Czech automaker Skoda Auto India, which is celebrating its silver jubilee (25-years) in the country, has reportedly clocked its best-ever monthly sales with 7,422 units sold in March 2025.

The company attributes the sales performance on the popularity of its Kylaq SUV, which has enabled it to reach out to a wider sect of consumers.

Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “With the launch of the all-new Kylaq, we committed to a ‘New Era’ in our India journey. The 7,422 cars we sold in March 2025 is testament to this journey taking shape, and is also the result of sustained planning, efforts and a strategy aimed at democratising European technology on Indian roads. The customer feedback highlights that Kylaq comes with an exceptional price-value proposition, taking comfort, space and safety from a segment higher, into the sub-4-metre SUV segment. To enable more customers and celebrate the Kylaq success, we decided to extend the introductory pricing until the end of April.”

Launched in November 2024 and deliveries beginning January 2025, the Skoda Kylaq

is Skoda’s Auto India’s first sub-4-metre SUV. The company is ramping up production of the Kylaq SUV with a target to deliver over 15,000 units towards active bookings by end-May. Furthermore, the company has also outlined an ambitious target to have 350 touchpoints in 2025, rapidly scaling from over 280 touchpoints at present.

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Citroen India, part of the Stellantis Group, has hit a major milestone, earning a 5-star safety rating for Adult Occupant Protection for its Aircross SUV from the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP).

This safety success, the company shared, is a direct outcome of Citroen 2.0 strategy, which focuses on manufacturing vehicles that harmoniously combine aspirational design with advanced safety and comfort.

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, "With the Citroen 2.0 strategy, we’re not just building cars – we’re shaping aspirations with safety at the core. The Citroen Aircross SUV, now proudly rated 5 stars in adult occupant protection by Bharat NCAP, is a bold testament to our commitment towards smart, secure mobility. Its acclaimed ride quality and comfort reflect our philosophy: advanced comfort, cutting-edge safety and intuitive technology – all in one dynamic, practical package.”

The Aircross demonstrated exceptional performance across all critical crash test parameters, which include Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT).

The SUV is engineered with an advanced safety structure, utilising high-strength steel, Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) to effectively manage frontal and side impacts while minimising cabin intrusion.

Furthermore, the vehicle comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features designed for greater protection, including six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors and over 40 active and passive safety technologies. These technologies encompass electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and hill-hold assist.

Beyond safety, the Aircross continues to offer features that enhance the driving experience, such as LED projector headlamps, automatic air conditioning with climate control, and power-folding ORVMs. The cabin is designed for convenience, featuring a soft-touch instrument panel, rear AC vents and repositioned power window switches on the doors.

The SUV is available with a choice of two engine options: the 1.2L Gen 3 PURETECH 110 turbo and the PURETECH 82 naturally aspirated engine, delivering up to 110ps and 205Nm of torque. Customers can choose from 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, along with flexible 5-seater and 5+2 seating configurations.

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Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has officially commenced the handover of its highly anticipated BE 6 Batman Edition e-SUV, marking the start of deliveries for the limited-run model. The automaker hosted a grand celebratory event in Mumbai, where 16 specially customised vehicles were delivered to their new owners.

The BE 6 Batman Edition, which was launched at an ex-showroom price of INR 2.77 million, is a collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products and draws inspiration from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy. The model is based on the 79kWh Pack Three variant and features an exclusive Satin Black finish, 20-inch alloy wheels, Alchemy Gold accents and Bat emblems incorporated throughout the interior and exterior design.

The delivery ceremony in Mumbai was a significant affair, attended by over 100 guests. The event was elevated by the presence of actors Sunny Singh and Aakanksha Singh, underscoring the vehicle’s status as a collector’s item.

Mahindra ensured the handover reflected the exclusive nature of the vehicle, staging a memorable, Batman-inspired setup. 

Adding to the exclusivity, each customer was presented with a customised Batman hamper directly from Warner Bros, providing a tangible connection to the iconic licence and further solidifying the vehicle's unique marketing appeal.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has broken ground on a new Bharat Scouts & Guides (BSG) Training and Camping Centre in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, reinforcing its commitment to youth development and skill enhancement.

