Latest news with #HyundaiCreta
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Thieves make off with tyres from three parked cars
A gang of car-borne burglars struck Upkar Nagar and Kundanpuri areas in the early hours of Thursday, stealing all four tyres from three parked vehicles and leaving them propped up on bricks. The incident has raised serious concerns about security in residential areas. Thieves walked off with all four tyres of the car and placed the vehicle on bricks in Upkar Nagar on Wednesday. (HT Photo) The incident came to light around 4 am when Ramesh Bansal, a resident of Upkar Nagar, received a call from his neighbour, informing him that the tyres of his Hyundai Creta had been stolen. Bansal was shocked to find his vehicle kept on bricks with all four wheels gone. Soon after, Bansal discovered that two other vehicles in the vicinity — one in Upkar Nagar and another in nearby Kundanpuri — had met the same fate. 'It was alarming to see that these miscreants operated so swiftly and confidently, targeting multiple vehicles within a short span,' said Bansal. The affected residents immediately alerted the police. Footage retrieved from CCTV cameras installed in the locality revealed that three unidentified men arrived in a car around 2.30 am. The video shows them removing the tyres and loading them into their vehicle before speeding away. However, according to the police, poor visibility due to darkness and rainfall made it difficult to identify the registration number of the vehicle. Sub-inspector Amarjeet Singh, SHO at Division Number 8 police station, confirmed that an investigation is underway. 'We are scanning CCTV footage from surrounding areas to trace the route and identity of the accused,' he said, adding that statements from all affected vehicle owners have been recorded and an FIR will be lodged accordingly. Residents expressed growing frustration, stating that such thefts have become frequent in the area. 'Last week, battery thefts were reported from several parked vehicles, and no action has been taken so far,' a local said, demanding increased night patrolling and swift arrests.
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Momo vendor stabs man to death in Delhi's Ghazipur
A 28-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death on his birthday by a momo vendor and few of his friends were left injured in a group fight on Wednesday in Ghazipur. The incident occurred three days after the vendor slapped a friend of the victim's over a drunken argument, police said on Thursday adding that three men were arrested and a 13-year-old boy was apprehended. The victim was declared dead on arrival at LBS Hospital. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Police identified the victim as Vikas Walecha, a Faridabad resident who worked as a private sales manager in Noida's Sector 5. They said that Walecha's friend, Sumit Sharma, of Ghaziabad, went to a liquor vend and a momo shop in Ghazipur, where the tussle broke out. The accused were identified as Salman Khan, 31, and two brothers Monu Mishra, 28, and Azad Mishra, 31. Walecha and around 10 of his friends were celebrating his birthday on late evening in Noida,when Sharma told the group that he was slapped by a momo vendor. 'Taking it as an insult, the group visited Paper Market around 10.30pm in three cars – a Hyundai Creta, a Grand Vitara, and an XUV700—and spotted the vendor Salman,' deputy commissioner of police (east) Abhishek Dhania said. Seeing the group, Khan also called his associates. 'In the violent scuffle that followed, Walecha was fatally stabbed, and others, including Sumit, were injured,' Dhania said. Police said they received a call from LBS Hospital about a stabbing victim, who was brought dead. After investigation, they made the arrests and registered a case under sections 103 (murder), 109(1) (attempt to murder), 191(2) (rioting), and 3/5 (common intention) of the BNS at the Ghazipur police station. Police said they are looking for the other accused involved in the incident and the iron rods and knives used in the murder.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Volkswagen Taigun Facelift Launch: Updates, features, and powertrain options revealed
Volkswagen, fresh off the launch of the Golf GTI in India, is now preparing to introduce the facelifted version of the Taigun SUV to the Indian market. Originally launched in 2021, the updated Taigun aims to compete directly with popular models like the Hyundai Creta. While the test prototype has been spotted in camouflage, it still offers glimpses into the upcoming design changes. Volkswagen Taigun Facelift: Expected Powertrain The updated Taigun is expected to retain the same engine options as the current version. These include a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, it will likely continue offering the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which delivers 147 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Digital Marketing PGDM Healthcare Finance MBA Operations Management Leadership Data Science Project Management Product Management Degree healthcare Design Thinking Others others Data Science Public Policy Artificial Intelligence MCA CXO Management Technology