Established well globally for its expertise in small cars Suzuki launched the Ignis compact crossover in the UK in early 2017. For August 2020 launch, Ignis has now undergone a facelift with some striking styling upgrades for a more rugged ultra compact SUV appearance along with an enhanced Hybrid powertrain.

While retaining the iconic design characteristics of the current model, the new Ignis has a new front grille and bumpers, refined interior and exterior colours, and an efficiency-enhanced engine with expanded hybrid system capacity.

Ingrained with Suzuki’s design heritage, including a slit-like C-pillar inherited from the first generation Cervo (SC100), blacked out A- and B- pillar, bumper garnish and clamshell bonnet.

The facelift model retains these iconic features, while adding a new Suzuki SUV-style 5-spoke front grille along with front and rear bumpers featuring trapezoid shape silver under garnishes, amplifying the overall SUV character and unique style.

The interior of the Ignis was designed with futuristic urban styling and sweeping horizontal lines that convey breadth and a feeling of space. The instrument panel, featuring a newly designed meter cluster, has been updated with a contrast of black and white that is simple in composition but leaves a bold impression.

New interior accent colours - Lazuli Medium Blue Pearl and Medium Grey Metallic as well as a newly designed instrument panel improve the stylish urban taste of the interior.

Suzuki first introduced its 1.2-litre Dualjet technlogy (K12C) in 2014, initially in the Swift, and then utilised in the Baleno and Ignis models. This engine is now replaced by the new K12D Dualjet unit which offers greater fuel economy and even lower CO2 emissions. The updated K12D 1.2-litre engine powering the new Ignis features a new dual injection system and offers both powerful response and high fuel efficiency. This high-level balance is made possible through advances that include an electric intake VVT (variable valve timing), a variable displacement oil pump and electric piston cooling jets. Maximum power output is 83PS with a torque figure of 107Nm at just 2,800rpm.

Fuel efficency is further enhanced when paired with the self-charging hybrid system powered by a new lithium-ion battery with capacity upgraded from 3Ah to 10Ah to improve energy recovery efficiency.

For the Ignis with 2WD manual transmission the Hybrid system helps Suzuki reach a CO2 emissions figure of just 114g/km (WLTP regulation) plus achieve a fuel consumption figure of 55.7mpg (WLTP) on the combined cycle.

CVT powertrain is available as an option on the facelifted Ignis SZ-T and SZ5 models with 2WD, and is combined with the 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid powertrain. The CVT system can vary the actual gear ratio continuously and stepless from low-speed to high-speed range depending on the driving conditions. The CVT allows improved driveability with reduced shift-shock in comparison with a conventional automatic transmission.

The Ignis adopts Suzuki’s ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ four-wheel drive system which is available optionally on the SZ5 model with manual transmission. First introduced in Swift, this is a well proven and simple fully automatic and permanent four-wheel drive layout which transfers additional torque to the rear wheels when required via a viscous coupling. It is also an ideal choice for customers living in rural areas who may need additional mobility across rougher terrain or for crossing slippery surfaces during winter months without owning a more conventional SUV sized vehicle. (MT)

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Vietnamese automaker VinFast Auto India has opened its largest showroom in the country in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This marks the company’s first dealership in the state and is part of its plan to expand its retail presence across India.

The 4,700 sqft facility, located in Teynampet, is operated by Maansarovar Motors and will display VinFast's upcoming electric SUV models – the VF 6 and VF 7.

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, VinFast Asia, said “Chennai’s legacy and its thriving ecosystem of innovation, skilled talent and advanced infrastructure make it a natural choice for VinFast’s first-ever dealership in Tamil Nadu, which is also our largest touchpoint across the country. With this dealership, we are proud to deepen our commitment to this dynamic city and bring our premium electric mobility solutions closer to discerning customers in Tamil Nadu. Chennai represents the spirit of progress and through our partnership with Maansarovar Motors, we aim to redefine the EV ownership journey – combining sustainability, technology and world-class service. This marks not just a retail milestone, but a meaningful step toward co-creating a greener, smarter, and future-ready India.”

As part of its expansion plans, the company aims to open 35 dealerships across 27 cities by end-2025. Pre-bookings for the VF 6 and VF 7 began on 15 July with a refundable booking amount of INR 21,000.

