Archive: January 2, 2026

Modis Navnirman Limited Wins INR250 Crore Housing Society Redevelopment Mandate in Mumbai

Mumbai, India, Jan 02nd: Modis Navnirman Limited, one of Mumbai’s fastest-growing real estate developers in the redevelopment segment, today announced its appointment as the developer for the redevelopment of BOI Staff Sheetal Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., located at Ramnagar, S.V. Road, Borivali (West), Mumbai – 400 092.

The redevelopment project is spread across a land parcel of approximately 3924.91 Sq. Mtrs of plot area and is estimated to have a Gross Development Value (GDV) of approximately ₹ 250 crore. The project will focus on creating a modern, high-quality residential development that significantly enhances safety standards, sustainability features, and lifestyle amenities for residents.

The society has successfully completed the 79A procedure in full compliance with all applicable statutory requirements, marking a critical milestone in the redevelopment journey. Following this, 100% of the society members have provided their unanimous consent to appoint Modis Navnirman Limited as the developer, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s execution capabilities, transparency, and redevelopment track record.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Mahek Modi, Whole Time Director and Chief Financial Officer, Modis Navnirman Limited, said: “The unanimous mandate from all members of BOI Staff Sheetal Co-operative Housing Society is a strong validation of the trust reposed in Modis Navnirman. Redevelopment goes beyond construction—it requires empathy, clear communication, and a long-term vision for value creation. This project reinforces our commitment to responsible redevelopment and delivering contemporary living spaces that elevate urban lifestyles in Mumbai.”

This appointment further strengthens Modis Navnirman Limited’s expanding redevelopment portfolio across Mumbai, particularly in well-established suburban micro-markets such as Borivali West. The project aligns with the company’s strategic focus on transforming aging housing societies into future-ready residential developments, while maintaining a strong emphasis on transparency, timely execution, and sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.

5 Ways Online EV Marketplaces Are Making It Easier to Choose the Right E-Scooter

A couple of years ago, McKinsey conducted a revealing survey on electric two-wheeler buying behavior, and since then, the shift toward online discovery and decision-making has only accelerated. The survey found that 85 percent of EV buyers begin their purchase journey online, 50 percent are willing to buy a two-wheeler fully online, and 80 percent still want at least one physical touchpoint before completing the purchase. These findings point to how buyers are increasingly digital in the way they discover, evaluate, and decide on electric two-wheelers.

Choosing the right electric scooter can be difficult. Online EV marketplaces are emerging as a primary starting point for consumers navigating the category, for the following reasons:

1. Easy discovery: Online EV marketplaces simplify discovery by bringing together scooters from multiple brands, price segments, and performance categories in one place. Instead of navigating individual brand websites or relying on limited local options, buyers can quickly scan the market, shortlist models, and understand what is available across different budgets and use cases.

2. Greater trust through independent information: Because most online marketplaces are not tied to a single manufacturer, they are better positioned to present information more objectively. Verified specifications, expert reviews, and user feedback help buyers assess range claims, battery chemistry, warranties, and service readiness without relying solely on brand marketing. This independent layer of information is especially important for first-time EV buyers.

3. Simpler and more meaningful comparisons: Electric scooters introduce decision variables that are unfamiliar to many consumers, including charging time, battery degradation, running costs, and long-term ownership economics. Online marketplaces reduce this complexity through side-by-side comparisons, filters, expert insights, and cost-of-ownership calculators. These tools help buyers understand trade-offs clearly rather than making decisions based only on headline price or advertised range.

4. Equal access regardless of location: By operating at a regional or national level, online EV marketplaces give buyers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities access to the same information as consumers in major metros. Even when test rides or purchases happen offline, discovery and evaluation are no longer constrained by geography. This broader access supports the spread of EV adoption beyond large urban centers.

5. Supporting a hybrid buying journey: The McKinsey findings underline an important reality. While buyers are increasingly comfortable researching and shortlisting online, many still seek some form of physical reassurance before committing. Online marketplaces support this hybrid journey by handling discovery, education, and comparison digitally, while enabling smooth transitions to offline touchpoints such as test rides, dealer visits, or local service interactions when required.

