Brands
Maruti Suzuki Swift drives past three million sales mark
Mumbai: A premium hatchback, the Maruti Suzuki Swift, has achieved the extraordinary milestone of three million sales in India. A driver’s delight for four generations, the iconic car has established its glorious legacy and consistently delivered an unmatched driving experience and outstanding performance. Designed for the youthful and spirited, Swift has ignited a passionate community of like-minded ‘Swifters’ who share a love for driving. The launch of the Epic New Swift in May 2024 has created new benchmarks and propelled the revered Swift legacy to its three million sales milestone.
Commenting on the momentous occasion, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd senior executive officer, marketing & sales Partho Banerjee said, “The Swift has been more than just a car to the millions who have owned it – it has been a symbol of fun, freedom and exhilaration. With each new generation, the Swift has continued to raise the bar, offering cutting-edge technology, contemporary style, and that unmistakable ‘Swift DNA’ which continues to captivate customers. This accomplishment fills us with immense gratitude, and we are thankful to all Swift owners across the country.”
Inspired by the iconic Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle, the Swift was ahead of its time when it was launched in 2005 with segment-first features such as climate control, airbags and anti-lock braking system (ABS). With its unparalleled driving experience, Swift continues to enjoy widespread popularity with its cult fan following and their love for driving. The brand has achieved over 6.5 million sales worldwide, with India being Swift’s largest market.
Each new model of the Swift has continued to carry forward the core philosophy of the Swift brand, consistently pushing boundaries for the sporty premium hatchback. The Swift surpassed 1 million sales in 2013 within 8 years since its introduction, the two million sales mark was breached in 2018, and now the iconic sporty hatchback has driven past the 3 million sales mark.
In its fourth generation today, the Epic New Swift continues to build on its legacy, winning over customers with its sporty design, spirited yet efficient Z-Series engine and an array of standard safety features such as six airbags, Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP®), Hill Hold Assist and more.
Brands
Trump announces $300bn Texas oil refinery with Reliance, calls it the biggest in US history
First new US refinery in 50 years planned at Brownsville port with Reliance
WASHINGTON: The United States may soon see the first brand-new oil refinery built on its soil in half a century.
Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Texas, calling it a landmark moment for American energy production and jobs.
Posting on Truth Social on 10 March, Trump said the facility would be built at the Port of Brownsville and developed by a company called America First Refining, with major investment from India’s Reliance Industries.
The announcement frames the project as a centrepiece of the administration’s push for “energy dominance”, with Trump claiming it would deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to South Texas.
If realised, the plant would mark the first all-new major refinery constructed in the United States since the 1970s. In recent decades, oil companies have largely chosen to expand existing facilities rather than build new ones, citing high costs, regulatory hurdles and environmental scrutiny.
Trump described the proposed investment as the “biggest in US history”, positioning it as proof that policy changes such as streamlined permits and lower taxes are drawing large-scale energy investments back into the country.
The refinery is planned for the Port of Brownsville, a strategic Gulf Coast location that provides easy access to shipping routes and export markets.
A key partner in the project is Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The company already runs the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India, making it one of the most experienced operators in large-scale petroleum processing.
The Texas venture would mark a significant step for the group into America’s domestic refining sector, potentially strengthening industrial ties between the US and India.
The proposed refinery is being promoted as a next-generation facility capable of processing American shale oil while maintaining high environmental standards. Trump said it would be “the cleanest refinery in the world”, although the specific technologies behind that claim have not yet been detailed.
Industry observers also note that the $300 billion figure is unusually large for a refinery project, and analysts are waiting for more clarity on whether the number reflects total construction costs, long-term infrastructure investment, or broader economic impact estimates.
As of 11 March, Reliance Industries had not publicly confirmed the investment size or the structure of its involvement.
For now, the announcement has sparked equal parts excitement and curiosity in energy markets. If the plan moves from promise to pouring concrete, the refinery could reshape the Gulf Coast energy landscape, and reopen a chapter in American refining that has been quiet for nearly fifty years.
