Founded in October 2020 by motorhead and ex-racer Siddharth Chaturvedi, Boys and Machines aims to create an image of quality, reliability, ethical values and  long-term relationship with the customers and business partners in the pre-owned luxury car market in India.

A car collector for a long time, Chaturvedi realised that collecting cars was an expensive hobby with the high depreciation rates attached to premium cars. This realisation gave him the idea to convert his hobby into a business to maintain his passion for cars and make money. Once that plan was in place, Chaturvedi started to understand the business of premium car resale and scouted around to pick up the right people into his team to start this venture.

After finding the team, he finally started the new business venture in October 2020, when the market had recovered from the effects of the pandemic and started getting back to normal. The pandemic had injected a fresh thought into people’s head with evident uncertainty of the future. According to Chaturvedi, post the lockdown last year, the spending nature of people has changed, and instead of waiting for the future, people have started to live their dreams. This gave Boys and Machines the perfect opportunity to enter the market and capitalise on people’s spending power.

When asked to explain the business model of Boys and Machines, Chaturvedi said, “As for the business model, we work pan India online majorly. We try getting the cars at the best possible price and conditions across India and offer them to our customers at a slightly lesser rate than the market prices.”

Boys and Machines focuses on two things while buying and selling cars – first, finding the right quality product at the right price and second, providing a hassle-free payment method by closing the deal at one go. This practice builds a strong relationship with the sellers and buyers and helps the brand have a better bargain position.

However, selecting the right car is critical for the business.  Boys and Machines has created a robust three-step verification process. In the first step, the team scouts for cars around the country. On finding a car of their choice, details like chassis number, engine number and other vital information of the vehicle are shared with the respective OEM dealerships, which conduct a background check and provide information on the status and service history of the vehicle. This is the first seal of approval.

Once the car history is verified, the details are passed on to the insurance company, which helps verify any repair work or claims done on the car outside the dealership. If the vehicle passes this step, the company sends its trained staff to the vehicle’s location for physical inspection and approval. Once the vehicle passes all three stages, a meeting is set up with the owner, and the deal is closed in one go without any hassle.

This verification system gives Boys and Machines a competitive advantage while selecting a car as no details about the car can be manipulated.

When we asked how one determines the correct price of any car, Chaturvedi explained, “There is no fixed formula. It is based on the market condition, availability of the product and the demand for the product. These are the conditions that determine the price of a vehicle”.

Buying and stocking premium cars for sale is an expensive business, so we asked Chaturvedi about the financial setup in the company and its stockholding pattern. He replied, “Typically, we stock about 30-35 at any given point. Based on the ongoing trend and the vehicle availability, we try to find a customer for a car than a car for a customer”.

e then explained that the cars in demand are hard to come by. The ones that are listed on the market ask an exorbitant amount of money to purchase. “So, if one starts scouting only for cars in demand, one can hardly sell around five cars in a year. So instead of looking for cars in demand, resellers understand the needs of the market and stock vehicles accordingly.”

For instance, the market in Mumbai is highly SUV centric. Constant flooding and waterlogging problems have pushed car users to adapt to SUVs. So, based on the need, Boys and Machines stocks SUVs from different OEMs. However, the market in Delhi is different to the market in the west of India. In Delhi, people prefer to be driven around than driving around. So, this calls for stocking of both sedans and SUVs that offer an excellent chauffeur-driven experience.

The market in Hyderabad is a hotspot for sports cars, while the eastern market is highly unpredictable. Hence, these variations do not allow the company to stock cars hailing from a single brand or category.

Premium car service is also an expensive affair. Boys and Machines has solved this problem for its clientele with a dedicated customer service team. The business offers breakdown assistance anywhere in the country along with six months of engine and transmission warranty. 

The brand also offers a fixed buy-back option on every car sold at a rate of 25 percent depreciation a year. The buy-back price is decided on the day of the purchase, and customers can come back to the showroom after one year and exchange their car at the pre-determined price.

These small steps go a long way in building customer confidence and aids Boys and Machines in retaining 100 percent of its clientele. Also, word of mouth is a significant marketing source that helps the brand name reach a larger audience.

