Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has begun local production of the Skoda Kylaq compact SUV at its Chakan facility in Pune.

The Skoda Kylaq is the company’s fifth model on the MQB-A0-IN platform and is the most affordable model in its portfolio. Powered by Skoda's 1.0-litre TSI engine that produces 115bhp and 178Nm the Skoda Kylaq can be had in either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT torque converter. The SUV can accelerate from zero to 100kmph in 10.5 seconds and attain a claimed top speed of 188kmph. It is launched at starting price of INR 789,000. The Czech carmaker stated it has expanded its local supplier base by 10 percent that will help bring down the cost of ownership and also enable faster turnaround time.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “We’re thrilled to begin production of Skoda Auto India’s first sub-4-meter SUV. Congratulations to the entire team on the successful start of production. Kylaq is engineered and developed in India to cater to the evolving requirements of Indian customers. By manufacturing Kylaq locally, we proudly support the Make-in-India initiative, maintaining Group’s DNA of delivering safety, comfort and driving dynamics.”

Furthermore, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has increased production at its Chakan facility by 30 percent, which now can produce 255,000 vehicles per year.

Andreas Dick, Member of the Board of Management of Skoda Auto for Production and Logistics, said, “The successful start of production for Skoda Kylaq reflects the incredible teamwork and collaboration between our teams in India and the Czech Republic. Every detail has been meticulously planned and executed, from design to the implementation of advanced manufacturing processes, ensuring we meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. These efforts have created the ideal prerequisites for Kylaq to become a cornerstone of our success in India, setting new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment and strengthening our commitment to this dynamic market.”

JSW MG Motor India has introduced a zero down payment scheme for the MG Astor compact SUV and the MG Hector SUV.

The limited-period offer, valid until 31 December 2024, will allow eligible customers to get up to 100 percent on-road price funding with a loan tenure of up to seven years. In addition, customers will also be able to get INR 50,000 funding for accessories across all variants on both models.

With prices starting at INR 999,000 the MG Astor is equipped with i-Smart 2.0 and over 80 connected features for a host of convenience and safety tech.

While, the MG Hector is available at prices starting INR 1.39 million and comes India's largest 35.56 cm (14-inch) HD Portrait infotainment screen. It also comes with ADAS (Level 2) functions along with Traffic Jam Assist and i-SMART technology among others.

JSW MG Motor India, which had announced its first product the MG Cyberster that will be sold under its premium product strategy MG Select, has released a performance teaser.

The company shared that the MG Cyberster, which takes inspiration from the MG B Roadster of the 1960’s, is tuned by former Italian F1 Engineer, Marco Fainello. The vehicle is said to offer a thrilling driving experience to customers.

The MG Cyberster features a dual motor setup that delivers 510 PS of power and 725 Nm of torque. It uses an 8-layer flat wire winding and waterfall oil-cooled motor, which promises an efficient performance even at high temperatures.

The roadster features front double wishbone and a rear five-link independent suspension that enables 50:50 front and rear weight distribution for enhanced vehicle stability.

JSW MG Motor India shared that the aerodynamic Kammback design enhances lateral stability, minimising vehicle's body roll that makes the vehicle safe.

The company is set to open exclusive experience centres in 12 cities under the MG Select brand.

Japanese auto majors Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co, which have officially announced integration between the two companies by establishing a joint holding company, which aims to develop Japan’s industrial base as a ‘leading global mobility company’.

On 15 March, the partners first came together by announcing a strategic partnership for vehicle intelligence and electrification, which was followed by an announcement on 1 August to deepen the strategic partnership towards exploring fundamental technologies in the are of platforms for next-generation software defined vehicles (SDVs).

Given the highly competitive global automotive industry landscape and the pace of new technological innovations, the partners have now further joined forces to become more competitive.

In a joint announcement, the companies have said that through the business integration, they aim to bring together ‘management resources such as knowledge, human resources, and technologies; create deeper synergies; enhance the ability to respond to market changes; and expect to improve mid- to long-term corporate value.

In addition, Nissan and Honda will create a ‘leading global mobility company’ by bringing together Nissan and Honda's four-wheel-vehicle and Honda's motorcycle and power products businesses,

The outlined potential synergies include – standardising vehicle platforms across ICE, HEV, PHEV and EV Models; joint research in SDV and collaboration in all R&D functions; optimise manufacturing systems and facilities; integration of purchasing functions to provide competitive advantage across the supply chain; operational efficiency improvements; integrating sales finance function and establishment of a talent foundation for intelligence and electrification.

