L-R: Venkatram Mamillapalle, MD, Renault India with Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President (Sales & Marketing), Renault India at the launch of the new Triber.

Renault India, a fully-owned subsidiary of  French carmaker Renault Group, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment for the domestic market with the launch of the all-new Renault Triber SUV at prices starting INR 629,995. The launch in India also marks the start of Renault’s new global ‘renault.rethink’ strategy.

While mechanically it remains unchanged, the company’s sub-4-metre 7-seater SUV now gets over 35 new features and is the first to sport the new Renault logo in India.

The vehicle is powered by a 1-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, which continues to produce 72 PS at 6250 rpm and maximum torque of 96 Nm at 3500 rpm. It can also be had in a company-authorised CNG retrofitment option.

On the outside, it gets a new, completely redesigned front fascia, grille, hood, refreshed bumper, new LED projector headlamps with integrated LED DRLs and new LED fog lamps.

On the inside, the cabin sports a stylish dual-tone dashboard, 8-inch floating touchscreen display that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interior also includes new seat upholstery, a LED instrument cluster, LED cabin lighting, and blacked-out door handles.

At the rear, the new Triber showcases a redesigned bumper, updated LED tail lamps, a new skid plate, and stylish taillamp connecting embellisher.

The Triber continues to offer its modular seating with 3rd row Easy-Fix seats configurable as a 5-, 6- or 7-seater, complemented by upto 625-litres of boot space.

In terms of safety, the company claims that of the 24 total safety features available in the Triber, 21 features including 6 Airbags, ESP, TPMS, EBD with Brake Assist among others have been standardised. Further adding on the safety features is Front Parking Sensor, available for the first time in the segment.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director, Renault India, said, “India remains a cornerstone of Renault’s global strategy, driven by a strong product pipeline, expanding export operations, and a renewed focus on customer satisfaction – exemplified by the launch of the all-new Triber. This model is also the first in India to proudly feature Renault’s new brand logo, symbolising the company’s bold, modern direction and deep alignment with Indian aspirations.”

He further added that “As a fully integrated operation with a manufacturing plant, R&D centre, and design studio based in India, Renault continues to develop and produce vehicles tailored specifically for Indian customers — truly by India, for India. The new Triber is over 90% localized, underscoring Renault’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.”

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President (Sales & Marketing), Renault India, said, “The Triber has always reflected our deep understanding of the evolving needs of Indian families – blending smart engineering, modularity and exceptional premium value. With the all-new Triber, we continue to champion our ‘rethink space’ philosophy, offering India’s most spacious sub-four metre car, now with a fully renewed design and features. This launch brings the spirit of renault. rethink. to life in the most tangible way, and we are confident it will further accelerate our momentum and strengthen Renault’s footprint in India.”

RENAULT TRIBER
Ex-Showroom (INR)	Authentic	Evolution	Techno	Emotion
Manual	629,995	724,995	799,995	864,995
Easy-R AMT	-	-	-	916,995

Auto Hangar, a Mercedes-Benz India retail partner, has expanded its network in Mumbai with the opening of a showroom in Kandivali and a service centre in Charkop. The expansion targets the western corridor of the city, including Borivali, Malad and Andheri.

The Kandivali showroom follows the Mercedes-Benz ‘MAR 2020’ global retail design framework. The facility integrates digital tools with physical displays to facilitate vehicle customisation.

Key features of the showroom include:

• Digital Car Configurator: Allows customers to select paint finishes, alloy designs, and interior trims virtually.
• Model Range: On-site display of vehicles including the GLC, A-Class Limousine, and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
• Finance Integration: Access to STAR Agility+ programmes for vehicle financing.

The Charkop facility provides maintenance and repair services using Mercedes-Benz diagnostic systems. The centre is designed to meet the manufacturer's ‘Ambition 2039’ sustainability targets.

The service centre includes:

• Quick-Service Bays: Staffed by certified technicians for routine maintenance and electronic calibrations.
• Logistics: Pick-up and drop-off services for residents in the surrounding suburbs.
• Environmental Systems: Integration of solar-powered systems, waste segregation, and water recycling technologies.

