Premiering in India, the brand marked the beginning of “New Volkswagen”. The rebranding exercise was built on the theme ‘Vibrant Power’, to make the brand more humane and lively. Along with the ability to present realistic situations that its customers can resonate with in the brand experience. The realignment of Volkswagen’s brand design is one of the world’s largest rebranding campaigns.

Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “With the India premiere of Volkswagen’s SUV family, the brand is showcasing its clear direction and focus for the Indian market. Our SUV range in the next two years will cater to every customer segment. We will be launching the Tiguan Allspace and T-Roc in H1 2020 in turn giving customers a plethora of options from Brand Volkswagen.”

Taigun: Under Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project, Taigun is the first product built on theMQB A0 IN platform. The SUV will be powered by Volkswagen’s renowned TSI technology combined with the brand’s globally acclaimed DSG gear box. Taigun is a complete package for a modern Indian consumer, with a dominant front making it look bolder and muscular and in turn giving it a sporty SUV stance. The interiors are plush with leatherette seats and a digital instrument cluster. It’s contemporary in its design and would suite the active lifestyle of an Indian consumer. Further, the rear of the car has a new design element, it is illuminated with a LED strip that is bordered by a glossy blacktrim. It runs across the whole width of the car and integrates into Volkswagen’s LEDsignature tail lamps on either side. Like every Volkswagen carline, the Taigun is equipped with safety features such as 6airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) among others.

T-Roc: Volkswagen T-Roc has a progressive design language, with a coupé-style roof, distinctively wide front end and concise proportions. It exudes character and confidence. The integrated LED headlights and unique LED daytime running lights create an unmistakable look, especially when driven at night. The dual tone roof top enhances the sporty look, as it matches perfectly with the eclectic body color.

The carline will be introduced with a TSI petrol engine mated to Volkswagen’s 7-speed DSG gear box. Further, it will consist of all the standard equipment that’s part of the brand’s global SUV portfolio. 

Tiguan Allspace: One of the most spacious SUVs, the Allspace is a 7-seater carline with a generous passenger compartment. The carline has a large boot space that fits every kind of luggage. Tiguan AllSpace has a petrol-powered engine comprising Volkswagen’s renowned TSI technology, which is mated to a 7-speed 4 MOTION DSG gear box.

Tiguan: Volkswagen Tiguan is the most successful car globally, with over 3.5 million units sold across 150 markets. It is designed to make a powerful statement. Its muscular hood contours and chrome-finished grille creates a lasting first impression. It balances between sleek and ruggedness and is complemented by its clean and bold lines. The Tiguan conveys a sense of sophistication with its elegant chrome finished headlights and honeycomb grille design. Under the hood, lies a 2.0L TDI engine combined with a 7-speed 4 MOTION DSG automatic gearbox, delivering a power output of 143PS and 340 Nm oftorque. Based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, Tiguan has several features like Pedestrian Safety (Active Hood), 6-airbags and Hill Start Assist among others. (MT)

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that it has exceeded 500,000 connected cars in the Indian market.

The OEM said its connected car variants now account for approximately 40 percent of the company’s domestic wholesale volumes. This growth is supported by the Kia Connect 2.0 platform and the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC).

The Kia Seltos is the main contributor to this total, representing about 70 percent of the connected vehicle sales, followed by the Sonet and Carens models. Data from the company indicates a trend of customers renewing their connectivity subscriptions after the initial complimentary period.

Technical features within the Kia ecosystem include:

• OTA Software Updates: Remote vehicle diagnostics and software installations to reduce dealership visits.
• Digital Key 2.0: Vehicle access and operation via smartphone or smartwatch using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or NFC technology.
• Surround View Monitor (SVM): A 360-degree camera feed accessible through the Kia Connect app.
• Voice Recognition: Multilingual support for vehicle functions in English, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, "Kia India has consistently differentiated itself through its vehicle design excellence and technology leadership. Our continued focus on enhancing connected features and customer engagement initiatives such as Kia Drive Green has strengthened adoption and interaction across our connected ecosystem. The strong customer retention beyond the complimentary subscription period underscores the sustained relevance and long-term value of Kia Connect.”

