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Tata Motors has rolled out the first teaser images of the upcoming Punch facelift ahead of its launch in India on January 13. The images offer a partial look at the updated model, highlighting select exterior elements while stopping short of revealing the car in full. The first set of images also hints at potential feature additions; however, the interior for now remains under wraps. Here is what the teaser showcases.
At the front, the Punch facelift features horizontally positioned LED DRLs, which are integrated into a slim housing that runs across the upper section of the front end. The main headlamp units remain positioned lower on the refreshed bumper, set within darker surrounds. A revised grille is also visible, with a more squared-off outline and a closed-off appearance.
Towards the rear, the facelifted model gets new LED tail-lamps, which are connected through a central blacked-out element running across the tailgate. From the side, the teaser images show new dual-tone alloy wheels with a multi-spoke design. Apart from the updated wheels, the overall silhouette and body cladding appear the same at this point.
Aside from the styling, the teaser also shows a front-mounted camera and a sensor housed within the lower grille area. This could translate to the inclusion of features such as a 360-degree camera setup and other driver assistance systems on higher variants of the model.
Mechanically, the Punch facelift is expected to continue with the existing 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed AMT. The factory-fitted CNG variant is also likely to remain part of the line-up.
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Kia recently launched the second-generation Seltos in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Seltos, in its latest avatar, is offered in 10 variants across three engine options. Here is a breakdown of its variant-wise features, along with their prices, engine, and transmission options.
Chinese electric vehicle leader BYD has reported full-year sales of 4.6 million vehicles in 2025, a milestone that puts the carmaker on the brink of surpassing Tesla in annual electric vehicle (EV) deliveries. According to regulatory filings and market reports, BYD’s total sales in 2025 rose 7.7 per cent year-on-year, which in fact is the slowest growth rate the company has posted in five years as it contends with stiffening competition from domestic rivals such as Geely and Leapmotor in China’s highly contested budget segment.
Initially targeting 5.5 million units, BYD revised its sales guidance downward mid-year, ultimately hitting 4.6 million vehicles, a figure that industry watchers say reflects both intensifying market pressures and shifting consumer demand. The month of December underscored the cooling momentum, with sales dipping 18.3 per cent compared with December 2024 — marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the steepest drop in nearly two years.
However, BYD’s overseas performance was a standout bright spot. International sales surged to 1,046,083 units in 2025, representing a 150.7 per cent increase year-on-year. The jump highlights BYD’s growing global footprint, particularly in Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. On the pure EV front, BYD delivered 2.26 million battery-electric vehicles in 2025, a 27.9 per cent rise over the previous year. That figure puts the Chinese brand on track to out-deliver Tesla in annual EV sales for the first time.
However, there are still some imminent challenges for further growth. It is noted that China is scaling back EV purchase incentives in 2026, while regulators clamp down on aggressive discounting that has been common across the sector. These policy shifts, coupled with fresh product launches from rivals and potential trade barriers in key export markets, could temper BYD’s growth trajectory. For now, BYD enters 2026 with solid global momentum — even as it braces for a more competitive and less subsidised EV landscape at home and abroad.
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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a major policy reform that will bring relief to millions of car owners across the country. From February 1, 2026, car owners will no longer be required to complete the Know Your Vehicle (KYV) process when getting new FASTags for passenger vehicles, including cars, jeeps and vans.
The issue gained attention after the “One Vehicle, One FASTag” rule was rolled out in late 2024, a policy that was introduced to curb misuse of the toll collection system. However, putting the KYV system into practice led to several real-world issues for car owners. Many users ran into technical issues, including repeated app crashes, problems uploading documents, and OTP failures.
Under the new framework, all verification will be completed before FASTag activation rather than after. For newly issued FASTags, car owners will receive activated devices without facing post-issuance KYV requirements. For existing FASTags already in circulation, KYV will no longer be mandatory as a routine requirement. It will be required only in specific cases involving complaints such as loose FASTags, incorrect issuance, or misuse.
To ensure accuracy and system integrity, NHAI has strengthened pre-activation validation norms. Banks must validate all vehicle details against the VAHAN database before activating any FASTag. Where vehicle details are unavailable in VAHAN, banks must validate using the Registration Certificate (RC) before activation, with full accountability. This includes FASTags sold through online channels.
The new policy is meant to create a fair middle ground. It keeps the necessary safeguards to prevent misuse, but removes unnecessary hassle for vehicle owners once FASTags are issued. By addressing one of the most frustrating issues in the earlier system, it is expected to make toll payments easier, faster, and clearer especially for people who commute every day.
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Hyundai has updated the newly introduced Venue line-up with a new variant. Called HX5+, the new variant is launched at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and is available with a single powertrain choice – the 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine with the manual transmission.
