EKA Mobility’s “Next-Gen Commercial Electric Vehicles” To Feature AAM’s e-Beam Technology

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. (AAM), a leading global Tier 1 automotive supplier of driveline and metal forming technologies, and EKA Mobility, an electric vehicle, and technology company, have announced a collaboration whereby AAM will supply EKA Mobility's first ever e-Beam axle for the company's 2.5T battery electric commercial vehicle. 

EKA Mobility is a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries Limited, India’s largest integrated commercial vehicle seating, interiors, and specialty vehicles company.  

The collaboration will enhance EKA’s battery-electric commercial vehicle portfolio through the use of AAM's industry-leading components and technologies. The partnership will accelerate the development of efficient, sustainable, reliable, and profitable electric light commercial vehicles globally, and will extend EKA’s soon-to-be-launched 2.5T small commercial vehicle. 

"We are delighted to collaborate with AAM as one of our key partners in bringing our new energy commercial electric vehicles to market,” said Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Chairman, EKA & Pinnacle Industries Limited. “Together with AAM’s extensive knowledge, presence, and leadership in the global automotive markets, we look forward to bringing zero-emission mobility solutions globally.” 

“AAM continues to grow our electric propulsion business with strategic opportunities in new markets with new customers like EKA,” said David C. Dauch, AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to be a key OEM partner in electric propulsion from components to full systems. This collaboration is another example of how AAM is helping its global customers transition to an electric future.”  

Mehta said that EKA is committed to choosing the most advanced technologies in order to extend product life, making vehicles even more sustainable and valuable.  

“AAM is producing some of the best technology in electric mobility, and this partnership is a step toward our shared vision of cleaner, sustainable and efficient mobility,” Mehta said.  

EKA Mobility recently launched its 9-meter electric bus that provides a solid platform for sustainable and efficient public transport in cities around the world, along with reliable and profitable operations for customers. The product, completely designed and manufactured in India, received the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) certification from ARAI. The first vehicles will be on the roads soon. The company also plans to launch a range of light commercial vehicles that will offer a 50-percent reduction in the total cost of ownership and will be a game-changer in the last-mile delivery vehicle segment.  

To learn more about AAM’s e-Beam axles and AAM’s full electric drive technology portfolio, visit AAM.com/Future.  

About EKA: 

EKA is an automotive & technology company creating a new global CV electric mobility paradigm. With an industry-leading team, cutting-edge technology, modular designs, and lean manufacturing processes, EKA’s vision is to bring reliable and efficient mobility solutions to the masses. EKA’s sharable technologies and low-investment production processes will enable the lowest TCO and democratize electric vehicles for mass adaptation. To learn more, visit ekamobility.com.

Mr. M Paramasivam Appointed- As Executive Director Of Punjab National Bank

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Mr M Paramasivam as the Executive Director of Punjab National Bank with effect from 1st December 2022 for a period of three years.  

Mr Paramasivam, an agriculture graduate, started his journey in Canara Bank as Agricultural Extension officer in the year 1990 and has served the bank for last 32 years in various capacities as Branch Head of VLBs, as Regional and Circle head of various regional and circle offices and also headed Priority Credit Wing at Head Office, Canara Bank. 

His experience and contribution is spread across multiple domains of Branch Banking, Credit, Priority Sector, Forex and Trade Finance, Compliance, among others. During his tenure as Wing Head at Prioroty Credit Wing at Head Office, Canara Bank, FRUITS portal was started in coordination with NABARD and Karnataka State Government. He was also instrumental in commencement of Agri Credit Centres in terms of EASE-3 norms. 

Mr Paramasivam has also undertaken Leadership Development Strategy Program organised by Banks Board Bureau and Indian Banks’ Association. 

MAHE Is Pleased To Announce The Appointment Of Dr. P Giridhar Kini As The Registrar

Manipal Academy of Higher Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. P Giridhar Kini as the Registrar, MAHE, Manipal effective December 01, 2022. He takes over the charge from Dr. Narayana Sabhahit who was elevated as the Pro Vice Chancellor – Technology & Science, MAHE, Manipal from December 01, 2022.

Dr. Giridhar has been serving MAHE in various academic & administrative capacities since 1999. He was appointed as the Director Admissions, MAHE in January 2018. During his tenure, the MAHE Admissions Team ensured a smooth admissions process, even during the pandemic period.

Dr. Sabhahit is associated with MAHE for over 34 years. During his tenure as the Registrar since 2015, Dr. Sabhahit has exceptionally managed responsibilities entrusted on him. Along with other top leaders, he has successfully managed UGC Inspection, IOE Empowered Committee visits and NAAC peer team visit etc. His leadership during the difficult times including the pandemic period is highly appreciated.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Wholesales 11765 Units In November 2022

* Registers a growth of 31% in wholesales from April to November 2022

TKM today announced that the company sold a total of 11,765 units in the month of November 2022. For reference, TKM had sold 13,003 units in the month of November 2021.

