Rolls Royce speeds up for first 100

By: Cartradeindia Editorial Team
Source: http://www.cartradeindia.com


One of the world's premier luxury car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce has decided to strengthen its operations in India, owing to the rapid growth of the Indian automobile industry. The British car maker has its presence in India for the past 75 years. When it entered the domestic market, back in 1932, the company primarily built aero engines that were first used in Tata Airlines.

Recently, Rolls-Royce Operations India Private Limited was established in Bangalore, amid celebrations of its 50-year-long partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in 2006. Since its establishment, Rolls-Royce has been inclined towards introducing its luxury cars in India. Rolls-Royce has now decided to expand its operations as well as its product range in India. Currently, the car maker has two dealerships located in Mumbai and Delhi. The company aims to achieve the desired level of expansion by the end of 2011 or early 2012.

For expanding the dealership network, the company has appointed Herfried Hasenoehrl as the Head of Business Development for Rolls-Royce India. He is expected to give new highs to the Rolls-Royce dealership network in the country. In addition, he will be responsible for identifying potential cities for sales of Rolls-Royce products.

Commenting on the new plans, Marketing and Events Manager, Rolls-Royce Asia-Pacific, Dan Balmer said, “Currently, we are in the process of identifying the dealers. We are looking for dealers who have high local connections.” He further added that various cities having the potential of achieving optimum success for the company through dealer network may include Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.

It is important to note that the British car maker has successfully launched two high-end luxury cars namely Rolls-Royce Ghost and Rolls-Royce Phantom in India. The luxury car maker reportedly sold a total number of 70 cars in 2010. The recent reports further suggested that the company has even mulled upon expanding its product division in the coming time. The company has revealed plans of launching the extended wheelbase model of Rolls-Royce Ghost in India, which would cost around Rs. 3.05 Crore.

Corporate Communication Manager at Rolls-Royce, Asia-Pacific division, Hal Serudin said, “With new dealers and new product, the potential market for Rolls Royce is around 100 units this year.”


Rolls-Royce has also confirmed on increasing the capacity size at the Goodwood plant situated in southern England. The company is planning to increase its current capacity size by 2500 sq. m. The company will invest 10 million pounds in its Bespoke division, where the personalised cars are manufactured. This step has been taken due to the increase in demand of vehicles that are equipped with the Bespoke element.

Considering the increasing demand for its cars with Bespoke element, the company has decided to invest 10 million pounds in the Bespoke segments that manufacturer personalised cars.

Hal Serudin also mentioned that, “Out of 10 cars sold in India, about 60-70% have some Bespoke element.” He also stated that the company's plans to expand operations can be attributed to the growing demand in Asia-Pacific countries including India, China, Korea and Singapore. Rolls-Royce has sold about 1,592 units this fiscal year, out of which the sales of the Asia-Pacific countries has increased by 150%.


Source: http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/rolls-royce-speeds-up-for-first-100-114798.html

BMW India investment to be Rs. 1.8 billion by 2012 end

By: Rush Lane
Source: http://www.rushlane.com

The BMW Group is increasing their investment in India to Rs. 1.8 billion by 2012 end. Up until, September 2010, the investment in BMW India was Rs. 1.1 billion. BMW has a production plant in Chennai with a production capacity 11,000 each year on a double shift basis, and has being looking at expending their dealership network here.

BMW India looks at providing 650 people employment by 2011 and additional 1200 jobs will be created in the dealer and service network. By 2012 end, the German auto maker looks forward to 40 dealerships pan India in comparison t the current 24 outlets.

Early in 2012, one would get a glimpse of the MINI in India. At last count, BMW India has sold 7252 luxury vehicles. In the Indian car market, BMW offers the 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, and, 7 Series luxury sedan. The BMW X5, X6, Z4, and Gran Turismo are made available here as CBU's (completely built-up units). The BMW X1, and X3 are produced at their Chennai plant. In addition, the BMW M3 Coupé, and, Convertible, M5, M6 Coupé, and, Convertible, X6 M, and 6 Series Individual and 7 Series Individual are made available on order at their dealerships.

