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Exclusive: New 450cc class single-cylinder Norton to debut at EICMA 2026

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Exclusive: New 450cc class single-cylinder Norton to debut at EICMA 2026
A silhouette of the soon-to-debut single-cylinder Norton

Norton Motorcycles will premiere its much-awaited 450cc-class single-cylinder roadster at EICMA 2026 in Milan, expanding its range with a motorcycle aimed at higher volumes in India and overseas. Autocar Professional expects the motorcycle to produce around 40-45hp and 40-45Nm. The engine is likely to be liquid-cooled and is expected to come with a 6-speed gearbox. The roadster will be the first model on a new platform understood to be called the H-series, with other body styles to follow. It will sit below the TVS Motor-owned British marque’s twin-cylinder Atlas range and V4-powered Manx family.

  1. Norton Atlas is expected to first launch in India, in Q1 2027
  2. New Norton single-cylinder motorcycle will launch overseas and in India simultaneously
  3. Will also be manufactured at TVS’ Hosur plant

New Norton single-cylinder platform at EICMA 2026

Expected to launch in India and overseas in 2027

Autocar Professional understands that TVS plans to begin Norton’s India rollout in the January-March 2027 quarter, if not sooner, starting with the Atlas, followed by the Manx. The H-series roadster is expected to launch simultaneously in India and global markets in the second half of 2027. Responding to queries from Autocar Professional, a Norton spokesperson said the brand’s India introduction would follow its appearance at this year’s Milan show. “Norton is set to launch in India soon following the brand’s presence at EICMA this year, when the next key stage of the resurgence will be revealed,” the spokesperson said. The company has not officially confirmed the roadster’s platform name, engine capacity, output, pricing or sales timeline.

Norton has recently trademarked three names in India – Roven, Inter and Avalon and the first single cylinder bike may bear one of them. In 2025, the company also trademarked the Norton Electra name here, and this followed on the trademarking of the Norton Combat name in 2023.

Reimagined Norton under TVS

Design and ease of use is at the new Norton’s core

Differentiated design is central to TVS’s effort to give Norton a contemporary identity while retaining its British heritage. Simon Skinner, Head of Design, Norton Motorcycles, is leading the development of a design language connecting the brand’s products across capacities and categories. The roadster will extend that approach to a motorcycle intended to sell in larger numbers.

As we have seen with the thoroughly modern designs on the Atlas and V4, it is safe to anticipate modern, pared-back styling, with selected mechanical components exposed and others concealed. This could help distinguish the roadster in a segment where several competitors draw heavily on retro styling. According to Norton, the Manx R received the “Best of the Best” distinction at the 2026 Red Dot Award: Design Concept. Norton Design was also recognised at the 2026 International Design Excellence Awards in the United States.

The roadster is expected to prioritise manageable weight and ease of use, particularly in city riding. It could feature 17-inch wheels and equipment drawn from Norton’s larger motorcycles, potentially including an eight-inch TFT touchscreen, riding aids and multiple riding modes. Final specifications remain unconfirmed.

Taking on Royal Enfield

How does Norton plan to combat the 350cc onslaught?

The platform represents a significant bet on the global mid-size motorcycle market. The opportunity spans roughly the 350cc-750cc categories, with annual volumes estimated at around 15 lakh-20 lakh units. This broad classification includes motorcycles marketed as 350cc models whose actual displacement is slightly lower.

It will bring Norton into closer competition with Royal Enfield and Triumph in India and overseas. However, the new single-cylinder Nortons will face a specific challenge in India. That is the fact that they will not come under the 350cc segment, unlike the massively popular RE 350 range and the recently re-engineered 349cc Triumph line in India. The result is that they will attract the much higher 40 percent GST rate instead of 18 percent. Norton is likely to position these bikes at a premium that will be justified by higher levels of technology and a heavy focus on design, quality and detail.

