BMW Group India Attains Highest-Ever Half-Yearly Car Sales

Highlights

* Strong Leadership in Luxury Electric Mobility Segment.

* Milestone in E-Mobility: First Luxury Manufacturer to Cross 2,000 Electric Units. BMW iX is Largest Selling Luxury Electric Car in India.

* BMW Luxury Class Surges Ahead (BMW 7 Series, BMW i7, BMW X7, BMW XM).

BMW Group India has posted a strong performance in the first half of 2024 (January – June). BMW Group India delivered 7,098 cars (BMW and MINI) and 3,614 motorcycles (BMW Motorrad). BMW sold 6,734 units and MINI 364 units.

BMW Group India experienced a +21% increase in car sales (BMW + MINI) in the first half of the year, fuelled by high demand for its sports activity vehicles, luxury class and electric cars.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “In 2024, BMW Group India is making great strides in implementing its strategy by achieving new heights in business performance and customer delight. We have accomplished the highest ever half-yearly car sales and continuously maintained leadership in luxury electric car segment. The strong affinity for our vehicles is driven by our competitive edge in exclusive mobility paired with unmistakable driving pleasure and best-in-class innovations.” 

BMW Group Electric Vehicles (EV)

BMW Group India electric vehicles have once again emerged as the top choice of luxury consumers when it comes to sustainable mobility. 397 units of fully electric BMW and MINI cars were sold in the first six months. BMW i7 was the largest selling BMW EV in H1, reflecting the rising attraction of sustainable mobility in high-end circle.

BMW Group India is the first luxury car manufacturer in the country to cross the milestone of over 2,000 EV deliveries till date. BMW iX is the most popular luxury EV in India with over 1,000 units sold till date. Possessing the most elaborate EV range in the luxury market with great product substance is a key factor in meeting diverse consumer preferences. BMW Group India now offers six EVs in India - BMW i7, BMW iX, BMW i5, BMW i4, BMW iX1 and MINI SE. In July, this range will expand further with launch of MINI Countryman E and BMW CE 04, the first electric two-wheeler by BMW Motorrad India.

BMW Luxury Class (BMW 7 Series, BMW i7, BMW X7 and BMW XM)

BMW Luxury Class vehicles registered impressive growth of +17%, contributing 18% to total sales. The BMW X7 was the highest-selling Luxury Class model.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) contributed 54% to sales, posting a solid growth of +24%.

BMW X1 was the most popular SAV with around 19% share in sales.

BMW 3 Series was once again the highest selling BMW sedan with a 17% share.

BMW and MINI 360°

Customers enjoy great value proposition and complete peace of mind with the 360? finance product from BMW India Financial Services which offers attractive low monthly instalments, assured buy-back, flexible end of term options and an opportunity to upgrade to a new car amongst other benefits. 7 out of 10 cars financed by BMW India Financial Services are through BMW and MINI 360?.

BMW Group India

With BMW, MINI and Motorrad, the BMW Group has its sight set firmly on the premium sector of the Indian automobile market. Along with cars and motorcycles, BMW Group's activities in India comprise of financial services for its premium clientele. BMW India and BMW India Financial Services are 100% subsidiaries of the BMW Group and are headquartered in Gurgaon (National Capital Region).

BMW India started operations in 2007. The wide range of its activities include a manufacturing plant in Chennai, a parts warehouse in Pune, a training centre in Gurgaon NCR and development of a dealer organisation across major metropolitan centres of the country.

MINI has successfully established itself as a premium small car brand in India since its launch in January 2012. BMW Motorrad officially started its operations as a part of the Indian subsidiary of BMW Group in April 2017.

With BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad, BMW Group India currently has over 80 touchpoints across the country setting high benchmarks in service quality and customer service. BMW Group India has introduced the innovative RetailNext concept for its dealer network. RetailNext is a holistic and progressive approach focused on customer-centricity, flexibility, sustainability, and best-in-class premium experience. Based on new design, it is focused on new processes, digital tools and roles that seamlessly provide a phygital (physical and digital) experience.

BMW India Financial Services, a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), started operations in 2010. It operates with three business lines: Retail Finance, Commercial Finance and Insurance Solutions (as corporate agents). The services offered through BMW India Financial Services are significantly valuable to the premium clientele who require exclusive and flexible financial solutions.

TVS Mobility Group’s Subsidiary SI Air Springs Announces Acquisition Of Roberto Nuti Group

* The historic Bologna-based group will now operate on a more international scale, benefiting from the market and product leadership of TVS Mobility.

