Celebrating 15 Years Toyota Kirloskar Motor Opens Bookings for BS-VI Compliant Innova Crysta

Highlights

* Available in Petrol and Diesel, in both MT and AT variants, BS-VI Innova Crysta and Touring Sport are competitively priced in the range of Rs 15,36,000 and Rs 24,06,000 Ex-showroom Delhi
* Pioneering the MPV segment in India for the last 15 years, the Innova has sold close to 9,00,000 units since its launch in 2005
* Innova Crysta has sold close to 2,70,000 units, conquering about 40% of share in its segment
* Vehicle Stability Control(VSC), Hill Assist Control(HAC) & Emergency Brake Signal(EBS) are standardised across all grades of BS6 Innova Crysta
* Supply of the BS-VI compliant Innova Crysta will begin February 2020 onwards, across the country (subject to BS-VI fuel availability)
* With BS VI rollout, the regulatory limits of the most harmful vehicle emission i.e. the Particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) are the same for large or small cars and for CNG, petrol, and diesel run cars
* Bookings for BS-VI Innova Crysta are now open at a celebratory price for a limited period and customer orders for limited number

Strengthening its commitment to Government of India’s vision of a green and sustainable environment, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), has opened bookings for the BS-VI compliant version of its flagship MPV, Innova Crysta. The petrol and diesel variants of the BS-VI compliant Innova Crysta will be available in both Manual as well as Automatic Transmission options.

Launched in 2016, the Innova Crysta has been the undisputed leader in the MPV segment known for its luxurious features, comfort, safety, powerful performance, low maintenance and high resale value, delivering Toyota’s legendary promise of Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR).

Sharing his thoughts on the announcement, Mr. Naveen Soni, Senior Vice President, Sales & Service said, “The Government, auto industry and oil industry have together worked tirelessly with full commitment to usher in the cleaner BS VI emission norms in a record time. Under these norms, the regulatory vehicle emission limits for particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) will be same irrespective of the size of the car as well as for cars that run on CNG, petrol or diesel. At Toyota, we are committed to bring advanced and environment-friendly technologies to the Indian market and align our concerted efforts with the Government’s policies to create a greener and cleaner tomorrow. Since its launch, Innova Crysta has carved a niche for itself and maintained a leading position in the MPV segment. Often referred to as a segment creator for MPVs in India, it continues to be the most preferred MPV in the country with a segment share of 40%. It is indeed a proud moment for us to present BS-VI Innova Crysta, as we open bookings for it today at a celebratory price for a limited time period and customer orders for limited number.”

He further added, “The launch of the BS-VI Innova Crysta, is a crucial step towards achieving the goal of minimizing emissions for a sustainable future. Innova Crysta comes with BS-VI compliant engine, an improvement of the already powerful GD-Series engines, promising low emissions and higher efficiency. We thank our customers for their unwavering support and trust in Innova Crysta and believe this BS-VI Innova Crysta will offer them the best driving experience with powerful performance, luxurious features, comfort and most importantly safety.”

A perfect combination of flawless luxury and effortless power, over the years, Innova Crysta has set a benchmark for tough and sophisticated exterior, coupled with enhanced interior, powerful powertrain and uncompromised luxury. Taking the driving experience, a notch higher, the BS-VI Innova Crysta is both economical and efficient, ensuring lower emissions and a cleaner, better environment.

Salarpuria Sattva Group Strengthens its Community Involvement Program with Barricades to Kamakshipalya Traffic Police Department

Salarpuria Sattva Group, India’s leading Property Development, Management and Consulting organization, has been instrumental in making significant social impact in the communities it serves. As part of its community outreach program, the Group recently extended its boundaries in community engagement.

The company donated barricades to the traffic police department at Kamakshipalya, in order to promote awareness about traffic etiquette and to stress upon the importance of traffic regulations and safety to public life. As part of its community engagement initiatives, the Group has also renovated the Kalpalli cemetery in East Bengaluru. The renovation included upgrading the wooden furnaces, building new staff rooms, toilets, bathrooms, walkways and sitting benches.

Speaking on the occasion, PK Mishra, VP, Salarpuria Sattva Group said, “As a market leader, Salarpuria Sattva caters to the needs of its customers, with trustworthy and quality offerings. As a corporate, we are playing an active role in bringing a change in people’s lives. We are very happy to donate 50 barricades to the traffic police department at Kamakshipalya and hopeful that these barricades will be useful to the public, especially during peak hours. In addition, we also anticipate that the amenities provided at the Kalpalli cemetery will help the grieving families who bring their kith and kin to the crematorium for the last rites, as well as the families living there.”