Royal Enfield’s dominance in India demonstrates the demand for motorcycles used for daily travel, touring and leisure riding. Its extensive dealer network, broad product range and established riding community also present a substantial challenge for Norton. Overseas, Royal Enfield has expanded into many of the markets the TVS-owned British marque is targeting. For TVS, the single-cylinder Norton offers a way to participate more widely in this market. Additional body styles on the same platform would help spread development costs and reach buyers with different riding preferences.

The India distribution plan

TVS is yet to confirm showroom rollout schedule for India

Norton’s design and heritage will form part of its appeal, but pricing, service coverage and parts availability will be important to building sustained sales, particularly in India. TVS had said in June that the Norton Atlas would be introduced in India later in the year. It had also scheduled the launch of TVS Paddock, its premium retail channel for both Norton and select premium TVS products, for the second quarter of FY27. The latest official response did not provide an updated Paddock rollout schedule.

Current preparations are understood to point to around three Paddock outlets by December, although a larger network is being sought. The number of outlets that will be operational when motorcycle sales begin has yet to be finalised. The company said it now has more than 50 retailers across 10 markets, including the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. Preparations for a United States launch are continuing, subject to the final stages of vehicle certification.

Norton said its European test-ride programme had introduced the new motorcycles to thousands of riders. Foster + Partners has designed its showroom environments. TVS acquired Norton in April 2020. Its FY2025-26 annual report records investments exceeding GBP 250 million in rebuilding the business and identifies the marque as an important part of its premium-isation strategy, particularly in developed markets.

India already supports that expansion through manufacturing. The first Atlas motorcycles rolled off TVS’s Hosur production line in June, combining Norton’s UK design and engineering with its parent’s manufacturing operations. Production for the new single-cylinder range will also be out of Hosur.

With inputs from Anurag Chaturvedi and Rishaad Mody.

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Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

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Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour
Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

Mercedes-Benz has concluded its ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ global tour, organised to commemorate 140 years since Carl Benz filed the patent for his Motorwagen in 1886. Three S-Class sedans returned to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on October 17, after covering more than 65,000km across 55 countries and six continents over nearly nine months. Approximately 20,000 guests attended the homecoming event, which also featured the global debut of the new Mercedes-AMG GT SUV.

Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

Mercedes-Benz 140 Years, 140 Places: All you need to know

Tour marks 140 years since Carl Benz’s Patent-Motorwagen

The expedition began in Stuttgart on January 29, 2026, with three S-Class sedans named Bertha, Carl and Gottlieb. The tour visited more than 140 locations across six continents, crossing 67 national borders and 13 climate zones.

Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

The route covered cities including New York, Tokyo, Mumbai, Nairobi and Sao Paulo. The cars returned to Stuttgart in a convoy of 140 historic and current vehicles, including a replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, a Ponton 220 S, the C 111 experimental vehicle, and the electric G-Class and C-Class.

Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

Mercedes-Benz says tour tested S-Class under challenging conditions

Mercedes-Benz said the expedition provided insights into the S-Class under real-world conditions beyond those covered by its regular development testing in extreme temperatures and simulation chambers.

Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

During the India leg, the cars travelled to Umling La, at approximately 5,800 metres above sea level, and encountered monsoon conditions and flooded roads. In Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, the route included unpaved and uneven surfaces. Mercedes-Benz said the journey also exposed the cars to temperatures varying by more than 50deg C across desert and tropical climates.

Autocar India participated in the India Leg

Mercedes S-Class completes ‘140 Years, 140 Places’ global tour

We also participated in the India leg of the expedition, driving the pre-production S-Class sedans through Udaipur and Ahmedabad. The drive provided an opportunity to experience the updated luxury sedan’s performance, ride comfort and technology.

Anniversary activities continue through December

Mercedes-Benz will continue its ‘140 Years of Innovation’ anniversary programme through the end of 2026. Mercedes-Benz plans further studios in international cities following launches in Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Sydney and Delhi.

