Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its popular Seltos SUV has surpassed 600,000 cumulative sales milestone since its market entry in 2019. The achievement, the company said confirms the model's position in the mid-SUV segment, with top-tier variants contributing 29 percent of total volume.

The Seltos was introduced with a strategy focused on multiple powertrain options, including petrol and diesel engines with automatic transmissions, alongside connected car technology. Over time, Kia has updated the model to include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and expanded digital interfaces.

Data shows a preference for higher specifications, with nearly a third of buyers selecting top trims. The model's sales have been supported by its appeal to customers upgrading from smaller vehicle categories who seek features such as large-format infotainment and enhanced safety packages.

The new Generation Seltos comes with 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and has a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.

The latest generation of the Seltos features increased dimensions and an upgraded safety architecture. Kia India intends for the model to continue anchoring its mid-SUV strategy through a mix of engine and transmission combinations.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “Crossing 600,000 sales reflects sustained customer preference for a product that delivers strong fundamentals in design, safety, technology and performance. Seltos expanded expectations in the mid-SUV segment by offering features and configurations that were not widely available at the time of its launch. The consistent uptake across variants, including strong demand for top trims, indicates growing customer confidence in advanced safety systems and connected technologies.”

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Nissan Motor India has launched the new Nissan Gravite, a seven-seater MPV at an introductory price starting INR 565,000. The vehicle is the first model released under the company’s new product strategy for the Indian market and is manufactured locally at the alliance plant in Chennai.

The Gravite marks the first of the 3 new model launches for the Japanese carmaker in India, as part of its resurgence strategy to focus on high-potential markets globally.

The MPV for the unversed is a cross-badged Renault Triber and will compete in the mass-market segment, focusing on space and modularity. Nissan is also expanding its dealer network across Tier I and Tier II cities to support the rollout.

The Gravite features C-shaped LED headlamps and tail lamps. It is available in five colour options – Forest Green, Onyx Black, Blade Silver, Storm White and Metallic Grey.

On the inside, it gets plenty of storage, with its modular approach which provides a flexible seating for two to seven occupants. The third-row seats can be removed to increase luggage capacity.

Boot Space Capacity:

• 5-seater mode: 625 litres
• 6-seater mode: 320 litres
• 7-seater mode: 84 litres

The interior includes a cooled centre console, dual glove boxes and air-conditioning vents for all three rows. Seats are finished in suede and leatherette quilting.

The Gravite is equipped with a 20.32 cm floating infotainment screen supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, alongside a 17.78 cm digital instrument cluster.

Safety is addressed through 30 standard features, including:

• 6 Airbags
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control
• Hill-Start Assist and Brake Assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Powertrain Specifications

The Gravite continues to use the same 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine available in the Renault Triber, which can be either had with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT (EZ-shift) transmission.

Thierry Sabbagh, President, India – Nissan and Infiniti, said, “India is central to Nissan’s global ambitions. Our actions over the past year strengthening operations, expanding the network and embarking on a product offensive demonstrate our long-term commitment to this market. The all-new Nissan Gravite is not just a product launch; it marks the beginning of a sustained growth phase for Nissan in India.”

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, added, “The all-new Nissan Gravite is inspired by the diversity, scale and ambition of Indian families. Every detail – from its modular seating to its commanding stance reflects how Indian customers live, travel and grow together. For us, Gravite is more than a product introduction. It is a promise that Nissan will continue to design, manufacture and invest in vehicles that truly resonate with India’s mobility aspirations.”

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Bentley Motors has confirmed a leadership change within its communications and heritage divisions. Angus Fitton will join the company as Chief Communications Officer, taking charge of global product, corporate and internal communications at the luxury car manufacturer’s headquarters in Crewe, England. He will step into the role vacated by Wayne Bruce, who is transitioning to a new position as Director of Visitor Experience and Heritage. Both executives will report directly to Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser.

