Automobiles

India’s Directorate General of Training has joined hands with Bajaj Auto to strengthen skill development initiatives in the automotive manufacturing sector. The collaboration aims to equip young professionals with industry-relevant technical capabilities through specialized training programs. By combining government-led vocational education frameworks with corporate manufacturing expertise, the partnership seeks to address the growing demand for skilled labor in India’s expanding automobile industry.

Commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland has entered into a sponsorship agreement with the popular Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings. The partnership reflects the growing intersection between corporate branding and professional sports in India, where companies leverage the enormous visibility of the Indian Premier League to strengthen consumer engagement. By associating with one of the league’s most successful teams, Ashok Leyland aims to enhance brand recognition, deepen customer connections, and expand its marketing reach.

French automaker Renault is preparing to introduce the next-generation Renault Duster in the Indian market, built on the company’s modern RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform). The new architecture is expected to enhance vehicle performance, safety, and design flexibility while supporting multiple powertrain options. By adopting this advanced platform, Renault aims to strengthen its competitiveness in India’s rapidly expanding sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment.

Hyundai Motor India has introduced attractive discounts and promotional offers across several of its vehicle models for March, aiming to stimulate consumer demand and accelerate showroom sales toward the end of the financial year. The incentives include a mix of cash discounts, exchange bonuses, and corporate benefits, making select vehicles more accessible to buyers. Such seasonal promotions are common in the automotive industry as manufacturers seek to clear existing inventory and strengthen quarterly sales performance.

India’s automobile retail sector recorded robust growth in February, reflecting resilient consumer demand across vehicle categories. According to the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, retail vehicle sales rose significantly compared with the same period last year. The improvement was driven by strong performance in passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and commercial vehicles, supported by improving rural sentiment, better inventory management, and stable financing conditions.

BMW has unveiled a new M Performance Track Kit designed exclusively for the M2, reinforcing the automaker’s commitment to blending road usability with track-focused engineering. The package introduces aerodynamic refinements, chassis upgrades, and performance enhancements aimed at delivering sharper handling and improved lap consistency. Industry analysts view the move as a strategic effort to deepen engagement with driving enthusiasts while expanding high-margin customization offerings.

Mercedes-Benz India has reported robust growth in the domestic luxury car segment while unveiling the refreshed Mercedes-Benz V-Class, underscoring its strategy to consolidate leadership in India’s premium automotive market. The German marque’s Indian arm cited sustained demand across metropolitan and emerging cities, driven by rising affluence and evolving consumer preferences. The new V-Class, positioned as a high-end multi-purpose vehicle, aims to cater to corporate buyers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking comfort-oriented mobility solutions.

Suzuki Motorcycle India has entered into a strategic partnership with Royal Brothers to strengthen its presence in the fast-growing two-wheeler rental segment. The collaboration aims to enhance urban mobility access while creating new distribution and brand engagement channels for Suzuki’s product portfolio. As consumer preferences shift toward flexible ownership models, the rental ecosystem is emerging as a viable growth avenue for manufacturers.

ABB India has approved the transfer of its robotics business to its global parent as part of a broader corporate restructuring initiative valued at Rs. 1,568 crore. The transaction is aimed at streamlining operations, improving capital allocation efficiency and aligning domestic operations with ABB’s global automation strategy. The move reflects the multinational’s effort to consolidate high-technology segments under centralized leadership while sharpening focus on core electrification and automation portfolios in India.

Tata Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with WITTENSTEIN to advance innovation in software-defined vehicles (SDVs), marking a significant development in the global automotive engineering ecosystem. The collaboration aims to integrate advanced mechatronics expertise with digital engineering capabilities to enable next-generation mobility solutions. As automakers increasingly pivot toward electrification and intelligent vehicle architectures, the alliance seeks to deliver scalable, future-ready platforms that enhance performance, safety and connectivity.