It is no secret that hybrid cars are attracting the attention of more and more buyers in India as they promise a combination of an electric system and an IC engine, providing superior fuel efficiency, a silent ride when propelled by the electric system and good performance with the motor contribution to the power and torque output of the vehicle. 

Despite attracting a higher tax than the IC engine or electric vehicles in India at 42 percent as compared to the latter two which are taxed at 28 percent, hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Hycross and the Maruti Grand Vitara are selling god numbers in their respective segments.

As the demand for reduction in tax on hybrid turns vocal and state governments – the Government of Uttar Pradesh has announced a reduction in registration tax of a strong hybrid vehicle by eight to ten percent – begin to sops, hybrid vehicles seem to get into an advantageous position in terms of their market value and position. 

With this as a basis, the time may be right to ask if extended-range hybrids would make a good case for India? The extended-range hybrid technology in vehicles is promoted as a step towards full-electric, informed an industry source. It is led by China and as a technology subject to certain challenges, he added. 

With automakers like Stellantis and Ford gearing up to unveil range-extended hybrids in Europe, the challenge they are going to face is the European Union (EU) emission regulations. It would be necessary that such vehicles are excluded from the EU's 2035 combustion engine sales cut-off.

Essentially plug-in hybrids with a drive range of up to a whopping 2,100 km, the extended-range hybrid cars such as the two models (one is named Qin L) unveiled by BYD to challenge Volkswagen and Toyota in the Chinese market recently works in a manner that the electric power architecture, which is the foundation for achieving lower energy consumption and higher thermal efficiency, works smartly. 

In other words, the technology taps the higher thermal efficiency of electricity on the basis that the same amount of fuel can generate more electricity for the battery, directly enhancing the vehicle’s range. This in-turn should also explain the lower energy consumption factor. 

Providing an insight into the 2,100 km drive range claim by BYD for the two range-extended hybrid models it launched in China recently, an engineer mentioned that the company has simplified the conditions that govern the IC engine (this is unlike before when the IC engine handled various conditions as the sole powertrain) and have let the electric motor handle more. The result is an improvement in thermal efficient as the engine conditions are simpler. 

For a strictly electric vehicle company to enter IC engine manufacture and deploy it in its cars marks a significant shift in how the electric vehicle industry is responding to the market requirements. 

Innovating a powertrain such that the IC engine handles only 20 percent of what it handled as the sole powertrain of a petrol or diesel vehicle, BYD opted for a high compression ratio. The challenge this move presented saw the global EV leader from China to conduct over 240 combustion combination experiments to ensure the engine does not overheat, does not knock, does not experience reduction in power and speed and causing instability. 

The thermal efficiency of BYD’s engine is a very high 46.06 percent. That of the Great Wall Motor’s Hi4 hybrid system is 41.5 percent. The power density of the BYD system has gone up by about 70 percent, reducing significant the energy flow path losses. The overall efficiency achieved is about 92 percent. 

The cost of such a technology since it is at a nascent stage right now will be high. Its ability to cut down emissions by increasing the thermal efficiency is something that will put cars with such technology in a good position in India. 

The real excitement will however lie in democratizing this technology to bring it down to the volume production car level in the next three to five years. This will definitely make a good case for India. Ironically, the IC engine is not showing any signs of disappearing yet. 

Renault India has announced the dates for its 'Renault Winter Camp', a nationwide after-sales service initiative. Scheduled from 18 to 24 November 2024, the service camp will be conducted across all Renault Service facilities in India

The service initiative is aimed at leveraging the expertise of the technicians of the company and offering customers a comprehensive 44-point check-up covering important points such as battery health, power steering fluid, left and right indicators/hazard lights, brake fluid reservoir, engine air filter & AC/cabin filter and coolant recovery reservoir & level. A complimentary car top wash is also on the cards for Renault India customers. To top this, there’s also several fun-filled activities organised for customers with assured gifts.

As part of the Renault Winter Camp, Renault India customers can avail up to 15 percent attractive discount on select parts. Additionally, visiting Renault customers will get minimum 15 percent discount on labour charges and VAS (Value Added Services). Customers will also get 10 percent discount each on engine oil replacement, Extended Warranty and Road-Side Assistance Retail Program. And if you are a registered user of MY Renault app, then you will get bonus five percent discount on select parts and accessories.

Sudhir Malhotra, Vice President – Sales Marketing, Renault India, said, "At Renault India, our commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences extends beyond just selling vehicles. The Renault Winter Camp reflects our dedication to providing proactive after-sales care that ensures the optimal performance of our cars and enhances customer satisfaction. We aim to make every service memorable through exclusive offers, comprehensive check-ups and engaging customer activities, reinforcing our promise of a seamless and satisfying ownership journey."

