Toyota Kirloskar Motor Records Highest-ever Monthly Sales of 20,410 units In May 2023

* Reports domestic sales of 19,379 units and exports of 1,031 units

* Witnesses a growth of 42% in the first five months of CY 2023 over the same period last year

* Three-shift operations at its Bidadi plant, that commenced from May 2023, made a significance contribution to this historical feat

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) achieves the highest-ever monthly cumulative sales of 20,410 units for May 2023 thus reporting growth of 110% over 10,216 units in May 2022. The company registered domestic sales of 1,9379 units and export sales of 1031 units of The Urban Cruiser Hyryder this month. TKM also witnessed a jump of 32% over April 2023 where the company had sold 15,510 units.

The positive trend continues as the company reported strong performance with a growth of 42% in the first five months of the Calendar year 2023 (January-May) by selling 82,763 units as compared to of 58,505 units achieved in the same period last year.

Commenting on the sales Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Marketing at Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "Toyota Kirloskar Motor has scaled a new high by reporting the highest monthly sales performance of 20,410 units. As we look forward, given the sustained momentum , we continue to be optimistic for the rest of the year by prioritising the customers’ needs. We believe that the strong upward trajectory, highlights the company's customer alignment and ever-growing product popularity with the latest launches like Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross and the Hilux that continue to support the strong sales momentum in their respective segments. The popularity of Hilux, in particular, continues to grow and exhilarate customers all over India, thanks to its versatility and robust performance.

As a customer-centric company, we always strive to understand and exceed the expectations of our valued customers by continuing to implement diverse measures to take care of their needs and offer products that excel in quality, reliability and durability. In-line with this approach, we recently enhanced our production by implementing the third-shift of operations at our Bidadi plant from May 2023 which has greatly contributed to addressing the market’s needs. Apart from reduction of waiting period for delivery, this measure will also further allow us to contribute to the nation's 'Make in India' mission and generating additional employment opportunities in the region. We take great pride in sharing that all our products are performing exceptionally well, reaffirming our customers’ satisfaction & strong confidence in us. Moreover, we are optimistic about the future and confident that our positive momentum will enable us to add in valued customers across the nation, thereby ensuring ‘Mass Happiness to All’ - he further added.

In line with its commitment to building lasting connections with customers, TKM recently announced the highly anticipated "Great 4X4 X-pedition", designed to engage with the 4x4 SUV enthusiasts across India, by offering exciting and thrilling off-roading experiences. This flagship initiative aspires to connect participants with their sense of adventure and inspire more people to pursue their passion for adventure & motorsports. Set to be held across four zones (regional level – North, South, East and West), with a ‘Grand National 4x4 X-pedition’, this exclusive first event kicked off in the Southern zone, covering scenic locations and historical points of Bangalore–Sakleshpur-Hassan offering thrilling experiences through curated on-road and off-road drives.

Myntra And Kotak Mahindra Bank Join Forces To Launch Digital Fashion Co-Branded Credit Card Offering Unmatched Benefits For Shoppers

The online fashion market is about to witness something unique as Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited ("KMBL"/Kotak) in partnership with Myntra, one of India's leading fashion, beauty and lifestyle destinations, today announced the launch of its first-of-its-kind co-branded digital fashion & lifestyle credit card.

Features of Kotak Myntra Credit Card

• 7.5% instant discount on unlimited transactions on Myntra, up to Rs.750 per transaction

• Complimentary access to Myntra Insider 

• 5%* cashback on any purchase with some of the popular platforms:

o Swiggy, Swiggy Instamart, PVR, Cleartrip, Urban Company

• Unlimited 1.25% cashback on other card spends 

• Quarterly Milestone of 2 PVR Movie tickets

• Rs 500 e-voucher on card activation 

Offering loads of benefits, the co-branded Kotak Myntra Credit Card will empower the fashion-conscious consumers to unlock great value on their savings through unlimited transactions. The card can be availed through a hassle free digital journey within minutes, across Myntra as well as Kotak mobile applications. Existing Myntra customers will be able to apply for the card through a completely digital journey on the Myntra app itself.

The Kotak Myntra credit card will be available on MasterCard and RuPay networks.

Frederick Dsouza, Business Head – Credit Cards, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. said, “Myntra is synonymous with the best in fashion and customer experience. We are excited to partner with Myntra to offer this unique product for discerning fashion enthusiasts. Our partnership is a confluence of all that stands for customer delight and trust. This credit card has been designed with exclusive privileges and unmatched benefits tailored to the lifestyle and fashion shopping habits of our target customers. We are committed to fulfilling their credit needs and delivering unparalleled service.”

The co-branded credit card is designed with an aim to provide the trendy and new age consumers an apt choice for their fashion needs. The card also aims to tap into the fast-growing fashion e-commerce market in India, which presents a huge opportunity. The growth in fashion e-commerce will be led by digital native customers comprising Millennials, as well as GenZ customer segments.

