The Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) awards for the year 2025 were presented by JK Tyre at the Levitas Lounge in New Delhi. Mahindra Thar Roxx won the title of Indian Car of the Year 2025, whereas the Aprilia RS 457 was unanimously selected as the Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2025.

Prominent journalists, members of the automobile community and leaders of the industry graced the occasion. Since it was ICOTY's 20th anniversary, this year's event was very noteworthy. The awardees were given their prizes by Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, ICOTY Chairman Dhruv Behl, IMOTY Chairman Kartik Ware, and distinguished jury members.

The ICOTY jury established the ‘Premium Car Award’ in 2019 to address the expanding availability, acceptability and appeal of a broad variety of luxury vehicles from different manufacturers in the Indian market. Mercedes-Benz E-Class was acknowledged as the deserving champion for 2025. Given the changing automotive industry and the government's growing emphasis on electric cars, the 'Green Car Award' was instituted in 2021 to recognise the manufacturers' contributions to the mobility of the future. The 2025 Green Car Award was given to MG Windsor.

A rigorous examination procedure was applied to the cars and motorcycles nominated for this year's ICOTY and IMOTY awards. The candidates were assessed in four categories by 28 jurors with over 400 years of combined work experience from top auto magazines. In order to identify the winners, the judges thoroughly examined each vehicle's features, taking into account elements including cost, fuel economy, design, comfort, safety, performance, usefulness, technological innovation, value for money and suitability for Indian driving conditions.

Dr Singhania said, "The ICOTY and IMOTY Awards stand as a testament to the remarkable achievements in India's dynamic automotive landscape. These esteemed accolades celebrate excellence and innovation, reflecting the industry's unwavering commitment to progress. Over the years, the Indian automotive sector has demonstrated remarkable strides, solidifying its position as a global leader. At JK Tyre, we are proud to contribute to this legacy and recognize the dedication and ingenuity that drive this industry forward.”

Behl said, “The 20th edition of ICOTY is certainly a memorable one. ICOTY, the Green Car Award by ICOTY and the Premium Car Award by ICOTY are, far and away, the most coveted awards in the Indian automotive industry. Over the past two decades, ICOTY has set itself apart as being the most credible and respected awards in the industry. The 21-member ICOTY jury has a cumulative experience of 408 years, and it’s an absolute honour for me to be Chairman of such an illustrious jury. I’d like to congratulate all the winners for bringing cutting edge technology and design to our roads in their respective segments.”

Ware said, “The 18th edition of IMOTY saw competition as tough as it's ever been. The finalists were some of the best machines India has ever seen, their capabilities ranging across the wide spectrum bookended by performance and innovation and everything in between that a motorcycle must possess. However, there can only be one winner, and the Aprilia RS 457 is a deserving one for the special feelings it brings to Indian riders. A big thanks to my fellow jury members for making my first time out as IMOTY chairman as smooth as possible. And an equally big thanks to JK Tyre for supporting IMOTY since its inception. One more fantastic motorcycle joins the ranks of IMOTY winners!”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Sector, M&M Ltd, said, “We would like to thank the esteemed ICOTY 2025 jury for honouring the Mahindra Thar ROXX with this coveted award. This recognition reaffirms the global benchmarks of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence we have pursued. The Thar ROXX represents a passion for charting new adventures – an ethos that resonates with enthusiasts everywhere. We remain deeply grateful to our customers, whose love and trust continue to fuel our commitment to deliver unforgettable driving experiences.”

Diego Graffi, MD and CEO, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited, said, “In a year graced by exceptional motorcycles, the Aprilia RS457 has emerged as a true standout. The IMOTY 2025 jury has bestowed upon the Aprilia RS457 the title of 'Indian Motorcycle of the Year’, a resounding affirmation of its unwavering commitment to speed, agility and Italian design. We are immensely proud to witness the Aprilia RS457 receive this well-deserved accolade. This recognition serves as a powerful testament to the dedication and passion exhibited by our team in crafting a motorcycle that truly embodies the spirit of Aprilia – speed, agility and Italian design.”

