Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL), a newly set-up subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled a powerful and distinctive new visual identity for its forthcoming range of Born Electric Vehicles in an event held in Cape Town, South AFrica. The company has done so in the form of 'Vision Thar.e', an electric SUV concept that has been developed grounds up. 

Not an electric version of the Thar SUV with ICE that Mahindra sells currently, the 'Vision Thar.e' is a basis for a five-door e-SUV based on a new platform called the INGLO-P1. Offering a high ground clearance and superior off-road capability, the e-SUV born out of the concept is expected to have a strong supply of torque and power for powerful performance under diverse conditions including an ability to tow. 

In what could be termed as an unusual approach, an e-SUV that will be born from the ‘Vision Thar.e’ concept would have 75 sounds right from the opening of the door to the use of different modes, conceived masterfully in collaboration with music maestro and Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri recipient, AR Rahman. Mahindra & Mahindra has also collaborated with Dolby Laboratories to this effect. 

Symbolising a blend of revolutionary engineering, cutting-edge technology and environmental responsibility, the e-SUV – a modular construction that would use fabrics made of 50 percent recycled PET and carry a commitment to uncoated recyclable plastics – would encapsulate Mahindra's ambition to lead in the electric vehicle revolution, providing a clear and unique value proposition for modern, eco-conscious consumers. The Vision Thar.e-based e-SUV is expected to be launched in 2025. 

At the event held in Cape Town, South Africa, Mahindra & Mahindra also unveiled the Global Pik Up concept that is expected to fill into the shoes of the Scorop Getaway pick-up truck that was briefly sold in India and found a calling in various markets of the world such as Austalia and South Africa. 

The vehicle is based on the tough and versatile new generation ladder frame platform that is claimed to be currently doing duty on the Scorpio N. Crafted with a focus on toughness, versatility and capability, the pick-up truck will have Level-2 ADAS, immersive infotainment and more. 

Scoring high on safety with a 5-Star rating and having Trailer Sway Mitigation, All-Around Airbag Protection, and Driver Behaviour Monitoring, the pick-up truck with macho looks will employ an intelligent 4Xplore four-wheel-drive system. Featuring premium audio system, 5G Connectivity, a single-pane sunroof and a semi-auto parking, the pick-up truck will be powered by a 172 bhp, 2.2-turbodiesel engine coupled to a six-speed manual or a six-speed auto transmission. A petrol engine is also expected to be on offer as the vehicle nears commercial introduction. The company is expected to sell it in the ASEAN, Australian, South African markets among others. In India, the pick-up truck would compete with the Toyota Hi-Lux and Isuzu V-Cross. 

The Ojas tractor that Mahindra & Mahindra unveiled at the Cape Town function marks a future ready range of Global Light Weight 4WD Tractors developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan. Made in India and to be sold in various markets of the world, the tractor will come in seven variants. It will have first-in-category technology features based on Three Technology Packs – MYOJA (Intelligence Pack), PROJA (Productivity Pack) and ROBOJA (Automation Pack).  

Priced INR 564,500 (Pune) for the OJA 2127 and INR 735,000 (Pune) for the OJA 3140, the 4WD tractor line-up, positioned as Sub Compact, Compact and Small Utility platform, will have a power range from 20 hp to 40 hp. Alongside the introduction of the OJA range, Mahindra will enhance its network of over 1100 channel partners to enhance customer experience. The tractor line up will be made at Mahindra’s Zaheerabad plant in Telangana. 

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Citroen India, in partnership with its dealership La Maison Nanavati, has completed the handover of 51 Citroen C3 CNG vehicles to the Luthra Group. The ceremony took place at the Luthra Group’s headquarters in Surat.

The delivery is part of Citroen's strategy to expand its presence in tier-II and tier-III markets by providing mobility solutions to businesses and individuals.

The Citroen C3 CNG is designed for high-usage environments and daily commutes. The model includes several features tailored for the Indian market, integration of a factory-fitted CNG kit to manage running costs. A suspension system tuned specifically for local road conditions. Provisions for cabin space and air-conditioning systems designed for high-ambient temperatures.

The handover to Luthra Group represents the brand's focus on cost-efficient transportation. By targeting the regional business sector, Citroen India aims to strengthen its footprint in Gujarat and the broader Indian mobility market.

The C3 CNG is positioned as a solution for users requiring reliability and low operating expenses without compromising on ride comfort.

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Maruti Suzuki India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, a regional rural bank, for vehicle retail financing partnership on new cars, pre-owned vehicles and commercial vehicles.

This collaboration marks the 50th retail finance partner for Maruti Suzuki India. The partnership is intended to use the bank’s network to provide credit options to a range of customer profiles, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.

The partnership aims to increase the accessibility of Maruti Suzuki products through, tailored finance schemes designed for rural and regional customers.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Our partnership with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank marks a significant milestone as we onboard our 50th retail finance partner. This reinforces our commitment to making car ownership simpler and more affordable for customers across India. By expanding our reach through this strategic alliance, we aim to empower buyers with competitive, customer-friendly financing solutions that enhance the overall purchase experience. We remain focused on delivering seamless, tailored finance options, and this collaboration strengthens our vision of providing the Joy of Mobility to aspiring Indian consumers.”