The new facility is set to become a vital hub for training, workshops and outdoor activities, aiming to nurture life skills, leadership qualities and civic responsibility among young people. The company anticipates the centre will benefit over 2,400 students annually from Chikmagalur and surrounding districts.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and is expected to be completed by March 2027. The automaker support includes funding for essential infrastructure, such as an administrative block, a fully equipped kitchen and dining hall, separate dormitories for girls and boys, sanitation facilities and ten tent units capable of accommodating up to 100 students.

Sudeep Santram Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice-President and Head State Affairs at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We believe in encouraging holistic growth among the youth by nurturing skills and values that help them evolve into confident, self-reliant, and socially responsible citizens,” he stated.

Dalvi emphasised that the project, made possible through collaboration with local authorities and the BSG, is about more than just building infrastructure.

“By supporting this Training and Camping Centre, we are not just building modern infrastructure but also creating opportunities for students in Chikmagalur to develop important life skills, leadership competencies and social responsibility. This facility will benefit students and volunteers across the region, reflecting our commitment to youth empowerment, community development, and inspiring the next generation to take initiative, embrace challenges, and positively impact their communities,” he added.

PGR Sindhia, State Chief Commissioner, Bharat Scouts & Guides, said, “The Bharat Scouts & Guides play an invaluable role in shaping the character, discipline and leadership abilities of young minds across Karnataka. The new training and camping centre at Chikmagalur will open up multiple opportunities for students in this region. We appreciate TKM’s support in constructing this facility and are positive that this facility will serve as a hub for nurturing well-rounded, future-ready citizens.”

The groundbreaking event was attended by H D Thimmaiah, MLA for Chikmagalur Constituency, Karnataka, along with dignitaries from Toyota Kirloskar Motor and BSG, including Roshan R, General Manager of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

The BSG is India’s largest youth organisation, with its mission aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on life skills education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports' promotion of Scouting and Guiding for youth development. The new centre will add to the BSG's existing state-level training facilities in Karnataka, located at Doddaballapura (Bengaluru) and Davanagere.

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Japanese auto major Honda Cars India (HCIL) has hit a major manufacturing and export landmark, announcing today that it has surpassed 200,000 cumulative units exported from its Indian operations. This achievement underscores the growing global acceptance of Honda's 'Made-in-India' models and reinforces the country's strength as a premium automotive manufacturing hub.

The celebrated milestone has been significantly fuelled by two key models: the Honda City sedan and the new mid-size SUV, the Honda Elevate, which together account for 78 percent of the total export volume.

Honda's export journey from India began with smaller volumes sent to neighbouring markets. The pace has accelerated dramatically in recent years:

• The first 50,000 units were exported primarily to SAARC, South Africa and SADC countries up until 2021.
• The next 50,000 units were reached in the subsequent two-and-a-half years, with exports expanding to Left Hand Drive markets like the Middle East, Mexico and Turkey for the Honda City.
• The most recent 100,000 units were achieved in just the last two years, driven by massive demand for the Elevate in new markets, including Japan, South America and Caribbean nations.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “Achieving 200,000 export units fills Honda Cars India with immense pride. This milestone underscores the global recognition of our India-made cars. It also reflects the dedication of our skilled teams and robust manufacturing capabilities. Exports are an integral part of HCIL’s business and revenue strategy, and we remain committed to strengthening this area going forward. We are dedicated to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, serving both our domestic market and global customers.”

Over the years, HCIL has exported vehicles to 33 countries. The largest recipient markets include: Japan – 30 percent, South Africa and SADC countries – 26 percent, Mexico - 19 percent and Turkey – 16 percent.

While the City and Elevate are the current leaders, the remaining 22 percent of the total export volume includes a diverse portfolio of models, such as the Brio, Amaze, Jazz, BR-V, Mobilio, City e:HEV, Accord and CR-V.

The Honda Elevate has been key to expanding HCIL's global footprint, driving a significant portion of the most recent export growth.

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