All posts by Rabindra

Mumbai/New Delhi, October  05, 2024: Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India today announced the launch of its Industry-First Extended Warranty Program, offering Unlimited Kilometers coverage for upto 7 years. This ground breaking warranty sets a new standard in customer assurance, providing car owners with unrivalled peace of mind, no matter how much they drive.

This Extended Warranty is offered on petrol variants of its current model range of Elevate, City, City e:HEV and Amaze. The programme has also been offered to petrol variants of other models Civic, Jazz & WR-V if customer is enrolled for Extended Warranty program earlier. This initiative is a part of Honda’s Extended Warranty Program, showcasing Honda’s commitment to delivering the best in technology and ownership experience to its customers. This Extended Warranty is designed to ensure Honda car owners enjoy maximum value and coverage, whether they use their vehicles for everyday commuting or long-distance journeys for an extended period without concerns over kilometres limitations.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “At Honda Cars India, our commitment to enhancing the customer ownership experience remains unwavering. Backed by the established values of strong durability, quality and reliability of Honda cars, this Extended Warranty Programme with Unlimited Kilometers upto 7 years ensures that every customer regardless of their driving pattern, can experience long-term protection. We believe this new offering is a game changer for the industry and will redefine customer expectations of vehicle ownership.”

Customers can opt for 7 years Unlimited Kilometers Extended Warranty within 2 years from car purchase date, along with other options availability till end of Standard warranty, offering flexibility and long-term protection. For existing customers having Extended Warranty till 4th year and 5th year can also opt for warranty extension upto 7 years or upto 1,50,000 kms (whichever is earlier). The Extended Warranty purchased is transferable and will add value at the time of car resale.

This Friday, Amitabh Bachchan hosted ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, on Sony Entertainment Television, will feature three incredible Paralympic athletes: Navdeep Singh, Sumit Antil, and Avani Lekhara. These athletes, who have not only represented India on a global stage but also made the nation immensely proud, will share the challenges they’ve faced and the victories they’ve achieved in this special episode.

In conversation with Navdeep Singh, Amitabh Bachchan sheds light on Navdeep’s early life and its struggles, and how he prevailed to go on and represent the nation on an international platform. Navdeep recalled a particular incident in college when he was made to stand ahead in the line because of his height. Instead of getting affected by this, he used to proudly stand up for himself and in Bachchan style say, “Jahan Hum Khade Hote Hai, Line Wahin Se Shuru Hoti Hai.” This prompted AB to give him a big round of applause and say, “We are all learning so much from you. I feel like I could sit with you and keep talking. The motivation we get from hearing your story is amazing.”

Moved by the Paralympic winners’ grit and determination, the legendary actor also says, “Hum apne aap ko itna chota samaj rahe hai; aapne desh ka naam itna ujjwal kiya.I congratulate you for winning these medals at such a young age. You’ve earned immense respect from all of us.”

03 October 2024 – ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform has successfully adopted the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) at a wider scale to transform content delivery and enhance viewer experience. The innovative move, implemented by Company’s Technology & Innovation Centre based in Bengaluru, facilitates smoother video playback across devices and allows ZEE5 users to experience good AV quality even in areas with low internet bandwidth.

By optimizing bandwidth consumption and reducing operational costs, ZEE5 is expanding its reach to 100 million users, ensuring more viewers can have access to high-quality streaming. CMAF is a versatile and extensible standard designed to package segmented media, enabling seamless cross-device compatibility. By adopting CMAF, ZEE5 is not only ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience but also reducing latency, a critical factor in live streaming of sports, news and events.

Reflecting on the impact of CMAF, Shiva Chinnasamy, Chief Technology and Product Officer, ZEE said, “Our strategic focus is to provide best-in-class AV experience even in areas with low internet. CMAF allows us to serve content more efficiently, ensuring no data wastage while delivering high-quality immersive experiences to every viewer, no matter their bandwidth. ZEE5 is focusing on building in-house capabilities to provide robust services and experience to their consumers and adoption of CMAF is a crucial step to achieve the same.”

Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India, said, “At ZEE5, we remain focused on enhancing viewer experience through cutting-edge technology. Adopting the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) is a step forward in ZEE5’s vision to democratise access to quality entertainment. This ensures that even in regions with low internet connectivity, our users can enjoy seamless viewing experiences. This strategic move reflects our commitment to bring quality content to a broader audience, which also aligns with our goal of delivering immersive entertainment across multiple devices. CMAF represents a significant step in further refining how our viewers engage with content on our platform.”

Commenting on the success of the format, Suneel Khare, Senior Vice President and Head of Video Engineering, ZEE, said, “The implementation of CMAF is strategic. It allows us to streamline and improve our content delivery, enabling real-time low-latency streaming while significantly reducing data requirements. This enhancement ensures smoother playback even in regions with low bandwidth, expanding ZEE5’s reach to a broader audience, including those with limited internet access.”

ZEE5’s successful implementation of CMAF has resulted in several key advantages, including:

• Low-Latency Streaming: Essential for live events, CMAF ensures near real-time video delivery, minimizing delays and enhancing live event viewing.
• Bandwidth Optimization: The efficient CMAF packaging reduces data consumption, enhancing video quality in low-bandwidth environments.
• Cross-Device Compatibility: CMAF supports both HLS (HTTP live streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) formats, ensuring consistent video playback across mobile devices, Smart TVs, and more.
• Future-Ready Encryption: CMAF utilises Widevine CBCS technology, a standard for content protection that allows for seamless playback across both Apple & Android devices and ensures a seamless and secure streaming experience.

Rahul Banerjee, Principal Architect of Video Engineering, ZEE, added, “With CMAF, the real-time improvements in video quality and reduced buffering have significantly enhanced viewer engagement. This upgrade ensures viewers enjoy higher-quality streams with minimal delays, even in regions with weaker internet connectivity.”

Apart from enhancing the viewer experience, CMAF has also brought significant operational benefits for ZEE5. By optimizing content packaging, it has reduced storage requirements by over 30%, while keeping CDN (Content Delivery Network) costs static despite the growing demand for higher-resolution content. Furthermore, CMAF’s scalability enables ZEE5 to seamlessly expand its global reach in more than 12 languages, ensuring consistent performance during peak usage.

By implementing CMAF, ZEE5 improves operational efficiency and reinforces its commitment to delivering high-quality content to a wider, more diverse audience. The platform’s pioneering approach to content packaging and delivery ensures that it remains future-ready as OTT consumption continues to evolve globally.

New Delhi – The Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Trust, in partnership with the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), celebrated the 120th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri with a free health check-up camp and a soulful ghazal evening at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial, New Delhi. The event brought together dignitaries, academicians, and community members to honor the legacy of Shri Shastri through social service and cultural expression.

The health check-up and blood donation camp, organized in collaboration with Lal Bahadur Shastri Smile Foundation, Safexpress, CK Birla Hospital, and Rotary Club of Indirapuram Pariwar, provided critical healthcare services to the local community. Many attendees also participated in the blood donation drive, embodying the spirit of service and selflessness that Shri Shastri stood for.

Later in the day, a captivating ghazal performance by renowned artist Mrs. Vani Babbar Gutti took center stage, mesmerizing the audience with her soulful renditions. The performance evoked a deep sense of reflection and nostalgia, beautifully aligning with Shri Shastri’s values of simplicity, dignity, and service to the nation.

The event also featured a children’s painting competition, themed “Paint Your Dreams for India @2047,” encouraging young students to imagine and express their vision for the nation’s future. The competition was an inspiring highlight, aiming to foster creativity and patriotism among the younger generation.

Shri Anil Shastri, holding trustee lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial trust express his thoughts on the occasion: “My father believed in leading a life of humility, selflessness, and dedication to public service. Today’s event, combining healthcare initiatives and cultural expressions, is a true reflection of his values and his enduring legacy.”

The event successfully blended the essence of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri’s life – cultural heritage, community service, and commitment to the welfare of the nation – leaving a lasting impact on all attendees.