Salarpuria Sattva has been actively involved in several CSR initiatives. Recently, the company had also handed out 60,000 hand made diyas to its customers and other projects in the vicinity, which were sourced from local vendors, to create awareness about Green Diwali and also to help the potters with their livelihood.  As a Group, the company believes in its commitment to contributing to the society, significantly. The Group also supports environmental responsibility through sustainable development, to lessen the impact of technology on the environment.

About Salarpuria Sattva Group:

Present over the past 3 decades, Salarpuria Sattva Group has grown into one of the most trusted builders in the country today. Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, it also a well-known name in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Coimbatore, Jaipur and Goa. The Group will soon be expanding its presence in Mumbai. With 48 million sq.ft spaces completed, 36 million sq.ft under construction and 32 million sq.ft in the planning stage, Group is one of the premium builders in India today. Salarpuria Sattva’s flagship commercial project and Asia’s Best IT Tech Park- Knowledge City is located in Hitec City, Hyderabad. The Group’s other cutting edge upcoming projects in Hyderabad include: Knowledge Capital, Knowledge Park and Image Towers (a PPP based model with the Telangana State Government). By further expanding into various ventures such as co-working, co-living, education, hotels, facilities management, D&B solutions and e-commerce, the Group today stands tall as a frontrunner, shaping India’s growth story. The Group’s unwavering adherence to quality has given it the “trusted” tag among builders in the country, and it is renowned for its “A Stable” CRISIL rating.

Ather Energy Invites Dealers to Set Up Experience Centers Across India

On the heels of signing an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to build a new 400,000sq ft factory, Ather is moving to the next phase of its growth and scaling up its operations across the country. As a part of its expansion plan, the company is planning to take Ather Space, its flagship experience centre format, across key cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, amongst other Tier-1 cities. To fast track this expansion, Ather is inviting dealer partners to set up these experience centres across these cities,

The automaker will design the retail space and experience for its dealer partners, with a focus on its holistic experience-led model. These experience centres will allow prospective consumers to test ride and get hands-on with Ather’s intelligent & connected product portfolio. The company currently operates Ather Space in Bengaluru (Indiranagar) & Chennai (Wallace Garden Street).

The company’s flagship intelligent scooter, Ather 450 has been setting new standards in the EV market and has ardent fans across India waiting to order it in their city.  The company will continue to grow their public charging network, Ather Grid in all metros in the coming months.  Each city will receive fast charging points prior to the delivery of the vehicles.

Quote by Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer: “Intelligent electric vehicles are a new category for which the traditional retail model doesn’t really work. We have spent the last couple of years pioneering a new  model in Chennai and Bengaluru, which is focused on experience. We are now looking for dealers and partners to expand across the country in a short period of time. It is an opportunity for us and the partners to prepare for the next phase of the automobile revolution and invest in skill development and employment for a new breed of retail professionals.”

Ather is accepting inquiries for partnership on the email id dealershipqueries@atherenergy.com.

Tech Startup Happient Launches OHIEO to Revolutionize Food Catering Services in Bengaluru

Catering services in Bengaluru are as cosmopolitan as the city. When researching for the best caterers in the city, customers are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of service providers. Scouring through several recommendations, menus, price packages and more can be quite a daunting task.

Leveraging technology to address this issue of finding the best Bengaluru-based catering services, 2 techies Amit Vyas and Prasad N T, Co-Founders of Happient Info Services Private Limited, have launched OHIEO, an online platform that brings together over 300 kitchens from across the city.

Potential customers can peruse pre-set menus for a range of events, with group sizes going from as low as 25 to as many as 6000, in a range of Indian and international cuisines. Customers can select and customize a menu, compare services and prices, make a booking and pay on the site as well. A single point of contact assigned to each event/order ensures the human touch to this service. This person looks after all the minute details, from table settings to delivery to set-up, serving of the food and anything the client may need. 

Addressing Gaps in the Market

Explaining the gaps that OHIEO plans to address with its launch, Prasad, N T, Co-Founder, OHIEO says, “The catering sector in Bengaluru currently stands at around $12.8 million each month. Traditionally, the food market has been referral-based, but in the last decade with the emergence of online aggregators and delivery services, there has been an increase in demand for online options in catering for personal events and corporate food catering services. There is even a growing demand for catering for smaller groups of 25-50 people.”

