Toyota Kirloskar Motor has concluded the 24-hour Toyota Hackathon 2025 in Mumbai engineered to empower young innovators to drive road safety solutions. It has been a part of the automaker’s commitment to education and road safety. 
Held at Vidyalankar Institute, Wadala (East), Mumbai, and coinciding with ‘Road Safety Month’ (January 18 – February 17, 2025), the event brought together over 400 talented students from over 100 schools across Mumbai, turning in turn into an effective platform to develop actionable solutions to critical road safety challenges.
Attracting the presence of Atul Moreshwar Save, Minister for OBC Welfare, Dairy Development, and Renewable Energy, Government of Maharashtra; Arprit Save, President Chamber of Marathawada Industries and Agriculture, and Senior leadership from TKM (including Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, TKM, and Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President and Head State Affairs, TKM), the event – a key pillar of TKM’s comprehensive Road Safety Initiative designed to address this critical issue by integrating road safety education into school and college curriculums – began with team selection and idea submissions, progressed through a boot camp, culminated in a 24-hour final hackathon, and concluded with incubation support for the top one winner per city. 
Fostering critical thinking, innovation and a sense of responsibility, the Hackathon – structured in five phases – saw participants tackle key road safety themes such as ‘Road Safety Awareness and Education’, ‘Community Engagement for Safety’, ‘School Zone Safety’, ‘Road Infrastructure and Pollution’, ‘IoT/ICT in Road Safety’, ‘Traffic Easement’ and ‘Making Roads Inclusive’. 
Out of 100 initial teams, 28 advanced to post- boot camp, 10 teams completed in the final hackathon out of which 3 emerged as winners, earning continued support to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Following the success in Mumbai, the Toyota Hackathon 2025 will move to Bangalore on 14 February 2025. For the 2024-25 academic year, TKM aims to expand the initiative to 300 institutions across key cities, with over 400 innovative concepts already submitted.
Speaking at the event, Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we are driven by the belief that empowering the younger generation with the right tools, mentorship, and opportunities can lead to transformative change. The Toyota Hackathon 2025 serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to road safety and innovation, as it brings together young minds to ideate, collaborate, and develop solutions for safer roads. This initiative reflects our holistic approach to fostering a culture of safety and sustainability, aligning with Toyota’s global vision of zero traffic fatalities.”
 

                                                                                                               
BMW Group India has announced the launch of Deutsche Motoren’s Retail.NEXT showroom in Central Delhi. It is located in Safdarjung Enclave and has Yadur Kapur as the Deutsche Motoren principal.  
Deutsche Motoren has a total of six sales and three service facilities in Delhi and Bengaluru.

Stating that the enduring partnership with BMW Group India is a testament to his company’s shared commitment to excellence and innovation, Kapur commented about the new development: “The success we have witnessed in the Delhi and Bengaluru markets underscores this strong collaboration. With the launch of our new Retail.NEXT showroom in Delhi, we are elevating the luxury automotive retail experience, setting new benchmarks in customer service and engagement. This milestone reaffirms our dedication to providing BMW customers in Delhi with an unparalleled journey of luxury and sophistication."

Set to redefine the automotive retail experience in the luxury automotive segment, Retail.NEXT will blend digital innovation with personalised service, offering a dynamic and engaging environment. The layout features open spaces with minimalist design elements, allowing for an intuitive flow through the showroom.

High-tech digital interfaces are integrated throughout the facility, enabling prospects to explore vehicle features, customize their preferences, and receive tailored recommendations. Additionally, the design incorporates exclusive areas for private consultations and vehicle handovers, ensuring that every interaction is as personalised and memorable as possible. 
“The inauguration of the new Deutsche Motoren Retail.NEXT showroom in Delhi marks a pivotal step in our vision for the future of luxury automotive retail in India. As a key market, Delhi embodies innovation and exclusivity, making it the perfect location to introduce our progressive Retail.NEXT concept. By integrating cutting-edge digital engagement with a sophisticated physical space, we are redefining the dealership experience to be more immersive, seamless, and customer-centric. This milestone reflects our commitment to shaping the future of luxury retail, and we appreciate our strong partnership with Deutsche Motoren in driving this transformation forward,” said Vikram Pawah, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group India, said. 

