This move highlights India’s growing importance in Renault’s global ecosystem. No longer just a domestic play, the Chennai facility is steadily evolving into a key export hub for the French automaker.

The new-generation Duster is expected to play a crucial role in this expansion. Known for its rugged appeal and strong road presence, the SUV now carries the responsibility of representing Renault in multiple global markets.

The export milestone also aligns with Renault Group’s broader ‘futuREady’ strategy. The plan focuses on strengthening India’s role across manufacturing, engineering, and exports—essentially turning it into a strategic backbone for future growth.

From 22 June 2026, users can book driverless rides directly through the Zig app, making the experience as simple as hailing a regular cab. The service operates across key points in Punggol, connecting residential neighborhoods with major hubs like Punggol Coast Mall, Punggol Coast MRT station, One Punggol, Oasis Terrace, and Punggol Plaza.

The rollout marks a significant milestone for Pony.ai as it accelerates its global ambitions. While the company has already built a strong presence in China, Singapore now becomes a crucial part of its international expansion strategy.

The vehicles themselves are clearly branded and designed to offer a seamless, tech-forward commuting experience. Short routes. Controlled environments. Real-world data. This is how autonomous tech matures—and Punggol is now one of its testing grounds.

Looking ahead, Pony.ai has bigger plans. The company aims to deploy over 3,500 robotaxis across more than 20 cities by the end of 2026, signaling a rapid scale-up of its driverless ecosystem.

The updated strategy focuses on strengthening GAC’s footprint in one of the world’s most EV-ready markets. Hong Kong already sees high adoption of new energy vehicles, making it a crucial testing ground for innovation and growth. GAC claims it has rapidly evolved from a newcomer to a strong player in just a year, now holding an 11 percent cumulative market share.

Under the Action 2.0 roadmap, the company plans to expand its service network while improving product localisation. The E9 Premium, for instance, has been fine-tuned for local conditions with updates to ride comfort and cabin experience.

Infrastructure is also a key focus. GAC aims to build 22 charging stations equipped with 88 fast chargers, while integrating another 32 stations with over 100 chargers into its network. The goal is to create a seamless, full-lifecycle EV ecosystem.

This new phase builds on the original Action 1.0 strategy introduced during GAC’s market entry last year, signalling a more aggressive push into the EV space through its GAC, Aion, and Hyptec brands.

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Over the years, this collaboration has grown into a full-scale operation, with Force Motors producing engines and axles for all Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs manufactured in India. The 200,000th unit—a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder M256 engine—has been fitted into a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450.

The achievement reflects decades of trust, precision engineering and consistent quality between the two brands. It also highlights India’s growing role in global automotive manufacturing, with Force Motors delivering German-engineered standards from its local facility.

Senior leadership from both companies, including Force Motors Managing Director Prasan Firodia and members of the Mercedes-Benz Group AG board, marked the occasion.

Beyond the numbers, this milestone represents one of the strongest Indo-German automotive collaborations, quietly shaping manufacturing benchmarks in the country. In an evolving global landscape, partnerships like these continue to reinforce India’s position as a reliable hub for high-quality automotive production.

The new Spring builds on the success of its predecessor, which has racked up nearly 210,000 customers across Europe since its debut in 2021. Despite the generational update, Dacia has stuck to the core formula—compact dimensions, a fully electric powertrain, four-seat practicality and a usable boot.

The brand positions these elements as non-negotiable, ensuring the Spring remains a no-frills, accessible EV aimed squarely at urban buyers. The name itself continues to reflect themes of renewal and energy, aligning with Dacia’s broader push towards simple, value-driven electric mobility.

While technical details remain under wraps, the shift to European production is a major highlight, potentially improving supply chains and market responsiveness.

What a DPF Is and Why It Exists

Diesel engines, by their nature, produce soot. That black smoke older diesels used to puff out is made of tiny carbon particles, and breathing those particles is bad for human health. Tighter emission rules around the world set hard limits on how much of this particulate matter a vehicle can release.

The DPF is the answer engineers came up with. It is a honeycomb-shaped filter sitting in the exhaust system, downstream of the engine. As exhaust gas passes through it, the filter traps soot particles and stops them reaching the air. A modern DPF can capture the large majority of the soot an engine produces, which is why your new diesel does not smoke the way a fifteen-year-old one does.

The catch is simple. A filter that traps soot slowly fills with soot. Left alone, it would block completely. So the system needs a way to clean itself, and that process is where most owner confusion begins.

