Topic
Spy Shots & Launches
Covers test-mule sightings, leaks, filings and launch timelines for cars and bikes worldwide, always asking what it means for Indian buyers.
What it covers
Largely India: test cars and bikes caught in camouflage on Indian roads, models coming to India, Indian homologation and design filings, price and variant leaks and launch timelines, written for Indian buyers. Sightings and filings abroad only for a model confirmed or expected for India. Spy photos are shown from the publication or forum that published them, credited to it (and to the photographer or agency it names) with a link to the original; their text is never copied. Claims are labelled 'spied', 'filed', 'leaked' or 'expected' until the maker confirms. Calm, exact and sceptical; official word outranks any rumour. No owner's guides, how-tos or stories about our own practice.
Subtopics
8 subtopics, covered in turn · open one to see who it followsIndian spy-shot publicationsOpenIndia · follows 21 · 2 storiesIndian outlets and forums (Team-BHP, Rushlane, Autocar India, GaadiWaadi and the rest) that publish test mules caught on Indian roads, scoops and launch timelines. The desk's main beat: report the sighting, credit them by name and link, and show their spy photos credited to them; never copy their text.
Autocar IndiaINAutocar ProfessionalINRushlaneINCarDekhoINZigWheelsINCarWaleINBikeWaleINBikeDekhoINautoXINMotorOctaneINMotorBeamINV3CarsINEvo IndiaINOverdriveINcarandbikeIN91wheelsINAutopunditzINTeam-BHPINGaadiWaadiINIndianAutosBlog (IAB)INETAuto (Economic Times)INGlobal spy-shot publicationsOpenWorldwide · follows 22 · 3 storiesInternational titles that break test-mule sightings, Nurburgring prototypes and China leaks. Only for models confirmed or expected for India, or a global platform an India model will use; say what it means for India. Credit the title by name and link, show its spy photos credited to it and to the agency it names; never copy text.
CarscoopsUSMotor1.comUSAutocar (UK)GBCAR Magazine (UK)GBAuto ExpressGBCarBuzzUSThe DriveUSCar and DriverUSMotorTrendUSMotor.esESCnEVPostCNCarNewsChinaCNAutohomeCNVisordownGBMCN (Motorcycle News)GBRideApartUSBikeSocial (Bennetts)GBCycle WorldUSMotorcycle.comUSAutoblogUSautoevolutionROAsphalt & RubberUSOEM teasers and launch channelsOpenIndia · follows 24 · 3 storiesOfficial Indian press rooms where teasers, launch dates and price announcements first appear. Official word always outranks a leak; when a teaser confirms a spy story, update the story and credit both.
Maruti Suzuki IndiaINMahindra (Auto)INHyundai Motor IndiaINKia IndiaINToyota Kirloskar MotorINHonda Cars IndiaINJSW MG Motor IndiaINSkoda Auto Volkswagen India (Skoda, VW)INRenault IndiaINNissan Motor IndiaINCitroen India (Stellantis)INBYD IndiaINBMW Group India (BMW, MINI, Motorrad)INMercedes-Benz (global media, India)DEAudi IndiaINRoyal EnfieldINBajaj Auto (incl. KTM, Triumph India releases)INTVS MotorINHero MotoCorpINHonda Motorcycle & Scooter IndiaINIndia Yamaha MotorINOla ElectricINTata Motors Passenger VehiclesINVinFast IndiaINHomologation and type approvalOpenWorldwide · follows 20 · 1 storyIndia first: ARAI, ICAT and Vahan records that reveal a model before its Indian launch (engine codes, dimensions, weights, variant names). Foreign filings (China MIIT, US EPA) only for India-bound models. A filing is a fact; report it as 'filed' or 'certified', never as a launch date.
ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)INICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology)INGARC (Global Automotive Research Centre)INNATRAXINMinistry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)INVahan Homologation (maker-model) portalINVahan DashboardINParivahan SewaINBureau of Indian Standards (BIS)INMIIT (China) - vehicle product announcementsCNUS EPA compliance and fuel economy dataUSFuelEconomy.govUSCARB Executive OrdersUSNHTSA vPIC (VIN decoder and manufacturer filings)USROVER (Australia Register of Approved Vehicles)AUKraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA)DEVehicle Certification Agency (UK)GBEuropean Commission - automotive technical harmonisationBEMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan)JPUNECE WP.29CHPatents, trademarks and designsOpenWorldwide · follows 18 · 2 storiesIndia first: IP India trademark and design filings that leak model names and production shapes for the Indian market, often a year early; WIPO, EUIPO or USPTO records only for India-bound models. Report what the filing shows, link the record, and say plainly that a filing does not guarantee a product.