SI Air Springs, a subsidiary of the USD 3 Bn group TVS Mobility, announced the acquisition of Roberto Nuti Group, a Bolognese group having a multinational presence that manufactures and markets suspension systems mainly for heavy vehicles in the aftermarket. SI Air Springs is a pioneer and market leader in India in the field of air spring solutions for the automotive and rail sector.

TVS Mobility has a well rooted presence in Europe with some of the other businesses that are part of the group such as TVS Supply Chain Solutions (Europe operations headquartered in the UK with operating subsidiaries in Italy, Germany, Spain among other countries) and TVS Srichakra Ltd (Italian Branch based in Milan operating the tyre business with Eurogrip branded products).

The collaboration is expected to create significant synergies for both TVS Mobility group companies and Roberto Nuti Group, broadening Roberto Nuti Group’s product range and strengthening its position in the global market.

The General Manager of the Nuti Group, Luca Randighieri, said: "We are honoured to be part of TVS Mobility, a prestigious group in this category with decades of experience. We are excited about the international growth potential this agreement brings us and we are confident that joining forces with SI Air Springs will allow us to take advantage of their capabilities. Both companies will continue to operate normally during the integration period, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all our stakeholders.”

"We are thrilled to welcome the Roberto Nuti Group into the TVS Mobility family. This acquisition marks a significant step in our global expansion strategy, allowing us to combine our distinctive skills in Air Spring business with the Nuti Group’s renowned suspension systems expertise," said Mr. P. Srinivasavaradhan, Director of SI Air Springs.

The transaction was completed on 28th June 2024. The agreement includes the 100% purchase of Roberto Nuti Group by TVS Mobility indirectly, through its wholly owned Indian subsidiary, namely, SI Air Springs Private Limited and investments appropriate to the full relaunch of the company.

Honda Cars India Announces “Honda Magical Monsoon” Campaign With Exclusive Benefits On All Honda Cars

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, announced its exciting “Honda Magical Monsoon” promotional campaign offering attractive benefits and assured gifts on the purchase of its premium range of Honda cars valid til July 31, 2024 at all dealerships nationwide*. These limited-time offers are designed to provide exceptional value making this season even more delightful.

Customers who take delivery of their cars in July 2024 stand a chance to win an exclusive couple’s trip to Switzerland or assured prizes worth upto Rs 75,000 as part of this campaign. Additionally, there are Surprise gift on all test drives during this period. All these offers will run in addition to the model-wise monthly offer available on the product range.  

Commenting on the promotion campaign, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “The monsoon season brings a sense of freshness and Honda’s special offers aim to amplify this experience for our customers. Whether you are upgrading your drive or buying your first car, there is a Honda waiting for you with unbeatable value and now is the perfect time to make that decision. This limited time offer is available at all authorised Honda dealerships across the country.”

The promotional scheme covers the entire premium range of Honda Cars India including Honda Amaze, Honda City, Honda Elevate and Honda City e:HEV, ensuring customers nationwide can avail these offers, alongside ongoing monthly offers on the respective models.

Honda Cars India Registers Total Sales Of 9,776 Units In June’24

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, registered total sales of 9,776 units in June 2024. Domestic sales of the company stood at 4,804 units and exports at 4,972 units in the month of June’24.

Sharing thoughts on June’24 sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, "The market conditions have been challenging to create fresh demand. During June, we rolled out exciting promotional campaigns to make the purchase more rewarding and focused on maximizing retail. On the exports front, we continued to grow marking a significant leap for the company.”

The company had registered 5,080 units in domestic sales and exported 2,112 units in June’ 23.

About Honda Cars India Ltd.

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, was established in December 1995 with a commitment to provide Honda’s passenger car models and technologies, to the Indian customers. HCIL’s corporate office is based in Greater Noida, UP and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is located at Tapukara, District. Alwar, Rajasthan. 

Honda’s models are strongly associated with advanced design and technology, apart from their established qualities of durability, reliability, safety, and fuel-efficiency. The company has a strong sales and distribution network spread across the country. 

Besides the new car business, Honda offers one stop solution for buying and selling pre-owned cars through its business function Honda Auto Terrace. The Honda Certified Pre-owned cars come with an assurance of quality and peace of mind that caters to the diverse and burgeoning needs of pre-owned car buyers across the country.

Tata Motors’ Holistic After-Sales Services Keep Karnataka’s Trucks Moving

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has made significant strides in the Indian trucking industry by continuously strengthening its service ecosystem and playing a pivotal role in ensuring higher uptime of vehicles, a crucial element in meeting today's tight freight delivery timelines. Focused on offering a robust service network, range of value-added services, easy access to genuine spare parts, along with prioritizing driver well-being, the company consistently assures customers of an excellent ownership experience.

