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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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has further revealed the technology and safety features of the upcoming all-new Hyundai Venue c-SUV. The vehicle will feature a dual 62.5cm – 12.3-inch + 12.3-inch curved panoramic display and Hyundai’s ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) system, which is accelerated by Nvidia.

The new Venue also offers safety features with a strong body structure and Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, which includes 16 advanced driver assistance features. Overall, the vehicle is equipped with more than 65 safety features, with 33 standard across all variants.

The Venue will debut Hyundai’s ccNC system, which features an immersive 31.24 cm 12.3 ccNC Navigation system and a Bose premium sound 8-speaker system. The system includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, quick control and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.

The infotainment system is complemented by a 31.24 cm 12.3 full digital display cluster, which displays information such as the tyre pressure monitoring system TPMS highline, drive mode select, ADAS status and turn-by-turn navigation.

In a move towards Software-Defined Vehicles SDVs, the Venue offers OTA access for 20 Controllers, eliminating the need for dealership visits for software updates.

The Venue's body structure is built with a 71 percent expansive application of hot stamping, ultra-high strength steel, advanced high-strength steel and high-strength steel, ensuring crash protection.

The Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2 technology includes intelligent features such as: Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Car, Pedestrian & Cycle), Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (Rear).

Standard safety features include 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), all 4-disc brakes and 3-point seatbelts with a reminder for all seats.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we are committed to democratising advanced global technologies for our customers in India. The all-new Hyundai Venue equipped with Hyundai ccNC system accelerated by Nvidia, immersive digital experiences and Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, represent our bold step towards introducing Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) in India. With the all-new Hyundai Venue, we continue our endeavour to make premium and intelligent mobility experiences accessible to a wider set of customers, reflecting Hyundai’s strong belief in ‘Progress for Humanity’. We are confident that with an upgraded design, cutting-edge features and class-leading safety, the all-new Hyundai Venue will redefine customer convenience and set new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment.”

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JSW MG Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has delivered the MG M9 Presidential Limousine to music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan.

The MG M9, which is the flagship luxury model from MG Select, is designed for sophistication, featuring Presidential Seats with 16-way adjustment, eight massage modes, heating and ventilation. The interior includes a yacht-style dual sunroof, ambient lighting and Cognac brown leather. An intelligent armrest and storage enhance convenience.

The limousine prioritises safety, built with ultra-high strength steel and equipped with 7 airbags and Level 2 ADAS. It has secured 5-star EURO NCAP and ANCAP ratings.

It is powered by a 90-kWh NMC battery, 548km claimed range, 245 PS of power and 350 NM of torque. It can be charged from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

The MG M9 also features a 13-speaker premium sound system with subwoofer and amplifier. The vehicle is available for booking and experience across 14 MG Select Experience Centres in 13 key cities.

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has opened bookings for the all-new Hyundai Venue compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Customers can reserve the vehicle with an initial booking amount of INR 25,000 at dealerships across India.

Hyundai Motor India unveiled the new vehicle with a film featuring brand ambassador Deepika Padukone. The company is positioning the C-SUV as a model of urban mobility, focusing on style and technology.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “The Hyundai Venue has been one of the most loved SUVs in India, with over 700,000 customers choosing it for its perfect blend of design, technology and performance. With the all-new Hyundai Venue, we are taking this success story even further, redefining bold design and modern premium-ness while integrating advanced technology that resonates with the aspirations of today’s new-age customers. The all-new Hyundai Venue truly embodies our vision of ‘Tech up Go beyond,’ offering a driving experience that’s both dynamic and deeply connected to our customers’ evolving lifestyles.”

The new Venue is both taller and wider than the existing model. Exterior design includes Twin horn LED DRLs, Quad beam LED headlamps and a dark chrome radiator grille.

Inside, the cabin features a Dual 62.5 cm (12.3-inch + 12.3-inch) curved panoramic display for infotainment and cluster information. It also features a dual-tone interior (dark navy and dove grey), a D-cut steering wheel and a coffee-table centre console with ambient lighting.

The car has a long wheelbase (2520mm) and offers 2-step reclining rear seats, rear window sunshades and rear AC vents for comfort.

The all-new VENUE will be offered with three engine choices:

Kappa 1.2 l MPi petrol

Kappa 1.0 l Turbo GDi petrol

U2 1.5 l CRDi Diesel

Transmission options include Manual, Automatic and Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).

The vehicle will use the new variant nomenclature ‘HX,’ which stands for ‘Hyundai Experience.’ The company is set to launch the Venue on 4 November 2025.

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Chinese automaker Chery showcased what it claims is the world’s first ‘7-Seat Transformable Multi-SUV’ concept at the 2025 Chery Brand Night. The SUV was unveiled by Zheng Songzhi, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery International Marketing Centre.

The automaker states that the vehicle reflects Chery’s commitment to user co-creation, offering a ‘one vehicle, multiple configurations’ design intended to redefine versatility for families.

Songzhi stated that the concept was developed following over a year of user research in countries including Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand. This research identified nine high-frequency family scenarios – from daily commuting to camping and long-distance travel – and concluded that no existing vehicle model meets all these varied demands.

User insights from representatives in Malaysia, Indonesia and Mexico, who shared their need for comfort, work-life balance and space, became the foundation of the concept. He noted that user needs are the core driver behind Chery's shift from a ‘function-oriented’ to a ‘scenario-oriented’ strategy.

In response to demands for versatility and space, Chery introduced the ‘6=1’ concept. By flexibly reconfiguring seats and detaching the rear hatch, the single vehicle transforms into six distinct interior and exterior layouts, intended to cover 99 percent of family mobility scenarios.

Large 7-Seat SUV Mode: With a body length of 4.9 metres and an interior height of 1,284 mm, it offers true comfort for family passengers.

Double-Cab Pickup Mode: It transforms instantly through a quick-release structure, providing 600-litre of cargo space for items like surfboards and construction materials.

Camper Mode: It supports an ecosystem of accessories, including awnings and roof tents, alongside off-road capability.

Songzhi announced that Chery will introduce additional transformable modes and accessory kits.

Chery is launching a collaboration model that spans the entire product development cycle. Before mass production, Chery will invite users worldwide to participate in co-creation, influencing features, powertrain tuning and model naming.

Since February 2024, a 20-member product team has conducted research across international markets, gathering over 1,350 user samples and more than 40,000 topic inputs.

Songzhi, stated, "Driven by the genuine needs of our users, we have not only redefined the form of the SUV but will also collaborate with them to co-create and co-define its future.”

The new vehicle is scheduled to reach consumers in the third quarter of 2026.

Image credit: Paultan.org

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