HYBRID WORKING MODEL
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC – Part 84: Can rising demand for decorative features drive this auto ancillary's growth?
A car can change its engine and still look almost the same. It can also keep the same engine and look so different that buyers happily pay more for it. That is the peculiar corner of the automobile industry this story explores. For one listed supplier, the shift to EVs may be less threatening than it sounds. The bigger question is whether changing consumer preferences can help it build a more valuable business.
Growing demand, demographics, digital agenda & energy security are long-term and secular tailwinds for India: Macquarie’s Ed Northam
Head of green Investments for the Australia’s largest asset manager said the firm is looking to reboot its India operations. While renewables will remain the biggest focus, industrial energy transition and E-mobility will be other key areas, he said. Since 2005, Green Investments group has deployed over $21 billion across 94 investments worldwide.
Why cheap stocks offer more safety than strong inflows, says Sundaram AMC MD
Two years ago, seasoned asset manager Anand Radhakrishnan moved from a long, successful stint as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Franklin Templeton India to take over as Managing Director (MD) at Sundaram Asset Management Company. In this conversation with Sanket Dhanorkar, he shares his views on the market correction, shift in interest rate cycle, valuations and money flows, and more.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC - Part 83: Under this auto ancillary’s hood, sales and profits tell different stories
Some auto suppliers spend years trying to win a major customer. This business has been associated with one for four decades. That has helped build manufacturing scale, product capabilities, and a presence near auto plants. But it also creates an unusual equation for investors. Nearly 90% of the company's FY26 revenue is from sales to one related customer. Its portfolio spans parts that can survive the EV transition and others more closely tied to ICE vehicles. The story is about how durable customer access becomes durable returns.
Canva layoffs: Affected staffers to get 6 months’ pay, a MacBook, and $10,000 to start up
Canva has announced significant changes that will impact around 1,271 team members, driven by a downturn in revenue growth. To improve project management and empower decision-making, teams will be consolidated. From January, employees will need to work in the office two to three times a week. A support package will provide generous severance, healthcare benefits, and career assistance, alongside a grant program to help exiting employees pursue new career paths.
Lighting lives beyond Diwali: How everyday Indians are making a difference through giving
An RBI officer, a Bengaluru retailer, a safari lodge owner and a 24-year-old money coach tell us how giving a little, steadily, lights someone else’s life, long after Diwali.
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Chinese EVs win over some in South Korea, but Japan is proving to be a rougher road
Chinese electric vehicle makers such as BYD are making inroads into South Korea, challenging established domestic brands with competitively priced models and growing dealership networks. BYD has sold more than 20,000 vehicles in the country in the first nine months of the year, overtaking Toyota and Lexus combined. Japan, however, has proved a tougher market due to low EV adoption, consumer preference for hybrids and scepticism towards Chinese brands.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC - Part 82: This auto ancillary’s name tells only 20% of the story. What’s the other 80%?
The shift towards electric vehicles, or EVs, is forcing traditional auto-component suppliers to reconsider their future. For some, it threatens core products. For others, it creates opportunities in components that can survive the death of the combustion engine. This supplier finds itself on both sides of that transition. Its original business is exposed to ICE vehicles, while its manufacturing division has developed products relevant to EVs. Alongside, the company is pursuing other initiatives. Will these translate into stronger profits, or will rising financial obligations limit the benefits?
How Australia built world’s biggest battery-powered ferry
The electric ferry China Zorrilla has launched its operations between Buenos Aires and Uruguay, marking a significant milestone in eco-friendly maritime transport. This initiative showcases advancements in battery technology aimed at curbing environmental impact.
44% of India’s GCCs now own platforms and AI outcomes: Report
Global Capability Centres in India are transitioning into AI capability hubs, significantly increasing salaries for digital professionals. The focus of GCCs is shifting from execution to innovation and strategic capabilities. Reports indicate that AI talent in India commands a significant wage premium due to higher demand. As GCCs expand their roles, the need for skilled talent in AI and related fields continues to grow.
Rehearsing for Utopia
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale promotes public engagement through art workshops, student exhibitions and community initiatives. However, questions remain about whether people have a genuine say in its governance. Drawing comparisons with the Venice Biennale, curator Premjish Achari argues that art festivals must embrace transparency, shared decision-making and greater public participation.
Luis Ceze, a professor, turned his lab's project into a startup. Nvidia bought it, made him Vice President, and he kept teaching
Nvidia acquired OctoAI, a software startup founded in 2019, reportedly for $165 million. Following the acquisition, OctoAI was dissolved as an independent entity, and its CEO joined Nvidia as VP. Luis Ceze focuses on AI systems software in his role at Nvidia. OctoAI specialized in generative AI platforms, having reportedly raised over $132 million since its inception.
Scaling AI agents a bottleneck for Indian enterprises: Dynatrace’s Rafi Katanasho
Katanasho believes autonomous agents can fail silently, delivering poor business outcomes without triggering system alerts.
Volkswagen freezes India EV investment as JSW partnership talks continue
Volkswagen has paused further investment in its India electric-vehicle programme pending greater clarity on a potential partnership with Sajjan Jindal’s JSW Group. The German automaker has completed preliminary design work using a low-cost EV platform developed for China but awaits a clearer business plan. The pause could delay its India EV push as competition intensifies and affordable electric-car sales accelerate.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC - Part 81: Momentum in numbers will decide fate of this auto ancillary's stock
A few years back, the important question for this auto ancillary supplier was whether its investments and customer programmes would begin producing enough revenue. Today, the numbers look very different. Annual income has jumped, exports have risen, and a large overseas-linked order has helped deliver a record quarter. How much of the improvement is repeatable, and how much reflects an unusual opportunity?
