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

Axalta, a global leader in the coatings industry, has been selected by BMW Group as a recommended refinish provider in cases where BMW's own paint label, ColorSystem, is absent.

The new agreement, which will take effect in January 2025 and last for several years, covers the network of BMW Group dealerships and collision repair facilities in more than 50 nations. Axalta will provide its unique Fast Cure Low Energy technology paint system, which offers advantages including lower energy and carbon equivalent emissions along with top-notch training assistance.

Axalta's contract as a ColorSystem supplier in the US and China has also been renewed by the BMW Group. For a number of years, Axalta has been the exclusive ColorSystem supplier in South Africa and Europe. The ColorSystem from the BMW Group is designed to be among the most cutting-edge paint systems in the world.

Fabien Boschetti, Sales Vice President for Axalta Refinish in Europe, said, “Through the diligent multiple tender processes, Axalta has unequivocally met BMW Group’s high standards of quality, efficiency and sustainability. We will continue to support BMW Group’s dealerships and collision repair shops worldwide with our innovation and operational excellence.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has received an ‘Investment Certificate’ from the Karnataka government at the Invest Karnataka 2025 Global Investors Meet (GIM) for its contribution to the state’s economic growth, job creation and green mobility. The automaker is participating at the forum under the theme ‘Reimagining Growth’.

The company was recognised for its investment in a third manufacturing plant in November 2023, which is expected to generate 2,000 new jobs and 100,000 unit per annum production capacity for the automaker.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor is showcasing its sustainable mobility solution at the Future of Innovation Pavillion. It has create three experience zones – sustainability pavilion, green technology zone and skill development & CSR initiatives.

Incepted in 2010, GIM has become Karnataka’s premier investment platform, fostering economic growth, industrial innovation and policy dialogue.

Manasi N. Tata, Vice Chairperson, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, our journey has always been about creating lasting value for society through innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Karnataka, a progressive state, has been the foundation of our growth in India, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community through our continued investments in industrial progress and clean mobility solutions.”

Swapnesh. R. Maru, Deputy MD - Corporate Planning, Green Field Project, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we believe that sustainability is about living in harmony with nature, seamlessly weaving together people, progress, and the planet to create a home where no one is left behind. Our journey toward green mobility is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to create a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive future for generations to come. Our participation in Invest Karnataka 2025 is a testament to that vision. Through our multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality, we are driving meaningful change in the Indian automotive landscape and remain steadfast in our vision of contributing to ‘Viksit Bharat’ by fostering an ecosystem of collaboration, innovation, and responsible manufacturing. Together, with every step we take, we move closer to a world where growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.” 

Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President & Head of State Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Sustainability is at the core of Toyota’s global philosophy, and at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we are dedicated to pioneering clean and efficient mobility solutions that align with India’s carbon neutrality goals. We are grateful to the Government of Karnataka for its progressive policies and strong support, which have fostered a robust industrial ecosystem, enabling Karnataka to emerge as a key hub for manufacturing and innovation under the ‘Make in India’ vision. The state’s forward-thinking approach has not only accelerated the adoption of green mobility but has also strengthened the foundation for skill development and localisation. Through our participation in Invest Karnataka 2025 GIM, we continue to support the state’s industrial ecosystem by nurturing technological advancements, skill development, and responsible manufacturing practices."

Till date, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has invested over INR 160 billion in Karnataka along with an additional INR 40 billion being executed towards its third plant in the region. Furthermore, the company has also focussed on skilling, localisation and sustainability, with the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) expanding to 1,200 students, including 600 female students, to make Karnataka’s youth future ready. The OEM is also developing 16 Government Tool Room & Training Centers (GTTC), with plans to expand to 36 by 2026, and partnering with 49 ITIs, having trained 2,975 students so far, with a target of 88 institutes.

German passenger vehicles manufacturer Volkswagen India has inaugurated its newest sales touchpoint in Ludhiana, Punjab called ‘Volkswagen Ludhiana’.

With this, the company now has 11 sales and seven service facilities in Punjab, which the automaker shared further strengthens its presence in the region.

The Volkswagen Ludhiana outlet is managed by Saravdeep Lally and a team of 10 service professionals features a three-car display featuring – Taigun, Virtus and Tiguan.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “The launch of Volkswagen Ludhiana is a significant step towards our Punjab growth story. Last year, we were able to establish a growth of 26 % in the state with customers in Punjab looking to own premium mobility solutions that really redefine the thrill of driving. As Ludhiana is a thriving territory for us, we are excited to make the Volkswagen experience even more accessible to our customers here, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience of our powerful, safe and feature loaded cars. This expansion underscores our commitment to creating a premium automotive destination that reflects the aspirations of Ludhiana's discerning customers.”

Tarsem Singh Lally, Managing Director, Lally Motors, added, “We are happy to bring the thrilling experience of driving a Volkswagen to our esteemed customers in Ludhiana (Ferozepur Road) to cater and service the Ferozepur Road and South City customers with a team of highly trained professionals, we are prepared to offer an exceptional car buying experience and look forward to being an integral part of the growing Volkswagen footprint in the region. This is our nineth Volkswagen Showroom in Punjab and the Tri-City Region.”

Mumbai-headquartered SUV manufacturer Mahindra has is revamping its physical touchpoints to reflect its transformation journey. The company recently opened its next-gen dealership, which it said is inspired by its Heartcore design philosophy.

The new facilities boast a modern colour palette, dramatic lighting, intuitive technology and a seamless interaction. The new-age dealerships will offer customers an immersive environment to witness the company’s technologies such as INGLO Electric Origin architecture to MAIA, the Sonic Studio Experience. It is also upgrading its aftersales service network to have dedicated service bays for eSUVs, expert technicians trained for handling EVs and advanced tools, equipment and technology.

Predictive diagnostics tailored for software-driven vehicles (SDVs) including first-of-its-kind Remote Vehicle Diagnostics (RVD), ensuring proactive maintenance and a seamless customer experience.

The automaker is also setting up strategically located Battery Repair Centres for seamless EV battery care.

A 400-strong team of Mahindra Tech Experts, supported by engineers from Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), to ensure precision service.

Charge.in

The company is also introducing CHARGE.IN, a dedicated EV charging vertical with more than 350 experts offering bespoke charging solutions.

Me4U

Through Mahindra’s Me4U App the company will simply entire ownership experience from pre-sales to sales and aftersales for its customers by providing real-time order tracking, test drive bookings and vehicle insights even before delivery. Live vehicle status, remote controls and energy management post-delivery are some of the other features that it will offer.

Furthermore, to ensure a smooth EV ownership experience the company aims to have seamless integration with 50 percent of India’s fastest-charging DC chargers by March 2025.