Regeneration: How the Filter Cleans Itself

The DPF empties itself through a process called regeneration, often shortened to regen. During regen, the exhaust temperature is raised high enough to burn the trapped soot, turning it into a much smaller amount of ash and harmless gases. There are two kinds:

• Passive regeneration: Happens on its own during long, steady drives at higher speeds, such as a highway run. The exhaust naturally runs hot enough to burn off soot without any special action.
• Active regeneration: Triggered by the engine computer when the filter reaches a set soot level and passive regen has not done the job. The system injects a little extra fuel to push exhaust temperatures up and clean the filter. This can take ten to twenty minutes and usually needs the vehicle to keep moving.

Here is the part many city drivers never learn: a vehicle used only for short trips in heavy traffic may never get hot enough or run long enough to complete a regen. The filter keeps filling, the computer keeps trying to regen and failing, and eventually the warning light comes on.

Signs Your DPF Is Struggling

A few symptoms tend to show up when a DPF is getting blocked:

• A dashboard warning light specific to the particulate filter or exhaust
• A drop in power, or the engine going into a reduced-power "limp" mode
• A rise in fuel consumption
• A faint smell or a longer-than-usual idle as the car attempts a regen
• The radiator fan running hard after you park, a sign a regen was in progress

If you see the DPF light, the worst response is to ignore it. A filter caught early can often be cleared with a proper highway drive. A filter left until it is fully blocked may need a forced regen at a workshop or, in bad cases, removal and cleaning or replacement, which is not cheap.

How to Keep Your DPF Healthy

The good news is that DPF trouble is largely preventable with a few habits:

1. Give the car a proper run regularly. Once a week or so, drive at a steady highway speed for fifteen to twenty minutes. This lets passive regen do its work and clears built-up soot.
2. Do not interrupt an active regen if you can help it. If you notice the signs of a regen in progress, try to keep driving rather than switching off straight away. Stopping mid-regen repeatedly leaves the job half done.
3. Use the correct engine oil. Modern diesels need low-ash, DPF-friendly oil to the exact specification in your owner's manual. The wrong oil clogs the filter with ash faster.
4. Use good quality diesel. Cleaner fuel means less soot and fewer problems over the life of the filter.
5. Fix engine faults early. A failing injector or sensor makes the engine produce more soot than it should, which overloads the DPF.

Follow those and most owners will go years without a single DPF problem.

A Note on Removing the DPF

You may have read about people removing the particulate filter entirely. In the performance and off-road world, especially in the United States, there is a whole category of parts built around this, from full systems down to specific diesel delete kits made for particular engines. Specialist US retailers such as EngineGo carry these setups for off-road and competition trucks.

The Bottom Line for Diesel Owners

The DPF is not a flaw in your diesel. It is the reason a modern diesel can be clean enough to sell at all under today's rules. Treat it well, and it will quietly do its job for the life of the car. The owners who run into expensive trouble are almost always the ones who never knew the part existed until it failed. Now you do. Give your diesel the occasional long drive it was designed for, use the right oil and fuel, and act on that warning light the day it appears rather than the week after.

The system allows drivers to simply plug in their vehicle at a compatible public charger and begin charging instantly—no apps, cards or authentication steps required. Payment and verification are handled automatically between the vehicle and the charging network, streamlining the entire experience.

Drivers can locate supported charging stations via the built-in Google Automotive system or the Volvo Cars app. Volvo claims access to over 35,000 charging points across the US, including Tesla Superchargers and IONNA network locations, with more partners expected to join over time.

For EX90 owners, the feature is already live, although it requires the 2025 model year vehicles equipped with the Nvidia Orin core computing platform.

The SUV is available in five colour options—British Racing Green, Smokey Green, Nanuq White, Chili Red and Slate Blue—paired with a standard Jet Black roof. It rides on 19-inch Kaleido Spoke two-tone alloys, while the cabin gets JCW sports seats finished in Vescin Vintage Brown upholstery as standard.

Under the hood, the Countryman C is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology, producing 156 hp and 240 Nm of torque. Power is sent through a 7-speed dual-clutch Steptronic Sport transmission, promising a balance of efficiency and sporty performance.

At the heart of the new Kicks is Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER system, making its debut in the Japanese market. The setup features a new 5-in-1 integrated unit combining the motor, inverter, generator and related components into a lighter, more compact module. It works alongside a 1.4-litre petrol engine that acts solely as a power generator, delivering improved efficiency and quieter operation.

