Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Skoda Slavia Facelift To Launch On October 6

Skoda is set to launch the facelifted Slavia in India on October 6, 2026. Production of the updated compact sedan has already started at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s Chakan facility in Pune, while bookings are currently open. The facelift brings changes to the exterior, interior, equipment and powertrain, with the biggest update being a new eight-speed torque converter automatic for the 1.0-litre TSI.

 

Also Read: 2027 Skoda Slavia Facelift Makes India Debut; Bookings Open

 

Skoda Slavia facelift: Exterior

2027 Skoda Slavia

The Slavia retains the same overall shape, but gets enough visual changes to make the facelift easy to tell apart from the outgoing car. It gets new LED headlights and LED tail lamps, with the latter gaining sequential turn indicators. The grille now features a chrome strip running across it, while both the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned. Moreover, it rides on 16-inch wheels which get a new design 

 

Two new colours, Arctic Silver and Cappuccino Beige, join the palette, although Cappuccino Beige will only be available towards the end of 2026. 
 

Skoda Slavia Facelift: Powertrain

2026 Slavia 1

The 1.0-litre TSI continues with the Slavia facelift, but Skoda has swapped its previous six-speed automatic for a new eight-speed torque converter automatic. The company says this makes the Slavia the first sedan in its segment to offer this particular combination. The 1.0 TSI will also continue with a six-speed manual gearbox.

2026 Skoda Slavia Facelift Side

For buyers looking for more performance, the 1.5-litre TSI remains available with its seven-speed DSG automatic. Skoda has made one mechanical change to the 1.5-litre versions, with these variants now getting rear disc brakes.

 

Skoda Slavia Facelift: Interior

2026 Skoda Slavia Facelift 7

The cabin gets some of the more interesting changes. The Slavia will be the first car in its segment to offer a rear-seat massage function, while a 360-degree surround-view camera is another major addition. The latter is also a first for a model developed under the Volkswagen Group's India 2.0 programme.

 

The driver's display has also been upgraded, with the previous 8-inch unit replaced by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The dashboard continues to house a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, which gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Another new addition is Skoda's AI Companion, which uses Google Cloud's Automotive AI Agent and brings Gemini-based voice assistance to the car. 
 

Other features of interest include automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming IRVM and anti-glare ORVMs.

 

Skoda Slavia Facelift: Expected Price

2026 Skoda Slavia Facelift rear

The outgoing Slavia was priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 18.19 lakh (ex-showroom), and we expect the brand to keep the entry-level price below Rs 10 lakh. 

 



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Ultraviolette Shockwave To Get New 100V Architecture, Launch In Q1 2027

Ultraviolette has confirmed that its upcoming Shockwave electric motorcycle will be built on the company’s newly developed 100V architecture and is scheduled to launch in India in the first quarter of 2027.

According to Ultraviolette, the new architecture has the potential to deliver stronger power delivery, improved thermal efficiency and faster charging. The 100V architecture was previously announced for the Ultraviolette Tesseract as well.

Ultraviolette Shockwave Electric Motorcycle 9 1

The Shockwave, also referred to as the FUNDURO, has been conceived as a lightweight electric motorcycle focused on riding fun. Its design and character draw inspiration from the raw and spirited nature of classic two-stroke motorcycles.

Ultraviolette has also confirmed that the Shockwave will be available in both single-seat and dual-seat configurations. The company has already started setting up the motorcycle's production line at its existing manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

Narayan Subramaniam, Co-founder and CEO, Ultraviolette, said that bringing the 100V architecture to the Shockwave is an important step towards delivering the company's vision of a highly engaging motorcycle.

The company is yet to reveal the final technical specifications of the Shockwave. More details on its performance, battery, range, charging and pricing are expected closer to its Q1 2027 launch.



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Volkswagen Tiguan Electric To Debut In October

A successor to the ID.4 and ID.5 is confirmed to be the all-new ID.Tiguan. The all-electric derivative of Volkswagen’s mid-size SUV will arrive next month and will be the third electric model after the ID.Polo and ID.Cross. Global sales are expected to commence next year where it will be positioned alongside the current petrol and strong hybrid derivatives. 

