Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has become the latest carmaker in the country to have achieved a 5-star Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) rating for the Skoda Kylaq SUV. This also makes it the first vehicle by the Group to have been voluntarily assessed and aced the test for both adult and child occupants.

Launched in 2023, by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), the Bharat NCAP aims to address road traffic fatalities and injuries in the country by improving vehicle safety standards.

The Skoda Kylaq is the brand’s first sub-4 metre SUV especially designed and developed for the Indian market. The Kylaq scored 30.88 points of 32 points in adult occupant protection and 45 points out of 49 points in child occupant protection.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Safety is at the heart of our engineering philosophy, and Skoda Kylaq exemplifies this ethos. I’m proud to mention that Kylaq is our first car to participate and receive full 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for adult and child occupants. The 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for Kylaq highlights our continued focus on creating vehicles that combine world-class safety standards, cutting-edge technology and manufacturing excellence. With the growing demand for safer cars, the Bharat NCAP rating empowers consumers to make informed decisions, ensuring protection for self and family. Equipped with the world-class active and passive safety features across variants, Kylaq has set a new benchmark in the segment. This motivates us to raise the bar even higher for future innovations.”

The Kylaq achieved 15.035 out of 16 points in the frontal offset barrier test for adult occupant protection, demonstrating a stable occupant compartment and footwell. In the side-moving deformable barrier test, it scored 15.840 points out of 16 points. For child occupant protection, Kylaq earned the maximum possible 16 points in the frontal offset barrier test and full 8 points in the side-moving deformable barrier test for 1.5 and 3-year-old children. Furthermore, the vehicle secured maximum points in the recommended child seat assessment and 9 out of 13 points in the vehicle-based assessment.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing automakers in the country, has released the wholesales data for December 2024 and Q3 FY2025.

A total of 14,73,237 vehicles were sold last month, which was 5 percent lower compared to 15,49,597 units sold last year. This includes, 314,934 passenger vehicles, up 10 percent YoY, 52,733 three-wheelers, up 4 percent YoY and 11,05,565 two-wheelers, down 9 percent YoY.

For Q3 FY2025, the auto sales grew by 3 percent at 63,59,647 units, as compared to 61,67,583 units a year ago. Interestingly, SUVs and motorcycles were the key drivers for the auto wholesales and their segment too. A total of 10,58,145 passenger vehicles were sold in the last quarter, which marked a 5 percent uptick YoY. Three-wheeler sales came at 1,88,853 units, which was a flat growth, as compared to 1,88,434 units sold last year. The commercial vehicle sales came at 2,38,050 units, up 1 percent YoY, while two-wheeler sales came at 48,74,590 units, up 3 percent YoY, as compared to 47,31,436 units sold last year.

Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM, said, “2024 has been reasonably good for the auto industry. Positive consumer sentiments and the country’s macroeconomic stability, helped in propelling reasonable growth for the sector across vehicle segments. The stable policy ecosystem of Government of India in 2024, carrying on from the previous years, has helped the industry. As the new year commences with a positive sentiment being created through the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, this momentum would further propel growth in 2025.”

As per SIAM, passenger vehicles and three-wheelers witnessed their highest-ever yearly sales in 2024.

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its Eeco MPV has completed 15 years in the country.

Launched in 2010, the Eeco has been a popular seller for the company. It can be had in 5-seater and 7-seater configuration for people movement, cargo, tour and ambulance configurations too.

The Eeco is powered by Maruti Suzuki India’s 1.2L K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine options, which currently make up for 57 percent of its sales. It can also be had in S-CNG offering that constitutes the remaining 43 percent of sales. In terms of safety, the Eeco is equipped with a driver airbag, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, seat belt reminders and speed alert system.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Our Eeco has been a pillar of strength for our customers across the nation. From providing Joy of Mobility, to powering the livelihoods of entrepreneurs, and businesses, the Eeco has earned its place as a trusted companion. Regarded as India’s most-loved van, it has proven its mettle not only in urban markets but also in rural regions, which contribute a remarkable 63% to its overall sales. We sincerely thank our customers for their trust in a brand that is India’s pride and partner in progress.”

DC2 Design, formerly known as DC Design, which is the brainchild of Indian car designer Dilip Chhabria, recently released a teaser of an electric car set to be unveiled at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

The Indian designer is expected to unveil a modified Humvee in an electric avatar. While the exact specifications are not known, it is expected that just like his earlier works, the upcoming e-Humvee would have a flashy design.

For the unversed, Dilip Chhabria has been a prominent name in the Indian automotive design industry. His notable achievements include developing a prototype for the Vantage V8 for Aston Martin in the 2003 Detroit Motor Show. Chhabria had also designed especially for an Indian movie, Taarzan: The Wonder Car and his DC Avanti sports car was also embroiled in controversy.  

Going forward, it would be interesting to see with DC2 Design if Chhabria marks a comeback in the Indian automotive scene.

Nissan Motor India, one of the country's leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched the ‘Bold For The Brave’ Republic Bonanza offer to commemorate India’s Republic Day.

Under the scheme, defence (Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy), Central and State Police personnel will get special benefits on the Nissan Magnite SUV with savings starting at INR 72,156. They will also be entitled to additional consumer offers available in the month. The scheme has been extended to Central Paramilitary and State Police forces as well across the country.

Eligible customers can book Nissan Magnite SUV through the CSD AFD Portal.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “As we celebrate 76 years of being a republic this month, Nissan is honoured to offer the New Nissan Magnite, our flagship SUV to our Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary and State Police Forces at special prices only for them. This special ‘Bold For The Brave’ Republic Bonanza is a testament to our respect and gratitude for the tireless dedication and sacrifice of the real heroes who protect our nation. The Magnite has been tested in bold and extreme conditions which makes it an ideal companion for all our forces. Through this initiative, we aim to make the New Nissan Magnite more accessible to those who safeguard our freedom selflessly.”