Toyota Kirloskar Motor Drives 13% Growth In February 2025

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced sales of 28,414 units in the month of February 2025 signifying an increase of 13% as compared to the same period last year thus reinforcing a strong market acceptance and customer trust. Building on its momentum, the growth in sales represents a significant increase compared to the 25,220 units sold in February 2024, further solidifying Toyota’s growing commitment to delivering unparalleled quality and a superior ownership experience across all touchpoints.

In the domestic market, TKM sold 26,414 units, while exports stood at 2000 units.

Furthermore, during the first 11 months of FY 2024-25, TKM has achieved total sales of 3,06,105 units, reflecting an 30% growth over the same period last year when 236,332 units were sold in FY 2023-24.

Commenting on the strong performance, Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business said, “We thank our customers for their unwavering confidence in the Toyota brand. MPVs and SUVs continue to be the primary growth drivers, contributing 68% to overall sales. The strong demand for models such as the Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Hilux, Fortuner, Legender, and Rumion reflects the growing preference for reliable and quality products.

In response to the market needs, we have recently reopened bookings for the Land Cruiser 300. Additionally, we introduced the new GR-S grade under the GR Sport branding, featuring an off-road-tuned suspension, differential locks, and enhanced shock absorbers to ensure superior performance in extreme conditions. The market response has been positive, and we are humbled by the enthusiasm.

The recently launched All-New Camry continues to gain momentum reflecting customer’s preference for green mobility solutions. Meanwhile, models from the small car segment like Taisor and Glanza are playing a significantly role by contributing to 28% of the month’s sales. This success is further augmented by the brand’s exceptional after-sales services and customer centric-approach, strengthening customer confidence and loyalty.”

Samsung Announces Unbeatable Loyalty Bonus On Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced unbeatable loyalty bonus on its latest flagship smartphone, Galaxy S25 Ultra. Galaxy S25 Ultra will now be available with an upgrade bonus of INR 12000. Additionally, consumers upgrading from Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra will get INR 15000 upgrade bonus. Users not interested in the upgrade bonus can get INR 11000 instant cashback on HDFC bank cards. Consumers seeking enhanced affordability can take advantage of no-cost EMI starting INR 3612 and an upgrade bonus of INR 9000.

On the made in India, Galaxy S25 Ultra, AI agents with multimodal capabilities are integrated within the One UI 7 platform to perform complex tasks seamlessly across apps and enable natural user interactions through speech, text, videos and images. Now Brief provides tailored suggestions to guide through the day and Now Bar offers a new hub for ongoing activities. From enhanced productivity with Writing Assist to limitless creativity unleashed by Drawing Assist, the expanded capabilities of Galaxy AI continue to empower users in every aspect of their daily lives.

Interactions with the Galaxy S25 Ultra are also more intuitive. With just a single command, Gemini can effortlessly find a user’s favorite sports team’s schedule and add it to Samsung Calendar. Additionally, Google’s enhanced Circle to Search now gives users more helpful information with AI Overviews and one-tap actions.

The Galaxy S25 series further refines and enhances the core capabilities that define the Galaxy experience. Powering the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy fuels on-device processing for more responsive AI experiences. With unique customizations for Galaxy, including ProScaler9 and Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe), the Galaxy S25 series boasts enhanced AI image processing and display power efficiency. The newly introduced 50MP ultrawide camera sensor for the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers epic shots from every range in exceptional clarity, while professional grade controls like Virtual Aperture and Samsung Log turn any photo or video into the ultimate visual experience.

Galaxy S25 Ultra is the slimmest, lightest and most durable Galaxy S series yet. It features durable titanium and the new Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2. Combined with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, Galaxy S25 series ensures a reliable and optimized performance over a longer lifespan.

Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced starting INR 129999.