DB 2026 AU 00706 medium

The Tiguan nameplate is currently the best-selling model for VW across the world, and in the past year alone, deliveries of the Tiguan (and its three-row version, the Tayron) exceeded one million units. The Tiguan Electric will be a successor to the ID.4 and its fastback counterpart, the ID.5. 

DB 2026 AU 00705 medium

Appearance-wise, it looks like a perfect cross between the standard Tiguan and the ID line-up with sleek LED lights, a stout, wide and hefty stance, along with a sloping C-pillar and upright tailgate.

DB 2026 AU 00707 medium

Details are still under wraps – just like the test mule in the pictures – but looking at the two slightly different prototypes shown in the official pictures, we expect different powertrain options, battery size and motor capacities for the ID.Tiguan when the covers drop in early October. 

 



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Monday, 28 September 2026

Tata Extends Battery-as-a-Service Option To Entire EV Portfolio

Tata.ev has announced the expansion of its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme across its entire EV portfolio, allowing customers to split the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle into dual loans.

New Tata Tiago EV

Under the programme, the vehicle and battery are financed through separate loan accounts, with flexible tenure options. The usage cost varies depending on the battery capacity, down payment and loan tenure.

 

Also Read: Tata Aeris Launched As Tigor Successor; Prices Start At Rs 5.29 Lakh

 

Customers can continue to purchase the vehicle along with its battery through the conventional ownership model. Alternatively, they can opt for BaaS to lower the upfront acquisition cost. Tata.ev has partnered with multiple financiers to provide customers with different financing options.

Tata ev dealership

The company said the programme is intended to provide an additional financing route rather than change the ownership experience.

ModelBattery CapacityStarting Regular PriceStarting BaaS Vehicle PriceBattery Financing / Usage Cost
Tata Tiago.ev19 kWh₹6.99 lakh₹4.69 lakh₹2.6/km
Tata Punch.ev30 kWh₹9.79 lakh₹6.59 lakh₹2.6/km
Tata Nexon.ev45 kWh₹14.34 lakh₹8.99 lakh₹2.6/km
Tata Curvv.ev55 kWh₹17.19 lakh₹10.99 lakh₹4.4/km
Tata Sierra.ev63 kWh₹18.79 lakh₹11.99 lakh₹5/km
Tata Harrier.ev65 kWh₹21.79 lakh₹14.49 lakh₹5.5/km

The BaaS option is now available across Tata.ev's entire EV portfolio, covering models from the Tiago.ev to the Harrier.ev. The company said the initiative is aimed at giving customers greater flexibility in choosing how they finance their electric vehicle.



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Sunday, 27 September 2026

Tata Aeris CNG vs Hyundai Aura CNG: Engines, Features And Prices Compared

Tata has launched the Aeris with petrol and CNG powertrain options. It falls under the sub-compact sedan segment and rivals the Hyundai Aura CNG and Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG. However, with the Aura CNG commanding a premium starting price over the Aeris CNG, let's take a look at what each sedan has to offer.
 

Tata Aeris CNG vs Hyundai Aura CNG: Price Range 

VariantTata Aeris CNG Hyundai Aura CNG 
MTRs 6.29 Lakh - Rs 9.19 LakhRs 7.89 Lakh - Rs 8.67 Lakh
AMTRs 7.69 Lakh - Rs 9.74 LakhNA 

The Tata Aeris is more affordable and offers both AMT and MT gearbox options. Meanwhile, the Aura CNG is available only with a manual transmission, with prices starting at Rs 7.89 lakh and going up to Rs 8.67 lakh, making it more affordable than the Aeris CNG in its top variant.

Also Read: Tata Aeris vs Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Specifications, Features, Prices Compared

Tata Aeris CNG vs Hyundai Aura CNG: Powertrain Details 

SpecificationTata AerisHyundai Aura CNG 
Engine1.2-litre NA petrol / CNG1.2-litre NA petrol / CNG
Petrol power85 bhp81.8 bhp
CNG power74 bhp68 bhp
Petrol torque113 Nm113.8 Nm
CNG torque96.5 Nm95.2 Nm
Transmission5MT / AMT5MT
CNG tankTwin-cylinder, 70-litre (water capacity)Single tank, 65-litre (water capacity)

 

On paper, both sedans are reasonably similar. However, one advantage of the Hyundai Aura CNG is that it still gets a four-cylinder engine, which is generally considered smoother than three-cylinder engines. That said, we cannot make a firm judgment on this yet, as the Aeris is yet to be driven. 