As per the understanding, Nissan and Honda will establish a joint holding company which is set to be listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026. Post the listing, both the companies will become a wholly-owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company and will delist from Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The partners expects with the synergies in place they can attain sales revenue exceeding YEN 30 trillion and operating profit of more than YEN 3 trillion.

The new organisation will see Honda nominate a majority of internal and external directors. The President and representative director or president and representative executive officer of the joint holding company will be selected from among the directors nominated by Honda.

On the other hand, Nissan Motor Co, Honda Motor Co, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of Mitsubishi Motors’ participation, involvement and synergy sharing in relation to the business integration through the establishment of a joint holding company outlined in an MoU signed between Nissan and Honda.

Makoto Uchida, Director, President, CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Nissan, said, “"Today marks a pivotal moment as we begin discussions on business integration that has the potential to shape our future. If realised, I believe that by uniting the strengths of both companies, we can deliver unparalleled value to customers worldwide who appreciate our respective brands. Together, we can create a unique way for them to enjoy cars that
neither company could achieve alone.”

"Honda and Nissan have begun considering a business integration, and will study the creation of significant synergies between the two companies in a wide range of fields. It is significant that Nissan's partner, Mitsubishi Motors, is also involved in these discussions. We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base," added Uchida.

Toshihiro Mibe, Director and Representative Executive Officer, Honda, said: "Creation of new mobility value by bringing together the resources including knowledge, talents, and technologies that Honda and Nissan have been developing over the long years is essential to overcome challenging environmental shifts that the auto industry is facing. Honda and Nissan are two companies with distinctive strengths. We are still at the stage of starting our review, and we have not decided on a business integration yet, but in order to find a direction for the possibility of
business integration by the end of January 2025, we strive to be the one and only leading company that creates new mobility value through chemical reaction that can only be driven through synthesis of the two teams."

At this time of change in the automobile industry, which is said to occur once every 100 years, we hope that Mitsubishi Motors' participation in the business integration discussions of Nissan and Honda will lead to further social change and that we will be able to become a leading company in creating new value in mobility through business integration. Nissan and Honda will start the discussion from today onwards with an aim to clarify the possibility of business integration by around the end of January in line with the consideration of Mitsubishi Motors," added Mibe.

Takao Kato, Director, Representative Executive Officer, and President and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors, said: “In an era of change in the automotive industry, the study between Nissan and Honda about a business integration will accelerate synergy maximisation effects, bringing high value also to the collaborative businesses with Mitsubishi Motors. In order to realise synergies and to make the best use of each company's strengths, we will also study the best form of cooperation.”

Range Rover has launched the first-ever locally manufactured Range Rover Sport SUV in India. Built on the MLA-Flex platform, the 2025 Range Rover Sport is available in 3.0l Petrol Dynamic HSE and 3.0l Diesel Dynamic HSE variants. The SUV comes in five colour options – Fuji White, Santorini Black, Giola Green, Varesine Blue and Charente Grey – at a starting price of INR 14.5 million ex-showroom.

The 2025 Range Rover Sport features semi-aniline leather seats and takes the comfort and elegance quotient higher with its massage front seats and additional features such as front and rear winged headrests, illuminated seat belt buckles and illuminated aluminium treadplates bearing the Range Rover script.

Along with the current Pivi Pro infotainment system, which includes a high-resolution floating 33.27 cm (13.1 inch) haptic touchscreen in the middle of the futuristic dashboard, the 2025 Range Rover Sport has a head-up display. To improve the welfare of all passengers and establish and maintain the ideal driving environment, next-generation Cabin Air Purification Pro is offered. Unprecedented refinement is provided by dynamic air suspension, and all-around capabilities is increased by features like adaptive off-road cruise control and preemptive air suspension. The new Low Speed Manoeuvring Lights offer the utmost in ease, while the new Digital LED Headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting ensure high-performance visibility.

Rajan Amba, Managing Director, JLR India, said: “The latest Range Rover Sport sets a new benchmark in desirability and is one of our most advanced and dynamically capable vehicles. With the introduction of new features such as perforated semi-aniline leather seats, massage front seats and head-up display, our discerning clients will get an elevated experience of comfort and technology in Range Rover Sport.”