Source: http://www.rushlane.com/bmw-india-investment-to-be-rs-1-8-billion-by-2012-end-1221964.html

HP Strengthens SMB Portfolio

By: CRN Network
Source: http://www.crn.in


HP has strengthened its product portfolio and services for the SMB segment, and has unveiled a slew of business notebooks, PCs, work stations, thin clients, retail solutions, and accessories.

The company launched notebooks HP ProBook 5330m and 4230s, HP EliteBook 2560p and 2760p, and docking solutions. In the business desktop PC range, HP has launched the Compaq 4000 Pro Series, Compaq 6200 Pro series, and 8200 Elite series. HP unveiled Z210 Workstation and EliteBook W-series for professionals. It also introduced t5740e thin client, rp5800 retail point-of-sale system, and HP docking station.

“The SMB market continues to be one of the fastest growing segments for us. Out of the $1.1 billion total addressable SMB market that includes hardware, software, and services, we are focused on $715 million, which excludes $385 million from whitebox products. With the help of our expanding channel base in commercial space that includes 157 premium business partners, 245 business partners, more than 1500 registered partners, and service network in 178 cities in India, the new product range will enable us to target SMBs with improved security, reliability, value, and increased ROI on technology investment. We are also tying up with various ISVs in the country who serve to specific requirements of a range of segments including manufacturing, leather, and import and exports to offer customized solutions for SMBs,” said Gurpreet Brar, Director, SMB and Commercial Channel, Personal Systems Group, HP India.

“For the upper mid market customers we offer financing facility, through our HP FS that is our financial arm, directly to the customers. We have also recently initiated a program under which we have select few partners across the country, which we will be financing on behalf of their end-customers in the upper mid market segment. For the small businesses, HP partners help their customers in financing through local financial institutions,” he added.

Reinforcing its focus on SMB segment, HP has also launched an interactive customer-focused Make IT Happen campaign 2011. This platform serves as an online information centre, where SMBs will have access to customer case studies, video streams, product information, and other resources aimed at helping small business owners achieve business results.

“From a customer education perspective, with the Make IT Happen campaign, SMB customers are learning more about the multitude of benefits of technology options available. It is an integrated digital campaign which has been launched in collaboration with Intel Corp and showcase to businesses the value of investing in technology,” said Brar.

Source: http://www.crn.in/Hardware-020Oct011-HP-Strengthens-SMB-Portfolio.aspx

Everything about Dell's BIG plans for India

By: Rediff Business
Source: http://www.rediff.com

He's hardly 15 weeks into his new job as executive vice-president of the applications and business process outsourcing (BPO) division of Dell Services in India, but Suresh Vaswani exudes confidence when talking about his new assignment.

Vaswani - also chairman of Dell India - has to build next-generation service offerings while simultaneously growing Dell's process capabilities across multiple industry verticals and market segments.

"It's early days but you can already sense that the services thrust has become very important to Dell," he asserts.

It's a tall order. Dell, which, according to industry estimates, has a revenue of nearly $2 billion in India, has been historically perceived as a technology company.

Vaswani, however, is no stranger to the services business, having been co-CEO of Wipro's IT business and an executive director on the board of Wipro before taking up this new job.

The shift at Dell took place around three years back, when it announced the acquisition of Perot Systems (rechristened Dell Services) for $3.9 billion, and heralded the company's foray into the services arena which was dominated by rivals IBM and Hewlett Packard (HP).

Till then, the slightly over $60 billion company was primarily known for its personal computer (PC) and hardware prowess, besides being the poster boy for supply chain practices with its direct sales model.

This April, Dell India simply reinforced this thrust on services when it put Vaswani at the helm of affairs of a company that is working hard to convince clients that it's much more than a technology products company.

"We have a leading position in the healthcare segment (because of Perot) and strong in the government and education verticals in the US. We also have a reasonable presence in banking, manufacturing and distribution," points out Vaswani, adding that "going forward, we will also sharpen our focus on applications and the business process outsourcing (BPO) space to give us a complete IT solutions' branding".

To achieve his objectives, the chairman of Dell India has a blueprint that spans across organic and inorganic (acquisitions) growth opportunities besides capitalising on Dell's "existing solutions for clients".

Inorganic growth, for instance, has been one of Dell's major strengths. In the last 12 years, it has made around 20 acquisitions - eight of which were done in the last two years. The names include Perot, KACE Networks, Exanet, Boomi, Compellent, SecureWorks and Force10.

