motornews

Renault Group and Ford have entered a major strategic partnership to co-develop two all-new Ford-branded electric vehicles, built on Renault Group’s Ampere platform. Production is planned to begin in early 2028 at Renault’s ElectriCity facility in northern France, strengthening Europe’s growing EV manufacturing ecosystem. Designed by Ford and engineered in collaboration with Renault Group, the upcoming electric models will feature distinct Ford driving dynamics and brand identity, marking the start of a renewed EV push for the American automaker in Europe. The alliance allows Ford to tap into Renault’s advanced EV architecture and established manufacturing network, helping accelerate its rollout of next-gen electric passenger vehicles. The agreement goes beyond passenger EVs. Both brands have also signed a letter of intent to explore joint development and manufacturing of light commercial vehicles for Europe. The move aims to combine Ford’s long-standing expertise in vans with Ren...

Kia has celebrated its 80th anniversary with a special ceremony at Kia Vision Square in Yongin, Korea, attended by around 400 guests, including Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Kia President & CEO Ho Sung Song. The milestone event also saw the global debut of the Vision Meta Turismo concept car, alongside the opening of an extensive heritage exhibition that will remain on display until 2029. The Vision Meta Turismo is a bold exploration of future mobility, blending high-performance driving with a lounge-style cabin inspired by 1960s long-distance touring machines. Inside, the concept features a next-generation steering interface offering three digital driving modes —Speedster, Dreamer, and Gamer. These modes use advanced AR head-up display technology to adapt the experience to different driving scenarios, from spirited runs to immersive digital journeys. Kia’s heritage exhibition highlights the brand’s evolution through 17 iconic vehicles arranged across eig...

Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have expanded their co-developed premium motorcycle range with the launch of the all-new Harley-Davidson X440 T. The new model brings enhanced performance, sharper agility, and a classic Harley design, now backed with modern riding tech. The original X440, launched in July 2023, was a breakthrough success, welcoming a wave of new riders into the Harley fold. Building on this momentum, the new X440 T brings key updates aimed at refining everyday usability and broadening appeal. Key Highlights Harley-Davidson X440 T Features: New Ride-by-Wire system Switchable Traction Control Switchable Rear ABS Two Ride Modes: Road & Rain Reworked rear sub-frame, new tail section, and improved grab handles for better pillion comfort Segment-first Panic Braking Alert – indicators flash rapidly during hard braking (deceleration over 2.4 m/s²) Bookings open December 7, 2025 across Harley-Davidson & Hero Premia dealerships Online booki...

BMW India has refreshed its popular electric SAV, the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, with a new exterior colour and premium upholstery options. The locally produced model is now open for bookings across all BMW dealerships. The standout update is the addition of Night Dusk Blue metallic, a deep and sophisticated shade that enhances the iX1’s bold presence. With this, the EV is now offered in four colours: Night Dusk Blue, Carbon Black, Mineral White, and Skyscraper Grey. Inside, the cabin receives a luxe upgrade with new Veganza Smoke White + Atlas Grey Dual-Tone and Veganza Castanea upholstery choices. Made from sustainably sourced vegan leather, these options feature an intricate 3D stitching pattern that boosts the premium feel. BMW has also extended its signature “Cocooning Effect” across the cabin, flowing the upholstery colour into the door panels, dashboard, and even the speaker mesh for a seamless, immersive environment. The BMW iX1 continues to dominate the Indian luxury EV segm...

Geely Auto has made a bold entry into Thailand’s compact EV space with the launch of the new EX2 at the 42nd Thailand International Motor Expo. The B-segment electric urban hatchback impressed early, securing over 1,000 pre-orders within just three days of its unveiling. Alongside the EX2, Geely also showcased the EX5 all-electric SUV and the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV, signalling a strong multi-model push in the region. The EX2 stands out with a rear-wheel-drive layout, multi-link rear suspension, and a focus on efficient space management. The five-seat cabin offers 85% space utilisation, a flat rear floor, 36 storage areas, and even a 70-litre frunk. Its contemporary design has already earned global recognition, winning both the 2024 IDA Design Award and the 2024 European Product Design Award. “The launch of the Geely EX2, along with the first appearance of the Geely Starray EM-i, further strengthens Geely Auto’s presence in Southeast Asia with an extensive electrified produc...

Nissan has expanded its regional SUV lineup with the launch of the all-new Kait SUV, developed specifically for Latin American markets. The model will be produced at the company’s Resende Industrial Complex in Brazil, with exports planned for more than 20 countries across the region. Positioned alongside the Nissan Kicks and Magnite, the Kait is designed to cater to the needs of a fast-growing and highly competitive SUV segment. It offers a practical 432-litre boot and a feature set focused on comfort and safety—key priorities for buyers in this category. Nissan says the Kait draws on the brand’s global expertise in building versatile SUVs tailored to local customer preferences. Guy Rodríguez, President of Nissan Latin America, highlighted the significance of the project, noting that it reinforces the brand’s commitment to the region and reflects its confidence in the segment’s potential. Full specifications and variant-wise details will be revealed during individual market launch...

Mitsubishi Motors has officially launched the Destinator, its new seven-seater midsize SUV, in Vietnam from 1 December. The rollout comes via Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam (MMV) and marks the latest step in the brand’s regional expansion strategy for its family-focused SUV. Developed under the concept “Confidence Booster for Energetic Families,” the Destinator features a spacious three-row cabin and is set to reach around 70 global markets, including ASEAN countries, South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The model first debuted in Indonesia in July, where it quickly gained traction with about 12,000 bookings in just four months, beating Mitsubishi’s yearly target of 10,000 units. Its Philippine launch followed on 20 November, strengthening its presence in key growth markets. Also read: Mitsubishi Launches All-New Destinator SUV in the Philippines Mitsubishi positions the Destinator as a refined yet versatile SUV, blending a modern design with a roomy interior and...