Tata Aeris 11

Also Read: Tata Aeris Launched As Tigor Successor; Prices Start At Rs 5.29 Lakh

The Aura CNG develops lower power and the same torque as the Aeris in their petrol versions, while on CNG, the Aura produces slightly less torque than the Aeris. Moreover, the Aura CNG is available only with a manual transmission, while the Aeris gets both MT and AMT options.
 

Tata Aeris CNG vs Hyundai Aura CNG: Dimensions 

DimensionTata Aeris CNG Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG
Length3,995mm3,995mm
Width1,684mm1,680mm
Height1,532mm1,520mm
Wheelbase2,450mm2,450mm
Ground clearance170mm165mm
Wheel size15-inch14/15-inch 

Both cars have an identical 2,450mm wheelbase and are both 3,995mm long, as they fall into the same sub-four-metre category. The Aeris stands out in terms of width, height and ground clearance. Its greater height provides better rear headroom, making the cabin feel more spacious.

Boot space for the Aeris CNG has not yet been specified. 

Tata Aeris vs Hyundai Aura CNG 2

However, for better practicality, the Tata Aeris uses twin-cylinder technology, which frees up more space for luggage in the boot. Meanwhile, the Aura CNG features a conventional CNG tank, which takes up most of the boot space, leaving limited room for suitcases or other large luggage.
Also Read: Tigor To Soldier On As Tata Xpres For Fleet Buyers

Tata Aeris CNG vs Hyundai Aura CNG: Features 

Key FeaturesTata AerisHyundai Aura CNG 
Touchscreen infotainment10.25-inch8-inch
Driver's display5-inch digitalAnalogue dials with MID
SunroofNoNo
Apple CarPlay & Android AutoWirelessWired 
Ventilated front seatsYesNo
Seat upholsteryLeatheretteFabric
Wireless phone chargerYesNo
Automatic climate controlYesYes
Rear AC ventsYesYes
360-degree cameraYesNo
Six airbags standardYesYes
Blind View MonitorYesNo
Dashcam recorderYesNo

The Aeris is packed with features by Tata. It is equipped with ventilated front seats, a Blind View Monitor and a dashcam recorder, none of which are offered on the Aura CNG. Moreover, it gets wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless charging and a 360-degree camera. Standard features include rear AC vents, six airbags and automatic climate control. The Aura CNG's MID is not fully digital like the Aeris; instead, it gets a 3.5-inch TFT display positioned between the analogue dials.

Tata Aeris CNG vs Hyundai Aura CNG

Looking at the specifications, the Aeris CNG is a well-equipped option compared with the Hyundai Aura CNG. The Aeris features several segment-first features that add practicality, such as the twin-cylinder CNG setup, which helps free up more space in the boot.

 

Additionally, it gets several technology features, including wireless smartphone connectivity and a larger infotainment system. On the powertrain front, the Aeris can also be opted for with both AMT and MT gearboxes. The Hyundai Aura CNG misses out on several of these features but has a lower starting price than the Aeris CNG's higher variants.



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Suzuki Presents Technological Strategy, Aims For 4 Million-Unit Annual Capacity in India by FY2030

Suzuki Motor Corporation has highlighted its technology strategy for the next decade, with India continuing to play a key role in its global manufacturing and technology plans. 

 

At its Technology Strategy Briefing 2026, held on September 25, the Japanese automaker presented its upcoming strategies, which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid vehicles, CNG, compressed biogas (CBG) and internal combustion engines. It also plans to share technologies globally while tailoring products to regional requirements.

 

India a Key Global Production Hub

Suzuki Presentation 1

Suzuki Motor Corporation plans to continue expanding its manufacturing capacity in India, with an annual production target of around four million units from fiscal year 2030 onwards. The company currently has production facilities in Gurgaon, Manesar, Hansalpur and Kharkhoda, with the latter beginning operations in 2025. Suzuki said it will adapt Japanese technology to meet local requirements in India and export it to international markets.

