Hyundai Motor India Appoints Pankaj Tripathi As Its New Brand Ambassador
- By MT Bureau
- May 30, 2025
Hyundai Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has onboarded popular actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador.
The company shared that Tripathi, who is known for his versatility and grounded charm, embodies Hyundai India’s values of reliability, authenticity and a deep-rooted connection with the country’s diverse audience. With this association, HMIL further strengthens its ambassador lineup that already includes iconic personalities.
Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we celebrate stories of progress and inspiration. We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to HMIL family. His grounded persona, exceptional talent and widespread appeal resonate with the values of HMIL and our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Together, we aim to drive deeper emotional connections with our diverse customer base across India.”
Pankaj Tripathi, said, “It is an honour to associate with Hyundai Motor India, a brand that has long stood for trust, innovation and customer-first approach. My first car was a Hyundai, and over the years, that relationship has grown into something truly personal. As someone who deeply values simplicity, sincerity and staying true to one’s roots, I find a natural alignment with HMIL’s ethos. I look forward to this partnership where together, we can connect with people across the country - not just through technology, but through shared stories and values.”
Skoda Kodiaq Becomes First Indian Petrol SUV to Reach Everest Base Camp
- By MT Bureau
- July 28, 2025
Skoda Auto India’s Kodiaq SUV has become the first petrol-powered vehicle from India to reach the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest. The achievement has been certified by both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records.
The Kodiaq covered over 6,000 kilometres across India, Nepal and China to reach the Tibetan side of the Everest Base Camp. The route involved high-altitude driving, sub-zero temperatures and difficult terrain.
The milestone follows a strong first half of 2025 for the company, which saw record half-yearly sales of 36,194 units – a 134 percent rise over H1 2024 – placing Skoda among the top seven carmakers in India. The brand also expanded its network to over 300 customer touchpoints in 172 cities.
Skoda Auto India marks 25 years in the country this year and 130 years globally.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “At Skoda Auto India, we believe exploration drives progress. This achievement stands as a testament to this and finds great synergy with our strategy of being relevant, driving differentiation, and enhancing trust. Relevant because it reflects the growing ambition of Indian customers to go farther and demand more from their vehicles. Differentiated because no other petrol SUV has ever taken on such a formidable challenge and triumphed. And above all, it reinforces trust-trust in our products, our engineering, and our commitment to safety, quality, and reliability. We will continue with our focus on enabling journeys that go beyond the ordinary.”
VinFast Auto India’s First Showroom Opens In Surat
- By MT Bureau
- July 27, 2025
VinFast Auto India, the Indian subsidiary of the Vietnamese-based electric vehicle maker VinFast, has inaugurated its first showroom in Surat, Gujarat, promoted by Chandan Car.
The new facility is spread across 3,000 sqft will showcase VinFast’s upcoming range of electric SUVs – VF 6 and VF 7. It was on 15 July 2025 that the automaker opened bookings for its soon-to-be launched EV offerings. The vehicles are being locally assembled at VinFast’s upcoming factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, VinFast Asia, said, “The first VinFast Showroom in Surat, Gujarat is a symbol of our deep commitment to India. We are excited to bring the VinFast experience closer to Indian consumers. With this dealership in Gujarat, we aim to offer not just electric vehicles, but a complete ownership journey built on quality, trust, and service excellence. With trusted partners like Chandan Car, we are building a future-ready EV ecosystem in the country. Their proven automotive expertise, combined with VinFast’s technology and vision, will help shape a premium EV experience for Indian customers.”
VinFast Auto India has signed agreements with 13 dealer groups to open 32 dealerships in 27 Indian cities.
As part of its India market entry, VinFast has formed strategic partnerships with RoadGrid, myTVS, Global Assure for aftersales services, while its association with BatX Energies will focus on battery recycling.
Renault Group Posts Flat Growth in H1 2025, Eyes Electric and Hybrid Expansion
- By MT Bureau
- July 25, 2025
Renault Group reported a 1.3 percent increase in global vehicle sales in the first half of 2025, reaching 1.17 million units across its brands – Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize. This somewhat flat growth reflects the Group’s strategy of prioritising value creation over volume in a challenging market environment.