“This expansion is about more than new locations, it’s about redefining the Mercedes-Benz experience for Mumbai’s west. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, sustainable practices and a customer-first approach, we are ready to serve a new generation of luxury car buyers,” said the company in a statement.

The company maintains an existing network across Mumbai, with locations in Hughes Road, Prabhadevi, Lokhandwala Circle, Lower Parel and Sakivihar.

Honda Motor Co, is set to showcase a series of concept models and racing machines at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, scheduled for 9–11 January at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

Under the theme of ‘Honda Sports DNA’, the company will demonstrate the transfer of technology from motorsports into production vehicle development and manufacturing.

The display will feature three world premieres developed in collaboration with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and Honda’s engineering teams:

Civic Type R HRC Concept: A concept based on the current Civic Type R. Developed by HRC, the vehicle incorporates racing expertise to refine the performance of the sports model.

Prelude HRC Concept: A customised version of the new Prelude, which launched in September 2025. The model features HRC-designed components intended to adjust driving dynamics.

Civic e:HEV RS Prototype: A prototype of a new trim for the hybrid Civic. This model will be the second vehicle, following the Prelude, to feature Honda S+ Shift control technology.

According to the company, the booth design and choice of vehicles represent ‘Honda Sports DNA,’ which expresses how Honda technology and passion to pursue driving performance – with motorsports as its ultimate proving ground – have been carried forward uninterrupted throughout all Honda activities, from racing to automobile development and manufacturing.

The use of red as the theme colour for the booth is intended to signal the OEM’s focus on performance and automobile engineering.

The exhibition will include additional racing machines from Honda’s global motorsports programmes, highlighting the connection between track testing and commercial vehicle production.

Citroen India, in partnership with its dealership La Maison Nanavati, has completed the handover of 51 Citroen C3 CNG vehicles to the Luthra Group. The ceremony took place at the Luthra Group’s headquarters in Surat.

The delivery is part of Citroen's strategy to expand its presence in tier-II and tier-III markets by providing mobility solutions to businesses and individuals.

The Citroen C3 CNG is designed for high-usage environments and daily commutes. The model includes several features tailored for the Indian market, integration of a factory-fitted CNG kit to manage running costs. A suspension system tuned specifically for local road conditions. Provisions for cabin space and air-conditioning systems designed for high-ambient temperatures.

The handover to Luthra Group represents the brand's focus on cost-efficient transportation. By targeting the regional business sector, Citroen India aims to strengthen its footprint in Gujarat and the broader Indian mobility market.

The C3 CNG is positioned as a solution for users requiring reliability and low operating expenses without compromising on ride comfort.

Maruti Suzuki India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, a regional rural bank, for vehicle retail financing partnership on new cars, pre-owned vehicles and commercial vehicles.

This collaboration marks the 50th retail finance partner for Maruti Suzuki India. The partnership is intended to use the bank’s network to provide credit options to a range of customer profiles, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.

The partnership aims to increase the accessibility of Maruti Suzuki products through, tailored finance schemes designed for rural and regional customers.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Our partnership with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank marks a significant milestone as we onboard our 50th retail finance partner. This reinforces our commitment to making car ownership simpler and more affordable for customers across India. By expanding our reach through this strategic alliance, we aim to empower buyers with competitive, customer-friendly financing solutions that enhance the overall purchase experience. We remain focused on delivering seamless, tailored finance options, and this collaboration strengthens our vision of providing the Joy of Mobility to aspiring Indian consumers.”

Yadav S. Thakur, Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, said, “At Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, empowering customer aspirations is at the heart of everything we do. Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the automotive industry, is a strategic step towards enhancing our service offerings and delivering greater value to our customers. This collaboration aligns with our 'Customer-First' mission, enabling us to provide accessible and affordable vehicle financing solutions. We look forward to helping more individuals and families across the country realise their dream of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle.”