NAGAPATTINAM: Engineering students of a university in Thanjavur have designed two types of light weight, eco-friendly and low-cost cars, including an amphibian one capable of travelling on road and floating on water.
While one type of car runs on petrol and LPG, the other one is an electric car operated using a battery tapping solar energy, capable of travelling on road and water.
Two groups of final year engineering students of PRIST University, Thanjavur, have designed the cars in collaboration with Hi-Tech Project Industries, a private Engineering Services company at Tarangambadi in Nagapattinam district.
Both the cars have been fabricated using steel, Aluminium alloys, plastics and other locally available material and cost below Rs 35,000, researchers at Hi-Tech Project Industries, Tarangambadi said.
The electric car was designed by Rajendra Kumar, Nitesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Abhishek Raj, Roopak Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Yadav and Chandrakanth. The car was capable of running on road as well as on water with a slight modification and could carry two persons, researchers said.
When it runs on water, it will act more like a boat. The car can run at a top speed of 30 kmph on road and at 15 kmph on water and is totally eco-friendly, they said.
The 110-CC petrol/LPG car weighing just 135-kg was designed by Alok Kumar, Amith Kumar, Ananth Kumar and Ajay Kumar. The car runs at a top speed of 50 kmph and is very fuel efficient at 65 km per litre of petrol,they claimed. When running on LPG, it gives a mileage of 110 km per kg.
Gear system and suspension mechanism in both the vehicles, had been meticulously designed, said Jayaraj, Murali and Balasundaram, researchers at Hi-Tech Project Industries.
District Collector T Munusamy visited Tarangambadi today and witnessed a demonstration of the cars.
Success in my Habit
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
TVS Motor launches upgraded TVS Star City model
CHENNAI: TVS Motor Company Ltd, which manufactures two- and three-wheelers on Tuesday announced the launch of an upgraded version of its 110cc motorcycle TVS Star City.
In a statement, the company said the model will now be available with executive bike segment features like dual tone body colours, and an all-new stylish headlamp.
The bike will come in six new colour combinations.
"This new motorcycle is a winning combination of executive class features and vibrant styling. The backing of high fuel efficiency and toughness will make TVS Star City a much sought after motorcycle," H.S. Goindi, president - marketing, was quoted in the company statement as saying.
According to TVS Motor, under standard test conditions the model gives a mileage of 83.9 km per litre.
The base version TVS Star City 110cc starts at Rs. 38,650/- (ex Delhi) with a five-year warranty.
In a statement, the company said the model will now be available with executive bike segment features like dual tone body colours, and an all-new stylish headlamp.
The bike will come in six new colour combinations.
"This new motorcycle is a winning combination of executive class features and vibrant styling. The backing of high fuel efficiency and toughness will make TVS Star City a much sought after motorcycle," H.S. Goindi, president - marketing, was quoted in the company statement as saying.
According to TVS Motor, under standard test conditions the model gives a mileage of 83.9 km per litre.
The base version TVS Star City 110cc starts at Rs. 38,650/- (ex Delhi) with a five-year warranty.
Nissan to begin export of Sunny from March
CHENNAI: Japanese automaker Nissan would begin exports of its latest sedan 'Sunny' in March, a top company official said today.
After foraying into Indian market through its completely-built units SUV X-Trail and Teana, Nissan in 2005 inked an agreement with France-automaker Renault to set up a manufacturing unit at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore spread over a period of seven years.
It currently manufactures cars Micra and Sunny from their facility at Oragadam near here which has a capacity of producing two lakh units.
After beginning exports of its first hatchback Micra, Nissan Motor India Managing Director and CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama today said they would be commencing exports of "Sunny".
"We will be exporting Sunny by March-end. Already we were exporting Micra to many countries. Initially, Sunny will be exported to Middle East market, Tokuyama told reporters here.
Currently, Nissan sold 25,000 units of Micra while the Sunny diesel version has got over 4,000 bookings so far, he said.
On their future plans, he said the company would also increase its capacity of the Chennai plant owing to increase in production. "Initially the plant's annual capacity is two lakh units. We will increase it to four lakh units by March..", he said.
