Caption: The virtual groundbreaking of the project was done by M K Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in the presence of Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu; Arun Roy (IAS), Industries Secretary; Vishnu (IAS), Guidance MD; Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer - Hyundai Motor India, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director - Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), senior officials from Guidance Tamil Nadu, and other senior state government officials.

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its hydrogen innovation centre at the Tamil Nadu Investors Conclave 2024, held in Chennai. 

In a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Guidance Tamil Nadu, and the support of the Tamil Nadu state government the facility will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the field of hydrogen technology.

This initiative aims to be an effective measure to reduce Tamil Nadu’s carbon footprint, and HMIL is upbeat on the potential partnership, which it believes will also play a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce for the emerging hydrogen economy.

• The state-of-the-art hydrogen innovation centre will feature the following facilities and focus areas.
• Electrolyser test rig - Electrolyser development for generation of green hydrogen
• Electrolyser / Fuel cell fabrication line - Localisation of manufacturing and supply chain
• fuel cell test station
• Operational and diagnostic digital twin for hydrogen infrastructure
• Pilot demonstrators using electrolysers and fuel cells
• Hydrogen refuelling station - for hydrogen mobility research
•  

Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO), Hyundai Motor India said, “Hyundai Motor India remains committed to being a strategic partner in Tamil Nadu government’s vision of building a sustainable ecosystem for transition towards alternate fuels. We are hopeful the upcoming hydrogen innovation centre will accelerate hydrogen mobility adoption in Tamil Nadu. HMIL will be investing towards facility construction at the IIT Madras Thaiyur campus in Chennai. In line with our global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, this facility will serve as a key enabler to advance hydrogen as an eco-friendly, emission-less future source of propulsion for mass-mobility solutions.”

The hydrogen innovation centre will be spread across 65,000 square feet within the IIT Madras, Thaiyur campus, located on the outskirts of Chennai.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras said, “IIT Madras has continued to be the forerunner in India’s transformation into a technology and innovation superpower. Furthering this journey, the Institute is honoured to partner with Hyundai Motor India and Guidance Tamil Nadu, to develop a dedicated research facility which we envisage, will create break-through innovations in the field of hydrogen mobility. The hydrogen innovation centre will serve as a catalyst for hydrogen technology innovations, creating a robust ecosystem for start-ups and researchers.”

The hydrogen innovation centre is expected to be fully operational by 2026, and bears an innate potential to foster holistic development of hydrogen ecosystem in India.

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Renault India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the French Renault Group, has announced the official ARAI-certified fuel efficiency for the new Duster Turbo TCe 100. The upcoming midsize SUV achieves a certified fuel economy of 19.41 kmpl, aiming to offer a balance of everyday performance and low fuel consumption.

The TCe 100 powertrain has been developed exclusively for the Duster line and features specific tuning to optimise thermal efficiency and power delivery. The SUV is built on Renault's all-new RGMP platform. The engine and drivetrain are comprehensively engineered to align with this advanced architecture's structural dynamics.

The turbocharged petrol engine produces a peak power output of 100 PS and 160 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission, calibrated to deliver responsive performance and a smooth driving experience across varied road conditions.

Dr V. Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering at Renault Group India, said, “The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency reflects Renault’s focus on practical engineering and customer value. The Turbo TCe 100 engine uses turbocharging and efficient combustion to deliver responsive performance with strong fuel economy. With the 6‑speed manual transmission, the powertrain provides a balanced and efficient driving experience.”

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the launch of the ‘Hyundai Innovation Challenge 2026’. The initiative invites applications from high-potential startups to collaborate on developing next-generation mobility and automobile technologies.

The program is curated and supported in partnership with ZER01NE, Hyundai Motor Group’s global open innovation platform. The challenge is structured as a 6-month innovation initiative designed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial concepts and commercial validation. Hyundai Motor India is seeking cutting-edge software and hardware solutions across several core technology pillars – electrification & alternative energy systems; new mobility models & connectivity frameworks; Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS); Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven automotive tools and next-generation integrated vehicle technologies.

While the application platform outlines 15 specific focus areas, the automaker encourages startups to submit any disruptive ideas that demonstrate strong potential for high-impact mobility solutions, even if they fall outside the listed criteria.

