Volkswagen India has started the local assembly of the Tayron R-Line SUV at its manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The commencement of production aligns with the company's schedule to launch the vehicle within the first quarter of 2026. This move follows the global debut of the model less than a year ago and forms part of the brand’s strategy to expand its SUV portfolio in the Indian market.

The facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is now producing the model to ensure readiness for the upcoming commercial release.

The SUV occupies a position as a premium offering within the Volkswagen India line-up. Its introduction aims to address demand for larger vehicles that provide both space and practicality. The local assembly process allows the company to manage its supply chain and operational readiness as it prepares for the official market entry.

Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “The start of production for another world-class model - the Tayron R-Line at our Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility represents a strategic step forward for Volkswagen India's SUV portfolio. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to putting the customer at the heart of our engineering, ensuring every detail resonates with the lifestyle and aspirations of our patrons. We aim to deliver a distinctive choice for premium SUV customers while reinforcing our operational strength and readiness to meet the evolving expectations of the Indian automotive market.”

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, added, “We believe there is a strong demand for premium German-engineered cars here in India and our plan is to make these cars more accessible to our customers. The Tayron R-Line has rolled-off the production line today at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant, in less than a year since its global launch and that is our level of commitment to driving growth in India.”

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MG Select, the luxury vehicle brand from JSW MG Motor India, has introduced a signature exterior finish for the MG Cyberster named Irises Cyan. The blue-green hue is designed to highlight the aerodynamic profile of the roadster, which serves as the brand's performance flagship.

The MG Cyberster references the design of the MG B Roadster through its proportions and silhouette. Key features of the vehicle include electric scissor doors and a soft-top roof. This model is positioned within the luxury performance segment, focusing on the integration of heritage design with contemporary engineering.

The introduction of Irises Cyan expands the existing colour palette for the Cyberster. At present, the vehicle is available in dual-tone options, including Nuclear Yellow and Flare Red with black roofs. Other combinations include Andes Grey and Modern Beige, which are paired with red roofs to contrast with the vehicle's bodywork.

The colour choices are intended to complement the car's proportions and performance identity. Each finish is selected to offer a degree of individuality for customers within the luxury automotive market.

Milind Shah, Head - MG SELECT, JSW MG Motor India, said, “MG Cyberster's Irises Cyan goes beyond a colour choice. It brings out a sense of confidence and creativity while reflecting the car’s progressive character and staying true to its performance driven DNA. At MG SELECT, design guides every decision we make. Each addition is intentionally developed to offer greater individuality and a heightened sense of luxury, allowing customers to build a stronger personal connection with their Cyberster.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has announced that its subcompact SUV – the Kia Sonet, has surpassed 500,000 unit sales milestone in the domestic market.

The Sonet SUV represents approximately 35 percent of the company's total sales volume in India. The made-in-India Sonet is also exported to nearly 70 international markets, with over 100,000 units sent to regions including the Middle East, South America and Asia-Pacific.

The SUV has recorded annual sales exceeding 100,000 units for two consecutive years. Available in various powertrain and transmission configurations, the Sonet has seen a concentration of demand in its higher specification trims. Kia India currently manages a network of 821 touchpoints across 369 cities to support its sales and service operations.

The Sonet is a central component of Kia’s 'Make in India' strategy. The success of the model in both urban and emerging markets is attributed to its range of engine options and integrated technology features. By reaching this milestone, the company has consolidated its position in the subcompact SUV segment, which remains one of the most competitive areas of the Indian automotive industry.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said. “Crossing the 500,000 sales milestone for the Sonet is a moment of pride for all of us at Kia India. Every Sonet sold represents a customer who believed in Kia and this is a powerful endorsement of the trust Indian buyers have shown us. This journey reinforces how our focus on delivering meaningful design, advanced technology, and dependable performance has resonated with buyers across the country. We remain deeply grateful to our customers for being integral to this success.”

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VinFast India has announced that its VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs have been awarded 5-star safety certifications by the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). These ratings represent the highest safety tier under the Indian government's vehicle assessment framework, which evaluates occupant protection through crash testing protocols.

