T E Narasimhan And Gireesh Babu

Stories by T E Narasimhan And Gireesh Babu

Auto Expo: From concept vehicles to facelifts, over 70 launches are scheduled

Auto Expo: From concept vehicles to facelifts, over 70 launches are scheduled

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2020

During the six-day-long event, automakers have planned 10 global launches, 26 India specific launches, six concept vehicles, seven facelifts and 21 vehicle unveilings.

At $321m, online pharmacies saw record funding in 2019

At $321m, online pharmacies saw record funding in 2019

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2020

In 2019 investors backed some of the major online healthcare and pharmacy retailers, with PharmEasy leading the deal list. The firm raised funds through the year to bring in around $220 million and the round is yet to be concluded, according to Venture Intelligence data.

Textile hub Tirupur in trouble as world brands cut down export orders

Textile hub Tirupur in trouble as world brands cut down export orders

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2020

MotherCare, the baby and maternity clothes retailer that annually sourced garments worth Rs 100 crore from a single exporter in Tirupur, filed for bankruptcy in the UK and will close all its 79 shops in that country. It was the latest world-famous brand to pull down Tirupur's fortunes.

Chinese investors are suddenly in love with Indian startups

Chinese investors are suddenly in love with Indian startups

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2020

Not just from the likes of Alibaba and Didi Chuxing, Indian startups saw a surge in Chinese funding from financial investors in 2019. This is a seven-fold jump from $459 million in 2016.

Isro puts Chandrayaan-2 setback behind it

Isro puts Chandrayaan-2 setback behind it

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2019

The year ended with the launch of the PSLV's 50th mission.

Tamil Nadu polls: A test for AIADMK, DMK

Tamil Nadu polls: A test for AIADMK, DMK

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2019

The new entrants in Tamil Nadu politics, actor-turned-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, have decided to stay away from the elections, reports T E Narasimhan.

BS-VI effect: Auto firms see PV sales rising in December

BS-VI effect: Auto firms see PV sales rising in December

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2019

A nationwide and compulsory switch to BS-VI is due from April 1, 2020. Amid increase in input and other costs, companies had decided to increase the price of their vehicles from January 2020. This is expected to push sales of passenger vehicles by 2 to 4 per cent in December; reportedly, bookings are in that range.

M&M succession plan: Change of role for Anand Mahindra

M&M succession plan: Change of role for Anand Mahindra

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2019

Mahindra will serve as a mentor and sounding board for the managing director on issues to be presented to the board, especially in the areas of strategic planning, risk mitigation and external interface. In addition, he will be available to provide feedback and counsel to the managing director on key issues facing the enterprise.

Yamaha aims to treble India market share

Yamaha aims to treble India market share

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2019

'We are bullish about India.'

Dabangg Effect: Pepsi puts the fizz back in Brand Salman

Dabangg Effect: Pepsi puts the fizz back in Brand Salman

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2019

Pepsi is betting on Dabangg 3's box office success.

Tamil Nadu rakes in Rs 19,083 cr investment in 10 months

Tamil Nadu rakes in Rs 19,083 cr investment in 10 months

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2019

At a time when investors are taking a "wait and watch" approach on fresh investment, Tamil Nadu in the past 10 months has signed 63 MoUs, enabling investment worth Rs 19,083 crore. After Palaniswami took over as chief minister in February 2017, cumulative FDI rose by Rs 46,427 crore from Rs 133 trillion (April 2000 to March 2017) to Rs 180 trillion by June this year. Thanks to the Tamil Nadu Business Facilitation Act, 2018, and the single window for applying and getting clearance for doing business, the ease of business issue has been addressed.

PSA's Citroen announces grand India plans with premium SUV Aircross

PSA's Citroen announces grand India plans with premium SUV Aircross

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2019

Europe's leading car maker, Groupe PSA, officially announced its re-entry in India this April with the Citroen brand. Citroen C5 Aircross SUV will challenge the likes of Mahindra XUV500, Tata Harrier, Hyundai Tuscon, Jeep Compass and the upcoming MG Hector. The C5 Aircross will be the first of several differentiated products from the company's vehicle manufacturing unit in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

Coffee prices up 10.1%; trend likely to continue

Coffee prices up 10.1%; trend likely to continue

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2019

Global exports of coffee in October 2019 fell by 13.4 per cent, to 8.91 million bags, compared to the same month in the previous year. A mix of factors, including unfavourable weather patterns and prolonged low international prices, have contributed to a decline in shipments across all regions. The daily price of the ICO composite rose from $102.74 cents/lb at the beginning of November to a high of $111.86 cents/lb on November 25, 2019, before closing the month at $111.77 cents/lb.

Corporate, PE investments in EV start-ups grow 170%

Corporate, PE investments in EV start-ups grow 170%

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2019

The $306-million investment in Ola Electric Mobility by SoftBank Corp, Arun Sarin Family, Ratan Tata and Matrix has been the biggest funding in this space in value terms this year.

CV sales drop by over 17% in Nov on slowdown woes

CV sales drop by over 17% in Nov on slowdown woes

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2019

Companies expect recovery in second half of fiscal as BS VI approaches, claim banks and NBFCs showing greater interest in financing.

China's BYD to invest Rs 2,800 cr in Tamil Nadu

China's BYD to invest Rs 2,800 cr in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2019

This is part of the nine memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 5,027 crore, including Hero Group-backed Ather Energy's over Rs 600 crore investment, to establish a manufacturing facility for e-vehicles.

Natural calamities wreak havoc on spices and coffee plantations

Natural calamities wreak havoc on spices and coffee plantations

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2019

Karnataka suffered a crop loss in around 97,365 hectares out of the total bearing area of 2,26,244 hectares of coffee and spices plantations.

Moral leadership endures indefinitely: Azim Premji

Moral leadership endures indefinitely: Azim Premji

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2019

'All of us have a duty to contribute to society. 'The practice of moral leadership will help us in this; it will also help us in business. 'We need to work together to develop the India that we have envisioned in our Constitution - an idea that is equitable, humane and sustainable.'

Xiaomi expects half its sales to come from offline stores

Xiaomi expects half its sales to come from offline stores

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2019

In the past two years, Xiaomi has expanded its chain of offline stores across formats - 6,000 Mi Preferred Partner stores and 75 Mi Homes on a franchise-based model, besides exclusive small-format Mi Stores added last year to penetrate Tier-II, -III and -IV cities and towns.

Rural distress hits moped sales

Rural distress hits moped sales

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2019

TVS Motor Company, the only company in India to manufacture mopeds, said domestic sales dropped by 25.58% in April-Oct and exports fell by nearly 40%.