Here are 5 marketplaces making life easier:

BikeDekho provides electric scooter discovery through reviews, comparisons, user inputs, and dealer connections.

BikeWale offers specifications, pricing tools, reviews, and comparisons to help buyers evaluate electric scooters across brands.

91Wheels focuses on reviews, comparisons, and up-to-date specifications across bikes, scooters, and electric vehicles.

Lilypad is a dedicated electric two-wheeler marketplace that aggregates multiple EV brands and supports buyers through discovery and test ride access. Among the platforms listed, it uniquely combines online research with offline home demonstrations.

Droom extends its digital automobile marketplace to electric scooters, offering discovery, comparison, financing, and delivery support.

Conclusion

Online EV marketplaces are becoming the default entry point for electric scooter purchases. By simplifying discovery, improving access to information, enabling clearer comparisons, and supporting increasingly digital buyer journeys, they reduce friction in a complex and fast-evolving market. As electric two-wheelers continue to scale, platforms that align closely with how consumers research and decide will play an important role in shaping EV adoption in India.

Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels expands Rajasthan footprint with new Regenta signing in Jodhpur

Samsung Unveils the Freestyle plus Ahead of CES 2026, Showcasing a Smarter AI Portable Screen

Gurugram, India Jan 02nd: Samsung, India’s leading consumer electronics brand, today announced the global launch of The Freestyle+, its latest AI-powered portable projector designed to deliver a more flexible and personalized entertainment experience across a wide range of spaces.

Unveiled ahead of CES 2026 in Las Vegas, The Freestyle+ builds on the distinctive design of the original Freestyle while introducing smarter AI capabilities, improved brightness and expanded entertainment features — allowing users to enjoy content more freely, with minimal setup or adjustment.

“The Freestyle+ reflects Samsung’s vision to create displays that adapt naturally to how people live and move between spaces,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “By combining true portability with intelligent AI that optimizes both the viewing environment and the content itself, The Freestyle+ makes it easier to enjoy a consistent, high-quality experience wherever you are.”

Smarter AI That Lets You Point and Play Instantly

At the core of The Freestyle+ is AI OptiScreen, Samsung’s AI-powered screen optimization technology that automatically adjusts the picture to different spaces — so users can simply point, place and start watching.

AI OptiScreen includes a set of intelligent features designed to automatically optimize the picture across different surfaces and environments:

3D Auto Keystone automatically corrects distortion even when projecting onto uneven or non-flat surfaces, such as corners, curtains or angled walls.
Real-time Focus continuously adjusts focus as the projector moves or rotates, helping maintain clear, stable images without blurring or visual noise.
Screen Fit automatically adjusts the image to match the screen area when used with a compatible projector screen accessory.
Wall Calibration analyzes the color or pattern of the projection surface and minimizes visual distractions for clearer viewing.

This intelligent viewing experience is further supported by Vision AI Companion, Samsung’s personalized AI platform for screens, which integrates enhanced Bixby with AI services from global partners to enable more natural, conversational interaction with on-screen content.

Light to Carry, Designed for Everyday Viewing

Designed with portability in mind, The Freestyle+ features a compact cylindrical form factor that is easy to move between rooms or take on the go. With 430 ISO Lumens, it delivers nearly twice the brightness of the previous generation, helping content appear clear and engaging in everyday living environments.

Designed for everyday viewing, The Freestyle+ lets users move it freely without worrying about whether the space is “right” for projection. Its 180-degree rotating design supports projection at virtually any angle — including walls, floors and ceilings — without additional mounts or accessories, enabling flexible viewing setups that adapt naturally to different rooms and moments throughout the day.

On-the-Go Entertainment with Immersive Sound

Designed for moments beyond the living room, The Freestyle+ brings entertainment with you — without relying on external devices or fixed setups. Built-in access to Samsung TV Plus, certified OTT service partners and Samsung Gaming Hub allows users to stream, play and explore content directly from the projector without the need for external devices.