For the first time, the Kicks also gets Nissan’s e-4ORCE electric all-wheel control system, enhancing traction and stability across varying driving conditions.

The design takes inspiration from an American football helmet, evident in its bold front grille and distinctive lighting signature. Inside, the cabin gets a modern upgrade with dual 12.3-inch displays and NissanConnect with Google built-in.

On the safety front, Nissan offers ProPILOT as standard across all variants, along with an upgraded Intelligent Emergency Braking system and enhanced Around View Monitor functions.

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The rollout will begin with a limited fleet and gradually scale toward fully driverless operations in coordination with FEDRO. Local operator Rydera will handle day-to-day operations, while WeRide already holds a driverless testing permit for Zurich’s Furttal region.

This move builds on WeRide’s growing global footprint, particularly in the Middle East, where it has been running robotaxi services since December 2024. These include fully driverless deployments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, along with public ride services in Riyadh.

The Zurich fleet will be powered by WeRide’s One and Genesis autonomous driving platforms, as the company continues to push its self-driving tech into key global markets.

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The seating position you set, the numbers in your contact list, the address you entered, how you navigated the traffic lights – all of those aspects of your life get recorded. Modern cars are essentially computers that drive, and computers accumulate information.

Most people have an inkling that this is taking place. Very few actually know what types of information cars store, who gets to hold that information, and what measures they can take.

This article takes you through each step in great detail so that by the end, you will know for sure how your car handles data.

Your Car Is Constantly Taking Notes

Any contemporary model comes equipped with a plethora of sensors, cameras, microphones, a GPS chip, and a constant connection to the internet. All of this machinery doesn't rest while you operate the car. The telematics device, which is basically a modem that comes as a part of every car, collects and sends your data to the manufacturer's servers in regular intervals, sometimes every couple of seconds.

These are some examples of data that a modern car collects. It starts with something as obvious as your whereabouts and becomes much more intricate. Information on how fast you drive, how aggressively you press the pedal, what turns you made, and even if your eyes are on the road and your hands are holding the steering wheel can get collected. Your contacts, calling history, and even texts can get synchronized if you link your device to the car. Moreover, your seats and climate settings say quite a lot about the passengers.

Each of the data points above doesn't seem threatening on its own. Taken together for an extended period of time, however, they provide a rather vivid picture of your life. Where you live, where you go to work, whom you see during the weekend, what time you leave home, and even if you are a careful or aggressive driver. And that is what makes it so valuable – which means that none of it stays in the car forever.

Where the Data Goes Once It Leaves the Car

The first destination is, obviously, the car manufacturer's server. While they can use collected data for diagnosing problems with the car, maintaining safety systems, predicting maintenance issues, etc., it is the secondary use of it that raises concerns.

Secondary use of the data implies sharing it with third parties. According to the research conducted by Mozilla in 2023, manufacturer privacy policies were the worst of all products the organization has seen. Notably, they allow passing your information along to a rather diverse group of partners – data brokers, marketing agencies, fleet management providers, analytics, and even government agencies upon a mere request.

Moreover, the insurance sector must be mentioned specifically. Several manufacturers sent data regarding your driving habits – hard braking, quick acceleration, or late-night activities – to risk assessment companies, which in turn sold this information to insurance providers.

In January 2025, the FTC came to an agreement with General Motors and OnStar due to the fact that drivers noticed an increase in their monthly premiums and found out that the reason was data that they didn't even agree to collect in the first place. Regulators in California imposed fines on other manufacturers for opting customers out of the process of sharing data. Besides, the issue gained political traction in various states, and restrictions on location tracking have become a reality in Maryland and Oregon.

The In-Car Hotspot and Your Connected Devices

Besides being a data source, contemporary cars also serve as hot spots, providing you and your passengers with a stable connection. That might come in handy, although you have another aspect to worry about since all of that traffic passes through a mobile network, as usual.

If you use a built-in network for your laptop or smartphone regularly, then it would be reasonable to protect your identity the way you would if it were provided by a hotel. Most privacy-focused drivers purchase VPN service, which ensures the privacy of web browsing activity while using the car's network, no matter which provider the connection goes through. Thus, even if you are in the middle of an important task, the information doesn't get exposed.

The companion app, however, is the second data flow that requires your attention. Apps that are aimed at remote start or monitoring of the battery's condition require access to your smartphone's location, push notifications, and background activity. Disabling each of these permissions individually doesn't mean that you lose all the functionality.

