Automaker rolls out PM 2.5 air filters across portfolio as festive season pollution levels surge
30 Oct 2025 | 5384 Views | By Shristi Ohri
JSW MG Motor India has announced the integration of advanced PM 2.5 air filtration systems across its vehicle lineup, responding to growing concerns about air quality during the festive season when pollution levels typically spike due to firecrackers and stubble burning.
The company is offering PM 2.5 air filters ...
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JSW MG Motor India has announced the integration of advanced PM 2.5 air filtration systems across its vehicle lineup, responding to growing concerns about air quality during the festive season when pollution levels typically spike due to firecrackers and stubble burning.
The company is offering PM 2.5 air filters as standard equipment on models including the Astor, Gloster, Windsor, Comet, and ZS EV. The MG Hector features an enhanced PM 2.5 air purifier with an integrated Air Quality Index (AQI) display, providing real-time cabin air quality monitoring.
According to the company, these filtration systems can trap between 95-99% of harmful particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, including dust, smoke, soot, pollen, and bacteria. The Hector's purifier incorporates activated carbon filters to remove pollutants, allergens, and odors.
India's Air Quality Crisis and Health Impact
India faces one of the world's most severe air pollution challenges, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located within the country, according to recent global air quality reports. The problem intensifies during winter months and festive periods, when a toxic combination of crop burning, firecracker emissions, vehicular pollution, and industrial discharge creates hazardous smog conditions across northern India.
Delhi-NCR regularly records AQI levels exceeding 400 during October-November, classified as "severe" by health standards. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) poses significant health risks, penetrating deep into lungs and entering the bloodstream. Long-term exposure is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, reduced lung function in children, and premature mortality.
The Lancet Planetary Health study estimates that air pollution contributes to over 1.67 million premature deaths annually in India. Children and elderly populations are particularly vulnerable, with studies showing increased hospital admissions for respiratory conditions during pollution peaks. The economic burden includes healthcare costs, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life.
As India's vehicle ownership continues to grow—with over 330 million registered vehicles—in-cabin air quality has become increasingly critical. Commuters in major metros spend 1-3 hours daily in vehicles, making cabin air filtration a vital health consideration. Automotive manufacturers prioritizing clean cabin air represent an important step in protecting public health, particularly as outdoor air quality management remains a long-term challenge requiring coordinated policy interventions.
JSW MG Motor India was formed in 2023 as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, a Fortune 500 company with operations in over 100 countries, and JSW Group, one of India's largest conglomerates spanning B2B and B2C sectors. The partnership combines global automotive expertise with deep local market knowledge.
The Morris Garages brand traces its heritage to 1924 in the United Kingdom, where it gained renown for sports cars and roadsters favored by celebrities and British royalty. The MG Car Club, established in 1930, remains one of the world's largest single-brand automotive clubs.
In India, MG operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat, with annual production capacity exceeding 100,000 vehicles. The facility employs over 6,000 people directly and indirectly. Since entering the Indian market, MG has positioned itself as an innovation-focused brand, introducing several category-first features including India's first internet-connected SUV (Hector), first pure electric internet SUV (ZS EV), and first SUV with Level 2 autonomous technology (Astor).
The company's product strategy emphasizes CASE mobility—Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric—aligning with India's push toward sustainable transportation. MG has been particularly active in the electric vehicle segment with models like the ZS EV, Comet EV, and Windsor, contributing to the country's EV adoption goals.
The air filtration initiative reflects the company's broader commitment to customer well-being and environmental responsibility, integrating health-focused technologies across its expanding portfolio. The features are available in specific variants across the model range.