Hyderabad/Bangalore, October 05, 2024 – Turbostart, a global sector-agnostic venture capital platform, has made a USD 1 million investment in Ai Health Highway as part of its Pre-Series A round funding. Ai Health Highway is a company that focuses on providing tech-enabled screening tools that help in the early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving healthcare accessibility through India’s first Ai-enabled stethoscope, AiSteth. This investment is part of a larger $1.5M funding, including co-investment from notable investors Rainmatter by Zerodha, The Chennai Angels, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation along with other angel investors. This crucial funding will empower Ai Health Highway to solidify its presence in India, accelerate regulatory approvals internationally, and broaden its AI/ML offerings in the Cardio-Respiratory domain.

AiSteth, India’s first AI-enabled stethoscope, is revolutionizing cardiac care by assisting healthcare professionals and non-specialists in interpreting heart sounds to support accurate clinical decisions. Utilizing advanced AI and signal processing, AiSteth transforms traditional stethoscopes into powerful screening tools capable of detecting life-threatening cardiac disorders at an early stage.

The AI-enabled stethoscope seamlessly integrates into existing workflows, equipping primary care providers with high-quality heart sound capture, analysis, and data-sharing capabilities, thereby enhancing the accessibility and affordability of healthcare solutions.

Founded in 2018, Ai Health Highway is on a mission to reduce global premature deaths due to NCDs by 30% by 2030. NCDs account for over 41 million deaths annually, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention.

Venkat Raju, Founder and CEO of Turbostart, stated, “We are thrilled to support Ai Health Highway and its exceptional founding team, who bring together a powerful blend of medical expertise, business acumen, and technological innovation. Their work goes beyond upgrading the stethoscope – they’re reimagining screening tools to make healthcare more accessible in the modern age. Their smart stethoscope technology has the potential to bring quality screenings to underserved communities, democratizing access to early detection. We are excited to see how they will transform healthcare accessibility, creating meaningful impact in an industry where change is not just welcome, but necessary.”

Dr (Maj) Satish S Jeevannavar, Founder, AI Health Highway, said, “We are delighted to announce Turbostart as the Lead Investor for our Pre-Series A round, joined by co-investors Rainmatter by Zerodha and BITS BioCyTiH Foundation. Our existing investors, The Chennai Angels, along with other angel investors, have also participated in this round. We are thrilled to collaborate with Turbostart on this vital mission to tackle NCDs. The expertise of their seasoned professionals and Centers of Excellence will be invaluable as we navigate the complex global healthcare landscape.”

In addition to this investment, Turbostart has a proven track record of supporting tech-first startups across various sectors. Over the past five years, Turbostart has facilitated investments of more than USD 50 million across more than 50 innovative startups. This commitment highlights Turbostart’s continued dedication to supporting the growth and development of the startup ecosystem, providing personalized mentorship, access to five centers of excellence, and a vast network spanning India, the US, MEA, and Singapore to support the development of thriving enterprises.

National, October 5th, 2024: The New India Foundation has unveiled the Shortlist for the 7th annual Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize in recognition of the finest non-fiction writing about the history of Independent India. From a longlist of 10 which pointed to the complex dynamics of post-Independence India as shaping India today, 5 books have been chosen for their thoughtful synthesis of history and contemporary relevance.

One of the most prestigious literary awards in the country, the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Book Prize celebrates excellence in non-fiction about India published in the previous calendar year by writers of all nationalities. Established in 2018, the Book Prize carries a cash award of INR 15 lakhs and a citation.

The 2024 KCBP Shortlist was selected by an eminent Jury, including political scientist Niraja Gopal Jayal (Chair of the Book Prize), historian Srinath Raghavan, entrepreneur Manish Sabharwal, former diplomat and author Navtej Sarna, lawyer Rahul Matthan, and public policy researcher Yamini Aiyar.

The Jury said, “The 2024 Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize Shortlist highlights the rich and varied stories that shape India’s modern identity. From the critical decisions made by Prime Ministers and state political leaders, to the life and legacy of B.R. Ambedkar, from the cultural and social dimensions of Hindutva pop music to the complex tapestry of life and death in Banaras—these books offer a compelling exploration of the nation’s evolving history. Together, they deepen our understanding of India’s past and present by illuminating histories that continue to influence the country’s future.”

