Toyota Kirloskar Motor Showcases Special-Purpose Iconic Hilux At Himtech

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Showcases Special-Purpose Iconic Hilux At Himtech

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) showcased a special-purpose Hilux (modified with the support of an authorised external vendor) at the Himtech 2024 symposium organized by the Indian Army jointly with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry). 

Built with the need to supply of best equipment and solutions to the defense forces in mind (and in line with the national goal of ‘Raksha Atamanirbharta’), the special-purpose Hilux – adhering to Toyota’s renowned quest for quality, durability and reliability – as a field deployment vehicle (FDV) is capable of heavy-duty applications. Undergoing successful trails with the Northern Indian Army Command some time ago and proving its adaptability for demanding military operations in the process, this vehicle is suited for tasks such as remote location diagnostics and repair as well as the movement of supplies and spare parts. 

The other Hilux that the Japanese company displayed is capable of exceptional off-road performance; is equipped with upgraded suspensions, specialised tyres and a snorkel to handle rugged and difficult terrains. It is modified to highlight enhanced capabilities for rough terrain, ensuring reliability even in extreme conditions.

Speaking about TKM’s participation in Himtech 2024, an event organised by Indian Army and FICCI with emphasis on utilising military technology for high altitude areas (HAA), V Wiseline Sigamani, Vice President – Strategic Business Unit (North), Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are honoured to participate in Himtech 2024 and showcase the distinctive features of specially-purposed Hilux (modified with the support of an authorized external vendor). The global iconic reputation of Hilux being a powerful performer is the courtesy of its rigid Innovative Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) platform and a strong powertrain system. These modified vehicles reflect Toyota’s technological capabilities in developing customised solutions to meet the unique customer requirements (e.g. army purposes) and great practicality for various commercial usages. Further, these vehicles have been engineered keeping in mind the operational challenges of army troops be it the drivability through rough terrains, patrolling movement, surveillance including night visions, digital video for recording and winch for rescue operations during emergency situations and more.

Held at the Rinchen Auditorium Grounds, Leh, Ladakh, on 20th and 21st September 2024, Himtech 2024 witnessed the presence of senior officials from the Army Commands, Air Force, ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), defense users and other key dignitaries. 

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Gets 5-Star Bharat NCAP Safety Rating

Maruti e Vitara

Maruti Suzuki India has been awarded a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for its e Vitara, marking a moment for the company's electric vehicle strategy.

The e Vitara is built on Suzuki’s Heartect-e platform designed for electric vehicles to deliver strength, structural rigidity and advanced high voltage protection. The ‘Made-in-India, Made-for-the-World’ e Vitara is designed and tested for temperature conditions across the world, ensuring performance from as high as 60deg Celsius to as low as -30deg Celsius. The model is offered with 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery options.

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, said, “Congratulations to Maruti Suzuki for achieving 5-star Bharat NCAP in both adult and child occupant protection for their e Vitara. I am especially glad that Maruti Suzuki has shown real leadership in providing 7 airbags as a standard across all variants of the e Vitara.”

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for e Vitara, our first Battery Electric Vehicle, is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Maruti Suzuki. Using the Bharat NCAP 5-star rating, we will export the e Vitara to more than 100 countries of the world. Bharat NCAP’s globally benchmarked stringent vehicle test protocols have been a catalyst in empowering customers to make informed decisions. I thank the Minister Gadkari, the officials in his Ministry and test agencies for their rigorous efforts and commitment in shaping India’s journey towards safe mobility.”

The e VITARA’s body structure uses more than 60 percent ultra-high tensile and high-tensile strength steel. Its battery protection system incorporates a structural design with an energy-absorbing battery pack mounting structure.

Key safety features include 7 standard airbags (including the Driver's knee airbag), Level 2 ADAS (Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control), Hill Hold Control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.

Mahindra Launches First Dealership-Based Ultrafast EV Charger In Anantapur

Mahindra Charger

Mahindra has marked a major milestone in its nationwide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure expansion with the inauguration of its first dealership-based ultrafast charger – a 180 kW Charge_IN station.

This is the first of many such installations planned across Mahindra dealerships, forming a key pillar of the company’s commitment to building India’s ultrafast charging network.

This initiative scales up Mahindra’s Charge_IN ecosystem, complementing the 250 highway fast-charging stations already announced. The new 180 kW ultrafast chargers will enable EV users to charge quickly and conveniently at strategically located dealerships across the country, with 24x7 on-ground support.

Hyundai Motor India Wholesales Grow 9.1% In November

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported wholesales of 66,840 units in November 2025, up 9.1 percent YoY as against 61,252 units last year.

This includes domestic sales of 50,340 units, up 4 percent YoY and exports of 16,500 units, up 27 percent YoY.

Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Supported by GST 2.0 reforms, we continue to carry forward sales momentum with a year-on-year growth in our monthly domestic sales in November 2025. Further, our commitment to bolstering India’s role as a global manufacturing hub is further solidified with 26.9% year-on-year growth in monthly exports.”

He further added that the all-new Hyundai Venue SUV, the company's first software-defined vehicle in India, has received more than 32,000 bookings within a month of its launch. The new Venue features ccNC infotainment powered by Nvidia.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Reports 28% Sales Growth In November

Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced its wholesales for November 2025, reporting total sales of 33,752 units, up 28 percent YoY.

This includes 30,085 units sold in the domestic market and 3,667 units exported.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales–Service–Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Following a positive festive season supported by the government’s progressive GST reforms, we continue to witness a strong momentum, with a growth of 19 percent. The recent introduction of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Aero Edition and Fortuner Leader Edition has also continued to help us reinforce this growth trajectory, receiving recognition across the country. The innovative initiatives such as the Drum Tao and the launch of the toyota experiential museum (tem) in Bangalore, have been highly appreciated, further strengthening customer engagement and brand connect.”