Rapido's 'Auto Plus' Service Offers No-Cancellation Rides

Over the years, Rapido has emerged at par with companies like Ola and Uber in the taxi-riding sector. For the development, the company has now started a new service in Bengaluru. The app-based aggregator has now added an 'Auto Plus' feature that ensures rides with no cancellations. Interestingly, this is not the first time when the company has introduced this feature. It was first launched in Hyderabad in September this year. 

The ride hailing company offers bike and auto rides at reasonable rates. The Auto Plus has been launched in Bengaluru currently on a pilot basis, which over 10,000 auto rickshaw drivers already being a part of it. It ensures that no auto driver is able to cancel the ride once it has been booked. The service also comes at a higher fare. While a regular auto ride charges minimum Rs. 46, including main ride fare of Rs. 36 and a pickup charge of Rs. 10, the new Auto Plus feature will charge Rs. 71 as the minimum fare. This feature is expected to increase reliability among passengers and trust for auto captains. 

Toyota plans to open third facility in India to boost up production

Toyota, the Japanese auto giant, is planning to boost up its production capacity in India. For this, it may open another unit in the country, which will be Toyota's third facility in India. With the opening of a new unit, the total annual production capacity  of Toyota in India will increase to 5 lakh cars, which is about a 30 percent from the current production capacity of 4 lakh units per year. This new facility will reportedly help in production of the company's upcoming three-row SUV, which has been codenamed the 340D. This is expected to be launched by 2026, with up to 60,000 units being produced each year. 

Currently, the two plants of Toyota are located in Bidadi, Karnataka. The third unit will also reportedly being planned at the same site. It will initially have a production capacity of 80,000-1,20,000 units. 

CarTrade to shut OLX's Auto sales business

CarTrade Tech has made an announcement to shut down the auto sales division of OLX India. The company recently acquired the company. The reason for this decision has been credited to challenges being faced by the unit economics. Sobek Auto India, the wholly owned subsidiary of CarTrade Tech which houses OLX India's business, has decided to "shut down C2B operations of the auto transaction business, reduce human resource and other administrative costs." 

The company will further look to explore more with other players in the sector. CarTech acquired Sobek Auto India in July this year in a deal worth Rs. 537 crore. Sobek Auto India houses OLX India's auto business. 

Skoda releases sketches of fourth-gen Superb

Skoda is all set to release its fourth-generation Superb in the coming week. As the company gears up for the premiere, it has also release some exterior sketches of the flagship, making potential buyers more curious about what the car has to offer. The launch will take place on November 2. 

As shown in the sketches, the Superb comes with an upgraded LED Matrix beam headlights as well as LED rear lights with crystalline elements. Skoda hints to offer Modern Solid design language on the new Superb. It is also shown to come with an enhanced aerodynamic performance, along with numerous highlights.