IP India (CGPDTM)INIP India patent searchINIP India trade mark public searchINIP India design searchINIP India official journal (patents, designs)INWIPO Global Brand DatabaseCHWIPO Global Design DatabaseCHWIPO Hague SystemCHEUIPO eSearchESUSPTOUSUSPTO trademark searchUSCNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration)CNJapan Patent OfficeJPJ-PlatPatJPGoogle PatentsUSWIPO PATENTSCOPECHTMview and DesignView (TMDN)ESEspacenet (European Patent Office)DEPrice leaks and dealer documentsOpenIndia · follows 10 · 2 storiesDealer price lists, CSD rates, brochures and sales data that leak prices and variants before launch. Rule: two independent sources, label it 'leaked' or 'expected', protect the source, and never publish embargoed or confidential documents obtained through a paid or trusted relationship.
Motor shows and launch calendarOpenWorldwide · follows 18 · 1 storyIndian shows first (Bharat Mobility Global Expo, India Bike Week) and the Indian launch calendar; global shows only for reveals of models coming to India. Use official schedules for dates; anything else is 'expected'.
Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2027INAuto Expo - The Motor Show 2027INIndia Bike WeekINEICMA (Milan)ITJapan Mobility ShowJPAuto China (Beijing)CNIAA Mobility (Munich)DEGoodwood Festival of SpeedGBMondial de l'Auto (Paris)FRLos Angeles Auto ShowUSNew York International Auto ShowUSDetroit Auto ShowUSGIIAS (Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show)IDTokyo Auto SalonJPAuto ShanghaiCNChicago Auto ShowUSBangkok International Motor ShowTHGeneva International Motor Show (GIMS)CHLaunches, sales and plantsOpenWorldwide · follows 133 · 1 storyMonthly sales releases, plant news and launch timing, read for what they mean for buyers.
Maruti Suzuki: Monthly sales releaseMaruti Suzuki: Investor Relations contactsHyundai: Pune (Talegaon) plantHyundai: Investor RelationsHyundai: Monthly sales releasesDemerger: Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV)Tata Motors: TMPV investor relationsMahindra: Investor Relations and regulatory filingsMahindra: Monthly sales releaseMahindra: Chakan plantToyota Kirloskar Motor: TKM, Bidadi (Ramanagara)Toyota Kirloskar Motor: Sales and press releasesKia: Anantapur plantHonda Cars: Tapukara plant and Greater Noida HQHonda Cars: Bengaluru spare parts warehouse, DoddaballapuraHonda Cars: Monthly sales releaseJSW MG Motor: Monthly wholesales releaseJSW MG Motor: Halol plant, Gujarat; JSW-SAIC joint ventureSkoda Auto: Quarterly sales releaseSkoda Auto: SAVWIPL plants: Chakan (Pune) and Shendra (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)Skoda Auto: Technology Centre Pune new R&D wing (Baner)Volkswagen: SAVWIPL annual resultsVolkswagen: Plants: Chakan (Pune) and Shendra (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)Renault: Monthly sales releaseOragadam plant, Chennai (RNAIPL, now 100% Renault)Renault: Duster exports from ChennaiNissan Motor: Domestic wholesales and exports releaseNissan Motor: Chennai plant (RNAIPL) and R&D centreCitroën / Jeep: Ranjangaon plant (Maharashtra)Citroën / Jeep: Stellantis Brand House dual-brand retailBYD: Chennai office/facility, SIPCOT Irungattukottai, SriperumbudurBYD: Delivery milestones (no monthly sales release)VinFast: Tamil Nadu plant (Thoothukudi)VinFast: Bengaluru flagship 3S showroom (50th outlet)VinFast: Investor relations: NASDAQ VFSBMW / MINI: Half-yearly and quarterly sales releasesBMW / MINI: BMW Group Plant ChennaiAudi: SAVWIPL plant, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)Audi: Quarterly and annual sales releasesJLR: Parent: Tata MotorsVolvo Cars investor relationsLexus: Local production at TKM BidadiPorsche India, division of SAVWIPLDealer network incl. Porsche Centre BengaluruForce Motors: Plants: Akurdi, Chakan, Pithampur, ChennaiForce Motors: Engines for Mercedes-Benz (Chakan) and BMW (Chennai)Force Motors: Force MTU Power Systems JV (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)Force Motors: Investor relations, monthly sales data and exchange filings (BSE, NSE)Force Motors: Newsroom: monthly sales updatesForce Motors: Defence order: 2,978 Gurkhas (March 2025)Isuzu Motors: Sri City plant, Andhra