The new HX5+ offers the following features over the HX5 (which is priced at Rs 9.16 lakh):
Roof Rails
Quad Beam LED Headlamps
Rear Window Sunshade
Smartphone Wireless Charger
Driver Console Armrest With Storage
Rear Wiper And Washer
Driver Power Window With Auto Up Down & Safety
Apart from the new variant, the HX4 variant is also updated with a single feature addition - driver seat height adjustment. The new Venue has garnered 50,000 bookings since its introduction.
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After months of plummeting sales, demand for Maruti Suzuki's entry-level cars hit a new high in December, ostensibly benefiting from the lowering of prices following the reduction in goods and services tax (GST). Maruti Suzuki registered wholesales of 14,225 units of its ‘Mini’ category of cars in the final month of 2025, a near-92 per cent increase year-on-year, and its highest sales in the segment in FY2025-26. Of this, it was the venerable Alto K10 that accounted for nearly 10,800 units, with sales of the S-Presso crossing 3,000 units, a senior Maruti Suzuki official confirmed to car&bike.
Alto, S-Presso Production Ramped Up As Bookings Rise
On a media call, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, confirmed the company currently holds bookings for the Alto and S-Presso worth over one-and-a-half month's supply. While Banerjee refrained from sharing the number of pending bookings, a production filing reveals Maruti produced 19,187 units of its ‘Mini’ cars in December – the highest production volume for this category in calendar year 2025.
Sales of the Alto K10 were sluggish all through 2025, before witnessing a surge late in the year.
However, the ramp up in production of the Alto and S-Presso has come at the cost of reduced production for some other models in the portfolio, according to Banerjee.
“In December, we have been able to cater to the [mini car] demand only because we have been able to reduce some other models' growth, but that is practically not possible every month because [in] other segments also, there is a huge waiting. Our network stock opening was very low in the beginning of December. Now in January, we have almost no vehicles. We need to do a balancing act, as we are also trying to serve the customers who are trying to upgrade to a four wheeler”, Banerjee told car&bike.
Entry-Level Sales Revitalised With Huge Price Cut
Sales of Maruti's entry-level cars have been on the rise since India rolled out reduced GST rates late in September 2025. Maruti has registered growing sales figures for the Alto and S-Presso every month starting October, reaching its highest point yet in this fiscal year in December. Following the cut in GST rates, Maruti introduced additional discounts on the Alto and S-Presso, which led to their prices being reduced by more than Rs 1 lakh, and bringing their starting ex-showroom prices to under Rs 4 lakh. The Alto K10 starts at Rs 3.70 lakh, while the slow-selling S-Presso starts at Rs 3.50 lakh.
S-Presso, at a starting price of Rs 3.50 lakh, is the most affordable Maruti Suzuki car today.
Banerjee pointed out that while growth in demand was strong in the top 100 cities in terms of sales, sales of the Alto and S-Presso have grown even more in smaller cities and towns beyond the top 100 cities.
However, it remains to be seen if this momentum will carry over into 2026. While a bevy of carmakers have announced price hikes that will eat away at some of the GST benefits, Maruti Suzuki is yet to do so. Banerjee hinted the company may decide to increase prices of its entry-level cars in about a month's time, once pending orders have been fulfilled.
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If there was one unmistakable trend that defined India’s two-wheeler landscape in 2025, it was the meteoric rise of mid-size motorcycles – those typically ranging from 250 cc to 500 cc. Long overshadowed by bestselling commuter bikes in the 100-125 cc segment, mid-size motorcycles finally found their moment this year, reshaping both consumer demand and industry strategy. The year 2025 can certainly be called the year of the mid-size motorcycle boom in India, and here’s why.
For years, Indian motorcyclists have been content with small-capacity bikes that are affordable, practical and fuel efficient. But over the past few years, a shift in consumer preference has been brewing, fuelled by a young demographic that’s more aspirational, more digitally connected, and more experiential in mindset. Riders today are no longer satisfied with mere point-to-point commuting. They want comfort, performance, touring capability and style – all in one package.
And it’s this growing aspiration of middle-class India that is fuelling the mid-size motorcycle boom. These bikes (typically 250-500 cc) hit the sweet spot. They offer significantly more performance than smaller commuter bikes, yet are not as intimidating and expensive as bigger motorcycles with more performance and engine displacement.
Suddenly, long rides, weekend getaways, the occasional trail ride, and purposeful commuting could be enjoyed without having to graduate to a heavyweight machine, which would be incrementally more expensive.
And the industry, finally listening, has delivered with products and strategies that addressed this demand. Over the past couple of years, two-wheeler OEMs introduced a wave of competitive mid-size offerings ranging from aggressive streetfighters to adventure tourers and modern classics. Today, the Indian consumer is spoilt for choice like never before.
