Mahindra Is Eyeing An Uptake Of Its EVs In The Bengal Market

Mahindra Is Eyeing An Uptake Of Its EVs In The Bengal Market

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the SUVs BE6 and XEV 9e electric SUVs in West Bengal. The company introduced them at a function in Kolkata. Present at the function was Rahul Kamani, Managing Director, NR Autos (the Kolkata dealer), and Joysubha Mukherjee, the Mahindra Regional Business Manager.  
Commenting on how the market penetration for Mahindra is changing in Bengal, especially in the electric vehicle era, Kamani noted, “Mahindra still has a dominance in the internal combustion engine segment. However, the EV race has seen changes in the market race. Earlier, Mahindra had a 15 percent market share in the state but we expect that to grow up to 22 percent in the next fiscal with the introduction of the new models.” 
Besides the metropolitan area, Kamani has a dealership network that spans several districts including South and North 24 Parganas. It is also coming up with a new showroom in Arambagh. 
Alluding to the supply chain model that will be used for deeper penetration of EVs in the state, Mukherjee noted, “We will use our own dealership network other parts of Bengal as we have a robust on ground presence. This launch is mainly slated for Kolkata and nearby localities.” 
The launch event witnessed an overwhelming response from car enthusiasts, industry experts and potential buyers eager to experience the future of electric vehicles. With Mahindra’s commitment to redefining mobility, the BE6 and XEV 9e showcased a range of industry-first features including ADAS Level 2++ technology with five radars and a vision camera, high-performance computing powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 and secure 360-degree live footage recording. 
Alluding to the demand for EVs in Bengal, Kamani noted, “EV segment has picked up pace in the last one year because of more charging stations. The state government has formulated a plan to boost up the charging infrastructure in the state this year. Hence, the market remains very bullish and the business is going to grow in double digit.”
He added, “Earlier, we used to sell around 150 electric vehicles that were made in the old platform. Today, we are going increase the sales as there has been good market response. We expect around 300 bookings and we believe that these two models will have a good urban and rural penetration.” 
NR Autos – a division of the 100-year-old Narbheram Group of Companies – has started accepting bookings for the two ‘born’ EVs at its showrooms in Chowringhee and Salt Lake, effective 14 February 2025. Those who book either of two electric vehicles, will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of attractive colour options without any price difference. The ex-showroom price of the BE6 starts at INR 1,940,000 and INR 2,240,000 for the XEV 9e, depending on the battery pack configurations.
Speaking on this occasion, Kamani said, “At NR Autos, we are proud to be part of Mahindra’s vision of ‘Unlimit India,’ which pushes the boundaries of innovation and performance. This grand launch event celebrates technology, sustainability and superior engineering, reaffirming Mahindra’s leadership in the electric mobility sector. With a structured production ramp-up ensuring optimised delivery timelines, Kolkata’s automobile enthusiasts can now look forward to owning a vehicle that not only sets new benchmarks in performance and safety but also represents the future of sustainable transportation.”

Key Specs

BE6

XEV 9e

Range

557 - 683 km

542 - 656 km

Battery Capacity

59 - 79 kWh

59 - 79 kWh

Charging Time AC

6 / 8.7 h (11 .2kW / 7.2 kW Charger

6 / 8.7 h (11 .2kW / 7.2 kW Charger)

Power

228 - 282 bhp

228 - 282 bhp

Charging Time DC

20Min with 140 kW DC

20Min with 140 kW DC

Boot Space

455 Litres

663 Litres

Nissan Motor India Expands Retail Network With 54 New Outlets

Nissan Dealership

Japanese passenger vehicle manufacturer Nissan Motor India (NMIPL) has opened 54 customer touchpoints across the country during the first quarter of CY2026.

The expansion includes a combination of 3S (Sales, Service, and Spare Parts), 2S and 1S facilities as part of the company's strategy to reach 400 touchpoints by the end of FY2027.

This growth coincides with a period of increased sales for the manufacturer. In March 2026, Nissan recorded cumulative sales of 10,388 units, with domestic wholesales accounting for 4,408 units. This represents a 98 percent growth in domestic wholesale compared to the previous year and the highest monthly domestic figure for the company in five years. Export volumes for the same month stood at 5,980 units.

The network development is intended to support a product offensive that includes the Nissan Gravite and the upcoming Nissan Tekton and a seven-seater C-SUV. The expansion follows the established market presence of the Nissan Magnite. The new facilities are built to global retail standards and are intended to improve brand accessibility across various Indian regions.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “The opening of 54 new customer touchpoints across India in Q1 2026 marks an important milestone in Nissan’s growth journey in India. As we strengthen our product portfolio with the launch of the all-new Nissan Gravite, soon to be launched all-new Nissan Tekton & C-SUV 7-seater along with our popular New Nissan Magnite; network expansion continues to be a critical pillar of our strategy. This growth underlines our commitment to improving accessibility, enhancing customer reach, brand experience while progressing towards our goal of 400 touchpoints by the end of FY2027.”