Fitton arrives at Bentley with extensive industry experience, most recently serving for seven years as Vice President of PR at Porsche Cars North America in Atlanta. Before that, he led communications for Porsche Cars Great Britain, and his return to the UK marks a relocation back to his home country. His career path, which began in journalism before shifting to public relations, mirrors that of his predecessor. Over the years, he has held communications roles with several prestigious automotive brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Volkswagen. His lifelong enthusiasm for cars aligns well with Bentley’s brand ethos, and during his Porsche tenure, he collaborated on notable projects such as ‘Edith’ – a Porsche 911 that set a world altitude record by climbing a volcano, an initiative conceived and led by Dr Walliser himself.

In his new capacity, Bruce will focus on enhancing visitor and customer experiences at the Crewe site, building upon the Heritage Collection he originally established. He will also continue to lead the Bentley Foundation. These appointments are scheduled to take effect from 16 March.

Dr Walliser said, “Wayne has been an exceptional steward of Bentley’s global communications, shaping our voice through a period of significant transformation for the brand. I want to thank him for his leadership, creativity and unwavering commitment to Bentley Motors. As we look to the future, I am delighted to welcome Angus Fitton as our new Chief Communications Officer. Angus brings deep industry experience, a modern strategic mindset and a passion for storytelling that aligns perfectly with our ambitions. Under his leadership, I am confident that Bentley’s communications will continue to evolve, inspire and reflect the pioneering spirit that defines our company.”     

Fitton said, “I am grateful to Frank and the board of Bentley Motors for this opportunity to join an incredible team at an exciting moment for the brand. Wayne and his communications team have delivered extraordinary work and I look forward to getting started and building on the fantastic example he has set.”

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BMW ALPINA has presented its identity as a brand under the custodianship of the BMW Group. The move follows a brand activation in January and establishes a framework for the production and design of future models.

The company said going forward BMW ALPINA vehicles will be manufactured within BMW Group plants that have been modified to meet the brand's specifications. This production integration allows for personalisation options, enabling customers to customise vehicle details.

Standard features for the marque will include leather interiors available in multiple colours. The brand will maintain signature design elements, including the 20-spoke alloy wheel design and a specific exterior colour palette.

Heritage and Emblem Design

The new emblem reinterprets the historical throttle body and crankshaft elements. The design utilises linework and a transparent execution to create a silhouette with reduced colouring. This badge, combined with the recently revealed wordmark, forms the brand's updated iconography.

The brand's engineering focus remains on combining high-speed performance with ride comfort, specifically for long-distance travel.

The modernisation aims to balance ALPINA's history of power and discretion with BMW Group's production capabilities. The company states that the manufacturing shift to BMW Group plants ensures the standards of the brand are maintained while increasing the scope for material selection and interior curation.

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German luxury automotive brand BMW Group India has introduced the petrol-powered X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro at INR 7.45 million (ex-showroom), which is locally produced at the BMW Group Plant Chennai. This new variant expands the X3 portfolio, joining the existing xDrive 20 petrol and xDrive 20d diesel models.

The BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro is equipped with a 2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine featuring TwinPower Turbo technology and 48V mild-hybrid systems. It delivers 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds. Power is managed via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

It gets adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers as standard, allowing drivers to toggle between Sport and comfort-oriented settings.

In terms of dimensions, the X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro measures 4,755 mm in length and 1,920 mm in width. The exterior features a blacked-out kidney grille with ‘Iconic Glow’ illumination and adaptive LED headlights. The M Sport Pro package adds – 20-inch M alloy wheels, M Sport brakes with red calipers, M Aerodynamic package with air intakes and M Lights Shadowline with a tinted finish.

The cabin features the BMW Curved Display, consisting of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display running on Operating System 9. The instrument panel is wrapped in Sensatec and the interior includes a BMW Interaction Bar and a panoramic glass sunroof.

For driver assistance, the vehicle includes ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ as standard, which features active cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane-keep assistant. The ‘Parking Assistant Plus’ system provides a surround-view camera and a drive recorder.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The BMW X3 has always been the definitive choice for those who seek a perfect blend of luxury and versatility. With introduction of the new BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport Pro, we are taking that legacy to an enhanced level of performance and presence. Power attracts power, and the new X3 30 delivers exactly that pairing a more aggressive engine with refined luxury to create a truly spirited driving experience. With this new addition, we have further expanded the X3 offering in India to cater to our modern, performance-driven customers who demand more.”

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