Keeping a vehicle running smoothly with minimal downtime remains critical to the success of customers’ business. Recognizing this early on, Tata Motors has established an extensive service network across Karnataka, with 146 strategically located service touchpoints across the state. Moreover, easy access to genuine spare parts is assured through well-stocked dealerships. Central to Tata Motors' service excellence are highly skilled technicians, continuously trained by the company.  

To further enhance the ownership experience, Tata Motors offers a suite of value-added services, including uptime assurance, on-site service, annual maintenance contract, and fleet management solutions. Initiatives such as Tata Alert and Tata Kavach provide swift roadside assistance and repairs for accidental vehicles, while Tata Zippy Assurance ensures timely resolution of service concerns. Together, these services minimize downtime and maximize vehicle reliability, boosting business efficiency.

As a responsible corporate entity that prioritizes the safety and comfort of drivers, the backbone of India’s logistics industry, Tata Motors has consistently worked towards driver welfare. Through comprehensive driver training initiatives, Tata Motors ensures drivers are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to operate vehicles safely and efficiently. The company's driver welfare efforts also extend beyond training. By offering programs like ‘Tata Samarth’, the company focuses on drivers’ health, safety, and well-being, thereby improving the quality of life for them and their families.

By staying close to its customers and prioritizing their needs, Tata Motors ensures that every Tata owner is a proud owner. This unwavering commitment to aftersales service has not only strengthened customer loyalty but also underpins the company’s long-term growth in Karnataka.

About Tata Motors:

Part of the USD 150 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 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, fuelled 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, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

“13th Edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO” Launched; Event To Be Held From August 1-3, 2024

* Focal theme of the event is Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare

* The event is expected to attract 25+ Sessions, 75+ Speakers, 700+ Delegates, 6+ GIA Countries, 50+ Exhibitors, 175+ Posters, 3500+ Attendees

The “13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO”, India’s flagship event in the Nanotech sector, has been officially announced today by Shri N. S. Boseraju, Hon'ble Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka at a curtain raiser programme held in Bengaluru.

The three-day event is set to take place from August 1st – 3rd, 2024 at The Lalit, Bengaluru. The event is organized by the Dept. of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR).

The curtain raiser programme was also graced by Prof. Navakanta Bhat, Chair, Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Professor, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru; Prof. P. S. Anil Kumar, Chair, CEC - Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024, Dean, Administration & Finance, Professor, Dept. of Physics, IISc, Bengaluru; Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Dept. of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; and Shri Pavan Kumar Malapati, IAS, Director, Dept. of Science & Technology & Managing Director, KSTePS, Government of Karnataka and Shri Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, the Event Curator of Bengaluru INDIA NANO. 

The event theme for this edition was decided, based on the recommendations of the Vision Group on Nanotechnology, following extensive thought and deliberation.

Shri N. S. Boseraju, Hon'ble Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka while addressing the gathering said, “If we were to identify the greatest challenges facing humanity today, climate change, energy depletion, and health crises would undoubtedly top the list. Sustainability is not just a buzzword, but is now an impending necessity. The impacts of climate change are increasingly visible, manifesting in rising temperatures, natural calamities, and widespread displacement. Simultaneously, the world is grappling with severe economic and environmental consequences of energy crises. While industries are striving to develop green and clean energy solutions, these efforts alone may not be sufficient to achieve true sustainability. Health challenges, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, have exposed critical vulnerabilities in healthcare systems globally. This pandemic was neither the first nor will it be the last; thus, our preparedness and resilience are of utmost importance.”

Shri N.S. Boseraju further added, “Nanotechnology holds the promise to deliver small-sized but high impact solutions, which can potentially revolutionize our approach to these global issues. With this background, the theme for this edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 is Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare."

The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO promises to be a landmark gathering, bringing together a diverse array of participants including researchers & scientists, academicians, industry captains, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students.

The Summit will witness participation of 700+ registered Delegates, 75+ Expert Speakers in over 25 Conference Sessions. Through keynote speeches and engaging panel discussions by eminent experts from around the globe, the conference will address cutting-edge developments in nanotechnology and its applications in climate, energy, healthcare and electronics & semiconductors. Some of the distinguished Speakers and Leaders addressing at the Conference include Prof. Pulickel Ajayan - Chair, Department of Materials Science and Nano Engineering, Rice University; Balajee Sowrirajan - Managing Director, SSIR; Prof. Neetu Singh - Professor & Head, Center of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; Prof. Dhirendra Katti - Director, Indian Institute of Technology Goa; Prof. Nitash Balsara - The Charles W. Tobias Professor in Electrochemistry, University of California, Berkeley & many more.