Dalmia Bharat To Add 6 MnTPA Cement Capacity In Maharashtra & Karnataka

* Investment in alignment with the strategic goal of becoming a PAN India company and achieving 75 MnT capacity by FY28

* Increases capacity primarily to meet growing demand in Western India along with existing regions

Dalmia Bharat Limited, one of India’s leading cement companies, through its subsidiaries, has announced a strategic investment of approximately Rs 3,520 Crore in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. As part of this initiative, the company will establish a 3.6 MnTPA clinker unit and a 3 MnTPA grinding unit at its existing Belgaum plant, Karnataka coupled with a new greenfield split grinding unit with a capacity of 3 MnTPA in Pune, Maharashtra. The capex will be funded through a combination of debt and internal accruals. With this expansion, Dalmia Bharat’s total installed cement capacity will increase to 55.5 MnTPA, after considering the ongoing expansion of 2.9 MnT at Assam and Bihar. These new units are expected to be commissioned by Q4 FY27.

The Belgaum Grinding Unit will cater to the underserved Southern Maharashtra markets while enhancing share in the existing region by improving penetration. On the other hand, Pune Grinding Unit will entirely cater to the untapped Western Maharashtra markets. The initiative is a part of the company’s vision to be a PAN India player and achieve 75 MnTPA capacity by FY28 and 110-130 MnT by 2031.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director & CEO, Dalmia Bharat Limited, said, “This investment is a significant step in our Phase II expansion strategy, bringing us closer to strengthen our position as a pan-India player and to reach intermittent goal of 75 MnT capacity by FY28. The increase in our production capacity is primarily to meet the growing infrastructure demand in Western India.” He further added, “We remain committed in realizing our goals of capacity expansion, while staying focused on operational excellence and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. The capacity additions will also continue to be in line with Dalmia Bharat’s sustainability-driven approach and its commitment to supporting India’s infrastructure and development goals.”

Birla Estates Secures Landmark Booking Value Of Approx INR 500Cr For Third Consecutive Time With Phase 3 Of Birla Trimaya In Bengaluru

* Underlines project success with approximately 90% of its launched inventory till date sold out

Birla Estates Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited (formerly Century Textiles and Industries Limited), announces the successful launch of Birla Trimaya Phase III – The Park, the latest addition to its highly sought-after project in North Bengaluru. Within 24 hours of the launch recording an impressive booking value of approximately INR 500 crores with the sale of over 300 units, validating the positive response from luxury homebuyers in the region. With this, the cumulative booking value achieved across all launched phases is approximately INR 1,500 crores with approx. 90% of units launched till date sold out, underlining the strong demand and market confidence in the project.

Spread across an expansive 52 acres of land stretch and strategically located on Shettigere Road, Devanahalli, North Bengaluru, Birla Trimaya compromises of three distinct phases - The Hill, The Park, and The Bay offering an exclusive selection of apartments, row houses and duplex homes with one of a kind gated community. Aligned with company’s ‘LifeDesigned’ philosophy, Birla Trimaya Phase III – The Park introduces a nature-inspired living experience, seamlessly blending urban sophistication with tranquil surroundings. This phase offers 2 BHK, 3 BHK, and 4 BHK options that include exquisite apartments and luxurious duplex residences, all thoughtfully designed to enhance lifestyle offering serene views of central park.

Mr. K. T. Jithendran, MD & CEO of Birla Estates, said: "The overwhelming response to Birla Trimaya across all three phases, with a cumulative booking value exceeding INR 1,500 crores, is a testament to our deep market understanding and commitment to crafting thoughtfully designed homes and curated lifestyles that redefine urban living. Bengaluru continues to be a key focus market for us, and the success of Birla Trimaya strengthens our position as a preferred brand in luxury real estate while underscoring the trust homebuyers have placed in this project.”

Beyond Birla Trimaya, Birla Estates continues to expand its footprint across Bengaluru, with landmark projects in Whitefield, Rajajinagar, Devanahalli, and Rajarajeshwari Nagar project.

About Birla Estates

Birla Estates Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited (formerly Century Textiles and Industries Limited). In a short span of time Birla Estates has established itself as a brand of choice in the real estate industry.  Birla Estates develops premium residential housing in key markets. The company is developing land parcels both through outright purchases as well as asset light Joint Ventures apart from developing its own land parcels. In the long term, the company is focused on developing world class residential, commercial and mixed use properties and aims to be amongst the top real estate companies in India. The company’s focus is on differentiating through sustainability, execution excellence, customer centricity and thoughtful design. 

