MG Motor India has unveiled two new trim levels for its debut vehicle, Hector, to bolster its position in the intensely competitive SUV segment. The repositioning entails a revised entry-level price for the Hector SUV, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
Previously, the MG Hector was available in various trim levels including Style, Shine, Smart, Smart Pro, Sharp Pro, and Savvy Pro. However, MG has now introduced two additional trims - Shine Pro and Select Pro. The complete lineup starts with the base Style variant, followed by the newly introduced Shine Pro and Select Pro, then the Smart Pro, Sharp Pro, and ending with the high-end Savvy Pro.
Interestingly, the Shine and Smart trims have been discontinued. The recently launched Shine Pro is only available in a 5-seater configuration with 1.5L Turbo Petrol Manual, 1.5L Turbo Petrol CVT, and 2.0L Diesel Manual as power options. In contrast, the Select Pro is available across all engine types for the 5-Seater Hector, although the 7-seater Hector Plus Select Pro doesn't offer a Petrol CVT combination.
In terms of pricing, the base Style Petrol MT variant received a substantial price cut of Rs. 95K, bringing it down to Rs. 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Shine Pro and Select Pro trims start at Rs. 16 lakh and Rs. 17.3 lakh respectively for the Petrol MT combination (both prices ex-showroom).
Shine Pro trim, touted as substantial value for money, offers LED DRLs, LED projector headlights, connected LED tail lights, front and rear fog lights, 17-inch alloys, and many more features. Its interior boasts a 14-inch portrait-style infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, among others.
On the contrary, the Select Pro variant aims to provide a more luxurious experience, with larger 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, LED reading lights, 8 speakers, a sub-woofer and amplifier, and a range of connected car features. The powertrain options remain identical to the Shine Pro trim.
The vehicle packs a 1.5L Turbo Petrol engine that delivers 143 PS of peak power and 250 Nm of torque, coupled with either a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission. A 2.0L diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox is also on offer, producing 170 PS of peak power and 350 Nm of torques.
Gaurav Gupta, Deputy Managing Director, MG Motor India, stated, “Since its launch in 2019, the MG Hector has redefined the SUV landscape with a myriad of tech features and incomparable driving comfort with ADAS Level 2 and Connected features. Taking cue from market research, industry analysis, and customer feedback, we introduced these latest variants, reinforcing our commitment to offering a superior driving experience, marked by performance and power, that caters to the discerning tastes of SUV enthusiasts.”
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Kia India has officially unveiled its highly anticipated EV9, a three-row electric SUV, priced at ₹1.30 crore in the Indian market. Originally showcased as a concept at the Auto Expo 2023, this luxury vehicle boasts an impressive ARAI-certified range of 561 kilometers on a single charge.
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Jeep India has unveiled the Compass Anniversary Edition to commemorate eight years in the Indian market, priced at Rs 25.26 lakh (ex-showroom). This limited-edition model is designed for adventure-seekers and features exclusive accessories.
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Mahindra has launched the ZEO EV, a 4W electric pickup truck, priced at Rs 7.52 lakh (ex-showroom), marking its entry into the electric commercial vehicle segment. This innovative vehicle targets those seeking sustainable transport solutions, aligning with Mahindra's vision for a greener future.
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Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reaffirmed its dedication to the Halewood factory, with investments now surpassing a significant £500 million. Initially, back in 2022, the company laid out its vision for transitioning the factory to support electric vehicle (EV) production, and since then, it has shown substantial progress. Over the past 12 months, the company has dedicated an impressive 'one million hours' to construction, resulting in a 32,000-square-foot extension to the historic facility, which originally began as a car factory for the Ford Anglia in 1963.
This half-billion-pound investment includes an initial outlay of £250 million, primarily aimed at modifying the production line to accommodate JLR’s forthcoming Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. This platform will support a new generation of medium-sized electric luxury SUVs. Though these future models remain officially unnamed, there is widespread speculation that the next generation of Range Rover Velar will be the first to roll off the new production line in 2025.
However, plans for Halewood to transform into an exclusively electric vehicle manufacturing facility have been postponed. Last month, JLR announced it would extend its investment in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles longer than previously planned. As a result, Halewood is now set to produce ICE, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV) side by side, before eventually becoming the company's first all-electric production facility—though, notably, without a fixed timeline.
Looking ahead, JLR has earmarked an additional £250 million to fully realize its objectives for Halewood. Considerable advancements have already been made, including the installation of 750 autonomous robots, ADAS calibration rigs, and laser alignment technology to ensure perfect part fitment. In the pursuit of creating a 'factory of the future,' state-of-the-art cloud-based digital plant management systems have also been integrated.
These investments have expanded the length of the production line from 4km to 6km, accommodating new battery fitment processes. Additionally, seven-metre build stations have been installed to cater to the different proportions of EMA electric vehicles. Previously, the factory was mainly focused on the production of the current Land Rover Discovery Sport, highlighting the substantial scale of transformation JLR is undertaking.
Moreover, JLR has prioritized training, offering High Voltage Training to over 1,600 employees, and has constructed a new body shop capable of producing 500 vehicle bodies per day. The paint shop has also been modified to meet the higher demand for contrasting roofs.
Sustainability remains a core focus. Halewood plans to install 18,000 photovoltaic panels, projected to satisfy 10 percent of the facility’s energy needs. This move aligns with JLR’s broader goal of becoming a carbon net zero firm by 2039. Despite significant progress, the company acknowledges there is still much work ahead to meet this ambitious target but proudly asserts that they are moving in the right direction.
In summary, Jaguar Land Rover's continuous and exponential investments in Halewood underscore its commitment to transforming the factory into a state-of-the-art facility capable of producing a diverse range of vehicles. As it carefully balances ongoing ICE production with its ambitious EV goals, JLR is set to position Halewood at the forefront of automotive manufacturing innovation.