 

As part of its biogas expansion strategy, Suzuki said three CBG plants have started operations over the past year in cooperation with the National Dairy Development Board and dairy cooperatives. The CBG produced from sources such as cow dung can be used with existing CNG vehicles and infrastructure.

e-SKY EV Prototype Claims 310km Range

2027 Suzuki Esky

The e-SKY electric vehicle was used as an example of Suzuki's approach to developing smaller and lighter EVs. The prototype has a claimed single-charge range of 310km, while Suzuki quotes an efficiency figure of 97Wh/km and a vehicle weight of 1,030kg. It can run for up to 50km with a five-minute fast charge. These figures are prototype reference values rather than production specifications.

 

Suzuki also outlined how reducing rolling resistance, optimising suspension characteristics, lowering electrical consumption and adjusting gear ratios helped the prototype achieve a range of up to 310km, compared with 230km earlier.

REEV Light Tech

Suzuki Presentation 2

As part of its electrification technology development across different vehicle segments, Suzuki's plans include next-generation hybrid systems for mini vehicles and compact cars, along with a series-hybrid system and a light range-extender EV concept.

 

For mini vehicles, Suzuki says its new hybrid system is aimed at balancing fuel economy, driving performance and cost, with a claimed 15 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared with an ICE vehicle. Hybrids that generate electricity will play a key role in the development of compact cars. Suzuki plans to add external charging capability and a right-sized battery to this system, creating what it calls a “REEV Light”.

 

The company is also developing common e-axle technology for BEVs and hybrids. Two basic sizes are planned, with the larger unit intended for B-, C- and D-segment vehicles. Suzuki says it is also working on motors that do not use heavy rare-earth materials.

Development on ICE tech

Suzuki Presentation 3

Despite its focus on electrification, Suzuki plans to continue developing internal combustion engines for markets where they remain relevant. Suzuki is developing a next-generation direct-injection turbocharged engine, referred to as DITC, for growth markets including India.

 

The company is further studying CNG and CBG technologies for India. It says CNG vehicles account for around 40 percent of sales in India and is working on ways to improve packaging and reduce weight. One concept involves moving the CNG cylinder underneath the floor, which Suzuki says could increase cargo capacity by 100 litres and reduce weight by around 40kg through the use of a resin cylinder.



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Saturday, 26 September 2026

Tigor To Soldier On As Tata Xpres For Fleet Buyers

The sub-4-metre sedan segment in India is essentially split between two types of buyers: fleet operators and private customers. Tata Motors now wants to make that distinction a little clearer with the launch of the new Aeris. The Tigor has been replaced by the Aeris in Tata's passenger vehicle line-up, but it isn't disappearing altogether. Instead, the Tigor will continue in its fleet-focused Xpres guise, while the Aeris will be sold only to private buyers. In other words, you won't see a yellow-plate Aeris on the road.

 

Also Read: Tata Aeris: 8 Features That Are First In Its Segment

Tata Xpres Tigor

Tata says fleet operators account for 35 per cent of buyers in the sub-4-metre sedan segment, with the remaining 65 per cent made up of private customers. The company believes this has led personal buyers to share their choice of car with fleet operators, and is now separating the two by keeping the Xpres for commercial use.

 

The Xpres was introduced in India in 2021, initially as an electric-only model for fleet operators. Tata expanded its offering earlier this year with petrol and CNG versions, giving fleet customers more options beyond the Xpres-T EV. The Xpres petrol starts at Rs 5.74 lakh, while the Xpres CNG is priced from Rs 6.79 lakh, ex-showroom. Both are based on the Tigor, which has now been replaced by the Aeris in Tata's private-car range.

 

Also Read: Tata Aeris Launched As Tigor Successor; Prices Start At Rs 5.29 Lakh

Tata Xpres T CNG

The Xpres petrol gets the same 1.2-litre Revotron naturally aspirated petrol engine as the Aeris. It churns out 85 bhp and 113 Nm and is paired exclusively with a five-speed manual gearbox. The CNG version, meanwhile, churns out 74 bhp and 95 Nm and gets Tata's twin-cylinder setup, with the 70-litre CNG tanks sitting inside the boot. The Xpres rides on 14-inch wheels.