Asked whether the company would be required to make additional investments, he said so far Nissan has invested Rs 2,800 Crore at the Chennai facility and this would be sufficient for the plant expansion.
After foraying into Indian market through its completely-built units SUV X-Trail and Teana, Nissan in 2005 inked an agreement with France-automaker Renault to set up a manufacturing unit at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore spread over a period of seven years.
It currently manufactures cars Micra and Sunny from their facility at Oragadam near here which has a capacity of producing two lakh units.
After beginning exports of its first hatchback Micra, Nissan Motor India Managing Director and CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama today said they would be commencing exports of "Sunny".
"We will be exporting Sunny by March-end. Already we were exporting Micra to many countries. Initially, Sunny will be exported to Middle East market, Tokuyama told reporters here.
Currently, Nissan sold 25,000 units of Micra while the Sunny diesel version has got over 4,000 bookings so far, he said.
On their future plans, he said the company would also increase its capacity of the Chennai plant owing to increase in production. "Initially the plant's annual capacity is two lakh units. We will increase it to four lakh units by March..", he said.
Asked whether the company would be required to make additional investments, he said so far Nissan has invested Rs 2,800 Crore at the Chennai facility and this would be sufficient for the plant expansion.
Denso to invest Rs 300 crore for new plant at Gurgaon
EW DELHI: Japan-based auto component maker Denso Corporation plans to invest Rs 300 crore to set up a new manufacturing facility at Gurgaon in Haryana as it looks to augment its production capabilities in India.
The company, which is present in India through its unit 'Denso International India', is also scouting for land in South India to set up a manufacturing plant to cater to the increasing demand.
"About Rs 300 crore will be invested to build a new plant in Gurgaon, Haryana. Denso has already acquired 1.5 lakh sq meter site for this plant, and we are now preparing to start production by the end of 2013," Denso International India Chairman and CFO Yasushi Nei told PTI.
The company would utilise the new plant to produce air- conditioning components like heat exchangers and various kinds of motors, Nei added.
The company has four manufacturing facilities in India. The company which started operations in the country in 1984 with the production of starters and alternators, is now looking to enhance its presence in the country by 2015.
"We will enhance our production, marketing and developing capabilities with a goal to increase fiscal year 2015 sales by 2.5 times the level of fiscal year 2010," Nei said.
The company's investments in the country -- Gurgaon, Bangalore and technical centre -- are all part of its efforts to enhance production capacities in the country, Nei added.
Denso has invested Rs 100 crore in February 2010 in a new plant in Bangalore and is also coming up with a technical centre in Gurgaon at an investment of Rs 150 crore.
Further, the company is also scouting for land in South India to cater to its various customers in the region.
"We are conducting a feasibility study to select a southern area to set up a manufacturing plant. This plant will help us expand customer base in South India," Nei said.
The company has various customers like Toyota, Hyundai and Ford which are based in southern part of the country.
In India, Denso manufactures car air-conditioning systems, radiators and products for two-wheelers such as generators and capacitor discharge ignition systems (CDIs).
Denso, which has technical collaborations with Subros, Pricol and Lucas TVS in India, also plans to add around 600 employees by 2015 to its existing strength of 3000 employees in India.
Globally, the company employs over one lakh employees and has posted net sales of $ 37.7 billion in 2010-11
The company, which is present in India through its unit 'Denso International India', is also scouting for land in South India to set up a manufacturing plant to cater to the increasing demand.
"About Rs 300 crore will be invested to build a new plant in Gurgaon, Haryana. Denso has already acquired 1.5 lakh sq meter site for this plant, and we are now preparing to start production by the end of 2013," Denso International India Chairman and CFO Yasushi Nei told PTI.
The company would utilise the new plant to produce air- conditioning components like heat exchangers and various kinds of motors, Nei added.
The company has four manufacturing facilities in India. The company which started operations in the country in 1984 with the production of starters and alternators, is now looking to enhance its presence in the country by 2015.
"We will enhance our production, marketing and developing capabilities with a goal to increase fiscal year 2015 sales by 2.5 times the level of fiscal year 2010," Nei said.
