After a massive hit of its maiden product, Seltos, the all-new smart urban compact SUV Sonet, has been introduced to meet the growing demand fueled by millennial and Gen Z consumers in the segment. Sonet was showcased in the Auto Expo this year in Delhi.
 
The pilot production for Sonet has been successfully conducted, and now the new car will be manufactured in the Andhra Pradesh plant. It will also be used as an export hub to export Sonet in various countries.  

“KiaMotors continues to be recognised globally through products which offer exquisite design and world-class quality, along with ‘The Power to Surprise.’ Everything about the all-new Sonet is uniquely Kia and is sure to delight both drivers and passengers,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia Motors Corporation.

Song also anticipated that growth in the SUV segment is expected to continue in 2020 and beyond.
 
Inspired by a baby elephant, the Sonet design makes it a powerful, sports and
compact SUV.  At the front, Kia tried to be more powerful with its brand’s signature design trait – the Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Flanked by ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs and stylish front skid plates below, the wild nature of the Sonet comes alive. Within the tiger-nose grille, with its classy chrome and diamond knurling pattern, is the distinctive grille mesh featuring a three-dimensional geometric design inspired by India’s iconic stepwells.

The Sonet’s lighting makes it stand out from everything else in this segment. Jewel-like LED headlamps frame the ‘face’ of the car, with ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs with integrated indicators and similar LED tail lamps make the Sonet’s wild personality come alive through its design.Furthermore, the Sonet is offered with up to eight monotone and three dual-tone exterior colour options.

For the interior, the company tries to give natural feel inside and connect people emotionally to the car. It has 10.25 inch HD touchscreen with infotainment and navigation system which does not allow the driver to remove his or her eyes off the road. It also has UVO ‘connected car’ technology, with a range of 56 features for owners offering convenience, remote control, navigation, safety, security and vehicle management.  Additionally, the 4.2-inch (10.66 cm) instrument cluster presents important information to the driver in vivid colour and clarity, such as turn-by-turn navigation instructions, highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and drive mode and traction mode selection.

With a choice of three engines and five transmissions, there is an engine-transmission combination for virtually every customer need in this segment. Two petrol engines – a versatile Smartstream 1.2-liter four-cylinder and powerful 1.0 T-GDi – and an efficient 1.5-liter CRDi diesel engine are offered.
 
The Sonet comes with five transmission options: five- and six-speed manuals, an intuitive seven-speed DCT, six-speed automatic, and Kia’s revolutionary new six-speed Smartstream intelligent manual transmission. Additionally, automatic variants of the Sonet offer Multi-Drive and Traction Modes for added convenience, driver-confidence and safety.

Sonet offers first-in-class diesel six-speed automatic, alongside a wide choice of powertrains. Offered in sporty GT-Line specification, for the first time in the segment

It has the Smartstream six-speed iMT which gives less driver fatigue. With iMT, the driver does not needs to use a clutch pedal, especially in stop-go traffic. It also gives  Longer clutch life and Smoother ride.

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) has started equipping its GRANDTREK H/T31 and GRANDTREK H/T31T SUV tyres as original fitment on the LEXUS LX, following the flagship model's October model-year refresh. The supply arrangement extends the tyre maker's long-running association with Toyota's premium SUV lineup.

Engineered to complement the LX's dual character, the GRANDTREK tyre supports a vehicle that merges serious off-road ability with polished on-road manners. The updated LX brings revised tuning for greater ride comfort and handling poise, giving drivers reassurance across widely varying surfaces and conditions worldwide.

Two distinct grades shape the tyre fitment strategy. The OVERTRAIL+ variant moves to a larger 265/70R18 size from the previous 265/65R18, paired with added minimum ground clearance for tougher terrain. Meanwhile, the newly introduced F SPORT grade targets a sharper, more engaging driving experience, wrapped in styling that reads both muscular and elegant.

The GRANDTREK H/T31, specified for F SPORT, employs a highway-terrain pattern and fresh tread compound to balance low noise, fuel efficiency and wear resistance. DUNLOP's Nano Black sidewall treatment deepens the black finish of brand logos for greater visibility and a premium look. The H/T31T, reserved for OVERTRAIL+, strengthens on-road behaviour while delivering the comfort and load-bearing toughness the LX's heavy body demands, its exclusive sidewall design projecting rugged presence and refined off-road character.

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) has confirmed that its GRANDTREK H/T31T tyres are now fitted as original equipment on the Toyota LEXUS GX550 OVERTRAIL+, a variant of the premium SUV that was refreshed for the new model year in September.

