Volkswagen Passenger Cars India announced the commencement of its Autofest Mega Exchange Carnival 2024. The programme would offer customers a chance to upgrade to a new Volkswagen car with exciting benefits and deals available from third July to 20 July 2024. 

The programme also marks the rebranding of used car business by Volkswagen from Das WeltAuto to ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’. The move is in line with the brand’s global positioning and aimed at leveraging the strength and trust of the core Volkswagen brand, enhancing the pre-owned car programme's visibility and value in the India market. 

Volkswagen opened its first rebranded ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ car showroom in Coimbatore recently. By successfully operating a successful multi-brand pre-owned car business with emphasis on Volkswagen branded models, the ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ brand is keen to provide refurbished, certificated and warranty enabled cars wherever applicable through its retail channel. 

While doing so, the Brand aspires to create a proposition that sets it apart from industry peers thanks to a frictionless and fully digitised customer journey through the rebranding initiative. 

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, mentioned, “Today, we are delighted to announce the start of Autofest Mega Exchange Carnival that will give customers a chance to upgrade to a new Volkswagen car. With Autofest customers can avail exciting deals and offers that are available for a limited time period. As we continue to holistically focus on the Indian car market, we are also focusing on offering customers strong residual value in their new Volkswagen cars.”

“We have also announced the strategic rebranding of our used car business to ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ and also launched the first rebranded store in Coimbatore. Rebranding our used car business aligns with the global positioning of this business vertical for the Brand, while also emphasising more on the trust that the Volkswagen Brand name commands. This move will help us better serve the growing demand for pre-owned vehicles, providing customers with high-quality, certified cars that they can rely on. We have already witnessed strong demand during first half of this year and we expect this momentum to grow stronger during the festive season,” he added. 

The rebranding from Das WeltAuto to ‘Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned’ comes at a time of growing demand for pre-owned cars in the Indian market as prices of new cars soar higher, making even the run of the mill automobiles unaffordable for many who aspire them to have. 

While the used car valuation – in line with the drastic rise in new car prices – has been increased quite a bit, it is satisfying the need for those who aspire or require to have a vehicle to commute or take their family out without breaking the bank for a new car that has a life of 15 years after all. 

Experiencing a ten-fold growth in volumes over the last five years, the automaker’s retail sales of pre-owned cars through the channel have witnessed a growth of 12 percent last year, a trend that has continued into the first half of 2024. It is the Tier 2 towns that have emerged as a notable driver of this growth, contributing significantly to the increasing demand. 

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has marked 20 years of the Innova SUV in India, with cumulative sales of over 1.2 million units across the Innova, Innova Crysta and Innova HyCross models.

Launched in 2005, the Innova set a new benchmark in the MPV segment with its combination of ride comfort, spacious interiors, durable build and advanced safety features. The Innova Crysta followed in 2016 with a new design, more powerful engines and premium features, while the 2022 Innova HyCross introduced self-charging hybrid technology, delivering 186 PS of combined output and segment-leading fuel efficiency. The HyCross has sold 100,000 units in India since its launch.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President – Sales, Service and Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The Toyota Innova has built a deep emotional bond with customers over the last two decades – trusted as a dependable companion for families, loved by all for its comfort and reliability and chosen time and again across generations. Whether for daily commutes or memorable road trips, the Innova has remained a part of countless personal journeys. Beyond its emotional connect, the Innova stands strong as a product benchmark – offering spacious interiors, robust build quality and smooth drivability, making it one of the most trusted and loved MPVs in India.”

Toyota attributed the Innova’s sustained popularity to its comfort, practicality, and adaptability, supported by customer-focused enhancements and the company’s after-sales ecosystem, T CARE, which offers services from quick delivery to value-added protection and transparent maintenance.

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Tata Motors, one of India’s leading SUV manufacturers, has unveiled the all-new Adventure X Persona variants for the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari SUVs.

The new variant now equips the Harrier and Safari Adventure Persona with many segment-first ADAS features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (AT), 360deg HD Surround View, Trail Hold EPB with Auto Hold, Trail Response Modes (Normal, Rough, Wet), a Land Rover-derived Command Shifter (AT), along with segment-leading features such as the Ergo Lux Driver Seat with Memory & Welcome function, a 26.03 cm Ultra-View Twin Screen System, Trail Sense Auto Headlamps, Aqua Sense Wipers and Multi Drive Modes (City, Sport, Eco). 

The persona edition starts at INR 1.89 million for the Harrier Adventure X and INR 1.99 million for the Safari Adventure X+ variants.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, said, "The Harrier and Safari have always stood for more than just mobility – they represent status, purpose, and a deep-rooted desire for an adventurous lifestyle. With the introduction of the Adventure X persona, we’ve modernised these icons for a new era – one that champions individuality, precision-crafted design, and intelligent capability – all while offering more value per car. Designed for those who seek authenticity, capability and expression in equal measure, the Adventure X is positioned at a compelling price point in the segment, offering class leading features. Furthermore, with this new persona, we have also reimagined the Harrier and Safari line completely, making the range more intuitive, streamlined and value-rich than ever before in the high SUV space.”

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Audi has introduced an enhanced warranty and roadside assistance programme in India, providing customers with extended protection and support. The luxury automaker now offers a 10-year extended warranty option, complementing its standard manufacturer’s warranty. This optional coverage safeguards against manufacturing defects for vehicles up to a decade old, with mileage protection extending to 200,000 kilometres. Customers can choose between one or two-year extensions with terms matching the original warranty. The programme is available for all Audi models and can be purchased either at the time of new vehicle delivery or before the existing warranty expires.

Alongside the warranty extension, Audi has expanded its roadside assistance programme to 15 years, delivering round-the-clock emergency support across India’s national and state highways, as well as other motorable roads. Services include towing, technical assistance for minor issues, fuel delivery, battery boosts, tyre repair and lockout support. Premium features such as hotel accommodations for prolonged repairs, vehicle safekeeping and dedicated customer updates further enhance the offering. Pricing for roadside assistance starts at INR 3,999, with options tailored to different vehicle ages and coverage durations.

Both new and existing Audi customers can benefit from these programmes, with current owners eligible to upgrade based on their vehicle’s age and warranty status. This initiative underscores Audi’s commitment to delivering superior ownership experiences in India’s luxury automotive market.

Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “At Audi India, we believe that our relationship with customers extends far beyond the point of purchase. Our extended warranty and Audi Roadside Assistance Programme is an extension of our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and establish new industry standards for luxury automotive service in India. With a 10-year extended warranty and 15-year roadside assistance, we intend to offer our customers an unparalleled peace of mind, knowing that support is always available.”

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Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced that its popular hatchback the ‘Wagon R’ series has achieved a new sales milestone.

First introduced in September 1993 in Japan, the Wagon R has now crossed cumulative global sales of 10 million units by June 2025. The milestone was achieved 31 years and 9 months after the first launch.

The Wagon R was originally developed as a semi-bonnet style mini wagon, designed with rider comfort and ease of use in mind. It has become one of Suzuki’s signature models, widely appreciated in Japan.

Over the years, production expanded beyond Japan to countries including India, Hungary and Indonesia, with the model evolving to suit local market needs. The technologies refined for global minicar standards have been applied across the Wagon R series.

To date, the Wagon R has been sold in over 75 countries and regions, including Japan, India and across Europe. The series has consistently improved in terms of fuel efficiency, environmental performance, and user convenience. For instance, CNG variants with enhanced fuel economy have been introduced in India, while the Wagon R Smile – featuring sliding doors – was launched in Japan.

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