The iconic red walls along the Judges Court Road in Kolkata, which once housed the famed Alipore Central Correctional Home, recently welcomed hundreds of visitors to marvel at the sight of classic and vintage cars and bikes.

The century-old establishment once again served as host to the Vintage and Classic Car and Bike Show organised by Classic Drivers Club (CDC), which entered into its second edition. The show is also recognised by the Federation International des Vehicules Anciens, which is the worldwide federative association of historic automobile clubs.

As the Sunday crowd stepped through the towering doors of this renowned symbol of societal order and rehabilitation, eager for a glimpse into the lives of inmates, their eyes were drawn to the vibrant signage that read, ‘The Alipore Museum & Classic Drivers Club Presents The Vintage & Classic Car & Bike Show.’

As one entered the courtyard through the gate, their eyes were immediately drawn to a stunning display of vehicles—cars elegantly arranged in a semi-circle on the left and bikes lined up neatly in the center. To the right, another delightful sight awaited, captivating both seasoned car enthusiasts and the young, eager crowd.

The excitement didn’t end there. As one walked past the exhibits on the right, another collection of motorcycles came into view. Stepping back and entering a side lane that led to a former jail storage space, visitors were greeted by a line-up of classic cars, featuring icons such as the Hindustan Motors Ambassador, Contessa and Willys MB.

The corridors were bustling with the murmur of the crowd that crossed the 6,000 mark by 3pm. Sound of camera clicking resonated through those thick walls. People from far-off places had come to lay eyes of these historical masterpieces that were still in optimum shape.

A man in his early 70s moved from car to car in a wheelchair, guided by his granddaughter. He paused in front of a 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, lost in nostalgia, while his granddaughter snapped a selfie in front of the magnificent machine.

The automobiles had come from far-off places like Jamshedpur to give a glimpse of history. A total of 89 vehicles were exhibited including 64 cars and 25 motorcycles.

The Ford Model A (1930) and Chevrolet Fleetmaster (1947) stood proudly among the elegant line-up, their gleaming chrome reflecting the soft afternoon sun. Nearby, the Morris Minor (1951) and Austin 7 Ruby (1935) evoked memories of a bygone era, while the unmistakable curves of the Volkswagen Beetle (1958) drew curious onlookers.

As visitors moved through the display, the Rolls-Royce 20 HP (1923) stood as a testament to British luxury, positioned beside the sleek Triumph Spitfire (1963), a symbol of spirited motoring.

The two-wheeler section was just as mesmerising, with the legendary Yamaha RX 100 (1985) capturing the hearts of many, alongside the timeless Royal Enfield Bullet (1960s) and the Italian charm of the Vespa VBA 150 (1956). As the afternoon crowd swelled, nostalgia filled the air, with every turn revealing another masterpiece that had once ruled the roads, now standing as tributes to automotive history.

Speaking to Motoring Trends on the condition of anonymity, a car mechanic responsible for the upkeep of some of the cars said, “It is not easy to maintain these jewels, as original spare parts are hard to find, especially in the classic segment. Moreover, duplicate spare parts have flooded the market, hindering the performance of these powerful machines. I recently sourced a monogram for the owner of a 1962 Ambassador, which was transported from Bengaluru for a whopping INR 15,000 after a six-month search.”

He noted that the cars are taken to the roads at least twice a week and the engines are powered each day to keep them in running condition.

Besides the exhibition, an award ceremony was held at the auditorium to honour the owners, though it was strictly limited to CDC members. The event also included a special programme recognising the unsung craftsmen who work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain historic vehicles in pristine condition.

As the sun set over the historic walls of Alipore Jail Museum, the echoes of admiration lingered in the air. The event was more than just a showcase; it was a celebration of automotive heritage, craftsmanship and nostalgia. With each gleaming car and roaring bike, the past came alive, reminding everyone of the timeless charm of these mechanical marvels.