VinFast has partnered with RoadGrid, myTVS, and Global Assure to support charging infrastructure and after-sales services. It has also tied up with BatX Energies to promote battery recycling and develop a circular battery value chain.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the leading passenger vehicles manufacturer in the country, has reported its financial results for Q1 FY2026.

The company sold a total of 527,861 vehicles, which comprised 430,889 units in the domestic market and 96,972 units exported. This translated to a sales decline of 4.5 percent in the domestic market, while exports grew by 37.4 percent compared to a year ago.

Maruti Suzuki India’s reported registered net sales of INR 366.2 billion, up 8.11 percent YoY, as compared to INR 338.7 billion last year. The net profit came at INR 371 billion, up 1.7 percent, as compared to INR 364.9 billion last year.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has reported its financial performance for Q1 FY2026.

The company’s revenue came at INR 164.129 billion, down 5.36 percent YoY, the EBITDA came at INR 21.85 billion, down 6.62 percent YoY, while net profit at INR 13.69 billion was down 8 percent YoY.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director said, “We continued our stated strategy of ‘Quality of Growth’ in the first quarter of FY 2026 with balance between domestic & exports, market share and profitability. This strategy helped us to sustain strong EBITDA margin of 13.3 percent during the quarter, despite tough macro-economic environment. Moving forward, we anticipate gradual recovery in domestic demand sentiments, driven by onset of monsoon & festive season coupled with government policy measures, while on the exports front, we are confident to maintain a positive momentum, in line with our growth commitments.”

Hyundai Motor India’s performance was affected by a slowdown in its overall volumes both in domestic and exports markets. Factors such as intensifying competition, geopolitical situation and tariff confusion have affected demand.

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has reported a 24 percent YoY increase in consolidated net profit to INR 40.83 billion for Q1 FY2026, supported by strong performances across its automotive, farm and services businesses.

The consolidated revenue grew 22 percent to INR 455.29 billion in Q1 FY2026, while return on equity stood at 20.6 percent.

During the quarter, the company increased its revenue market share in the SUV segment to 27.3 percent, its LCV market share (up to 3.5 tonnes) to 54.2 percent, and its tractor segment market share to 45.2 percent.

The standalone automotive business recorded a 31 percent increase in revenue to INR 259.99 billion, with profit before interest and tax (PBIT) up 24 percent to INR 22.21 billion. SUV volumes reached 152,000 units, contributing to total vehicle sales of 247,249 units.

The farm equipment sector saw revenue rise 12 percent to INR 108.92 billion, with PBIT up 21 percent at INR 18.19 billion. Tractor volumes grew 10 percent to 132,964 units and standalone PBIT margins improved by 130 bps to 19.8 percent.

In the services segment, Mahindra Finance’s assets under management rose 15 percent, while Tech Mahindra’s EBIT margin increased by 260 bps to 11.1 percent, with a 34 percent jump in net profit.

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, M&M, said, “Q1 FY2026 has been an excellent quarter, with broad-based growth across all our businesses. The operating excellence in our Auto and Farm businesses is evident in continued market share gains and margin expansion. TechM is witnessing momentum on deal wins, sustaining cost discipline and is moving steadily towards its FY2027 margin objectives. MMFSL’s calibrated approach to growth is manifesting in stable asset quality, with GS3 under 4 percent as committed. Our Growth Gems are progressing well on their value creation journeys.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), M&M, said, “Our Auto and Farm businesses continue to lead with strong momentum in Q1 FY2026, with gain of 570 bps YoY in SUV revenue share, and 340 bps YoY in LCV (<3.5T) market share. In Tractors, we gained 50 bps YoY to reach 45.2 percent market share, the highest ever in a quarter. Our Auto Standalone PBIT margin (excl. eSUV contract mfg.) improved by 50 bps to 10 percent and core Tractor PBIT margins improved by 100 bps to 20.7 percent.”

Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, M&M, said, “We are pleased with the performance of the group in the quarter, despite several macro challenges including geo-political disruptions. It demonstrates the resilience of the group. With our continued focus on capital discipline & operational metrics, we remain committed to shareholder value creation.”

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