OHIEO aims to address the lacuna. Their services can be used by a cross-section of people for a range of events, going from corporates looking for snacks, daily lunches, dinners as well as boxed meals to corporate events and parties. OHIEO’s services are dynamic and are geared towards handling personal events like weddings, house-warming functions, birthday parties and other social events.

“We decided to have a Christmas party for our staff at the office at the last minute. We could not find a caterer willing to take the job on. OHIEO came in at the right time and did a brilliant job of our event. They were courteous and on-point with all their interactions with us. They took care of all the minute details, from the menu to the service, the delivery, and the lovely thematic presentation. The service staff were efficient, well turned out and interacted well with our staff. We are sure to use their services again and will recommend them as well,” says Maheshwari Verma from Bonito Designs.

Leveraging the Power of Technology

Speaking on the OHIEO experience, Amit Vyas, Co-Founder of OHIEO says, “For the internet savvy consumer of today, one looks for every service required online. Our use of technology has been to give customers a refined experience. We understand the premium on time and ensure that customers have a worry-free experience. Features such as being able to browse and compare catering menus online, pay using flexible options, placing an order online, receiving regular updates as well as tracking the order helps customers’ focus on their events better. The single point of contact to help customize menus and ensure all minor details are taken care of, ensures our service is outstanding”.

Subhash from Quantum Power Systems, Bengaluru can attest to that. He speaks of an online order placed with OHIEO for New Year 2020 celebrations. “It was on short notice and we were sceptical about it being done. The OHIEO team was extremely cooperative and ensured that we got just what we wanted. The food arrived on time, was well set up and presented. The staff were courteous all through the service and ensured every member of our office was well taken care of. It was a party that will be well remembered by our employees and our senior management leadership appreciated the food”.

The founders of OHIEO believe that each of the orders received and executed on the platform are profitable, due to the order size, niche market and the kitchens associated with the business.

“We have no competition in some of our markets, as we are a service that provides solutions to hitherto unaddressed problems. Kitchens associated with OHIEO have the benefit of a platform reaching out to a larger audience. In turn, we pass on the benefits of competitive pricing to the customer. They are also assured of finding a menu in premium cuisines of their choice and the ability customize orders to their specific preferences,” explains Amit

“In a competitive market like Bengaluru, it is difficult for a new catering business to be able to break in and be profitable. Getting onto the OHIEO platform and being associated with them exclusively as a kitchen a few months ago, changed that for us a business. From being restricted to small catering projects, we now cater to large corporates and are constantly finding newer clients to work with”, explains Venkatappa Nayak of Chamundeshwari Kitchens in Bengaluru.

OHIEO currently operates in Bengaluru with plans to launch in Hyderabad by the end of 2020 and plans to be operational in all metros by 2022. OHIEO is also offering franchise opportunities to cloud kitchens that would like to associate with them.

US Johnson & Johnson Cleared in Baby Powder-Cancer Litigation Case

With reference to the US litigation case (Forrest) in St. Louis, Missouri, resulted in a verdict for Johnson & Johnson, finding Johnson’s Baby Powder was not the cause of the plaintiff’s disease.

“This is the fourth consecutive verdict in favor of Johnson & Johnson in these cases and the eighth defense verdict this year. The jury carefully considered the decades of independent clinical evidence, which show Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer. We know that anyone suffering from cancer is searching for answers, which is why the science and facts on this topic are so important ”, a Johnson & Johnson company spokesperson said in a statement.

QuEST Global to Demonstrate Enhanced Driver and Vehicle Safety Using Deep Learning at CES 2020

QuEST Global, a global product engineering and lifecycle services company, will demonstrate Deep Learning driven Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2020. The deep learning models developed by QuEST Global aim to enhance ADAS by improving the accuracy in detection of traffic signs, pedestrians and traffic. This enhanced ADAS will be demonstrated at Booth # 1909, Westgate Pavilion.

The ADAS demo has been developed by training deep learning models using synthetic data representing various environmental conditions and terrains. Such deep learning driven ADAS are 25% more accurate than the ones developed using classic image processing techniques. By leveraging its strong capabilities in high-performance vision processing and deep learning, the company has further optimized the performance of the applications to improve interpretation of both simulated and real time data.