Yadav S. Thakur, Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, said, “At Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, empowering customer aspirations is at the heart of everything we do. Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the automotive industry, is a strategic step towards enhancing our service offerings and delivering greater value to our customers. This collaboration aligns with our 'Customer-First' mission, enabling us to provide accessible and affordable vehicle financing solutions. We look forward to helping more individuals and families across the country realise their dream of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle.”

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Kia India has started production of the latest generation Seltos at its manufacturing facility in Anantapur. The company has confirmed that prices for the mid-SUV will be announced on 2 January 2026.

The Anantapur plant, established in 2019, serves as a hub for both the Indian domestic market and international exports. The facility uses automation and a local workforce to manufacture the Seltos, which was the first model produced by the company in India.

The new model is built on Kia’s K3 platform, which has been engineered to increase structural rigidity and improve suspension damping. The vehicle has grown in size compared to its predecessor to increase cabin space and stability. It has 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.  

The exterior design follows the ‘Opposites United’ philosophy, featuring a ‘Digital Tiger Face,’ LED projection headlamps, and alloy wheels with neon brake callipers.

The vehicle integrates several digital interfaces and driver assistance systems. It features an upgraded Kia Connect 2.0 suite with over-the-air (OTA) software updates and a proximity unlock function.

In terms of safety, it gets 24 features as standard, while ADAS Level 2 offers 21 autonomous features to assist the driver. The Kia Seltos SUV comes with three engine options – 1.5-litre Petrol producing 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque, 1.5 T-GDI Petrol producing 160 PS of power and 253 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 116 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque.

Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual (6MT), intelligent manual (6iMT), IVT, 7-speed dual-clutch (7DCT) and a 6-speed automatic (6AT). The model will be sold in four trims – HTE, HTK, HTX and GTX – with additional option variants and an X-Line styling pack.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director & CEO, Kia India, said, “The roll-out of the All-New Kia Seltos marks a proud milestone for Kia India. Seltos has long set benchmarks in the mid-SUV segment, and this new generation represents a bigger, bolder, and more progressive evolution shaped by insights from Indian customers. With production now underway at our Anantapur facility, our teams are fully geared to ensure customers can take delivery of their all-new Seltos without long waiting periods. We are confident the all-new Seltos will once again redefine expectations in the segment and strengthen Kia’s leadership in India."

“The new Seltos looks fantastic. The Anantapur team, together with our supplier partners, have done an outstanding job in delivering our customers a great looking, significantly bigger, technologically progressive and safe vehicle with impressive functionality and connectivity,” he said.

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Stellantis-owned French automotive brand Citroen India has inaugurated its 126th point of sales and service (POS&S) facility in Chennai, continuing the expansion of its network under the ‘Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into The New’ strategy.

The new 3S (Sales, Service and Spares) facility is located at Chitlapakkam, near Chrompet. It is an extension of the partnership with VTK Automobiles, which now operates five Citroen touchpoints in the city. The outlet functions as a ‘Stellantis Brand House,’ allowing customers to access both Citroen and Jeep brands within a single space.

Since the announcement of the Citroen 2.0 strategy, the brand has increased its network by 48.6 percent. Over the last six months, the company added 43 points of sale through its network expansion programmes. Citroen expects to reach a total of 135 outlets by the end of the year, with further operations planned for the north, west, and east of India.

The strategy focuses on several pillars – deepening the domestic supply chain for India-centric products. Expanding the dealer footprint into Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations. Using digital tools and unified spaces for sales and aftersales services.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, “The expansion of Stellantis network further with VTK dealership in Chennai marks another important step in Citroen and Jeep India’s network growth strategy. Chennai is a key market for us, and this upgraded facility will enable us to serve our customers better with a seamless sales and ownership experience. Aligned with our Citroen 2.0 strategy, we remain committed to strengthening our dealer partnerships and building a robust, customer-centric network across the country.”

Kumar Priyesh, Director Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “We have grown our network by almost 48.6 percent since we announced the Citroen 2.0 strategy and have been able to expand our operations in different parts of country: adding tier 2/3 locations while further strengthening in Metro/ Tier 1 cities. Through project Visitar, Network Expansion Program and expansion in new geographies we added over 43 POS in the last 6 months and are already in advanced stages to start additional operations in North, West and Eastern parts of the country and expected to close the year with 135 POS for Citroen.”

Sree Venkata Teja Kethineni, Dealer Principal, VTK Automobiles, said, “We’re happy to partner to this pivotal shift in automotive retail, proudly representing Jeep and Citroen. Our dual-brand strategy empowers us to deliver a truly elevated and distinctive experience – whether customers seek rugged performance or refined sophistication. With passion, professionalism and personalised care at the core, our team is committed to exceeding expectations and upholding the global standards these iconic brands represent.”

The facility includes a service centre equipped with diagnostics and digital tools. Staff members are trained across both Jeep and Citroen product lines to provide technical support and product information.

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