By T Murrali

MG Motors, owned by SAIC (formerly Shanghai Auto Industrial Corporation), has launched its pure Electric Vehicle (EV) MG ZS in the international market to recreate a ‘new hot spot’ for its global strategy. This strategy is based on the success of its first new energy vehicle MG 6 that has won good market feedback and reputation. As part of its plan to target those who would like to have all the benefits of a zero emission vehicle without compromising on style MG Motors India has unveiled MG ZS EV, its global SUV.

Under the guidance of SAIC Group’s new four-fold strategies of ‘electrification, intelligent networking, sharing, and internationalization,’ MG has been leading the trend in the field of fuel vehicles, and its new energy vehicles to attract young people. Equipped with the world-class ‘Net Green’ power and SAIC’s leading system of electric drive, battery, and electric control, MG ZS pure electric vehicle boasts of a constant velocity range of up to 428km. 

Moreover, the latest generation of ‘intelligent interconnection’ system and the exclusive colour of new energy will provide a better and trendier choice for the global market where the demand for pure electric vehicles is increasing. The new EV uses MG’s new kansei (emotional) design to make its shape more modern; it has also introduced the exclusive colour of new energy, making it more attractive. The vehicle is equipped with a panoramic sunroof, luggage rack and other configurations.

Not compromising on aesthetics the vehicle has an appreciable build quality that can thrill with its performance and is powered by i-Smart. Assembled at its plant in Halol, Gujarat, the new electric SUV is 4,314 mm long, 1,809 mm wide and stands 1,620 mm tall while the wheelbase is 2,579 mm. It is touted to be the first pure electric internet SUV with a clean, efficient and fast powertrain.

“As an enabler and catalyst for India’s EV revolution, MG Motor India is creating a strong, end-to-end electric vehicle ecosystem in association with leading players in the sustainable energy domain. A truly global and best-in-class EV SUV, the ZS EV has already registered significant success in more than 10 international markets such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It has also been extensively tested for India-specific requirements. We hope that it will recreate its success in India, thanks to the strong EV ecosystem that we are putting in place. We will evaluate opportunities to further expand this ecosystem to more markets across India, based on customer response,” Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India, said.

The Collaborators

Understanding the importance of leveraging expertise of global majors to offer cost competitive solution to customers, MG Motors has collaborated with world leaders such as CATL, UAES, Bosch, Infineon, Exicom, Umicore and Fortum.  

The China-based battery and technology company CATL, specializes in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for EVs, energy storage systems, and battery management systems. UAES is the power electronics solutions provider, and Bosch and Infineon offer software and other support. Exicom helps in second-life use of batteries, and Umicore ensures safe and sustainable recycling of end-of-life batteries.

The collaboration with Fortum India is to set up a 50 kW DC fast charging infrastructure. It has installed such fast public charging stations for EVs across MG’s showrooms in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. Over the next 5 years Fortum plans to have one charging facility every 5 km in major metro cities and every 25 km on the highways.

Exterior And Interior

Inspired by the majestic London Eye, true to its British genes, the headlamps give the MG ZS EV a powerful persona, the kind which makes the EV stand out in the crowd. It complements the aesthetics of the grille, which connotes the magnetic fields between celestial bodies, and brings out the glam quotient. The deep concave grille is supplemented with enough chrome to get the bling on.

The tail lights depict the plough, also called the big dipper. They are inspired by the seven brightest stars of the constellation, Ursa Major, which is the largest northern constellation and third largest constellation in the sky. The side design depicts the phantom that flies through the corners. The panoramic sky roof covers 90 percent of the roof bringing in natural light. It’s like having the sky as a companion on every journey.

In the interior, the ZS comes with an updated version of the Hector’s infotainment system dubbed, iSmart EV 2.0. It has an embedded SIM card for internet connectivity and also has the ability to connect to an external home Wi-Fi network or mobile hotspot. The iSmart EV 2.0 features real-time maps with charging station locator from TomTom, music from Gaana app and weather by Accuweather. The updated system also gets a new graphic interface and improved hardware over the Hector’s iSmart system. 

The system offers over 60 connected car features including Range alerts, Battery status, Eco-friendly updates, Remote vehicle control (for AC on/off, door lock/unlock, light flashing and honking) E-Call (self-initiated emergency call sends a message and location to the 24/7 pulse hub if airbags are deployed), I-Call (get a call from the MG pulse hub for general assistance or road side assistance at the touch of the i-Call button), Geofencing, Navigation, Smart Drive (driver analytics-harsh braking, running idle, routes taken etc. to improve driving skills) and Security Alert (get alerts on the app in case of abnormal door opening, over speed etc.)

The vehicle has a CO2 saver feature which displays the amount of carbon-dioxide the owners save in real-time. MG ZS air-conditioning unit comes fitted with particulate matter 2.5 air filters to provide fresh and healthy air inside the cabin, thus maintaining healthy Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). It can bring bad air quality level of up to 300 AQI down to regular levels in just 35 minutes.

The vehicle is equipped with 3D surround effect, which enhances the driving experience with audible navigation assistance and provides close-to-ear experience.  

The MG ZS EV gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It is equipped with a visually delightful screen that gives all the information at a single glance and allows the driver to manage complete vehicle settings with just a touch. MG ZS can get new software over the air.

Safety

As safety is key, the MG ZS comes with European Standards such as European E-MARK, European REACH (environmental standards in the car) and European E-NCAP (safety standard design). In terms of safety the vehicle has 6 airbags, which include dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags that work together with the seatbelts. It is adequately armoured to save the lives of the occupants.

The EV has auto headlamps to mitigate heavy overcast skies or an enclosure, such as a parking garage. In the case of cruise control, it doesn’t let the driver lose control over the speed. Instead it lets the driver to set a speed limit, and it will handle the throttle accordingly.

The SUV is equipped with an electric parking brake to ensure it is held safely when brakes are suddenly pressed. The electronic gear shift knob gives a complete sense of control over gear shifts. The reverse parking-assist system helps the driver to sense when objects are in the vehicle’s blind spot, thus help prevent accidents which may be caused due to difficulty in reverse parking. The hill descent control system helps the user enjoy the mountains as much as the highways. It prevents rollback on a slope when the brake is released and switched to the accelerator pedal. Besides, it had TPMS to get real-time information about the tyre pressure through a pictogram display. Heated OVRM is part of the standard equipment to clear the fog and ice on the side view mirror, thereby ensuring visibility at all times.

The Battery

The ultra-high density 44.5 kWh battery makes the vehicle to zip 0-100 kmph in 8.5 seconds. It helps deliver maximum power of 142.7 PS, maximum torque of 353 Nm. The liquid-cooled NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery from CATL, gives the car a travel range of 340 km on a full charge. It comes with a kinetic energy reverse system, which stores the extra generated power for later use.

The battery of ZS complies with IP67 and UL 2580 - standards for safety that cover waterproof, dustproof, collision monitoring, electromagnetic shielding, insulation monitoring, high voltage interlock, overload protection, short circuit, intrusion, smoke, soaks, fire and fall.

Charging System

The MG ZS EV is equipped with CCS Type-2 European standard connector and is able to rapid charge from public chargers and also comes equipped with an AC slow charger. The lithium-ion battery can be charged through four options. AC Fast Charger that is provided and installed by MG Motor India at home or office, free of cost. With this 80 percent of charging is done in 6-8 hours. The portable charger that comes with every car can be plugged into any 15A socket. The batteries can be charged up to 80 percent n 16-18 hours. DC superfast chargers that are available at MG dealerships 24x7 can charge the batteries up to 80 percent within 50 minutes. Besides, the vehicle maker is also planning to set up AC Fast Chargers at MG dealerships along key routes in satellite cities. In an emergency, road side assistance for mobile charging support is offered 24x7. The MG logo in the vehicle glows to indicate that the SUV is getting charged. Glowing stops, once the charging is complete.

MG ZS EV comes with three driving modes: Sport, for accelerated driving and a thrilling drive experience; Normal, for balanced range and driving performance; and Eco, for efficient driving to maximize range. (MT)

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Škoda Auto India has expanded its Gujarat network with three new Customer Touchpoints in Ahmedabad and Himmatnagar, developed in collaboration with PPS Motors Pvt. Ltd. The additions comprise a sales and service hub at Naroda, a sales-only outlet at Maninagar and a Compact 3S facility in Himmatnagar, reinforcing the automaker’s footprint in western India.

The Naroda site spans 26,700 square feet, accommodating six display cars, 19 service bays and an Express Care Bay for swift repairs. Maninagar’s 4,800-square-foot showroom houses seven vehicles, while Himmatnagar’s 10,600-square-foot compact centre features four display cars and four service bays. All facilities adhere to the Modern Solid global design language, ensuring a premium customer environment.

With this rollout, Škoda Auto India’s Gujarat presence now totals 25 touchpoints across 16 cities, including Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Gandhinagar, among others. The new outlets are positioned to deliver comprehensive sales and after-sales support, aligning with the brand’s regional growth strategy.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “With the inauguration of these new facilities in Gujarat, we continue to strengthen Škoda Auto India’s presence across the state and the western region of India. Ahmedabad alone has five Customer Touchpoints now operational, and we are bringing our complete product range closer to customers while ensuring they experience the highest standards of service and care. Gujarat remains a vital pillar of India's growth, and with the Kylaq, new Kushaq, Kodiaq and Slavia, we are confident of growing the Škoda brand in this important market.”

