Nitin Kumar, Surajeet Dasgupta &Amp; Anjali Singh

Stories by Nitin Kumar, Surajeet Dasgupta &Amp; Anjali Singh

Three-wheeler exports may continue to skid in FY25

Three-wheeler exports may continue to skid in FY25

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

India's three-wheeler exports, which have been on a downhill trajectory over the past few years, are showing no signs of recovery in FY25, with key markets like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Egypt witnessing subdued demand. In May, the country's exports plummeted 11.3 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y).

Car dealers seek Siam's help amid inventory woes

Car dealers seek Siam's help amid inventory woes

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada) has raised concerns over the rising inventory levels of four-wheelers at dealerships which have now reached a 60-day stockpile or around 550,000 units. This situation could mean a significant financial burden on dealerships due to the additional interest cost for the extended holding period. These 60-day inventory levels are nearing the 2018-19 levels when inventory days had approached 70 days, leading to the closure of around 282 passenger vehicle dealerships.

Tata ev's Punch, Nexon Scores 5 In Crash Test

Tata ev's Punch, Nexon Scores 5 In Crash Test

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2024

The Punch.ev achieved the highest score point ever recorded by any vehicle to date, scoring 31.46 out of 32 for adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 for child occupant protection.

Green Mobility To Get Bigger Boost Under Modi 3.0

Green Mobility To Get Bigger Boost Under Modi 3.0

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2024

As Modi's government embarks on its third term, apart from ensuring these schemes boost India's green mobility, addressing bottlenecks like battery swapping and meeting PLI deadlines are likely to be the government's major tasks.

India eyes multiple mineral pacts with about a dozen countries in Africa

India eyes multiple mineral pacts with about a dozen countries in Africa

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2024

India is planning to soon sign new and updated mineral pacts with about a dozen countries in Africa. The Ministry of Mines is in discussions with Cte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Business Standard has learnt. Negotiations are ongoing with around a dozen countries, and more will be added to the list soon.

Varanasi, Detroit, Venice set to host Toyota's sustainability initiative

Varanasi, Detroit, Venice set to host Toyota's sustainability initiative

Rediff.com   30 May 2024

Varanasi, Detroit, and Venice have been selected to host a global initiative aimed at creating sustainable transportation solutions for cities as part of the 'Toyota Mobility Foundation's Sustainable Cities Challenge'. The initiative is a $9 million programme that will see these cities collaborate with innovators to develop and implement new mobility solutions. The cities, located in the US, India, and Italy, were chosen from a shortlist of 10 cities announced in November 2023.

Millennials, Gen Z driving demand for luxury car rentals

Millennials, Gen Z driving demand for luxury car rentals

Rediff.com   29 May 2024

India's luxury car rental market is experiencing a surge in demand, particularly in Tier 1 cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, with executive travellers, especially from the tech sector and younger demographics like the millennials and the Gen Z, increasingly renting high-end vehicles for special occasions and domestic travel. Luxorides, a luxury car rental company, observed a 40 per cent year-on-year rise in bookings in 2024 (until April) on popular routes like Delhi-Rishikesh, Delhi-Vrindavan, and Delhi-Jim Corbett National Park, as well as Chandigarh-Manali and Chandigarh-Ladakh.

Hero Electric, Benling barred from all EV incentive schemes

Hero Electric, Benling barred from all EV incentive schemes

Rediff.com   29 May 2024

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has debarred Hero Electric and Benling India, two defaulters under its flagship Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase-II (FAME-II) scheme, from participating in any of its incentive programmes in future. This action follows the ministry's findings that the phased manufacturing programme (PMP) guidelines were violated by these two companies, senior officials told

It's Going To Get Hotter In India

It's Going To Get Hotter In India

Rediff.com   22 May 2024

More than 80 per cent of Indians live in districts vulnerable to climate risks. Among these, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar are the most vulnerable states to extreme climate events.

Is India's Marble Industry Facing A Bleak Future?

Is India's Marble Industry Facing A Bleak Future?

