for merger and acquisition (M&A). Ford, due to its family ownership, is not an easy candidate for M&A also. That leaves Chrysler, the smallest of the three, as a feasible M&A candidate for foreign OEMs, seeking to gain US entry.

Chrysler was founded by Walter Chrysler in 1925, when the Maxwell Motor Company (est. 1904) was re-organised into the Chrysler Corporation. In the 1930s, the company created a formal vehicle parts division under the MoPar brand.

In 1978, under the leadership of Lee Iacocca, Chrysler sold its loss-making European division to Peugeot!

In 1979, the company was on the brink of going out-of-business and was rescued by the US government through $1.5 billion in loan guarantees.

In 1987, it acquired American Motors Corporation (AMC), for much-needed production capacity and the Jeep brand, which has helped Chrysler tremendously.

In 1998 Daimler-Benz and Chrysler formed a 50–50 partnership. Chrysler Corporation then was legally renamed DaimlerChrysler Motors Company LLC. On May 14, 2007, DaimlerChrysler AG sold 80.1 percent of its stake in the Chrysler Group to Cerberus Capital Management, and DaimlerChrysler Corporation became Chrysler Holding LLC.

Towards the end of 2008, amid the great depression, Chrysler announced that they were dangerously low on cash and may not survive past 2009, and announced a plan to file for bankruptcy and permanently shut down all operations. On March 30, 2009, American Government provided an additional USD six billion to support Chrysler, contingent on the company finalising an alliance with Fiat. While the merger negotiations were still going on, Chrysler did file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the Federal Bankruptcy Court in New York in April 2009.

On May 24, 2011, Fiat paid back USD 7.6 billion in the US and Canadian Government loans. In July, Fiat bought the Chrysler shares held by the United States Treasury. With the purchase, Chrysler once again became foreign-owned, this time an Italian company, to be known as FCA US LLC. And now, Chrysler again has a new name! How long will it last? (MT)

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has expanded its Alcazar SUV range with a new Corporate variant with diesel powertrain at prices starting INR 1.78 million and an expansion of automatic transmission options in the Prestige DCT Petrol (7-speed) at INR 1.86 million.

The Alcazar Corporate variant is equipped with a voice-enabled smart Panoramic Sunroof and is available with both 6-speed Manual and 6-speed Automatic transmission choices, and is designed to appeal to the evolving aspirations of Indian SUV buyers.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At Hyundai Motor India, we are continuously listening to customer feedback and evolving our product offerings to meet their aspirations. The introduction of the Corporate variant in Alcazar Diesel with a voice enabled smart panoramic sunroof and the inclusion of DCT in the Prestige Petrol variant reflects our commitment to providing a more personalized and premium SUV experience. With these updates, we aim to offer more choice and delight to our customers who seek performance, technology and sophistication in their vehicles.”

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When Tata Motors launched the Harrier.ev, it wasn’t just introducing another electric vehicle — it was signalling a shift in India’s premium electric vehicle landscape. Based on Tata’s Gen 2 EV (acti.ev+) architecture, the Harrier.ev blends familiarity with futuristic design, making electrification a natural progression rather than a disruptive leap.

Interestingly, the company is providing a lifetime warranty on the battery for the first vehicle owners, applicable only to private owners. 

Anand Kulkarni, Chief Product Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, told Motoring Trends, “We have said that our Gen 2 approach is basically a pure EV approach. Much the same way, the acti.ev+, in fact, we have taken that architecture further ahead on the Harrier.ev to make sure that you can get the seating comfort of a regular SUV without any compromise on the battery or powertrain.”

While rivals explore born-electric platforms from scratch, Tata’s strategy with the Harrier.ev is different – marrying known aesthetics with a ground-up EV design. That’s not just a technical decision, but as Kulkarni stated, it’s rooted in customer behaviour.

“There is a section of people who are saying, who want the comfort and the familiarity of the product that they are using. So we have ​made a product that retains that familiarity, while giving them the benefits of electrification,” Kulkarni explained.

The Harrier.ev isn’t just about powertrains and batteries – it’s about creating a ‘third space.’ With features like a 14.5-inch Neo QLED screen and Dolby audio, Tata wants the Harrier.ev to be as comfortable and connected as a living room.