Royal Enfield’s Sherpa 450 platform has significantly improved the brand’s popular adventure tourer since it was introduced over a year ago. The Himalayan 450 was followed up with a peppy and entertaining roadster based on the same platform – the Guerrilla 450. Triumph’s made-in-India roadster and scramblers (Speed 400, Speed T4, Scrambler 400X) have been widely welcomed and received across India.
But with higher GST rates announced in September 2025 for above 350 cc models, consumers will feel the pinch as much as manufacturers, having to pay more for motorcycles, which, so far, met the aspirations of a growing middle class who finally had performance within a price bracket that was attainable and accessible.
Brands like Bajaj Auto has already announced that it will be downsizing its 400 cc engine platforms for KTM and Triumph to meet the lower GST rates for sub-350 cc models. Others like Royal Enfield and Harley-Davidson have decided to stay put with their 450 cc and 440 cc engine platforms.
So far, there are no indications that the powers that be will take another look at revising the tax rates for motorcycles based on their engine displacements. Time will tell if there are policy changes afoot to widen the scope of lower taxation. Perhaps a more rational policy, maybe up to 500 cc for lower GST rates, will not just benefit the industry but also make the growing middle class’s aspirations achievable.
While the commuter segment continues to rake in the volumes for manufacturers and will remain India’s backbone due to its sheer volume and practicality, 2025 marks a clear pivot, a maturation of the market. The mid-size motorcycle boom is not a fleeting fad; it signals a structural evolution in Indian riding preferences. Riders are ready for more performance, more comfort and more capability.
In retrospect, 2025 wasn’t just another year for motorcycles in India. It was the year the mid-size motorcycle segment truly accelerated.
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The HyundaiCreta has achieved its best-ever sales performance in a calendar year in 2025. The Korean carmaker has reported total sales of over 2 lakh units of the Creta in India for the year, the highest number yet for the popular compact SUV. This translates to daily sales of nearly 550 units for the popular SUV.
Commenting on the milestone, Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO designate, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Hyundai CRETA journey in India is nothing short of extraordinary and achieving the highest-ever annual sales of more than 2 lakhs units is a proud and defining moment for all of us at Hyundai. It is also the highest-selling SUV of our country on a cumulative basis from 2020-2025. In fact, over the past 10 years of its journey in India, CRETA’s customer base has grown manifold, transforming it from a capable SUV into a trusted companion for every journey.”
In the powertrain split, Hyundai revealed that diesel still had a role to play in the segment. Around 44 per cent of all Cretas sold in CY2025 were diesel models, with the remaining 56 per cent accounting for the sales of the petrol and electric variants. Hyundai retails the Creta with two petrol engine options – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated and a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit – and a sole 1.5-litre CRDI diesel engine option. All three units are offered with manual and automatic gearbox options. The EV, meanwhile, is offered with two battery options – 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh – offering a claimed range of up to 510 km on a full charge.
First Time Buyers Rising; Sunroof Equipped Models Account For Over 70 Per Cent of Sales
Hyundai also reported a growth in first-time buyers for the Creta in 2025. About 32 per cent of customers were first-time buyers – up from 13 per cent in 2020. This follows the recent trend in the Indian car market, with slowing or stagnating sales being reported by brands in the hatchback segments, while seeing growing demand for SUVs.
Another statistic that Hyundai shared was that sunroof-equipped models accounted for over 70 per cent of sales. While an impressive number, the Creta in its most recent model year spec offers the option for a sunroof on 9 of the 13 variants (including Creta N Line) on sale for the internal combustion SUV and 8 of the 9 variants of the EV. This puts it to just 3 variants out of 22 lacking a sunroof.
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JSW MG Motor India has announced a new buyback programme aimed at easing long-term ownership for its electric vehicle customers and addressing resale concerns among electric vehicle buyers. Under this initiative, MG is extending assured buyback coverage for its EVs from the existing three-year period to up to five years, which will offer customers a guaranteed resale value at the end of the selected tenure.
With this programme, MG EV owners can opt for an assured resale value after three, four, or five years of ownership, depending on the plan chosen. This follows MG’s earlier buyback offering, which assured up to 60 per cent of the vehicle’s value after three years. Notably, the scheme is independent of any finance or loan arrangement, allowing customers to opt in regardless of how the vehicle was purchased.
Speaking about this buyback scheme, Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “As a customer-centric brand, MG has always introduced initiatives like B-a-a-S (Battery-as-a-service), lifetime warranty on EV batteries that make EV ownership a delightful mobility experience. Resale value has been a key consideration for many customers who are considering buying an EV."