"These acquisitions have been done to acquire technology, and not for market share," adds Vikas Bhonsle, general manager, public & large enterprise business of Dell India.

"We will continue to look at acquisitions in specific verticals. These will include intellectual property or large captive centres of customers. We will do acquisitions to strengthen our presence, especially in applications and BPO. We are looking at India-based global organisations," adds Vaswani.

On the organic front, Dell itself  "is a very large customer" for Vaswani's unit. However, Vaswani is not interested in playing the domestic BPO card.

"India is a strategic market for us, and one of the main reasons is that it is an evolving market for the services business. India also has a very good resource base for us in terms of talent. With a 23,000-member team, it has the second largest workforce of Dell outside the US. For our BPO business, India will continue as a delivery centre for global customers," explains Vaswani.

"Earlier, we had a lot of applications and BPO work in multiple places. These have been consolidated under one entity which has helped us enhance our internal delivery capabilities," says Vaswani who is also creating vertical business units such as healthcare (including consulting), manufacturing, retail, and commercial (including education and governments).

Dell India has also created horizontal capabilities which include Application Development & Maintenance, Application Support, Packaging & Implementation, Business Intelligence and the Global Delivery Model.

"Future delivery models include software as a service and cloud computing," says Vaswani. Cloud computing, he explains, is the "cornerstone" of Dell's strategy. "We have heavily invested in cloud integration capabilities for large and mid-sized companies," he adds.

Strong point

Dell India's services thrust is complementary to its hardware business. "All our clients need technology solutions. And all our solutions are centred at our PC base, workstations, printing etc.," points out Mahesh Bhalla, executive director and general manager for consumer & small medium business (CSMB).

Source: http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-tech-everything-about-dells-big-plans-for-india/20110905.htm

Intel to invest $20M in 6 Indian firms

By: EE Times
Source: http://www.eetimes.com

SAN FRANCISCO—Intel Capital, the venture capital arm of the world's biggest semiconductor, said it plans to invest roughly $20 million in six Indian companies.

Separately, Intel announced that Intel Capital invested in CareCloud, a healthcare IT company. Intel also confirmed that it has signed an agreement to buy Israeli navigation software firm Telmap, reportedly for between $300 million and $350 million.

Intel Capital said it would invest the $20 million in fabless semiconductor company Saankhya Labs Pvt. Ltd., independent test engineering and solutions provider Testing Czars, banking technology platform provider Financial Inclusion Network and Operations (FINO), TV programming guide provider What’s on India Pvt. Ltd., electronic payment solutions and processing provider enStage and solar power products provider Duron Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Intel Capital said the investments are part of its ongoing efforts to support Indian technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

"Indian entrepreneurs are increasingly at the forefront of innovation, using technology to change the way we live and do work. Intel Capital’s investments in these six companies will help them grow their businesses and push into new markets," said Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital and executive vice president of Intel, in a statement.
Intel said it has already completed investments in Saankhya Labs, Testing Czars and FINO . Intel Capital has signed investment agreements with What’s on India, enStage and Duron Energy, it said.

Details of the six investments, including the amount to be invested in each company, were not disclosed.

Funding for the investments announced by comes from the $250 million Intel Capital India Technology Fund established in December 2005, Intel said. This fund invests in Indian technology companies to stimulate local innovation and the continued growth of India's information technology industry, the company said.

Last week, the Reuters news service reported that Suresh Kumar Kuppam, managing director for Asia Pacific at Intel Capital, said valuations of early-stage technology companies in India are increasing and approaching a bubble stage.

"The computing revolution is just starting in India," said Navin Shenoy, vice president and general manager, Asia-Pacific, at Intel. "As PC ownership rises among Indian households, there is growing demand for online services and content. Intel is working closely with our Indian customers to help them meet this demand."

Last week, in a blog posting, Intel said Intel Capital has invested in CareCloud, a healthcare IT company that is utilizing cloud, mobile and social networking technologies to bring new capabilities and efficiencies to healthcare providers. CareCloud targets physician practices, offering apps for practice management, revenue cycle management and soon-to-be electronic medical record, according to Intel.