Volkswagen bet on Xpeng to save its China business. It's not going to plan
Volkswagen’s ID. UNYX 08 electric SUV sold poorly, achieving only 267 units per month since its launch. The automaker initially aimed for 3,622 monthly sales but consistently missed this target. Local competitors have gained an advantage by offering advanced technology at lower prices, which has hindered Volkswagen's sales efforts. Despite these challenges, Volkswagen continues to pursue aggressive sales goals for the upcoming UNYX 09 sedan.
From France to Albania, social unrest is setting Europe's streets ablaze
Across Europe, a wave of protests is sweeping through as citizens express their frustration over escalating living expenses and inadequate public services, particularly in education. France sees students rallying for enhanced educational facilities, while cities in Spain erupt in housing protests. Italy witnesses heated demonstrations over wage increases and healthcare issues. In Albania, the youth are clashing with authorities in anti-corruption protests.
Big Four battle for India’s $2-billion and growing GCC work
Big Four professional services firms in India have emerged as major players in the Global Capability Centre sector. These firms are generating substantial revenue as multinational companies shift focus to higher-value work. Competition in the sector is intensifying due to the involvement of various specialist operators and new technologies. Firms are increasingly seeking long-term partnerships with multinationals while adapting their services to meet evolving demands.
Stellantis to invest ₹4,000 crore in India; launch 12 Jeep, Citroën vehicles by 2030
Dutch carmaker Stellantis plans to invest ₹4,000 crore in India over the next three years. This investment aims to introduce seven new and five upgraded models under the Jeep and Citroën brands. Stellantis seeks to triple its market share by 2030 while enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and localisation. Additionally, the company intends to expand its retail presence and strengthen brand awareness through various marketing initiatives.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC - Part 80: This auto ancillary has assets and cash to expand. Can it find demand?
Eighty instalments into our weekly auto ancillary series, one thing is clear: The investment story of a component maker cannot always be understood from its products alone. Ownership changes, capital allocation, customer relationships, and financial history can be equally important. This week's business illustrates that complexity. Part 80 examines how different forces come together, and what they could mean for a manufacturer whose future may look quite different from its past.
IN-SPACe pushes space companies to adopt SCL’s indigenous chips
IN-SPACe, which supervises space activities by non-governmental entities (NGEs) and private startups, made the call during a webinar where SCL officials showcased its capabilities across semiconductor design, fabrication, testing, packaging, quality assurance, and failure analysis.
Build some, buy some, lock into none: Aditya Birla Capital's Pankaj Gadgil on buying AI
Gadgil said companies should retain the ability to build their own tools without waiting to recreate solutions available in the market.
UPI MDR rollout pushed; India’s first quantum computer coming soon
Happy Wednesday! The implementation of MDR on select UPI payments has been deferred beyond Diwali. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
India at defining moment, unique opportunity to shape exponential tech like AI: IBM India & South Asia MD
Indian enterprises stand at the threshold of transformation through AI and automation, with IBM emphasizing the crucial blend of real-time data and trust in these evolving systems. The ongoing collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub seeks to propel deep tech innovation among startups in India, fostering local technological excellence and offering access to vital mentorship and resources.
Google launches Fitbit Edge, a slim fitness tracker with a screen and up to seven days of battery backup; price, release date, Steph Curry special edition and specs
Google has launched Fitbit Edge, a slim fitness tracker with a bright screen, built in GPS and up to seven days of battery life. A Stephen Curry special edition is also out. Check Fitibit Egdge price, release date, and specs
Protests, traffic curbs in Delhi hit hotel business
Protests in Delhi are causing significant disruptions, leading to a notable decline in hotel occupancies across the city. Companies have chosen to cancel events and meetings to avoid travel difficulties amid ongoing unrest. Many hotels report F&B sales dropping significantly because of reduced guest activity and restricted access. Some firms have advised their employees to work from home due to traffic curbs and security measures.
India top priority for Renault outside Europe: Group CEO Francois Provost
Renault Group's CEO Francois Provost emphasizes India's importance for their initiatives outside Europe. The company aims to promote hybrid and electric vehicles as part of their strategy in India. They are focused on localizing production to make these technologies affordable for Indian customers. Provost also believes electrification will transform customer preferences away from diesel vehicles. Renault plans to gradually introduce full hybrids and electric vehicles to the Indian market.
Highway projects get three more months of bitumen, diesel cost escalation cover amid West Asia crisis
The ministry of road transport and highways is extending the cost compensation for bitumen and diesel. This extension will apply to projects executed until December 31, 2026. Work carried out will only qualify if the bid due date was set before April 1, 2026. The compensation aims to address the impact of rising diesel prices on highway construction.
Why electric vehicles sales are lukewarm in America, but hot in Europe
Electric vehicle sales in the United States have dropped 30.7% this year following the expiration of a federal subsidy. In contrast, European buyers have embraced electric vehicles, significantly increasing their market share amid rising fuel prices. Many US automakers have discontinued electric models, with buyers shifting towards hybrids and used EVs. Meanwhile, certain EV-only brands like Tesla and Rivian continue to perform better than traditional automakers' electric offerings.
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