The Shortlist for the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2024 is:

• Neerja Choudhry: How Prime Ministers Decide (Aleph Book Company)
• Ashok Gopal: A Part Apart: The Life and Thought of B.R. Ambedkar (Navayana)
• Radhika Iyengar: Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras (HarperCollins)
• Kunal Purohit: H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars (HarperCollins)
• Chitralekha Zutshi: Sheikh Abdullah: The Caged Lion of Kashmir (HarperCollins)

The Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize builds on the New India Foundation’s mission of sponsoring research and writing on all aspects of the world’s largest democracy. Works written originally in English or translated into English are eligible across a range of genres. The Prize was named to honour the legacy of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: great patriot and institution-builder who contributed significantly to the freedom struggle, to the women’s movement, to refugee rehabilitation and to the renewal of Indian theatre and handicrafts.

Akshaya Mukul was last year’s winner of the KCBP for his book Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover: The Many Lives of Agyeya (Penguin Random House). Shekhar Pathak won in 2023 for his environmental history The Chipko Movement: A People’s History, translated from Hindi by Manisha Chaudhry (Permanent Black). Dinyar Patel won the 4th edition of the Prize for his definitive biography Naroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism (Harvard University Press). In 2020, the KCBP was jointly awarded to Amit Ahuja for his debut Mobilizing the Marginalized: Ethnic Parties without Ethnic Movements (Oxford University Press) and Jairam Ramesh for his biography A Chequered Brilliance: The Many Lives of V.K. Krishna Menon (Penguin Random House). Ornit Shani was recognised for her scholarly work How India Became Democratic: Citizenship and the Making of the Universal Franchise (Penguin Random House) in 2019 and Milan Vaishnav for his remarkable debut When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics (HarperCollins Publishers) won the inaugural edition of the KCBP in 2018.

Hyderabad, 5th October 2024: Greenply Industries Limited, the leading name in India’s interior infrastructure industry, is proud to unveil its latest brand campaign. Following the remarkable success of its Zero Emission TVC, Greenply returns with an exciting new commercial that introduces India’s first bird influencer, the cheeky and quick-witted parrot Gullu. This campaign brings to life Greenply’s unwavering commitment to healthy and safe interiors, encapsulated by the brand’s promise: “Har Zarurat Ka Reply.”

In a rapidly changing market where home interior choices have become an evolved decision, three critical figures take center stage: the fellow consumer, the trustworthy dealer, and the reliable furniture maker, i.e., the contractor. Greenply’s campaign effectively engages all three, fostering a dialogue that resonates with audiences and delivers the brand message clearly.

The choice for Gullu as Greenply’s brand mascot reflects Greenply’s promise to keep things fresh and innovative. Parrots are not just visually striking—they’re also famous for mimicking human speech, making them natural communicators. Even though parrots are known for repeating things, Gullu playfully insists, “Tote ki tarah baar baar ratunga nahi,” poking fun at his own nature, while simultaneously reinforcing Greenply’s guarantee of safety & healthy interiors.

The series of films has been conceptualized as part of the campaign, with the parrot Gullu in humorous yet enlightening scenarios where ordinary plywood poses safety hazards, only to be saved by the superior quality of Greenply Plywood. For instance, in one film, Gullu reassures a dealer during a simulated fire, showcasing the fire-resistant properties of Greenply’s plywood. Another scenario highlights the zero emissions of the E-0 rated products with a contractor, demonstrating Greenply’s innovative edge.

The first film from the series, set in a bustling plywood store, a fire suddenly breaks out near a television set, causing the dealer to panic. Gullu, quickly accesses the situation and reassures the dealer, saying, “Relax, nahi lagegi aag, tote ki tarah baar-baar ratu kya?” The dealer breathes a sigh of relief, realizing his furniture is protected. This strengthens Greenply’s position as an essential partner in creating secure and stylish homes.