Why Regulators Are Finally Paying Attention

While data protection in terms of websites and mobile applications was quite developed, data collection in vehicles went unnoticed until the very recent past. Starting in 2024, the FTC declared connected cars as a priority in its enforcement practices. It wasn't enough for manufacturers, though, who received a huge fine for driver's information misuse in 2025. Besides, the privacy regulatory agency in California started analyzing the automotive market and imposed sanctions in 2026 for creating additional hurdles for opting out of the process of data sharing. In addition, the state governments in Maryland and Oregon enacted restrictions on geolocation sharing.

Furthermore, outside of the USA, the privacy commissioner in Australia launched a significant investigation into automotive industry data collection, while some manufacturers in Europe faced GDPR violations due to recording in the cabin.

The trend is quite clear – lawmakers recognize data collected in connected cars as sensitive personal information comparable to medical and financial records. Still, law enforcement isn't quite efficient, so it is still largely up to you what data your car accumulates.

What You Can Actually Do About It

There is a variety of things you can do to protect your identity in the modern vehicle.

First of all, log in to your manufacturer's online platform (usually available through their companion apps) and opt out of the data sharing programs. You should pay specific attention to anything related to driver scoring or smart driver services.

Then, you should examine the permissions provided to your companion app and to the device connected to the infotainment system via Bluetooth. If you don't need certain features, disable contact and background location permissions. Thereby, all information stops being passed to the cloud.

Finally, before selling or returning your car, make a complete reset of the infotainment system and unlink your device from the online account so that the next owner can't have access to your stored locations and paired devices.

Besides the tips above, it is also important to familiarize yourself with the privacy section in the manual for your particular car. Different manufacturers have different rules – some of them require a court order before providing any data to governmental authorities, whereas others respond to mere requests, while some allow disabling the telemetry altogether, and others integrate it into such vital functions as accident notifications.

Last but not least, ask the dealer about the data-collecting programs your car uses. Sometimes, salespeople don't have the necessary knowledge, so you will help the industry by asking those kinds of questions.

The Road Ahead Belongs to Informed Drivers

There is no way your car would stop collecting information anytime soon. The sensors, telematics devices, and profit motive behind them are inevitable components of contemporary automotive engineering. Nevertheless, most of them provide drivers with extra safety.

The issue doesn't lie in the collection per se but in its secondary purpose, obscure consent agreements, and the lack of interest among customers to dig into it. However, it's never too late to make the first step and change that trend.

Take half an hour this week and try to find out how many ways there are for your vehicle to report information about you. Login into the manufacturer's website, configure your privacy settings, and examine the permissions your apps and car get from your device. And then inform everyone else who drives the same model.

Under the hood, the Silverado now offers four powertrain options, headlined by new 5.7-litre and 6.6-litre naturally aspirated V8s. Buyers can also opt for the updated 2.7-litre TurboMax paired with a 10-speed automatic, or the proven 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel for long-haul efficiency.

The ZR2 continues to be the off-road hero, packing serious hardware including 35-inch tyres, a 2-inch lift, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and Multimatic DSSV dampers. Inside, it also debuts forged carbon-fibre trim—a first for both the ZR2 and General Motors.

Step inside any variant, and the biggest change is immediately obvious. A 16.3-inch touchscreen and 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster now come standard across the range. Higher trims like the ZR2 and High Country push things further with a front passenger display and head-up display, creating over 60 inches of total digital real estate.

Tech doesn’t stop there. Chevrolet’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is available across trims, now with segment-exclusive trailering capability, making long hauls easier than ever.

Under the hood, buyers get two 1.0-litre three-cylinder flex-fuel options—a naturally aspirated MPI unit producing up to 59 kW, and a more spirited turbocharged TGDI engine pushing out 85 kW and 172 Nm from just 1,500 rpm. The i20 measures 4,130 mm in length with a 2,580 mm wheelbase, offering 346 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,152 litres.

Design-wise, the i20 brings Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ philosophy to Brazil, highlighted by the distinctive ‘H-Architecture’ LED lighting signature at both ends. It’s a modern, clean look that gives the hatch a premium edge in a competitive segment.

Tech is a big focus here. For the first time in a locally produced Hyundai model, over-the-air (OTA) updates are supported, alongside the Bluelink connected car suite as standard across all variants.

Safety is equally comprehensive, with the SmartSense package offered across the range. This includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Six airbags are standard, while higher trims add adaptive cruise control and more advanced driver assistance features.

