CARS24 recently released its DriveTime Quarterly Report for Q2 2024. 

According to this report, 78 percent of Indian car buyers are now prioritising safety features like airbags, ABS, EBD and ESC over mileage even with high fuel pricing. Other features in demand are manual transmissions which saw 80 percent of buyers opting for it and premium features such as sunroofs, GPS-integrated systems and rearview cameras have become standard expectations for car buyers. Leather interiors, alloy wheels, ambient lighting, turbocharged engines and technologies like 360-degree cameras are among the most sought-after features. Value-added services are also on the rise with consumers spending an average of INR 10,000 on extended warranties and tech upgrades.

Overall, the report states that in the period from April to June approximately 48.5 percent of all car buyers were salaried professionals celebrating career milestones. Corporate employees are choosing to invest in personal vehicles for their daily commutes and lifestyle upgrades. This shift is driven by a rise in disposable incomes, attractive financing options and a desire for enhanced personal mobility. The majority of these purchases were made by employees in metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. However, the pre-owned car popularity extends beyond metro cities with explosive growth seen in non-metro markets. 

The report highlights an increased urban and non-metro demand and changing consumer preferences with a focus on safety and advanced features. Financing options are making car ownership more accessible with a notable rise in women buyers.

Other key trends mentioned in the report were as follows:

Non-Metro areas such as Agra, Coimbatore, Vadodara and Nagpur, each saw a 25 percent growth in pre-owned car sales courtesy of economic growth and rising disposable incomes in the cities. The most popular pre-owned models include Grand i10, Swift, Baleno, Kwid and Honda City. Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune also saw a surge in pre-loved car sales.

Over the last five years, the share of SUVs has increased from 10 percent to almost 20 percent reflecting a shift in consumer preferences. In the used car market, the proliferation of body type is — Hatchbacks - 60 percent, Sedans - 21 percent and SUVs - 19 percent.

Unique trends like gifting pre-owned cars also surged on Akshaya Tritiya, Mother's Day and Father's Day in this quarter. 

In terms of finance, the average age of buyers using loans dropped from mid 40s to early 30s. Women secured 10 percent higher loan amounts in comparison to men. A total of INR 3.28 billion in loans were issued out of which 30 percent of loans were zero down-payment.

Cars worth INR 15 billion were sold to Cars24 in the quarter. People are looking to upgrade to newer models more frequently driven by the desire for enhanced features, better fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs. These have now created shorter ownership cycle of 4-6 years as compared to the earlier cycle of 8-10 years.

Commenting on the report Gajendra Jangid, Co-founder, CARS24 said, “This quarter has been nothing short of extraordinary. With so many services coming in, we’re seeing incredible diversity in our customers' car preferences and buying patterns. It’s been exciting to evolve alongside our customers and witness how the future of car ownership in India is taking shape.”

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German luxury brand BMW India has opened bookings for the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is set to be launched on 17 July 2025.

The car is set to be produced at BMW Group Plant in Chennai. Priced at INR 4.4 million, it features a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, delivering 156 hp between 4,900-6,000 rpm and 230 Nm of peak torque from 1,500-4,600 rpm. This engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It boasts a claimed fuel efficiency of 16.35 kmpl, a top speed of 230 kmph, and can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in 8.6 seconds.

In its second generation, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sports a more striking design and enhanced sporty appeal. Its revamped interior sports youthfulness and is designed with the driver in mind.

Targetted towards the new-age customers, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe gets a host of smart and innovative features, such as the BMW Widescreen Curved display, digital services based on the BMW Operating System 9.

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British luxury marquee brand Range Rover is set to broaden its SV offering in late 2025 with the introduction of the Range Rover SV Black. This new derivative will join the existing SV Serenity and SV Intrepid models, each presenting a distinct take on modern luxury, from the ‘dipped in black’ theme of the SV Black to the bold dynamism of SV Intrepid and the elevated luxury of SV Serenity.

Beyond visual enhancements, Range Rover is also upgrading in-car audio and wellness with the exclusive introduction of Rear Body-And-Soul-Seat (BASS) and Sensory Floor technology on flagship SV models. This the company shared marks a world-first, with BASS now standard across the entire SV range. The innovative Sensory Floor technology, available on updated SV models, integrates haptic feedback through the floor mats, complementing the BASS transducers in the seats. This creates an unparalleled, full-body audio experience, allowing occupants to physically feel music and enhance relaxation through six dedicated wellness programmes. These programmes, ranging from 'Calm' to 'Invigorating', are designed to reduce stress and improve concentration. The new technology will be fitted as standard to the front passenger and rear footwells of all long-wheelbase Range Rover SV models.

In a further industry first, Range Rover will introduce Pirelli P Zero tyres across its range from later in 2025. These specially developed tyres boast over 70 percent bio-based and recycled materials, including silica from rice husks and FSC-certified natural rubber, balancing high performance, durability and sustainability. They'll initially be available on selected 22-inch wheel options.

The Range Rover SV Black is a celebration of the all-black aesthetic, creating what the company claims is the most discreet and stealthy Range Rover to date. Its exterior is finished in Narvik Gloss Black, complemented by a polished Gloss Black mesh grille, Gloss Black bonnet lettering, and subtle dark gloss grille oval. Profile enhancements include 23-inch alloy wheels with a Gloss Black finish, subtly branded Gloss Black brake callipers, and a black ceramic SV roundel at the rear.

On the inside, the cabin features satin black finishes with Near-Aniline Ebony leather, distinctive perforations and unique stitching. Black birch veneers and a satin black ceramic gear shifter add to the tactile luxury. Moonlight Chrome detailing extends throughout the cabin, creating a dark, jewel-like ambience.

The Range Rover SV Black will be available for order in late 2025 in five-seat standard wheelbase, or four- or five-seat long wheelbase configurations, powered by a 615PS V8 engine. It will make its preview debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from 10-13 July 2025, alongside the newly announced Range Rover Sport SV Black.

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has officially launched the new XUV 3XO REVX series, with prices starting at an attractive INR 894,000 (ex-showroom).

This expansion of the XUV 3XO portfolio follows the SUV's remarkable achievement of over 100,000 units sales in under a year, making it Mahindra's fastest SUV to reach this milestone.

The REVX series aims to offer compelling value through premium features, distinctive styling and segment-leading performance, catering to customers who desire vehicles that reflect their individual personality, echoing the ‘Different is in’ philosophy.

The lineup includes the REVX M INR 894,000) with a 1.2L mStallion TCMPFi engine, offering a bold exterior, black leatherette seats and extensive safety features including six airbags. The REVX M(O) INR 944,000) enhances this with a single-pane sunroof, while the REVX A (starting at INR 1.17 million) features a more powerful 1.2L mStallion TGDi engine, a panoramic sunroof, twin HD screens and Adrenox Connect.

All three variants are available in Galaxy Grey, Tango Red, Nebula Blue, Everest White and Stealth Black colour options.

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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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