With typical precision, the engineers have been putting the finishing touches to the next-generation bestseller. They are currently setting up the new car for optimum acoustic comfort in the interior, excellent driving safety at high speeds and Vauxhall-typical steering and pedal feel. Since February, the Vauxhall experts for chassis, powertrain, electronics and lighting have been using the Arctic winter for the tuning of chassis and assistance systems on frozen lakes and narrow country roads in Swedish Lapland.
NextGen
The next Vauxhall Mokka generation is a completely new design based on the company's highly efficient CMP multi-energy platform (Common Modular Platform). This modular platform offers maximum flexibility in vehicle development. The CMP also allows the use of purely battery-electric drive as well as internal combustion engines. The customer has the choice. Thanks to the use of high-strength steels, the vehicle weight is low and the body stability is high. The new Mokka weighs up to 120 kilograms less than the previous model – with almost the same wheelbase and tyre sizes. With the electric Mokka-e, the batteries are installed deep in the vehicle floor, which lowers the centre of gravity and at the same time increases torsional rigidity by a further 30 per cent – excellent prerequisites for dynamic driving. Customers can look forward to a very agile second-generation Mokka, which will be available in dealerships from early 2021. Until then, the testing continues at full speed.
Testing, Fine-tuning At Arctic Circle
Engineer Gunnar Nees never tires of turning lap after lap on ice. He regularly stops for few minutes, reaches for the laptop, reads out measured values, and logs every mile covered. In the vast Arctic wilderness, it is still freezing cold in March. Exactly the right conditions for orchestrating the harmony between ABS, ESP, assistance systems and the rest of the new chassis.
The development cars are still hiding behind a green and black camouflage, with 3D-like graphics that blur the vehicle’s contours. The engineer behind the steering wheel has come to the far north to set up the chassis. Like every Vauxhall, the new Mokka must respond precisely to steering inputs and give good feedback, be comfortable and at the same time have a firm enough ride. A Vauxhall must not display uncontrolled body movements, for example, when the vehicle is driving over a large bump at medium speed. The Vauxhall philosophy calls for safe and relaxing driving on the motorway. A Vauxhall must remain easily controllable in all situations and be fun to drive at the same time.
These characteristics must be present under all weather conditions everywhere – at the icy Arctic Circle as well as in high summer at the Mediterranean. However, nothing should change in terms of precise handling and consistently good-natured driving behaviour. Parts, components and systems are continuously fine-tuned by the company engineers: dampers, springs, steering. In addition, the control software is adapted: for ideal pedal feel when accelerating and braking, for the right amount of steering power assistance and for the interaction between all assistance systems.
High-speed Driving
Back in Germany the same test engineer pilots the Mokka-prototype on home ground at the Rodgau-Dudenhofen Test Centre. Karsten Bohle, Project Coordinator, Second-generation Mokka, joins Gunnar Nees.
“We are all looking forward to seeing the new Mokka on the road in customer’s hands. The test drives are running like clockwork, also because our new baby, with its low weight and compact external dimensions, reacts well to adjustments. Handling and comfort are super. The Mokka is a joy to drive; the development work has been great fun,” said Bohle.
The new Mokka is ready to take its final exams at the Test Centre. While shaken, ride comfort and interior acoustics must remain unstirred – not even by the torture track. Here, not far from the Opel-Vauxhall base in Rüsselsheim, the tracks are replicas of the trickiest road surfaces in Europe. The engineers have tested here for decades and built up a huge wealth of experience. They repeatedly adjust springs and dampers, the balance between responsiveness and sporty precision continuously improved. The new car features particularly low road noise for optimum acoustic comfort, which the high-quality materials in the interior further increase. Squeaks and rattles are taboo.
