ExxonMobil Launches its Flagship 4 Wheeler and 2 Wheeler Service Center Channel - Mobil Bike Care Elite and Mobil Car Care Elite

ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned affiliate of ExxonMobil Corporation, has launched in association with independent workshop owners its flagship Mobil Bike Care Elite and Mobil Car Care Elite service centers in India.

The flagship channel, launched in association with independent workshop owners, which aims at providing a premium bike and car servicing experience.

This launch is a step forward for the company’s Mobil Bike Care and Mobil Car Care workshops launched in 2018. Mobil’s flagship channel launch is in tune with its goal of advancing its customers’ mobility, productivity and sustainability ambitions through rewarding Mobil brand experiences.

Speaking on the program, in the Indian retail market, Deepankar Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt Ltd, said, “With the introduction of this channel, ExxonMobil is taking one more step to reach out to consumers to provide world-class support to protect their vehicles and maximize their use. This association with independent workshop owners will enable our customers to have access to premium service centers and experience the best that Mobil has to offer while confidently getting their vehicles serviced at a flagship center.”

Launched in Bengaluru and Delhi currently, Mobil has plans to expand the flagship program into select cities across India. Independent workshops will be organized through Mobil ‘Elite’ branding and superior lubricant technology to provide an enhanced and comprehensive maintenance service for multi-brand car and bike models.

Sharing further insight on the launch, Rupinder Paintal, Director of Market Development for ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd., said, “ExxonMobil displays its technology leadership through its products and this effective customer engagement program that positively impacts the customer experience. At its core, this program is about offering premium, convenient, trustworthy and comprehensive car care and bike care services to consumers”

The Mobil Bike Care Elite and Mobil Car Care Elite outlets will offer expert maintenance recommendations and detailed inspection. Customers at these workshops will receive best-in-class quality lubricants and standardized service from a team of highly qualified and committed workforce of the independent workshop owners.

About ExxonMobil in India

ExxonMobil’s downstream business distributes, sells and markets Mobil-branded lubricants and specialties. The chemicals business provides market-development support, analytical and reporting services. It also provides chemical product-application support services and product-testing support at its technology center in Bengaluru. The upstream business conducts LNG market development activities and provides consultant services for other ExxonMobil upstream affiliates. The global business center/technical support center provides a range of business and technical support services for ExxonMobil’s operations around the globe. ExxonMobil affiliates support a range of education, health and community programs in India.

Ather Energy Begins Setting Up of One of India’s Biggest Public Charging Infrastructure with Ather Grid Across India

“Ather Grid has seen steady adoption in Bengaluru & Chennai and we believe that accessible charging infrastructure is critical before launching our products in any market we enter.” says Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer. Holding true to this, Ather Energy, that intends to launch across 9 new markets in India has already finalized setting up 135 public fast charging stations. Ather Energy has 37 fast charging stations in Bengaluru and 13 in Chennai, taking the total count to 150 fast charging stations across India. 

This makes Ather Energy, one of the few companies in India to have set up and contributed towards building an ecosystem for electric vehicles in the country. While many OEMs have launched electric vehicles in India, Ather has shown their commitment to EV revolution by investing on a public infrastructure and alleviating range anxiety amongst consumers. Ather Grid fast charging network can be used by all electric two-wheelers and electric four-wheelers and can charge the Ather 450X at 15 km in 10 minutes. 

Ather Energy has signed MOUs with partners like VR Mall, PPZ mall management, restaurant and cafe chains like Little Italy, Blue Tokai, Chai Kings, retail outlets like Sangeetha mobiles, and now has access to more than 250 locations across the country. The installations of the Ather Grid Points will begin  before deliveries of the Ather 450X in November 2020.

As part of Phase 1 of the rapid expansion, Ather Energy will install about 5-10 fast charging points before delivery in each of the new markets they are expanding to. Ather Energy will continue to partner with more progressive hosts which can offer EV owners easy accessibility, curb range anxiety, and ease the adoption of electric vehicles in India.  

The Ather Grid is supported by the Ather Grid app which allows all EV owners to directly ascertain available and unavailable locations on the home screen. The application also has filters and information related to 4+wheeler friendly locations, availability of free and paid parking, location timings and more . 

Ather Energy targets to set-up 6500 charging points across the country by 2022. 

Quote by Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer “What the market needs right now is more visibility of the charging infrastructure. With increased visibility comes mental comfort, curbing range anxiety. We do not need the density like petrol or CNG gas stations but increased accessibility and faster charging speeds. We will ensure that Ather Grid is present in prominent locations in every city to build confidence amongst our consumers. I feel proud to be part of the team that is building not just a high performance scooter but also building the supporting ecosystem with it. It’s a huge investment and we believe it’s a necessary one to improve the adoption of EVs in India.”  