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The Long Wheelbase E-Class remains the most desirable luxury sedan for the discerning Indian luxury car customer. Highly advanced and personal than ever before, the Long Wheelbase E-Class is an unmatched combination of luxury, sheer comfort, ground-breaking technology, digital intelligence and superior driving dynamics, making it the unanimous choice as India’s most admired luxury sedan. The coveted ICOTY Premium Car of the Year is a firm testament to the Long Wheelbase E-Class’ unparalleled luxury stature in the luxury car market. I dedicate this honour to the entire Mercedes-Benz India team, who made multiple 'India-specific' enhancements to the car, making it highly suitable for the Indian conditions, exceeding even the most demanding customer requirements. The ICOTY Premium Car of the Year honour for the Long Wheelbase E-Class salutes the innovation, pioneering spirit and brand legacy that customers associate Mercedes-Benz with, inspiring us to create superior customer experience."

Rajeev Chaba, CEO Emeritus, JSW MG Motor India, said, "The MG Windsor is the right product at the right time with the right pricing and packaging. It is certainly a disruptor in the segment, redefining consumer perceptions about EVs. The strong sales momentum since its launch highlights the evolving preference of consumers. The MG Windsor ticks all the boxes of their consideration sets, especially the value for money it delivers. The MG Windsor is all the more special to us because it has been successful in debunking myths around higher acquisition cost of EVs through path breaking initiatives such as Battery-As-A-Service and lifetime battery warranty. The interplay of all these factors has helped MG Windsor to emerge as the Green Car of the Year at the coveted ICOTY 2025. I would like to thank all our customers for their unwavering support, the esteemed jury at ICOTY and everyone at JSW MG Motor India who have worked relentlessly to make this achievement possible."

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Michelin has introduced the MICHELIN Primacy 5 in India, marking a pivotal development for the tyre manufacturer as it represents the first passenger car tyre produced locally by the company. This new premium offering is specifically engineered for sedans and sport utility vehicles, signifying an important progression in Michelin’s operational footprint within the Indian automotive market.

The latest tyre is designed to accommodate the varied powertrains present in the contemporary automotive landscape, serving internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles equally. Through the application of sophisticated tread pattern optimisation and next-generation rubber compounds, the Primacy 5 aims to provide a balance of enduring safety, ride comfort, responsive handling and enhanced energy efficiency.

Performance metrics for the new tyre demonstrate substantial advancements in safety and durability. Compared to its direct competitors, the Primacy 5 offers considerably shorter wet braking distances for both new and worn tyres, along with improved dry braking performance. It also provides an eight percent increase in overall mileage over its predecessor, the Primacy 4ST, achieved through the integration of EverTread and EverGrip technologies that sustain grip throughout the tyre’s lifespan. Additionally, the tyre sets a new standard for ride comfort with a nine percent better comfort score than rivals, attributed to a noise-attenuating tread pattern, while also delivering a six and a half percent improvement in energy efficiency.

Having received the Tyre of the Year 2025 accolade at the Tire Technology International Awards, the Primacy 5 is slated for commercial release starting August 2026. Upon launch, it will be accessible to customers through Michelin’s own retail network and a nationwide distribution channel of approximately 800 authorised dealers.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “India’s premium mobility landscape is evolving rapidly with growing demand for high-performance, safe and sustainable tyre solutions across sedans, SUVs and electric vehicles. The launch of the Made-in-India MICHELIN Primacy 5 marks a significant milestone for Michelin in the country and reflects our commitment to delivering products that are tailored to the needs of Indian consumers. Manufactured in India for Indian drivers, the Primacy 5 has been developed and tested on the vehicles most driven in the country, benchmarked against leading competitors, and validated by an independent testing agency. By combining Michelin’s latest global tyre technologies with local manufacturing expertise, the Primacy 5 is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving expectations of Indian motorists for superior safety, longer tyre life, enhanced comfort, energy efficiency and everyday performance. India continues to be a key growth market for the Michelin Group, and as we expand our retail presence and strengthen our manufacturing and service ecosystem in the country, we remain committed to bringing world-class mobility solutions closer to our customers while contributing to India's manufacturing ambitions.”

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VMI has secured the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum Medal, the highest possible distinction within the internationally recognised sustainability benchmark. This coveted recognition positions the Dutch company within the top one percent of all enterprises evaluated globally, a ranking determined by rigorous analysis of environmental practices, ethical conduct, labour and human rights standards and sustainable procurement policies.

This year’s Platinum accolade represents a significant advancement from the Gold rating VMI earned in 2025, underscoring a dedicated trajectory of enhanced corporate responsibility. The upgraded status highlights the organisation’s persistent drive to elevate its ecological and social governance benchmarks beyond its previous high standards.

