The Indian passenger vehicle market is entering a competitive phase in May 2026. With SUV demand stabilising after the financial year-end surge and several brands aggressively correcting MY25 inventory, manufacturers are increasingly relying on exchange-led retail strategies instead of outright price cuts.
Kia India is doing exactly that.
Rather than pushing blanket cash discounts across the lineup, Kia’s May 2026 consumer programs focus heavily on:
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exchange bonuses,
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loyalty support,
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scrappage incentives,
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corporate schemes,
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and selective high-value retail correction on ageing MY25 stock.
What makes the strategy particularly interesting is how sharply Kia has differentiated:
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MY25 inventory,
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newly introduced MY26 products,
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and premium trims.
The biggest gains are clearly concentrated on older model-year stock, especially the Carnival and Clavis range, where total effective savings stretch well beyond ₹2 lakh in certain cases. Meanwhile, newly launched products like the New Syros receive almost no meaningful incentives, signalling healthy demand and controlled inventory levels.
From a market perspective, this is classic inventory balancing ahead of the festive cycle.
And for buyers, May 2026 could quietly become one of the strongest windows to negotiate on select Kia products.
Kia Sonet
The Sonet continues to be Kia’s volume backbone in the compact SUV segment. Even after years in the market, it remains one of the strongest-selling urban SUVs thanks to:
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feature-heavy positioning,
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strong diesel demand,
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and premium cabin appeal.
However, Kia’s May 2026 scheme structure reveals an important shift.
Unlike several rivals aggressively pushing direct cash discounts, Kia is keeping the Sonet relatively controlled. That alone suggests the model still enjoys healthy retail traction.
For MY25 stock, buyers receive:
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₹15,000 scrappage support,
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and up to ₹15,000 corporate benefit,bringing total effective savings up to ₹30,000.
MY26 inventory receives:
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₹10,000 exchange support,
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₹15,000 scrappage support,
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and ₹10,000 corporate benefit,taking total potential savings to ₹35,000.
The absence of outright cash discounts is deliberate.
Kia clearly wants to preserve Sonet’s premium positioning rather than dilute sticker value through aggressive price correction.
From a buyer’s perspective, this means:
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exchange buyers benefit the most,
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while fresh buyers without exchange vehicles may not see massive acquisition advantages.
Still, compared to several newer rivals where waiting periods remain high, the Sonet’s relatively stable supply position gives buyers slightly better negotiation leverage at dealership level.
Kia Sonet Discount Summary – May 2026
Model Year
Benefits Included
Maximum Savings
MY25
Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹30,000
MY26
Exchange + Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹35,000
Market Trend Indicator
Kia’s restrained Sonet strategy suggests the model continues to maintain stable retail demand without requiring aggressive retail correction.
Kia Syros
The Syros presents one of the most interesting pricing strategies in Kia’s May 2026 lineup.
Older MY25 inventory receives significantly stronger schemes compared to newly introduced MY26 stock, clearly indicating Kia is prioritising inventory balancing before the newer trims fully stabilise in the market.
The MY25 Old Syros receives:
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₹50,000 exchange support,
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₹20,000 scrappage benefit,
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and ₹15,000 corporate incentive,pushing total effective savings up to ₹85,000.
Meanwhile, MY26 Old Syros inventory sees benefits reduced sharply to:
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₹20,000 exchange,
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₹20,000 scrappage,
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and ₹10,000 corporate support.
More importantly, Kia has officially clarified:
“No Offer on Syros MY26/PY26 New Trims launched in Apr’26”
That is a strong market signal.
It indicates:
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healthy early demand,
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controlled inventory,
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and Kia’s confidence in pricing discipline on newer variants.
From an industry standpoint, this is exactly how OEMs protect fresh launches while simultaneously liquidating outgoing or older batches.
For buyers, though, the takeaway is simple:
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older Syros stock currently delivers dramatically better value.
At effective pricing close to ₹85,000 lower, MY25 inventory becomes substantially more attractive than newly launched trims.
Kia Syros Discount Summary – May 2026
Model Year
Benefits Included
Maximum Savings
MY25 Old Syros
Exchange + Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹85,000
MY26 Old Syros
Exchange + Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹50,000
MY26 New Syros
Scrappage Only
Up to ₹20,000
⚠️ Limited Stock Alert
High-discount MY25 Syros inventory is expected to remain limited at several dealerships as Kia gradually transitions fully toward newer MY26 trims.
Kia Seltos
The Seltos may no longer be the newest SUV in the segment, but it continues to command strong aspirational value in the midsize SUV category.
For May 2026, Kia has concentrated meaningful retail support exclusively on:
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older SP2i inventory.
The MY25 Old Seltos (SP2i) receives:
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₹60,000 exchange support,
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₹20,000 scrappage benefit,
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and ₹15,000 corporate scheme,bringing total effective savings to ₹95,000.
That is substantial.