Commenting on this new innovation, Berthold Puchta, Global Industry Leader – Transportation, QuEST Global said, “The automotive industry is rapidly adopting autonomous, connected, electric and shared technologies. However, lack of variety of data is one of the major hurdles faced by the industry.  QuEST Global is committed to solving such industry challenges for our global automotive customers by enabling future of mobility. This deep learning model developed by our engineers has shown higher accuracy rates and it can continuously evolve while training of the deep learning models continue.”

As a trusted thinking partner, QuEST Global has been working with the world’s most recognized companies in automotive industry for the last two decades. The company is committed to enable its customers to Create The Frontier by advancing the ways people drive, travel and interact with each other. Being at the forefront of the convergence of Mechanical, Electronics, Software and Digital Engineering Innovations, the company is helping OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to address the growing demand of providing connected engineering experience to the end customers. By developing comprehensive engineering services and solutions, QuEST Global has been partnering with its automotive customers for overcoming the new-age engineering challenges and make products safer and more reliable in today’s digital age.

Tata Sky Kannada Cinema to Woo Sandalwood Lovers Across India

Tata Sky, India’s leading content distribution platform, has yet again expanded its portfolio of regional language services and is all set to strengthen its reach amongst its core regional audience in the south market. Partnering with COLORS Kannada, one of the leading movie content providers, Tata Sky Kannada Cinema has been launched with a ready line-up of 150+ films showcasing the biggest blockbusters and leading actors of Sandalwood.

The new service will bring an uninterrupted entertainment experience for viewers with access to ad-free, high quality blockbuster movies including the latest and classic films. The service also offers a world television premiere every month. Some of the upcoming movie premieres include Kirik Party, K.G.F., Bell Bottom, Hottegagi genu battegagi, Ayogya and many more. This makes the 24x7 Tata Sky Kannada Cinema service the best Kannada ad-free cinema experience on a DTH platform with 12 movie premiers a year before television.

Commenting on the launch, Anurag Kumar, Chief Communications Officer, Tata Sky said, “Kannada film industry has seen a continued growth in viewership owing to high quality movie releases in recent years. With the launch of Tata Sky Kannada Cinema in partnership with COLORS Kannada, we aim to deliver the best curated content to Sandalwood lovers across the country, enabling a great regional cinema experience.”

Added Parameshwar Gundkal, Business Head- Kannada Entertainment Cluster, Viacom18 said, “With a contribution of 13% of the total Kannada television viewership, Movies is an important genre in entertainment in Karnataka. We are witnessing a sharp growth in regional film consumption across screens. With this partnership, we aim at giving viewers more of what they want via a well curated line-up of uninterrupted blockbuster movies across genres, that will keep the Kannada movie buffs glued to their television screens.”

Tata Sky Kannada Cinema offers 150+ movies across action, drama, romance, comedy and thriller including both new blockbuster movies and classics such as – KGF, Kirik Party, Ayoga, Karva, Zoom, Chandu, Vaali, Yeradu Nakshatragalu, Habba, Yudda Kanda etc featuring the biggest stars of the Kannada film industry including Sudeep Kichcha, Yash, Rakshit Shetty, Ganesh, Ninasam Sathish, Rishab Shetty, Rishi, Ravichandran, Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Rajkumar among others.

Commenting on the launch, Kannada Cinema’s leading celebrity and Face of the Service, Puneeth Rajkumar, said, “We’re witnessing the renaissance of Kannada Cinema through original storylines celebrating the rich Kannada culture. It makes me proud to see this phase in the industry that’s encouraging young talent and creativity. To have a platform like Tata Sky Kannada Cinema at this time that curates all new and old films and takes it to Kannada speaking audience across the country is an added boost for the film industry.”

Tata Sky Kannada Cinema strengthens the bouquet of regional cinema services for Tata Sky by offering unlimited and high-quality entertainment, catering to the growing popularity and demand for regional movie content. As a part of this endeavour, the regional bouquet already includes 7 services - Tata Sky Gujarati Cinema, Tata Sky Telugu Cinema, Tata Sky Tamil Cinema, Tata Sky Bhojpuri Sanima, Tata Sky Bangla Cinema, Tata Sky Punjab De Rang and Tata Sky Marathi Cinema.

Tata Sky Kannada Cinema is now available to all subscribers on #1602 (SD) at a minimal cost of Rs.45/month. The service is also available on the Tata Sky Mobile App.