Talking about the expansion plans for Boys and Machines, the managing director explained that they are on course to inaugurate eight outlets by the end of the year. At the moment, there are three working outlets in Gurugram, Mumbai and Kolkata. The fourth one in Hyderabad is ready to be opened, but the launch has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID situation and the subsequent lockdown. The other cities selected are Indore, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Goa.

Intrigued by the choice of cities for its showroom launch, we asked Chaturvedi what the critical considerations are for opening a showroom. Explaining the business preference, he said that Delhi and Mumbai were the default selection for opening a showroom based on the intense demand and spending power of people in these regions. Boys and Machines selected Kolkata as a gateway to the east, helping it tap into this new market and utilise the lower RTO tax in the region.

Bengaluru and Hyderabad were the brand’s options for opening its fourth showroom. Keeping in mind the saturation of the Bengaluru market and observing the recent boom in sports car demand in Hyderabad, the company decided to settle with Hyderabad and tap this growing market’s massive demand for sports cars.

After the first round of selection of the city, the company observed two things: the surge in real estate in the region and the rate of sale of premium cars in the area. “Cities that start to buy new cars, which are at almost twice the price of a used one, means the aspiration of people there is high. The prospect of buying a higher tier used car at the price of a brand-new premium car helps meet the aspiration of many in the region. These factors help us decide the next region for starting our business,” Chaturvedi added.

He also revealed the company’s ongoing negotiations with external suppliers to help import cars previously not available in the Indian market from countries like Japan, US and more. He mentioned that the high import duties and the challenging import process are the hurdles that have pushed many players away from importing new and unique products into the market.

He also spoke about the challenges from the market’s unorganised players, especially in the 20-40 lakh price bracket. However, he clarified that this is more of a teething problem in North India as compared to the Southern regions because the North people tend to purchase eight-year-old cars costing more than a crore at just 25-30 lakh, while in the South, people don’t seem to mind spending a lakh or two more on a well-rounded package that offers them peace of mind.

When asked about the challenges the second wave of the pandemic has posed, he said, “The biggest challenge right now is the pandemic. We don’t know when the market opens and what the people’s emotions will be as the second wave has been more deadly or more impactful to everyone from the first wave. So, as of now, the biggest hurdle would be how the country recovers after pandemic and how difficult will it be to find the right product for the buyers”.

On the future plans, he said that the company plans to have a turnover of around 100 crores with approximately seven to eight percent profit margin. (MT)

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Stellantis-owned Citroen India has announced the launch of its ‘Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into the New’ strategy, aimed at strengthening its position as an accessible mobility brand in the country. The plan focuses on enhanced customer satisfaction, product innovation and a significant expansion of its network across India.

The initiative includes upgrades to the C3, Aircross and Basalt Coupe SUV, with improvements in design, in-cabin technology and comfort. Developed on the global C-Cubed platform with up to 98 percent localisation, the refreshed portfolio is tailored to Indian driving conditions.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO & MD, Stellantis India, said, “India represents one of the most exciting and demanding opportunities for Stellantis globally and our Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into the New strategic plan is a decisive step forward in our commitment to India. We’re aligning closer than ever with Indian customers through locally engineered products, deeper network reach, and a relentless focus on quality and customer centricity. This is not about quick wins – it’s about sustainable growth, built on trust and long-term value. With high localisation, strong after-sales systems, newer ways of customer engagement and a sharp understanding of evolving expectations, we’re here to grow with India and for India.”

Since entering the market in 2021 with 10 showrooms, Citroen has grown to over 80 customer touchpoints, with plans to double the number by the end of this year. The expansion will prioritise Tier II, III and IV markets, supported by a digital service model offering transparent pricing and real-time tracking.

The company has invested over INR 53 billion in manufacturing, product platforms and localisation, with further investments planned in EVs, ICE platforms and supply chain localisation. The strategic plan will be introduced with a teaser featuring cricket legend MS Dhoni as brand ambassador.

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company and American automaker General Motors have joined forces to develop five new vehicles, including four for Central and South America and one for the North American market. The partnership aims to leverage the companies' combined scale to bring new models to customers faster and at a lower cost.

The collaboration will produce a compact SUV, car, and two different pickup trucks for Central and South American markets. These vehicles will be flexible, offering both traditional internal combustion engines and hybrid options. For North America, the companies will co-develop an electric commercial van.