In December, the company will convert the approximately 145-metre-long glass facade of its dealership at Donnersbergerbrucke in Munich into an oversized Advent calendar. Mercedes-Benz is also planning a coffee-table book documenting the expedition, its stops, and its encounters along the route.

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Tesla, Knight Rider, Ferrari and the air thrusted car

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Tesla, Knight Rider, Ferrari and the air thrusted car
Tesla, Knight Rider, Ferrari and the air thrusted car

Pretty much the entire world is all agog, watching the new Tesla Roadster take flight.

To be clear, these stunts were performed by a specially prepped Roadster and without a driver. Tesla chief Elon Musk even went on to say that he was not sure that this would be legal.

But flight booster-aided model (Rocket) aside, Tesla is promising a regular ‘Performance’ Roadster with a ground effects fan, a la McMurtry, as well as a ‘Thrust’ version with air thrusters for acceleration and a claimed spine-crushing 0 to 100kph acceleration time of under 1 second.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time this idea has been thought of. Hollywood’s Knight Rider had his Turbo Boost jump and Super Pursuit mode, but closer to the real world, carmaker Ferrari toyed with the idea of gas thrust boosters and even had a patent issued back in 2018.

While the Tesla Roadster is all-electric, the Italian carmaker’s patent describes an internal combustion-powered car with an additional system comprising a compressed air tank and multiple horizontally as well as vertically oriented nozzles.

The patent says these can generate air jets for massively quick acceleration thrust, beyond what the engine and the limits of the tyres’ grip would provide.

The vertically oriented pushers can also generate a downward force to enhance road grip and downforce, while the horizontal pushers can be deployed to increase steering turn-in ability. Interestingly, the patent says its system would also generate correctional forces; for example, if the car is losing grip, an opposing thrust can be generated to correct the car’s line or even slow it down in extreme risk situations.

The patent also describes the use of the system on a motorcycle, Street Hawk style. Ferrari has clearly not put the system into production, and it’s not known if the Italian car maker is pursuing its development. So it would be interesting to see if Ferrari would hold rights or a claim over the Tesla Roadster system and how the two car makers would respond.

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Tata’s passenger vehicle business grows 35 percent in first year after demerger

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Tata’s passenger vehicle business grows 35 percent in first year after demerger
Tata Motors passenger vehicles

Tata’s passenger vehicle (PV) business grew by 35 percent in its first year after the demerger, which came into effect on October 1, 2025, and separated the commercial vehicle (CV) business from the PV division. Domestic sales between October 2025 and September 2026 stood at 7.44 lakh units, well ahead of the industry’s roughly 22 percent growth. According to the home-grown brand, its market share increased to 14.1 percent, making it India’s second-largest carmaker over this period.

Factors behind the Tata PV business growth

Two SUVs and a GST cut did much of the heavy lifting

One of the major factors behind Tata’s strong numbers is the revised GST rates, which took effect on September 22, 2025. This was shortly before the October 1 demerger, and it made cars more affordable across multiple segments. Despite this, Tata Managing Director Shailesh Chandra admitted to being surprised. “We had not expected 35 percent,” he said.

According to Chandra, monthly bookings topped one lakh more often than not, and more than seven in ten of these typically turned into retail sales. Tata crossed the 70,000-unit mark in a single month twice, and two of its quarters went past two lakh units.

With sales of 2.38 lakh units and 2.33 lakh units respectively, the Nexon and Punch accounted for around 63 percent of Tata’s domestic volumes over this period. Sales of the Sierra, meanwhile, crossed 60,000 units between January and September 2026. This is despite supply being constrained even as production was being scaled up.

Tata EV and CNG sales make up nearly half of volumes

Tata Motors claimed that EVs and CNG cars accounted for 44 percent of its annual volumes, rising to about 51 percent in the July-September quarter. Sales of fully electric models were up 84 percent (at 1.3 lakh units), with the brand claiming a 42 percent share of India’s EV market. Sales of CNG models grew by 31 percent, registering over 2.03 lakh units.