First introduced to the market in 2002, the LEXUS GX550 has been sold chiefly in North America, developing a reputation as a luxury SUV that remains comfortable even on unpaved surfaces. The latest update sharpens both ride comfort and handling stability, further elevating ride quality and delivering assured control across varied terrain. The OVERTRAIL+ grade gains larger tyres, growing from 265/65R18 to 265/70R18, together with greater minimum ground clearance, boosting off-road ability on demanding terrain while pairing a bold, muscular appearance with a quiet cabin on the road.

Developed afresh to deliver on-road capability alongside the reliability and durability cultivated across the GRANDTREK line, the H/T31T employs a highway terrain tread pattern and new tread rubber compound. These enhancements raise high-speed stability, quietness, fuel efficiency and wear resistance while the tyre balances ride comfort with the strength required to support the LEXUS GX550's hefty body. A redesigned sidewall reinforces toughness and presence, echoing the vehicle's commanding styling and merging rugged SUV solidity with urban refinement.

The GRANDTREK family comprises DUNLOP-brand tyres tailored to SUVs and pickup trucks. Its wide lineup of dependable products, proven through fitment on numerous new SUV and 4x4 models, addresses a broad range of customer requirements.

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Kenda Tires will serve as the official original equipment tyre supplier for The Blank Slate, the electric pickup from Slate Auto. The global tyre and wheel manufacturer has been tapped to equip the vehicle with its KLEVER S/T EV, a tyre built around the performance, efficiency and durability demands of Slate's eagerly awaited truck.

Engineering personnel from both firms collaborated on the research, development and production of a tyre calibrated to the Slate truck's weight, torque output, efficiency targets, ride and handling traits and expected driving conditions. Kenda will also furnish accessory tyre lines, giving buyers room to personalise their trucks without compromising the platform's performance, safety and quality benchmarks.

Slate Auto has attracted broad industry attention for its unconventional take on electric vehicle ownership, centred on affordability, simplicity and personalisation. Bringing a dedicated OE tyre supplier on board marks a meaningful milestone as the company works toward a production-ready vehicle and supply chain.

The KLEVER S/T EV was purpose-built for the Slate application, with features that address the heft and instant torque characteristic of electric drivetrains. Its low rolling resistance design helps stretch efficiency and range, while reinforced construction bolsters durability, handling and tread life. Engineers at Kenda's American Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, supported development, collaborating closely with automakers on tailored solutions for emerging mobility platforms. The tyre debuts as original equipment on The Blank Slate when production starts in November 2026, timed to Slate Auto's schedule.

Jimmy Yang, Global President, CEO and Chairman, Kenda Industrial, said, "As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Kenda remains committed to delivering innovative tyre technologies that meet the needs of both manufacturers and its consumers. Our collaboration with Slate Auto represents an exciting opportunity to support a company that is reimagining electric mobility through accessibility, personalisation and practicality. We are proud to contribute our engineering and production expertise with our EV-focused technology to help bring The Blank Slate to market."

Brandon Stotsenburg, Vice President of Automotive for American Kenda Rubber, said, "This partnership reflects Kenda's continued growth in the original equipment automotive market and our ability to develop purpose-built solutions for next-generation vehicles. The KLEVER S/T EV was designed to address the specific challenges EVs present, from increased vehicle weight and instant torque to efficiency and ride comfort requirements. Working alongside Slate throughout the development process has allowed us to create a tyre solution that complements the vehicle's performance while supporting its affordability and personalisation goals."

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FALKEN has secured original equipment supply approval from Audi for its AZENIS FK520 summer tyre, which will be fitted to the premium brand’s flagship SUVs, the Q7 and Q9. Production begins in May 2026, with the tyres carrying the R0 designation to mark the Audi-specific fitment. The deal reinforces FALKEN’s standing in the premium original equipment market.

The AZENIS FK520 (R0) comes in three sizes covering 20- to 22-inch wheel diameters, with vehicles assembled at Audi’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia. Buyers can inspect the fitted tyres and their EU tyre label data through Audi’s vehicle configurator. The ultra-high-performance tyre is built for sporty road cars, offered in reinforced Extra Load versions across all sizes and rated to Y speed specifications for up to 300 kmph, targeting drivers focused on stability, precision and safety.

FALKEN’s original equipment record with premium marques spans many years and includes Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The AZENIS FK510A SUV gained Porsche Macan approval in 2018, and the AZENIS FK520 (NG0) followed in 2026 for the Porsche Cayenne Electric. Since 2011 the brand has maintained a motorsport presence, campaigning a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.

Christian Stolting, OE Sales Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “It is an important step for our original equipment business to fit the Q7 and Q9, two models of great importance to Audi, with the FALKEN AZENIS FK520 (R0) as a factory-fitted option. The choice of our tyres for these Audi models reflects confidence in the performance and quality of FALKEN in this segment.”

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