New Nissan LEAF Named Supreme Winner For 2026 By Women’s Worldwide Car Of The Year

New Nissan LEAF Named Supreme Winner For 2026 By Women’s Worldwide Car Of The Year

The all-new Nissan LEAF has been crowned the Supreme Winner of the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) competition, the most prestigious award given by the only global jury composed entirely of female motoring experts. This victory places the LEAF at the forefront of this year's automotive landscape.

Since its debut in 2010 as the pioneer of mass-produced electric vehicles, the LEAF has spent over 15 years accelerating the world towards sustainable transportation. The freshly unveiled third-generation model advances that pioneering spirit through refined aerodynamics, extended driving range and seamlessly integrated technology. These attributes resonated powerfully with the judging panel, enabling the LEAF to surpass 54 other contenders and demonstrate its universal cross-market appeal.

The WWCOTY assessment process prioritises criteria that directly affect motorists in their daily lives, including crashworthiness, aesthetic appeal, affordability, practicality and ecological footprint. A panel of 86 distinguished women journalists hailing from more than 50 nations evaluated each entry. They ultimately celebrated the LEAF for its grounded vision of electrification, successfully merging sophisticated electric capabilities with the straightforward pleasure required for everyday commuting. This harmonious blend of accessible innovation and real-world functionality distinguished the vehicle as the jury's unanimous choice.

Marta García, Executive President, WWCOTY, said, “In our voting, we have focused on vehicles that stand out not only for their figures or technology but for how effectively they respond to people’s real, everyday needs. The Nissan LEAF represents a mature and intelligent vision of electrification – one that makes electric mobility truly usable and accessible.”

Ivan Espinosa, President & CEO, Nissan, said, “New LEAF being named overall winner by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is a proud moment for everyone at Nissan. LEAF helped bring electric driving into the mainstream, and this new generation carries that mission forward. It’s designed to make going electric easier and more enjoyable for more people around the world.”

Renault India Clocks 11% Wholesales Growth In FY2026

Renault Duster

Renault India, a subsidiary of the Renault Group, has announced its domestic wholesales of 5,046 units in March 2026, which marks a 77 percent growth compared to the 2,846 units sold last year.

Interestingly, the Kiger and Triber SUVs accounted for 63 percent of the company’s sales last month. Since their launch in the second quarter, the updated Kiger and Triber have contributed to a 27 percent growth rate through the end of the fiscal year.

For FY2026, the company reported total wholesales of 42,018 units, an 11 percent growth over the 37,900 units recorded in FY2025.

The performance follows a product strategy focused on updated vehicle line-ups and value propositions for the Indian market. The dispatch of the Duster signifies the re-entry of the nameplate into the competitive SUV segment, intended to support further volume growth in the 2026-27 financial year.

Cars24 And Tesla India Launch Integrated EV Trade-in Programme

Cars24 - Tesla

Cars24 has announced a collaboration with Tesla India to introduce a trade-in programme designed to facilitate the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). The initiative integrates the sale of an existing car with the purchase of a new Tesla into a single process.

The programme provides a combined exchange benefit of INR 325,000 for customers switching to a Tesla Model Y. This is comprised of an exchange bonus of INR 300,000 to the value of the petrol or diesel vehicle for Tesla. Furthermore, an additional INR 25,000 Cars24 bonus credited to the customer’s bank account upon delivery of the new vehicle.

Tesla has introduced financing structures for the Model Y, including a down payment of INR 600,000 and monthly instalments starting from INR 49,000.

The trade-in process can be initiated at Tesla Experience Centres, or via the Cars24 website and mobile application.

The partnership utilises the digital platform and nationwide reach of Cars24 to manage price discovery and paperwork. The initiative aims to reduce the logistical challenges typically associated with disposing of a conventional vehicle while acquiring an electric model. Tesla’s Model Y, which supports home charging, is the primary focus of this accessibility campaign.

Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder and CMO, Cars24, said, “At Cars24, our focus has always been on simplifying car transactions. Partnering Collaborating with Tesla allows us to extend that convenience to customers transitioning to electric vehicles, managing everything from price discovery to payment and ownership transfer.”

Kia India Reports Record March Wholesales Of 29,112 Units

Kia India

Kia India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has recorded its highest-ever monthly wholesale volume for March, reaching 29,112 units, which marks a 14.5 percent YoY growth compared to the 25,525 units sold in March 2025.

The company also achieved its strongest quarterly performance to date, with Q1 2026 sales totalling 84,316 units, an 11.6 percent increase over the previous year.

Kia India attributed the robust growth led by the Seltos SUV, which has maintained monthly sales of over 10,000 units since its launch. The model is the highest-scoring internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in India to date, following a 5-star BNCAP safety rating.

At present, Kia India has a network of 862 touchpoints across 390 cities. The company’s infrastructure includes 124 Certified Pre-Owned outlets to facilitate vehicle exchanges and secondary market sales. Future strategy focuses on a mix of product interventions and market expansion to maintain current momentum.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “We delivered our best-ever March sales and strongest-ever quarterly performance, driven by sustained demand across our portfolio. The new Seltos, backed by its 5-star BNCAP rating, continues to lead momentum, while Sonet and Carens line-up remain steady volume drivers with continuous enhancements aligned to evolving customer needs.”

Skoda Auto India Reports Record Quarterly Sales Of 20,028 Units In Q1 CY2026

Skoda Auto India

Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has recorded its highest-ever quarterly sales, with 20,028 units sold in Q1 CY2026, which marks a 17 percent increase compared to 17,138 vehicles sold a year ago.

The sales growth was supported by the Kylaq, which recently surpassed the 50,000-unit sales milestone. Other contributors to the quarterly volume include the recently updated Kushaq, the Slavia sedan and the Kodiaq in the premium SUV segment.

The company has expanded its domestic presence to 330 customer touchpoints across more than 180 cities. This infrastructure growth is intended to support both established urban centres and emerging regional markets.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “Continuing our growth surge into 2026 with our biggest-ever quarter is a strong validation of the momentum we have built over the past year. After achieving a record in 2025, it is encouraging to see that we are sustaining this trajectory while also setting new benchmarks for ourselves. This growth is driven by a combination of a stronger and more accessible product portfolio, deeper market reach, and a sharper focus on customer-centric initiatives. The Kylaq continues to take the brand to newer customers and regions, and the new Kushaq that was recently introduced has made its mark. Meanwhile, the Slavia and Kodiaq continue to drive consistent demand in their segments. As we move ahead, we remain focused on maintaining this momentum with consistent execution by launching relevant products, expanding our network, and enhancing the overall ownership experience.”