Auto Industry News Roundup: March 3, 2025
Here’s a quick overview of the most significant developments in the automotive world:
Volkswagen Golf GTI and Tiguan R Line to Launch in India Soon
Volkswagen has confirmed the upcoming launch of the Golf GTI and the Tiguan R-Line in the Indian market. The carmaker anticipates introducing these models in early Q2 2025, which is likely to coincide with the company’s annual conference in May or June.
Volkswagen’s current Indian lineup includes the Virtus, Taigun, and Tiguan models. The company reported a 3% increase in sales volume from January to February 2025 compared to the previous year.
Hyundai Creta Adds New Variants and Features
The Hyundai Creta lineup has been refreshed with new variants and features for the 2025 model year. The updates include the addition of EX(O) and SX Premium variants, as well as new features for the top-end SX(O) trim.
The EX(O) variant will sit above the EX trim, priced at ₹12.97 lakh (ex-showroom) for the petrol option and ₹14.56 lakh (ex-showroom) for the diesel version. The IVT transmission option for the petrol variant and automatic transmission for the diesel are priced at ₹14.37 lakh (ex-showroom) and ₹15.96 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively.
The SX Premium trim, positioned between the SX and SX(O) trims, is priced at ₹16.18 lakh (ex-showroom) for the petrol manual transmission option, with the IVT option priced at ₹17.68 lakh. The diesel range for the Creta SX Premium starts at ₹17.77 lakh (ex-showroom).
Nissan Magnite Becomes E20 Compliant, Exports Exceed 50,000
The Nissan Magnite is now E20 fuel compliant. Nissan announced that the 1.0L naturally aspirated BR10 petrol engine is now E20 compatible. The 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine powering the Magnite was already E20 compliant.
The naturally aspirated engine delivers 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque, while the turbocharged engine produces 98 bhp and generates up to 160 Nm of torque. The naturally aspirated variant offers a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The turbocharged engine is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Ola Electric to Implement Job Cuts
Ola Electric, a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India, plans to lay off approximately 1,000 employees and contract workers. According to a Bloomberg report, the EV maker is cutting jobs to improve profitability. Ola Electric has not yet responded to this news.
The EV maker had previously laid off about 500 employees last year. Ola Electric, which launched its initial public offering last year, is currently experiencing a decrease in sales, with roughly 25,000 units sold last month.
