Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has unveiled its compact SUV – Honda Elevate – are teasing some its features and attributes for some time. Unveiled in India before anywhere else in the world, the Elevate will be produced in India and exported to other Honda markets in the world, underlining Honda’s operations at its plant in Rajasthan as an export hub for the Japanese automaker.
Developed on the grand concept of ‘Urban Freestyler’, the Elevate aims at customers with active lifestyles and a global mindset by blending cutting-edge aesthetics with functionality to create a visually stunning, incredibly versatile, comfortable and fun-to-drive SUV, according to company sources.
With bold and masculine exterior design with striking front face, sharp character lines and unique rear design, which signals at clever packaging, the Elevate at front employs Honda's signature grille, which is flanked by sleek LED headlights. The sides are emphasised by pronounced wheel arches with plastic cladding, which runs along the bottom of the vehicle and smart looking diamond cut 17-inch diameter alloy wheels. The rear has a distinctive tailgate design and LED taillights.
Developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific centre in Thailand and the R&D team in India, which specifically worked on understanding potential target customers through extensive market surveys reflecting three main factors such as stylish exterior safety and comfort.
The modern interior with a two-tone colour scheme is laced with a stylish meter with premium feel welcome graphic animation. The 7-inch high-definition full colour TFT multi-information display shows information such as fuel consumption, trip meter, outside temperature, G-Meter and a clock. There is a provision to customise the operations, including the meter set up, keyless access, lighting set up, door, and Honda ‘Sensing’.
The 10.25-inch HD resolution screen at the top centre of the dashboard can be connected with various types of smart phones via wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Weblink, Bluetooth and USB. As an infotainment system interface, the screen is completed by a sub-screen, which provides access to some additional features such as the ASVM (Assistant Side View Monitor), ARVM (Assistant Rear View Monitor), Clock, Calendar, Compass, Customisable Picture, and shortcuts to commonly used Infotainment settings.
Measuring 4312 mm in length, 1790 mm in width and 1650 mm in height, the Elevate has a wheelbase of 2650 mm. As per the dimensions and the wheelbase the compact SUV is comparable to the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. Spacious enough to seat five people, the vehicle offers a cargo space of 458-litre. Ground clearance is a good 220 mm.
Using higher tensile steel application ratio to realise a ‘smooth and connected’ structure, which is lightweight, offers enhanced collision safety performance, best body balance, better stability and handling, the Elevate is powered by a 121 PS 1.5-litre i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine with VTC. Producing a peak torque of 145 Nm, the compact SUV is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
A front-wheel drive design, the Elevate features 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability assist with agile handling assist, hill start assist, Honda lane watch camera, light crash performance, pedestrian protection, multi angle rear camera, emergency stop signal, Isofix compatible rear side seats with lower anchorages and top tether, and an immobiliser with anti-theft alarm.
Toshio Kuwahara, Head of Regional Unit (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. said, “Today’s World Premiere of the all-new Elevate is a stamp of commitment of Honda’s plans and aspirations for the country. The exports from India to several regions across the globe are growing continuously every year. With high level of quality standards to deliver products that exceed expectations of both local and worldwide customers, India has become one of the most important export hubs for Honda. Moving forward to 2050, Honda strives to realise carbon neutrality and zero traffic collision fatalities involving our motorcycles and automobiles. To achieve this target, Honda aims to increase the sales ratio of Battery Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles sales to 100 percent globally by 2040, including India. For safety, we continue enhancing advanced technologies including the expansion of Honda ‘Sensing’ around the world and strengthening our safety education to reduce traffic accidents.”
Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “With the unveiling of the All New Elevate, we embark on a new journey with Honda's strong product offering in the booming SUV segment in India. Honda enjoys strong leadership and popularity in sedan segments. There has been very high anticipation amongst Honda loyalists and overall market, who have been eagerly waiting for the new model. We are confident that the Elevate will further strengthen the bond with our esteemed customers and soon become our strong third pillar of business besides the City and Amaze. We have a robust product strategy to strengthen our premium play in the market and Elevate is first model among the 5 new SUVs that will be launched by Honda in India by 2030.” “Aligning with our global vision towards carbon neutrality by focusing on electrified powertrains, we will launch Honda’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) based on this SUV within next 3 years in India,” he added.
VinFast’s Inaugurates Its Largest Showroom In India In Chennai
- By MT Bureau
- August 02, 2025
Vietnamese automaker VinFast Auto India has opened its largest showroom in the country in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This marks the company’s first dealership in the state and is part of its plan to expand its retail presence across India.
The 4,700 sqft facility, located in Teynampet, is operated by Maansarovar Motors and will display VinFast's upcoming electric SUV models – the VF 6 and VF 7.
Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, VinFast Asia, said “Chennai’s legacy and its thriving ecosystem of innovation, skilled talent and advanced infrastructure make it a natural choice for VinFast’s first-ever dealership in Tamil Nadu, which is also our largest touchpoint across the country. With this dealership, we are proud to deepen our commitment to this dynamic city and bring our premium electric mobility solutions closer to discerning customers in Tamil Nadu. Chennai represents the spirit of progress and through our partnership with Maansarovar Motors, we aim to redefine the EV ownership journey – combining sustainability, technology and world-class service. This marks not just a retail milestone, but a meaningful step toward co-creating a greener, smarter, and future-ready India.”