“At Greenply, we are committed to leading the way in providing solutions that truly prioritize our customers’ well-being,” said Mr. Sanidhya Mittal, Joint Managing Director of Greenply Industries Limited. “Our products reflect our core values of safety, performance, and sustainability. With the ‘Har Zarurat Ka Reply’ campaign, we aim to position Greenply as the top choice for healthy interiors that not only ensure safety and durability but also enhance the overall living experience. The introduction of Gullu aims to simplify product benefits and connect with our audience in a more appealing and relatable manner.”

New Delhi, 5th October 2024: The global counterfeit economy poses a severe challenge to industries worldwide, threatening innovation, eroding consumer confidence, and stifling economic growth. In response to this escalating issue, the Reinforce Intellectual Property Association (RIPA), in association with the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), IP Bazzaar, Academia and Industry Stakeholders, organised the event titled “Handling the Counterfeit Economy” at the National Productivity Council in New Delhi.

This initiative brought together leading industry experts, academic professionals, and key stakeholders to foster collaboration and bridge the gap between academic research and practical industry solutions. The event underscored the critical role that advanced research and innovative technologies play in addressing the counterfeit crisis, which threatens India’s economic stability and the competitiveness of its domestic industries.

On the occasion, Mr. Naveen Coomar, President of RIPA, said “We stressed the urgent need to bridge the gap between academic research and practical industry solutions. India’s current reliance on limited anti-counterfeit technologies has slowed the pace of innovation. This event highlights the critical need for intensified R&D efforts from academia and industry. By promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange, we aim to accelerate the development of indigenous technologies that can effectively combat counterfeiting”.

Key Focus Areas: Bridging Knowledge and Advancing Technology

A pivotal moment of the event was a panel discussion titled “Bridging Knowledge: Collaborative Dialogue for Handling the Counterfeit Economy.” The discussion focused on promoting R&D activities, identifying specific problem areas within various industries, and encouraging industry-academia partnerships to foster innovative anti-counterfeit tools. The discussions underscored the urgency of creating homegrown solutions to counter the counterfeit crisis while enhancing India’s competitiveness in global markets.

Prof. Jitendra K. Das, Director General, FORE School of Management, moderated the event with panellists including Shri Ajai Kumar Srivastav, Ex-Director (Technical), SPMCIL, Mr. Pramod Gokhale, Group CIO, Mankind Pharma, Dr Amit K. Dinda, Research Director, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Prof. Tanweer Alam, Additional Director, Indian Institute of Packaging, Chandar S Jeena, Regional Director, Reconnaissance International, and Naveen Coomar, President, RIPA.

At the occasion, Ajai Kumar Srivastav, Former Director (Technical), SPMCIL, highlighted that the counterfeit economy survives, classified into currency, products, ID Documents, Patent infringement, and many more, despite having a legal framework in place and multiple departments to cater to this, provided communication with these able departments is established and continued from all stakeholders.

Chander S Jeena, Regional Director, Reconnaissance International, said, ‘Reconnaissance and IHMA are proud to support such initiatives, which mark a significant milestone in India’s ongoing fight against counterfeiting. Ongoing research and innovation are essential to staying ahead of counterfeiters, and this effort requires the active engagement of all stakeholders. India has the potential to lead this battle by fostering collaboration between academia and industry to develop cutting-edge solutions. Building a robust authentication ecosystem depends on seamless cooperation, and events like this act as crucial bridges, bringing key players together.

They also discussed key trends in the counterfeit landscape, the necessity of technological evolution, and how cutting-edge solutions such as Optical Variable Devices (OVDs), NFC, RFID, Blockchain, IoT, and AI can be adapted to the Indian market.

Global Collaboration and Future Opportunities

The event further explored avenues for technology transfer and collaborations with global companies, allowing India to strengthen its capabilities in fighting the counterfeit economy. By encouraging international partnerships, the event set the stage for India to integrate global best practices with indigenous innovations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fight counterfeiting.