Santosh Kevlani, Vice President, Partnerships and Monetization, Myntra, said, "As the first-of-its-kind card in the industry, the Myntra Co-branded Credit Card will be dedicated to fashion shoppers across metros, tier 1, tier 2 & 3 cities, creating stickiness and excellent brand recall. With this collaboration, we aim to enhance our customers' shopping experience on Myntra by offering them an unparalleled and rewarding payment option. The Kotak Mahindra Bank is among India’s largest and most trusted financial institutions, and its position of being a progressive partner bank stands tall and resonates well with a brand like ours. We are confident that this association will help us provide our customers with a seamless and rewarding shopping experience while also enabling them to save more on their purchases.”

Aditya Murthy, Vice President, Digital Partnerships, South Asia, Mastercard, said "Mastercard is delighted to collaborate with Kotak Mahindra Bank and Myntra to bring a unique proposition for consumers who like to stay up to date with the latest in fashion trends. The Kotak Myntra Credit Card is a game-changer in the fashion and lifestyle space, offering unparalleled benefits to consumers who enjoy shopping the wide collection at Myntra.

Mr. Nalin Bansal, Chief of Corporate and Fintech Relationships and Key Initiatives, at NPCI said, “We are excited to partner with Kotak Mahindra Bank to launch Myntra Kotak cobrand card on the robust RuPay network. With our proposition of RuPay Credit Card on UPI, we are confident that our partnership will offer a secure, delightful and rewarding shopping experience to the users of this card.”

All cardholders who activate their cards will be on boarded on Myntra’s loyalty program - Myntra Insider as well as get a complimentary Rs 500 e-voucher. The card will be promoted across multiple touchpoints ranging from the Myntra app, social to digital platforms, digital assets of the Kotak Mahindra Bank, along with other offline marketing channels.

The joining fee and annual fee for this unique credit card is Rs. 500 only.

*terms and conditions apply

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the Group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

The Bank has four Strategic Business Units – Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking and Treasury, which cater to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group’s business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group’s growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked. As on 31st March, 2023, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,780 branches and 2,963 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai). For more information, please visit the company’s website at https://www.kotak.com/.

About Myntra

Myntra is one of India's leading platforms for fashion brands and in m-commerce play. An integral part of the FlipKart Group, Myntra brings together technology and fashion to create the best experience in the fashion and lifestyle space in India. Myntra platform offers a wide range of over 6000+ leading fashion and lifestyle brands in the country such as H&M, Levis, U.S. Polo Assn., Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Philippe, Jack & Jones, MANGO, Forever 21, Marks & Spencer, W, Biba, Nike, Puma, Crocs, M.A.C, and Fossil and many more. Myntra services over 19,000 pin codes across the country.

NGEL, UPRVUNL Tie Up To Collaborate For Development Of Renewable Energy Power Parks And Projects

To collaborate in the Development of Renewable Energy Parks and Projects and to facilitate in Government of India’s efforts towards energy transition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) on 31st May’2023 at NRHQ, Lucknow. The MoU was signed by Shri Mohit Bhargava, CEO (NGEL) and Shri Nidhi Kumar Narang, Director (Finance), UPRVUNL in the presence of Shri P. Guruprasad (IAS), MD (UPRVUNL), Shri Praveen Saxena, Regional Executive Director (NR) of NTPC. Shri V V Sivakumar, GM (NGEL) and other senior officials of NTPC, NGEL and UPRVUNL were present during the occasion.

The MoU envisages to collaborate in the field of Renewable Energy through setting up of floating and ground mounted Solar Projects in the Rihand reservoir, other water bodies and any available vacant land, developing of solar PV Project dedicated for solarization of Ayodhya city and setting up of Renewable energy Parks and Projects wherever land is made available. NGEL and UPRVUNL shall jointly work for formation of Joint Venture Company (JVC) to meet the Renewable Generation Obligation, Flexibility in Generation and Scheduling of Thermal/Hydro Power Stations through bundling with Renewable Energy and Energy Storage.

NTPC is India’s largest Power Utility, with a total installed capacity of about 72 GW (including JVs and subsidiaries). As part of increasing its renewable energy portfolio, a fully owned subsidiary “NTPC Green Energy Limited” (NGEL) has been carved out which shall take up Renewable Energy Parks and Projects including development in the areas of Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage Technologies and Round the Clock RE Power.

UPRVUNL was constituted to set up and operate Power-generating stations in the state of Uttar Pradesh. At present UPRVUNL is having four Thermal Power Stations within Uttar Pradesh with an installed capacity of 5820 MW and one Thermal Power Station with installed capacity of 1320 MW under JV with NTPC. UPRVUNL is in the process of adding further 3300 MW capacity with super critical technology on its own and another 1980 MW in Joint Venture with CPSEs. At present, UPRVUNL is looking to diversify into Renewable Energy and Energy Storage sectors.

