Motorola Strengthens Leadership In India - Appoints- T.M. Narasimhan As Managing Director, Mobile Business Group - India

* T.M. Narasimhan will oversee the India business for Motorola 

Motorola Mobility India announced the appointment of Mr. T.M Narasimhan as the Managing Director,for Mobile Business Group - India.  

In line with its focus on the Indian smartphone market and the vision to be among the top 3 smartphone brands, Motorola has strengthened its India leadership team by appointing T.M. Narasimhan, to lead the India business; reporting to Mr. Prashanth Mani who will continue to be the head of Motorola’s Asia Pacific business.  

T.M. Narasimhan comes with extensive experience in sales operations, business & financial planning and P&L Management, having held various roles in FMCG, and consumer tech organizations like PepsiCo, Britannia & Samsung. With a proven track record of building & nurturing teams, he has consistently delivered business results while balancing short-term & long-term goals. 

Commenting on the new appointment Mr. Prashanth Mani, Executive Director - Motorola Asia Pacific, said, “As we continue our growth story in India, we are excited to welcome T.M. Narasimhan on board. India is a focus market for us in Asia pacific and has been seeing exponential growth over the past few years. We are confident that Narasimhan will play a pivotal role in leading the India team & elevating the business to even greater success.” 

Sharing his excitement, Mr. T.M Narasimhan, Managing Director, Mobile Business Group - India said: "I am excited to be a part of the Motorola family and look forward to contributing to the brand's growth journey in India. Motorola has been a pioneer in innovation and has been disrupting the smartphone market in India with its exceptional product strategy, innovative business model and brand prowess. I look forward to building upon the solid foundation that has been laid and taking the India business to new heights while consistently delivering on consumer experience and satisfaction.” 

Motorola in India has been consistently growing at a double-digit premium to market over the last year and has grown at 37% Premium to Market in Q2 FY23* despite a flat to declining market, which implies that the brand is acquiring market share rapidly. 

Leveraging the premiumization trend in the India, Motorola has disrupted the market with its razr 40 series and edge 40 series this year, growing the premium segment by over 2X^ YoY in H1 FY23-24. The Motorola razr 40 ultra and Motorola razr 40, designed to cater to modern consumers chasing a balanced smartphone experience have been the highest selling foldable proposition on Amazon during Prime Days’ 23~ and the Great Indian Festival'23~. Further, the Motorola edge 40 and edge 40 neo, the world’s slimmest and lightest IP68 rated phones, have disrupted the premium segment by bringing the perfect combination of flagship design, features and software experiences to Indian consumers.  

Staying true to its promise of democratizing technology, Motorola has also dominated the market with its popular moto g franchise that stands for providing premium features at more accessible price points, with extremely popular models like moto g54 5G and moto g84 5G in 2023. Motorola was also recognized as India’s best 5G smartphone brand of 2023** and has seen exponential growth YoY in its 5G smartphone activations.  

Further, Motorola is committed to the vision of Making in India and Making for the World, having successfully partnered with Dixon Technologies for manufacturing in India and was amongst the first participants of the PLI scheme by the Government of India, for mobile phones. Local manufacturing is not only enhancing Motorola’s ability to serve the Indian customers better, but also enabling exports from India to multiple other markets, including USA. 

Motorola’s strategic emphasis on innovation, design and colours through its exclusive partnership with Pantone, distinctive software experiences, uncompromised 5G and its commitment towards making products for India, in India uniquely positions the brand for accelerated growth.  

*Source: IDC Data 

Bank of Baroda Revises Its Interest Rates Upwards On Retail Term Deposits For Various Tenors By Upto 125 Basis Points

* With a greater focus on shorter term tenors, the higher interest rates will benefit depositors, while at the same time, protecting NIMs 

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks announced an upward revision in the interest rates on Domestic Retail Term Deposits, including NRO Term Deposits, from 10 basis points to up to 125 basis points on various maturity buckets with effect from December 29, 2023. These rates are applicable on deposits below Rs 2 crore.  

The increase in rates are largely focused on shorter-term maturity buckets, specifically those less than 1 year. Increasing interest rates in shorter-term maturities will not only greatly benefit  depositors who keep deposits for shorter maturities but will also contribute to the Bank's objective of balancing and optimising the overall cost of deposits and protecting its Net Interest Margin (NIM). This is also in line with the Bank’s strategy to increase its share of shorter-term retail term deposits.   