Key Participants and Stakeholders

The event featured distinguished speakers and delegates from leading academic and industry institutions, including IIT-BHU, IIT-Madras, IIT-Bhilai, Amrita Research Centre, Delhi (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham), Mankind Pharmaceuticals, Manipal Technologies, Track Pack Innovation, AIDC Solutions and Research Foundation, along with participants from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and others.

India, 5th October 2024: The Government of Azerbaijan with the support of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) has unveiled an ambitious program designed to position the country as a preferred destination for international tech businesses, focusing on attracting companies from India and other countries abroad. The initiative, centered around the country’s Technopark, offers a suite of tax benefits and relocation assistance that promises to reshape the landscape for tech firms looking to expand their footprint in the Eurasian market.

Azerbaijan’s tax benefit program offers a comprehensive package for technology companies. The key features include a 10-year “tax haven” status for Technopark residents, providing a 0% personal income tax on monthly salaries up to $4,700 (5% above this threshold), full exemption from corporate tax, property tax, land tax, and tax on dividends. Eligibility requirements are minimal, demanding only one year of operational history and more than 10 full-time employees (2 of which are IT specialists) or revenue of 200,000 Manat.

The program also includes streamlined migration processes, with work permit exemptions for ICT specialists and senior executives, and comprehensive relocation assistance, including help with residency permits, office space acquisition, and lodging arrangements. the country offers. This package is designed to attract international technology companies and position Azerbaijan as an attractive tech hub in the region.

“We are extending a warm invitation to Indian tech companies to join our thriving ecosystem,” stated Pasha Aliyev, Regional VP, Soft-landing at Innovation and Digital Development Agency. “Our Agency offers not just financial incentives, but a gateway to the vast Eurasian market and a chance to be part of Azerbaijan’s rapidly growing IT landscape.”

The Relocation program targets companies in system integration and software design and development, aligning with Azerbaijan’s Vision 2030 focus on digitalization, tech entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystem development. This initiative is part of a broader focus of Azerbaijan on IT with more than 400 million dollars annually spent on it in the governmental center only. IDDA actively drives the digitalization in the country with multiple projects and initiatives, including the development of the “mygov” platform, designed to organize the contacts of citizens with state bodies and provision of G2C services, the Paperless government initiative ensuring the exchange of electronic documents between governmental institutions and many others. The Agency also focusses on human capital development through its own scholarship program Technest, as well as partnering with international educational programs. These initiatives are significantly enhancing the country’s IT potential and creating even more opportunities for companies deciding to relocate.

“Our commitment to digitalization and ecosystem building goes beyond tax benefits,” added Pasha Aliyev. “We’re creating a comprehensive environment where tech companies can thrive, innovate, and contribute to Azerbaijan’s digital transformation.”

This initiative comes at a time when many tech hubs are facing economic challenges, positioning Azerbaijan as an attractive alternative for companies seeking stability and growth opportunities. The country’s focus on digital advancement and creating a supportive ecosystem for IT businesses makes it an increasingly appealing destination for tech companies looking to expand their operations.

Azerbaijan offers a unique environment for tech companies looking to expand,” emphasized Pasha Aliyev. “Our multilingual young population, combined with a melting pot of different cultures, creates a dynamic and innovative workforce. Additionally, our extensive infrastructure enables newcomers to quickly settle and integrate into their new home. This blend of cultural diversity, youthful talent, and modern amenities makes Azerbaijan an ideal location for tech firms seeking growth and innovation in the Eurasian market.”

Currently IDDA only offers membership in the virtual Technopark. But it is also now actively working on opening the doors to an offline facility that will be based in the heart of Baku – Azerbaijan Innovation Center (AIM) – a platform that will cater to the needs of people in developing their tech companies by providing them access to opportunities, inspiration, talents, funding, knowledge, network, and global connections.

Hyderabad, India, 4th October 2024: As India gears up for the festive season—a period traditionally marked by increased consumer spending—Way2News, a leading hyperlocal news platform, has released its latest report titled “Gearing Up: A Look at India’s Car-Buying Mindset.” Based on insights gathered from over 400,000 respondents across the 5 South Indian states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala – the report provides a comprehensive look into the evolving preferences and behaviours of car buyers in South India during this crucial sales period for the automobile industry.

