Atul Bandhu

The 2026 Chevrolet Captiva Midnight Edition, launched in the Middle East, features a black grille, Chevrolet bowties, side mirrors, and a two-tone black roof with a red stripe. The interior has black leatherette seats with red stitching, and a 10.4-inch infotainment display. Safety features include a 360-degree parking camera and multiple airbags. It is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged engine with a CVT transmission.

Mercedes-Benz India has reached a production milestone of 200,000 vehicles. The 200,000th car, an EQS SUV, rolled out of their Chakan Facility in Pune, marking 30 years of production in India. The company's rapid growth is evident, with the recent 50,000 unit production achieved in just over 2 years. Mercedes-Benz India now boasts a network of 100 touchpoints and over 11 products in its portfolio.

Jeep has launched the 2025 Wagoneer Overland Special Edition, a 7-seater SUV with enhanced off-roading capabilities. Features include 32-inch all-terrain tires, Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system, air suspension, and advanced safety features. The SUV boasts a black-painted roof, black accents, and leather seating. Production of this SUV will be limited to 2,000 units.

Daimler Truck North America is supplying Torc Robotics, its subsidiary, with new Freightliner Cascadia trucks for autonomous vehicle testing. The trucks, equipped with redundant braking and steering systems, will operate on Texas routes, including a lane between Laredo and Dallas. Torc aims to integrate its virtual driver software into the trucks, with a goal of introducing Level 4 autonomous trucks in the US by 2027, addressing freight volume and driver availability issues.

BluSmart, India's first EV-only ride-hailing platform, has halted its services due to SEBI issuing orders against its co-founders over allegations of fund misuse. The company was popular for its clean mobility solutions and extensive EV charging infrastructure. The impact of BluSmart's closure affects various stakeholders, and its future is uncertain.

The 2026 Volvo S90 facelift boasts a new front fascia, updated interior with a larger touchscreen, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain with an increased electric range of 80 km. The updated model will launch in China this summer, followed by other global markets. Diesel powertrains have been discontinued in favor of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Skoda has temporarily halted CBU vehicle imports in India due to uncertainty surrounding custom duties and is also delaying local electric vehicle production pending finalization of fuel efficiency norms. This decision follows a tax evasion issue with the Indian government, potentially affecting Skoda's plans to expand its presence in the premium vehicle segment.

Porsche has set a new benchmark at the Nurburgring Nordschleife with the 2025 911 GT3, equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and the Weissach Package. The car recorded a lap time of 6:56.294 minutes around the 12.94-mile circuit, marking the fastest-ever Nurburgring lap for a production vehicle with a manual transmission.

TVS has launched the 2025 Apache RR 310 in India, starting at Rs 2.77 lakh. The updated model features new equipment like launch control, cornering drag torque control and sequential turn signal lamps, while retaining the 312.2cc engine and 6-speed gearbox. It is available in three trims with additional BTO customization options.

The 2026 Subaru Outback has been revealed at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. This marks the model's 30th anniversary with its seventh generation. The updated Outback features increased height, a redesigned exterior and interior, and enhanced safety features like EyeSight. It offers two engine options, a revised X-Mode system, and a dual-pinion electric power steering rack. The 2026 Outback will be available in six trims and is set to go on sale in 2026.