Shri Ravindra Singh Negi, Chief General Manager - Retail Liabilities & NRI Business, Bank of Baroda said, “The decision to increase retail term deposit rates underscores Bank of Baroda's commitment to offering higher value to our customers, while strategically managing our deposit portfolio. We believe this step will not only attract more customers as they earn more on their savings, but will also help the Bank optimise its cost of deposits, thereby safeguarding our NIM.” 

Existing and new customers of Bank of Baroda can take advantage of the higher rates and open a FD through any of the Bank’s branches across India. An online FD can also be opened by existing customers via the Bank’s Mobile app (bob World)/ Net Banking (bob World Internet).  

Guwahati Takes The Green Route With 100 Tata Motors Electric Buses

* The advanced Tata Ultra electric buses come equipped with the latest features to make travel safe, comfortable and emission free

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced that it has supplied 100 electric buses to Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). The 9-metre, air-conditioned Tata Ultra electric buses that will ply on the roads of Guwahati are designed to provide a safe, comfortable and convenient intra-city commute. These zero-emission buses are indigenously built on a next-gen architecture, equipped with the latest features and are powered by advanced battery systems. The buses were launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on 1 January 2024.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Vice President & Business Head – CV Passengers, Tata Motors, said, “Making public transport more effective and efficient is our mission and we are thankful to the Assam State Government and the ASTC for giving us the opportunity to supply a modern fleet of electric buses. Built with cutting-edge technology and rigorously tested under varied conditions, these buses are eco-friendly and will make public transportation safe, comfortable, tech driven and more efficient. We are elated to have our Tata Ultra electric buses inducted and operational to serve the residents of Guwahati.”

Till date, Tata Motors has supplied over 1,500 electric buses across multiple cities in India, which have cumulatively clocked more than 10 crore kilometres, with an uptime of over 95%. The Tata Ultra EV, is a cutting-edge e-bus that sets new benchmarks for urban city commuting. With its full-electric drivetrain, this state-of-the-art vehicle optimises energy consumption, resulting in low energy usage and operational costs. It offers features like ease of boarding, comfortable seating and driver-friendly operations, while ensuring zero emissions. Equipped with electronic stability control, electronic brake distribution, air suspension, Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and panic button among other advanced features, it prioritises comfort and safety for its commuters. This electric bus embodies the commitment to cleaner public transport and is an ideal choice for urban passenger transportation needs.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 128 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 42 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fueled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2023, Tata Motors’ operations include 88 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, three joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

Bank of India Brings Attractive Fixed Deposit Rate For 175 Days

As a New Year gift to its customers, Bank of India, one of the leading public sector banks in India, has introduced a Super Special Fixed Deposit at very attractive rate of interest of 7.50% p.a. for its customers & general public (for Rs 2 Crs & above to less than Rs.50 Crs) under specific maturity period of 175 days with effect from 1st January, 2024.

The Super Special Fixed Deposit offers a very lucrative rate of 7.50% p.a. for 175 days, which is high yielding avenue for HNIs & Corporates to deploy their surplus funds for the short term. This special fixed deposit is offering one of the most attractive rate for short term (175 days) deployment/ placement while comparing with other fixed deposit of similar tenure. The special fixed deposit is for domestic rupee term deposit only. The special fixed deposit is introduced as a limited period offer.      

Murty Trust's Maitri Initiative Aims To Foster Compassionate Coexistence And Improve The Lives Of Community Cats

Murty Trust, the family foundation of Mrs. Sudha Murty and Mr. Narayana Murthy, in partnership with Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), has announced the opening of a state-of-the-art community cat sterilization centre. The clinic, launched under the name ‘Maitri’ (meaning goodwill, friendship, amity), is set to address the challenges encountered in the animal welfare sector in Bangalore. This will be one of India’s first sterilization centers dedicated to community cats.

