German automotive luxury brand Mercedes-Benz has announced its plans to integrate customer activities from vehicle sales and financial services into one organisation at the end of the year. The move aims to enhance efficiency, leverage synergies and enable system harmonisation.

A key step in this transformation is the planned merger of Mercedes-Benz Mobility (MBM AG) into Mercedes-Benz on 31 December 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Core functions of the financial services business will remain under the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services unit to meet central regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, Franz Reiner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Mobility, will leave the company on 31 December 2025, at his request. Reiner began his career at the former Daimler-Benz in 1992 and held management positions, including CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mobility since 2019.

Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group, responsible for Finance & Controlling and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Mobility, said, “With his visionary and value-driven leadership, Franz Reiner has shaped the development of Mercedes-Benz Mobility for more than three decades. As a true entrepreneur within the company, he combines an exceptional sense for customer needs with a strong commitment to our dealer network. Through his international experience, he has played a decisive role in advancing the success and sustainable growth of our financial services business, positioning the organisation for the future. We sincerely thank him for his outstanding dedication, integrity, and pioneering spirit, and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Peter Henn, currently President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA and Head of Mercedes-Benz Mobility North America, will assume global leadership of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on 1st May 2026.

Until that date, Henn will continue to oversee the transformation in North America and support the relocation of the Financial Services organisation from Farmington Hills, Michigan, to Atlanta, Georgia.

Tolga Oktay, currently Member of the Board of Management for Finance and Controlling at Mercedes-Benz Mobility, will take interim responsibility for the Financial Services business, reporting to Harald Wilhelm.

Henn joined the company in 2007 and was appointed to the Board of Management of the former Daimler Financial Services in 2014, responsible for the Africa & Asia-Pacific region, before taking his current role.

Harald Wilhelm, added: “With Peter Henn, we are gaining an experienced and internationally minded leader to head Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Throughout his more than 25-year global career, Peter has consistently demonstrated his ability to guide teams successfully through major transformation phases and deliver strong business results – always with a clear focus on a strong company culture and the highest standards of integrity and compliance.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, remains upbeat about sustaining its growth momentum in FY2026, buoyed by robust SUV demand, growing rural penetration and the positive impact of GST reforms.

According to Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, the ongoing production ramp-up, including the commencement of operations at the Pune plant on 1^st October, marks a key milestone in strengthening the company’s domestic and export capabilities.

Exports are projected to surpass FY2026 targets, supported by higher-margin overseas sales and the company’s focus on cost optimisation. “Our profits are being driven by stronger exports and cost reduction in the bill of materials. We have refrained from aggressive discounting, which has helped maintain margins,” added

In the first half of FY2026, Hyundai Motor India executed over 20 product interventions, reflecting its commitment to keeping the portfolio fresh and relevant. The company also achieved its highest-ever rural penetration at 21.6 percent, with SUVs like the Exter and Venue witnessing a combined growth of 46 percent in rural markets during September–October compared to the January–August period. Rural SUV penetration now stands at 72 percent, marginally higher than in urban areas.

“The demand for SUVs remains strong, especially in the compact SUV segment where affordability and aspirations are in balance. The GST reform has given a fresh fillip to customer sentiment,” Garg noted. The new Hyundai Venue, slated for launch on 4^th November, is positioned as a key driver for continued momentum.

While demand softened briefly between mid-August and late September, retail activity picked up sharply in the weeks preceding the festive season. Garg indicated that retail sales in September–October grew about 20 percent over the January–August period. He, however, added that it will take another two to three months to fully gauge the long-term impact of GST on car-buying trends.

Despite some headwinds – including rising commodity prices, global geopolitical uncertainties, and foreign exchange fluctuations – Hyundai remains focused on cost optimisation to counter material price increases expected in Q3. The company also finalised a union settlement for FY2024–2027, which it described as a benchmark in the industry, reinforcing its commitment to employee relations and operational stability.

On the outlook, Garg highlighted both challenges and opportunities ahead. “While tariffs and global uncertainties remain headwinds, factors such as GST reforms, income tax returns, and the upcoming 8th Pay Commission will act as tailwinds supporting automotive demand,” he said.