The company's investments in the country -- Gurgaon, Bangalore and technical centre -- are all part of its efforts to enhance production capacities in the country, Nei added.
Denso has invested Rs 100 crore in February 2010 in a new plant in Bangalore and is also coming up with a technical centre in Gurgaon at an investment of Rs 150 crore.
Further, the company is also scouting for land in South India to cater to its various customers in the region.
"We are conducting a feasibility study to select a southern area to set up a manufacturing plant. This plant will help us expand customer base in South India," Nei said.
The company has various customers like Toyota, Hyundai and Ford which are based in southern part of the country.
In India, Denso manufactures car air-conditioning systems, radiators and products for two-wheelers such as generators and capacitor discharge ignition systems (CDIs).
Denso, which has technical collaborations with Subros, Pricol and Lucas TVS in India, also plans to add around 600 employees by 2015 to its existing strength of 3000 employees in India.
Globally, the company employs over one lakh employees and has posted net sales of $ 37.7 billion in 2010-11
Paracoat Products to achieve sales of Rs 250 crore by 2014
NEW DELHI: Automotive component maker Paracoat Products (PCP) today said it expects to achieve the sales of Rs 250 crore in next two years on back of capacity expansion and entry into new verticals.
"From current sales of Rs 150 crore we expect to reach the sales of Rs 250 crore by 2014," Paracoat Products Director (Business Development) Rajesh Poddar told PTI.
For this, apart from entering new verticals the company will strengthen its noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) business by opening a new facility for EPP moulding at Ranipet in Tamilnadu and strengthening its Bhiwadi facilities, he added.
Paracoat has also entered into a new vertical of motor home project and has set up a plant near Haridwar in Uttarakhand for assembling PCP Terra Home Cars.
"The company plans to roll out 90 PCP Terra vehicles by the end of FY 2012-13," Poddar said.
PCP Terra motor home cum office is based on a standard pick-up truck, like Mahindra Genio, installed with frame made of fibre glass (FRP) and is fitted with all required facilities for seven persons, the company said.
The Uttarakhand plant has an assembling capacity of 300 PCP Terra home cars in a year and the company plans to expand the capacity.
"We intend to expand our capacity and by 2016 based on the market. We intend to make 500 vehicles by 2016," he added.
On being asked about how the firm is planning to raise the finances for its expansion plans Poddar said: "We plan to raise funds by internal accrual, debt from bank and PE funding".
At a later stage, the company also intends to open Caravan parks across the country through a group firm that will provide parking space to these motor homes.
"From current sales of Rs 150 crore we expect to reach the sales of Rs 250 crore by 2014," Paracoat Products Director (Business Development) Rajesh Poddar told PTI.
For this, apart from entering new verticals the company will strengthen its noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) business by opening a new facility for EPP moulding at Ranipet in Tamilnadu and strengthening its Bhiwadi facilities, he added.
Paracoat has also entered into a new vertical of motor home project and has set up a plant near Haridwar in Uttarakhand for assembling PCP Terra Home Cars.
"The company plans to roll out 90 PCP Terra vehicles by the end of FY 2012-13," Poddar said.
PCP Terra motor home cum office is based on a standard pick-up truck, like Mahindra Genio, installed with frame made of fibre glass (FRP) and is fitted with all required facilities for seven persons, the company said.
The Uttarakhand plant has an assembling capacity of 300 PCP Terra home cars in a year and the company plans to expand the capacity.
"We intend to expand our capacity and by 2016 based on the market. We intend to make 500 vehicles by 2016," he added.
On being asked about how the firm is planning to raise the finances for its expansion plans Poddar said: "We plan to raise funds by internal accrual, debt from bank and PE funding".
At a later stage, the company also intends to open Caravan parks across the country through a group firm that will provide parking space to these motor homes.
Apollo Tyres fined Rs 30 crore on cartelisation charge in South Africa
NEW DELHI: Apollo Tyres has been been asked to cough up 45 million rands (about Rs 30 crore) as penalty for indulging in cartelisation in South Africa, a dispute which the company said relates to period when the firm was managed by Dunlop.