The headline figure here is efficiency. The Dolphin G DM-i offers up to 105 km of pure electric range and a combined range of 1,040 km, with a claimed fuel consumption of just 1.4 l/100 km when the battery is fully charged. That makes it one of the most frugal options in its class.

Measuring 4,160 mm in length with a 2,610 mm wheelbase, the hatchback balances compact proportions with practicality, offering 425 litres of boot space. Under the skin, the system delivers up to 212 hp, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.

Buyers can choose between two Blade battery options, with the larger 18.3 kWh pack supporting 39 kW DC fast charging, capable of a 10–80% top-up in just 26 minutes.

At the core is BYD’s DM 5.0 hybrid system, pairing a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with improved thermal management and direct battery cooling. It also integrates three powertrain controllers into one system, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness.

Inside, the Dolphin G DM-i comes well-equipped with a 12.8-inch touchscreen featuring Google integration, along with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability—adding a layer of everyday usability to this highly efficient hybrid.

The VLE is the first model built on this modular, multi-powertrain platform, which will eventually underpin Mercedes-Benz’s entire van lineup—both private and commercial. Designed with flexibility in mind, the architecture supports multiple drivetrains, though the VLE itself arrives as a fully electric offering.

With seating for up to eight occupants, the VLE combines practicality with long-distance usability, boasting a claimed range of over 700 km (WLTP). It also adopts 800V electrical architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging and making it one of the most advanced electric vans in its class.

The Vitoria facility has undergone major upgrades to support this transition, including investments across body, paint, and assembly lines. Despite the overhaul, production of existing models like the V-Class, Vito, and eVito continues alongside the new EV.

Sustainability remains a key focus, with the plant operating on a carbon-neutral balance since 2022 using renewable energy sources, geothermal systems, and waste heat recovery. Around 5,000 employees have also completed extensive training programmes to support the shift to next-gen manufacturing.

Production will expand globally, with a second plant in Fuzhou, China set to begin VLE manufacturing for local markets by the end of 2026.

Developed with backing from Chery, the SUV packs serious tech. Inside, it features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P-powered cockpit, promising a fast and intuitive user experience. It also gets an Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS), designed to adapt seamlessly across different driving surfaces.

One standout feature is the Super Intelligent Parking (SIP) system. This allows the driver to step out at the entrance while the SUV parks itself and can later be summoned via a mobile app—particularly useful in extreme heat conditions like those in the Middle East.

Adding to its premium appeal are optional 22-inch wheels on higher trims, reinforcing its bold stance. The Freelander 8 has already made appearances at global events, including the Chery International Business Summit and the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum.

With Abu Dhabi confirmed as its first market and global dealer expansion underway, the Freelander 8 signals a strong, tech-heavy entry into the premium SUV space.

Engineers pushed the Peaq deep into Arctic conditions, over 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, where temperatures plunged to a punishing -40°C. These extreme trials focused heavily on real-world usability—testing window defrosting, cabin heating efficiency, and how the SUV behaves on snow and ice. In such hostile environments, even the smallest flaws show up quickly, making this phase critical for an EV promising everyday usability.

The Peaq didn’t just rely on cold-weather validation. It clocked over 1.5 million kilometres globally, but the Arctic runs were key to refining battery performance, traction control, and overall stability in sub-zero conditions—areas where EVs are often scrutinised.

Built on the MEB+ platform, this upcoming seven-seater promises over 600 km of range, but Skoda is clearly aiming for more than just numbers. Features like the adaptive DCC chassis are tuned to maintain composure even on slippery surfaces, ensuring confidence behind the wheel.

Inside, the focus remains on comfort despite the cold, with efficient climate control systems and a quiet cabin paired to a premium Sonos sound setup.

This makes it ₹86,000 more expensive than the standard ZXi+ petrol manual variant. Buyers can choose from both metallic and non-metallic colour options, although visually, the Bioflex remains identical to the regular WagonR inside and out.

The real change lies under the hood. The WagonR Flex Fuel is powered by a reworked 1.2-litre K12N petrol engine, now compatible with a wide range of ethanol blends—from E20 all the way up to E100. While it can technically run on pure ethanol, it has been homologated for E85 fuel (85% ethanol blend), making it more practical for the current fuel infrastructure.

With this launch, Maruti Suzuki claims a first—introducing India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle. While it may look like the same tall-boy hatchback we all know, the Bioflex signals a shift toward greener, more adaptable fuel solutions in the mass market.