The Bharat NCAP data reveals that the VF 6 scored 27.13 out of 32 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 44.41 out of 49 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP). The VF 7 recorded 28.54 points in AOP and 45.25 points in COP. During frontal impact assessments, both models received maximum scores of 4.000 for head, neck, and upper leg protection for both driver and passenger. In side impact tests, both vehicles achieved scores of 16.000 for adults and 8.000 for children.

The assessment included a pole side impact test, where the head injury values for the VF 6 and VF 7 were 109 and 131, respectively. These figures are below the Bharat NCAP threshold of 700, indicating the performance of the vehicle structures in lateral collisions. Both SUVs are manufactured at VinFast’s facility in Tamil Nadu and utilise an electric vehicle platform equipped with seven airbags.

The vehicles incorporate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with features varying by specification. These systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking for both front and rear. Other technologies integrated into the models include Blind Spot Detection and Auto Lane Changing Assist, designed to monitor traffic conditions and assist in collision avoidance.

This certification follows previous safety recognitions for the brand, including a five-star rating from ASEAN NCAP for the VF 8 model. The VF 6 and VF 7 are part of a domestic ecosystem that includes a local manufacturing plant, charging infrastructure, and a retail network established through partnerships with Indian stakeholders.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The 5-star safety ratings awarded to VF 6 and VF 7 by Bharat NCAP mark an important milestone, underscoring the quality and high safety standards of VinFast’s electric vehicles in India, one of the world’s largest automotive markets. These results show that VinFast EVs are built on a robust engineering foundation and meet stringent safety assessment requirements. We remain committed to continued investment in product improvement, delivering electric vehicles that are not only environmentally friendly and technologically advanced, but also provide customers with confidence and peace of mind throughout the journey toward electrified mobility.”

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Skoda Auto India has launched the updated Kushaq, introducing technical and feature enhancements to its mid-size SUV. The model, which was the first vehicle developed under the India 2.0 strategy, now incorporates an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission and integrated artificial intelligence.

The Kushaq comes with the Skoda Super Care package, providing a four-year warranty, four years of roadside assistance, and four labour-free services. Pre-bookings are open for INR 15,000, with deliveries scheduled to begin by the end of March 2026.

The vehicle debuts Skoda’s Modern Solid design language in India, featuring a new front grille with an illuminated light band, LED headlights, and connected taillights with sequential indicators. For the first time, the Monte Carlo variant is available from the start of sales. The SUV also introduces three colours: Shimla Green, Steel Grey and Cherry Red.

The new Kushaq offers two engine options and a revised range of automatic transmissions. The 1.0 TSI engine, producing 85kW and 178Nm, is now paired with a segment-first eight-speed torque converter or a six-speed manual gearbox. The 1.5 TSI engine, delivering 110kW and 250Nm, continues with the seven-speed DSG automatic and now features disc brakes on all four wheels.

Ground clearance remains at 188 mm, maintaining the vehicle’s capability for varying road conditions. The interior has been updated with a panoramic sunroof and a rear-seat massage function. Practical features include a 491-litre boot, expandable to 1,405 litres, and a 10.25-inch digital cockpit in higher specifications.

The infotainment system features a 10.1-inch screen with an AI voice assistant powered by Google Automotive AI. This system utilizes Gemini technology to provide real-time information and hands-free control over climate and media, specifically tuned to recognise Indian accents.

Safety remains a focus, with the Kushaq retaining its five-star Global NCAP rating. Six airbags and over 25 safety features are now standard across all variants, including: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming interior mirror and rear wiper & defogger.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, “The updated Kushaq reinforces the importance of India as the springboard for Skoda Auto’s strategy to grow our international markets. The Kushaq has rapidly established itself with customers in India and as an export to ASEAN and the Middle East. Now we are setting the next benchmark for the model’s overall value proposition.”

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “At Skoda, our mission is to democratise European technology and make it more accessible to customers across India. With the premiere of the new Kushaq today, we further build our legacy of having a class-leading range of ‘real automatics’ across our portfolio.”

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