Surajeet Das Gupta, Shine Jacob

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta, Shine Jacob

2-wheeler EV sales up 58%, PV 130% in March: Fada

2-wheeler EV sales up 58%, PV 130% in March: Fada

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2023

The country saw a massive year-on-year surge in the demand for electric vehicles, with retail sales of electric two-wheelers rising by 58 per cent, passenger vehicles by 130 per cent, three-wheelers by 82 per cent, and commercial vehicles by 171 per cent in March 2023, according to the data shared by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada). According to a report by JMK Research, the EV segment as a whole grew by 157 per cent during FY23, to 1,180,597 units, from 458,746 units a year ago. Overall, EV sales in March 2023 rose by 82 per cent from the March 2022 figure, the JMK report added.

Why EV makers are flocking to Tamil Nadu

Why EV makers are flocking to Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2023

At Prestige Polygon Towers in Chennai's Teynampet, hectic preparations are on for a mega global investors' meet under the aegis of Guidance Tamil Nadu (the state investment promotion agency) scheduled for January 2024. Asked about the key focus areas of the meet, the agency's managing director and chief executive officer, V Vishnu, said the state was betting big on electric mobility. This is no surprise, given that the state has signed electric vehicle (EV)-related memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with several companies in the recent past that may bring in investments worth around Rs 33,000 crore with the potential to create over 43,000 job opportunities.

'India has far exceeded our expectations in EVs'

'India has far exceeded our expectations in EVs'

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2023

'The Indian govt's initiatives on EVs are very strong and customers want to buy EVs. This will make the country's conversion to EVs faster than other markets, and I hope even faster than the US'

After record sales in FY23, auto companies expect demand to mute

After record sales in FY23, auto companies expect demand to mute

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2023

'In FY23, PV sales are expected to end the year at a record 3.8 million units, up 26 per cent. In FY24, however, the industry is expecting 5-7 per cent volume growth'

Chinese Companies May Need Majority Indian Partners To Set Up Plants

Chinese Companies May Need Majority Indian Partners To Set Up Plants

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2023

The government has asked industry to provide a list of Chinese suppliers that would like to shift some capacity to India provided they are willing to set up JVs with Indian companies.

Foxconn Deal: Karnataka Labour Laws In Focus, Tamil Nadu May Follow

Foxconn Deal: Karnataka Labour Laws In Focus, Tamil Nadu May Follow

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2023

Allowing 12-hour shifts for all and night-time work for women was meant to benefit software firms, but is said to have clinched Foxconn's Rs 80 billion investment.

Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2023

According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman, national Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, the current scenario qualifies as a wave.

South Indian Bank to name new CEO by May as Ramakrishnan announces exit

South Indian Bank to name new CEO by May as Ramakrishnan announces exit

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2023

South Indian Bank is likely to name a new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) by May end, said the Thrissur-based lender on Wednesday. The bank's shares dipped some 14 per cent at one point after MD and CEO Murali Ramakrishnan said he will not apply for an extension when his tenure ends on September 30, citing personal reasons. The bank's board on Tuesday considered Ramakrishnan's request for not intending to continue on his post and appointed a search committee for his replacement.

Luxury Carmakers Eye Small Towns

Luxury Carmakers Eye Small Towns

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2023

Many of these companies have a waiting period from 6-18 months now, indicating a rise in demand.

What SoftBank leadership team visits mean for Indian investors

What SoftBank leadership team visits mean for Indian investors

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2023

A top management leadership team from SoftBank has been coming to India in the last few days to meet the founders of start-ups and other investors, signalling the country's emergence as a pivotal market for the global investment giant. Based on current estimates, India accounts for nearly 10 per cent ($20 billion) of SoftBank's invested assets under management (AUM) globally. That makes the country its third largest market after the US and China.

'Foxconn is clearly bullish about India'

'Foxconn is clearly bullish about India'

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2023

Foxconn means serious business in India. Its delegation to India was led by its Chairman Young Liu who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'Complete fiction': Zoho CEO Vembu denies wife's allegations in magazine

'Complete fiction': Zoho CEO Vembu denies wife's allegations in magazine

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

Sridhar Vembu, Zoho Corp's chief executive officer (CEO), said on Tuesday a report that he financially abandoned his wife and son is "complete fiction". An article in Forbes magazine alleged Vembu, founder of the Indian SaaS company, had abandoned his wife Pramila Srinivasan and their special needs son in the US in 2020. Srinivasan and Vembu are fighting a divorce case in California.

In ChatGPT's shadow, India readies for aggressive AI play

In ChatGPT's shadow, India readies for aggressive AI play

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2023

The government has identified nine key focus areas in the AI national programme, including agriculture, education, Indian languages, smart cities, cybersecurity, transportation, and finance.

'We are exploring setting up an aerotropolis'

'We are exploring setting up an aerotropolis'

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

'We would like to develop Andhra Pradesh into a logistics hub not only for India, but also for South Asia.'

Auto Industry Sweats As Semiconductor Shortage Persists

Auto Industry Sweats As Semiconductor Shortage Persists

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

Open order books in February breach 700,000; wait period for some models exceed a year.

Non-metros snapping up electric scooters

Non-metros snapping up electric scooters

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2023

If you thought electric scooters have caught the fancy of only people in the metros, think again. According to data from electric two-wheeler maker, Ather Energy, 54 per cent of its sales of scooters, starting from Rs 1.2 lakh, come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Based on sales per lakh population, the top five cities for the company are Calicut, followed by Kochi, Kolaphur, Trivandrum and Pune.

'Dhoni gets the best out of the players'

'Dhoni gets the best out of the players'

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2023

'It is Dhoni, Fleming and the support staff who decide on cricket.' 'The fans expect CSK to do well, and with Dhoni at the helm, CSK is capable of it.'

IPL 2023: The Rs 5,000 Crore Battle!

IPL 2023: The Rs 5,000 Crore Battle!

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2023

This season, the nature of the advertising game has changed dramatically with TV and digital rights going to different entities.

100% Railways Electrification By 2024

100% Railways Electrification By 2024

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2023

India is now much ahead of other large railway networks in the world in terms of electrification -- with the US at just 1 per cent, China at 72 per cent and Europe at 60 per cent.

The Challenges Before Ola, Uber...

The Challenges Before Ola, Uber...

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2023

In many states, aggregators operate without a licence; in others, with the risk of the licence being revoked by any regional transport office on the slightest pretext.