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Toggle06 Jul 2025, 07:07 AM
Article Chapters
ToggleThe week’s top stories span the EV surge, safety accolades, and market shifts.
Tata Motors began taking Harrier EV bookings on July 2, 2025, for a ₹21,000 token, with over 10,000 orders logged in just 24 hours—second only to the Mahindra XEV 9e’s February launch.
Tata also plans a 350-billion-rupee war chest for future EV rollouts, backed by upcoming gigafactory cell production in 2026.
Positive bookings amid a global battery-cell crunch emphasize Tata’s robust supply chain and confidence in meeting demand.
Toyota’s Innova Hycross became the first MPV—and first hybrid—tested by Bharat NCAP, earning 30.47/32 in Adult Occupant Protection and 45/49 in Child Occupant Protection for an overall five-star score.
This achievement reinforces Toyota’s family-first ethos and pressure on rivals to match elevated crash-worthiness. The accolade aligns with India’s push for safer vehicles under new regulatory frameworks.
Kia India teased its all-new Carens Clavis EV ahead of the July 15 launch, confirming a 51.4 kWh battery claiming 490 km (MIDC) and a 136 PS/200 Nm front motor paired with Level 2 ADAS.
Pricing is projected to start around ₹26 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning it as the first mass-market three-row EV in India. Teaser response hints at strong pre-launch interest and a potential shake-up in the family-EV segment.
Mercedes-Benz India announced a two-phase price bump—₹90,000 to ₹12.2 lakh on June 1, 2025, and a further 1.5% across all models on September 1—to mitigate a 13% cost increase from euro depreciation, while only passing on roughly 3% to buyers.
With 70% of components imported, the rupee crossing ₹99/EUR has driven up input costs despite 30% localization gains.
Models affected range from the C-Class (₹90k) to the Maybach S 680 (₹12.2 lakh). Customers financing through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services benefit from schemes that cushion EMI rises, leveraging RBI rate cuts to maintain demand.
Despite macro-volatility, the brand reported robust June retail sales underpinned by festive bookings. Customized “Manufaktur” orders—over 70% for vehicles above ₹1.5 crore—underscore buyer willingness to absorb premiums for personalization.
The measured hikes aim to balance profitability with market competitiveness amid geopolitical uncertainty.
The MG Windsor EV led FY25 EV volumes with 19,394 units—47% of MG India’s EV mix—thanks to its value-rich offering and flexible ownership models.
Consistent monthly sales of 2–3k units emphasize sustained demand and the shift towards mid-size EV crossovers in India.
Hyundai Motor India sold 60,924 units in June 2025—44,024 domestically (−12.1% YoY) and 16,900 exports (+14% YoY)—with SUVs commanding 67.6% of domestic mix, led by Creta’s 15,786 units.
Hyundai’s balanced ICE-EV portfolio and robust export strategy underscore resilience amid macro headwinds. Focus on new N Line trims, premium Alcazar facelift, and first mass-market EV launch in October point to sustained momentum.
Volkswagen India relaunched its national Autofest exchange carnival throughout July 2025, featuring:
Valid at authorised showrooms until July 31, the carnival spans Virtus (₹11.56–19.40 lakh), Taigun (₹11.80–19.83 lakh), Tiguan R-Line (₹49 lakh), and Golf GTI (₹53 lakh). Autofest underscores VW’s commitment to accessible German engineering, supported by a 4-year/120,000 km warranty, 24×7 roadside assistance, and future-ready ownership experiences.
This week highlights the accelerating EV transition, punctuated by Tata’s Harrier EV record bookings and Kia’s family-EV teaser—mirroring MG’s Windsor EV sales triumph.
Safety attention peaked with the Innova Hycross’s historic five-star Bharat NCAP result, raising the bar for MPVs.
Luxury and import brands are navigating forex pressures, as Mercedes-Benz enacts phased price increases while VW drives consumer upgrades via Autofest.
Hyundai’s SUV-centric June dispatches and export growth reflect enduring demand for high-riding models.
Looking ahead, new capacity online at Hyundai’s Talegaon plant, festive-season launches, and early mass-market EV debuts (Creta EV, Carens Clavis EV) will shape the competitive landscape.
Policy support, charging-infrastructure build-out, and shifting buyer preferences toward feature-rich, safety-focused EVs and SUVs will underpin next-quarter momentum.
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Ex-showroom price
65 kwh
Automatic
235 bhp