Earlier this week, auction house RM Sotheby’s listed this one-off Bugatti Chiron Profilée at its Paris auction for sale. The 1600hp hypercar with its unique wing, alloy wheels and custom interiors got sold for a whopping bid price of €9,792,500 ($10 million), making it the most valuable new car sold at an auction. This bid further went on to become the biggest sale RM Sotheby’s has made in the Paris auction’s 47-year history. The bidding amount went doubled over the pre-estimate of ($5 million), as the Profilée marked the final opportunity to grab the famed W16 engine direct from the French carmaker before electrification hits. 

Those who have bought an Alto K10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno or Grand Vitara, with a manufacturing date between December 8, 2022, and January 12, 2023, pay attention. Maruti Suzuki has triggered a voluntary recall of 17,362 units, comprising the models mentioned above, to check for a possible issue with the Airbag Controller. If it isn’t working seamlessly, in which case it may result in the non-deployment of the airbags and seat belt pretensioners in the event of a crash, the carmaker will run a free-of-cost rectification. And since airbags play a vital role in passenger safety, it is advised not to drive the vehicles until the inspection is complete. To know whether your car falls under this service campaign, you can either visit Maruti Suzuki’s website and enter the chassis number or get in touch with the nearest authorised dealership.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. (SAVWIPL), which comprises Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini brands, had a record-breaking 2022. The company retailed 1,01,270 units in the domestic market, while the exports counter stood at 33,397. Compared to 2021, sales went up 86 per cent for SAVWIPL, and in December 2022, group sales surpassed the five-digit mark. The boost mainly came from the heavily-localised SUVs and sedans from Volkswagen and Skoda, all underpinned by the MQB-A0-IN platform. As a result, Skoda Auto India recorded its highest-ever sales volume with a growth of 125 per cent, whereas the Volkswagen India brand grew by 58 per cent – its highest in the last five years. In 2022, SAVWIPL had 20+ model launches across its five brands. Courtesy of those, the luxury brands – Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini – posted double-digit growth over 2021.

The Indian arm of the German automaker Audi sold 4,187 new vehicles in 2022. That equates to a 27 per cent growth over the previous year. Three new models – the A8 L, Q7 and the Q3 – helped boost Audi India’s sales counter. The brand also confirms that courtesy of strong demand for the S5 Sportback, RS models and the e-tron vehicles, it has a strong order bank for 2023. Besides new car sales, Audi India also strengthened its showroom network of pre-owned vehicles. The count grew from 14 to 22, which helped post a sales growth of 62 per cent. Audi India also points out supply chain challenges and semiconductor shortages, both holding back the full growth potential.

Pagani Automobili and its official distributor in the United Arab Emirates, Al Habtoor Motors, organised a track experience called ‘Arte in Pista’ at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi. Limited to the 30-odd Huayra R customers, this allowed owners to push their Huayra R to the limit with real-time guidance and feedback from Pagani engineers. This was the final Arte in Pista event for the season but the first time the event was hosted over in the UAE. 

To further strengthen its dealership network in India, Citroën has opened a new “Phygital” dealership in Nagpur, Maharashtra, the first in the city. Located at E2, MIDC Hingna Main Road, the facility offers both sales (La Maison) and after-sales (L’Atelier) services. And as you’d expect, both models – the C3 and the C5 Aircross – will be retailed and serviced at the newest touchpoint. Some of the services offered include virtual remote diagnostics and the guarantee of roadside assistance within 180 minutes.

Within a week, the Indian arm of the German carmaker Audi opened its second pre-owned car showroom. Bucketed under the ‘Audi Approved: plus’ network, the newest outlet comes up in Kozhikode, Kerala. Spanning 6,200 sq. ft. with a 9-car display area, it is located at NH-17, Calicut-Kannur Road, Pavangad, Puthiyangadi P.O, West Hill Via, Calicut. With this inauguration, the nationwide count of such showrooms for Audi India has reached 22. The carmaker confirms that all cars sold from these showrooms will come with 24×7 roadside assistance and complete service history.

The Indian arm of the German carmaker Audi has inaugurated a new Audi Approved: plus showroom. It has come up in Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand. Located at 11A, Purulia Road, Kantatoli, it becomes Audi India’s 21st pre-owned car outlet. At the same premises, the brand has opened a service facility as well. Together, both touchpoints span an area of 12,500 sq. ft., featuring an 8-car display zone and 7 workshop bays.