The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) held its first Finance and Insurance Summit- 2022 in Mumbai. FADA said in a statement that the summit was organised to bring industry stalwarts on one platform to discuss the ongoing opportunities and challenges in the Indian Automobile industry with reference to finance and insurance. The leadership shared their views and vision for the sector and urged the industry to initiate some of the best practices for a better future. 

Ashish Kumar Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport & Ports), Maharashtra, along with some of the Industry leaders from finance and insurance sector attended the summit. B Ganesh Kumar, Founder and CEO, Kuwy Technology Service Pvt. Ltd; Rajan Pental, Sr. Group President and Global Head – Retail Banking Yes Bank; Ramesh Iyer, Chairman, FIDC & MD - Mahindra Finance; Amar J Sheth, State Chairperson Maharashtra; Vinkesh Gulati, President, FADA, and Manish Raj Singhania, Vice President, FADA, led the sessions, the release said. 

Gulati said, “Throughout their existence, finance and insurance (F&I) have been the backbone of the Indian economy. In recent years, the F&I sector has made enormous contribution to the growth of the Indian automobile industry and the dealer community. Dealerships are a dynamic business and need finance support every off and on, the Finance and Insurance sector has really given us the best of their support we needed from them. Insurance and Finance Industry holds a significant role in revitalising the confidence of the industry both on supply and demand sides. As a representative of the entire fraternity, I would like to thank you for your continued support of our business model & giving it the trust it deserves. As we move forward, I assure you the dealer community will do its best to make this relation efficient and drive the sector forward." 

The first power panel focused on the changing Dynamics of Automotive Industry and vehicle financing business. The session discussed crucial industry topics, such as continued supply chain constraints, high used-vehicle values, rising interest rates, increased cost of funds and revised MISP guidelines.  

The power panel 1 was moderated by Sai Giridhar, Treasurer, FADA, along with industry stalwarts such as B Ganesh Kumar, CEO and Founder, Kuwy Technology Service Pvt Ltd; Ajay Raghuvanshi, Head Sales- India Region, Skoda Auto India P Ltd; Eric Vas, President (Urbanite Business), Bajaj Auto Ltd; Mahavir Agrawal, Head - Credit Risk (Retail & SME), YES BANK; and
Vikas Pandey, Executive Vice President & Business Head - Auto & Gold Loans, HDFC Bank Ltd. 

The second power session focused on the Automotive Industry and Vehicle Insurance. The session discussed the current situation for vehicle insurance business in the automotive market. Vehicle Insurance has grown as a greater opportunity for dealers to sustain a longer relationship with the customer and retain the business opportunity at large for future.  

The panellists for the Power Panel 2 were Anand Singhi, Chief Distribution Officer, Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd; Gunasekhar Boga, Executive Director, IFFCO TOKIO General Insurance Co. Ltd; Jagjeet Siddhu, Senior EVP & Head, Multi-Channel Distribution, Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Co. Ltd; Parthanil Ghosh, President - Motor Business, HDFC Ergo General Insurance Co. Ltd and the session was moderated by C S Vigneshwar, Secretary, FADA. 

The summit was further extended to FADA Dealership Excellence Awards 2022. Dr Avinash Dhakane, IAS, Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra, was the chief guest. Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman IN-SPACe, Department of Space, Government of India and executives from Indian Automobile sector, Finance, and Insurance institutions, as well as representatives of FADA were also present. 

The objective of the summit was to bring industry leaders together at one platform to explore future trends. The summit and award ceremony witnessed the participation of over 317 auto retailers and delegates from Maharashtra region, the release added. (MT)

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JCBL Armouring Solutions, a provider of armouring solutions in India, is entering the luxury car protection segment. The company stated it has worked on premium vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover and Defender, giving protection while maintaining vehicle performance.

India’s luxury protected vehicle segment is reporting growth at a 15–20 percent CAGR. JCBL stated its technology provides ballistic protection while preserving vehicle elegance and dynamics. The company serves VVIPs, celebrities and individuals with high net worth. It focuses on lightweight armouring that keeps strength, agility and comfort after the protection process.

Each vehicle is tested at accredited labs, including the NFSU Ballistic Research and Testing Lab and complies with certification standards from VRDE, ICAT and DRDO. The company’s R&D centre is approved by DSIR and it holds a DIPP license.