And more importantly, it reveals something critical:Kia is aggressively correcting older Seltos inventory while protecting pricing on newer SP3i stock.
The MY26 New Seltos (SP3i), by comparison, only receives:
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₹20,000 loyalty support,
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and ₹20,000 scrappage benefit,for a total of ₹40,000.
That difference is massive.
From a buyer psychology perspective, this creates a classic dilemma:
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buy older inventory at significantly lower effective cost,
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or pay a premium for the latest model-year positioning.
For many buyers, especially those prioritising value over manufacturing year, the older SP2i inventory now becomes extremely compelling.
Kia Seltos Discount Summary – May 2026
Model Year
Benefits Included
Maximum Savings
MY25 Old Seltos (SP2i)
Exchange + Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹95,000
MY26 New Seltos (SP3i)
Loyalty + Scrappage
Up to ₹40,000
💡 Best Variant Strategy
If resale and latest MY positioning are not major concerns, MY25 SP2i inventory currently offers significantly better value-for-money.
Kia Carens
The Carens continues to sit in a unique sweet spot between:
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MPV practicality,
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SUV styling,
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and family-focused comfort.
Unlike Carnival, the Carens is not being aggressively discounted, which suggests Kia is still witnessing reasonably healthy demand.
MY25 inventory receives:
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₹20,000 scrappage support,
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and ₹15,000 corporate benefit,for total effective savings of ₹35,000.
MY26 stock receives:
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₹10,000 exchange support,
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₹20,000 scrappage,
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and ₹10,000 corporate scheme,taking total support to ₹40,000.
Compared to rivals in the MPV category, this remains relatively restrained.
That usually indicates:
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balanced inventory,
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stable bookings,
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and lower retail pressure.
Kia Carens Discount Summary – May 2026
Model Year
Benefits Included
Maximum Savings
MY25
Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹35,000
MY26
Exchange + Scrappage + Corporate
Up to ₹40,000
Kia Clavis ICE
The Clavis ICE range is where Kia’s May 2026 retail strategy becomes significantly more aggressive.
Unlike Sonet or Carens, where benefits remain relatively controlled, the Clavis lineup receives:
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large exchange bonuses,
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strong loyalty support,
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meaningful scrappage incentives,
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and selective high-value cash correction on specific powertrains.
That immediately tells us one thing:Kia is actively trying to accelerate Clavis retail movement.
But the strategy differs sharply depending on engine choice.
Clavis ICE Diesel 1.5 & Gamma 1.5
The Diesel 1.5 and Gamma 1.5 variants receive:
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₹30,000 exchange support,
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₹20,000 loyalty offer,
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₹20,000 scrappage benefit,
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and ₹15,000 corporate support.
Total effective savings rise to:
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₹85,000.
Interestingly, Kia is not offering direct cash reductions on these variants.
That suggests:
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the company wants to protect headline pricing,
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while still improving acquisition value through backend schemes.
From a buyer perspective, these variants make sense primarily for:
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existing Kia/Hyundai owners,
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exchange-led upgrades,
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and high-running users.
The Diesel 1.5 especially continues to hold strong appeal for highway-focused buyers because of:
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excellent torque delivery,
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long-distance efficiency,
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and superior cruising ability.
Clavis ICE Kappa 1.5T
The Kappa 1.5 Turbo emerges as the headline attraction in the ICE lineup.
This variant receives:
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₹70,000 direct cash support,
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₹30,000 exchange benefit,
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₹20,000 loyalty scheme,
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₹20,000 scrappage support,
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₹15,000 corporate benefit,
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plus a complimentary extended warranty package.
That pushes total effective benefits to:
₹1.55 lakh
This is a major correction.
And frankly, it signals clear inventory pressure on higher-end turbo inventory.
The addition of:
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a free 5-year extended warranty(3 Years Standard + 2 Years Extended / Unlimited KMs)
is particularly important. Instead of simply slashing price, Kia is improving long-term ownership confidence.
From an industry perspective, this is smart positioning:
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preserve premium image,
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while aggressively reducing effective ownership cost.
🏆 Best ICE Deal in Kia Portfolio
At current effective pricing, the Kappa 1.5T overlaps with several naturally aspirated midsize SUVs while offering substantially stronger performance.
Kia Clavis ICE Discount Summary – May 2026
Variant
Cash Offer
Exchange
Loyalty
Scrappage
Corporate
Extended Warranty
Maximum Savings
Diesel 1.5
₹0
₹30,000
₹20,000
₹20,000
₹15,000
No
₹85,000
Gamma 1.5
₹0
₹30,000
₹20,000
₹20,000
₹15,000
No
₹85,000
Kappa 1.5T
₹70,000
₹30,000
₹20,000
₹20,000
₹15,000
Yes
₹1.55 Lakh
⚠️ Limited Stock Alert
The strongest schemes are concentrated on MY25 turbo inventory, which may not remain widely available through the month.
Kia Clavis EV
The Clavis EV receives some of the most aggressive electric vehicle incentives currently seen in the mainstream market.