The new vehicles are slated to launch starting in 2028. GM will take the lead on developing the mid-size truck platform, while Hyundai will spearhead the compact vehicle and electric van projects. While the vehicles will share platforms, each company will design unique interiors and exteriors to reflect its own brand.

This strategic collaboration is expected to produce more than 800,000 vehicles annually once production is fully scaled. The companies also plan to explore joint sourcing for materials and logistics, and are committed to sustainable manufacturing, including the use of low-carbon emissions steel.

Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Hyundai’s strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets. Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers more of what they want – beautifully designed, high-quality, safety focused vehicles with technology they appreciate.”

Shilpan Amin, GM's Senior Vice-President and Global Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer, said, “By partnering together, GM and Hyundai will bring more choice to our customers faster, and at lower cost. These first co-developed vehicles clearly demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage our complementary strengths and combined scale.”

The partnership, which was announced in September 2024, is still exploring other potential joint ventures, including collaboration on additional vehicle programs and propulsion systems like hydrogen fuel cell technology.

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CUPRA has introduced new Shadow Edition variants for its Leon and Leon Estate models in the UK, featuring bold dark styling accents that amplify the brand's sporty aesthetic. Based on the V3 trim, these editions come equipped with premium features such as leather upholstery, advanced driver aids and Dynamic Chassis Control.

The exterior showcases 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, black side skirts and a sleek roof spoiler, complemented by advanced CUPRA Matrix LED ULTRA headlights for superior nighttime visibility. Buyers can opt for the IMMERSIVE by Sennheiser sound system, which includes a 10-speaker setup with a subwoofer for an enhanced audio experience.

Additional upgrades like a panoramic sunroof, towbar, and various paint options are also available. Starting at GBP 36,770, the Shadow Edition is now open for orders in the UK.

Marcus Gossen, Managing Director of SEAT and CUPRA UK, said, “The launch of the Shadow Edition in the UK is a big step forward in the design journey of the CUPRA Leon. The Leon is the flagship hatchback of the brand and remains a disruptor and a style-leading icon in the market. The new features of the Shadow Edition combine striking design and leading technology to ensure that the Leon continues to be a popular choice for drivers.”

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Jaguar Land Rover has announced a new addition to its high-performance SUV lineup, the Range Rover Sport SV Carbon. The new model, which will debut on 13 August at Monterey Car Week, joins the existing Range Rover Sport SV and SV Black models, offering an even stronger focus on lightweight materials and performance aesthetics.

The Range Rover Sport SV Carbon features extensive use of carbon fibre, including a standard Forged Carbon Exterior Pack with detailing around the Active Quad Exhausts. Customers can also opt for a Twill Carbon finish and an exposed carbon fibre bonnet. The vehicle sits on lightweight 23-inch forged alloy wheels, with optional ultra-lightweight 23-inch Carbon Fibre Wheels also available. For stopping power, customers can choose optional Carbon Ceramic Brakes with a variety of calliper colour choices.

Inside, the carbon fibre theme continues with Forged Carbon detailing on the seatbacks and dashboard. The interior offers a choice of four colour themes in either perforated Windsor Leather or a leather-free Ultrafabrics material. Extended Moonlight Chrome detailing and illuminated SV treadplates complete the interior design.

Under the hood, the SV Carbon features a carbon fibre engine cover over a 4.4-liter Twin Turbo V8 mild hybrid petrol engine. The engine produces 635 horsepower and 750Nm of torque, allowing the SUV to reach a top speed of 180 mph (290 kmph). The vehicle also includes advanced features like the 6D Dynamics Suspension and Body and Soul Seat (BASS) technology, which provides a multi-dimensional audio experience.

Ryan Miller, Product and Services Marketing Director for Range Rover, said, "Following the introduction of the previously limited Range Rover Sport SV Edition ONE and Edition TWO, clients now have more choice when it comes to specifying their ultimate luxury performance SUV. Last month we announced the Range Rover Sport SV Black, offering a stealthy, dipped-in-black aesthetic, while the new Range Rover Sport SV Carbon is an assertive interpretation of our luxury performance SUV. Offered alongside Range Rover Sport SV and SV Black, it completes the new line-up showcasing the best of Range Rover’s sophisticated carbon fibre materials, for the ultimate expression of lightweight performance."

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