South African Competition Commission said Apollo Tyres (formerly Dunlop) has admitted that it took part in the tyre manufacturers' cartel and agreed on pricing and price hikes.
"Apollo Tyres has agreed to pay a penalty of R45 million which represents 4.75 per cent of its 2008 total turnover and admits that it was involved in price fixing conduct," the Commission said in its order.
When asked about the allegations, Apollo Tyres said it has agreed to pay up the fine in the interest of shareholders although the period referred to by the Commission belonged to the erstwhile management.
"In the interest of business and its various stakeholders, Apollo Tyres South Africa Pty Ltd (previously Dunlop Tyres International Pty Ltd), has amicably settled allegations of cartelisation by the South African Competition Commission."
"During the period referred to by the Competition Commission, the company was led by the previous management, and a management change took place post the acquisition by Apollo Tyres. The current management had no involvement in, or knowledge of, the anti-competitive conduct identified by the Commission. The company has decided to settle this and move forward in the best interest of all stakeholders," a spokesperson of Apollo Tyres said.
The agreement followed the South African Commission's investigation against South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (Pty) Ltd (SATMC) and four local tyre manufacturers and suppliers -- Apollo, Goodyear South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Continental Tyre South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd ("Bridgestone").
The Commission had initiated this case following a complaint lodged by a fleet owner, alleging that the local tyre manufacturers simultaneously adjusted their prices around the same time and within the same parameters.
South African Competition Commission said Apollo Tyres (formerly Dunlop) has admitted that it took part in the tyre manufacturers' cartel and agreed on pricing and price hikes.
"Apollo Tyres has agreed to pay a penalty of R45 million which represents 4.75 per cent of its 2008 total turnover and admits that it was involved in price fixing conduct," the Commission said in its order.
When asked about the allegations, Apollo Tyres said it has agreed to pay up the fine in the interest of shareholders although the period referred to by the Commission belonged to the erstwhile management.
"In the interest of business and its various stakeholders, Apollo Tyres South Africa Pty Ltd (previously Dunlop Tyres International Pty Ltd), has amicably settled allegations of cartelisation by the South African Competition Commission."
"During the period referred to by the Competition Commission, the company was led by the previous management, and a management change took place post the acquisition by Apollo Tyres. The current management had no involvement in, or knowledge of, the anti-competitive conduct identified by the Commission. The company has decided to settle this and move forward in the best interest of all stakeholders," a spokesperson of Apollo Tyres said.
The agreement followed the South African Commission's investigation against South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (Pty) Ltd (SATMC) and four local tyre manufacturers and suppliers -- Apollo, Goodyear South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Continental Tyre South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd ("Bridgestone").
The Commission had initiated this case following a complaint lodged by a fleet owner, alleging that the local tyre manufacturers simultaneously adjusted their prices around the same time and within the same parameters.
Kinetic Engineering to launch two new gearboxes
NEW DELHI: Auto component manufacturer Kinetic Engineering on Tuesday said it will role out two new gearboxes for different customers.
"We have two very important programmes which are ready to role out. We have finished the developments in the last 18 months," Sulajja Firodia Motwani, vice chairperson, Kinetic Engineering, told IANS.
"One (product) is the gearbox for Piaggio Ape four wheeler. It's a new platform which will be launched. And a second new completely assembled gearbox for Mahindra Navistar trucks which will roll out in the next two-three months," Motwani said on the sidelines of a FICCI event.
The company did not divulge the investments made for the products, but said existing facilities and synergies were utilised in developing the new offerings.
According to Motwani, the company is focusing on bring in new technologies in the powertrain and transmission segments in the next few months because the Indian markets is changing. "Our focus is on the transmission (segment) and we do hope to bring out new technologies in this areas. And in the next few months you may see some new announcement."
Bullish on the Indian automobile market, she said, "Indian auto industry remains a very attractive markets for us. We mainly serve segments like two wheelers, three wheelers and commercial vehicles which are growing quite well."
On the Nano project in which the company supplies the complete shaft, gears and transmissions components to Tata Motors, Motwani said the company had been invited to quote for the diesel version of the car. "Nano is growing well and we are very bullish on the car. We have been invited to quote on the diesel Nano as well."