He further added, "With our industry-first MG Value Promise Program (Assured Buyback), facilitated by Lockton India Insurance Broking and Advisory Ltd in partnership with Zuno General Insurance, we want to give MG EV owners complete peace of mind as we now offer an Assured resale value where a customer has the option to choose the tenure from 3 to 5 years. We believe this initiative will play a key role in expanding India’s EV market by eliminating a major concern for buyers and building stronger trust in electric mobility.”
The programme is also applicable to commercial buyers of the MG ZS EV, covering vehicles that are up to three years old or have clocked up to 60,000 km per year. At the end of the chosen tenure, customers can decide whether to retain the vehicle, return it, or upgrade to another MG model.
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Ducati has launched the XDiavel V4 in India, priced from Rs 30.89 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned as the touring-friendly sibling of the Diavel V4, the XDiavel brings along with it a host of cruiser-style tweaks while retaining much of the hardware and performance of its sportier counterpart. One of the biggest changes this time around is the switch to a chain drive setup, replacing the belt drive used on the outgoing model.
In terms of design, the XDiavel V4 closely mirrors the Diavel V4, though there are subtle differences. These include toned-down front air inlets, newly styled alloy wheels, and a slightly reworked tail section. Ducati has also revised the ergonomics, with a wider and more cushioned seat, a swept-back handlebar, and forward-set footpegs. The result is a more laid-back riding position. The seat height sits at 770 mm, which is 20 mm lower than the Diavel V4, while it tips the scale at 229 kg.
Akin to the Diavel V4, Power comes from the same 1,158 cc Granturismo V4 engine. It punches out 166 bhp at 10,750 rpm and 126 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox and comes standard with a bi-directional quickshifter.
On the feature front, the XDiavel V4 gets the same 6.9-inch TFT display seen on the Diavel, along with a comprehensive electronics package. This includes cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, multiple ride and power modes, launch control, and cruise control.
Suspension duties are handled by a fully adjustable 50 mm upside-down fork up front and a fully adjustable rear monoshock. Stopping power comes from twin 330 mm discs at the front with Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers, while the rear uses a 265 mm disc with a Brembo two-piston caliper, supported by cornering ABS.
The Ducati XDiavel V4 is available in two colour options: Red and Black, priced at Rs 30.89 lakh and Rs 31.20 lakh, ex-showroom, respectively. Compared to the standard Diavel V4, the XDiavel commands a premium of Rs 1.80 lakh.
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Honda has filed a patent for a motorcycle turn control device that aims to improve rider safety by actively assisting steering inputs when another vehicle approaches from a blind spot. The system is designed specifically around the dynamics of motorcycles, where even small steering corrections can significantly affect stability. Unlike existing rider-assist systems that only warn the rider, Honda’s concept goes a step further by gently intervening in steering to help avoid a potential collision.
The system essentially uses a camera that continuously monitors the area around the motorcycle. Using this visual data, a blind spot recognition unit identifies vehicles approaching from areas not easily visible to the rider, such as adjacent lanes during a lane change. Once a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, the system evaluates the rider’s current actions before deciding whether and how to intervene.
The steering intervention is managed by a steering control unit, which adjusts its response based on the motorcycle’s riding state. Honda’s patent specifically mentions three rider inputs that influence the system’s behaviour: lane change, acceleration, and deceleration.
Depending on whether the rider is accelerating, braking, or actively steering, the system adjusts the level of assistance accordingly. For example, a gentle corrective input may be applied if the rider begins steering into a lane where another vehicle is approaching, while remaining less intrusive if the rider is already braking or stabilising the bike.
The second illustration outlines the system architecture and how different sensors feed information into the steering control logic. In simple terms, it demonstrates how Honda integrates rider inputs and environmental data to determine the level of steering assistance.
The system consists of:
A camera (imaging device) that captures the surroundings
A steering torque sensor, which measures how much force the rider is applying to the handlebars
A throttle opening sensor, which detects acceleration input
A brake pressure sensor, which monitors braking force
All this data is processed by an event detection unit, which determines what the rider is trying to do, such as changing lanes, accelerating, or slowing down. Simultaneously, a blind spot angle recognition unit analyses camera data to identify vehicles approaching from unsafe angles.
Once these inputs are assessed, the information is sent to the steering control unit, which decides whether steering assistance is needed. If required, a rotation actuator subtly adjusts the steering direction to help the motorcycle avoid the approaching vehicle, while still allowing the rider to remain in control.
To put things in perspective, Honda isn’t the only manufacturer exploring this space. Brands like BMW, Ducati, and others are already moving in a similar direction with radar-based safety systems. Whether such technology makes it to production in its current form remains to be seen.
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