Pavan Lall &Amp;Amp; Dev Chatterjee

Stories by Pavan Lall &Amp;Amp; Dev Chatterjee

Will Sudhir Valia, Suraksha's 'deal maker' manage to bag Jaypee Infra?

Will Sudhir Valia, Suraksha's 'deal maker' manage to bag Jaypee Infra?

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2021

With the Jaypee acquisition, the Suraksha group, which made lenders an offer of Rs 7,736 crore, will be able to expand its footprint in north India after making inroads in Mumbai's real estate market over the past year. Sudhir Valia, the promoter, was a co-founder and executive director of India's biggest pharmaceutical firm, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and is a close relative of Dilip Shanghvi.

Glimmers of Mehul Choksi's 'empire' that was built on fraud

Glimmers of Mehul Choksi's 'empire' that was built on fraud

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2021

Despite recent developments that have accelerated the impending extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who has been in custody in London's Wandsworth Prison for over two years, the last month has seen his uncle Mehul Choksi dominate the headlines instead with his circus-like exhibition in the Caribbean that has involved red herrings such as a "girlfriend", to whom his wife seemed to have no objection, and possibly concocted stories of being kidnapped and manhandled. Choksi was widely regarded as Modi's Svengali in Mumbai when he returned from Belgium to expand his business. He had fled to Antigua well before news around how Modi finagled thousands of crores from Punjab National Bank (PNB) and other institutions through a series of allegedly coordinated and fraudulent actions involving letters of undertaking, or LoUs.

Tata vs JioMart: The next big corporate battle to watch

Tata vs JioMart: The next big corporate battle to watch

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2021

Mukesh Ambani-owned RIL's JioMart is set to launch a slew of new products including financial services, electronics to airline tickets to take on the competition from upcoming rivals like the Tata Super app and other established players including PayTM, Amazon and Flipkart. This comes at a time when RIL's e-commerce revenues are set to grow by 35 per cent to $15 billion within four years and its core retail revenue is expected to grow at the same pace to $44 billion, as per a forecast by Goldman Sachs. "The Tata vs JioMart war will be the next big corporate battle to watch. "While Tata has an upper hand like in-house products and brands, RIL has the backing of global biggies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft," said head of a rating firm asking not to be quoted.

Economists sceptical about Sitharaman's Covid stimulus

Economists sceptical about Sitharaman's Covid stimulus

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2021

Direct economic stimulus measures such as tax cuts for individuals and industry would have helped to prop up the Indian economy which was hit hard by the lockdowns across several states in India, say economists and corporate leaders. While the measures announced on Monday are focussed more on the supply side, these steps would take a lot of time to move the needle for the economy.

What Kia hopes to achieve by adding India to name

What Kia hopes to achieve by adding India to name

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2021

'It says, we are not just an overseas player -- we are Kia India and here for good'

Adani group strikes first coal from its Carmichael mine in Australia

Adani group strikes first coal from its Carmichael mine in Australia

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2021

The Adani group struck first coal from its Carmichael, Australia project on Thursday and will start shipping to its customers according to schedule. With this, the project will not only lift the economic prospects of the hitherto barren Australian outback, but also help Indian power plants to source cheap coal. The project had faced protests from a section of population with several banks even refusing to fund it. The group, however, went ahead with the project which included construction of a brand new railway line connecting an Australian port to the mine -- situated 300 kilometers away in Queensland.

Covid impact: Million dollar M&A deals sealed on phone, Zoom calls

Covid impact: Million dollar M&A deals sealed on phone, Zoom calls

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2021

Some buyers are insisting on a clause in the agreement that the whole deal hinges on physical verification at a later date with some part of payment kept in escrow.

Back to the wall, will Choksi still manage to pull off a trick or two?

Back to the wall, will Choksi still manage to pull off a trick or two?

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2021

Given how everything has played out, Mehul Choksi, now 62, achieved all that he wanted but for all the wrong reasons, says Pavan Lall.

Maruti Suzuki finds digital highway ideal for smooth drive

Maruti Suzuki finds digital highway ideal for smooth drive

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

Maruti is not an online outlier, of course; other heavyweights have rolled out similar services. But as an analyst pointed out, Maruti's all-India roll-out has significant impact given that it accounts for over half of all cars sold, reports, reports Pavan Lall.

'EVs are the way forward for Volkswagen group'

'EVs are the way forward for Volkswagen group'

Rediff.com   1 Jun 2021

'Our strategy is intact and our important pillars for India -- the SUV roll-out and the focus on the cost of ownership of a car -- remain in focus'

In India, luxury used car market is in the fast lane

In India, luxury used car market is in the fast lane

Rediff.com   1 May 2021

The new car market is estimated at around 30,000 units a year in sales in a good year, whereas the used car market for luxury vehicles is estimated at around 60,000 cars annually.

Can Tesla win India where most US carmakers have failed?

Can Tesla win India where most US carmakers have failed?

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2021

What will it take for Tesla to plug and play in India? Sector pundits say it's a mix of strategy, getting the price right, timing, the right talent, and above all, patience.

The new Swift: pocket friendly, cute as a button and reliable

The new Swift: pocket friendly, cute as a button and reliable

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2021

While the latest, fourth-generation Swift makes no pretence of being a performance car or the last word in luxury, what it does stand for is amply evident, notes Pavan Lall.

Coffee Day stares at bankruptcy as asset sale fails to make headway

Coffee Day stares at bankruptcy as asset sale fails to make headway

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2021

Attributing the delay in debt servicing to a liquidity crisis, the company said its total indebtedness was Rs 518 crore.

What is the cost of Cyrus Mistry's exit from Tata Sons?

What is the cost of Cyrus Mistry's exit from Tata Sons?

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2021

With the Supreme Court not getting into the valuation part and leaving it to the two parties, lawyers said there was nothing much for Mistry Group to negotiate.

Mercedes-Benz's A35 AMG limousine: Made for the thrill seekers

Mercedes-Benz's A35 AMG limousine: Made for the thrill seekers

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2021

Step on the gas and the power that propels the compact four-seater will take you by surprise as it hurtles towards the 80 kmph like a racing thoroughbred, never compromising any stability thanks to its rigid chassis and solid 1,600-kg kerb weight that gives it a well-planted feel along straights, corners and tricky lanes and roads, says Pavan Lall.

Reliance Infra sells HQ in Mumbai's Santacruz to YES Bank for Rs 1200 cr

Reliance Infra sells HQ in Mumbai's Santacruz to YES Bank for Rs 1200 cr

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2021

The entire proceeds from the sale of Reliance Centre will be utilised only to service YES Bank debt.

There's something different about BMW's 3 Series Gran Limousine

There's something different about BMW's 3 Series Gran Limousine

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2021

Smooth engine, plush interiors, great suspension that handle dodgy roads with ease, futuristic design elements that have little by way of competition in the market -- it's all there, says Pavan Lall.

Even as old ones lie unsolved, new cases head to bankruptcy courts

Even as old ones lie unsolved, new cases head to bankruptcy courts

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2021

Even as lenders are getting ready to send more companies to bankruptcy courts from this week, several old cases are still awaiting resolution with no clarity on the completion of the process. This includes some high profile cases from the first list of 40 companies including Videocon Industries, Bhushan Power and Steel and Lavasa Corporation, sent by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for resolution. The delay is mainly due to litigation and late clarifications by various government agencies including the Reserve Bank of India and litigation by the Enforcement Directorate.

Mini in name, max in power and appeal

Mini in name, max in power and appeal

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2021

Why is the Mini the only "lifestyle" auto badge that seems to be growing and staying strong? Pavan Lall finds out.