For audio, The Freestyle+ delivers immersive, room-filling sound through its built-in 360-degree speaker, tuned to produce richer, fuller audio in a compact design. Q-Symphony allows the projector to work in sync with compatible Samsung soundbars, creating a more layered and cohesive sound experience wherever it is used.

MSDE Concludes Week long Kaushal Manthan to Shape Skilling Roadmap for 2026

Mumbai, Jan 2: Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, chaired the concluding session of the week-long (23rd December 2025-31st December 2025) Kaushal Manthan, bringing together senior officials across divisions, institutions, and key stakeholders from MSDE.

The objective of the discussions held over a period of one week was to identify priority reforms and initiatives, aligned with national priorities. Deliberations focused on building a robust, responsive, and outcome-oriented skilling ecosystem. The session culminated in the firming up of Skill Resolutions for 2026, which will guide policy action and programme implementation in the coming year.

Emphasis was placed on the next phase of reforms, with a sharper focus on outcomes, stronger convergence with State Governments and industry, and improved monitoring of training quality, assessments, and certifications.

A key theme of the discussions was the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms while simplifying systems. Proposed directions include outcome-based grading mechanisms for ITIs to drive quality improvement, delegation of powers to regional and institutional levels to enable ease of doing business. The reorganization and strengthening of Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) was also discussed, alongwith regular review of SSCs and assignment of KPIs. The deliberations highlighted the need for continuous curriculum upgradation in line with technological change and industry demand.

Modernising curriculum and, strengthening industry co-creation, and ensuring flexibility and adaptability in training design were identified as key enablers for building a resilient skilling ecosystem.

Creation of clear and seamless pathways across skill levels was emphasized upon; from school to post-school, for dropouts, working professionals, and lifelong learners supported by credit frameworks and mobility across programmes.

During the recently held CS Conference MSDE had committed to establishing a National Federated Skill and Workforce Registry, operationalising a National Trainer Framework, repositioning apprenticeships as the primary school-to-work pathway, and integrating MSMEs into national skilling and apprenticeship frameworks in a time-bound manner.

The Kaushal Manthan reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to regular and structured consultations with State Governments, deeper and continuous industry engagement, strengthened inter-ministerial and institutional convergence

These common levers are expected to underpin the implementation of reforms and ensure alignment across stakeholders.

Renault India Gains Strong Momentum in H2 CY2025; December Sales Rise 33.4percent YoY

Chandigarh, Jan 01st:  Renault India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Renault Group, reported a strong sales acceleration in the second half of CY2025, driven by consistent improvement in quarterly performance and a sharp surge in December. The company recorded 18.2% year-on-year growth in H2 CY2025, with Q4 sales growing by 27.3%, reflecting a clear turnaround in market traction.

December 2025 emerged as one of the strongest months of the year, with Renault India selling 3845 units, marking a 33.4% increase over December 2024. The consistent recovery gained momentum from Q3 onwards, which closed with positive year-on-year growth, and further strengthened in Q4 as refreshed products reached customers across markets.

Commenting on the performance, Stephane Deblaise, CEO, Renault Group India, said, “The H2 performance of CY2025 clearly reflects the direction we have taken for Renault in India. After a phase of portfolio transition, the consistent recovery from Q3 onwards – culminating in a strong Q4 and our best monthly performance in December, confirms that the course correction we initiated is delivering tangible results. The momentum we are seeing today is a direct outcome of that approach. With the right building blocks now in place, we are entering the next phase with confidence, and the return of the iconic Duster will mark a significant step forward in Renault’s renewed journey in India.”

The recovery in sales momentum coincided with a series of decisive strategic actions undertaken in 2025, underscoring Renault India’s long-term commitment to the market. These included the rollout of new ‘R’ stores to enhance retail experience, the establishment of the Renault Design Centre in India to strengthen local product relevance, the introduction of a 3-year standard warranty to improve ownership confidence, and the consolidation of 100% ownership of the manufacturing facility, reinforcing Renault Group’s commitment to India as a key growth market.