The ultra-modern showroom is spread over 5,835 sq. ft. and showcases six BMW vehicles from the BMW M, BMW i and BMW portfolio. A dedicated vehicle handover lounge is thoughtfully designed to ensure each customer’s car delivery is a truly memorable experience. Latest range of BMW merchandise and accessories are on display at the lifestyle and accessories zone. The customer interaction lounge offers a relaxed ambience to discuss various aspects of owning a BMW vehicle.
The Customer Consultation Stages are located strategically throughout the showroom. The service consultation takes place where the client wants it and what fits the situation. The unique living room atmosphere and the cozy positioning of the seating close to cars creates a relaxed environment for consultation. Personal Service Advisor (PSA) and BMW Geniuses are equipped with innovative digital sales tools to provide comprehensive information on product features and services.

Further, prospects can also leverage BMW BEVScape - a state-of-the-art, interactive digital tool delivers complete clarity on EV ownership and empowering them to make informed decisions with ease.
 

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co has announced changes to its senior management, which it shared is a renewed leadership line-up to achieve the company's short- and mid-term objectives while positioning it for long-term growth.

Ivan Espinosa, currently chief planning officer, is set to succeed Makota Uchida as the representative Executive Officer, President and CEO from 1 April 2025.

Furthermore, Guillaume Cartier, chief performance officer and chairperson of the Management Committee for AMIEO, will now also be responsible for global marketing and customer experience.

Eiichi Akashi, currently corporate vice president (CVP) of the Vehicle Planning and Vehicle Component Engineering Division, will succeed Kunio Nakaguro as Chief Technology Officer and executive officer.

Furthermore, Teiji Hirata, currently CVP of Vehicle Production Engineering and Development Division, will take on the role of Chief Monozukuri Officer and Executive Officer, responsible for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, succeeding Hideyuki Sakamoto.

Jeremy Papin, Chief Financial Officer, is also appointed executive officer.

Stephen Ma, Chairperson of the Management Committee for China; Mitsuro Antoku, chief quality officer; and Toru Ihara, chief HR officer will continue in their current roles.

Uchida and Sakamoto will retain their position of director until the annual general meeting of shareholders planned for June.

In addition to Nakaguro, Sakamoto and Uchida, Asako Hoshino, Chief Brand & Customer Officer; Hideaki Watanabe, Chief Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer are also set to step down from their current position on 31 March 2025.

Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co has appointed Takashi Nakajima as the new President and CEO of Honda Cars India (HCIL) effective 1 April 2025.

He will succeed Takuya Tsumura, who is set to move to Japan at Honda head office after completing his India tenure.

The carmaker shared that Tsumura played a key role in strengthening Honda Cars India’s brand positioning in the country, along with driving profitability and customer centric solutions. He played a key role in introducing new models including the Honda City e:HEV, Honda Elevate SUV, 3rd Gen Amaze.

Tsumura is also credited for laying a strong foundation for future model launches including Honda’s first electric vehicle for India.

On the other hand, Nakajima joined Honda in 1994 and has been associated with Honda Motor Co. for more than three decades. He comes with vast experience working in several international markets such as Japan, China, Spain, Czech Republic and Russia. He has held different roles across Business Planning, Product Planning, Marketing and Sales Promotion. He last severed as the President of Honda Motor Russia since 2021.

Škoda Auto India has launched a campaign for Kylaq compact SUV in collaboration with Publicis India. It includes a film, ‘Own Your Dream’ that has actor Ranveer Singh as the brand ambassador along with the vehicle. The advertising campaign will be translated in multiple regional languages, signalling a bold step in Škoda’s journey to expand its footprint across India, from Metropolitan regions to Tier-2, Tier-3 and beyond, while redefining the aspirations of a new generation of Indian consumers.
The Kylaq is Skoda Auto’s first sub-four metre SUV that has received appreciation for its ability to score high in areas like handling dynamics, build, styling etc. The company has maintained that the vehicle underlines the meeting of European engineering with an understanding of the Indian motorists, highlighting a fresh, consumer-first approach. 
Commenting on the campaign, Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “2025 is a landmark year for us in India and globally. It marks the advent of the New Era for us in India with a slew of activities and actions headlined by the Škoda Kylaq and our product offensive strategy. The Kylaq will build the Škoda brand further in existing and new markets across India, inspiring customers across tier II-IV markets. Our film, ‘Own Your Dream,’ beautifully captures the synergy between the unstoppable Kylaq, the new aspirations and emotions of our customers, and the electrifying personality of Ranveer Singh. Just like our all-new SUV, the Kylaq campaign will resonate with those who aspire for something more than the ordinary.”