The momentum behind this elevated rating stems from several key corporate initiatives launched over the past year. These include the institution of the enterprise-wide ‘We green it together’ programme, designed to empower diverse teams to achieve specific sustainability objectives, alongside the formal adoption of the VMI Sustainability Manifesto, which articulates long-term aspirations. The recent publication of the 2025 Sustainability Report further complements these efforts by transparently detailing the company’s measurable progress against its established targets.

Harm Voortman, President and CEO of VMI Group, said, “Receiving the EcoVadis Platinum Medal is a proud milestone for VMI and we share this medal with all our employees around the world. This recognition reflects the progress we have made in integrating sustainability into every aspect of our business. From designing more sustainable machines together with our customers to working closely with our suppliers, we continue to improve the sustainability of both our products and our operations. While we are proud to have progressed from Silver to Gold and now Platinum, we see this as a milestone in our journey to build a sustainable future.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, played a central role in the season’s pivotal Japanese double-header. As the official race tyre for all competitors, the company’s iON Race compound was put to the test under extreme and shifting conditions during Rounds 14 and 15 of Season 12 at the 2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix.

The weekend’s on-track action produced two dramatic winners. CUPRA KIRO’s Dan Ticktum snatched victory in Round 14 with a last-corner overtake on Jake Dennis, while Nick Cassidy completed the podium. The following day, Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries claimed Round 15, finishing ahead of Cassidy and Dennis, who secured second and third respectively. The entire paddock also observed a period of remembrance for the late Cyril Blais.

The 2.575-kilometre temporary circuit, featuring 18 corners and situated around Tokyo Big Sight, hosted its first-ever night races, drastically altering track conditions from practice to competition. Unstable weather compounded the challenge, with a Sunday thunderstorm cancelling Free Practice 3 and leaving a damp, drying surface for Round 15 that demanded constant adaptation in tyre warm-up and strategy.

Throughout the weekend, Hankook’s iON Race tyre demonstrated reliability across the evolving grip levels and temperature swings. Following the Tokyo results, Dennis retains the championship lead with 146 points, narrowly ahead of Mitch Evans and Pascal Wehrlein. The title battle remains fiercely contested and will be resolved at the season-ending Hankook London E-Prix double-header on 15–16 August.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Bringing Formula E night racing to Tokyo for the first time made this a distinctive weekend and one of the more unusual tyre assignments of our season. The contrast between afternoon running and the 20:05 races shaped how teams prepared for both events, and the iON Race managed that transition and the changing weather conditions well, delivering consistent and predictable performance as the circuit cooled through the evening.”

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Tegeta Green Planet recently contributed to the ‘Circular Future’ green camp, an environmental education initiative organised by CENN and funded by the European Union. The camp, which hosted 23 teenagers from the Adjara and Kakheti regions, was designed to deepen ecological understanding, advocate for waste-free systems, and inspire long-term behavioural change among the next generation.

Throughout the week-long gathering, young attendees engaged with forward-thinking methods for minimising refuse, prolonging product life cycles and improving separation and recovery processes. Interactive workshops translated abstract circular economy theories into tangible daily actions, equipping participants with the know-how to conserve materials and shrink their personal environmental toll.

A noteworthy component of the programme occurred on 22 July, when a specialised seminar titled ‘Circular Economy: Waste Reduction and Recycling for Public Health’ was convened. Co-hosted by Tegeta Green Planet, the UNDP and the Waste Management Business Association, the seminar examined the intersection of ecological integrity and human well-being, illustrating how robust recycling systems directly benefit community health outcomes.

Closing the day’s agenda, Tegeta Green Planet’s Director, Shalva Akhvlediani, offered an in-depth look at the Extended Producer Responsibility model currently unfolding in Georgia. He traced the journey of end-of-life vehicle components – from used tyres and spent lubricants to depleted batteries – through collection, transport and reprocessing channels. Akhvlediani also highlighted his organisation’s network of over 350 domestic producers and importers, stressing that youth education remains a cornerstone of their mission. The floor was then opened for a lively exchange, where students posed probing questions, debated local environmental dilemmas and floated their own grassroots suggestions, reinforcing the message that responsible resource use begins with informed individual choices.

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