Data Analytics Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details Volkswagen Taigun Facelift: Design Updates The facelifted Taigun will reportedly feature a reworked front grille and updated LED headlamps, reflecting Volkswagen's new design language seen on models like the Tiguan R-Line. Spy images also hint at revised rear styling, including redesigned taillamps. While the front and rear will see notable updates, the side profile appears mostly unchanged, featuring body-coloured door handles, roof rails, and a blacked-out B-pillar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Volkswagen Taigun Facelift: Interior and Features Inside, the Taigun facelift is expected to borrow design cues from the Tiguan R-Line, including a similar dashboard layout and digital displays. A major anticipated upgrade is the addition of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)—a feature currently missing in the existing Taigun but common in segment rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and MG Astor. Overall, the Volkswagen Taigun facelift aims to strengthen its market position by offering visual updates and tech enhancements, while maintaining its proven powertrain options. Live Events
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Hyundai India shrugs off rare earth magnet crisis, export grows despite domestic market challenge
Hyundai India seems to be unfazed y the rare eareth magnet crisis that started with Chinese government imposing a ban on export of the critical materials earlier this year. The South Korean auto giant's India wing downplayed concerns over China's rare-earth magnet export ban and claimed that its current stockpile of rare earth magnet is sufficient to handle any near term disruptions. This comes on the back of the concerns that the Chinese government's export ban on rare earth magnets, which are critical for the auto industry, may create a massive disruptions in the sector. Reuters has quoted Hyundai's manufacturing head Gopalakrishnan C S saying that the company remains unaffected by the ban for now, with adequate inventory. "With rare earth as such, we are not facing any issue. We have adequate inventory for the near term already," he said. Also Read : Upcoming cars in India Meanwhile, the OEM recorded a 13 per cent year-on-year rise in exports that helped it cushion a six per cent drop in quarterly sales, and the automaker expects overseas shipments to grow by up to eight per cent this fiscal year. Hyundai India's Managing Director Unsoo Kim said that he expects the momentum to continue, with exports making up 27 per cent of first-quarter sales and a 30 per cent share targeted for the full year. However, in the last quarter, domestic sales of Hyundai dropped by 12 per cent. For revival of the domestic demand, Hyundai, like several of its peers, is banking on the upcoming festive season and easing interest rates. While Hyundai Creta remained the segment leader, propelling the brand's domestic sales in India, in the CNG segment, the automaker has witnessed good growth. In an official statement, Hyundai said that it recorded enhanced CNG contribution of 15.6 per cent in its total sales, propelled by the introduction of dual-cylinder technology and new variants. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date:
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
K-shaped market: Small cars in slow lane as first-time buyers seek premium SUVs
AMID DWINDLING CAR sales at the entry level, the market is witnessing a remarkable transformation as it sees a sharp uptrend in favour of premium models at the mid-level segment and above. Hyundai Creta, a premium feature-laden mid-segment SUV with prices starting at Rs 11 lakh-plus, has emerged as the country's top selling car in June 2025. With Maruti's Ertiga, a Multi-Utility Vehicle, the two accounted for almost two-thirds of all cars sold in the month. What is also remarkable is that nearly one in three Creta buyers is a first-time car owner. Officials in Hyundai said the contribution of first-time buyers in Creta's customer base has gone up sharply to 29 per cent in 2024 from just 12 per cent in 2020. The car market has had a mixed year in 2024-25. While it hit a new sales peak at 4.3 million, the growth was sluggish at just around 3 per cent, primarily due to the continuously declining sales of entry level cars. But other interesting trends unfolded during the year: in terms of powertrains, CNG overtook diesel for the first time ever. The rural share crossed 40 per cent, again a new high. While sports utility vehicles or SUVs continue to lead, the fastest growing segment was the MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles), with rural or suburban sales accounting for a major chunk. Hatchbacks accounted for less than a quarter of the market, a new low. Hatchbacks and sedans put together, was less than a third of the market, and utility vehicles (SUVs, MPVs and vans combined) account for nearly 70 per cent. First-time buyers are picking the more expensive SUV or MUV. But the industry is divided on who exactly is a first-time buyer – individual who buys her or his first car or a family getting its first car? These are not the same. In Creta's case, it is both, with monthly income ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. What is certain though is a clear move towards premiumisation. According to Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the contribution of high-end features like ADAS-enabled cars increased almost six times to account for 15 per cent of Hyundai's overall sales in 2024. Also, 50 per cent of all cars Hyundai sells is equipped with a sunroof. 