Source: http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4228865/Intel-to-invest--20M-in-6-Indian-firms

Mercedes Benz starts car leasing business in India

By: The Economic Times
Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI: German Luxury car maker Mercedes Benz on Tuesday started car renting business in India with the launch of Star Lease that will make available its complete range of cars for hire.

According to the new scheme, customers would have the option of leasing a Mercedes car on a monthly rental for a period ranging between 12 and 36 months.

Commenting on the development Mercedes Benz India Director Sales and Marketing Debashis Mitra said, "Consumers shall now have an option to drive away a Mercedes without any initial investment and just pay affordable rentals which shall cover all insurance and maintenance costs for three years."

Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-10-11/news/30266857_1_leasing-benz-financial-marketing-debashis-mitra

Komatsu Opens Second Production Base in India

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.komatsu.com



Komatsu Ltd. (President and CEO: Masahiro Sakane) held an opening ceremony at Komatsu India Private Limited today for its second production base in India. Komatsu India began operation in January this year, producing large dump trucks for mines in India.
In 1958, Komatsu signed a technical assistance agreement for bulldozers with the Government of India. This agreement was later passed to BHARAT EARTH MOVERS LTD. (BEML), an undertaking of the Government, through which Komatsu continued to make contributions to India's production of construction equipment. In 1998, Komatsu established L&T-Komatsu Limited jointly with Larsen & Toubro Ltd. and embarked on the production of hydraulic excavators.
As the 21st century was ushered in, the Indian economy was gaining full momentum in growth, expanding the nation's energy needs and infrastructure investments. As a result, India's resource development projects are buoyant, driven by the thriving demand for coal for thermal power generation and for the production of iron, copper and non-ferrous metals. Against this backdrop, the mining industry is modernizing operations with equipment, and this is sharply increasing demand for large equipment for mining use. Anticipating a high level of orders for off-highway dump trucks and other equipment to continue into the future, Komatsu decided to build this new local production base and commenced the construction in May last year.
Komatsu India's plant shares the basic design concepts with the Ibaraki Plant in Japan, which also opened in January this year, featuring a simple assembly line configuration and assembly instruction display system, among others. By making the production processes "visible" at the plants, Komatsu has established a solid quality assurance system.

Source: http://www.komatsu.com/CompanyInfo/press/2007032818281516865.html

A Grande Excursion to India

By: Katie Spence
Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com

India, the land of 1.21 billion people, may soon be getting its first Starbucks (NAS: SBUX) , thanks to a possible joint venture with Tata Coffee. A final deal is expected to be announced within the next three weeks, and if it goes through, it could mean great things for Starbucks shareholders.

Mmmmm, coffee
Although Indians are traditionally considered to be tea drinkers, according to a recent poll, overall domestic coffee consumption rose to an estimated 108,000 metric tons in 2010, which represents an 80% growth in the past decade -- and with numbers like this, you'd better believe Starbucks is sitting up and taking notice.

Moreover, India is considered to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and with U.S. consumer spending still on shaky ground, moving into countries such as India and China is one way Starbucks can continue to increase profits.

Going global
India is by no means the first global expansion project Starbucks has undertaken. In 1998, Starbucks opened a location in Taipei, and in 1999, Starbucks opened its first location in Beijing through a licensing agreement with Mei Da Coffee. Since these initial openings, Chinese consumers have responded favorably to Starbucks, and as of the end of 2010, there were more than 750 Starbucks locations throughout Greater China, which includes Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

In addition, Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz said in January that in the next five years, Starbucks plans to triple its outlets in Mainland China to 1,500. Clearly, business is going well both in China and internationally in general -- according to Starbucks' Q3 report for 2011, the company had record-breaking third-quarter sales thanks to an 8% increase in global comparable-store sales, and in Q3 FY11, international net revenue come to more than $658 million, which is a 20% increase over Q3 FY10.

Not without peril
Starbucks' expansion into India seems like a golden opportunity, but it does carry a certain degree of risk. Starbucks will have to compete with already established companies like Cafe Coffee Day, a unit of Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading, which runs the largest chain of coffee retailers in India, and Whitbread, which operates Costa Coffee Stores.