The Maitri initiative is a collaborative cat sterilization effort between the local community and CUPA that can help manage stray cat populations in the city, while also addressing the One Health challenge of overpopulation. CUPA, through their community enablement model for cat ABC, has already sterilized over 5000 community cats since its inception in 2018. With the Maitri initiative, The Murty Trust seeks to amplify CUPA's remarkable work by providing essential resources, allowing them to scale their efforts in community-cat population control.

The  clinic commenced operations on 1st Jan, 2024 and was inaugurated by Mrs. Sudha Murty and Ms. Aparna Krishnan, in the presence of CUPA trustees, Ms. Suparna Ganguly, Ms. Sanober Bharucha, and Ms. Rajani Badami.

Mrs. Sudha Murty, while talking about the Maitri initiative said, "Although animals do not have a voice, they have feelings and emotions. When the population of cats increases in a neighbourhood, they fight for resources like food and shelter. This leads to problems for the cats and the residents of the community. We hope to provide them with the resources to scale CUPA’s work for the wellbeing of the animals and community. “

Ms. Rajani Badami, Hon. Trustee, from CUPA remarked, "We are delighted to partner with Murty Trust for the Maitri initiative. Together, we can make a significant difference in controlling the community cat population and creating a more harmonious environment for both cats and the residents of Bangalore."

Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) was founded in 1991 by Ms. Crystal Rogers, Ms. Suparna Ganguly and Dr. Shiela Rao, who have dedicated their lives to rescue and care of Bangalore's stray animals. CUPA operates multiple centres across the city, addressing diverse animal welfare aspects such as birth control, trauma response, large animal rehabilitation, and rehoming abandoned animals. With over 30,000 animals receiving medical care annually, CUPA remains at the forefront of animal welfare in Bangalore.

The Murty Trust, under the leadership of Mrs. Sudha Murty and Mr. Rohan Murty, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating art, cultural heritage, science & research, Indian books & manuscripts, and knowledge systems born out of India.

The Trust’s philanthropic initiatives centre on improving education, healthcare, awareness of art and culture, and animal welfare. Over the past 2 years, the Trust has supported 12+ prominent organizations dedicated to the well-being of animals in the animal welfare and wildlife conversation space, further fortifying the Trust’s dedication to the cause of promoting humane treatment and care for animals. Over the next decade, the Trust will have these two areas as its focus. These welfare efforts extend to various programs and projects aimed at positively impacting communities and fostering sustainable development, one of which is Maitri.

If you would like to get your community cats sterilized, you can write to cupaprojects@cupaindia.org

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, Galaxy A15 5G With Awesome Camera And New Editing Features Goes On Sale In India

Galaxy A25 5G and Galaxy A15 5G, the latest addition to the immensely popular Galaxy A series, has gone on sale starting January 1, 2024. The 2024 Galaxy A series is aimed at offering the latest Flagship experiences and innovations at an affordable price, making awesome technology accessible to everyone.

A15 5G is the successor of Galaxy A14 5G, India’s no.1 selling 5G smartphone, according to Counterpoint Research. Galaxy A25 5G stands out with Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster technology, 50MP triple camera setup that comes with a host of Awesome photo-editing features, a massive 5000mAh battery and security tools like Knox Vault.

Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G showcase Galaxy’s signature design philosophy for a premium feel. The new key island design on the side panel and the flat linear camera housing creates a unique silhouette for enhanced grip. Galaxy A15 5G's 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, enhanced with Vision Booster, creates smooth, bright and vivid viewing experiences. The Galaxy A25 5G's 6.5-inch, Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate expresses rich colours and details up to 1000 nits brightness while enhanced with Vision Booster for clear outdoor visibility.

Galaxy A15 5G sports a 50MP triple camera setup with VDIS to reduce blur or distortion in videos from unsteady or shaky movements. Galaxy A25 5G features a 50MP (OIS) triple camera setup to shoot high-resolution and shake-free photos and videos, eliminating blurred images caused by hand tremors or accidental shakes. It has a 13MP front camera for crisp and clear selfies.  The Galaxy A25 5G comes with Awesome photo-editing features like  Single Take, Remaster and Object Eraser to reimagine your photographs with easy-to-use editing tools.

Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G also come with the Knox Security platform, built at the chip level, ensuring users are in full control of their data with features like Auto Blocker, Privacy Dashboard, Samsung Passkey and others. Both the smartphones also feature Knox Vault chipset, designed to safeguard your sensitive data. Taking privacy to the next level, Knox offers Secure Folder, which is a safe space for storing your private photos, videos, documents, and more.

Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G come with a host of exciting features that elevate the Galaxy Experience. The Quick Share feature enables you to instantly share files, photos and documents with other devices, including your laptop and tab and even privately.

Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G have been designed to stay future-ready with up to 4 generations of OS upgrades and up to 5 years of security updates. Both Galaxy A15 5G and A25 5G get the all-new Samsung Wallet, which lets consumers enjoy a seamless experience to store IDs and redefine payments convenience .

Galaxy A15 5G is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, while Galaxy A25 5G is powered  by Exynos 1280, which is built on the 5nm process and offers more power and speed for seamless multitasking experience. Both Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G come with 5000mAh battery that lasts up to two days. Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G support 25W fast charging and are equipped with adaptive power-saving mode that automatically adapts to your usage to ensure optimal power savings.

Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A25 5G will be available across retail stores, Samsung.com, and other online players starting January 1, 2024.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems and memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN

Tata Motors Registered Total Sales Of 234,981 Units In Q3 FY24

Total CV Sales of 96,526 units, +1% YoY

Total PV Sales of 138,455 units, +5% YoY

Tata Motors sales in the domestic & international market for Q3 FY 2023-24 stood at 234,981 vehicles, compared to 228,169 units during Q3 FY 2022-23.

Domestic sales of MH&ICV in Dec 2023, was 16,851 units vs 15,244 units in Dec 2022; In Q3 FY24 it was 44,365 units, compared to 40,391 units in Q3 FY23.

Domestic & International sales for MH&ICV in Dec 2023 was 17,591 units vs 15,756 units in Dec 2022; while in Q3 FY24 it stood at 46,534 units vs 42,369 units in Q3 FY23.

Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles registered domestic sales of 91,735 in Q3FY24, marginally higher than Q3FY23 sales of 91,704. The M&HCV segment grew ~14% vs Q3FY23, with demand coming from government’s infrastructure initiatives, expansion in core industries, and sustained growth in e-commerce. The Passenger Commercial Vehicles segment continued to register consistent post pandemic recovery with sales rising ~19% vs Q3FY23. The YoY growth trend witnessed during past quarters paused in Q3FY24 on account of the higher base effect, impact of elections held across 5 states, and the post festive seasonal slowdown in rural consumption. Going forward, we expect demand to improve in Q4FY24 across most segments of the CV industry due to the Government’s continuing thrust on infrastructure development, the promising growth outlook of the economy and our demand-pull initiatives.”

Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “The PV industry is expected to post its highest ever sales in the calendar year 2023 (CY23), crossing the significant 4 million mark, supported by a strong supply situation, new nameplates launched in the SUV segment, and a robust demand during the longer festive period. Coming off a high base, the industry recorded a single digit growth overall with the key highlight of this moderate rise being the sharp growth registered in emission-friendly product categories. Both EV and CNG segments posted growth greater than 90% and 25% respectively, signaling a growing preference for green and smart technologies by Indian customers.

For Tata Motors, CY23 was the third consecutive year of posting highest ever sales of ~553K, led by its commanding position in the compact SUV segment and strong growth in hatches, despite the hatch segment degrowing at an industry level. 

In Q3FY24, we recorded wholesales of 138,455 units (up 5% vs Q3FY23). Our strong focus on retail sales during the quarter resulted in Vahan registrations significantly rising by ~14% vs Q3FY23 and ~24% vs Q2FY24. We significantly strengthened our market position, reduced channel stock sharply and received an excellent market response to the new avatars of the Nexon, Harrier and Safari, launched during the quarter. Sales of our emission-friendly products in the EV segment and innovative twin-cylinder iCNG range, also recorded steep growth during Q3FY24. EV sales posted a healthy growth of 21% vs Q3FY23 (domestic + IB), led by the launch of the new Nexon EV and continuing popularity of the Tiago EV, while the four products in the CNG segment cumulatively registered a substantial 214% growth vs Q3FY23.

Going forward, with multiple new products, including a new nameplate scheduled for launch in CY2024, we remain optimistic about continuing the growth trend in the quarters ahead.”