The steering and suspension get their Vauxhall ‘feel’ on the Dudenhofen handling course. Two tie rods at the McPherson strut turrets are standard equipment; they provide further stiffness at the front end, adding a touch more precision and agility. The new car turns into corners eagerly, is easy to handle at the limit and the assistance systems function perfectly. Then comes the ultimate discipline – the high-speed oval with its steep banking, followed by the long straight. This test demands rock-solid stability at all speeds. In real life, it also results in a huge safety benefit when taking avoidance manoeuvres at lower speeds. The engineers only award their seal of approval for the autobahn when they return satisfied from the high-speed oval. The new Mokka has already passed this test with flying colours. However, testing, testing and yet more testing will continue until the summer. When the Mokka has achieved production readiness, cars will start rolling off the assembly line at the end of the year. (MT)
Honda Cars India Reports 10,518 Unit Wholesales In October 2025
- By MT Bureau
- November 01, 2025
Honda Cars India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has reported total wholesales of 10,518 units for October 2025.
The company recorded domestic sales of 6,394 units for the month, which marks a 15.3 percent growth as compared to 5,546 units last year.
Honda also exported 4,124 units in October 2025. In comparison, exports in October 2024 stood at 4,534 units. The company noted the strong performance of the Honda Amaze as a key driver of the growth.
Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The festive sales and GST 2.0 announcement fuelled robust demand across our line-up of City, Amaze and Elevate during October. The Amaze being the only car under 10 lakh price segment to offer ADAS safety and smooth CVT performance has been strongly appreciated by consumers registering strong sales growth.”
JSW MG Motor India Reports 9% Decline In October Sales
- By MT Bureau
- November 01, 2025
JSW MG Motor India has reported a decline of 9 percent in it wholesales for October 2025, with sales of 6,397 units, as compared to 7,045 units sold for same period last year.
On the other hand, the company reported a 20 percent YoY increase in wholesales during the August–October 2025 festive period.
The MG SELECT model retained its second position in the luxury electric vehicle (EV) segment, registering an impressive 62 percent MoM growth.
Hyundai Motor India Reports 53,792 Wholesales In October
- By MT Bureau
- November 01, 2025
Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has achieved total monthly sales of 69,894 units in October 2025. The volume includes 53,792 units in domestic sales.
The company stated its performance was driven by the domestic market, and it also bolstered its position as a global manufacturing hub, with exports touching 16,102 units, marking an 11 percent YoY growth.
Furthermore, the Hyundai Creta and Venue SUV duo achieved their second-highest-ever combined monthly sales of 30,119 units.
Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “October 2025 was a month driven by the festivals of Dussehra, Dhanteras and Diwali, further complimented by the positive impact of GST 2.0 reforms. This provided a significant boost to the Indian automotive industry. At Hyundai Motor India, we witnessed robust market demand and high consumer enthusiasm leading to second highest monthly sales of our formidable SUV duo – the Hyundai Creta and Venue combined, with 30,119 units sold. We expect to accelerate this momentum with the upcoming launch of all-new Hyundai Venue, which is already open for bookings.”
Tata Motors Reports Record Passenger Vehicles And Electric Vehicle Wholesales In October
- By MT Bureau
- November 01, 2025
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has reported wholesales of 61,295 units in total sales in October 2025, marking a 26.6 percent growth compared to 48,423 units sold a year ago. This performance delivered record-breaking monthly wholesales for the second consecutive month, driven by momentum during the festive season.
For October, the company saw sales records across key segments during the month including, 47,000 SUVs, achieving the highest-ever 77 percent share in monthly sales.
EV wholesales hit an all-time high of 9,286 units, surging 73.4 percent YoY. The Nexon SUV recorded 50 percent YoY volume growth due to the popularity of its multi-powertrain offerings.
The Harrier and Safari models achieved a new high, selling 7,000 units.
Overall domestic sales, including EVs, grew by 27 percent to 61,134 units. Monthly bookings also reached an all-time peak. The company achieved a landmark festive milestone, delivering over 100,000 vehicles between Navratri and Diwali, marking a 33 percent YoY growth.
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