Mr. Atul Sood, Associate Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing, TKM said, “We began last month with demand soaring and positive sentiments building towards the unveil of the much awaited, all- new Innova HyCross. The Urban Cruiser Hyryder too, has been receiving good traction from the market. Cumulative wholesales from April to November 2022, registered a growth of 31% when compared to cumulative wholesales in the same period last year.

However, last month also witnessed an irreparable loss for TKM, with the untimely and sudden demise of Mr. Vikram S. Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, TKM. He has been a core pillar of strength, not just for TKM but the entire Indian Automotive Industry. A true visionary and leader, we hope that we will be able to fulfill his dream of bringing in not just practical but ever-better, sustainable, cleaner & safer mobility solutions to India”, he concluded expressing his grief.

Introducing Mivi Watch Model E, Brand Is All Set To Disrupt The Wearables Market With Launch Of Its First Smartwatch

Mivi, a truly made-in-India consumer tech brand, today announced its entrance into the “affordable” wearable category with the launch of its inventive and ‘truly Made in India’ range of smartwatches; Model E. Aesthetically designed, to offer a perfect balance of style and functionality, these smartwatches are available in five different colors: Pink, Blue, Red, Grey, Green, Black and will be available on Flipkart and on the Mivi website at a special price of INR 1299.

The lightweight smartwatch has a display of 1.69 inch and is enabled with a fully functional HD font touch screen. The watch is also equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 and has a 200 mAh lithium polymer battery with a magnetic line for charging.

Mivi’s ‘Made-in-India’ smartwatch will include pre-installed workout modes such as cycling, jogging, hiking, walking, yoga, and many others. To put it another way, this smartwatch will make your workouts far more productive, among other things. It is designed keeping in mind the hectic schedule of the mass, it charges completely in 1.5 hours and lasts for 5-7 days of use and has a stand-by of 20 days. The watch is also rated with an IP68 which makes it water resistant during a swim or a workout. The device also has a G-sensor that makes it easy to track step count and monitor sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and exercise data record along with Menstrual cycle tracking making it especially convenient for women.

Midhula Devabhaktuni, Co-founder and CMO, Mivi, said, “In this current world where everyone is trying to get healthier both mentally and physically, a smartwatch is more of a necessity than an accessory. We are delighted to expand our portfolio in smart wearables and are hoping that Mivians will support us through this journey. Our Made-In-India smartwatch is equipped with the best technology and is available at the most affordable rates. This is the most opportune time for us and based on consumer needs, we are constantly striving to introduce ideal Made-in-India products to the Indian market. With this launch, we will be offering innovative technology to the youth of India.”

The smartwatch has silicone straps for style and a stainless steel dial for durability. It is also compatible with both Android and iOS for maximum accessibility and for the users to enjoy a seamless experience. The watch also offers full music control, dial selection, message push, daily alarm clock, photo control, weather information and supports 28 languages with 120 sports modes.

About Mivi

Founded in 2016, Mivi, the brainchild of Viswanadh Kandula and Midhula Devabhaktuni, strives to take the Indian electronic gadgets industry to the next level by fulfilling the need for high quality electronic gadgets at affordable prices in the Indian market. Mivi is a one-of-a-kind company specializing in the audio category, from TWS to sound bars, which have gone from a luxury to a necessity for everybody with a smartphone. The brand aspires to create a difference in the Indian electronics market by introducing high-quality ‘Made in India’ products coming from its Hyderabad manufacturing factory. Mivi currently has a 1500+ strong team and is looking to expand its presence PAN India – from tier 1 to tier 4 cities.

IT Democratisation And Empowerment Pave The Way For A More Collaborative Workforce In India

* 68% of Non-IT Employees in India Are More Knowledgeable About IT Than They Were Before 2020

ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, today announced the results from its IT at Work: 2022 and Beyond study. The global study surveyed 3,300 decision-makers across IT and other key business functions in organisations across 18 countries, including India.

The study examined the post-lockdown democratisation and empowerment of IT functions across organisations, the adoption of relevant IT skills across departments, changes in the job-related perceptions of IT decision-makers (ITDMs) and business decision-makers, the current significance of AI and ML to IT security and collaboration between teams as a result of the hybrid work culture. In addition to analysing the marked post-lockdown shift towards IT democratisation and empowerment as well as the business-oriented benefits these entail, the study also observed a notable rise in IT knowledge amongst non-IT employees.

“Our primary aim with this study was to shed light on the current state of ITDMs and the need for IT democratisation and empowerment for a well-knit organisation today. The swift acceleration of digitalisation catalysed by the pandemic has, without a doubt, made the role that IT plays in enterprises more vital than ever. The findings of the study also demonstrate how the involvement of ITDMs in implementing business decisions can boost organisational performance as a whole,” said Shailesh Davey, Co-Founder and Vice President of Engineering at Zoho.

