India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
THOOTHUKUDI, India (AP) -- Vietnam's Vinfast is due to break ground Monday on a $500 million electric vehicle plant in southern India's Tamil Nadu state, part of a planned $2 billion investment in India and a broader expansion across Asia. The factory in Thoothukudi will initially make 50,000 electric vehicles annually, with room to triple output to 150,000 cars. Given its proximity to a major port in one of India's most industrialized states, Vinfast hopes it will be a hub for future exports to the region. It says the factory will create more than 3,000 local jobs. The Vietnamese company says it scouted 15 locations across six Indian states before choosing Tamil Nadu. It's the center of India's auto industry, with strong manufacturing, skilled workers, good infrastructure, and a reliable supply chain, according to Tamil Nadu's Industries Minister T.R.B. Raaja. "This investment will lead to an entirely new industrial cluster in south Tamil Nadu, and more clusters is what India needs to emerge as a global manufacturing hub," he said. A strategic pivot to Asia Vinfast's foray into India reflects a broader shift in strategy. The company increasingly is focusing on Asian markets after struggling to gain traction in the U.S. and Europe. It broke ground last year on a $200 million EV assembly plant in Indonesia, where it plans to make 50,000 cars annually. It's also expanding in Thailand and the Philippines. Vinfast sold nearly 97,000 vehicles in 2024. That's triple what it sold the year before, but only about 10% of those sales were outside Vietnam. As it eyes markets in Asia, it hopes the factory in India will be a base for exports to South Asian countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka and also to countries in the Middle East and Africa. India is the world's third-largest car market by number of vehicles sold. It presents an enticing mix: A fast growing economy, rising adoption of EVs, supportive government policies and a rare market where players have yet to completely dominate EV sales. "It is a market that no automaker in the world can ignore," said Ishan Raghav, managing editor of the Indian car magazine autoX. . A growing EV market in India EV growth in India has been led by two and three-wheelers that accounted for 86% of the over six million EVs sold last year. Sales of four wheel passenger EVs made up only 2.5% of all car sales in India last year, but they have been surging, jumping to more than 110,000 in 2024 from just 1,841 in 2019. The government aims to have EVs account for a third of all passenger vehicle sales by 2030. "The electric car story has started (in India) only three or four years ago," said Charith Konda, an energy specialist who looks at India's transport and clean energy sectors for the think-tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis or IEEFA. New cars that "look great on the road," with better batteries, quick charging and longer driving ranges are driving the sector's rapid growth, he said. The shift to EVs is mostly powered by Indian automakers, but Vinfast plans to break into the market later this year with its VF6 and VF7 SUV models, which are designed for India.. Can Vinfast Succeed Where Chinese EVs Faltered? Chinese EV brands that dominate in countries like Thailand and Brazil have found India more challenging. Sign Up For Free: Denver AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings After border clashes with China in 2020, India blocked companies like BYD from building their own factories. Some then turned to partnerships. China's SAIC, owner of MG Motor, has joined with India's JSW Group. Their MG Windsor, a five-seater, sold 30,000 units in just nine months, nibbling Tata Motors' 70% EV market share down to about 50%. Tata was the first local automaker to court mass-market consumers with EVs. Its 2020 launch of the electric Nexon, a small SUV, became India's first major EV car success. Vinfast lacks the geopolitical baggage of its larger Chinese rivals and will also benefit from incentives like lower land prices and tax breaks for building locally in India. That's part of India's policy of discouraging imports with high import duties to help encourage local manufacturing and create more jobs. The push for onshore manufacturing is a concern also for Tesla, which launched its Model Y in India last month at a price of nearly $80,000, compared to about $44,990 in the U.S without a federal tax credit. "India's stand is very clear. We do not want to import manufactured cars, even Teslas. Whether it's Tesla or Chinese cars, they are taxed heavily," added Konda. An uphill battle in a tough market The road ahead remains daunting. India's EV market is crowded with well-entrenched players like Tata Motors and Mahindra, which dominate the more affordable segment, while Hyundai, MG Motors and luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi compete at high price points. Indians tend to purchase EVs as second cars used for driving within the city since the infrastructure for charging elsewhere can be undependable. Vinfast will need to win over India's cost-sensitive and conservative drivers with a reputation for quality batteries and services while keeping prices low, said Vivek Gulia, co-founder of JMK Research. "Initially, people will be apprehensive," he said. Vinfast says it plans to set up showrooms and service centers across India, working with local companies for charging and repairs, and cutting costs by recycling batteries and making key parts like powertrains and battery packs in the country. Scale will be key. VinFast has signed agreements to establish 32 dealerships across 27 Indian cities. Hyundai has 1,300 places for Indians to buy their cars. Building a brand in India takes time -- Hyundai, for instance, pulled it off over decades, helped by an early endorsement from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. VinFast can succeed if it can get its pricing right and earn the trust of customers, Gulia said, "Then they can actually do really good." Sibi Arasu contributed from Bengaluru and Aniruddha Ghosal contributed from Hanoi, Vietnam. The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that on his first day in office he would impose a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs. "On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump said the tariffs would remain in place until the two countries ...Read More >