Rajiv Sanghvi, Dealer Principal, PPS Motors Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Škoda through the inauguration of these new touchpoints. This marks our entry into Gujarat and a significant milestone in our expansion across Western India. With 28 Škoda Auto-PPS Customer Touchpoints across Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and now Gujarat, this expansion reflects our shared commitment to delivering a premium customer experience across every stage of the ownership journey. By combining Škoda Auto's advanced products and customer-centric philosophy with PPS Group's automotive expertise spanning more than 75 years, we are committed to delivering a best-in-class ownership experience while establishing a strong Škoda Auto presence in the region.”

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PPS Motors has inaugurated a new Mahindra touchpoint in Pune, further solidifying its presence within Maharashtra as part of a broader strategy to enhance customer accessibility and service quality. The facility was officially opened in the presence of senior officials from Mahindra & Mahindra, including Aman Malik, National Sales Head; Gaurav Beohar, Zonal Sales Head (West); Prabhakar Jakkan, Regional Sales Manager; Pakshal Shah, Chief of Staff, PPS Group, marking a significant collaboration between the two organisations.

Located strategically on East Street in Camp, the newly established 3,600 sft showroom is engineered to offer a premium and immersive customer journey. The space can accommodate up to five vehicles simultaneously, displaying Mahindra’s full range of passenger vehicles, which includes both internal combustion engine and electric options. Every aspect of the dealership, from its modern colour scheme and dynamic lighting to its intuitive technology, has been meticulously crafted to reflect progressive design and refined elegance, allowing visitors to explore breakthrough innovations such as the INGLO Electric Origin architecture and the advanced MAIA automotive mind.

This launch significantly bolsters PPS Motors’ extensive network, as the group now operates 149 Mahindra touchpoints across six states, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Camp location represents the eighth Mahindra facility in Pune, comprising seven showrooms and one workshop. Within just two years of commencing local operations, PPS-Mahindra has sold over 6,200 vehicles in the Pune region, and the group achieved approximately 41,500 Mahindra vehicle sales nationwide in FY 2026, cementing its status as the manufacturer’s largest sales and after-sales partner in India.

The expansion arrives amid robust regional automotive growth, with Pune’s passenger vehicle registrations rising to 74,814 units in 2025. Furthermore, Maharashtra has maintained its dominance in the electric vehicle sector, recording retail sales of 34,139 e-PVs in FY 2026, a remarkable 100 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, underscoring the growing consumer appetite for both conventional and electric mobility solutions in the state.

Rajiv Sanghvi, Dealer Principal, PPS Group, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate our 149th Mahindra touchpoint at the prestigious Camp location in Pune. This expansion reinforces our nearly seven-decade partnership with Mahindra, built on trust, shared growth and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction while further strengthening our position as its largest dealership partner in India, with around 41,500 vehicle sales in FY2026. With Mahindra’s future-ready products, customer-focused approach coupled with our deep understanding of the customer needs, we together endeavour to provide best-in-class ownership experience for our customers.”

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Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has opened bookings for the 2026 Brezza, which is set to be launched on 24 July 2026.

The SUV can be reserved at Maruti Suzuki ARENA showrooms or via the company website for an amount of INR 11,000. Since its launch in 2016, the company has sold over 1.4 million units of the Brezza.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Brezza's extraordinary journey since its introduction in 2016 has made it India’s highest selling compact SUV. In 10 Years, Brezza has won the trust of over 1.4 million customers which is a testament of its product supremacy and segment domination. In 2026, The new Brezza will represent a perfect synthesis of customer’s love and unlock a new dimension of excitement. We invite customers to book the new Brezza today and be among the first to experience it."

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that the Carens SUV family has reached a cumulative sales milestone of 300,000 units, which includes the Carens, Carens Clavis and the Carens Clavis EV.

At present, the Carens lineup sales consist of 60 percent petrol, 30 percent diesel and 10 percent electric. The Carens Clavis EV is available with two battery capacities: a 51.4 kWh option providing a 490 km range and a 42 kWh option with a 404 km range. The EV features fast charging, capable of reaching 80 percent charge from 10 percent in 39 minutes, and is powered by motors delivering 255 Nm of torque.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “The 300,000-unit milestone for the Carens underscores its position as a segment leader and a true gamechanger in the MPV space. This achievement is a direct result of our product-led strategy, our sharp understanding of customer needs, and our unwavering focus on quality. It strengthens our conviction that the Carens is the benchmark for its class, and we are energized to build on this momentum as we accelerate our growth journey."

Furthermore, for Carens the top trim levels account for 18 percent of total sales.

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