A Successful Hybrid Work Culture Demands Collaboration Between IT and Non-IT Teams

* Implementing a flexible or remote work culture has become a new norm for organisations. This requires smooth collaboration between IT and non-IT departments.

* In India, 91% of business and technology leaders agree that collaboration between IT and other lines of business has increased in the past two years.

* In addition, 76% of India’s ITDMs feel they were adequately consulted by their organisations when implementing flexible work models, 12% more than the global average (64%).

IT Democratisation

* The study found that 53% of Indian organisations have successfully decentralised their IT structures.

* This has had a positive effect on non-IT departments, with 68% of non-IT employees being more knowledgeable about IT than they were before 2020.

* In addition, 67% of all Indian respondents cited innovation as IT decentralisation’s biggest benefit (versus 57% globally), and 69% cited maintaining IT security as the biggest challenge (versus 56% globally).

AI and ML Are Crucial Contributors to Strengthening IT Security Frameworks

* Of the surveyed ITDMs, 85% agree that organisations’ existing security landscapes need to change to ensure protection against cyberattacks.

* Nearly all ITDMs (91%) believe that organisations can strengthen their IT security frameworks by continuing to invest in technologies like AI and ML.

The Future of the IT Workforce

* Of India’s ITDMs, 53% are actively looking for a new job, versus 48% globally.

* Fifty-two percent of India's ITDMs feel less loyal to their employers than they did two years ago, versus a global average of 49%.

* Sixty-seven percent of India's ITDMs are more willing to make a risky career move than they were two years ago, versus a global average of 65%.

* Of India's ITDMs, 82% feel that their organisations have not supported them in the last two years (versus 70% globally), which in turn has led to a decrease in employee loyalty.

For access to the IT at Work: 2022 and Beyond study, visit www.mnge.it/in-itsurvey

About ManageEngine

ManageEngine is the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation. Established and emerging enterprises—including 9 of every 10 Fortune 100 organizations—rely on ManageEngine's real-time IT management tools to ensure optimal performance of their IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, applications, desktops and more. ManageEngine has offices worldwide, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, India, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, Japan, China and Australia, as well as 200+ global partners to help organizations tightly align their business and IT. For more information, please visit manageengine.com; follow the company blog and on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Kovai.co Continues Growth Momentum; Inaugurates New Office Space In Coimbatore

* “The company is betting big on newly launched AI-driven customer success platform, Churn360; while Document360 and Serverless360 endure adding customers globally.”

Kovai.co, a premier enterprise software and B2B SaaS company based out of Coimbatore, India, and London, U.K., has inaugurated its additional 4,500 sq. ft office space in Coimbatore. The inauguration was attended by Suresh Sambandam, founder, and chief executive officer of Kissflow. With a focus on becoming a SaaS-Unicorn by 2030, Kovai.co is building products to solve business problems. They are also nurturing the talent ecosystem in India with an aim to create and distribute wealth.

Speaking at the inauguration, Saravana Kumar, founder & chief executive officer of Kovai.co, said, “We firmly believe that a sense of purpose among individuals, teams & partners improves well-being in the workplace thereby making the workforce resilient. I see this office space as a physical representation of the brand – Kovai.co, a space where great products are built, and we experience our values.”

As a product company, Kovai.co encourages employees to move across departments, understand how different roles work and how products are built to address customer challenges. The company believes such initiatives help spur innovation and boost employee performance & collaboration.

“Simplicity and speed are the major reasons SaaS companies from India continue to see major adoption. For us, our newly launched customer success platform – Churn360 is the next step. We believe this product, along with Document360 and Serverless360, will add more value, playing a critical role in us becoming a SaaS-Unicorn by 2030, Saravana Kumar added.

Kovai.co expects the hiring to continue at a steady pace in 2023. The focus will be on building capabilities of employees, learning & development, and helping customers derive value from the products – Churn360, Document360, and Serverless360 on a day-to-day basis.

About Kovai.co

Kovai.co is a multi-product enterprise SaaS company based out of Coimbatore, India and London, UK. Founded in 2011 by Saravana Kumar, a Microsoft Integration Architect, the company has crossed a revenue of $10 million ARR and remains completely bootstrapped to date. With a 240+ member team, it is looking to grow its product portfolio and its revenues, with a target of $30 million by 2025.

The company has bagged multiple awards on the National stage including “Bootstrapped SaaS startup of the year” from SaaSBoomi, “The Bootstrap Champ Award” by The Economic Times in 2021 and NASSCOM Emerge 50 awards 2021 recognized their knowledge-management product Document360.