Tata Xpres T petrol CNG 1

The Xpres cabin is deliberately less feature-heavy, as you'd expect from a yellow plate car. It gets a dual-tone interior, but there is no audio system or infotainment screen, and the Xpres also misses out on features such as rear AC vents and Type-C charging ports.

 

Hyundai, Toyota and Maruti Suzuki have also offered fleet-oriented versions of their cars, although in those cases the same basic models are also available to private customers with more equipment and features.

 

Also Read: Tata Aeris Colour Options Revealed

Tata Xpres T petrol CNG

For Tata, the idea is straightforward: the Aeris becomes the sub-4-metre sedan for personal buyers, while the Tigor-based Xpres continues to handle fleet duty. That allows the company to keep its presence in the heavyweight commercial compact sedan market without turning the new Aeris into another car that doubles up as a fleet taxi.



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Friday, 25 September 2026

Tata Aeris Launched As Tigor Successor; Prices Start At Rs 5.29 Lakh

Tata Motors’ renewed attempt at challenging the dominance of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is the Aeris Subcompact sedan, which has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 5.29 lakh (ex-showroom). 

 

Initially thought to be a mere facelift, the Aeris is a more extensive revamp of the slow-selling sub-four metre sedan, as it uses a heavily modified platform, and also has a completely new interior. The Aeris will be available in five trim levels – Smart, Pure, Pure+, Creative and Accomplished and with petrol and CNG powertrains.

 

Tata Aeris: Price and Variant 

Engine1.2L Petrol 1.2 Petrol+ CNG 
TransmissionMTMT
Smart₹5.29 Lakh ₹6.29 Lakh 
Pure₹6.14 Lakh₹7.14 Lakh 
Pure + ₹6.74 Lakh ₹7.74 Lakh 
Creative₹7.49 Lakh ₹8.49 Lakh
Accomplished₹8.19 Lakh ₹9.19 Lakh 

Tata Aeris: Design and platform

Tata Aeris

The Aeris now uses the same X-Alfa platform as the recently launched Tiago facelift. This, according to Tata’s Anand Kulkarni Product line director, EV, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, helps the car’s electrical and electronics architecture make a significant leap. That said, the dimensions of the Aeris are nearly identical to the Tigor’s.

tata Aeris 12

The Aeris has a new face – similar to the Tiago's – and a connected tail-light, which has been added to make the Aeris look bigger and wider, according to Tata design chief Martin Uhlarik. Wheel size, though remains the same, at 15 inches on the top variant.

 

Also Read: Tata Sierra Dark Edition Launched At Rs 13.99 Lakh

 

Tata Aeris: Interior and features

Tata Aeris 2

Once again, the Aeris’ cabin is a complete departure from the Tigor’s, and in its layout and appearance, almost the same as the Tiago’s. It features a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster island and a two-spoke steering wheel. 

Tata Aeris 1

Tata is keen on making an impact with the features list, so the Aeris packs segment-firsts such as ventilated leatherette seats and a dashcam with ‘sentry’ recording mode. Other features include blind spot monitoring enabled by the 360-degree cameras, wireless charging and 65-watt USB-C charging points.

 

Tata Aeris: Safety features

 

A big upgrade for the Aeris over the Tigor is the fitment of six airbags as standard. Other important safety features include ESP, hill hold control, type pressure monitoring, rear defogger and a leak detection system in the CNG variant.

 

Tata Aeris: Engine and gearbox

 

In this department, the Aeris is almost identical to the Tigor. It retains the same 1.2-litre petrol engine, and will be available with a twin-cylinder CNG option, too. Interestingly, the Aeris CNG is available in all variants – including the fully-loaded Accomplished – bar one (Smart).

Tata Aeris 11

However, Tata says it has recalibrated both petrol and CNG powertrains to enhance driveability and efficiency. When running on CNG, the Aeris makes a little more power and torque than before. Kulkarni told car&bike in real-world use, the Aeris petrol should have a fuel efficiency figure of around 16 kmpl.