Hero Motocorp Introduces the Exciting Glamour ‘Blaze’ Edition in India

Reaffirming its commitment to an exciting and aggressive portfolio, Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has introduced a new special edition of the popular Glamour motorcycle – the Glamour Blaze. 

In-line with the DNA of Glamour brand – the new motorcycle provides performance, comfort and style, now in a new Matt Vernier Grey Color. It also brings a new feature in the 125cc motorcycle category – a USB charger to the handlebar.

Glamour Blaze will be available at Hero MotoCorp showrooms across the country at an attractive price of Rs 72,200/-*.

*(ex-showroom Delhi)

Commenting on the new motorcycle, Naveen Chauhan, Head – Sales and Aftersales, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Glamour is a highly popular brand across the country and represents style and performance. The response to the new Glamour that was launched recently has been positive and now in its Blaze edition, the brand continues to resonate with the youth of the country.”

Malo Le Masson, Head of Strategy, Hero MotoCorp, said, “We have a strong line-up of new products ahead of the upcoming festive season. The new Glamour Blaze is a high-on-energy edition that will increase its appeal for the young riders.”

Glamour Blaze

The new Glamour Blaze is powered by 125cc BS-VI engine with XSens Programmed Fuel Injection. The engine produces power output of 10.7 BHP @ 7500 RPM and torque of 10.6 Nm @ 6000 RPM. Featuring Hero’s revolutionary i3S (idle start-stop system), together with Auto Sail Technology, the Glamour Blaze delivers on its brand promise of performance and comfort.

Adding to the functionality and riding comfort, it offers a USB charger on the handle and comes with the side-stand indicator. The front 240mm disk brakes and ground clearance of 180mm provide confident reliability and all-day riding comfort with real road presence.

The new Glamour Blaze ups the style quotient for the aspirational youth with its new Matt Vernier Grey Color and Funk-Lime Yellow graphics.

Mr. Vijay Kakkad and Mr. Mohit Kakkad of V. N. Finance Honoured with ET Industry Leaders West Award 2020

Mr. Vijay Kakkad (Chairman) and Mr. Mohit Kakkad (MD) of V. N. Finance Pvt. Ltd. have been honoured with the prestigious Economic Times (ET) Industry Leaders West Award 2020. V. N. Finance has been recognised by ET as Emerging Firm in Tech-Enabled NBFC category.  

Mr. Vijay Kakkad, the key guiding force of the Company, is a sharp entrepreneur with unparalleled business acumen. He has more than 30 years of experience of running different businesses. Mr. Mohit Kakkad is a young dynamic entrepreneur with a vision to reach out to every person, who is not able to fulfil his/her dreams for lack of finance. He appreciates the power of technology and is an avid learner with a number of successful businesses under his belt. V. N. Finance seeks to deploy best-in-class cutting-edge technology and digital solutions to keep up with its mission of providing the best-possible customer experience and lightning fast decision making in loan appraisal and disbursal processes. It has created benchmarks for the processes, which are monitored religiously and constantly upgraded to the next level. 

Mr. Vijay Kakkad, Chairman, V. N. Finance, said, “We, at V. N. Finance, are proud and honoured to be recognised as ET Industry Leaders West award winners for year 2020. V. N. Finance is a tech-enabled new-age NBFC, which empowers unbanked and financially lesser privileged sections of society at the mid-bottom of the pyramid. I dedicate this award to every entrepreneur, start up, business man and woman, migrant workers and labourers who want to realize their dreams and fulfil aspirations.” 

Mr. Mohit Kakkad, MD, V. N. Finance, added, “V. N. Finance intends to transform the loan marketplace in India by fulfilling its customers’ dreams with easy, quick and hassle-free loans. Our People, Digital Systems & Processes are so customer friendly that even uneducated customers can navigate through with utmost ease. V. N. Finance is extremely fast in credit assessment and disbursal with 90% plus strike rate of disbursals in less than 24 hours. In addition to the above, we have developed a proprietary credit evaluation algorithm, which enables us to serve our target segment with the right balance of managing risks. We are also developing technology backbone to enhance the reach of our unique approach and leverage our algorithms.”

