Sapna Agarwal &Amp; Swaraj Baggonkar In Mumbai

Stories by Sapna Agarwal &Amp; Swaraj Baggonkar In Mumbai

Maruti sales zip past parent Suzuki's

Maruti sales zip past parent Suzuki's

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2009

Sales of Maruti Suzuki India during January-December 2008 stood at 697,850 units while those of Suzuki Motor Corporation for the same period stood at 679,215 units. The comparable growth for MSIL in India comes on the back of an almost 2 per cent decline for the company in a year-on-year basis during the calendar year. Its sales were higher in calender year 2007 at 710,532 units, according to the data provided by the company.

UK govt, Tatas in talks for JLR loan

UK govt, Tatas in talks for JLR loan

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2009

Tata Motors, which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, is in talks with the UK government on assistance for the luxury units as sales have plummeted.

Slowdown blues for FMCG companies

Slowdown blues for FMCG companies

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2009

Two of these categories -- detergent cakes and washing powder - account for around 15 per cent of the overall FMCG market of Rs 80,000 crore (Rs 800 billion), according to estimates made by analysts. Leading market research firm A C Nielsen's data for November 2008 show an across-the-category drop in sales volumes compared to the preceding month.

Ford hikes prices as import costs surge

Ford hikes prices as import costs surge

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2009

Ford India, the Chennai-based automobile company of the US giant, said today that it has raised prices of all its models, except the Ikon, by as much as Rs 25,000 due to a strong surge in import costs recently.

M&M to launch 10 models in two years

M&M to launch 10 models in two years

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2009

The launches will be be both in the passenger vehicle segment as well as the commercial vehicle segment of truck and low tonnage vehicles. M&M, like its competitors in the overseas market, has decided to make increased use of a single platform for several models. A vehicle platform is the basic structure on which a vehicle is built, which defines its general size, strength and body construction.

Leela lines up Rs 2,500 cr to set up 3 hotels

Leela lines up Rs 2,500 cr to set up 3 hotels

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2009

With the addition of new capacities, the company aims to double its turnover to Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) by end of FY10 from Rs 514 crore posted during the last financial year ended March 31, 2008. New hotel properties will come up in Chennai, New Delhi and Udaipur. This will increase its room inventory to almost 2,000 rooms from 1,125 rooms.

Mahindra yet to get US nod to launch vehicles

Mahindra yet to get US nod to launch vehicles

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2009

India's largest sport utility vehicle maker Mahindra & Mahindra's plan of launching its vehicles in the US has suffered a delay of almost 12 months following clearance awaited from the US homologation department.

A recipe for refurbishing brand Satyam

A recipe for refurbishing brand Satyam

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Is it possible to refurbish a brand that has been sullied with a Rs 7,800 crore (Rs 78 billion) fraud? One can't be sure, but to attempt this, the campaign ought to stress on integrity and action, say three of the top minds of the country's advertising industry.

Air car may blow in next year

Air car may blow in next year

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

The Air Car, made by French company MDI, could be launched by Tata Motors in India by 2010-11.

Stimulus for commercial vehicles may fll flat

Stimulus for commercial vehicles may fll flat

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

R Sridhar, managing director, Shriram Transport Finance Company, said, "The depreciation advantage will only benefit large and medium truck and bus operators, who are also tax payers. But their size in the market is quite small when compared to small operators who form about 75 per cent of the CV market."

Crisis: Automakers reworking export strategy

Crisis: Automakers reworking export strategy

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

A majority of HMIL's current export comprises the i10 model, which is exported to Asia, Latin America and Western Europe. In addition, the company has stated that 90 per cent of the i20 model (a premium hatchback) will be exported. The company will produce 150,000 units of the model annually.

Firms' austerity steps to hit event mgmt industry

Firms' austerity steps to hit event mgmt industry

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2009

Big-ticket events are likely to witness a 50 per cent drop in 2009 as corporates have cut down on sponsorships and marketing spends.

Advertisers become selective about TV channels

Advertisers become selective about TV channels

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2008

Marketers are now looking at consolidation with top three-four channels in a genre and effecting long-term deals with frequent reviews.

FMCG sector fares well in campus hiring

FMCG sector fares well in campus hiring

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2008

After a gap of five years, Hindustan Unilever has bagged slot zero position on B-school campuses. In 2007, the company had slipped to number 14 on the recruiters' list of B-schools. "It's an improvement of our brand value and affirmation of our employer brand," says Leena Nair, executive director HR, Hindustan Unilever.

2009 looks bleak for the ad industry

2009 looks bleak for the ad industry

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2008

Television and print media are expected to lose up to 10 per cent of their cumulative market share to new and emerging mediums like radio, digital and out-of-home (OOH) in 2009, as the overall growth rate of the advertising industry is set to decline in the new year, analysts tracking the sector said.

Bharat Forge to cut output

Bharat Forge to cut output

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2008

Bharat Forge, India's largest auto components maker, said it will cut production as demand from car makers shrink.

Taj, Trident flooded with reservation requests for

Taj, Trident flooded with reservation requests for

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2008

The Trident and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower said they have been flooded with requests for reservations at their restaurants when they reopen December 21, almost a month after the terrorist attacks on these landmark hotels destroyed significant portions of both buildings.

Hyatt plans to open 10 more hotels in 5 years

Hyatt plans to open 10 more hotels in 5 years

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2008

The Chicago-headquartered company, which currently operates five hotels in India under the Hyatt Regency, Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt brands in Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa and Kolkata, said it will also introduce two-three more brands in the country. The Chicago-headquartered company currently operates five hotels in India under the Hyatt Regency, Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt brands in Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa and Kolkata.

Mumbai Trident readies to reopen

Mumbai Trident readies to reopen

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

Hotel expects 25-30 per cent occupancy on December 21 when it throws open its doors. Trident regulars are preparing to return to the hotel sooner than later.

Many car makers plan January price rise

Many car makers plan January price rise

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2008

Some analysts, however, suggest that car-makers threaten price rises every January in a bid to clear calendar year-end inventory. "There is always a threat from auto companies, usually in January, on a price increase in an attempt by them to clear the inventory. Sometimes, the ploy is never exercised," said Mahatesh Sabarad, a Mumbai-based analyst with Centrum Broking.