However, each powertrain faces a different set of rivals. “For EVs, my competitors are different,” said Chandra. Product development for all powertrain categories now falls under a single chief product officer, though each gets its own dedicated team.

Tata Motors targets 12 lakh annual sales by FY31

Six new nameplates are on the way

Tata is targeting over 12 lakh units per year by FY31 (financial year 2031), with a 20 percent share of the Indian passenger vehicle market. According to Tata, the plan involves over 20 product refreshes and the introduction of six new nameplates, including the Avinya.

What the brand calls its “15 product interventions” over the past year included models such as the Sierra and Sierra.ev, the updated Punch, Punch.ev, Tiago and Tiago.ev, petrol versions of the Harrier and Safari, and the Aeris. The Indian automaker said that it’s also recalibrating launch timelines. This, it said, is to ensure that each new model gets proper marketing support and that dealers have enough time to sell them.

The recent surge in demand means production capacity has become an immediate priority for Tata Motors. The company stated that its plants and suppliers are stretched thin, particularly smaller tier-two and tier-three firms, and that it has had to work more closely with them to resolve shortages. More capacity will come online at Tata’s existing plants, with the Sanand facility playing a major role. Helped by Tata’s entry into South Africa, exports have nearly doubled, to around 12,000 units.

Tata Motors to triple service network and focus on quality

The brand said that its workshops will grow faster than its showrooms

Apart from focusing on growth, Tata Motors will also be paying attention to addressing the quality and after-sales perception. The quality department now reports directly to Chandra instead of to the manufacturing department, the Managing Director stated. Tata has also set up a central software integration team, which will eventually become a ‘centre of excellence’. Tata now also tests software and hardware together earlier in development. In fact, the Sierra is one of the first models developed this way, the company mentioned.

Another point of attention is the brand’s service network, with Chandra stating that Tata’s workshops now see about six lakh vehicles per month – this is up from around 1.5 lakh in 2021. “My showrooms will increase by two times. But my service centres will increase by three times,” Chandra said. The automaker has addressed 26 of the 30 locations that it flagged as service problem areas, with dealer incentives now placing more weight on customer experience.

Between April and June, the availability of spare parts was an issue. This, the company said, was due to labour constraints, when production was being prioritised. It’s providing existing customers first claim on spare parts even if that affects the production of new cars, with Chandra claiming fill rates are back at around 85-86 percent. Regardless, changes will take time. “The perception will only change after three-four years,” Chandra admitted. “After people really see the consistency of that.”

With inputs from Hormazd Sorabjee and Ketan Thakkar.

 

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Hyundai inaugurates Pune plant, to invest Rs 11,000 crore

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Hyundai inaugurates Pune plant, to invest Rs 11,000 crore
Hyundai

Hyundai Motor India has inaugurated its manufacturing plant in Talegaon, Pune, marking its first major manufacturing expansion outside Tamil Nadu. The facility currently has an installed annual production capacity of 1.7 lakh units, which is planned to increase to 3.2 lakh units by 2030. Managing director and CEO Tarun Garg announced that the company will invest Rs 11,000 crore in phases at the plant.

Hyundai Pune plant: Capacity and investment

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the plant on October 14, 2026. Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung and Hyundai Motor Company president and CEO Jose Munoz were also present.

Garg said, “We will invest INR 11,000 crore in phases at this facility. Beyond expanding manufacturing capacity, the facility will drive industrial development, innovation and employment generation in the region.”

The expansion will take Hyundai Motor India’s combined annual production capacity at its Pune and Chennai plants to nearly 11.4 lakh units by 2030, according to the company. The Pune facility also has an engine shop with an annual capacity of 1.5 lakh units.

The plant uses Hyundai’s E-FOREST digital factory platform, with AI-based quality checks, predictive maintenance, digital simulations and augmented reality-based worker training. Its production lines can support multiple internal combustion engine and hybrid models.