V. N. Finance recently announced Gold Loan to help people unlock their dreams instantly from anywhere anytime. It helps them to get the best and highest (possible) loan to value (LTV) ratio on a 24X7 basis and to sail through their urgent financial needs smoothly within a short period of time. Those people, who need unsecured loans and have no security or no existing assets, can directly (or through intermediaries) approach VN Finance and share their creditworthiness and repayment capacity. They will get the funds at the best of terms to achieve their dreams. VN Finance offers pre-payment option-without any penalty; optimal documentation; shorter response time; and safe custody for family jewels and gold jewellery. Just call 022-20877888…

VN Finance also offers secured loans such as Loan Against Property (LAP) and Loans against Inventories. V. N. Finance's professional team fully understands business needs and provides funding against the goods and inventories already lying in the shops/godown. The small business owner just needs to furnish the inventory list, its value and their needs. It is also taking its social responsibility seriously with an initiative to help NGOs and self-help groups in assisting migrant labour and other poor & needy. It recognised that every customer’s needs are different with different context --- so 'one-size fits all' approach doesn’t apply.

V. N. Finance Pvt. Ltd. (VNF) is an innovative financial company Incorporated in March 2019 as a Non-Deposit taking NBFC (ND). The company is founded by 31-year old Mohit Kakkad with a vision to use technology to provide finance to hitherto unbanked section of society. The Company is mainly engaged is providing the small and medium size ticket loans on secured and unsecured basis. Unsecured loans are being provided based on creditworthiness and repayment capacity of the borrowers. The senior management of the company consists of senior leaders from banking industry and mentored by some of the highly qualified professionals. V. N. Finance has put in place an interest rate policy, adopted by the Board, taking into account relevant factors such as, cost of funds, margin and risk premium, etc and determine the rate of interest to be charged for loans. It has a robust KYV Policy, Fair Practices Code and Corporate Governance Policy.

MG Developer Program & Grant 2.0 Unveiled, to Provide Platform to Auto-Tech Start-Ups

In a bid to promote innovation while strengthening India’s urban mobility space, MG Motor India has now commenced the second phase of its initiative - MG Developer Program & Grant 2.0. The initiative is aimed at identifying and endorsing new-age solutions that improve customer experiences as well as the efficiency of the automotive sector.

MG Developer & Grant is conducted in partnership with global technology leaders including Adobe, Cognizant, SAP, TiE-Delhi NCR, Unlimit, and MapMyIndia. It is further open to external developers – such as students, startups, innovators, inventors, and tech enterprises – as well as internal teams of MG Motor and its channel partners.

The program, which focuses on ground-breaking innovations in Connected Mobility, Charging Infrastructure, Electric Vehicles and Components, Car Buying Experiences, AI & ML, Batteries and Management, Voice Recognition, Navigation Technologies, Customer Experiences, and Autonomous Vehicles, is expanding its scope in the second phase with a wider ambit including new categories such as Sustainability, Ease of business and Innovation in times of Covid19.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Gupta Chief Commercial Officer, MG Motor India, said, “Innovation has been the core focus of the MG brand since its birth in 1924. As a strong pillar for the brand MG, innovation has always been encouraged by us in the auto-tech start-up space with our entry in to the Indian market. We need innovative solutions that can change paradigms and address the real-world needs of today. MG, as a brand, calls upon all ignited minds of India to brainstorm solutions that drive meaningful impact within the automotive space.”

The MG Developer Program & Grant was launched in 2019 and received more than 320 entries in its first leg. Out of them, 60 teams were shortlisted by MG and its partners who received personalized mentorship by 25 experts. A total of 9 startups were also selected for the grant including Driftly Electric, Innvolutions Healthcare, Voxomos, Highway Delite, Incabex, CamCom, ClearQuote, Meeseeks and Socialcore. These startups have also been aligned with MG to improve their viability and go-to-market strategy as well as time.

The details and important dates of the program are available on MG Motor India website. All applications can be submitted starting today. 

About MG Motor India 

Founded in the UK in 1924, Morris Garages vehicles were world-famous for their sports cars, roadsters, and cabriolet series. MG vehicles were much sought after by many celebrities, including the British Prime Ministers and even the British Royal Family, for their styling, elegance, and spirited performance. The MG Car Club, set up in 1930 at Abingdon in the UK, has thousands of loyal fans, making it one of the world’s largest clubs for a car brand. MG has evolved into a modern, futuristic and innovative brand over the last 96 years. MG Motor India has its car manufacturing plant at Halol in Gujarat.

Arthroplasty: A Step Ahead To Bring Back Quality Of Life

Back in 1996, 12th October was declared ‘World Arthritis Day’ by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) to raise awareness around this condition. It was necessary because arthritis is often neglected and affects the patient’s mobility, causing severe pain. One of the best solutions for dealing with a disorder like this is arthroplasty, more commonly known as joint replacement surgery. However, only an expert can give the best advice regarding surgical treatments.

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Osteoarthritis can damage any joint, but the disorder mostly affects joints in your knees, hips, spine and hands.