Still, if companies such as Coca-Cola (NYS: KO) , Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYS: CMG) , and Wal-Mart (NYS: WMT) have taught us anything, it's that international growth can mean good things for the company. Coke's total net revenue for Europe alone came to $1.6 billion for its most recent 10-Q; Chipotle headed across the pond to England in 2010 and this year opened its second location, because, as Chairman and co-CEO Steve Ells said, "We think the prospects are very good for Chipotle in London and around Europe." Wal-Mart, whose international ambitions are a major contributor to sales growth, realized 26% of its total revenue internationally.

Other coffee titans have also jumped on the potential for an international java boost. Sara Lee (NYS: SLE) has announced plans to spin off its international coffee and tea business and has a track record of gobbling up smaller foreign coffee companies. Kraft (NYS: KFT) has announced a similar plan to split into two more focused companies, with its Maxwell House brand making a new bed in the house of North American Grocery.

A perky future
The joint venture between Starbucks and Tata Coffee still has to be completed, but if it does get done, I believe the future of Starbucks in India will mean increased profits for Starbucks shareholders. Starbucks traded up 1% following the news of a possible joint venture on Tuesday. And with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEX: ^DJI) being a more negative than positive yo-yo these days, a 1% increase in a company's stock price is nothing to scoff at.

Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/10/12/a-grande-excursion-to-india/

Walmart to invest more in India if FDI policy is relaxed

By: rediff Business
Source: http://www.rediff.com

The world's largest retailer Walmart on Wednesday said its investments in India will grow manifold if foreign direct investment regulations on multi-brand retail are relaxed in the country.

Walmart said it will ramp up its investment in India to strengthen supply chains and enhance direct linkages with farmers in order to provide 'quality products at affordable' prices to Indian consumers.

"There would be manifold increase in investment by Walmart in India if FDI in multi-brand retail is opened up," Walmart India president Raj Jain told reporters on the sidelines of a CII event in New Delhi.

Walmart currently has 9 cash-and-carry stores in India through a joint-venture with Bharti Enterprises.

"Investment in India is not a problem, policy (FDI regulations) is a problem," Jain said.

At present, India does not allow FDI in multi-brand retail, which has restricted international players to the wholesale cash-and-carry business.

In the wholesale business, 100 per cent FDI is allowed, whereas in single brand retail, 51 per cent overseas investment is permitted.

While a committee of secretaries has given a green signal to FDI in multi-brand retail, the move requires political approval.

The government is still in the process of finding a political consensus on the issue.

Walmart currently works with a large number for farmers for direct sourcing of products

"We already work with farmers in the North and will soon start that in the South too. We are doing as much as we can, but our investments cannot be monetised on the back of wholesale alone," he said.

Through wholesale, the company anyway can not control the prices that end-consumers pay for the final products, he added.

Jain, however, did not share absolute numbers on the quantum of investment being made by the company in the country and the expected increase in case FDI is allowed in multi-brand retail in India going ahead.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-walmart-to-invest-more-if-fdi-policy-is-relaxed/20110928.htm

Target watching India retail space

By: Nivedita Mookerji
Source: http://business-standard.com
The India office of Target, the US retail major, is busy strategising these days on how to display products across the shelves of nearly 2,000 of its American stores, to woo Christmas shoppers.

The Bangalore hub, where Target has its India operation, is going all out, making predictions on the number of buyers expected in the holiday season and taking a call on what promotional offers would click at these US stores. All this, while Target Corporation's Minneapolis headquarters is watching the Indian retail space keenly. It is likely to finalise its plan for this market only after the chain’s Canada foray.

The retailer refers to its Bangalore operation as Target’s “second headquarters”. However, like any other multi-brand chain, it is not permitted to open stores in India yet. Currently, foreign direct investment (FDI) is not permitted in multi-brand retail. In single-brand retail, up to 51 per cent is allowed. There’s no restriction on FDI in cash and carry or the wholesale business.

Asked about the chain’s India plans in terms of opening multi-brand retail stores, Lalit Ahuja, chairman & president, Target Corporation India, told Business Standard, “We have started thinking beyond the shores (of the US) now. We will plan other international destinations once we have success in Canada. We will look at other international destinations at an appropriate time.”

Target has announced its Canada plan, and is slated to open anything between 100 and 150 stores there in 2013-14. Ahuja said the chain was closely tracking retail developments in India. According to him, it is only a matter of time before multi-brand retail is opened to foreign investment. This would benefit the sector in terms of technology, supply chain and best practices, he said.