PradeshIsuzu Motors: One lakh vehicles rolled out at Sri CityIsuzu Motors: Pristine ISUZU, Bengaluru 3S dealerIsuzu Motors India Pvt Ltd (Japanese subsidiary)Lamborghini: India dealers: Bengaluru, Delhi, MumbaiLamborghini: Part of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) groupFerrari: India dealers: Navnit Motors Mumbai; Select Cars Bengaluru and New DelhiFerrari N.V. investor relationsRolls-Royce Motor Cars: India growth and dealer networkRolls-Royce Motor Cars: Rolls-Royce PressClub Regional topic (India items)Bentley India division within SAVWIPL (from July 2025)Bentley: Retail: Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi (BIRD Group, Aerocity)Aston Martin Lagonda investor relationsRoyal Enfield: Eicher Motors monthly business update (sales)Royal Enfield: Eicher Motors investor relationsBajaj Auto: Bajaj media centre: Sales Figures tabBajaj Auto: Plants (Akurdi, Chakan, Waluj, Pantnagar)Bajaj Auto: Stock exchange intimations (NSE BAJAJ-AUTO, BSE 532977)Bajaj Auto: Bajaj takes control of KTMKTM: Made by Bajaj at Chakan; Bajaj group entityTriumph Motorcycles: Bajaj Auto runs Triumph India sales and marketingTriumph Motorcycles: Triumph 400cc export milestoneTVS Motor: Plants: Hosur, Mysuru, Nalagarh (+ Karawang)TVS Motor: First Norton Atlas built at HosurTVS Motor: Monthly sales press releases and investor pagesHero MotoCorp: Plants and R&DHero MotoCorp: Monthly dispatch release via NSE (HEROMOTOCO, BSE 500182)Hero MotoCorp: Hero investor relationsHonda Motorcycle & Scooter: HMSI plants: Manesar, Tapukara, Narsapura, VithalapurIndia Yamaha Motor: IYM plants: Surajpur (UP) and Kanchipuram (TN)Suzuki Motorcycle: Monthly sales releaseSuzuki Motorcycle: Kherki Daula plant, GurugramAther Energy: NSE/BSE listing: ATHERENERG / 544397Ather Energy: Hosur plant, Tamil NaduAther Energy: Factory 3.0, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra)Ola Electric: NSE/BSE listing: OLAELEC / 544225Ola Electric: Monthly VAHAN registration releaseOla Electric: Ola Futurefactory (Tamil Nadu)Jawa / Yezdi / BSA: Classic Legends Pvt LtdIndia Kawasaki Motors: IKM R&D technical centre, PuneIndia Kawasaki Motors: Corporate info / annual returnsHarley-Davidson: Hero MotoCorp: India partner, investor relationsHarley-Davidson: Hero Premia premium retailDucati India (subsidiary), New DelhiDucati ownership (AUDI AG / VW Group)BMW Motorrad: TVS Motor Hosur plant: G 310 series productionBMW Motorrad: BMW Group India half-year sales release (incl. Motorrad)BMW Motorrad India price notice (Jan 2026)Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL), Pune / Baramati plantPiaggio Group H1 2026 results (India growth)Piaggio investor relations (Borsa Italiana)Ultraviolette HQ, Domlur, BengaluruUltraviolette: Growth and export milestonesMaruti Suzuki: Plants: Manesar (verified), Gurugram, Kharkhoda, Hansalpur (Gujarat)IPO and listing (NSE HYUNDAI, BSE 544274)Tata Motors: Exchange symbol NSE TMPV, BSE 500570Tata Motors: Monthly PV sales via exchange filingTata Motors: PlantsToyota Kirloskar Motor: Ownership and listingKia: Ownership and listingKia: Sales releasesHonda Cars: Ownership and listingJSW MG Motor: Hector Plus production at Halol (history)Renault design centre, ChennaiCitroën / Jeep: Thiruvallur plant (Tamil Nadu, Citroën)Mercedes-Benz: Chakan (Pune) manufacturing plantMercedes-Benz: Sales release cadenceJLR: Pune local assembly at Tata Motors plantVolvo Car: Hosakote assembly plant (Bengaluru)Aston Martin: India dealer: Mumbai (Performance Cars / Infinity Cars)McLaren Mumbai (Infinity Cars), first India retailerMcLaren: India launch line-up (GT, 720S) 20222015 India re-entry (official Maserati news)Maserati: Dealers: Delhi (AMP Supercars), Bengaluru (Jubilant AutoWorks), 2015Maserati India site (status check)Honda Motorcycle & Scooter: Monthly sales releasesIndia Yamaha Motor: Corporate governance pageAther Energy: Quarterly results cadenceJawa / Yezdi / BSA: Pithampur plant (Madhya Pradesh)India Kawasaki Motors: Chakan assembly plantHarley-Davidson: Hero Garden Factory, Neemrana (X440 plant)Piaggio: Moto Guzzi India statusUltraviolette: Bengaluru manufacturing plant
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