Hyundai Venue to be made at Pune plant

The Hyundai Venue will be manufactured exclusively at the Pune plant and exported to global markets. Hyundai plans to expand exports of the model to more than 35 countries.

The inauguration coincided with Hyundai Motor India marking cumulative exports of 40 lakh passenger vehicles since 1999 and domestic sales of nearly 1 crore passenger vehicles over its 30 years in India.

Chung said, “India remains one of Hyundai’s most important and strategic markets globally.” He added that the Pune plant reflected the group’s long-term commitment to India and that the export milestone highlighted the role of Indian manufacturing in its global operations.

Hyundai said 55 Tier-1 suppliers have invested nearly Rs 4,600 crore in Maharashtra. Nearly half of its supplier network is located within 50km of the plant. The combined Tier-1 and Tier-2 supplier network has generated more than 18,000 employment opportunities in the state, according to the company.

Hyundai also cited nearly 40 ongoing research projects with seven Indian academic institutions, covering battery technology, electrification and future mobility.

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Upcoming Bajaj Dual-Sport to get multiple engine options

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Upcoming Bajaj Dual-Sport to get multiple engine options
A render of the dual-sport motorcycle Bajaj patented

In a recent interview with Brazilian media, Bajaj’s executive director for the country, Waldyr Ferreira, hinted that the upcoming dual-sport motorcycle might come in multiple engine sizes. The first bike is expected to arrive in Latin America before the end of 2026. 

  1. Might be offered in multiple engine options
  2. Could range from entry-level off-roader to long-distance tourer
  3. Previous sightings suggest it uses a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup

A line-up of dual-sport motorcycles?  

Small capacity options could be offered in Latin American markets

Ferreira has hinted that rather than just a single model, it could be a line-up. Offering diverse displacement will allow the brand to cater to different demographics and reach wider audiences. After all, the company has a huge selection of existing 150-250cc air/oil-cooled and 200-400cc liquid-cooled motors to choose from. That said, we could also see all-new engines developed specifically for these models. 

In Brazil, a good portion of the dual-sport market is held by Honda, with its NXR 160 and Sahara 300, and Yamaha, with the Crosser 150 and Lander 250. So, this multi-model approach from Bajaj would allow it to reach from entry-level off-road riding to long-distance touring segments. Although engine specifications and other details remain undisclosed, this development suggests the new line-up could cover a wide range of prices and performance. 

For India, the speculation revolves around the first motorcycle being around the 200cc mark. Currently, the off-road motorcycles this segment has to offer include popular options like the Hero Xpulse 210, Kawasaki KLX 230 and the recently launched Honda XR300L, all of which are possible rivals for the upcoming Bajaj, which should deliver similar performance and capabilities. 

Source: Bill Motoka on YouTube

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अमेरिकी डोनर्स दे रहे CJP को पैसा! ये दावा करने वाली अमेरिकी सिंगर मैरी मिलबेन कौन हैं?

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Mary Millben attacks CJP: अमेरिकी सिंगर मैरी मिलबेन ने अभिजीत दीपके की कॉकरोच जनता पार्टी (CJP) को लेकर एक सनसनीखेज दावा किया है। उन्होंने आरोप लगाया कि CJP के संस्थापक अभिजीत दीपके और उनके संगठन को अमेरिका में ऐसे डोनर से फंडिंग मिल रही है, जो प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी और उनके नेतृत्व में भारत के भविष्य के खिलाफ हैं। मैरी मिलबेन ने भारत के युवाओं से अपील की है कि वे कथित तौर पर देश में अशांति फैलाने वाली ताकतों के खिलाफ आवाज उठाएं और शांतिपूर्ण तरीके से विरोध दर्ज कराएं।

मिलबेन का यह बयान ऐसे समय आया है, जब नई दिल्ली में विपक्षी दलों और CJP के समर्थकों की ओर से मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त (CEC) ज्ञानेश कुमार के इस्तीफे की मांग को लेकर विरोध प्रदर्शन किए जा रहे हैं। प्रदर्शनकारी वोटर लिस्ट के स्पेशल इंटेंसिव रिवीजन (SIR) में कथित अनियमितताओं को लेकर सवाल उठा रहे हैं।

PM मोदी के समर्थन में क्या बोलीं मैरी मिलबेन?