 

Also Read: Tata Sierra Legend Series Launched At Rs 11.99 Lakh; Adds More Features To Entry And Mid Trims

 

Tata Aeris: Rivals

 

The Aeris takes aim at the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Aura.



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Thursday, 24 September 2026

Tata Aeris Launch Today: What To Expect?

The Tata Tigor has been in the Indian market for almost a decade. Now, the ‘Tigor’ name is set to be replaced by the Tata 'Aeris’. The Aeris is expected to sit on the same platform as the Tigor, but it gets a major makeover, both on the exterior and interior. The launch of this subcompact sedan is slated for today, and here’s what you can expect from it.

Also Read: Tata Aeris Launch LIVE Updates: Prices, Exterior, Interior, Specifications

Tata Aeris: Exterior 

Tata Aeris 7

Teasers released by the company and several spy shots reveal that the Aeris is going to feature a completely new face, leaving behind the design language of the Tigor. Although it carries the same silhouette, there are several exterior changes.

Tata Aeris 3

At the front, it will get a new LED headlight setup, along with fog lights fitted at the corners of the bumper. Moreover, the bumper gets a minimalist layout featuring air curtains that draw air from the front and direct it towards the brakes.

 

Also Read: Tata Sierra Dark Edition Launched At Rs 13.99 Lakh

 

The headlights are expected to feature a reflector-based all-LED setup. Surrounding the headlights will be the thin LED DRLs. It will retain the thick black bar connecting the headlights on either side. Overall, the front design will be simple yet sharp.

Tata Aeris 4

At the side, we expect the design to remain largely the same, as it retains a similar silhouette to the Tata Tigor. However, there will be a new alloy wheel design.

Tata Aeris 8

The rear will be heavily redesigned with a new set of taillights connecting LED strip running across both sides. The taillight setup will be all-LED, with the indicators integrated. The boot lid will feature a subtle spoiler to make the rear look sharper.

 

Tata Aeris: Interior

 

Tata also revealed the interior in a new teaser. The interior is very subtle and features a beige colour theme, with the AC vents, AC controls, steering wheel and infotainment system finished in dark grey/black.

Tata Aeris 5

From the teaser, we know that it will come with a 10.25-inch infotainment system with a 360-degree camera. For safety, the Aeris will also be equipped with a dashcam.

There are physical controls for the air conditioning, which can be adjusted using knobs.

 

Also Read: Tata Sierra Legend Series Launched At Rs 11.99 Lakh; Adds More Features To Entry And Mid Trims

Tata Aeris 1

The steering wheel gets physical buttons for call and audio controls. Moreover, it will come with paddle shifters, which will be a first for the brand’s compact sedan family.

 

In the centre console, the gear lever has been deleted and replaced by a gear knob. Alongside this, there is a wireless smartphone charging pad and USB Type-C ports.

Overall, the interior appears to share several elements with the Tata Tiago, including the new steering wheel and infotainment system.

 

Tata Aeris: Powertrain Details

 

The Tata Aeris is expected to get the same powertrain options as the Tata Tigor: a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, which can be paired with manual and AMT gearboxes. The same engine is also available with the CNG variants. However, the Aeris could feature the dual-cylinder CNG technology seen on the Tata Punch CNG.

 



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Proposed Motor Insurance Laws Could Result In Lower Premiums, More Choices For Vehicle Buyers

The way you buy motor insurance could be in for a major change if the proposals by The Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI) come into force. The idea is to make the entire process simpler for the consumer using a more seamless digital medium while reducing commissions on insurance at the same time. This could result in lower premiums in times to come and also give the consumer more choice while selecting an insurance provider. Here's a look at some key proposals.

 

Buy Insurance From Where You Want

 

Under the new proposals while purchasing a new vehicle the customer will be given the option of taking insurance through a digital medium like Bima Sugam and not just rely on the dealer for it. The dealer will have to give the option to customer (likely via a QR code) so that the he can make an informed choice while buying the policy for the vehicle. The proposed platform fee has been kept at 5% of the premium amount which will directly result on the overall premium of the vehicle going down.