IndiaDotcom Digital Rolls Out ScreenBox Power-Packed With A Video-First Approach For Global, Indian, Regional TV And Cinema News

IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited (IDPL), formerly known as Zee Digital and one of India’s largest Digital entities, announced the mega launch of its Entertainment portal ScreenBox.in. A unique Video-First Entertainment platform, ScreenBox.in will offer sharp, snappy 360-degree coverage from the world of showbiz across various genres, including World Cinema, Bollywood, Hollywood, Regional Cinema, OTT, TV and music industry.

ScreenBox is a portmanteau, blending the two words. Screen is derived from “Silver Screen” or the world of entertainment, while “Box” denotes how it will be packed in one place for the user to dip in and discover the delightful content every time. Its visually appealing User Interface allows users to easily navigate and discover their favourite content in multimedia format.

Speaking on the market demand in terms of news content consumption, Roshan Tamang, Chief Content Officer, IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited, says, “Video is now the preferred format of content on Digital. However, classic film journalism in text format is also hard to beat. So ScreenBox.in was born to be a perfect blend of both. We hope our users will be delightfully engaged with an innovative coverage of happenings from the world of entertainment.”

Mr. Shridhar Mishra, CRO, IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited, further highlighted, “IDPL has been consistent in delivering program content package as per the market demand. The launch of video-first website ‘ScreenBox’ will also encourage stakeholders and advertisers to strengthen visibility in terms of branding via video during different timeslots throughout the day."

About IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited

IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited (formerly Zee Digital) is one of the largest digital media publishing company in India. IDPL’s distinctive digital Products are amongst the fastest-growing websites and applications worldwide, with over 32 digital properties.

Unicommerce Launches Advanced Inventory Management Solution

~ Real-time, multi-location inventory synchronization will enable 100% fulfillment rate and faster order processing ~

Unicommerce, India’s leading ecommerce enablement SaaS platform has launched its advanced inventory management solution with real-time inventory synchronization to help brands fulfill 100% of the orders received and to further boost the speed of processing orders.

Unicommerce’s advanced inventory management solution enables the rerouting of unfulfillable orders by automatically reallocating the orders to next warehouse or store basis real-time availability of inventory across multiple stores and warehouses, with an aim to improve the overall order fulfillment rate.

It also offers the option to pre-compute the availability of bundled stocks per facility to boost the fulfillment rate of bundled orders. The enhanced version will also allow brands to improve product procurement and ensure that they are able to place orders for products well in advance and optimize inventory currently available across multiple facilities. The new solution also allows the sellers to set a minimum threshold for each SKU below which procurement and reallocation processes kick in automatically.

Unicommerce continues to enhance its order management system with new features to further simplify the process of e-invoicing, manage cancellations and reallocation of orders. With clear visibility and real-time tracking of inventory, brands will be able to improve their stock decisions leading to better operational efficiency across warehouses and stores, the benefit of which will eventually be passed on to the end consumer. The addition of AI-based capabilities will help brands to pre-decide on the critical level of inventory and automatically redirect SKUs based on real time inventory sync sending notifications to sellers to route orders for such SKUs.

Speaking about the launch of the solution, Kapil Makhija, CEO Unicommerce said, “At Unicommerce, our product development pipeline is closely guided by the needs of our users. Our aim is to develop and deploy best-in-class technology solutions that remove the operational complexity for fast-growing e-commerce businesses. Our new advanced inventory management solution will allow brands to optimize their inventory utilization to fulfill each serviceable order and will also seamlessly augment the experience for buyers.”

Unicommerce has been enabling ecommerce companies, D2C brands, omnichannel retailers and other online sellers With a nationwide presence across 8000+ warehouses and 3000+ stores, Unicommerce currently powers 20000+ businesses across 45+ industry segments and has achieved an annual run rate of processing over 600 million transactions amounting to USD 7bn+ annual GMV.  

WhatsApp Launches New Security Center To Further Strengthen Its Commitment To User Safety

Today, WhatsApp is launching a new global Security Center which acts as a one-stop shop for users to learn more about how to protect themselves against spammers and unwanted contact.  

WhatsApp has created this page to build awareness about the various safety measures and in-built product features that empower users to take control of their safety as well as more information on the ‘behind-the-scenes’ technology we use to run a simple, reliable, private and safe service. 

The Security Center will be available in English and 10 Indian languages (Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu and Gujarati). 

You can visit the WhatsApp security center here: https://www.whatsapp.com/security 

Protecting personal messages with end-to-end encryption is one of the best lines of defence against scammers and fraudsters and in addition to that WhatsApp is consistently working  on new and innovative ways to enhance people’s safety and privacy. 