A top NATO chief has urged business leaders to begin preparing for a 'wartime scenario' following rising tensions across the world. The warning comes as Germany announced it was drawing up a list of bunkers and other underground facilities that could provide shelter for civilians in the event of an attack. Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer (pictured) warned that NATO members needed to adjust their production and distribution lines in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail from countries such as Russia and China. The chair of NATO's military committee said: 'If we can m ...Read More >
Panaji (Goa) [India], November 27 (ANI): Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, known for his films with gripping storylines, shared his experience of being part of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and discussed his upcoming project, Wives of Bollywood. Speaking with ANI, he said, "I am very happy to be here. I have been attending for almost 20 or 22 years. I have been involved in various capacities -- sometimes as part of the standing committee, sometimes as a jury member, and sometimes as the chairman. It's a place where filmmakers from all over the world, as well as different sta ...Read More >
From Shah Rukh Khan's massive earnings to Akshay Kumar's socially relevant roles, these top Bollywood stars dominate the industry with their impressive net worth and paychecks. Bollywood's highest-paid actors, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar, continue to dominate the industry with impressive net worths and paychecks, setting records with their blockbuster films and socially relevant roles. Shah Rukh Khan Known as the "King Khan," Shah Rukh is the third-highest paid actor in India with a net worth of ₹6,300 crore. Globally, his most recent blockbusters, Jawan and Path ...Read More >
Air India launched a Black Friday Sale with discounts up to 20% on domestic flights and up to 12% on international flights to various destinations. The sale is available through the airline's website and mobile apps. Additional savings are possible with waived convenience fees and specific payment methods. The airline continues offering student and senior citizen discounts.Air India on Friday launched a limited-time Black Friday Sale offering discounts of up to 20 per cent off base fares for domestic flights within India. The Tata-owned airlines will also offer up to 12 per cent off base fares ...Read More >
* Commoditisation and similarity of products and services with competitors will have the most significant impact on how businesses deliver customer experiences over the next two years, according to the latest IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Affinidi * However, businesses who are looking to hyper-personalise their products as a competitive differentiator are facing several obstacles in addressing the privacy-personalisation dilemma, with 56% of them highlighting data collection and management to be a key challenge. * To truly enhance customer experiences through more personalised insights, they m ...Read More >
Air India is also offering additional discounts through various payment offers, so you can enjoy even more savings. Air India has launched its limited-time Black Friday Sale, offering up to 20 percent off base fares for domestic flights and up to 12 percent off on international flights to destinations like the United States, Europe (including the UK), Australia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The sale is available exclusively on Air India's official website and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The sale runs from 00:01 IST on 29 November 2024 to 23:59 IST on 2 December 2024. The travel peri ...Read More >
The BE 6e, just as its name sounds, stands out as a futuristic, power-packed, and sporty electric Mahindra SUV on Indian roads. The highly anticipated Mahindra BE 6e, an all-electric compact SUV, has been finally launched at an introductory price of Rs 18.9 lakh (ex-showroom). Globally revealed alongside its sibling, the XEV 9e, this born-electric offering from Mahindra seems to be good enough (on-paper) to position itself as India's answer to luxury compact SUVs from global brands. With its futuristic design, a wealth of modern features, and an impressive power output - the highest in its fa ...Read More >
Hit by economic slowdown and poor infrastructure, industrialists from Jharkhand's key industrial districts -- East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan -- are looking to the newly formed state government for revival and support. The industrial zones of Adityapur, Gamharia, Kandra, and Chandil have been grappling with inadequate infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads, lack of bridges, erratic water supply, and unreliable power. Entrepreneurs in these regions hope the new administration will address these issues and work toward improving the state's industrial ecosystem ...Read More >
The art of papercutting, a precise and fragile craft, has taken root and blossomed in Africa. This article features the continent's top artists who have honed and perfected this delicate art form. By turning ordinary sheets of paper into extraordinary masterpieces, these virtuosos not only make a mark on the global art scene but also keep their rich cultural traditions alive. Over the past few decades, the African papercut art scene has undergone a major transformation. While early works were grounded in traditional motifs and symbols, today's artists are infusing their pieces with modern the ...Read More >