The company had invested Rs.60 crore for setting up a component line for the Nano at its Ahmadnagar facility. "We are supplying from Ahmadnagar. We had discussed with Tata Motors for a potential assembly unit in Sanand. Discussion are still on."
On exports, the company said its main markets in US and Europe have stabilised after the free fall of 2008-09. "I would say it (exports) went through a difficult period in 2008-09, but exports have been stabilised now," added Motwani.
"We have two very important programmes which are ready to role out. We have finished the developments in the last 18 months," Sulajja Firodia Motwani, vice chairperson, Kinetic Engineering, told IANS.
"One (product) is the gearbox for Piaggio Ape four wheeler. It's a new platform which will be launched. And a second new completely assembled gearbox for Mahindra Navistar trucks which will roll out in the next two-three months," Motwani said on the sidelines of a FICCI event.
The company did not divulge the investments made for the products, but said existing facilities and synergies were utilised in developing the new offerings.
According to Motwani, the company is focusing on bring in new technologies in the powertrain and transmission segments in the next few months because the Indian markets is changing. "Our focus is on the transmission (segment) and we do hope to bring out new technologies in this areas. And in the next few months you may see some new announcement."
Bullish on the Indian automobile market, she said, "Indian auto industry remains a very attractive markets for us. We mainly serve segments like two wheelers, three wheelers and commercial vehicles which are growing quite well."
On the Nano project in which the company supplies the complete shaft, gears and transmissions components to Tata Motors, Motwani said the company had been invited to quote for the diesel version of the car. "Nano is growing well and we are very bullish on the car. We have been invited to quote on the diesel Nano as well."
The company had invested Rs.60 crore for setting up a component line for the Nano at its Ahmadnagar facility. "We are supplying from Ahmadnagar. We had discussed with Tata Motors for a potential assembly unit in Sanand. Discussion are still on."
On exports, the company said its main markets in US and Europe have stabilised after the free fall of 2008-09. "I would say it (exports) went through a difficult period in 2008-09, but exports have been stabilised now," added Motwani.
Antrix-Devas deal: 4 former ISRO officials barred from holding Govt jobs
NEW DELHI, JAN 25:
As a fallout of the controversial Antrix-Devas deal, the Government has barred former ISRO chief, Mr G. Madhavan Nair, and three other space scientists from holding any Government jobs.
The action comes in the wake of the controversial deal in which Bangalore-based Devas got into an exclusive deal with Antrix, which in effect gave the private firm control over a large chunk of valuable S-band spectrum. The deal was annulled after an expose by Business Line. The contract with Devas was signed during the tenure of Mr Nair as the Chairman of ISRO.
'Unfair decision'
Reacting to the Government’s move, Mr Nair said that the decision was unfair as he had not been given a hearing on the issue. The Prime Minister had on May 31, last year, constituted a five-member high-level team under the chairmanship of former Central Vigilance Commissioner, Mr Pratyush Sinha, to examine the aspects of the agreement between Antrix and Devas.
Business Line had a series of stories on this deal on how crucial information about the deal was withheld by the Department of Space.
Cabinet note
According to a note prepared for the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Department withheld from the Space Commission as well as the Government vital information that the two satellites, GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A, were being built for Devas.
“Though the GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites were being built by ISRO to meet the requirements of PS-1 and PS-2 specified in the Antrix-Devas Agreement,” the note said, “the proposals from the Department for approval...did not reflect the conclusion of such an arrangement in January 2005 itself.”
While Antrix signed the agreement on January 28, 2005, it was not until July 2, 2010 — weeks after Business Line revealed the nature of the deal to build the two S-band satellites and lease capacity from them to Devas — that the Space Commission was briefed on the agreement.
“Taking note of the fact that Government policies with regard to allocation of spectrum have undergone a change in the last few years and there has been an increased demand for allocation of spectrum for national needs, including for the needs of defence, paramilitary forces, railways and other public utility services as well as for societal needs, and having regard to the needs of the country’s strategic requirements, the Government will not be able to provide orbit slot in S-band to Antrix for commercial activities, including for those which are the subject matter of existing contractual obligations for S-band,” the note added.
