Saurabh Vatsa, MD, Nissan India

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation, which has been sailing through troubled waters globally, is optimistic about Indian market.

Laying to rest speculation on Nissan’s exit from India, Saurabh Vatsa, MD, Nissan Motor India, reiterated that there is “No change in plans for India, everything is secure, people, production, partners and employees. Nissan is staying in India. While we have divested in Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL), the Alliance partnership benefits us to secure capacity. This means we will continue to produce, sell in India and even drive exports.”

He further explained that despite being just one product – Magnite SUV – the company for last several years but continued to sustain volumes of around 2,000-2,200 units per month.

“We are in the 5^th-6^th year of Magnite in India. Despite being a single product unit, we have been averaging 30,000 units per annum. When you have higher equity than share, the new product portfolio always tends to benefit faster and can help drive volumes easily.  With the upcoming product launches planned, we are looking at 100,000 units for domestic and exports each for FY2026- 27,” he shared.

It may be recollected that it was in March 2025, Nissan India announced its plans to launch an all-new 7-seater B-MPV and a 5-seater C-SUV in Q1 of CY2026 and mid of CY2026, respectively. This would be followed by a 7-seater model in CY2027.

Vatsa also revealed that the company continues to explore all potential options for India, including hybrid and electric vehicles, especially with the upcoming CAFE3 norms set to kick in from 2027.

Responding to new investments, he stated that Nissan is committed to the EUR 700 million in the country, towards new product development and other commitments.

Despite being a one-product company, at present it has 159 dealers in the country and 125 workshops. Going forward, it aims to scale this up to 180 touchpoints by end-2025.

Furthermore, with the new products already in pre-production, it has also started receiving dealer enquiries, who too are optimistic about Nissan India’s growth story.

“We clearly have a path to profitability. If Nissan did not see a future in India, we would not have stayed. Whether it is dealerships, teams or capacities, we are well equipped and committed to India,” concluded Vatsa.  

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BMW India has released the new BMW X5 at prices starting INR 10.03 million (ex-showroom). The cars are produced at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai and come with petrol and diesel engine options.

The ex-showroom prices for the new variants are as follows:

• BMW X5 xDrive30d: INR 10.23 million
• BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport Pro: 11.5 million
• BMW X5 xDrive40i: INR 10.03 million
• BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport Pro: INR 11.3 million

The new X5 models include a BMW Widescreen Curved Display, which combines a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. The cars also feature Comfort Seats with electric adjustments and lumbar support. Standard equipment includes a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and a 4-zone automatic climate control system.

Both the petrol and diesel engines are equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 3-litre 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine of the X5 xDrive40i produces 381 hp and 520 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.4 seconds. The 3-litre 6-cylinder in-line diesel engine of the X5 xDrive30d produces 286 hp and 650 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds. Both engines also feature a 48V electrical motor.

The xOffroad package is now available for the X5, providing four driving modes: xSand, xRocks, xGravel and xSnow. The package also includes reinforced underbody protection.

Safety systems on the new X5 include Parking Assistant Professional with Surround View Camera, Reversing Assistant and Drive Recorder. The cars are also equipped with airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and an electronic immobiliser.

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Maruti Suzuki True Value (MSTV), India's leading pre-owned car retail network, has attained a new sales milestone of selling over 6 million cars since its launch in 2001, which includes 492,697 vehicles in FY2024–25 alone.

The milestone, the company shared, highlights the channel's sustained growth and its status as a preferred choice for consumers seeking quality pre-owned vehicles.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "As we celebrate the 6 million sales milestone, we are deeply grateful to all our valued customers for their trust in True Value cars," he said. "Established over two decades ago, Maruti Suzuki True Value has consistently been a top consideration for a diverse demography of customers as a reliable and safe pre-owned car channel."

Banerjee also noted that MSTV is especially popular with younger buyers, with an average customer age of 31. Eighty-five per cent of True Value customers are first-time car owners. The company's focus on "industry-leading services" is designed to provide customers with "complete peace of mind."

All Maruti Suzuki True Value-certified vehicles undergo a rigorous 376-point quality check and are refurbished with genuine Maruti Suzuki parts. The company stated it verifies each car's service history and documentation before it is offered for sale. To further build customer confidence, certified cars come with a warranty of up to one year and three free services.

At present, the company’s network includes 606 showrooms across 305 cities in India.

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Skoda has released a teaser video offering the first look inside its upcoming Vision O concept car, revealing a new interior design language. The car will be officially unveiled on 8th September in Munich.

The interior showcases the next evolution of the brand’s Modern Solid design philosophy, focusing on a customer-centric and sustainable approach. The design emphasises a spacious layout with clean lines for a harmonious feel.

Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Design, said, “The interior design concept of the Vision O showcases our commitment to combining simplicity and sustainability with enhanced comfort. The combination of clean lines and intuitive functionality reflect our efforts to create a harmonious and functional interior. It features materials and design elements that are not only aesthetically an evolution of our Modern Solid design language but also emphasise environmental responsibility.”

The interior features a minimalist, ergonomic design that prioritises practicality and intuitive functionality. It includes unique 3D-printed headrests for a comfortable and airy feel. Following circular economy principles, the materials used throughout the cabin are sustainable, with a focus on plant-based and compostable components to reduce the car’s environmental impact.

The Vision O will be a look at the future of Skoda’s estate segment.

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Renault India has released the new Kiger, an updated version of its sub-four-meter SUV at prices starting INR 629,000 with prices going upto INR 1.12 million (ex-showroom).

The SUV is an evolution of the previous model, features over 35 updates. It was developed to align with the ‘rethink performance’ philosophy.

The new Kiger has a refreshed exterior and an updated interior. It now includes a multi-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. The Kiger is also equipped with a 20.32 cm touchscreen and a sound system.

The Kiger is available with two engine options: a 100 PS turbocharged engine and a 72 PS naturally aspirated engine. For safety, the new Kiger offers 21 standard safety features across all versions, including six airbags, ESP and Hill Start Assist.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, MD and CEO, Renault India, said, “We are excited to launch the New Kiger in a segment which is growing fastest and contributes 50% to the SUV sales and 31% to the TIV of the country. Kiger has been a unique product in its segment, and with this latest evolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to making expressive design, intelligent engineering, and real-world performance accessible to Indian customers. This marks a pivotal moment in Renault’s India centric transformation journey renault. rethink.”

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Renault India, said, “Renault Kiger has shaped expectations in the compact SUV segment with its aesthetic design, modern details, and bold stance combined with the lightweight CMFA+ platform. The New Kiger remains highly agile and responsive, giving customers the confidence of SUV DNA with the ease of everyday driving on city roads and highways- ticking all that is required for perfect performance.” 

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