41 वर्षीय सिंगर मैरी मिलबेन ने सोशल मीडिया पर लिखे अपने मैसेज में कहा कि प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने 25 साल तक भारत की सेवा की है, जिनमें 12 साल PM के रूप में शामिल हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि PM मोदी लगातार तीन कार्यकाल के लिए चुने गए हैं। उनके अनुसार, वह अमेरिका से आने वाली कथित विघटनकारी ताकतों के सामने नहीं झुकेंगे। मिलबेन ने दावा किया कि कुछ अमेरिकी डोनर दुनियाभर में रूढ़िवादी विचारधारा वाले नेताओं को निशाना बनाने का एक पैटर्न अपनाते हैं।

उनके मुताबिक, पहले संबंधित देश के किसी अमेरिकी शिक्षित व्यक्ति को तलाशा जाता है। फिर उसे कट्टर विचारों की ओर प्रेरित कर वापस भेजा जाता है और उसके बाद कथित तौर पर अशांति फैलाने के लिए फंडिंग की जाती है। उन्होंने आरोप लगाया कि इस तरह की गतिविधियों का असर संबंधित देशों के विकास और शासन व्यवस्था पर पड़ता है। हालांकि, अमेरिकी डोनर से CJP को फंडिंग मिलने के अपने दावे के समर्थन में मिलबेन ने इस बयान में कोई सार्वजनिक सबूत पेश नहीं किया।

युवाओं से की शांतिपूर्ण आंदोलन की अपील

मैरी मिलबेन ने भारत के युवाओं से अपील करते हुए कहा कि उन्हें डरने की जरूरत नहीं है। उन्होंने लोकतंत्र और स्वतंत्रता की रक्षा के लिए ऐसे आंदोलनों के मुकाबले एक शांतिपूर्ण जनआंदोलन खड़ा करने की जरूरत पर जोर दिया। उन्होंने कहा कि भारत में ऐसी नई आवाज उठनी चाहिए, जो देश की मिट्टी में पैदा हुई हो, यहीं पली-बढ़ी हो और यहीं शिक्षित हुई हो। उनके मुताबिक, युवाओं को संगठित होकर शांतिपूर्ण तरीके से अपनी बात रखनी चाहिए।

भारत में क्यों लोकप्रिय हैं मैरी मिलबेन?

मैरी मिलबेन अफ्रीकी-अमेरिकी हॉलीवुड अभिनेत्री और मशहूर सिंगर हैं। भारत में वह खास तौर पर भारतीय राष्ट्रगान ‘जन गण मन’ और भक्ति गीत ‘ओम जय जगदीश हरे’ की अपनी प्रस्तुतियों के लिए लोकप्रिय हैं। वर्ष 2023 में अमेरिका में प्रधानमंत्री मोदी की यात्रा के दौरान आयोजित एक कार्यक्रम में भी उन्होंने भारत का राष्ट्रगान गाया था। इस वजह से भारतीय दर्शकों के बीच उनकी पहचान बनी है। इस बीच, दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतर में जबरन घुसने के आरोप में CJP के दो नेताओं को पांच दिन की न्यायिक हिरासत में भेजे जाने के बाद पार्टी के संस्थापक अभिजीत दीपके ने बुधवार को आरोप लगाया कि प्रधानमंत्री देश में अघोषित आपातकाल लागू कर रहे हैं।

