Sapna Agarwal &Amp; Swaraj Baggonkar In Mumbai

Stories by Sapna Agarwal &Amp; Swaraj Baggonkar In Mumbai

Maruti's 'made-in-India' car to have Japan touch

Maruti's 'made-in-India' car to have Japan touch

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2009

The company has proposed to launch the 'made-in-India' car in the next three years. Given its nascent engineering strength, the Indian auto co is looking at existing platforms. The company will, therefore, save a fortune by not opting for a completely new car platform. Generally, the cost of developing a new platform constitutes a substantial part of the expenditure incurred on a new car's production.

Toyota: Launch sedan from small car plant in India

Toyota: Launch sedan from small car plant in India

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2009

Toyota is launching a compact car by the end of next year from its new production facility close to its existing plant in Bangalore.

Car wars: Hyundai takes potshots at Maruti

Car wars: Hyundai takes potshots at Maruti

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2009

Korean auto company Hyundai has used the findings and comments made by European auto magazines and auto experts to show Maruti's newly launched hatch-back Ritz in poor light. Hyundai, in a web advertisement for its successful hatch-back i10, has made direct comparisons between the model and Maruti Ritz, using strong negative comments given by automotive experts.

'Lever'-aging the old boys' network online

'Lever'-aging the old boys' network online

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2009

Hindustan Unilever has many firsts to its credit. Now, it adds one more. India's largest fast-moving consumer goods company has found a new way of keeping in touch with its employees -- present and former.

Hoteliers try to counter slump with special offers

Hoteliers try to counter slump with special offers

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2009

Monsoon time for hotels is usually the lacklustre interval in a year, when room rates head south. With the hospitality sector still grappling with the impact of a general slowdown, many top hotel operators are offering free nights, discounts and budgetary packages to maintain occupancy.

Marriott to add 24 new hotels by '12

Marriott to add 24 new hotels by '12

Rediff.com   27 May 2009

Some of these are regional players, like K Raheja Corporation (Mumbai), Salgaonkar (Goa), Viceroy Hotels (Hyderabad) and Panchshil Realty (Pune). The hospitality major currently has six properties in Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai and operates through five different brands, including Marriott, JW Marriott, Courtyard, Renaissance and Marriott Executive Apartments.

Bajaj to use KTM alliance to roll out bigger bikes

Bajaj to use KTM alliance to roll out bigger bikes

Rediff.com   26 May 2009

To jointly manufacture complex and powerful engines soon.

Bajaj low-cost bike pegged at Rs 20-24k

Bajaj low-cost bike pegged at Rs 20-24k

Rediff.com   23 May 2009

Production of the 125 cc motorcycle has started in an assembly plant in China, putting the country's second-largest maker a step ahead of competitor Hero Honda, which is also working on a motorcycle reportedly between the Rs 17,000 and Rs 20,000 price point.

TVS allowed to use Bajaj's patented tech

TVS allowed to use Bajaj's patented tech

Rediff.com   19 May 2009

The bench consisting of acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court S J Mukhopadhyaya and Justice Ibrahim Kalifula on Monday set aside the earlier order according to which TVS Motors was restrained from using the twin spark technology, which was patented by Pune-based, India's second largest two wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto.

Godrej revises investment plans

Godrej revises investment plans

Rediff.com   19 May 2009

The Godrej group is revising its investment plans and revisiting its growth targets for the current financial year, as well as for the next five years, in anticipating of a higher GDP growth rate now that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government is firmly in the saddle for a second term at the Centre.

Auto companies want cheaper loans for customers

Auto companies want cheaper loans for customers

Rediff.com   19 May 2009

Battered by the recent economic downturn, the Indian automobile industry is looking up to the newly elected government to implement some key measures to kickstart car sales. Top on their wish-list is ensuring availability of auto loans at lower rates of interest, continuation of some of the sops announced earlier in a stimulus package and a reduction in taxes.

M&M may move key models' production out of Nashik

M&M may move key models' production out of Nashik

Rediff.com   16 May 2009

The deadlock between Mahindra & Mahindra and over 4,400 workers at the company's Nashik plant hardened on Friday, with the union saying it was appointing a lawyer to appeal to the Bombay High Court against an industrial court-imposed 48-hour deadline for workers to return to work. The deadline ended today.

Mid-tier FMCG firms move fast

Mid-tier FMCG firms move fast

Rediff.com   15 May 2009

Even as large fast moving consumer goods companies like Hindustan Unilever and ITC struggle with their volume growth, mid-tier FMCG companies like Godrej Consumer Products, Marico, Dabur and Nestle have reported strong spurts in volumes as they focus on inorganic growth and rural markets, according to industry experts.

Kawasaki to piggyback on Bajaj

Kawasaki to piggyback on Bajaj

Rediff.com   13 May 2009

For the first time in more than 25 years, Japans Kawasaki Heavy Industries will introduce a high-powered motorcycle in the Indian market with the help of its Indian partner and long-time collaborator, Bajaj Auto.

Nashik strikes a setback for Mahindra's Xylo

Nashik strikes a setback for Mahindra's Xylo

Rediff.com   12 May 2009

The company's Nashik plant, where the Xylo is made, has been paralysed for the past five working days due to an intense labour strike. Although M&M had to ramp up Xylo's production to more than what was projected, it has been falling short of the demand.

Extended weekend brings cheer for hoteliers

Extended weekend brings cheer for hoteliers

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2009

Already, top leisure properties like Leela Kempenski, Goa; Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa; Radisson Resort & Spa, Alibaug; Royal Orchid, Goa and Mysore; and Club Mahindra Varca Beach Resort, Goa, are enjoying a near sell-out. Most hoteliers are maintaining their room rates, while some are throwing in joint packages involving discount coupons. Some have reduced room rates by 15-20 per cent.

Slowdown: Hotels bank on IPL packages

Slowdown: Hotels bank on IPL packages

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2009

Prominent luxury hotel groups like JW Mariott, Royal Orchid, Taj and Intercontinental are using the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament to offer promotional food and beverage (F&B) packages to lure more customers in a sluggish economy.

Leo Burnett to outsource from India

Leo Burnett to outsource from India

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2009

On a week's visit to India to plan for business in 2009 and also to attend the wedding of India chairman Arvind Sharma's daughter, Tom Bernardin, chairman and chief executive officer, Leo Burnett Worldwide, announced changes in its global leadership council for a tighter integration of Asia Pacific with the Chicago headquarters.

Nano booking rush beyond official deadline

Nano booking rush beyond official deadline

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2009

Even after people rushed to various centres to book the Nano on Saturday, the last official day for doing so, dealers undertook bookings on Sunday and Monday, breaching the time-line set by Tata Motors.

April heat is godsend for AC manufacturers

April heat is godsend for AC manufacturers

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2009

Among the minority who are relieved at the rising heat are consumer durables' companies and retailers. Air conditioner (AC) sales are picking up in anticipation of a hot summer.