The display of flagship XUV700 SUV, the three-door Thar and the XUV 300 at the Bharat Mobility Expo may not be as exciting as the ‘BE.RALL-E’ concept SUV painted in a shade of bright lemon-yellow and arranged at the centre of the stall. It is a true-blue off-road vehicle concept built on the INGLO architecture and electric in nature. It builds on Mahindra eSUVs’ core philosophy of ‘infinite possibilities’ with a compelling and exciting concept. 

The rugged interior and exterior of the ‘BE.RALL-E’ concept may seem like it has drawn inspiration from those Land Rover SUVs which participated in the Camel Rally, the fact is, Mahindra & Mahindra has some wild and highly exciting SUV up the sleeve – both on the ICE side and the BEV side. 

It was not long ago that the automaker unveiled the Vision Thar.e Concept, Global Pik-Up Truck in Cape Town, South Africa. The Vision Thar.e Concept brought to the fore the automaker’s recently engineered subsidiary, Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL) besides highlighting a powerful and distinctive new visual identity for it with such a concept. 

Under the ‘Born Electric Vehicles’ nomenclature, the automaker leveraged the INGLO architecture to build the Vision Thar.e. The ‘BE.RALL-E’ concept also uses the same architecture. 

While claiming that the INGLO architecture is being honed to engineer some very interesting BEV vehicles in the future, it is the body-on-frame Global Pik Up truck – claimed to be based on the Scorpio N platform – that points at how Mahindra & Mahindra is leaving no stone unturned to further strengthen its position in the Indian SUV segments. The Mumbai-based automaker is also pushing for a larger pie of SUVs and pick-up trucks in markets like South Africa and Australia among others. 

In India, the company is expected to launch the XUV 300 facelift, an electric large SUV based on the XUV 700 and the five-door Thar. What the three vehicles, when introduced, may not fully reflect is the changes the automaker is carrying out at its research valley on the outskirts of Chennai. 

It has been investing into some fancy labs, product development tools, and test and validation equipment. It is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to ensure that there is a made-in-India vehicle running across most of the markets globally. Coming from a market that is currently being dominated by Japanese and Korean automakers, the rise of a homegrown automaker like Mahindra & Mahindra to the global stage – the Chinese automakers are just doing that with their EVs particularly – will be an expression of a country’s technological, manufacturing, design and entrepreneurial strength.

The technology transition and transformation could provide homegrown automakers like Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors just the right opportunity to expand their presence to the global stage, aided albeit by the regulatory push in terms of safety and emissions. The BS VII emission regulation draft is ready as per the sources aware of the development. Its date of announcement could be as early as 2026 or 2027! 

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Kia India has announced a significant change to its leadership team, naming Sunhack Park as Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and Joonsu Cho as Chief Business Officer (CBO).

As the new CSO, Park will head Kia India’s sales strategy, focusing on sustainable growth, improving operational efficiency and expanding the brand’s market reach. He brings over 28 years of international automotive experience, having held key leadership positions at Kia Headquarters in South Korea, the Middle East & Africa (MEA) and India.

Cho, in his role as CBO, will be responsible for crafting business strategies, overseeing production planning and export logistics, leading cross-functional teams and forging strategic alliances to ensure operational excellence. He has over 32 years of leadership experience from global roles in Australia, the UK and Europe.

Sunhack Park, said, “I am privileged to take on the role as Chief Sales Officer. This is an exciting phase for the brand as we continue to expand our presence in a dynamic and evolving market. My focus will be on driving sales growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and strengthening our dealer and partner ecosystem.”

Joonsu Cho, said, “I am honored to assume the role of Chief Business Officer. Kia India has made remarkable strides in the market, and my priority will be to develop and execute robust business strategies that support sustainable growth and operational excellence.”

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RattanIndia Enterprises-owned Revolt Motors, a leading electric motorcycle brand, is strengthening its leadership team and has appointed Raghava Rao as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO).