दीपके ने नागपुर में पत्रकारों से कहा कि CJP नेता सौरव दास और आशुतोष रांका ने जंतर-मंतर पर तिरंगा फहराकर कौन सा अपराध कर दिया है। पुलिस सूत्रों के अनुसार, शांति बनाए रखने के मुचलके के उल्लंघन और प्रदर्शन के लिए गैर-अधिसूचित क्षेत्र घोषित किए जा चुके जंतर-मंतर पर जबरन घुसने के आरोप में दास और रांका को बुधवार को पांच दिन की न्यायिक हिरासत में दिल्ली की तिहाड़ जेल भेज दिया गया।

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Hyundai to invest USD 15.5 billion in India by 2032

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Hyundai to invest USD 15.5 billion in India by 2032
Hyundai

Hyundai has announced plans to invest USD 15.5 billion in India between 2026 and 2032. The investment will cover research and development, manufacturing capacity, local supplier development and businesses such as electric vehicle charging and automotive financing. The announcement follows a meeting between prime minister Narendra Modi and Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung in New Delhi on October 13.

“India remains one of Hyundai Motor Group’s most important and strategic markets globally. The past 30 years have been defined by our commitment to India. This investment reaffirms our commitment to India for the next 30 years and beyond,” Chung said.

Hyundai investment: R&D and manufacturing plans

The company plans to invest around USD 700 million in its Indian R&D centre, including a vehicle testing track. The investment is intended to expand engineering facilities and support the development of automotive technologies and local talent.

The group also plans to increase manufacturing capacity across Hyundai and Kia. Their combined annual production capacity in India currently exceeds 1.4 million vehicles, across Hyundai’s facilities in Chennai and Pune, and Kia’s plant in Anantapur.

Capacity at Hyundai’s Pune facility is scheduled to increase in phases. The group is also assessing a third manufacturing location to meet its longer-term requirements. 

Our sister publication, Autocar Professional reported on September 29 that Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra and Sanand in Gujarat were among the locations under consideration. According to people familiar with the plans, the proposed facility could eventually add around 500,000 units of annual capacity, with investment potentially exceeding USD 2 billion over time. The plant could come up around 2030, with capacity added in phases over five to seven years. The October 13 announcement did not confirm the location, investment schedule or additional capacity.

The company will also invest in local suppliers and regional partners to increase parts localisation and strengthen its supply chain. It plans to establish a dedicated investment entity in India to oversee the programme and identify suppliers, technology partners and investment opportunities.

Hyundai to explore new mobility businesses

Beyond vehicle manufacturing, Hyundai Motor Group plans to explore automotive financing, EV charging infrastructure and end-of-life vehicle recycling. It also intends to support promising start-ups and expand into mobility services linked to its vehicle business.

Hyundai is developing electric three-wheelers with TVS Motor Company under a joint development agreement. The partnership is aimed at commercialising electric three-wheelers for India and other markets.

The group said the investment programme is expected to create employment in manufacturing, R&D, engineering and supply chains, including through suppliers and new mobility businesses. It currently employs more than 24,000 people across India.

Hyundai Motor Group has not disclosed how the USD 15.5 billion investment will be divided between Hyundai and Kia, or how much will be allocated to individual projects.

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Tata, Stellantis formalise pact for Sierra-based Jeep SUV

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Tata, Stellantis formalise pact for Sierra-based Jeep SUV
Tata Sierra-based Jeep SUV

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and Stellantis have signed a formal agreement to expand their partnership into product technology, platforms and vehicle architecture, formalising plans for a new Jeep SUV based on the Tata Sierra’s ARGOS platform, according to people in the know. Internally codenamed J1J, the Jeep SUV will get both internal combustion engine and electric versions and it is likely to use the same powertrains as the Sierra, say people in the know.

Sierra-based Jeep SUV: platform and production plans 

ARGOS stands for All-Terrain Ready, Omni-Energy and Geometry Scalable. It is TMPV’s modular, multi-energy vehicle architecture, designed to accommodate different vehicle dimensions and powertrain applications, which can open up more opportunities for Stellantis in the future.