The program will run on a structured evaluation pipeline managed by LINK Innovation, a global startup consulting and accelerator platform. Startups can submit their entries through the designated LINK Innovation website until the end of June 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the open timeline, judged against a set of preliminary technical and operational parameters. Shortlisted startups will undergo a rigorous review focusing specifically on their technology and product readiness levels. Shortlisted candidates will progress to a final pitch round hosted before HMIL's top management.

The selected startups for the final cohort will gain access to Hyundai's industrial capabilities to transform theoretical concepts into market-ready products. They will get opportunities to co-create future mobility solutions alongside Hyundai Motor India, backed by dedicated Proof-of-Concept (PoC) grants. Hands-on technical guidance and expert mentorship from engineering specialists. Access to Hyundai’s robust commercial ecosystem and customer base to unlock market exposure. Long-term avenues for potential corporate investments and enduring strategic business partnerships.

Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, "At Hyundai Motor India, we strongly believe that the future of mobility will be shaped by collaboration, innovation and bold thinking. The Hyundai Innovation Challenge, curated in partnership with Hyundai Motor Group's ZER01NE team, is designed to bring together some of the brightest minds and most promising startups to co-create solutions that redefine mobility."

“Given India’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem and its growing influence on global innovation, the Hyundai Innovation Challenge is poised to bring new tech innovations to the world of mobility. At HMIL, we see startups as partners and co-creators of a smarter, more sustainable future," said Garg.

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Czech automaker Skoda Auto has released the initial exterior sketches of its upcoming flagship electric vehicle, the Skoda Peaq. The seven-seater SUV marks a new design direction for the brand, utilising clean surfaces, structured details and signature electric vehicle styling cues.

The world premiere of the new flagship SUV is scheduled to take place in Monnetier-Mornex, France, at 18:25 on 23 June 2026.

The exterior of the Peaq represents a consistent application of Skoda's new ‘Modern Solid’ design framework. The aesthetic balances rugged proportions with minimalist, aerodynamic elements tailored for the electric era.

The front features slender, T-shaped headlights and a gloss-black ‘Tech-Deck Face’. A connecting element runs between the assemblies to form a frame-like loop motif, which contrasts against a pronounced, volcano-shaped lower bumper.

The side profile is dominated by a high shoulder line and wide D-pillars to emphasise a wide, stable stance. The sketches also reveal flush door handles seamlessly integrated into the structured body panels to optimise aerodynamic efficiency.

At the rear, the Skoda Peaq echoes the front design language with matching T-shaped taillights and a unified connecting element, establishing a cohesive loop motif that serves as a distinct visual signature.

Karl Neuhold, Head of Exterior Design, Skoda Auto, said, “In designing the exterior of the Skoda Peaq, we consistently applied the Modern Solid design language, combining clean lines, balanced proportions and distinctive elements. Precisely sculpted surfaces and clearly structured details create a confident, timeless presence, while signature features such as the T-shaped headlights and Tech-Deck Face express Skoda’s identity in a new electric era.”

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Honda India Foundation (HIF) has inaugurated a new Driving Practice Zone (DPZ) in Mahendragarh, marking the first facility of its kind in the state of Haryana. The community infrastructure project is designed to provide aspiring drivers with a safe, structured environment to practice driving skills and undergo essential road safety training. The facility will be fully accessible and open to the general public free of cost.

The project targets a prominent infrastructure gap common in Tier II and Tier III towns, where a lack of formal, dedicated driving enclosures often compels learners to practice on public roads, escalating safety risks for themselves and other commuters.

The newly opened Driving Practice Zone incorporates both practical and academic training spaces to build comprehensive driver competency before individuals transition to public roads –

• Dedicated Practice Tracks: Specially engineered tracks to help learner drivers systematically build vehicle control, operational confidence, and manoeuvring skills.
• Theoretical Classroom: A dedicated indoor learning space utilised for theoretical instructional sessions, focused on enhancing traffic rule compliance and general road awareness.

Vinay Dhingra, Trustee of the Honda India Foundation, said, “Road safety begins with access to the right training environment. Through this Driving Practice Zone, we aim to provide learner drivers with a safe, structured space to build driving skills, improve awareness and develop responsible road behaviour before they begin driving on public roads. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to making road safety training more accessible at the community level.”

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