Rao, a seasoned industry leader, comes with over two decades of diverse experience across the automotive sector, spanning two-wheelers, tractors, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

Prior to joining Revolt Motors, he has held senior leadership positions at Kinetic Engineering, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Piaggio Vehicles and TI Clean Mobility (Montra Electric).

Roy Kurian Joins Revolt Motors As President

Rao has expertise in channel sales, customer support, customer experience and market insights, with a proven track record of driving business growth and customer success.

Anjali Rattan, Chairperson, RattanIndia Enterprises, said, “We are delighted to welcome Raghava Rao to the Revolt family. His deep expertise in the automotive industry and proven leadership across multiple business functions will play a crucial role in accelerating our growth journey and further strengthening Revolt’s position as India’s No.1 electric motorcycle brand.”

Rao is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business (General Management Program), holds a B.Tech degree from BITS Pilani, and a PGCSM from XLRI Jamshedpur.

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the new Thar with prices starting at INR 999,000. The vehicle incorporates design changes, comfort features and technology integration, engineered for urban travel and weekend adventures.

The popular SUV has gone home to over 300,000 customers, now features a new exterior, which includes a front grille, a dual-tone front bumper and R18 alloy wheels. The interior includes a black theme dashboard and a new steering wheel. It is available in six colour options, including two new additions: Tango Red and Battleship Grey.

For comfort and convenience, the Thar features rear AC vents for second-row passengers, a sliding armrest and a dead pedal (automatic transmission models). Door-mounted power windows, a rear-view camera and an internally operated fuel lid are included. The vehicle also has a rear wash & wiper and an A-Pillar entry assist handle.

The Thar is equipped with a 26.03 cm HD infotainment screen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other tech includes Type-C USB ports and Adventure Stats Gen II, which provides off-road data such as a racing tab, altimeter, outside temperature and pressure, trip meter and steering direction.

Mahindra offers a range of engine options paired with transmissions – a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic – in RWD as well as 4X4 configurations.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Over the years, Thar has become more than just an SUV – it’s a symbol of freedom, adventure, and a lifestyle that resonates deeply with our customers. At Mahindra, we are committed to listening to our customers and evolving with their needs, which is why the New Thar reflects both their feedback and our dedication to provide the best to our customers. By blending new design elements, smart technology, enhanced comfort and convenience features, the new Thar offers an unparalleled driving experience that empowers our customers to explore limitless possibilities in both urban and off-road settings.”

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Stellantis-owned Citroen India has launched the new Aircross X SUV, the latest addition to its premium X-Series portfolio, with an introductory price starting at INR 829,000. The launch, the company said, is a key step in the brand’s Citroen 2.0 ‘Shift Into the New’ strategy, positioning the SUV as a feature-rich, spacious option for Indian customers.

The new Aircross X elevates its segment with significant interior and technology upgrades. The cabin features an enriched design with a leatherette-wrapped instrument panel, chic gold accents and a bezel-less 10.25-inch infotainment screen paired with a 7-inch digital cluster. Comfort is enhanced with ventilated leatherette seats, diffused ambient lighting and the brand’s signature Advanced Comfort Suspension.

A standout feature is the introduction of CARA, billed as India’s first multilingual, intuitive in-car companion. CARA can communicate in 52 languages, control essential vehicle functions and prioritise safety with voice SOS and crash alerts. Driving convenience is further improved with Proxi-Sense Passive Entry, Cruise Control and a HALO 360deg Camera with Satellite View.

Emphasising the model’s safety credentials, the launch follows the recent 5-star Adult protection rating awarded to the Aircross 5S variant in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP).

The New Aircross X is available in 5- and 7-seater configurations with options for both ICE and CNG engines. Bookings are now open across all Citroen dealerships and online.

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “The new Aircross X is an SUV designed around the real needs of Indian families – space, comfort, safety and smart innovation. With the debut of CARA, we’re making everyday mobility more intuitive and personal. What makes the New Aircross X unique is that it blends the practicality of a family SUV with the premium feel of our X-Series design. It is a versatile SUV that’s aspirational, yet accessible.”

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