If we talk about osteoarthritis in India, then according to the data, by 2025, India is expected to become the chronic disease capital of the world with 60 Mn people suffering from osteoarthritis. In India, among the population >70 years of age, 28.1% male and 31.6% female are suffering from osteoarthritis. 

The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, loss of flexibility, swelling, crackling sound from the joint, formation of extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps around the affected joint. The presence of any such symptom calls for immediate attention from a doctor, without any delays. Additionally, a person suffering from obesity is at a higher risk of osteoarthritis because heavyweight adds stress and pressure on the joints. Elderly people are also prone to osteoarthritis and those whose occupations require them to kneel, squat, and do the heavy lifting.

Osteoarthritis is a disease that can make daily tasks difficult. To bring back the quality of life, patients must look at arthroplasty surgery (joint replacement surgery) as an option. Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to restore the function of a joint. Patients who undergo arthroplasty may experience improvement in joint pain, ability to perform activities, and thereby an improved quality of life.

According to doctors, patients generally avoid surgery due to fear and anxiety. Delay in arthroplasty can lead to irreparable damage to not just their joints but also other complications in their daily lives. Performing arthroplasty at an early stage can help patients recover sooner and bring back quality of life. Today, arthroplasty is considered as one of the most successful and cost-effective procedures in end-stage arthritic conditions. Patient-reported outcomes are shown to improve dramatically with respect to pain relief, functional restoration, and improved quality of life. Millions of patients around the world have been benefited by arthroplasty.

If you or anyone in your family suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, you can consult your doctor.

Abbott Launches Duphalac Bears in India: Supporting Children’s Digestive Health and Helping Them Live Healthier

* A healthy digestive system is essential to obtain nutrients for the body to function, grow and repair itself[1]

* The prevalence of childhood constipation ranges between 0.7%-29.6%, with peak incidence occurring during the age of toilet training (2-3 years)[2]

* Duphalac Bears is a new product featuring fruit-flavoured gummy bears containing the prebiotic lactulose suitable for children aged 3-14 years[3]

* This safe, child-friendly food supplement addresses an unmet need in child gut health

Abbott announced today in India, the launch of Duphalac Bears, a new product featuring fruit-flavoured gummy bears designed to support children’s digestive health, helping them live healthier lives. DuphalacTM Bears launched in strawberry fruit flavor is a food supplement and meets FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) regulations. It provides the advantages of a trusted prebiotic and encourages the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system while reducing levels of unfriendly bacteria.[4] These gummy bears are easy to take for children and promote healthy intestinal balance as well as bowel regulation.[5] 

In addition to helping raise levels of good bacteria in the gut, Duphalac Bears contains lactulose, a prebiotic derived from milk, which helps to increase the absorption of calcium, helping children grow strong and healthy bones.[6] The prevalence of childhood constipation ranges between 0.7% & 29.6%, and most cases tend to occur during the age of toilet training, when children are two to three years old.[7] A healthy digestive system plays a vital role in good nutrition, by breaking down food effectively and ensuring that essential nutrients are properly absorbed, to help children thrive.[8] Moreover, almost 70% of the human body’s immune system is active in the gut, making a well-functioning digestive system essential for better immunity and health.[9] Tasty, chewable lactulose-based gummies can help relieve the symptoms of childhood constipation by softening stool and facilitating regular motion.[10]

“Multiple factors can trigger childhood constipation, including rushed morning routines, difficult toilet training periods and poor diets.[11] Though it can be treated effectively, our research shows that only 30% of parents consult a doctor on time. Pediatricians also observe that children undergoing treatment frequently have a relapse, usually due to non-adherence,” said Dr. Srirupa Das, Medical Director, Abbott India. “A healthy digestive system is paramount to children’s physical growth and mental development. The launch of Duphalac Bears is an important and innovative step in supporting children’s digestive health, so that they can thrive and take part in activities they enjoy doing,” she added.

Commenting on the need for a long-term gut health solution for children Dr. Vandana Rao, The Children's Clinic, MICO Layout, Bangalore, said, “Despite the fact that about one in three children face constipation during toilet training, child gut health can often go unaddressed. In my experience, parents report child constipation late, and usually continue with home remedies for a month or two before seeking help. Timely and sustained treatment is important to establish consistent and healthy toilet habits. Palatable child-friendly prebiotics can not only help relieve constipation, but also promote better long-term digestive health in kids.”

The digestive system is home to trillions of bacteria, some of which are a key part of digestive health as they can help process food.[12] These “friendly” bacteria are nourished by prebiotics such as lactulose,[13] which promotes a healthy intestinal balance for children.