Carbike360 Weekly Wrap Up: 30th Dec to 04th Jan 2025

Significant changes have occurred in the automotive sector between December 30, 2024, and January 4, 2025. The anticipated arrival of the Volkswagen Golf GTI in India, the executive changes at Ola Electric, the updates to Ather Energy's 450 series scooters, Bajaj Auto's strategic model discontinuations, the introduction of the Hyundai Creta Electric, and the opening of reservations for Kia's new subcompact SUV, the Syros, are some of the major highlights. These incidents highlight how dynamic the sector is and how dedicated it is to innovation and adaptation in response to changing consumer needs.

​Executive Movements at Ola Electric​

Two senior executives at Ola Electric have resigned, effective December 27, 2024:

Suvonil Chatterjee, Chief Technology Officer, joined Ola in 2017 as Head of Design and was promoted to CTO in November 2022. His previous experience includes roles at Flipkart, Housing.com, and Unacademy.

Anshul Khandelwal, Chief Marketing Officer, joined Ola in May 2022. Prior to this, he held positions at Foodpanda, BlueStone, 3M India, and UpGrad.
Both executives cited personal reasons for their departures.

​Volkswagen Golf GTI to Launch in India​

Volkswagen has announced the launch of the Golf GTI in India, expected by August 2025. Key details include:

• Import Route: The model will be imported under the government's homologation-free import route, allowing up to 2,500 units per year.
• Specifications: The Golf GTI will feature a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 265 hp and 370 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

This marks the first time the Golf GTI will be available in India, following the limited release of the Polo GTI in 2016.

​Ather Energy Updates 450 Series Scooters​

Ather Energy has launched the updated 2025 versions of its 450X and 450S electric scooters, featuring new technology and revised pricing:

• Ather 450S: Now priced at ₹1.30 lakh, an increase of ₹4,400 over the previous model.
• Ather 450X: The mid-range 2.9 kWh variant is priced at ₹1.47 lakh, and the top-spec 3.7 kWh version at ₹1.57 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

In a unique launch event, Ather demonstrated the performance of its updated scooters by racing them against a 160cc motorcycle and a 125cc petrol scooter across various conditions, highlighting the efficiency and agility of the 450 series.

​Bajaj Auto Discontinues Select Models​

Bajaj Auto has officially discontinued three models:

• Pulsar F250
• CT125X
• Platina 110 ABS

This strategic move aims to realign the company's portfolio to better meet evolving consumer preferences and market dynamics.

​Honda Opens Pre-Bookings for Activa E​

Honda has begun pre-bookings for its first electric scooter, the Activa E, with an initial booking amount of ₹1,000. This marks Honda's entry into India's growing electric vehicle market, addressing the increasing demand for eco-friendly transportation.

​Hyundai Unveils Creta Electric​

Hyundai Motor India has unveiled the much-anticipated Creta Electric, which will be officially launched on January 17, 2025, at the Bharat Expo in Delhi. The announcement included a TV commercial starring Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, Hyundai India's brand ambassador. The Creta Electric is expected to have a 45 kWh battery and a 140 PS motor.

​Kia Opens Bookings for Syros SUV​

Reservations are now being accepted for Kia India's newest subcompact SUV, the Kia Syros, with a ₹25,000 deposit required. With its innovative features and design, the Syros, which sits between the Kia Sonet and Seltos, seeks to completely transform the sub-4-meter SUV market. On January 17, 2025, the Syros is anticipated to go on sale in India, with prices starting at about ₹9.49 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).