Keywords: Antrix-Devas deal, ex-ISRO chief, scientists, government jobs, S band spectrum allocation
As a fallout of the controversial Antrix-Devas deal, the Government has barred former ISRO chief, Mr G. Madhavan Nair, and three other space scientists from holding any Government jobs.
The action comes in the wake of the controversial deal in which Bangalore-based Devas got into an exclusive deal with Antrix, which in effect gave the private firm control over a large chunk of valuable S-band spectrum. The deal was annulled after an expose by Business Line. The contract with Devas was signed during the tenure of Mr Nair as the Chairman of ISRO.
'Unfair decision'
Reacting to the Government’s move, Mr Nair said that the decision was unfair as he had not been given a hearing on the issue. The Prime Minister had on May 31, last year, constituted a five-member high-level team under the chairmanship of former Central Vigilance Commissioner, Mr Pratyush Sinha, to examine the aspects of the agreement between Antrix and Devas.
Business Line had a series of stories on this deal on how crucial information about the deal was withheld by the Department of Space.
Cabinet note
According to a note prepared for the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Department withheld from the Space Commission as well as the Government vital information that the two satellites, GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A, were being built for Devas.
“Though the GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites were being built by ISRO to meet the requirements of PS-1 and PS-2 specified in the Antrix-Devas Agreement,” the note said, “the proposals from the Department for approval...did not reflect the conclusion of such an arrangement in January 2005 itself.”
While Antrix signed the agreement on January 28, 2005, it was not until July 2, 2010 — weeks after Business Line revealed the nature of the deal to build the two S-band satellites and lease capacity from them to Devas — that the Space Commission was briefed on the agreement.
“Taking note of the fact that Government policies with regard to allocation of spectrum have undergone a change in the last few years and there has been an increased demand for allocation of spectrum for national needs, including for the needs of defence, paramilitary forces, railways and other public utility services as well as for societal needs, and having regard to the needs of the country’s strategic requirements, the Government will not be able to provide orbit slot in S-band to Antrix for commercial activities, including for those which are the subject matter of existing contractual obligations for S-band,” the note added.
Keywords: Antrix-Devas deal, ex-ISRO chief, scientists, government jobs, S band spectrum allocation
'Investor-friendly' Sebi to launch ad campaign next month
Mumbai: After a series of investor-friendly measures, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the capital market regulator, plans to back it up with a first-of-its-kind advertising campaign, expected to be launched next month. The primary objective will be spreading investor awareness and increasing penetration.
Sebi plans to do so by trying to demystify the securities market and highlighting some recent initiatives, such as the toll-free helpline. The campaign will be in various languages and across platforms like print, radio and television.
“We intend to launch the media campaign within a month,” said a senior Sebi official, without specifying the date.
The regulator has earmarked about Rs 12 crore for the media campaign and investor awareness programmes for 2011-12.
In the past, the Reserve Bank of India has regularly used the print and electronic media to alert the public about various fictitious schemes and fake currencies.
“The level of retail investor participation in the Indian market is far less than what we aspire. Despite some downsides, our economy and market have been growing, but the benefits are not reaching households,” Sebi Chairman U K Sinha had said earlier this month. “The level of financial literacy and market awareness in this country are the major drawbacks.”
The Sebi boss intends to increase awareness and education among investors and simplify investing to improve investor experience. The media campaign is part of this agenda.
The regulator introduced several initiatives in the new year to make investors’ lives easier. It has set up a 14-language toll-free helpline to assist investors on various market-related issues and complaints. To make switching trading accounts hassle-free, it has introduced one-time know your client (KYC) rules, which enable investors to change their brokerages without having to go through the KYC process. To curb listing-day volatility, it has introduced circuit filters for IPOs and relisted stocks on the first day.
Sebi plans to do so by trying to demystify the securities market and highlighting some recent initiatives, such as the toll-free helpline. The campaign will be in various languages and across platforms like print, radio and television.
“We intend to launch the media campaign within a month,” said a senior Sebi official, without specifying the date.