Rushank Doshi, CEO, JCBL Armouring Solutions, said, "Luxury should never come at the cost of safety. We are redefining secure mobility in India’s luxury car segment, ensuring top-tier protection without compromising elegance, performance, or craftsmanship. This reflects JCBL Group’s commitment to excellence, innovation and world-class engineering."

JCBL Armouring Solutions also reinforces vehicle components, including suspension and braking systems, to maintain performance and dynamics. Security features include run-flat tyres, bullet-resistant glasses and a reinforced structure. The company offers aftersales services, including maintenance, upgrades and training for customers on handling protected vehicles.

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Kia India has announced a significant change to its leadership team, naming Sunhack Park as Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and Joonsu Cho as Chief Business Officer (CBO).

As the new CSO, Park will head Kia India’s sales strategy, focusing on sustainable growth, improving operational efficiency and expanding the brand’s market reach. He brings over 28 years of international automotive experience, having held key leadership positions at Kia Headquarters in South Korea, the Middle East & Africa (MEA) and India.

Cho, in his role as CBO, will be responsible for crafting business strategies, overseeing production planning and export logistics, leading cross-functional teams and forging strategic alliances to ensure operational excellence. He has over 32 years of leadership experience from global roles in Australia, the UK and Europe.

Sunhack Park, said, “I am privileged to take on the role as Chief Sales Officer. This is an exciting phase for the brand as we continue to expand our presence in a dynamic and evolving market. My focus will be on driving sales growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and strengthening our dealer and partner ecosystem.”

Joonsu Cho, said, “I am honored to assume the role of Chief Business Officer. Kia India has made remarkable strides in the market, and my priority will be to develop and execute robust business strategies that support sustainable growth and operational excellence.”

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RattanIndia Enterprises-owned Revolt Motors, a leading electric motorcycle brand, is strengthening its leadership team and has appointed Raghava Rao as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO).

Rao, a seasoned industry leader, comes with over two decades of diverse experience across the automotive sector, spanning two-wheelers, tractors, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

Prior to joining Revolt Motors, he has held senior leadership positions at Kinetic Engineering, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Piaggio Vehicles and TI Clean Mobility (Montra Electric).

Roy Kurian Joins Revolt Motors As President

Rao has expertise in channel sales, customer support, customer experience and market insights, with a proven track record of driving business growth and customer success.

Anjali Rattan, Chairperson, RattanIndia Enterprises, said, “We are delighted to welcome Raghava Rao to the Revolt family. His deep expertise in the automotive industry and proven leadership across multiple business functions will play a crucial role in accelerating our growth journey and further strengthening Revolt’s position as India’s No.1 electric motorcycle brand.”

Rao is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business (General Management Program), holds a B.Tech degree from BITS Pilani, and a PGCSM from XLRI Jamshedpur.

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the new Thar with prices starting at INR 999,000. The vehicle incorporates design changes, comfort features and technology integration, engineered for urban travel and weekend adventures.

The popular SUV has gone home to over 300,000 customers, now features a new exterior, which includes a front grille, a dual-tone front bumper and R18 alloy wheels. The interior includes a black theme dashboard and a new steering wheel. It is available in six colour options, including two new additions: Tango Red and Battleship Grey.

For comfort and convenience, the Thar features rear AC vents for second-row passengers, a sliding armrest and a dead pedal (automatic transmission models). Door-mounted power windows, a rear-view camera and an internally operated fuel lid are included. The vehicle also has a rear wash & wiper and an A-Pillar entry assist handle.

The Thar is equipped with a 26.03 cm HD infotainment screen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other tech includes Type-C USB ports and Adventure Stats Gen II, which provides off-road data such as a racing tab, altimeter, outside temperature and pressure, trip meter and steering direction.

Mahindra offers a range of engine options paired with transmissions – a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic – in RWD as well as 4X4 configurations.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Over the years, Thar has become more than just an SUV – it’s a symbol of freedom, adventure, and a lifestyle that resonates deeply with our customers. At Mahindra, we are committed to listening to our customers and evolving with their needs, which is why the New Thar reflects both their feedback and our dedication to provide the best to our customers. By blending new design elements, smart technology, enhanced comfort and convenience features, the new Thar offers an unparalleled driving experience that empowers our customers to explore limitless possibilities in both urban and off-road settings.”

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