Pre-conference Tutorials will offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of nanotechnology, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. The Pre-conference Tutorial will delve into key topics including Nano Fabrication, Nano Characterisation, & Nano Biology. A unique initiative for Nanotechnology students is the Nano for the Young Programme, launched by Bharat Ratna Prof. C.N.R. Rao. The Poster Showcase at the event will give an opportunity to more than 175 young researchers from academia & research institutions to display their innovative research posters.

The Exhibition will showcase the latest innovations, products, and technologies from leading companies, research institutions & startups in the field of nanotechnology. 50+ organizations will be showcasing their innovative Nanotech products & services.

The event will witness the bestowing of the coveted ‘Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award’ for making meaningful contributions to Nanoscience. Another prestigious ‘Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award’ will be presented for Innovative & Disruptive Technology Development in Nanotech. The prestigious Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships will be announced during the glittering awards ceremony.

Other Awards that will be presented include the Nano Excellence Award- to the best researchers in the realm of Nanoscience; Best Poster- The Best Students for revolutionary research; Exhibitor Awards- For the best showcase across various categories.

The 2nd National Nanotech Quiz is moving to the next level with participation of students from across India. The first 2 rounds of the Quiz will be held digitally while the final showdown will take place in-person at the event for the first time, making it a significant occasion in this academic challenge. The event will also host an array of programmes such as NanoSparX- a startup pitching initiative, as well as B2B Partnering Meetings.

Photo Caption: Mr. Jagdish Patankar , Executive Chairman, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications;  Dr. Ekroop Caur , IAS, Secretary to Government, Dept. of Electronics, IT, Bt and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Prof Navakanta Bhat, Chair, VGNT, Government of Karnataka, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Professor, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru; Shri N.S. Boseraju, Hon'ble Minister of Minor Irrigation and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Prof. P.S. Anil Kumar, Chair, CEC - Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024, Professor, Dept. of Physics IISc, Bengaluru; Shri Pavan Kumar Malapati, IAS, Managing Director, KSTePS, Government of Karnataka unveiling the brochure of the 13th Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 at the Curtain Raiser event held at The Lalit, Bengaluru, today. 

How SRI-Bangalore Collaborated With Samsung R&D Centres & Local Partners To Democratize Galaxy AI In India

* SRI-B developed the Hindi language for Galaxy AI, ensuring 20 regional dialects were covered for best results

The development of Galaxy AI involved multiple R&D teams working across cultures and borders. SRI-Bangalore, Samsung's largest R&D centre outside Korea, collaborated with teams around the world to develop AI language models for British, Indian and Australian English as well as Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian.

Recently, core engineers from other Samsung Research centers visited Bangalore, India — where the SRI-B team helped ramp up the technology to bring Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian to Galaxy AI.

SRI-B also developed the Hindi language for Galaxy AI. Developing the Hindi AI model wasn’t simple. The team had to ensure more than 20 regional dialects, tonal inflections, punctuation and colloquialisms were covered. Additionally, it is common for Hindi speakers to mix English words in their conversations. This required the team to carry out multiple rounds of AI model training with a combination of translated and transliterated data.

“Every language has its challenges,” said Giridhar Jakki, Head of Language AI at Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore (SRI-B). “But when you consider the end goal of bringing people the ability to communicate in other languages, it’s worth every ounce of effort. We couldn’t wait to bring Hindi to Galaxy AI.”

“Hindi has a complex phonetic structure that includes retroflex sounds — sounds made by curling the tongue back in the mouth — which are not present in many other languages,” said Jakki. “To build the speech synthesis element of the AI solution, we carefully reviewed data with native linguists to understand all the unique sounds and created a special set of phenomes to support specific dialects of the language.”

Collaborative efforts between Samsung and academic partners were instrumental in developing the AI language model that reflected the cultural nuances of the India’s regions. The Vellore Institute of Technology helped secure almost a million lines of segmented and curated audio data on conversational speech, words and commands. Data was a crucial component for a task as critical as incorporating the fourth most spoken language in the world into Galaxy AI. Working with universities ensured Samsung was using the highest quality data.

Galaxy AI now supports 16 languages, so more people can expand their language capabilities, even when offline, thanks to on-device translation in features such as Live Translate, Interpreter, Note Assist and Browsing Assist.

This project perfectly encapsulates Samsung’s philosophy of open collaboration and the company’s belief that sharing expertise and perspectives ensures meaningful innovation. In the case of SRI-B, this not only includes working with academia but also sharing insights and best practices with other Samsung research centers around the world.

“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved with the help of our partners,” said Jakki. “AI innovation through collaboration is a big part of what we do. We will continue to better understand, collect and analyze language data so more people can have access to AI tools in the future.”