While the 2023 festive season recorded the automobile industry’s highest-ever sales figures—buoyed by a 19% sales spike driven by pent-up demand—2024 paints a contrasting picture. The Indian automobile market has experienced a notable slowdown, with recent reports indicating that approximately 7 lakh unsold cars,  are currently stagnating at dealerships across the country. If not addressed, this surplus inventory could impose significant financial strain on dealers. Traditionally, the festive season from Navratri to Diwali has been a make-or-break period for automakers, with car sales often peaking as consumers time their purchases to align with auspicious dates. However, in 2024, this period represents more than just a cultural milestone—industry experts view this festive season as the automobile industry’s best chance to reverse the downward trend and reignite demand. Notably, the Way2News survey aligns with this, revealing that 42% of respondents plan to buy or upgrade their car within the next 12 months, signalling a potential resurgence in sales after a challenging period. Strategic marketing efforts, informed by consumer behaviour data, could help automakers turn this challenge into a success story.

In line with these evolving industry trends, the Way2News survey has uncovered several striking trends that could provide valuable insights for automakers looking to tap into consumer sentiment. Shifting priorities, a strong preference for SUVs, a growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs), and an increasing reliance on digital platforms are shaping the auto-buying landscape in South India.

Key Insights from the Report:

Safety Takes Precedence: One of the most notable shifts in the report is the emergence of safety features as a critical factor for car buyers. 43% of respondents cited safety—such as airbags, ABS, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)—as their top priority, surpassing traditional decision drivers like price or fuel efficiency. This heightened focus on safety reflects a growing awareness of road safety among South Indian buyers, a marked shift from previous years when aesthetics and affordability led decision-making

SUVs Dominate the Market:

The report highlights the continued dominance of SUVs, with 58% of respondents showing a strong preference for this category. The growing popularity of SUVs is not just a trend—it’s a reflection of the lifestyle aspirations of modern buyers, who prioritize space, power, and practicality. SUVs are no longer just vehicles—they are seen as a lifestyle upgrade, symbolizing status and comfort. In contrast, other vehicle categories like sedans (20%), hatchbacks (14%), and MUVs (8%) serve niche markets but trail significantly behind SUVs

Electric Vehicles Gain Ground:

In what may be one of the most surprising findings, 31% of respondents expressed interest in purchasing electric vehicles (EVs), signalling a major shift toward sustainability. With 65% of buyers prioritizing eco-friendly options, and with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s push to phase out diesel vehicles gaining traction, the Indian auto industry is clearly on the verge of embracing cleaner, greener alternatives. The report underscores that the green wave is not just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift that is likely to reshape the industry in the years to come

Digital Platforms Drive Decision-Making:

The Way2News report also emphasizes the growing influence of digital platforms in car-buying decisions. Over two-thirds of respondents now rely on online resources, including social media, comparison websites, and online reviews, to inform their vehicle purchases. This shift towards digital-first research underlines the importance of online presence and reputation for automakers and dealerships alike

Financing Flexibility a Crucial Factor: With rising fuel costs and increased loan interest rates, car loans and instalment plans have become a go-to option for over half of the respondents. The report indicates that affordability and financing options will play a crucial role in driving sales during the festive period, making it important for automakers to offer flexible financing solutions to attract buyers

“The findings of this survey highlight a transformative shift in consumer priorities. Safety, SUVs, and sustainability are no longer just trends; they are the core drivers of the auto industry in South India as we approach this festive season. As automakers adapt to these changing preferences, understanding consumer sentiment will be key to navigating the challenges of this year and harnessing the opportunities the festive season brings,” said Raju Vanapala, Founder and CEO of Way2News.

As South India enters the festive season, the focus is not merely on driving sales but on building trust and connecting with consumers through core values of safety, sustainability, and lifestyle appeal. By strategically leveraging the festive season, manufacturers can navigate the challenges of a slowing market while cultivating a resilient brand presence that aligns with the aspirations of modern car buyers. This festive period has the potential to be a turning point for the auto industry, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation.