MINI India has introduced a special edition of its 3-Door hatch, the MINI Paddy Hopkirk in India. Offered as a Completely Built-Up unit (CBU), only 15 units are available for an ex-showroom price of INR 41,70,000. The car can be booked exclusively on shop.mini.in.
Designed as a modern interpretation of the classic Red Mini Cooper S the new variant is driven by Paddy Hopkirk at the Monte Carlo Rally. The limited edition features a Chili Red exterior colour with Aspen White Roof, Black Mirror Caps, 16" Light Alloy Wheels Victory Spoke in Black and Exterior Elements in Piano Black (Bonnet Scoop, Door Handles, Fuel Filler Cap, Waistline Finisher, MINI Emblem Front & Rear, Kidney Grille Strut).
This exclusive edition comes with iconic No. 37 Sticker in white on both sides and No. 37 badging on Side Scuttles as well as the Keycap. The Paddy Hopkirk signature appears on the illuminated Door Sills, the C-pillars and on the Cockpit Facia along with a rear sticker in matt black. A single Bonnet Stripe in white with Paddy Hopkirk’s signature and 33EJB badging of number plate further enhances the special edition’s exclusivity. The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition also includes the Panorama Glass Roof, Comfort Access System, Rear View Camera, and John Cooper Works Sport Leather Steering Wheel.
Powered by 2-litre 4-cylinder Petrol engine with TwinPower turbo technology, it generates a peak output of 192 hp/ 141 kW and a maximum torque of 280 Nm. The car sprints from 100 km/hr in 6.7 seconds and the top speed is limited to 235 km/hr. The 7-speed Steptronic Sport Transmission with double clutch and steering wheel paddles enables smooth gear shifts, optimised acoustic and vibration response and contributes to the sophisticated characteristics of the drive system.
Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “The MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition is a reflection of MINI’s challenger spirit and racing genes. It is a celebration of the ultimate MINI challenger moment – Paddy Hopkirk’s first Monte Carlo Rally victory in the classic Mini Cooper S. The winning streak at the Monte Carlo Rally continues to inspire MINI fans all over the world to this day. We are delighted to start the New Year with the launch of the MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition, an icon of international motorsports history." (MT)
Toyota Launches 2025 Fortuner Leader Edition In India
- By MT Bureau
- October 08, 2025
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has unveiled the 2025 Fortuner Leader Edition SUV.
The company said that the Fortuner now comes with ‘refreshed styling and premium enhancements’ to deliver a sportier and more dynamic aesthetic. The launch builds on the success of the 2024 Leader Edition.
The Fortuner gets a new grille design with front and rear bumper spoilers, chrome garnish and a distinctive hood emblem. It comes with glossy black alloy wheels and dual-tone roof in black.
On the inside, the cabin features black and maroon dual-tone seats and door trims, along with convenience additions such as auto-folding mirrors and illuminated scuff plates. Safety is bolstered by the inclusion of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
The SUV is driven by Toyota’s 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre turbocharged engine, which produces 201bhp and 500 Nm of torque. It is available in 4x2 Automatic and Manual Transmission variants. The colour options include Attitude Black, Super White, Pearl White and Silver.
Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota, our customers’ evolving lifestyle preferences inspire us to continually refresh and enhance our offerings. We are grateful for the strong acceptance and overwhelming response to the 2024 Fortuner Leader Edition, which has further strengthened the SUV’s legacy as an icon on Indian roads. Encouraged by this trust, we are delighted to introduce the 2025 Fortuner Leader Edition, an offering for those seeking a sportier, more dynamic SUV. We are confident that this refreshed edition will further delight our customers and reinforce Fortuner’s position as the benchmark in the premium SUV segment.”
Toyota Kirloskar Motor is offering comprehensive finance solutions for the new edition, including up to 8-year funding plans and extended warranty options.
Since its Indian debut 15 years ago, the Fortuner has sold over 300,000 units, establishing itself as a benchmark in the premium SUV segment.
Stellantis Announces Major Leadership Team Changes To Strengthen Global Strategy
- By MT Bureau
- October 08, 2025
Stellantis N.V. is reorganising its top executive structure with several key appointments and role adjustments, effective immediately, as it prepares to unveil an updated corporate strategy in 2026. The changes aim to sharpen the company's regional focus and promote both internal and external talent.
Key Appointments and Regional Shifts
- Emanuele Cappellano is now the Head of Enlarged Europe and European Brands, in addition to his current role leading Stellantis Pro One (the commercial vehicles business unit).
- Jean-Philippe Imparato will shift his focus to full-time CEO roles at Maserati and Stellantis & You, reporting to Cappellano.
- Herlander Zola has been appointed Head of the South America region, succeeding Cappellano.
- Samir Cherfan joins the Stellantis Leadership Team (SLT) while maintaining his position as Head of Middle East & Africa and Micromobility.
- Grégoire Olivier is now the Head of the China and Asia-Pacific region and an SLT member. The company noted that this and Cherfan's appointment sharpen the regional focus for the Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific organisations.
- Francesco Ciancia will rejoin Stellantis from Mercedes-Benz on 1st November as Global Head of Manufacturing.
- Ralph Gilles joins the SLT as Global Head of Design.
Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis, said, "With these new appointments we are promoting exceptional talent from inside and out to leadership roles as we prepare our business for future success. We are also sharpening our regional focus by allocating specific responsibility for our Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa organisations at the SLT level.”
On the other hand, the company also announced some executive departures:
- Arnaud Deboeuf will leave the company to pursue other opportunities.
- Philippe de Rovira, formerly Head of the joint Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, is leaving to pursue new career endeavours, a move made public in July.