On the industry view in the US, he said, “There’s a fair amount of interest in the big story in India.” However, also anxiety and frustration on how long it may take for India to open the sector. International majors such as Walmart (US), Tesco (UK) and Carrefour (France) have been waiting for years to open stores in India. On current operations, Ahuja said, “Where Minneapolis ends is where Bangalore begins.” The India operation is not an outsourcing entity; rather, it’s the second headquarters for Target, he reiterated. The Bangalore centre is focused on strategic work, finance, technology innovation, analytics, property development and marketing, among other functions. “The functions here are in-step and aligned with our counterparts in Minneapolis.”

Target India has 2,500 staffers. In addition, there are 1,000 contract workers. The company refused to give any investment figures, but said, “We have invested significantly”. “There are no specific numbers that we can give, but there’s a nice story ahead,” according to Ahuja.


Source: http://business-standard.com/india/news/target-watching-india-retail-space/454525/

Oracle India to hire 3,500 employees by May 2012

By: Sameer Ranjan Bakshi
Source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com
Oracle India on Thursday said it is looking to hire about 3500 employees by May 2012 for all its business verticals in the country.

As part of the ongoing recruitment drive within Asia Pacific, the heightened need in India, according to Oracle, is a result of the company’s growth across all business units — software, hardware, middleware, applications for Oracle and Oracle global business units and includes positions at all levels from graduates to senior sales staff. Oracle, which has current employee base of 21,000 plus employees, aid that the company would extensively promote this recruitment drive through social media like Facebook, twitter, Lin­kedin, YouTube and others.

Sandeep Mathur, managing director, Oracle, said, “Growth in India is being driven by government investment, telecom, banking and Healthcare and others. I-flex acquisition has helped us in servicing financial sectors”. Oracle has 7000 plus customers and 1000 plus partners. “There has never been a more exciting time to work for Oracle. Oracle has emerged as the technology partner of choice for many customers,” said Mathur.

He added, "With our current workforce and the new hire plan of adding 3,500 more people, we want to ensure we have the right talent, skills and attitude to fuel the growth of our company and serve our customers as they embark on their transformation journeys”.

Source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/jobs/oracle-india-hire-3500-employees-may-2012-200

New law to boost mining investment in India: Caterpillar

By: MSN News
Source: http://news.in.msn.com


Singapore, Oct 18 (PTI) Foreign investments in India�s mining sector will boom once the draft bill on the sector is passed by parliament, infrastructure major Caterpillar Asia said at a conference here today.

The Government is expected to introduce the draft bill to Parliament in the forthcoming Winter session.
"Our customers tell us that foreigners'' appetite for investment in the Indian mining sector will increase significantly as they gain confidence with the backing of the new law," Kevin Thieneman, President for Caterpillar Asia, said at the annual Global Entrepolis Singapore conference.

Caterpillar, a global heavy-duty machinery producer, has several customers in the infrastructure and mining sectors in India.

Thieneman -- who is also the chairman of the Caterpillar China -- said Indonesia and Vietnam had modernised their mining laws and it was now for India to do so and bring about certainties in the sector and boost investor confidence.

He said investors would want the law to provide security and certainty for their investments in the mining projects, which have grown bigger and involve high risks.

Among major changes in the law would be the uniform structure of royalties across the country instead of the current state-by-state tax structure, Theineman said.

Speaking to PTI after addressing the conference, he said the Indian mining industry was expecting the law to be passed by December though it would depend on parliamentary proceedings.

Sounding bullish on business prospects in India, he noted the slower parliamentary process but said he was "hopeful" that the new law will be passed in the next parliamentary session and give boost to the mining sector.

The conference was opened by Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang who said emerging Asia would provide growth opportunities in an increasingly volatile environment. PTI CORR MM

Source: http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5523326

IBM Opens Office in Indore, Madhya Pradesh Expanding its Foothold in India

By: Katelyn Noland
Source: http://blog.executivebiz.com
IBM has opened a new branch office in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in central India as part of the company’s initiative to increase its presence in key growth markets.

IBM now has 15 branches in the country and plans to establish footing in more than 40 Indian cities by 2013.

This branch will strengthen IBM’s ability to deliver more advanced solutions such as information management, security and networking, cloud computing, business analytics, strategic outsourcing and hosting services, according to the company.