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has introduced a new ‘Wired to Wireless Adapter’ for the Hyundai Alcazar SUV.

The adapter will enable seamless wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto access for Alcazar (Prestige, Platinum and Signature variant) customers, which will allow them to effortlessly use their phone applications on the infotainment system without using a cable.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, "At Hyundai Motor India, our focus is to empower customers by providing best-in-class technology that elevates their driving experience. The introduction of our ‘Wired to Wireless Adapter’ is a significant step in meeting the expectations of today’s tech-savvy customers, who expect seamless connectivity throughout their journeys. We believe this innovation will enhance the in-car entertainment experience of our customers."

Honda Cars India (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, has announced its wholesales for FY2025. 

The company sold a total of 126,151 units, a marginal growth of 1.59 percent YoY, as compared to 124,173 units sold in FY 2024.

Of this, domestic sales came at 65,925 units, down 23.8 percent YoY, while exports at 60,226 units, grew by 60 percent YoY.

At present, the company’s product portfolio for India includes the Honda Amaze sedan, Honda Elevate SUV and Honda City sedan. The company’s sales performance can be attributed to the fact that, Honda Cars India currently lacks a wider SUV portfolio, which has been primarily the sales driver for most automakers in the country.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “HCIL sales performance in FY2024-25 has been in line with the ongoing tough business environment. While on domestic front, the industry faced challenges in creating fresh demand from the market which was also reflected in HCIL domestic sales, we recorded our highest ever export volumes led by strong export business of Elevate to Japan. The recent launch of all-new Amaze has been well received from the market strengthening our position in the family sedan segment.”

“While demand creation may still present challenge in the new fiscal year, we remain optimistic and believe our commitment to customer satisfaction will enable us to navigate the market effectively and continue driving positive results," he added.

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for FY2025 with 762,052 units sold, a marginal decline of 2 percent YoY.

This includes 598,666 units sold in domestic market, down 2.61 percent YoY and 163,386 units exported, a flat growth as against 163,155 units for the same period last year.

Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Solidifying our position further in India, HMIL continued its rein as the second largest passenger vehicle OEM in FY2024-25, thanks to the unparalleled trust of our customers on brand Hyundai."

"Our versatile SUV line-up grew stronger this financial year with the launch of the Hyundai Creta Electric - our first indigenous EV and also the bold new Hyundai Alcazar. India’s favourite SUV, the new Hyundai Creta continues to build on its popularity, by becoming India’s No.1 SUV with sales of 52,898 units in Jan-March quarter of FY2024-25. HMIL further set industry benchmarks by surpassing the milestone of 2.5 million SUV sales and 1.5 million Creta sales since inception (domestic + exports)," he added. 

Czech automaker Skoda Auto India, which is celebrating its silver jubilee (25-years) in the country, has reportedly clocked its best-ever monthly sales with 7,422 units sold in March 2025.

The company attributes the sales performance on the popularity of its Kylaq SUV, which has enabled it to reach out to a wider sect of consumers.

Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “With the launch of the all-new Kylaq, we committed to a ‘New Era’ in our India journey. The 7,422 cars we sold in March 2025 is testament to this journey taking shape, and is also the result of sustained planning, efforts and a strategy aimed at democratising European technology on Indian roads. The customer feedback highlights that Kylaq comes with an exceptional price-value proposition, taking comfort, space and safety from a segment higher, into the sub-4-metre SUV segment. To enable more customers and celebrate the Kylaq success, we decided to extend the introductory pricing until the end of April.”

Launched in November 2024 and deliveries beginning January 2025, the Skoda Kylaq

is Skoda’s Auto India’s first sub-4-metre SUV. The company is ramping up production of the Kylaq SUV with a target to deliver over 15,000 units towards active bookings by end-May. Furthermore, the company has also outlined an ambitious target to have 350 touchpoints in 2025, rapidly scaling from over 280 touchpoints at present.