While Tata Motors is producing the Sierra at its Sanand factory in Gujarat, production of the Jeep model is likely to take place at the Fiat India Automobiles Ltd (FIAL) joint venture facility in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra. The manufacturing operations are expected to be adapted for the programme over the next 18 months, added a person in the know.

The programme forms part of Stellantis’ wider ambition to sell 100,000 locally produced vehicles globally in 2028 across its Tata and Dongfeng partnership programmes combined, as outlined at its May 2026 Investor Day. The target covers several products. The company is likely to launch the first vehicle in the first half of 2028, say sources.

A dedicated team for the project is currently based out of Pune and will look at adapting the vehicle architecture, including a left-hand-drive version for overseas markets. A range-extender electric vehicle application is also being explored on the platform, although no production decision for the REEV has been finalised, according to people familiar with the engineering work.

An email sent to Tata Motors and Stellantis seeking comment remained unanswered at the time of publication.

The formal agreement builds on a relationship spanning more than two decades. Having collaborated on manufacturing, powertrains and the supply chain, the partners are now extending their cooperation into vehicle development.

Sierra-based Jeep SUV: Different body and cabin

Stellantis is benchmarking its own Jeep Renegade and Compass products for the J1J model development, according to company sources. Its eventual name and final production design are being firmed up.

This clearly indicates that the Jeep will have a different upper body, or top hat, exterior styling and cabin. Changes will extend to the seating package, interior features and equipment. These will distinguish it from the Sierra, while allowing the companies to share the underlying architecture and components.

Much of the platform is expected to be retained, with structural modifications and reinforcements, where required, to accommodate the Jeep body and meet crash and overseas regulatory requirements. Details of Jeep-specific suspension tuning and off-road hardware could not immediately be established. A 4×4 variant is also likely as Jeep’s brand guidelines insist on giving its customers a 4×4 option for all its models. Whilst the electric version of the Sierra already comes with 4×4, the ARGOS platform has been packaged and developed to accommodate a 4×4 ICE drive train as well. In fact, the Jeep partnership could accelerate the launch of a Sierra 4×4 to coincide with launch of the next-gen Jeep SUV. 

Tata Motors sister company Tata Technologies is understood to be involved in engineering execution at Stellantis. The work includes the Jeep-specific body and interior package, left-hand-drive adaptation and changes needed to meet overseas regulations.

According to people familiar with the programme, TMPV will retain ownership of the architecture and license it to Stellantis. Existing Sierra suppliers are expected to support Jeep where components can be shared, with separate sourcing and tooling for model-specific parts.

India development, global markets

Stellantis had disclosed its intention to develop a Tata-based Jeep at its May 21, 2026 Investor Day. Grégoire Olivier, its Asia Pacific chief operating officer, said Tata Motors would provide a competitive platform for a new Jeep vehicle to be developed and assembled in India through the existing joint venture for global markets. 

Olivier had also outlined exports to more than 50 countries across the wider portfolio, including the Dongfeng programmes, the Tata-based Jeep and the existing Citroën Smart Car programme in India. The markets allocated specifically to J1J have not been established.

For Stellantis, Tata’s architecture and supplier base offer a way to reduce development expenditure while adding a new Jeep product. For TMPV, the arrangement could generate licensing revenue and spread platform costs across additional vehicles. Common components could also bring suppliers higher volumes.

The alliance is a much-needed segue for the Jeep brand which has been in India for close to a decade but has been relegated to the fringes of the Indian market with a lack of product action. A licensed modular architecture with the potential for multiple powertrains, 4×4 capability and different wheelbases will open opportunities for more products in a quicker time interval. 

The programme would extend the Ranjangaon venture from manufacturing cooperation to producing a Jeep on Tata’s vehicle architecture. The left-hand-drive version would widen its overseas reach, giving the plant access to demand beyond India and other right-hand-drive markets.

With inputs from Ketan Thakkar 

National news

Free OnlyFans Creators – Options, Benefits, and Safe Access Guide

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