The company also utilises Plant Over-The-Air (P-OTA) updates, a system that ensures vehicles are programmed with the most recent software versions before they leave the manufacturing facility.

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The Sriperumbudur facility of Hyundai Motor India Limited has been honoured with the Tamil Nadu State Level Safety Award for 2022 by the state’s Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH). The prestigious award was presented by Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development C V Ganesan and DISH Director Anand to senior company executives Mukundan M S and Senthil Kumar R M. This accolade, granted in the Large-Scale Industry category, acknowledges Hyundai’s ongoing dedication to exceptional safety performance, marked by a notable decline in incident rates and a systematic focus on risk mitigation.

Operating in India for over 30 years, the plant has consistently fostered a robust safety culture through comprehensive initiatives. This includes implementing widespread safety campaigns, establishing diligent monitoring protocols and driving continuous improvement programmes. The company’s approach integrates rigorous processes, proactive assessments and regular training aligned with international benchmarks, all underpinned by strong safety governance. Hyundai Motor India reiterates that the well-being of its employees is a primary concern, and it remains steadfast in its mission to advance its safety systems and sustain an environment where a culture of excellence is paramount.

Gopalakrishnan C S, Whole-time Director & Chief Manufacturing Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Safety at Hyundai is not a standalone initiative – it is a deeply embedded culture practiced at every level of our operations. Our goal is simple: a safe, secure working environment for every employee, every day. This award affirms the collective commitment of our teams and motivates us to strengthen our safety excellence even further.”

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Volkswagen India has confirmed that its new flagship SUV, the Tayron R-Line, will launch in the first quarter of 2026. The vehicle is aimed at the seven-seater SUV segment and will be locally assembled at the company’s plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to ensure market competitiveness.

The Tayron R-Line occupies the top position in the brand’s SUV range in India. It features the 'R-Line' trim, which includes specific design enhancements to its silhouette. The model is intended for customers requiring a seven-seat capacity alongside a focus on road presence and lifestyle versatility.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said: “As we build a premium portfolio of products, we continue catering to the evolving aspirations of Indian car buyers. The all-new Tayron R-Line is the authentic flag-bearer that will drive this vision for Indian consumers. Ensuring competitiveness, we will be locally assembling this SUV at our plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.”

The introduction of the Tayron R-Line follows Volkswagen's strategy to expand its portfolio in the Indian market with vehicles that offer higher passenger capacity and updated design aesthetics.

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Toyota Motor Corporation-owned luxury brand Lexus India has concluded 2025 with an increase in demand for its flagship models – the LM and LX, which it said recorded a 50 percent YoY rise in sales.

They accounted for approximately 19 percent of the company’s total volume. The RX model also served as a contributor to the brand's growth, achieving an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year. The RX represented 22 percent of overall sales, assisting Lexus in expanding its presence within the luxury SUV segment.

At present, the LM 350h and LX 500d occupy the top tier of the Lexus portfolio in India. The LM 350h is designed as a luxury mover, focusing on travel comfort and interior refinement for passengers. Since its introduction, the model has targeted enthusiasts seeking a travel experience comparable to first-class standards.

The LX 500d has seen a response driven by demand for SUVs that combine off-road capability with luxury features. The vehicle is engineered for diverse terrains while maintaining cabin comfort and control through integrated technology and a diesel powertrain.

Hikaru Ikeuchi, President, Lexus India, said: “We are immensely thankful to our guests for their trust and support throughout 2025. The strong performance of our halo ultra-luxury models, LX and LM, reflects their confidence in Lexus and our dedication to delivering exceptional products and experiences that continue to push boundaries. As we move into 2026, we are encouraged by the outlook for luxury vehicles in India and will remain focused on delivering even more exciting offerings and memorable experiences.”

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