Vinfast has announced a major restructuring exercise involving its manufacturing business in Vietnam in a deal valued at approximately US$530 million (approximately VND 13.3 trillion). The move is aimed at improving capital efficiency, reducing debt burden and helping the EV maker move towards profitability faster.As part of the restructuring, Vinfast will separate its manufacturing operations in Vietnam into a new entity called VFTP (Vinfast Trading & Production JSC). This new company will house the brand’s manufacturing assets, including its factories in Hai Phong and Ha Tinh.VFTP will then be transferred to an investor group led by Future Investment and Development…
Author: manojkumar@frontplayers.com
Kia India has introduced a new Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) finance program for the Kia Carens Clavis EV. With this move, the carmaker aims to reduce the upfront cost of buying an EV by separating the battery and vehicle financing into two separate loans.Under the new BaaS setup, buyers can buy the Carens Clavis EV with ownership plans starting at Rs 51,520. Apart from this, customers will have to pay battery subscription charge of Rs 3.3 per kilometer. The program is supported by leading financial institutions including ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Finserv.The standard variant of…
Skoda Auto India has finally launched the 2026 Skoda Kodiaq SUV in the Indian market, priced at Rs 36.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The overall design and mechanical setup remains unchanged, while feature modifications are aimed at enhancing the ownership experience. Skoda has also made significant revisions to the price structure of the Kodiaq. The entry-level Lounge trim is now Rs 3 lakh more affordable, while the Sportline variant carries a premium of Rs 1 lakh. Prices of the range-topping selection L&K have also increased by Rs 50,000.The biggest addition to the 2026 Kodiaq is the addition of Level 2 ADAS on…
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India today launched the new and updated Honda NX500 with e-clutch technology. The bike is now priced at Rs 7.44 lakh (ex-showroom), interested customers can book the bike by visiting their nearest Honda Bigwing dealership across the country. Apart from the latest update, there are no changes to the motorcycle. It continues with the same design, bodywork and lighting setup, while the engine, hardware and feature set have also been carried forward without any modifications.How does e-clutch work? Honda’s e-clutch system automatically controls clutch operation using electronic sensors and actuators, reducing the need for manual clutch…
Skoda Auto India recently launched the new 2026 Skoda Kodiaq SUV in the Indian market. The 2026 model features revisions aimed at enhancing the ownership experience, and Skoda has also significantly revised the Kodiaq’s pricing structure. Interested customers can book the new Kodiaq online or by visiting their nearest Skoda dealership. Deliveries are expected to begin soon. The 2026 Skoda Kodiaq is offered in three variants – Lounge, Sportline and Selection L&K. The entry-level Lounge trim is now Rs 3 lakh more affordable, while the Sportline variant carries a premium of Rs 1 lakh. Prices of the range-topping selection L&K…
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated Delhi’s first barrier-free toll plaza on the Urban Extension Road-II corridor. Located at Mundka-Bakkarwala, the new setup becomes the second frictionless toll system in the country after Gujarat and marks a major change in the way toll collection is done on Indian highways.Barrier-less toll plazas: how they workThe new tolling setup uses Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology, which allows vehicles to cross toll points without stopping. Unlike traditional toll plazas that use boom barriers and dedicated lanes, the MLFF system works through overhead gantries equipped with cameras and sensors…
This article is written by Bipul Chandra, MD, Ducati India.Under Operation “Shakti”, India successfully tested five nuclear weapons at Pokhran on May 11, 1998, the second successful test in the country since 1974. The success of the test was a proud moment for India’s scientists, engineers and technicians. Since then May 11 started being celebrated as National Technology Day. Pokhran II put India on the map as a technology power. In the decades since, the country has progressed in automobiles, IT, space, defence, digital economy, AI and the list goes on. It is easy to recognize this progress in the…
Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini has unveiled the all-new Lamborghini Phenomeno Roadster, an ultra-exclusive open-top hypercar that is limited to just 15 units globally. The carmaker says it is the brand’s most powerful production roadster to date. The Phenomeno Roadster combines a naturally aspirated V12 engine with hybrid technology to deliver an astonishing 1,065 hp.Lamborghini Phenomeno Roadster: Everything you need to knowThe new model is a convertible version of the Phenomeno coupe that debuted in 2025 and has been developed under Lamborghini’s special ‘few-off’. Lamborghini says that despite losing the fixed roofline, the Roadster retains high structural rigidity due to the…
India Yamaha Motor has increased the prices of its popular R15 motorcycle line-up in India, making the entry-level supersport slightly more expensive across all variants. The latest revision applies to the entire range including the Yamaha R15S, Yamaha R15 V4 and the top-spec Yamaha R15M. The updated prices have come into effect from May 2026.Prices across the entire range have increased by Rs 4,900. After the revision, the R15 line-up now starts at Rs 1.56 lakh, ex-showroom, for the R15S, while the R15 V4 range is priced between Rs 1.71 lakh to Rs 1.76 lakh, depending on the variant. The…
Who has written this article? Amit Jain, CTO, UNO Minda.India’s automotive sector is entering the era of new technology. From connected mobility and intelligent electronics to advanced security systems and electrification, the pace of change is accelerating rapidly. But the next phase of progress will be defined not just by how advanced these technologies become, but by how effectively they address India’s unique mobility realities and become accessible across all sectors.Unlike many global markets, India’s mobility ecosystem operates under uniquely complex conditions – dense urban congestion, mixed traffic patterns, unpredictable road behavior and highly varied infrastructure quality. Technologies designed for…