The chip makers around the world felt the relief of a rumor suggesting that the sales curb to China could be less severe than previously expected. But the news didn't necessarily translate in a strong rally. ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) - Europe's biggest chip equipment maker that predicted a 30% fall to its Chinese revenue next year - closed 0.22% lower yesterday, while Tokyo Electron - which was up by more than 6% yesterday - couldn't extend gains at today's session. With US markets paused for the Thanksgiving break, France was at the heart of the attention yesterday. The political drama, there, only ...Read More >
Meet Venkata Datta, Hyderabad techie, who is set to marry badminton star PV Sindhu The KYC Bubble: How digital ID's could trigger a global collapse 5 reasons why Allu Arjun will become biggest pan-India star with Pushpa 2: The Rule This is world's weirdest hotel where guests stay to get insulted, pay Rs 20000 room rent, it is located in... Vikrant Massey breaks silence on his 'retirement' announcement, says his post was misread: 'I'm not...' After breakup with Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora does 'Nain Matakka' with another actor, netizens react Naga Chaitanya-Sobhita Dhulipala wedding: Allu ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
Bigg Boss 18: Shilpa Shirodkar is termed 'biggest backstabber' after Vivian Dsena... Deepak Kalal fights with passenger in flight? Know the truth behind viral video Delhi court fixes Nov 28 for hearing former CM Arvind Kejriwal's plea over sanction copy in... Where will the Champions Trophy 2025 be played? ICC to take final call on THIS date Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan recalls telling Amitabh Bachchan he made 'big mistake' by... Deepinder Goyal's Zomato opens Rs 8500 crore QIP share sale, sets floor price at Rs... Delhi Capitals co-owner pens emotional fare ...Read More >
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Import tariffs expected to be implemented by the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could lower economic growth and inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro, European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday. Most economists agree that the possible tariffs would impact growth, though views diverge on the effect on consumer prices. Some argue the U.S. trade barriers will push up the value of the dollar, making imports of key commodities more expensive, while likely retaliation from Europe will also raise costs. Cipollone, speaking i ...Read More >
The escalating conflict could upset a hard-fought consensus that G20 negotiators reached around 5 a.m. on Sunday, after an overnight push to ready the joint statement for final review by leaders arriving in Rio. That preliminary consensus after six days of negotiations included streamlined language about global conflicts including the war in Ukraine, focusing on the need to negotiate peace rather than criticism of any participants. However, sources said even that "simpler" consensus may now be up for reconsideration following the Russian air strike and the prospect of further escalation. Un ...Read More >
H.E. Josel Francisco Ignacio, current Ambassador of the Philippines to India shares his credentials with President Droupadi Murmu On 16 November 1949, the Philippines and India, the two independent democracies would forge diplomatic ties. The two republics were born just a few years apart, first set out on the road to their bilateral friendship and collaboration. This inaugurated a period of closer government interaction, commerce and investment, and other bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Building on much common ground in history, democratic ideals, socio-economic imperatives and aspi ...Read More >
The global smoke grenade market is expected to grow from $297.24 million in 2023 to $456.46 million by 2031, driven by a 5.5% CAGR. Military, law enforcement, and emergency services are the primary sectors fueling demand, especially for tactical operations, training, and crowd control. Advances in technology have led to safer, more effective smoke grenades, while commercial uses in activities like paintball and film production are rising. Environmental concerns are promoting the development of eco-friendly products. North America leads the market, with rising military expenditures further boos ...Read More >
China and Hong Kong stock markets are experiencing a downturn due to rising concerns over the U.S.-China trade war, particularly regarding proposed tariffs and chip sales restrictions. The CSI300 and Shanghai Composite indexes fell, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 1.32%. Investors are wary of potential new restrictions on semiconductor and AI chip exports to China, further exacerbating market uncertainty. The automotive sector, led by BYD, also suffered from intense price competition among Chinese carmakers. Investor sentiment remains cautious, reflecting fears of escalating trade te ...Read More >
The Hyundai Tucson has received 5-star rating on the Bharat NCAP crash test and has become the first Hyundai SUV to do so. The most premium SUV offered by the South Korean manufacturer joins the Mahindra and Tata SUVs in the list of 5 star SUVs offered in India. The Hyundai Tucson scores 30.84 out of 32 in the adult occupant protection. It has scored 41 out of 49 in the child occupant protection. It received OK in the side pole impact test. The model of Hyundai Tucson that was tested by the Bharat NCAP was the top-spec 2.0-litre petrol-AT Signature variant. The particular variant gets six air ...Read More >
Mahindra's total sales volumes stood at 79,083 in November 2024 with the company's SUV lineup making up a major share of 46,222 units Mahindra has released its sales data for November 2024. Sales of the company's passenger vehicles have improved to 46,222 units which was a 15.16% YoY growth from 39,981 units sold in Nov 2023. This related to a 6,241 unit volume growth. MoM sales however fell by 15.20% when compared to 54,504 units sold in Oct 2024 relating to a decline by 8,282 units. The company has just released two Electric Origin SUVs called the BE6e and XEV9e. Both these models are buil ...Read More >