The Renault brand led the performance with global sales up 2.7 percent YoY to 808,413 units, driven by a 12.2 percent rise in passenger car sales. However, light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales fell by 22.8 percent, impacted by the end-of-life of certain models and the incomplete rollout of the new Master range.
Dacia recorded a marginal decline in global sales (-0.7 percent) to 356,084 units, while Alpine saw the strongest growth within the Group, with an 84.6 percent surge to 5,015 units, supported by the success of its new A290 electric city car.
Electrified vehicles now account for nearly 44 percent of Renault Group’s total sales, up more than 15 points from H1 2024. Renault’s electrified mix reached 59 percent, including strong growth in hybrid (+36.2 percent) and electric vehicle sales (+57 percent), with the Renault 5 E-Tech emerging as the best-selling B-segment EV in Europe. Dacia increased its electrified mix to 23.5 percent, led by strong hybrid demand for the new Duster. Alpine's electric share jumped to 76 percent, underpinned by the A290.
Geographically, Renault saw international growth of 16.3 percent, particularly in Latin America (+24 percent), Morocco (+48 percent) and South Korea (+150 percent). In Europe, the Group grew by 5.4 percent despite a declining passenger car market, with the Renault and Dacia brands maintaining strong positions among retail customers.
Looking ahead, the Group plans to launch seven new models in 2025, including the electric Renault 4 E-Tech, Dacia Bigster and Alpine A390, alongside two major facelifts. It will also expand the rollout of the Grand Koleos and Kardian in international markets. A EUR 25,000 version of the Renault 5 E-Tech is set to support broader EV adoption in Europe.
Renault Group maintains a solid order book in Europe, equivalent to around two months of forecast sales and continues to focus on retail channels, which represented over 56 percent of total sales in the region. Residual values for its vehicles remain well above the European average, supporting the Group’s value-over-volume approach as it navigates the ongoing market transformation toward electrification.
MG Cyberster Electric Roadster Launched At INR 7.49 Million In India
- By MT Bureau
- July 25, 2025
JSW MG Motor India has launched the much-awaited MG Cyberster, its first electric roadster, under the MG Select brand at INR 7.49 million (ex-showroom) for fresh bookings and for pre-reserved customers the EV is priced at INR 7.24 million.
The Cyberster features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 510 PS and 725 Nm of torque. The company claims a zero to 100 kmph in just 3.2 seconds using Launch Control Mode. It is powered by a 77 kWh ultra-thin battery pack – 110 mm thick – providing a MIDC-certified range of up to 580km. A thermal management system is included for long-term efficiency.
The roadster is built on a chassis developed with inputs from former Formula 1 engineer Marco Fainello. It uses a double wishbone suspension setup and maintains a 50:50 weight distribution. Braking is handled by Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers, stopping the car from 100 kmph in 33 metres.
Aerodynamic design features include a drag coefficient of 0.269 Cd, active aero elements and electric scissor doors. The car also comes with 20-inch staggered lightweight alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres. Four dual-tone exterior combinations are available: Nuclear Yellow/Black Roof, Flare Red/Black Roof, Andes Grey/Red Roof and Modern Beige/Red Roof.
Inside, the Cyberster offers a driver-centric cockpit with a triple-display layout – comprising a central 10.25-inch touchscreen and two 7-inch digital panels. It also includes dual-zone automatic climate control with PM2.5 filtration, regenerative braking paddle shifters and premium vegan leather and Dinamica suede upholstery. The BOSE audio system features active noise compensation.
In terms of safety, the vehicle has a high-strength H-shaped cradle structure with a Static Stability Factor (SSF) of 1.83. Standard features include Level 2 ADAS, a Driver Monitoring System, dual front and side airbags, electronic stability control and an electronic differential lock.
The pricing includes a 3.3 kW portable charger, 7.4 kW wall box charger, and standard installation. MG says range will vary based on driving conditions and usage.
Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “At MG Select, we aim at curating experiences that spark emotion, inspire desire, and lead the shift towards conscious mobility. The MG Cyberster is a powerful expression of that philosophy. It is a car that is engineered for performance and designed to be remembered. For many, roadsters were once daydreams. The Cyberster brings that dream to life, with the freedom of the open road and the conscience of an electric future”.
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