Hyundai Motor India Launches Grand i10 NIOS Vibe Edition At INR 709,400

Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the ‘Vibe’ edition to the Grand i10 NIOS model range with prices starting INR 709,400 for the manual transmission version.

The update targets a customer base that has exceeded 500,000 buyers since the model's inception. This edition includes the Sportz Vibe and Sportz (O) Vibe variants, featuring design and hardware changes alongside the addition of a dashcam.

The interior of the Vibe edition is finished in black with red inserts, while the exterior features black painted alloy wheels. Further upgrades include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-inch touchscreen audio system with smartphone integration, automatic air conditioning and cruise control.

The Sportz (O) Vibe variant also incorporates a smart key with push-button start. Safety features across the range include six airbags and a highline tyre pressure monitoring system.

A primary addition to the Vibe and Asta trims is a dashcam that provides multiple recording modes, such as driving, emergency and vacation recording. The system allows users to download video and capture photos via a mobile application. The Vibe edition is powered by a 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine and is available with either a five-speed manual or an automated manual transmission (AMT).

The Sportz Vibe edition is priced from INR 709,400 for the manual version and INR 761,400 for the AMT. The Sportz (O) Vibe AMT is available at INR 773,400, while the updated Asta variant ranges from INR 750,700 to INR 8,02,600. Hyundai has also introduced a Titan Grey Matte colour option to the Grand i10 NIOS line-up.

Amit Dhaundiyal, Head of Product Strategy & Planning, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At Hyundai Motor India Limited, we are constantly evolving our product offerings to align with the aspirations of our customers. The introduction of the Vibe edition in the Grand i10 NIOS reflects our commitment to delivering enhanced value, style and convenience to new-age buyers. Alongside the Vibe edition, the addition of Dashcam in both the Vibe edition and Asta variant addresses the growing focus on road safety while also adding engaging features like photo capture and more. Further, the introduction of the new Titan Grey Matte colour resonates with the lifestyle and aspirations of our customers.”

MG Majestor Sets Guinness World Record For Heaviest Train Pull By An SUV

JSW MG Majestor - Guinness World Records

JSW MG Motor India has announced that its recently introduced MG Majestor has established a Guinness World Records title for the heaviest train pulled by a sports utility vehicle on rail. The vehicle towed a 406.4 tonne train over a distance of 300 feet on a railway section between Kakapora and Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir. This performance exceeded the qualifying benchmarks of 400 tonnes and 100 feet.

The attempt used a production vehicle without modifications to the engine, drivetrain, or traction systems. The train consisted of a WAG-9HC locomotive, passenger coaches and a guard coach.

Independent experts monitored the event to confirm that the movement was powered solely by the SUV and that no external propulsion was used. The vehicle is equipped with a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The SUV features triple differential locks, a four-wheel-drive system with 10 modes and Level 2 ADAS technology. JSW MG Motor India has opened pre-reservations for the model at INR 41,000. The initial 3,000 customers are eligible for an ownership package including a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five services without labour charges.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “This achievement is a powerful demonstration of what the MG Majestor is engineered to deliver. It reflects our focus on building vehicles that combine strength, precision and control, even in the most demanding conditions. With the Majestor, we are setting new benchmarks for capability while staying committed to delivering meaningful innovation and confidence to our customers.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Reaches 200,000 Sales Milestone For Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced that cumulative sales of the Innova HyCross in India have surpassed 200,000 units. The milestone was achieved within 41 months of the model's launch in November 2022. The Innova HyCross is priced from INR 1.95 million (ex-showroom).

The Innova HyCross is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. The flagship powertrain features a 5th Generation Self-Charging Strong Hybrid Electric System, which combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an e-drive sequential shift.

The hybrid tech has a claimed power output of 137 kW (186 PS), which allows the vehicle to operate in electric (EV) mode for approximately 60 percent of the time during typical driving cycles. A 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine option is also available, delivering 129 kW (174 PS).

The Innova HyCross scored a 5-Star safety rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP).

It comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, which includes active safety technologies to assist driver awareness. Interior features include powered Ottoman second-row seating, ventilated front seats, and over 65 connected vehicle functions.

Toyota provides an 8-year warranty on the hybrid battery for select variants. Ownership is supported by the T CARE ecosystem, a service framework covering the vehicle lifecycle from pre-sales to repurchase, including roadside assistance and periodic maintenance packages.

The achievement of this sales volume reinforces the model's position in the premium MPV segment and supports Toyota’s ‘multi-pathway’ strategy for carbon reduction through hybrid technology.

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are proud to celebrate a significant achievement of over 2 lakh Innova HyCross sales, highlighting the model’s strong legacy and enduring appeal among customers. This milestone also reflects growing customer trust in Toyota’s self-charging hybrid technology, along with the brand’s commitment to design, performance, comfort, and reliability. It further motivates us to continue delivering market-relevant products, advanced technologies, and a seamless ownership experience aligned with evolving customer expectations. We extend our sincere gratitude to our customers and remain confident that the Innova HyCross will continue to inspire confidence and set new benchmarks in the mobility ecosystem.”