And this is not surprising.
EV retail momentum across the industry has become increasingly dependent on:
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financing support,
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exchange-led conversion,
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and perceived acquisition value.
Kia appears to be responding directly to that trend.
Clavis EV ER & SR Variants
The ER and SR variants receive:
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₹75,000 exchange support,
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₹20,000 loyalty offer,
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₹20,000 scrappage support,
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and ₹15,000 corporate benefit.
That pushes effective savings to:
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₹1.30 lakh.
Even without direct cash reductions, this is substantial support for EV buyers.
The strategy is obvious:Kia wants to improve upgrade conversion among existing ICE owners entering the EV space.
Clavis EV HTM Variant
The HTM variant receives the strongest support in the entire Clavis lineup.
Benefits include:
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₹85,000 cash offer,
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₹75,000 exchange support,
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₹20,000 loyalty,
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₹20,000 scrappage,
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and ₹15,000 corporate benefit.
Total effective support rises to:
₹2.15 lakh
That is an extremely aggressive EV positioning strategy.
From a market perspective, this indicates:
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rising competition in the EV segment,
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inventory balancing,
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and Kia’s intent to improve EV visibility aggressively.
💡 Best Variant to Buy: Clavis EV HTM
At current effective pricing, the HTM variant creates one of the strongest premium EV value equations in this segment.
Kia Clavis EV Discount Summary – May 2026
Variant
Cash Offer
Exchange
Loyalty
Scrappage
Corporate
Maximum Savings
ER
₹0
₹75,000
₹20,000
₹20,000
₹15,000
₹1.30 Lakh
SR
₹0
₹75,000
₹20,000
₹20,000
₹15,000
₹1.30 Lakh
HTM
₹85,000
₹75,000
₹20,000
₹20,000
₹15,000
₹2.15 Lakh
Market Trend Indicator
Kia’s unusually aggressive EV support suggests the market is entering a more price-sensitive EV adoption phase.
Kia Carnival
The Carnival receives the single largest outright benefit package in Kia’s May 2026 lineup.
And the structure reveals exactly what Kia is trying to achieve.
Rather than offering direct cash discounts, Kia is relying heavily on:
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exchange-led upgrades,
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premium customer retention,
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and scrappage-driven acquisition.
The Carnival receives:
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₹2 lakh exchange support,
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₹20,000 scrappage benefit,
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and ₹50,000 corporate support.
That pushes total effective savings to:
₹2.70 lakh
This is massive.
From a market perspective, premium MPVs are currently facing pressure from:
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luxury SUVs,
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premium hybrids,
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and executive EVs.
Kia appears to be responding by dramatically improving the Carnival’s effective acquisition value without damaging its premium sticker positioning.
For existing premium car owners considering:
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chauffeur-driven comfort,
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family luxury travel,
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or executive mobility,
this becomes one of the strongest retail windows in recent months.
🏆 Highest Discount in Kia Portfolio
Kia Carnival Discount Summary – May 2026
Variant
Exchange Offer
Scrappage
Corporate
Maximum Savings
All Trims
₹2,00,000
₹20,000
₹50,000
₹2.70 Lakh
Buyer Verdict
For premium MPV buyers prioritising comfort and space over SUV styling, the Carnival currently offers exceptional acquisition value.
Summary Table
Model
Best Variant
Maximum Savings
Sonet
MY26
₹35,000
Syros
MY25 Old Stock
₹85,000
Seltos
Old SP2i
₹95,000
Carens
MY26
₹40,000
Clavis ICE
Kappa 1.5T
₹1.55 Lakh
Clavis EV
HTM
₹2.15 Lakh
Carnival
All Trims
₹2.70 Lakh
Final Verdict: Should You Buy a Kia in May 2026?
Kia’s May 2026 strategy reveals a clear divide between:
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high-demand fresh inventory,
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and aggressively corrected MY25 stock.
The biggest value currently lies in:
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Clavis EV HTM,
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Clavis Kappa 1.5T,
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Carnival,
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and older Seltos inventory.
For buyers willing to compromise slightly on manufacturing year, the effective savings become genuinely substantial.
At the same time, Kia is carefully protecting:
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newer launches,
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fresh trims,
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and strong-demand productsfrom excessive discounting.
That’s an important signal.
It suggests the company remains confident about long-term retail traction despite increasing competition across SUVs and EVs.
Terms and Conditions
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Offers valid from 1st–31st May 2026.
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Benefits vary between MY25 and MY26 inventory.
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Loyalty schemes applicable only for eligible existing customers.
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Exchange benefits subject to vehicle evaluation.
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Corporate schemes applicable on eligible organizations only.
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Extended warranty applicable only on Clavis ICE Kappa 1.5T MY25.
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Dealer stock availability may vary region-wise.
Disclaimer: The offers mentioned above are based on the information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change. It is recommended to visit the nearest dealership for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding discounts and offers.