South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Group has announced changes to its executive leadership for 2024. The company says this is part of its strategy to attain sustainable growth and be better prepared for an uncertain global business environment.

The appointment the Korean automaker said reflects a performance-based approach that aligns with outstanding achievements.

The company has promoted Jaehoon Chang as the Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division, effective 1 January, 2025. He had been appointed CEO of Hyundai Motor in 2020, and is said to have achieved record-breaking performance, despite uncertain business environments – geopolitical risks, changing paradigms in product and technology, as well as the global pandemic.

He is also credited for laying the groundwork for Hyundai Motor's long-term competitiveness through achievements that include spearheading the hydrogen initiative and the successful IPO of Hyundai Motor India.

Going forward, Chang will be responsible for the entire value chain, including product planning, supply chain management manufacturing, and quality assessment.  

José Muñoz has been appointed President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company and is tasked to advance global management framework and solidify customer-focused mobility innovation through diverse powertrain offerings, including electric, hybrid, ICE and hydrogen technologies, effective 1 January, 2025.

Interestingly, Munoz becomes the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor, based on his previous performance. Going forward, he is expected to enhance the company’s global management systems and further elevate its stature as a leading global brand.

Sung Kim has been appointed as President of Hyundai Motor Company to manage the business effectively through global economic uncertainties.

Jun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation from Head of Domestic Production Division and Chief Safety Officer (CSO).

Kyoo Bok Lee, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, is promoted to President.  

Furthermore, to strengthen sustainable management and accelerate business transformation, the Group has appointed Cheol Seung Baek as CEO of Hyundai Transys and Joon Dong Oh as CEO of Hyundai Kefico.

The Korean automotive group states that it has made these executive appointments as part of a strategic effort to enhance its global competitiveness, focusing on talent and performance

Spinny, one of India’s leading used vehicles buying and selling platform, has announced the launch of ‘Friday Specials’, wherein the company will host events that will see entertainment, activities, and exclusive discounts across all Spinny Hubs and Parks. The event will take place every Friday till end-2024, where vehicle purchase activity will see more customer engaging activities including additional discounts.

Hanish Yadav, Vice-President, Spinny, said, “At Spinny, we’ve always been focused on delivering exceptional, memorable experiences for our customers. With Friday Specials, we’re going beyond just selling cars. Our aim is to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where families and friends can come together, enjoy exciting moments, and create lasting memories—while also benefiting from exclusive discounts and guaranteed gifts.”

The used car platform states that in addition to discounts of up to INR 100,000 on select cars, customers will also get an opportunity to spin the ‘Friday Specials Wheel’, wherein they stand to win prizes such as free car service, movie tickets, gift cards, Spinny merchandise, and more.

At present, Spinny operates more than 57 car hubs with a total parking capacity of over 20,000 cars in the country and operates 5 more hubs specific for dealer partners.

Mahindra & Mahindra, one of India’s leading SUV manufacturer, has added another feather to its passenger vehicle business. The company’s SUV portfolio in addition to being high on tech and design, have now also scored 5-star in the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP).

Bharat NCAP is a voluntary ‘New Car Safety Assessment programme’, which awards ‘Star Ratings’ to vehicles based upon their performance in crash tests.

Mahindra’s popular models the Thar Roxx, XUV 3XO, and XUV400 have bagged the highest possible rating for safety.

The company said that the Thar Roxx created history by becoming the first body-on-frame SUV to secure a 5-star Bharat-NCAP rating, achieving the highest overall score by any ICE vehicle the test. It got 31.09/32 in adult occupant protection (AOP) and 45/49 in child occupant protection (COP).

The XUV 3XO, scored 29.36/32 in adult occupant protection (AOP) and 43/49 in child occupant protection (COP), while the XUV400 achieved 30.377/32 for AOP and 43/49 for COP, making it one of the safest electric vehicles on Indian roads.

R Velusamy, President, Automotive Technology and Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, "At Mahindra, safety has always been at the core of our product development, and we have trailblazed our way to achieving the highest safety standards on Indian roads. The 5-star Bharat-NCAP ratings for the Thar Roxx, XUV 3XO, and XUV400 reaffirm our mission to create world-class SUVs that offer both outstanding performance and unmatched safety. From pioneering the introduction of six airbags in 2011 to now leading the charge with multiple 5-star-rated vehicles, we continue to set new benchmarks for safety across all segments. As India’s safety norms evolve, Mahindra will continue to push the envelope, ensuring highest safety standards for its SUVs."

The three SUVs now join Mahindra Scorpio-N and XUV700 to have bagged the 5-star safety rating.