The regulator has earmarked about Rs 12 crore for the media campaign and investor awareness programmes for 2011-12.
In the past, the Reserve Bank of India has regularly used the print and electronic media to alert the public about various fictitious schemes and fake currencies.
“The level of retail investor participation in the Indian market is far less than what we aspire. Despite some downsides, our economy and market have been growing, but the benefits are not reaching households,” Sebi Chairman U K Sinha had said earlier this month. “The level of financial literacy and market awareness in this country are the major drawbacks.”
The Sebi boss intends to increase awareness and education among investors and simplify investing to improve investor experience. The media campaign is part of this agenda.
The regulator introduced several initiatives in the new year to make investors’ lives easier. It has set up a 14-language toll-free helpline to assist investors on various market-related issues and complaints. To make switching trading accounts hassle-free, it has introduced one-time know your client (KYC) rules, which enable investors to change their brokerages without having to go through the KYC process. To curb listing-day volatility, it has introduced circuit filters for IPOs and relisted stocks on the first day.
Smartphone shipments cross 10-mn mark in 2011
Mumbai: Smartphone shipments touched 10 million units in the first eleven months of the calendar year 2011, estimates CyberMedia Research (CMR). In its report titled 'India Monthly Mobile Handsets Market Review', CMR claims that November last year was the third consecutive month when smartphone shipments in India crossed one million units and saw the launch of 23 smartphone models.
"The launch of dual-SIM smartphones is a new trend," said Tarun Pathak, telecom analyst (Monthly Mobile Phones Market Review Program), CMR.
For November last year, CMR estimates that Indian mobile handsets' market recorded sales of 15.4 million units. Nokia retained leadership position in the overall mobile handsets' market, with 28 per cent share, followed by Samsung (12 per cent) and Micromax (four per cent), in November.
CMR's lead analyst (telecoms practice), Naveen Mishra, says as the device side of the data services ecosystem, signified by the growth in shipments of smartphones and 3G-enabled handsets, reaches a critical mass, telcos in India will need to beef up networks and tie with publishing companies and content developers. "It is important for the three-part ecosystem of device vendors, content companies and telecom service providers to invest in attractive and relevant content packages for the growing segment of 3G-device and smartphone users. This will help grow data consumption and lead to improvement in telco ARPUs," Mishra said.
Total 3G phone shipments touched 15.5 million in the first eleven months of CY 2011, according to CMR analysts, with close to 224 models launched by 26 vendors.
Multi-SIM mobile handset shipments accounted for 54 per cent of the total India mobile handsets market in November 2011. Nokia, a late entrant to the multi-SIM device category, made up by having as many as seven models on offer by November 2011 and now leads the category with 19 per cent market share, followed by Micromax with 7.1 per cent and Karbonn with 6.9 per cent.
"The launch of dual-SIM smartphones is a new trend," said Tarun Pathak, telecom analyst (Monthly Mobile Phones Market Review Program), CMR.
For November last year, CMR estimates that Indian mobile handsets' market recorded sales of 15.4 million units. Nokia retained leadership position in the overall mobile handsets' market, with 28 per cent share, followed by Samsung (12 per cent) and Micromax (four per cent), in November.
CMR's lead analyst (telecoms practice), Naveen Mishra, says as the device side of the data services ecosystem, signified by the growth in shipments of smartphones and 3G-enabled handsets, reaches a critical mass, telcos in India will need to beef up networks and tie with publishing companies and content developers. "It is important for the three-part ecosystem of device vendors, content companies and telecom service providers to invest in attractive and relevant content packages for the growing segment of 3G-device and smartphone users. This will help grow data consumption and lead to improvement in telco ARPUs," Mishra said.
Total 3G phone shipments touched 15.5 million in the first eleven months of CY 2011, according to CMR analysts, with close to 224 models launched by 26 vendors.
Multi-SIM mobile handset shipments accounted for 54 per cent of the total India mobile handsets market in November 2011. Nokia, a late entrant to the multi-SIM device category, made up by having as many as seven models on offer by November 2011 and now leads the category with 19 per cent market share, followed by Micromax with 7.1 per cent and Karbonn with 6.9 per cent.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)