Renault India also refreshed its core products during the year, with new Triber launched in July and new Kiger in August, helping drive improved customer response in the latter part of the year. Combined with sharper execution across sales and network operations, these initiatives contributed to the strong exit momentum seen in Q4.

Notably, the company is bringing the Iconic Duster back to India, scheduled for unveil on 26th January 2026.

Škoda Auto’s silver jubilee year in India becomes its biggest-ever

Pune, Jan 01st: Škoda Auto marked 2025 as its most defining year in its India journey so far. It marked its 25th anniversary in the country with its strongest-ever sales performance. The brand closed 2025 with sales of 72,665 cars, registering a 107% year-on-year growth compared to 35,166 units sold in 2024. This exceptional performance makes 2025 Škoda Auto India’s biggest year ever, reflecting the surge in momentum across products, markets and customer touchpoints.

Commenting on the landmark year, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “The year 2025 will always remain a special one for us. It marks our 25th anniversary in India, and it has seen us with our most enhanced and diverse product portfolio ever, and we are now at our widest when it comes to network and market presence. All of this, combined with the trust and love our customers have shown us, has driven us to our biggest year ever in India. The overwhelming response to the Kylaq, the continued admiration for the Kodiaq, and the passionate enthusiasm for the return of the Octavia RS reaffirm the strong emotional connect customers share with the brand. Alongside this, the cars that started our India 2.0 journey, Kushaq and Slavia, continue to see sustained demand. As we step into 2026, we look forward to carrying this momentum forward with a renewed product offensive, sharper sales and aftersales initiatives, and an even stronger focus on expanding our reach and getting closer to our customers.”

Building Relevance

Škoda Auto India’s performance in 2025 was anchored in a clear product and network strategy. The Kylaq emerged as a key growth driver, significantly expanding the brand’s accessibility, while limited editions of the Kushaq and Slavia enhanced value and freshness across the line-up. The Kodiaq strengthened Škoda’s presence in the premium SUV space, and the return of the Octavia RS reignited the brand’s performance legacy. During the year, Škoda Auto India also crossed the milestone of selling over 200,000 locally produced cars since 2021, while expanding its footprint to over 325 Customer Touchpoints across 183 cities, reinforcing its commitment to democratising European engineering across India. A large part of the network expansion has been undertaken with Škoda Auto’s long-term dealer partners in India, while also bringing new partners with a proven track record of customer centricity into the fold.

Driving Differentiation

Beyond products, 2025 saw Škoda Auto India enhance its brand voice through meaningful storytelling, cultural relevance and customer-centric experiences. India became the first large Škoda market globally to complete a 100% rebranding of its network with the updated Corporate Identity and Design, reinforcing a unified and modern brand experience for the customers. Customer communication took a significant leap forward with the onboarding of Ranveer Singh as Škoda Auto India’s first-ever Brand Superstar, adding youthful energy and cultural resonance to the brand. Later in the year, building on this momentum, the ‘Fans, Not Owners’ campaign celebrated the deep emotional affinity people share with Škoda that goes beyond ownership. The brand also collaborated with global sitar maestro Rishab Sharma for the Octavia RS campaign, bringing a contemporary and expressive lens to performance storytelling and helping to connect with new audiences. 

Strengthening Trust

Škoda Auto India strengthened its service ecosystem by expanding the combined sales and aftersales workforce at its dealerships to over 7,500 professionals, supported by more than 25,000 training days during the year. The brand also introduced enhanced ownership benefits, including extended standard warranties across the range, along with feature-led value upgrades aimed at lowering ownership costs and elevating the overall service experience. Trust in the brand’s engineering and capability was further reinforced through multiple initiatives. Some of them included the Fans of Škoda Leh expedition. It earned recognition from the India and Asia Book of Records for being the largest convoy to reach Umling La, then the world’s highest motorable road. Another such initiative saw the Kodiaq become the first petrol-powered SUV to reach the North Face base camp of Mount Everest.