The company is headquartered at Mumbai and currently has regional offices in NCR, Bengaluru and Pune and also has a well- established commercial portfolio with 2 grade-A commercial buildings located in Worli, Mumbai with ~6 lakh square feet of leasable area. 

Uno Minda Inaugurates 18th Samarth Jyoti Center In village Kaggalahalli, Karnataka

Uno Minda Limited a Global Tier-1 Supplier of proprietary automotive systems and solutions, proudly inaugurated its 18th Samarth Jyoti Center in village Kaggalahalli, Harohalli, Karnataka, as part of its ongoing CSR initiative. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to uplifting marginalized communities by providing education, vocational training, and essential services.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including senior leadership from Uno Minda and representatives from Toyoda Gosei South India Pvt. Ltd., a key partner supporting this initiative.

Uno Minda, through its CSR wing, has been driving social development for the past two decades. The group operates three senior secondary schools and a multi-specialty hospital for the community. Through Project Samarth Jyoti, it actively focuses on education, healthcare, skill development, and livelihood support for underprivileged communities across India. With 17 centers already in operation, the launch of this 18th center further strengthens the company’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The Samarth Jyoti Center at Kaggalahalli aims to bridge the educational gap and enhance employability in rural areas. The center will offer:

• Basic Computing Courses to enhance digital literacy and job readiness.

• Coaching Classes for students in Grades 1-5, with plans to extend support to Grades 6-8 in the next academic session.

Additionally, Uno Minda will be assembling an RO water station in Muttugapalya to provide clean drinking water to the local community.

The establishment of this center was made possible through the support of Toyoda Gosei South India Pvt. Ltd. and the local panchayat, reinforcing the power of collaborative efforts in driving social change.

Mr. Nirmal K Minda, CMD, Uno Minda Limited, expressing his thoughts, stated: “At Uno Minda, we believe in giving back to society and creating opportunities for underprivileged communities. The Samarth Jyoti initiative is dedicated to empowering individuals through education and skill development. This center will serve as a foundation for a brighter future, helping children excel academically and providing vocational training for better livelihood opportunities.”

About Uno Minda

Uno Minda Limited (formerly known as Minda Industries Limited), incepted in 1958, is a leading global Tier-1 manufacturer and supplier of innovative automotive solutions and systems to OEMs.  They design and manufacture over 20 categories of components and systems for vehicles across all segments (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two- and three-wheelers) catering to both internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric/hybrid vehicles.

It is one of the leading manufacturers of automotive switching systems, automotive lighting systems, automotive acoustics systems, automotive seating systems and alloy wheels. It has a leadership position in India in almost all the products it manufactures. Technology and innovation are the two strong pillars of the organisation, on the basis of which it has continued to lead the emerging trends in the automotive sector, over the past few decades.

The Group is a global player in the automotive sector with 74 manufacturing facilities in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, and Mexico, as well as 37 R&D and Engineering Centres in India, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Korea & Spain. It has 19 JVs/Technical Agreements with world renowned manufacturers from Germany, Korea, China and Japan.

For more information about the Group and its businesses, visit the website at http://www.unominda.com

India Yamaha Motor Continues As Official Sponsor Of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team For 2025 Season

* Throughout the 2025 season, ‘The Call of the Blue’ logo will feature on the YZR-M1 bikes, racing suits, team’s jerseys and official merchandises

India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. is thrilled to announce its continued partnership as an official sponsor of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (MEYM) team for the 2025 season. The decision underscores India Yamaha Motor’s commitment to the growing popularity of MotoGP racing in the country, while also reiterating its support to this elite sport. The collaboration, which began in the 2024 season, is a part of the company’s strategic brand building exercise to establish the “The Call of the Blue” brand campaign among the motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.

As a testament to this partnership, the iconic logo of Yamaha’s acclaimed brand campaign – “The Call of the Blue” logo will prominently feature on the front fenders of both Fabio Quartararo's and Alex Rins's YZR-M1 bikes throughout the season. Along with the 2025 livery, the famed logo unit will also be featured on the racing suits of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders, team’s jerseys and other promotional materials including the official merchandizes.