As part of its expansion plans, the company aims to open 35 dealerships across 27 cities by end-2025. Pre-bookings for the VF 6 and VF 7 began on 15 July with a refundable booking amount of INR 21,000.
VinFast has partnered with RoadGrid, myTVS, and Global Assure to support charging infrastructure and after-sales services. It has also tied up with BatX Energies to promote battery recycling and develop a circular battery value chain.
Maruti Suzuki India Reports INR 37.11 Billion Net Profit For Q1 FY2026
- By MT Bureau
- August 01, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India, the leading passenger vehicles manufacturer in the country, has reported its financial results for Q1 FY2026.
The company sold a total of 527,861 vehicles, which comprised 430,889 units in the domestic market and 96,972 units exported. This translated to a sales decline of 4.5 percent in the domestic market, while exports grew by 37.4 percent compared to a year ago.
Maruti Suzuki India’s reported registered net sales of INR 366.2 billion, up 8.11 percent YoY, as compared to INR 338.7 billion last year. The net profit came at INR 371 billion, up 1.7 percent, as compared to INR 364.9 billion last year.
Hyundai Motor India Reports INR 13.69 Net Profit For Q1 FY2026, Down 8%
- By MT Bureau
- July 30, 2025
Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has reported its financial performance for Q1 FY2026.
The company’s revenue came at INR 164.129 billion, down 5.36 percent YoY, the EBITDA came at INR 21.85 billion, down 6.62 percent YoY, while net profit at INR 13.69 billion was down 8 percent YoY.
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director said, “We continued our stated strategy of ‘Quality of Growth’ in the first quarter of FY 2026 with balance between domestic & exports, market share and profitability. This strategy helped us to sustain strong EBITDA margin of 13.3 percent during the quarter, despite tough macro-economic environment. Moving forward, we anticipate gradual recovery in domestic demand sentiments, driven by onset of monsoon & festive season coupled with government policy measures, while on the exports front, we are confident to maintain a positive momentum, in line with our growth commitments.”
Hyundai Motor India’s performance was affected by a slowdown in its overall volumes both in domestic and exports markets. Factors such as intensifying competition, geopolitical situation and tariff confusion have affected demand.
Mahindra's Q1 FY2026 Net Profit Rises 24% To INR 40.83 Billion
- By MT Bureau
- July 30, 2025
Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has reported a 24 percent YoY increase in consolidated net profit to INR 40.83 billion for Q1 FY2026, supported by strong performances across its automotive, farm and services businesses.
The consolidated revenue grew 22 percent to INR 455.29 billion in Q1 FY2026, while return on equity stood at 20.6 percent.
During the quarter, the company increased its revenue market share in the SUV segment to 27.3 percent, its LCV market share (up to 3.5 tonnes) to 54.2 percent, and its tractor segment market share to 45.2 percent.
The standalone automotive business recorded a 31 percent increase in revenue to INR 259.99 billion, with profit before interest and tax (PBIT) up 24 percent to INR 22.21 billion. SUV volumes reached 152,000 units, contributing to total vehicle sales of 247,249 units.
The farm equipment sector saw revenue rise 12 percent to INR 108.92 billion, with PBIT up 21 percent at INR 18.19 billion. Tractor volumes grew 10 percent to 132,964 units and standalone PBIT margins improved by 130 bps to 19.8 percent.
In the services segment, Mahindra Finance’s assets under management rose 15 percent, while Tech Mahindra’s EBIT margin increased by 260 bps to 11.1 percent, with a 34 percent jump in net profit.
Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, M&M, said, “Q1 FY2026 has been an excellent quarter, with broad-based growth across all our businesses. The operating excellence in our Auto and Farm businesses is evident in continued market share gains and margin expansion. TechM is witnessing momentum on deal wins, sustaining cost discipline and is moving steadily towards its FY2027 margin objectives. MMFSL’s calibrated approach to growth is manifesting in stable asset quality, with GS3 under 4 percent as committed. Our Growth Gems are progressing well on their value creation journeys.”
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), M&M, said, “Our Auto and Farm businesses continue to lead with strong momentum in Q1 FY2026, with gain of 570 bps YoY in SUV revenue share, and 340 bps YoY in LCV (<3.5T) market share. In Tractors, we gained 50 bps YoY to reach 45.2 percent market share, the highest ever in a quarter. Our Auto Standalone PBIT margin (excl. eSUV contract mfg.) improved by 50 bps to 10 percent and core Tractor PBIT margins improved by 100 bps to 20.7 percent.”
Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, M&M, said, “We are pleased with the performance of the group in the quarter, despite several macro challenges including geo-political disruptions. It demonstrates the resilience of the group. With our continued focus on capital discipline & operational metrics, we remain committed to shareholder value creation.”
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