Uber has launched India's first Shikara ride on Srinagar's Dal Lake, offering a unique and scenic experience. This new service allows passengers to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lake while riding in a traditional Shikara boat. Booking is easy through the Uber app, with rides available daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. This initiative aims to boost tourism in the region while providing locals with a new way to experience the lake. With Uber's entry into the Shikara market, visitors can now enjoy a blend of modern convenience and traditional charm on Dal Lake. ...Read More >
Rupee has maintained its position as one of the best performing Asian currencies, despite the ongoing challenges and geopolitical crisis in the Middle East. Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance on Monday said that this stance indicates India's strong economic fundamentals. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, he mentioned that Rupee's is market-determined, not limited to any target or specific level. He noted that, as of November 19, 2024, the domestic currency had dropped 1.4 percent against the US dollar in the current calendar year (CY) 2024 and decline was primarily driven by ...Read More >
The Chinese yuan was also facing its own challenges from the growing threat of more U.S. tariffs on China, pushing it down to a 13-month trough. Japan's tech-heavy Nikkei jumped 1.6% as of 0200 GMT, and South Korea's KOSPI advanced 1.7%. Taiwanese shares gained 1.1%. Australia's stocks benchmark rose 0.7% and reached a fresh all-time high. However, Chinese stocks were under pressure, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng edging slightly lower and mainland blue chips falling 0.3%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares added 0.7%. Both S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were flat after the cash indexes ...Read More >
Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied for the third straight session on Tuesday (December 3, 2024) amid buying in blue-chip stocks like HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and firm trends in global markets. The BSE benchmark Sensex jumped 597.67 points or 0.74% to settle at 80,845.75. During the day, it surged 701.02 points or 0.87% to 80,949.10. The NSE Nifty went up by 181.10 points or 0.75% to 24,457.15. From the 30-share Sensex pack, Adani Ports surged nearly 6%. NTPC, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Larsen & Toubro, UltraTech Cement, Tata Motors, HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries were ...Read More >
Still, the ongoing U.N. climate talks have thrown a spotlight on their efforts to tackle global warming. While the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is tasked with agreeing a goal to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars for climate, leaders of the Group of 20 major economies half a world away in Rio are holding the purse strings. G20 countries account for 85% of the world's economy and are the largest contributors to multilateral development banks helping to steer climate finance. "The spotlight is naturally on the G20. They account for 80 percent of global emissions," U.N. Secretary Ge ...Read More >
Part of the deal involves assistance to boost mining supply chains. Peru is one of the world's top copper producers, while Japan is a major consumer of the key industrial metal. In the aftermath of the APEC summit, Peru also inked a defense cooperation deal with South Korea, including a submarine agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries and another deal with Korea Aerospace Industries to manufacture parts for fighter aircraft, according to Boluarte's foreign minister. Last week, Peru formally inaugurated the Chinese-built Pacific coast megaport of Chancay, promising faster and more efficient ...Read More >
Beijing: China has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States following recent threats by former President Donald Trump to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods. The statement comes amid growing tensions between the two economic giants over trade practices, technology policies, and geopolitical issues. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said that China was open to "constructive dialogue" with the U.S., emphasizing the importance of cooperation to ensure global economic stability. "China believes that both countries should seek common ground and manag ...Read More >
European nations are investigating a Chinese cargo ship for underwater sabotage in the Baltic Sea, according to a report. Earlier this month, two undersea fibre-optic data cables were cut in the Baltic Sea. The first cable was damaged between Sweden and Lithuania and the second cable was damaged between Germany and Finland. Shortly after the damage was discovered, Sweden took the lead in investigations and European nations -- all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) -- began pursuing a Chinese cargo ship in the region. The Chinese ship, Yi Peng 3, is currently anchored in ...Read More >
The XEV 9e is fast and even in the lower range mode feels smooth along with lots of performance.Source : Somnath Chatterjee Electric cars are different and Mahindra has thrown everything at their new range of EVs in terms of a new electric architecture along with specifications normally seen on luxury cars. The XEV 9e based on the Inglo platform is the bigger and more premium EV which starts at Rs 21.9 lakh while coming with two battery pack options- 59 and 79kwh. The 79 kwh battery pack means 656 km range and 284 bhp which means 0-100 km/h is just 6.8 seconds. The big XEV has lots of road p ...Read More >