As Škoda Auto India enters 2026, the brand remains focused on building on the strong foundation laid in its silver jubilee year, through new product introductions, expanded sales and aftersales initiatives, deeper market penetration and a continued emphasis on listening to and evolving with its customers.

CarDekho Group continues standalone profitability streak, achieves 24percent consolidated revenue growth with INR 2,795 crore revenue in FY25

CarDekho Group, India’s leading classified platform player, recorded a total revenue of INR 2,795 crores in FY25, a 24% growth year-over-year from INR 2,250 crores in FY24. The Group’s financials reflect steady performance throughout its diversified portfolio, spanning across auto classifieds, fintech, mobility solutions, insur-tech, and international businesses. The overall growth trajectory was driven by strong performances across the businesses and in particular by its fleet-management business, Carrum. The Group reduced its consolidated losses from INR 276 crores to 266 crores (before exceptional items and share of losses in associates) which were primarily driven by growth stage losses in its insurance and Southeast Asia businesses, while maintaining a net cash reserve of INR 1,177 crores.

The standalone business, which houses the flagship auto classified and financing business, posted profitability for second year in a row (before exceptional items) with revenue crossing INR 1,000 crore.

The Groups’ auto classifieds business continued to be the preferred choice for Indian customers to discover, research and buy automobiles in India, and compounded its profitability by 60% as it continues to drive operating leverage. The group also continued to focus on integrating AI to redefine the mobility landscape in India and beyond, with investments towards AI and deep-tech advancements. The business also took steps to expand its geographical footprint with regional tie-ups in UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The brand aims to replicate the Indian growth playbook to cater to the evolving preferences of digitally savvy auto buyers in the Middle East region.

Rupyy, the digital lending platform of CarDekho Group, maintained its leadership in the used cars financing segment The used car loan distribution business, along with other segments like new car, commercial vehicle and personal loans distribution business achieved loan throughput of approx. INR 16,000 crore. Notably, the new car financing business grew by 97%. Serving over 95% pin codes, rupyy is making auto financing more accessible to customers nationwide.

Carrum, the fleet management business that CarDekho Group invested in early FY25 also delivered strong results and grew multifold. The brand partnered with Uber to manage Uber Black fleet in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. With a fleet of 1500+ cars, Carrum now operates in all major Tier 1 cities in the country. 

Revv, the shared mobility startup that CarDekho Group acquired in FY24 grew 40% Y-o-Y. The business expanded its reach to 16 cities, 1,300+ cars and served over 65,000 customers in FY25, empowering India with flexible yet reliable mobility offerings.

With renewed focus on the education ecosystem, the Groups’ ed-tech platform, CollegeDekho expanded to 2000 college partners and empowered 90,000 students of India to find right higher education pathway. Expanding on its core classified strength, the Group planned to double down its investment in CollegeDekho and announced the investment in December 2025.

Amongst the Groups’ investments, InsuranceDekho demonstrated strong growth, with presence in over 1500+ cities. InsuranceDekho covered 98% of India’s pin codes and served 3.3 Mn customers, insuring 18 individuals nationwide every minute. Southeast Asia business also continued to offer auto classifieds and auto financing services in Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines.

Mayank Gupta, Group CFO of CarDekho Group, said, “Our FY25 performance reflects a steady growth pace on consolidated as well as standalone level. With increased focus on profitability, we have attained profitability for 2nd year in a row for standalone business and are on the path of achieving profitability for the Group as well. As we build for the new-age India, we strategically plan to continue strengthening the auto ecosystem while continuing to invest in adjacencies. In FY25, this led to investments in Carrum and Revv, and global expansion to Middle East (UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). In parallel, we aim to double down our focus on CollegeDekho to strengthen India’s talent pool and contribute to Skill India initiative in our country’s path to Viksit Bharat. At the core of our strategy is a clear commitment to sustainable growth, prudent capital allocation, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”