Abbey Thomas Named Brand Director for Bentley India as Skoda Auto Volkswagen Expands Portfolio

Bentley Flying Spur
Bentley Flying Spur

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) is set to bring British luxury brand Bentley as the sixth marque under the Group’s umbrella. From 1 July 2025, the company will exclusively import, distribute and service Bentley vehicles across the country.

The German brand will be responsible for all marketing, sales and aftersales operations under a newly established entity, Bentley India, a group company of SAVWIPL, overseeing the brand’s India strategy and retail network. Abbey Thomas has been appointed as the Brand Director of Bentley India to oversee the brand’s operations for the Indian market.

The British luxury brand will have three new dealer partners across key cities, starting with Bengaluru and Mumbai, followed by New Delhi.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Welcoming Bentley into the SAVWIPL family is a proud milestone that completes our portfolio – from the precision of German engineering to the timeless elegance and unmatched performance of British craftsmanship. India’s appetite for uncompromising luxury is growing rapidly. Additionally, Abbey’s deep understanding of the Indian market makes him the ideal leader to steer Bentley India toward new milestones.”

Jan Bures, Executive Director, Sales, Marketing and Digital, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “It’s a proud moment for us in India to welcome Bentley into the SAVWIPL family. The ever-growing UHNI segment in India will benefit from this new association, and we, along with our new dealer partners, will ensure the best of luxury and performance for our customers.”

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Hardeep Singh Brar Joins BMW Group India As CEO & President, Vikram Pawah To Head BMW Group Australia And New Zealand

Hardeep Singh Brar

German luxury automotive brand BMW Group India has appointed Hardeep Singh Brar as the new President and Chief Executive Officer effective 1 September 2025. He succeeds Vikram Pawah, who now takes charge as CEO of BMW Group Australia and New Zealand.

With over three decades of experience in the Indian automotive industry, Brar has held several senior management positions across Maruti Suzuki India, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, General Motors, Nissan Motor India and Great Wall Motor Company. Most recently, he was the Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice-President, Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, BMW Group, said, “India is among the fastest growing markets for BMW Group and an important pillar of our long-term success strategy for the region. Hardeep Singh Brar holds vast expertise and an intricate understating of Indian automotive industry to lead this dynamic market and strengthen BMW Group’s operations here. We would like to thank Vikram Pawah for his immense contribution towards strategic growth of BMW Group India and playing a decisive role in its recent development.”

Pawah has been with the BMW Group since 2017 and successfully led the company’s operations in both India (2017 – 2018 and 2020 – 2025) as well as Australia (2018 – 2020). He is credited to expand the company’s market share in India, taking electric mobility, digitalisation, retail experience and customer centricity to the next level.

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WTi Cabs Powers Up to Become India's Biggest Uber Black Operator

Uber Black

Wise Travel India (WTi Cabs), a leading premium mobility provider, has announced that it has become the largest Uber Black fleet operator in India.

The company’s fleet consists of sedans and SUVs with models such as Toyota Hyryder and MG ZS EV currently operating across Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The Uber Black fleet operated by WTi Cabs is overseen by its dedicated subsidiary, WTi Fleet Pro.

Ashok Vahist, CEO, WTi Cabs, said, “Our partnership with Uber for its Uber Black fleet reinforces our expertise in luxury premium travel. Our commitment to excellence in premium mobility aligns seamlessly with Uber’s mission to offer reliable, safe and high-quality rides. This collaboration marks a meaningful step toward redefining urban transportation for discerning riders.”

Aditya Kapoor, Head of Supply, Uber India, said, “At Uber, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional ride experiences, and Uber Black stands as the pinnacle of our premium mobility offering. Our partnership with WTi Cabs, renowned for their expertise in corporate and executive transport, enables us to expand this premium experience with unmatched consistency and quality across major metro cities. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for premium ground transportation in India.”

 

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor Introduces Prestige Package for Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched a limited period 'Prestige Package' for its popular Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV starting this month.

The 'Prestige Package' includes 10 dealer-fitted genuine accessories designed to complement the Hyryder's urban design. These include a premium door visor with SS insert, a hood emblem and various garnishes for the rear door lid, fenders, body cladding, front and rear bumpers, headlamps, rear lamps (chrome) and back door.

Launched in 2022, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder recently surpassed 100,000 units in sales. It features a first-in-segment self-charging strong hybrid electric powertrain with Toyota's 1.5L TNGA Atkinson cycle engine and an advanced electric motor, ensuring exceptional fuel efficiency and smooth performance. The Neo Drive (mild-hybrid) variants come with a 1.5L K-series engine, available with manual or automatic transmissions and select trims offer an intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Sporting Toyota’s global SUV DNA, the Hyryder boasts a bold Crystal Acrylic Grille, twin LED DRLs and 17-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, the SUV gets ventilated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, ambient lighting and a 360-degree camera.

Toyota further enhances the ownership experience with 66 exclusive accessories, a 3-year/100,000 km standard warranty (extendable to 5 years/220,000 km) and an 8-year/160,000 km warranty for the hybrid battery.

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Tata Motors Starts Production Of Harrier.ev At Pune Facility, Deliveries To Begin In July

Tata Harrier.ev

Tata Motors, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has commenced the production of its flagship electric vehicle the Harrier.ev.

Launched on 3 June 2025 at prices starting INR 2.14 million, the Harrier.ev is the company’s most powerful, capable and intelligent SUV. It is available in two drive configurations Quad Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive options.

Delivering supercar-like performance, the Harrier.ev features a dual-motor setup producing 158 PS (116 kW) at the front and 238 PS (175 kW) at the rear, generating a combined torque of 504 Nm. It accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in a segment-best 6.3 seconds.

Powered by a 75 kWh battery, the vehicle can add 250 km of range with just a 15-minute charge. The company claims that the EV is designed for true off-road enthusiasts and comes equipped with a Quad Wheel Drive system and six terrain modes, along with a Transparent Mode that allows drivers to see around and underneath the vehicle.

Inside, the SUV pampers occupants with indulgent technology and luxurious comfort. Highlights include the Ultra Glide Suspension with Frequency Dependent Damping, and the world's first 36.9 cm (14.53-inch) Harman Cinematic Infotainment Screen powered by Samsung Neo QLED technology—the first of its kind in an automotive application.

The customer deliveries for Harrier.ev is set to begin this month.

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