Brands
Hyundai Venue crosses 1 lakh bookings, adds HX8 Diesel AT variant
New top-spec automatic diesel trim brings ventilated seats, OTA updates and paddle shifters.
MUMBAI: Hyundai Venue just hit the jackpot and upgraded the prize because when you cross 1 lakh bookings, you don’t just celebrate, you throw in paddle shifters and ventilated seats for the ride. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced that the all-new Hyundai Venue has achieved 1 lakh bookings, cementing its strong position in the compact SUV segment. To mark the milestone and further enhance customer choice, the company introduced the new HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant.
The HX8 Diesel AT is powered by the proven U2 1.5L CRDi diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adds a host of premium comfort, safety and convenience features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-tone leatherette seats with VENUE branding
- Electric 4-way driver seat adjust
- Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
- Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology
- Electric parking brake with auto hold
- Rear disc brakes
- Ambient lighting on crash pad and central console
- Drive mode select (Eco, Normal, Sport)
- Traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow)
- Paddle shifters
HMIL, managing director & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 1 lakh bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience.”
Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the Venue continues to appeal to buyers seeking a feature-rich, comfortable and future-ready compact SUV. The new variant reinforces HMIL’s focus on delivering advanced technology, safety, comfort and value while adapting to evolving customer preferences.
In a segment where bookings are the real horsepower, Hyundai isn’t just counting milestones, it’s handing drivers an automatic upgrade that makes every journey feel like the victory lap.
Brands
Rajiv Bajaj quits Bajaj Finance board ahead of July AGM
The managing director of Bajaj Auto will step down as a non-executive director of the private lender, ending a long association with the company
Rajiv Bajaj is clearing his desk at Bajaj Finance. The managing director of Bajaj Auto has told the private lender that he will not seek re-election at its annual general meeting scheduled for July 30, 2026, bringing to a close a board tenure that spanned one of the most eventful chapters in Indian consumer finance.
According to a regulatory filing, Bajaj will cease to be a non-executive director of the company upon completion of the AGM. The board of directors, taking note of his departure at its meeting on Wednesday, placed on record its appreciation for his long association and contribution to the company.
The exit is notable. Bajaj is not merely a board name at Bajaj Finance. He has been part of the broader Bajaj group for over three decades, cutting his teeth across manufacturing, supply chain, research and development, engineering and marketing before rising to lead Bajaj Auto. He also holds directorships across several Bajaj group companies, including Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd, Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd, Bajaj Auto Technology Ltd, Bajaj Sevashram Pvt Ltd, Kamalnayan Investment and Trading Pvt Ltd and Rupa Equities Pvt Ltd, among others.
Bajaj holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pune and a master’s degree in manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Warwick, and has been credited with steering Bajaj Auto’s global operations through years of aggressive expansion.
His departure from the Bajaj Finance board narrows his formal footprint in the financial services arm of the group, even as he remains the public face of its automotive engine. Whether it signals a broader consolidation of roles within the conglomerate or simply a tidying of board responsibilities, the group has not said.
Bajaj Finance, one of India’s most closely watched non-banking financial companies, will now need to fill the chair he leaves behind. That, at least, should not take long.