The features highlighted in the Security Center are just some of the ways we help keep users safe and secure. It informs users about the the layers of privacy that WhatsApp provides and lists some top tips to give users more control over their WhatsApp account, including: 

Two-step verification - to avoid account takeovers and to provide another layer of account security 

Scams - how to spot common scams and what you can do if you receive an unwanted message including our block and report tools.

Official WhatsApp - information on how to avoid fake versions of WhatsApp that pose serious risks to your privacy and security 

Group controls - reminders about checking your preferences about who can add you to groups 

As an industry leader among end-to-end encrypted messaging services, WhatsApp has been taking a holistic approach to promoting user safety through consistent investments in product innovations, as well as driving consumer awareness around online best practices that help keep users safe. 

Last month, WhatsApp launched an integrated safety campaign ‘Stay Safe with WhatsApp’ in India highlighting product features that empower users to take control of their online safety and ensure a safer messaging experience. The campaign focuses on educating users about WhatsApp’s safety features and tools like Two-Step Verification, Block and Report and Privacy controls that equip people with the necessary safeguards to help protect them from online scams, frauds and account compromising threats. 

Renault India' Achieves Remarkable Limestone Of 9 Lakh Sales

Renault, the leading European brand in India, is proud to announce a remarkable achievement of surpassing 900,000 vehicles salesin the country. Renault India is one of the youngest and fastest carmakers to achieve this feat.  

Renault India has attained this significant milestone by offering innovative and disruptive product portfolio, persistent commitment towards customer satisfaction, network expansion, rural focussed strategy, and pioneering marketing initiatives.  

This accomplishment highlights the unwavering commitment of Renault India to deliver unique products, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled customer experiences. With a strong emphasis on quality, safety and innovation, the company has captivated consumers sentiments and gained the trust of customers in India. 

Renault India in the past 11 years has consistently pushed limits and introduced some industry-first, advanced and enhanced safety features across its product offerings. The company's diverse product portfolio has catered to the varying needs and preferences of customers in the country. In addition to offering exceptional products range, Renault India has also fostered strong partnerships with dealerships across the country, ensuring an unmatched ownership experience for customers. The company's dedicated network of over 450 plus sales and 530 service touchpoints, played a crucial role in providing support and personalized service to every customer. 

According to Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault India Operations, “We are extremely thrilled to have crossed the 9-lac sales milestone in India. This incredible journey has been made possible by the unwavering support and belief in the brand from our esteemed customers, dedicated dealer partners, valued suppliers, and our exceptional team of employees, and engineering professionals.We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to this remarkable achievement. Over the last few years, we have established a strong foundation in India. Company’s commitment to the Indian Government's 'Make in India' vision is unwavering and Renault aims to attain 90% localization for its upcoming products.” 

“India is a strategic and among the top 5 markets for Groupe Renault and we have a clear long-term strategy in mind for the country. We have formulated a strong product-offensive plan for India, with heavy emphasis on localisation in future range of products. With a long-term commitment to the Indian market, Renault plans to bring several new innovations in products and services, to meet the evolving needs and preferences of customers”, added Mr. Mamillapalle. 

As Renault India celebrates this remarkable milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles and exceptional customer experiences. With a strong foundation, an expanding network, and a customer-centric approach, Renault is poised for continued success and growth in the Indian automotive market. 

Renault’s leading product line-up in India includes KIGER, TRIBER and KWID.  

Renault KIGER launched in India in 2021 has already established itself as a Stunning, Smart and Sporty B-SUV. Renault KIGER is one of the most affordable offerings in the compact SUV segment with cost-effective maintenance. The company recently refreshed KIGER’s variant portfolio with enhanced value proposition and class leading safety features. Powered by a world-class turbocharged 1.0L petrol engine, KIGER not only offers more performance and a sporty drive, but also boasts best in-segment fuel efficiency of 20.62 KM/L. Renault KIGER has also been awarded with the 4-Star Safety Rating for Adult occupant safety by Global NCAP, the foremost global car assessment programme. 

Renault TRIBER has been valued for the proposition that it offers in terms of outstanding quality, modularity, and attractive design with superior value packaging. Renault TRIBER offers the best level seating space in all rows that can accommodate one to seven adults in comfort in less than 4 meters. It also offers one of the largest boot space of 625L in its category. Renault TRIBER is built with best level safety features and boasts of a 4-Star Safety Rating for Adult occupant safety by Global NCAP. 

Launched in 2015, Renault KWID is a breakthrough product in terms of design, innovation, and modernity. Renault KWID has redefined the entry segment in India led by its contemporary SUV-inspired design language offering best-in-class features and an economical cost of ownership. Enabled by its 98% localisation levels, Renault KWID makes it a strong ‘Make in India’ testament.