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

'Every year, the marble industry is shrinking due to tiles. It has already decreased by 20-25 per cent in recent years.'

Tesla begins formal talks with govt

Tesla begins formal talks with govt

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2024

In its first official engagement with the Indian government, Elon Musk-led Tesla and other global automotive (auto) manufacturers sought clarification on the new electric vehicle (EV) policy, specifically regarding investment guidelines and the timeline for the domestic value addition (DVA) requirement. Officials who attended the meeting told Business Standard that the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) tried to understand whether the complete investment would be made within three or five years and the duration they would have to achieve the 50 per cent DVA. "The consultation meeting was convened to address queries from auto OEMs.

Locals' lament in Dibrugarh: Infra push but no jobs

Locals' lament in Dibrugarh: Infra push but no jobs

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2024

'It feels like Assam is good just as a tourist spot and not a place to earn and live.'

Wooing Tesla: 4 States Pull Out All Stops

Wooing Tesla: 4 States Pull Out All Stops

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2024

'Gujarat is the frontrunner at present.'
'However, Tamil Nadu's robust automobile ecosystem and Telangana's aggressive incentives make them strong contenders.'

11 EV makers get EMPS nod

11 EV makers get EMPS nod

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2024

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has approved 11 electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, including Ather Energy, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Ola Electric, and Mahindra, to receive incentives under the recently introduced Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024. "A total of 11 firms have been granted approval under the EMPS, with several more under consideration," informed a senior official of the ministry to Business Standard. The scheme aims to sustain the growth in EV sales, replacing the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles - II (FAME-II) scheme.

MNCs look towards India for a booster dose

MNCs look towards India for a booster dose

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2024

In recent months, several pharma multinational corporations (MNCs) are increasingly turning to Indian companies to expand market reach in the country's pharmaceuticals sector. Sanofi's partnerships with Dr Reddy's, Cipla, and Emcure, AstraZeneca and Mankind Pharma - teaming up for asthma medication distribution - are a few instances of this trend. This strategy allows MNCs to leverage established Indian networks and reach a wider audience. Indian companies also benefit from global brands and expertise, say analysts.

Frontline Relive Pandemic Nightmare

Frontline Relive Pandemic Nightmare

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2024

Battling the virus, enduring separation from loved ones, and working extended hours became part of the job.

Ex-bureaucrats seek Green Credits scheme withdrawal

Ex-bureaucrats seek Green Credits scheme withdrawal

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2024

A group of 91 retired bureaucrats has appealed to the Centre to withdraw the Green Credits programme, which they claimed may facilitate diversion of forest land to private entities. "Quick, smooth and easy diversion of our forest lands in favour of user agencies is apparently the sole intention of this set of Green Credits rules. "We urge the MOEFCC to recognise this danger and withdraw the Green Credits notification expeditiously," the group of former civil servants wrote in an open letter to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

EV makers lukewarm to new subsidy scheme

EV makers lukewarm to new subsidy scheme

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2024

Manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) have been lukewarm to the ad hoc subsidy scheme announced by the Centre for them. Sector majors have not been enthused by the lower level of incentives in the scheme, which has replaced the flagship Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (and Hybrid) Vehicles-II. Moreover, increased stringency in claiming subsidies and delays in disbursement have been cited by several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Mine bidders to face penalties for delays; Centre proposes timelines

Mine bidders to face penalties for delays; Centre proposes timelines

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2024

To expedite mining activities in the country and address shortcomings in the mine auction process, the Centre has proposed the introduction of intermediary timelines for acquiring mining leases and composite licences. The government has outlined timelines for various activities involved in the process, accompanied by penalties for delays attributable to the bidder. According to the Ministry of Mines notification dated February 9, the penalty for surpassing specified timelines in any activity within a milestone would lead to deductions from the performance security deposited by the bidder.

Hybrid Vehicles May Race Ahead

Hybrid Vehicles May Race Ahead

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2024

Hybrids have helped Maruti acquire leadership in SUVs, a segment that was never its forte. Toyota has also risen with the hybrid tide to clock its highest-ever annual sales in 2023.