 

Also Read: Can Independent Multi-Brand Garages Safely Service Electric Cars In India?

 

Seamless Cashless Repairs

 

The dealers will also not be able to deny cashless repairs to consumers if the policy is not purchased from them. This has been a major bone of contention between the buyers and service centers for a long time with buyers reporting hostile behaviour if the insurance policy was bought separately. Under the new guidelines it will not matter where the policy has been purchased from and the dealer will have to facilitate a cashless claim filed by the user.  


Dealer Commissions To Go Down

 

The new proposals also aim to reduce dealer commissions more so for third party policies. According to reports, commission on insurance has gone up significantly over the last few years across all kinds of policies. In certain cases dealer margins went upto as high as 50% and even the average number stood at around 25% in the previous financial year making it a significant chunk of the total amount the buyer has to pay while selecting a policy. This can come down as low as 5%.

 

Future of Dealers As Insurance Sellers?

 

IRDAI has also proposed that dealers and insurance provides will be brought under a more organised framework. They will have to register as an insurance distribution entity (IDE) is they wish to sell insurance policies to the buyers. The other option will be to tie up with an IDE as an associate in order to keep selling policies. This will insure a more streamlined process with a larger digital presence for the benefit of the consumer.

 

These proposals are still at a consultation stage and could still take some time to come into effect if formulated. The idea is to make a complex process a lot more simpler which helps the consumer make an informed and correct choice.  It remains to be seen how insurance providers and dealers will react to these proposals as they stand to lose revenues but overall it could also result in a larger consumer base in the country. 
 



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Nissan Pixo Micro EV Unveiled: Gets Pixelated Styling, 259 km Range

Nissan has revealed the Pixo, a new electric A-segment city car designed specifically for European markets. It shares its underpinnings with the Renault Twingo but gets a distinct Nissan take on the design. The Pixo has been developed jointly with Renault, with Nissan responsible for the design. Production will take place at Renault's Novo Mesto facility in Slovenia.

 

Nissan Pixo: Exterior

Nissan Pixo EV 3

While the Pixo is based on the Twingo, Nissan has gone to some lengths to make the new EV look different. The design takes a much more square, pixel-inspired approach, with a flattened nose, squared headlights with 7-shaped DRLs and a broad stance. The lower grille opening is made up of small square elements; while there is a small smiley etched on the right side. 

 

Also Read: Bentley Torcal Revealed As Brand’s First EV With 600 Km Range

Nissan Pixo EV 2

At the rear, the Pixo gets a flat tail section and square taillights. Furthermore, it gets a flat roof and a steeply raked windscreen. A small smiling pixel motif is also found on the taillight. The Pixo measures 3,796mm long, 1,790mm wide and 1,512mm tall, with a 2,492mm wheelbase.

 

Nissan Pixo: Interior

Nissan Pixo EV 1

Inside, the Pixo gets a long panel with a layered dashboard which has pointed ends on top. Along with the infotainment and driver’s display, physical controls and knobs are still part of the package for key functions. Notably, there is no centre console here, with some storage space dividing the front chairs.

 

The equipment list includes Google built-in, with Google's Gemini AI assistant, along with Nissan's connected services. The steering wheel is a three-spoke flat-bottom unit with mounted controls. The gear lever is mounted on the column behind the wheel.

 

Also Read: Nissan Tekton Tekna+ vs Kia Seltos GTX (O): Top Spec Variants Compared

Nissan Pixo EV 4

Despite its small footprint, the Pixo offers a 356-litre boot with the rear seats in place, which expands to 1,221 litres with them folded. The standard driver-assistance package includes automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, while Nissan's e-Pedal system is also available.
 

Nissan Pixo: Powertrain and battery

 

Nissan hasn't changed the recipe when it comes to powertrain and battery pack. The Pixo gets the same running gear as the Twingo, which is a 27.5kWh LFP battery returning a claimed range of up to 259 km on the WLTP cycle. The electric motor produces 80.4 bhp, while 50kW DC rapid charging is standard. Nissan says a 15-80 per cent charge takes 28 minutes. The car also gets 11kW bidirectional AC charging. 



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