“You have office, you have home, and everything in between is where you spend a lot of time in the car. People expect it to be comfortable, convenient, connected and safe,” Kulkarni said.

Even as the EV market rapidly matures, Tata remains mindful of long-term viability. Decisions around battery size, AWD vs FWD configurations, and software-driven features were all taken with a delicate balance of affordability and future-readiness in mind.

“We worked with two sizes of batteries. This was about making the right choices,” said Kulkarni, noting how Tata’s dual-battery strategy is now industry standard.

As Kulkarni explained, For Tata, the Harrier.ev is more than a product – it's a culmination of years of foresight, strategic evolution and a deep understanding of the Indian consumer. It’s a vehicle that reflects not just where the market is headed, but how Tata Motors is determined to lead it there.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Fortuner and Legender in a new Neo Drive in a hybrid avatar, featuring a 48-volt system that delivers improved fuel efficiency. The models are priced at INR 4.47 million and INR 5.09 million, respectively.  

Since its debut in 2009, the Toyota Fortuner has defined the premium SUV segment in India, admired for its rugged design, robust performance and unmatched all-terrain capabilities. The stylish and feature-rich Legender complements the Fortuner, exemplifying Toyota’s core values of quality, durability and reliability. Together, they have cultivated a loyal following among urban adventurers and off-road enthusiasts alike.

The new Neo Drive variants introduce Toyota’s advanced 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine paired with a 48V system comprising a belt-integrated starter generator and lithium-ion battery. This technology mirrors hybrid electric systems by recuperating braking energy during deceleration, contributing to smoother low-end acceleration, quieter operation and improved fuel efficiency. The Smart Idle Start-Stop function further enhances efficiency by automatically shutting off the engine when stationary, resulting in lower emissions and fuel savings.

Importantly, the company claims that these enhancements do not compromise the Fortuner and Legender’s formidable payload capacity, durability or off-road performance. The Multi-Terrain Select system optimises throttle response, braking and traction control to deliver a superior driving experience across diverse terrains.

On the design front, the Fortuner retains its bold, purposeful stance, ideal for rugged adventures, while the Legender exudes a more dynamic and premium appeal with dual-tone body colours, split LED headlamps and a sleek fascia. Both models offer dual-tone leather upholstery, soft-touch materials and ergonomic seating designed for long-distance comfort.

In terms of safety the SUVs come with ABS, Vehicle Stability Control with Brake Assist, WIL Concept Seats, Hill Assist Control, Traction Control and more. Toyota’s focus on customer convenience extends to tailored finance solutions, including up to 8-year funding plans, Toyota Smart Balloon Finance and pre-approved value-added services such as extended warranty and genuine accessories. Buyers will also benefit from five years of complimentary roadside assistance and a standard 3-year/100,000 km warranty, extendable to 5 years/220,000 km, along with the customisable Toyota Smiles Plus service package.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “As the SUV market in India grows steadily, customers are seeking advanced features and differentiated styling. The new Fortuner and Legender Neo Drive variants meet these expectations with bold design, powerful performance, and comprehensive features, underscoring Toyota’s commitment to delivering ever-better cars and advancing towards carbon neutrality.”

Bookings for the Fortuner and Legender Neo Drive variants commenced on 2 June 2025, with deliveries set to begin from the third week of June.

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Hyundai Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has onboarded popular actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador.

The company shared that Tripathi, who is known for his versatility and grounded charm, embodies Hyundai India’s values of reliability, authenticity and a deep-rooted connection with the country’s diverse audience. With this association, HMIL further strengthens its ambassador lineup that already includes iconic personalities.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we celebrate stories of progress and inspiration. We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to HMIL family. His grounded persona, exceptional talent and widespread appeal resonate with the values of HMIL and our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Together, we aim to drive deeper emotional connections with our diverse customer base across India.”

Pankaj Tripathi, said, “It is an honour to associate with Hyundai Motor India, a brand that has long stood for trust, innovation and customer-first approach. My first car was a Hyundai, and over the years, that relationship has grown into something truly personal. As someone who deeply values simplicity, sincerity and staying true to one’s roots, I find a natural alignment with HMIL’s ethos. I look forward to this partnership where together, we can connect with people across the country - not just through technology, but through shared stories and values.”

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