Hyundai Motor has teased the first images of its IONIQ 5 BEV. The midsize CUV will be unveiled at a virtual world premiere event, to be held  in February 2021, and will be the first vehicle based on the brand’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The platform will facilitate a lineup of future battery electric vehicles for Hyundai.

The images show a unique design approach for IONIQ 5 with clean but strong lines, a new eco-friendly Colour Material Finish (CMF) and pixel-inspired lights both at the front and back. 20-inch wheels are aero-optimised specifically for Hyundai’s new EV architecture.

Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center, SangYup Lee said, “IONIQ 5 presents an all-new customer experience through innovative EV design that is evocative of the icon that established Hyundai’s design DNA. Beginning with IONIQ 5, our dedicated BEV lineup brand will redefine the relationship between people and their cars, establishing a new standard against which all BEV design experiences will be measured”.

Hyundai Motor will equip the IONIQ 5 with Vehicle to Load (V2L) technology by which the car can be used for general power supply (110V/220V). Using a 3.5KW V2L supply, it can power small electronic items like oven and speakers. The BEV will also be capable of ultra-fast charging, with a 5-minute charge lasting over 100km (WLTP Standard). (MT)

Spinny, a leading platform for buying and selling vehicles, has launched a new brand campaign ‘God Promise’, which features Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who also happens to be an early investor in the company.

The God Promise campaign with the message ‘Trust us – we mean it’ aims to reiterate that the used vehicles sold on the platform come with a peace of mind assurance, which includes 3-years warranty with Assured+, over 10,000 model availability, 5-day moneyback guarantee and a best price guarantee for both buyers and sellers.

Sachin Tendulkar, "This campaign clicked with me because it's rooted in something I’ve always believed in – trust must be earned and honoured. With ‘God Promise,’ Spinny isn’t just making a statement. They’re making a stand—for simplicity, sincerity, and joy in car buying and selling.”

Niraj Singh, Founder & CEO, Spinny, added, “Sachin has always stood for excellence and trust – values that are deeply embedded in Spinny’s DNA. ‘God Promise’ is simply a reflection of that. We're turning those values into a clear, public commitment. This isn’t just a campaign built on specs and stats – it’s just an extension of how we work. With him as both the face and a strategic investor in Spinny, trust and quality aren’t claims – they’re givens. And that, to us, is the ultimate assurance.

Tanya Mahendru, Creative Director, added, “With Sachin as the face of the brand, god promise was the most natural derivative.”

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra Group has rejigged its top leadership team to further strengthen the company’s market position.

The company has announced that Hemant Sikka, currently President of Farm Equipment Sector will take over the role of MD & CEO of Mahindra Logistics. He will succeed Ram Swaminathan who has stepped down to pursue other professional interests.

Furthermore, Veejay Nakra, currently President Automotive Division, has been appointed the President for Farm Equipment Business (FEB), which is among Mahindra’s large and profitable businesses with a ROCE of over 60 percent. The company sees huge opportunity to further grow the business and expand globally. He will continue to report to Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO, Auto & Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra .

In addition, R Velusamy, currently, President Automotive Technology and Product Development, will take on the role of President of the Automotive Business (AB). He will be tasked to prepare the Automotive Business with technology innovation and lead opportunities for growth in domestic as well as global markets.

Mahindra has announced that it will now integrate the SUV and LCV (less than 3.5 tonne) business under one leadership to make the business more agile and collaborative, from engineering products to faster time to market. He will also report to Jejurikar.

Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “These leadership changes ensure that we have strong, proven leaders at the helm of our key businesses. Their experience will enable us to drive significant growth and create greater value for our customers and shareholders. We thank Ram for his contributions to the company, and wish Hemant, Veejay, and Velu the very best for the journey ahead.”

Hyundai Motor India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles in the country, has has announced that every second vehicle it sold in India came with a sunroof.

The company shared that in FY2025, 53.2 percent of the Hyundai vehicles sold in the country was equipped with sunroof, what’s more the share of SUVs also increased to 68.5 percent from the earlier 63.2 percent a year ago.

At present, sunroof is offered as an optional feature in 12 out of 14 models in the Hyundai Motor India portfolio, which includes the Exter, Venue, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson Verna, Aura, Grand i10 NIOS, i20 and the Ioniq 5.

On the other hand, the demand for ADAS-equipped models grew to 14.3 percent from 6.7 percent a year ago.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “FY2024-25 has been a landmark year for Hyundai Motor India. The fact that two out of every third vehicle sold by us in India was an SUV is a testament to our deep understanding of Indian customers and our commitment to delivering innovation, safety and style. The doubling of ADAS variant contribution and growing popularity of sunroof-equipped models reflects the rising aspirations of our customers and their readiness to embrace global technologies. We shall continue to march forward with a focus on customer delight, offering products that are future-ready, feature-rich, and engineered for India.”

German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz India has expanded its footprint in the southern market with the inauguration of three new state-of-the-art facilities across Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reinforcing its customer-centric ‘Go to Customer’ strategy.

In Bengaluru, the luxury carmaker opened a sprawling 2S (Sales & Service) facility with a Delivery Bay by long-standing partner Sundaram Motors on International Airport Road. The 47,000 sqft facility, built to Mercedes-Benz’s global MAR20X luxury retail standards, features 10 dedicated service bays, a Premium Aero Hub and a Mercedes Cafe. It also offers fast EV charging and quick repair zones, enhancing convenience and sustainability.

Hyderabad saw the addition of two new 2S facilities. Mahavir Motors inaugurated a 39,000 sqft outlet in a high-net-worth residential area near the city’s growing IT corridor. The facility, equipped with 19 service bays, combines digital interfaces with personalised service zones and eco-friendly features.

Landmark Cars also launched a new 12,000 sqft service centre in Hyderabad with six service bays. The facility offers specialised vehicle servicing, body paint work and Premier Express service for priority customers.

These openings mark a significant investment in customer engagement and service infrastructure in key southern metros, aligning with rising aspirations and demand for luxury vehicles in India.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate 3 state-of-the-art luxury facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the best customer experience and deepening our presence in these key markets. These modern facilities reflect Mercedes-Benz’s vision of offering a world-class luxury retail experience, backed by digital innovation, modern luxury design and personalised customer consultation. We continue to invest in our luxury retail experience, with sharp focus on elevating customer experiences by creating new standards in luxury automotive retail. We are creating desire for the brand not only in emerging markets, but also in key metropolises like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Mercedes-Benz has a strong brand presence.”