Opening the new branch is part of IBM’s ongoing investment in India, focusing on smaller cities across the country in order to meet needs of clients and partners.

“IBM is a partner to innovative and high-growth companies across India,” said Nipun Mehrotra, vice president of general business and geographic expansion, IBM India/South Asia. “By strengthening our presence in the Madhya Pradesh region we are able to offer the most advanced technologies and solutions to our local partners and clients, helping them to do things smarter and break away from the rest of the pack.”

IBM says it is already engaged with clients and partners in multiple industries in this area, some of which include food manufacturers Sonic Biochem and Everfresh Bakeries as well as textile manufacturing company Pratibha Syntex.

IBM is partnering with Sonic Biochem Extractions in a 10 year outsourcing contract where IBM will host and manage Sonic Biochem’s IT infrastructure including storage, servers, network equipment and security solutions.

Source: http://blog.executivebiz.com/2011/11/ibm-opens-office-in-indore-madhya-pradesh-expanding-its-foothold-in-india/

Ferrari zooms into Indian market

By: Malvika Sampat
Source: http://investmoneyinindia.com

Taking account of the Indian premium car market, one of the worlds most admired brand, Ferrai is making roads into Indian market.

Ferrrai, the style icon and luxury sports car is targeting the super rich segment in India.

Ferrari has officially entered the Indian market with popular models such as Ferrari California priced at Rs. 2.2 crore, 458 Italia at Rs. 2.56 crore and 599GTB Fiorano tagged at Rs. 3.37 crore. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

Ferrari’s latest model the FF, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will also be available. It carries a price tag of Rs. 3.41 crore.

Booking of the cars has already started with the opening of the first dealership in the national capital. The second showroom will be operational in the second half of 2011 in financial capital, Mumbai.

The company expect to sell more than 100 cars in the next 2-3 years.

Ferrari SpA Chief Executive Officer Amedeo Felisa told that the company has appointed the Shreyans Group as its official importer in India. India is the 58th market for Ferrari. Explaining the late arrival of Ferrari in India, Felisa said it was waiting for the right time to enter the market.

Now Ferrari is in India, a part of the Fiat group, and like its parent Ferrari too shares a string relationship with the Tata Group. TCS develops software for Ferrari’s road and race cars and it was a foregone conclusion at one time that the brand would ride into India on Tata’s shoulders.

Source: http://investmoneyinindia.com/3090/ferrari-zooms-into-indian-market

BMW is investing more than 1 billion euros ($1.42 billion) in factories including in India

By: Alex Webb
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s biggest maker of luxury cars, is operating factories at more than 110 percent of capacity on record demand for models like the X3 and X1 sport-utility vehicles.

BMW plans to make a decision to add new production facilities in growing markets, including Brazil, as it aims to lift sales to 2 million vehicles a year by 2020 from a target of 1.6 million this year, Frank-Peter Arndt, the carmaker’s production chief, said today in Munich. The company aims to increase output further next year with the introduction of the revamped 3-Series sedan, he said.

“We are a business that aims for permanent and long-term success,” Arndt said at an event marking the start of production of the 35,350-euro 3-Series sedan. “We will seek in 2012 to exceed these successful levels of 2011.”

BMW is hoping that the sixth generation of its best seller will preserve its lead over Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi and Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz, which have both set their sights on the overtaking the Munich-based manufacturer. BMW is investing more than 1 billion euros ($1.42 billion) in factories in Germany and South Africa to produce the vehicle.

The maker of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles plans to expand production at plants in Russia, India and Thailand, where it assembles parts produced elsewhere, Arndt said. The annual capacity at a factory in Chennai, India, will double from the current 20,000 units, he said.

Even with the growth plans, BMW is prepared for a potential slowdown in demand and can reduce production volumes by 20 percent to 30 percent if necessary, Arndt said. BMW measures full capacity at a plant based on two eight-hour shifts, staffed five days per week and 47 weeks per year, according to the executive.

BMW is scheduled to report earnings for the third quarter on Nov. 3. The manufacturer is expected to report a 32 percent increase in earnings before interest and taxes of 1.57 billion euros, based on the average of 14 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-28/bmw-factories-work-overtime-on-strong-demand-for-x3-x1-models.html