“We are delighted we will continue to benefit from Jean-Philippe’s expertise in his new role. Our thanks go to Arnaud and Philippe for their contributions over the years and we wish them the best in their future endeavours,” added Filosa.
Nissan Unveils New C-SUV Tekton Set To Spearhead India Growth
- By Nilesh Wadhwa
- October 07, 2025
Nissan is placing its design heritage and a focus on premium ruggedness at the core of its strategy for the Indian market, with the upcoming Tekton C-SUV positioned to spearhead its product expansion. The new model, which takes its name from the Greek word for 'craftsman' or 'architect,' is intended to be a ‘segment disruptor’ and is heavily inspired by the brand’s flagship, the Nissan Patrol.
The Tekton will be the first of Nissan's new product offensive, with the production model expected on Indian roads by the second quarter of calendar year 2026, as confirmed by Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan Motor India.
Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice-President of Global Design at Nissan Motor Corporation, highlighted the influence of the iconic Patrol, saying the goal was to create a ‘compact or baby Patrol’. The new C-SUV incorporates several design cues from its larger sibling, including the V-strut grille and the distinctive C-shaped signature headlamp design seen in the last two generations of the Patrol.
The design team, which worked on both the new Patrol and the successful Magnite compact SUV, aimed to make the Tekton's ‘character larger than its actual footprint.’
Ken Lee, Senior Design Director at Nissan Motor Corporation, explained that the car’s rugged aesthetic is essential for the Indian market. "Learning from Magnite SUV, which was a very big hit, the sense of protection, high centre of gravity, driving positions, are very in-tune with the region," he noted.
This focus translates into a design that delivers ‘a sense of premiumness inside the ruggedness and is one notch above the segment.’
Specific design elements include:
- Double C-shaped accents on the side, incorporating an abstract design inspired by the Himalayas.
- A focus on consistency across the front, side, and rear views, reinforced by the C-shaped lighting signatures.
- An interior designed to offer ‘a sense of tranquillity’ through improved touch surfaces and premiumness.
Technology Meets Tactile Control
Addressing the shift in consumer preferences, Lee noted that while chrome used to signify premium, ‘now technology is premium.’ However, the company is careful not to over-rely on digital controls.
Designers globally are currently debating the mix of digital and physical controls. "We are living in a moment which is software and physical demand," Lee stated, acknowledging that after a decade of fascination with purely digital interfaces, customer feedback is now strongly pushing back in favour of tactile controls for essential functions.
The Tekton, developed through collaborative efforts between Nissan’s global design centre in Japan, the London studio (which worked on the Magnite), and engineers in Chennai, sits ‘right in the centre of the C-SUV segment,’ aiming for a more premium positioning than the outgoing Terrano.
Vatsa confirmed that the production-ready design is already undergoing testing, with pre-production vehicles being showcased to the dealer network ahead of the official 2026 launch.
Indian Auto Retail Sees Historic Navratri Boost Following GST 2.0 Tax Reform
- By MT Bureau
- October 07, 2025
India's automobile retail sector has entered a ‘golden festive phase,’ according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), which detailed vehicle registrations for September and the Navratri festival period in 2025.
The data reveals overall September retail sales came at 1.82 million vehicles, up 5.22 percent YoY, but the highlight was the unprecedented 34 percent surge in vehicle retail sales during the Navratri festival, which FADA dubbed a ‘Bachat Utsav’ (Savings Festival). Interestingly, compared to August 2025, the retail sales dropped by 6.98 percent.
On the other hand, the Navratri period delivered a historic high for the sector, with overall retail sales soaring by 34 percent YoY. Every major segment registered strong double-digit growth, except for Construction Equipment (CE), which declined due to heavy rains slowing activities.
- Two-wheelers led the charge with a 36 percent increase, driven by improved affordability and festive offers.
- Passenger vehicles saw a robust 34.8 percent rise, as new buyers and upgraders took advantage of lower prices.
- Commercial Vehicles (CV) grew by 14.8 percent, reflecting optimism in infrastructure and easier financing.
The remarkable festive growth is being attributed to the 'GST 2.0' tax reforms, which lowered Goods and Services Tax rates on vehicles, effectively boosting affordability for consumers.
September 2025 proved to be an unusual month, with sales remaining muted for the first three weeks. However, demand dramatically revived after 22nd September, coinciding with the implementation of the new GST rates and the start of Navratri.
Sai Giridhar, Vice-President, FADA, said, "September 2025 was an exceptionally unique month for India’s automobile retail industry. The first three weeks were largely muted, with customers holding back in anticipation of the GST 2.0 reforms. However, the dynamics changed dramatically in the final week as Navratri festivities coincided with the implementation of lower GST rates, reviving customer sentiment and accelerating deliveries across most vehicle categories."
Passenger Vehicle (PV) dealers also used the final surge to replenish stock, pushing inventory levels up to approximately 60 days in preparation for the upcoming peak sales season of Dhanteras and Deepawali.
Giridhar hailed the performance, said, "Navratri 2025 will go down as one of the most memorable chapters in India’s automobile retail journey — a true ‘Bachat Utsav’ unleashed by the visionary GST 2.0 reform. For the first time ever, dealerships across the nation witnessed record-breaking footfalls and deliveries."
Robust Outlook
FADA is highly optimistic about the near-term outlook, predicting that India is on track for its best-ever festive season. The combination of favourable factors – including an above-normal monsoon, a strong harvest, stable policy rates and the transformational impact of GST 2.0 – is set to boost consumer purchasing power across rural and urban markets.
The momentum is expected to carry through October, with Dhanteras and Deepawali forecast to deliver all-time high sales figures, ushering the Indian auto retail sector into a new phase of growth.
Lead image: For representational purposes only.
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