With Yamaha Motor Racing unveiling - Blue Shift as its theme for the 2025 season, Indian Yamaha Motor’s brand campaign - The Call of the Blue is more relevant than ever now. This synergy reinforces India Yamaha Motor’s alignment with the brand’s Racing DNA while inspiring riders to embrace the power of performance and precision engineering in Yamaha motorcycles.

'The Call of the Blue' brand campaign has already resonated deeply with young Yamaha fans across India, embodying their aspirations and spirit. By showcasing the campaign's logo on the global stage of MotoGP, India Yamaha Motor aims to elevate the connection with its fans, inspiring them to embrace the thrill of racing and the Yamaha legacy with even greater enthusiasm.

MotoGP is the premier motorcycle racing championship and one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world. It is an exciting platform for racing enthusiasts to witness the most powerful and fastest bikes as well as the most skilled riders on the planet. Yamaha carries a long and successful history in MotoGP and a rich legacy of more than 500 Grand Prix wins.

IGI Registers Revenue Growth Of 17%, PAT Growth Of 29% In CY’24

Consolidated revenue up 17% at Rs 10,531.6 million on YoY basis

Profit After Tax (PAT) grows 29% to Rs 4,272.9 million

EBITDA margin at 57%

Completed the acquisition of IGI Belgium and IGI Netherlands entities

Interim dividend of Rs. 2.44 per share recommended

The Board of Directors of Blackstone-backed International Gemmological Institute (IGI), one of the world’s largest independent grading and accreditation services providers approved the audited consolidated financial results for Calendar Year 2024.

For CY 2024, IGI reported consolidated revenue growth of 17% to Rs. 10,531.6 million, EBITDA increase of 21% to Rs. 5,997.1 million, and Profit After Tax (PAT) growth of 29% to Rs. 4,272.9 million. The company also completed the acquisition of IGI Belgium and IGI Netherlands in December 2024 for a total consideration of Rs. 13,458.2 million.

In Q4 2024, IGI achieved a 6% YoY revenue increase to Rs. 2,650 million, EBITDA growth of 18% to Rs. 1,522.3 million, and PAT increase of 45% to Rs. 1,137.8 million. The EBITDA margin stood at 57.4%, while the PAT margin expanded to 42.9%.

The Board has also recommended an interim dividend of Rs. 2.44 per equity share (122% per equity share of face value Rs. 2) for CY 2024.

Tehmasp Printer, Managing Director and CEO of IGI said, “IGI’s strong financial performance in 2024 reflects our commitment to excellence and leadership in the global diamond certification industry. With a 33% global market share in diamond certification and 65% in lab-grown diamonds, we continue to expand our presence and enhance our service offerings. The successful acquisition of IGI Belgium and IGI Netherlands further strengthens our global footprint, allowing us to serve an even wider customer base. As we celebrate IGI’s 50th anniversary, we remain dedicated to innovation, accuracy, and trust in the jewelry certification ecosystem.”

Eashwar Iyer, Global CFO of IGI stated, “Our record revenue and profit in CY 2024 highlights IGI’s operational strength and strategic execution. The 17% revenue growth and 29% PAT growth reflect robust demand for our certification services, while our strong EBITDA margin of 57% underscores our efficiency. We remain committed to delivering on our strategic drivers. With the group now consolidated under India, we aim to leverage India's strengths in manufacturing and polishing alongside IGI’s retail presence in the USA, Europe, and China.”

Industry Trends and Strategic Outlook

The global diamond and jewelry industry is undergoing a transformation driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and increased demand for certification. Rising disposable incomes, an expanding middle-class, and the growing appeal of diamonds as a luxury investment continue to fuel market expansion.

A significant trend shaping the industry is the rapid adoption of Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGDs), which are gaining worldwide acceptance due to their affordability and sustainability. As independent certification becomes increasingly essential in ensuring authenticity and quality, IGI’s leadership in this space positions it at the forefront of this evolving landscape.

Furthermore, the demand for certified diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry is expanding beyond traditional markets, reinforcing the need for transparency and trust in the industry. IGI’s multiple service delivery formats—including IGI Labs, In-factory Labs, and Mobile Labs—enhance customer relationships and provide a distinct advantage in this evolving market. By continuing to embrace innovation and expanding its global footprint, IGI is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and reinforce its position as the preferred certification partner for the jewelry industry.