“I began to be part of Hyundai Motor India just when I was becoming an actor in Mumbai. At that time I don’t think there was anything like an ambassadorship or modelling for a car. To be a brand ambassador of Santro at that time was a moment of bigness for me, a great honour as Hyundai was well known in the world. In India the foreign car companies were just coming in so when I was asked to be the ambassador it was very confidence invoking.

I was also a little worried not knowing how it was going to pan out; this was in 1997. An international brand was coming to India with me. I was thinking whether I was good enough to be its ambassador. One never expected that even after 23 years we will be working together. It has been a good journey so far.

Handling Relationships

I listen to her (wife). To be honest, I have had many long associations in branding. I have been very clear that when a brand signs me on, it should be something that would go long-term. It can be long-term only if the brand is doing well. Being a brand ambassador might be fashionable and very cool but I think a brand ambassador cannot help if the product is not good. I speak from experience. I started branding and advertising as far as cinema is concerned for two products. I think I must have been the first person to do it in India on such a large scale.

Unless Hyundai is doing well I have no voice. I have been with them for 23 years because they have been able to do something good with their cars. When people say, “I’ve signed a new brand and am moving on,” I think you don’t move on unless your brand or product is not good enough. I have had discussions with a lot of people who want to bring in fresh blood but your product has to be good. Fresh blood in a brand ambassador can never do anything for a product that’s not doing well; that’s my belief. Unless you bring in something new these shifting and signing of brands is no big deal.

Cars Are Different

I remember when Y S Kim handed me the keys to the car I felt it was very technical. We used to talk about 1.6 litre engines, BHP etc, it was very different. Normally, most of the brands at that time were more lifestyle and fun so when a car came along; I think we did 5 films over 5 days for a long stretch. Everybody was going in for advertising; it was very different. Kim was very sweet. He would give me the keys and land up wherever I went. By the last ad he gave me the keys before going back to Korea saying, “Now you handle it.” Apart from that part the rest of it was very tough. To be honest I didn’t know where it was going.

From Santro To Creta

I tell everybody that I’m a Santro walla. Since I’m now the corporate brand ambassador I talk about Creta also but for me the all-time favourite is Santro; 3-4 years ago I requested the whole office to give me one. The reason for this is because I love the name. I think certain things have a great name and Santro just had one; it had a ring to it. The advertising with ‘Santrowale and Santrowala’ was very nice. Two years ago they made a special one for me

I’ll be honest in saying that I’m not a very big car person. For me cars have always meant more of transportation. Other than an extension of fashion, manhood or macho I have never been a big car fiend. Actually I have about 700 cars (miniature models) like this one in my house. I like these much better. For me it’s never been that I should get one if my friends have it. It’s a misnomer that I have a lot of luxury cars. I just use one car, which I believe should get you from one place to the other.

Liking Hyundai Cars

The finish is very nice and the cars have very clean lines; the inside is also very clean. Creta is robust and straightforward. It doesn’t have too many entanglements, looks basic and uncomplicated but at the same time sporty enough. It looks like an SUV with a minimal look without any clutter. Hyundai is quite minimalistic; the simplicity is a plus point.

I love driving. All the stunts in the films I have done myself with Hyundai cars. Now I don’t drive that much but at night I have to take my kids out for a drive. Of course I love that but there is too much traffic today, even at night. I have come here to Delhi a year and a half ago; wanted to show the kids my old house. I like the manual cars more.

Mobility As A Service

I was told that they are going into sharing and leasing. What I notice is that there was a time when people thought that learning how to drive was essential and necessary but today you don’t really need to learn to drive a car anymore, as sad as it may sound, especially to those who love driving. So how do you get around? I think you are going to utilize these services and it is fantastic for the car manufacturer to start doing this because essentially this business goes back to the people who are making the product. They are in the business of mobility so that is very good. The concept is not just to sell the car anymore but to highlight functionalities of safety, security, cleanliness, etc. It’s also as essential as selling the product. So I find my role getting more into that. As and when new things come in, like the new model Aura, my role would go more towards that. We would have to talk more on all the innovations than just the cars.” (MT)

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Japanese automaker Honda Cars India (HCIL) has launched the new Honda City sedan and marked the Indian debut of its global hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV) – the ZR-V e:HEV.

The introduction of the ZR-V e:HEV expands Honda's hybrid vehicle options in India as a completely built unit (CBU), as the company's flagship SUV in the country.

The new Honda City features updates to its front and rear exterior panels, extending its overall length to 4,594 mm. It introduces a 25.6 cm touchscreen display, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera system and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features. The sedan offers two powertrain options: a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 121 PS paired with a six-speed manual or seven-speed CVT, and a hybrid system producing 126 PS with a fuel economy rating of 27.26 km/l. Ex-showroom prices in Delhi range from INR 1.19 million for the petrol manual base variant to INR 2.09 million for the hybrid version.

The ZR-V e:HEV SUV features a 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine combined with a dual-motor hybrid system, generating a maximum output of 184 PS and 315 Nm of torque. The system shifts between electric, hybrid and engine drive modes while delivering a fuel efficiency rating of 22.79 kmpl.

The SUV measures 4,567 mm in length with a 2,655 mm wheelbase and offers up to 1,313 litres of cargo volume when the rear seats are folded flat. Standard features include an eight-airbag system, a 12-speaker Bose audio setup, a 22.8 cm touchscreen and a hands-free power tailgate.

Both models are sold with a three-year unlimited-kilometre standard warranty. The hybrid variants of the City and ZR-V include an eight-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty on the lithium-ion battery package alongside a five-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty covering the hybrid components.

Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO, Honda Cars India, said, "Today's event marks the beginning of HCIL's New Phase of accelerated growth in the market. India is among the top 3 focus markets to realise Honda's future growth which will be driven by a strong pipeline of new products and our efforts to achieve cost competitiveness. This year is a landmark year for us with 6 strategic launches that will sharpen our competitive edge and reinforce our brand position in the market. The launch of the new Honda City and the India premiere of our globally acclaimed Honda ZR-V represent Honda's commitment to bringing sporty, premium and technologically advanced products to Indian customers. We look forward to an exciting year ahead with several new model introductions planned as part of Honda's continued growth strategy for the Indian market."

Pre-bookings for the vehicle have commenced at dealerships across India, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in July 2026. The updated Honda City is available immediately for sales and deliveries.

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Stellantis-owned Citroen has confirmed the addition of a new model to its vehicle lineup, inspired by its historic 2 CV model. The vehicle is being introduced as part of the FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan outlined by parent company Stellantis.

Citroen intends to position the vehicle within the electric vehicle category, focusing on a design that prioritises accessibility, weight reduction and practicality to meet modern urban traffic regulations. It has announced that it will disclose further technical and product details at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026.

Xavier Chardon, Chief Executive Officer, Citroen, said, “Reinventing the 2 CV of tomorrow is a huge challenge and responsibility. The original 2 CV was never created to become an icon. It became one because it gave people freedom. The new 2 CV will carry that same spirit forward – not through nostalgia, but by reinventing its simplicity and accessibility for today’s world. Electric. Essential. Affordable. Human. Just like the original once democratised mobility, the new 2 CV will re-enchant electric mobility for a new generation through a highly desirable model. The return of the 2 CV is not simply the return of a legendary name. It is the return of a bold and optimistic idea of progress. A profoundly Citroen idea.”

Development and manufacturing processes for the vehicle are centred at the facility in Poissy, France. Until the production phase of the new model commences, the brand continues to address entry-level electric vehicle demand through its existing e-C3 model variant.

File photo

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Mercedes-Benz India has introduced the GLE and GLS Night Editions, two exclusive limited-series models that bring a distinct visual identity and specially curated interiors to the brand’s best-selling luxury SUV range. These editions are part of a global limited run and will be available in restricted volumes, reinforcing their exclusivity and appeal to collectors. The configurations offered are not replicated on any standard variant.

Responding to rising customer demand for personalisation, the Night Editions feature darkened exterior styling with two colour choices: Obsidian Black and Alpine Grey. The Alpine Grey finish is reserved exclusively for this series, providing a more distinctive offering. Inside, both models elevate the cabin with black Nappa leather upholstance and Anthracite open-pore oak wood trim, details unavailable on standard versions. A head-up display comes as standard equipment across both vehicles.

The GLE Night Edition adds AIRMATIC suspension as an extra refinement, distinguishing its ride quality further from the standard GLE. The GLE has long been a consistent performer in Mercedes-Benz India’s core luxury SUV segment, and this new variant builds on that foundation with a sport-influenced black-centric exterior. Meanwhile, the GLS Night Edition applies the same design language to the flagship luxury SUV, which remains the highest-selling model in its segment. The black exterior styling gains greater visual authority on the larger GLS platform, while the premium interior upgrades extend the cabin’s luxurious character.

Pricing for the Night Edition GLS 450 stands at INR 14,100,000 ex-showroom all-India, while the GLS 450d is priced at INR 14,300,000. The GLE 300d Night Edition is available at INR 10,500,000, and the GLE 450 Night Edition at INR 11,400,000, both ex-showroom all-India.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Continuous product innovation for customers through new products, their facelifts and exclusive editions has been core to Mercedes-Benz’s successful product strategy in India, consistently elevating the brand’s desirability. GLE and GLS are undisputed segment leaders in the luxury SUV category in India, elevating India into Mercedes-Benz’s top global markets for these SUVs. The introduction of the ‘Night Edition’ with bespoke design, curated interiors, exclusive appointments and a sharper focus on personalisation makes the SUVs highly exclusive and unmatched in appeal. As our discerning customers increasingly seek vehicles that reflect their individuality, the GLE and GLS ‘Night Edition’ sets a new standard in differentiated luxury, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in top-end luxury SUV space.”

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European automotive major Stellantis has introduced STLA One, a new modular vehicle architecture designed to consolidate five existing platforms into a single, scalable system.

Scheduled for launch in 2027, the platform aims to support the company’s vehicle segments (B, C and D) and is projected to underpin more than 30 models, with production targets exceeding 2 million units annually by 2035.

The platform is claimed to be engineered to deliver a 20 percent improvement in cost efficiency through design modularity, increased component reuse and strategic battery technology choices.

STLA One is central to the company’s broader strategy, which aims for 50 percent of total volume to be produced on three global platforms by 2030. It is the first Stellantis architecture slated to integrate the full suite of the company's ‘STLA’ technology stack, including STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit and steer-by-wire systems.

It is designed with common interfaces to reduce complexity and speed up development times across different vehicle segments. The architecture is engineered to be ‘dedicated per energy by design,’ ensuring efficiency for various powertrain types (including electric and hybrid variants).

The platform will support Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology to improve affordability and reduce dependency on critical raw materials. It will also feature cell-to-body integration to reduce weight and complexity and will be 800-volt capable to support faster charging.

While the STLA One announcement represents a new modular approach for the B, C and D segments, it joins the broader family of Stellantis global platforms, which previously included the STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large and STLA Frame architectures. The company’s overall strategy continues to focus on consolidating its diverse portfolio into fewer, more efficient and highly flexible platforms.

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