In the long-run, the company expects to outperform the industry’s projected 5.5 percent CAGR with its own growth forecast of 7.5 percent, driven by new product introductions, operational efficiencies, and expanding exports.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its financial results for Q2 of FY2026, with revenue of INR 174.6 billion, up 1.2 percent YoY.

The EBITDA came at INR 24.28 billion, up 10.1 percent YoY and profit at tax grew by 14.3 percent YoY at INR 15.72 billion.

During Q2, the company reported sales of 190,921 units, a marginal decline of 0.5 percent YoY. Interestingly, while the domestic sales saw a decline of 6.8 percent during the period, the export volumes grew by 21.5 percent.

What’s more, the company reported SUVs now accounted for its highest-ever share of 71.1 percent in Hyundai India’s sales and the rural market contributed 23.6 percent to the total sales volume.

For H1, FY2026, the revenue came at INR 338.73 billion, down 2 percent YoY, EBITDA grew by 2 percent at INR 46.14 billion and net profit at INR 29.41 billion, up 3 percent YoY.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India, said, “We delivered a strong financial performance for the quarter across key metrics with evident growth in revenue and profitability. The strong EBITDA margins at nearly 14 percent is a further testament of our 'Quality of Growth' strategy, complemented by robust exports and consistent cost optimisation efforts. The transformative GST reforms have acted as a catalyst and looking ahead, we aim to keep pace with the industry’s growth momentum for the residual part of the year, while our strong export performance is set to surpass targets for FY2026.”

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German auto major Volkswagen is marking the 50th anniversary of its GTI performance line next year with the launch of the Golf GTI Edition 50, the most powerful production GTI model to date.

The anniversary model is priced from EUR 54,540 (in Germany) and offers performance and exclusive features over the standard GTI.

The Golf GTI Edition 50 is powered by an engine producing 239 kW, 325 PS of power and 420 Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 270 kmph and accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in 5.3 seconds.

The anniversary model sits 15 mm lower than a classic Golf and comes standard with DCC adaptive suspension control on 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels.

For those seeking more sport-focused dynamics, the optional Edition 50 GTI Performance package EUR 4,200 is available. This package includes:

• Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slicks on 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels.
• A lightweight R-Performance exhaust system with titanium rear silencers.
• A new Performance chassis is lowered by an additional five millimetres.
• An increased camber at the front axle.
• The package makes the vehicle approximately 30kg lighter.

The model's potential was confirmed in April 2025, when racing professional Benjamin Leuchter drove the fastest lap ever completed in a production Golf around the 20.832 km Nurburgring Nordschleife, achieving a time of 07:46:13 minutes with the Performance package.

The special edition features design highlights and a motorsport touch:

• Interior: Check-patterned sports seats with dark green details and red seat belts, and a multifunction leather sports steering wheel with a 50 Years GTI badge.
• Exterior: GTI 50 logo on the roof spoiler, black-painted roof and exterior mirror housings, black tailpipe trims, and a striking side stripe with a colour gradient from Black to Tornado Red.
• Standard Features: IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels (with red glaze varnish), a black-painted roof and darkened side/rear windows.
• Exclusive Colour: Dark Moss Green Metallic is available as an option, alongside Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black Metallic and Tornado Red.

The first vehicles are scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026.

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Japanese auto major Honda Motor Co has unveiled the prototype of the Honda 0 α (alpha), a next-generation electric SUV, at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. The prototype will be on display until 9 November 2025.

The Honda 0 α is being developed as an SUV designed to blend with both urban and natural environments. It is positioned as a ‘gateway model’ for the Honda 0 Series, following the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV concepts introduced earlier this year. The vehicle features a refined design and a cabin that prioritises occupant comfort.

The new prototype incorporates the Honda 0 Series development approach of ‘Thin, Light and Wise’. By applying a packaging design based on the ‘Thin’ approach, Honda achieved a low vehicle height without compromising ground clearance. The design features a thin cabin and a wide stance, characteristic of SUVs.

The exterior includes integrated screen areas at the front and rear. At the front, components such as the headlights, charging lid, and illuminated emblem are integrated into the screen.

The production model of the Honda 0 α is scheduled to go on sale globally, starting in Japan and India in 2027.

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