'Furthermore, we are introducing high demand premium features in lower variants across models facilitating a wider audience to get a taste of advanced technology-led mobility features,' Garg said. But in case of the UV segment, customers are said to be largely opting for base variants or those just above the base, primarily reflecting the propensity to eke out maximum bang for the buck. The entry-level car segment is in a bad shape, primarily due to two factors: higher price tag of Rs 4 lakh-plus due to better safety norms including six airbags, and sluggish income growth in the lower end of consumer base. The bigger problem is that an entry-level car costs nearly four times the prices of a scooter or motorcycle. Slowing consumption growth is a trend that seems to be getting entrenched, despite some signs of recovery in rural areas. While real wage growth for rural agricultural and non-agricultural workers is providing some support to overall consumption growth, in the urban areas, new demand is simply not picking up to the levels seen in the post-Covid phase. As a result, corporates are seeing their performance tapering off, especially in urban centres. Over the past decade, sales of small cars have steadily declined, and in recent years, more and more consumers are opting for the more expensive mid-segment cars. This could reflect rising aspirations of first-time buyers, but also erosion of purchasing power at the lower end of the consumer pyramid. Car companies are figuring it out. According to industry data, sales performance of entry-level cars priced below Rs 5 lakh – a crucial indicator of demand in the economy given that this segment largely attracts first-time buyers – is dire. This segment used to account for nearly a million units a decade ago – 9,34,538 to be precise in FY16. It has since declined to just 25,402 units in FY25. The Maruti Suzuki Alto, for instance, sold more than 18,700 units in June 2019, and was the best-selling then. In June 2025, the Alto and S-Presso combined sold a little over 6,000 units. Creta, a mid-segment car, on the other hand ranked number in the charts selling 15,786 units in June this year. Despite being the top-selling car, its June sales were less than the average monthly sale of 16,239 in the last financial year. A veteran industry executive said this is 'clearly a K-shaped curve in car buying habits in India'. In April-June 2025, passenger vehicle sales declined 1.4 per cent over the same quarter last year, and passenger car sales declined by more than 11 per cent in the same period. As such, not only is the expected graduation in a growing economy from two to four wheelers not happening, the former's growth itself is stalling. The two-wheeler segment sales dropped 6.2 per cent to 46.74 lakh units in April-June 2025, pulled down by motorcycles and mopeds. When juxtaposed, suggests a dwindling of purchasing power at the lower and middle-class segments In the cars' segment, it is the utility vehicles, which are not exactly entry level, or affordable, cars for a majority of Indians, that are saving the auto sector from a complete meltdown, a trend highlighted by the likes of the Creta and Ertiga being among the top sellers in June, accounting for nearly 66 per cent of all cars sold. According to data collected by the NGO People Research on India's Consumer Economy – which some carmakers refer to internally – car penetration in Indian households that have a yearly income of less than Rs 4 lakh reduced to 1.4 per cent in FY20, from 1.9 per cent in FY16. Car penetration in households that earn between Rs 4 lakh to Rs 7 lakh annually also reduced to 8.3 per cent from 12.1 per cent in the same time period. Families with incomes of less than Rs 4 lakh and between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 7 lakh are said to make up for around 80 per cent of all Indian households. Though FY20 was the latest data available with a carmaker, they said the trend has not changed in the subsequent years. Soumyarendra Barik is Special Correspondent with The Indian Express and reports on the intersection of technology, policy and society. With over five years of newsroom experience, he has reported on issues of gig workers' rights, privacy, India's prevalent digital divide and a range of other policy interventions that impact big tech companies. He once also tailed a food delivery worker for over 12 hours to quantify the amount of money they make, and the pain they go through while doing so. In his free time, he likes to nerd about watches, Formula 1 and football. ... Read More Anil Sasi is National Business Editor with the Indian Express and writes on business and finance issues. He has worked with The Hindu Business Line and Business Standard and is an alumnus of Delhi University. ... Read More
