Automatically log 13 metrics in Apple Health when you step on this $17 smart scale (23% off)

The official RENPHO Amazon storefront is offering its Bluetooth Smart Scale for $16.99 Prime shipped. For comparison, its been hovering around $22 as of late, leaving 23% in savings up for grabs. Todays deal is about $2.50 above the all-time low we saw back in late February. Now that were finally closing in on summer weather, its time to watch your weight drop thanks to a likely increase in activity. I got my first smart scale about 10 years ago, and Im happy I did. Now I can look back and identify seasonal trends. Its been a relief to know in the middle of winter that my weight hasnt changed in a way that is outside of the norm. This goes for all the metrics I have logged in Apple Health. With this smart scale, youll be able to automatically log 13 measurements ranging from body weight to BMI in platforms like Apple Health, Google Fit, and more. Simply download the RENPHO Health app from the App Store or Google Play to get everything up and running. Continue reading for more. more

Indias Auto Retail Clocks Robust 27% Growth in April

Pune: The automobile retail sales surged 27 per cent in April, the first month of this fiscal, to 2.2 million units compared to the year before, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations or FADA said on Wednesday. As many as 1.74 million units were sold in April 2023. Positive market sentiments, bolstered by stable fuel prices, a favourable monsoon outlook, festive demand and the marriage season, contributed to this sales rise, FADA said. New model launches also helped drive growth, despite some delays in supply, it noted. Sales of two-wheeler, three-wheeler, passenger vehicle, tractor and commercial vehicle grew by 33 per cent, 9 per cent, 16 per cent, 1 per cent, and 2 per cent respectively. Auto dealers sold 3,35,123 passenger vehicles in April to mark a record as against 2,89,056 units sold last year. As many as 90,707 commercial vehicles were sold in April compared to 88,663 units the same time last year. The segment grew 2 per cent Y-o-Y growth and declined 0.6 per cent month-on-month. Three-wheeler sales touched 80,105 units, compared to 73,310 in April 2023. As many as 56,625 tractors were sold, compared to 55,857 units in April 2023. The passenger vehicle category experienced double-digit year-on-year growth, supported by enhanced model availability and favourable market sentiments, particularly around festive events like Navratri and Gudi Padwa, said FADA President Manish Raj Singhania. He said despite strong bookings and customer flow, high competition, excess supply and discounting presented challenges for sustained growth. The lack of new models in some portfolios also impacted market traction, Singhania noted. The two-wheeler segment grew due to improved supply and demand for 125cc models. As many as 1.64 million two-wheelers were sold in April compared to 1.23 million units in the same month last year. Lok Sabha elections had a major impact on positive two wheeler sales, noted Singhania. Positive momentum was found in bulk and corporate deals and school bus demand, though elections dampened sentiment, with customers delaying expansion plans. Limited finance options and regional challenges such as water scarcity further impacted performance, he said. While some attribute this growth to the shift in Navratri to April instead of March last year, the overall increase was significant. Comparing March and April 2024 with the same period last year shows a 14 per cent Y-o-Y growth for the entire industry, Singhania said. Improved supply and planning in the 2W segment have improved customer bookings and market sentiment, driven by positive crop yields said FADA about its May outlook. In the passenger vehicle segment, new model launches and favourable monsoon forecasts would stimulate customer interest, while bulk deals in the commercial vehicle segment should bolster demand in sectors like iron ore, steel, and cement, FADA said.

Custodial death: High court orders fresh autopsy of accused in case related to firing outside Salman Khans residence

Man Shares Video Of Auto Rickshaw Being Driven In California, Internet Reacts

Since being shared, the video has amassed over eight lakh views and 22,000 likes on the platform.

Ola Electric motorcycle design patent leaked!

In 2023, Ola Electric revealed four electric motorcycle concepts. The company certainly has ambitions to enter this space of the EV market, and now an image of what could be the brand's first e-bike has leaked online. The leaked patent image reveals what appears to be an entry-level electric motorcycle, unlike the fancy concepts we saw last year. It has a futuristic design with crisp lines and angular surfaces all around. The electric bike is equipped with a conventional telescopic front fork and dual shock absorbers with a box-type swingarm at the rear. It rides on alloy wheels, shod with narrow tyres, aimed at reducing drag. While technical details are not available at the moment, the electric motor and battery pack could be housed within the frame of the bike, protected by flat body panels. Looking at the overall shape of Ola's electric bike, it could be a possible rival to the Revolt RV400 and Tork Kratos R. Source: Bikewale

PreSonus debuts next-gen Quantum audio interface lineup with reamping, auto gain, more

Today, PreSonus is ready to unveil its next-generation audio interfaces. The new PreSonus Quantum Audio Interfaces are debuting today as the brands latest solution for sound makers, guitar players, and even podcasters looking to bring some solid quality audio into their system. PreSonus had a big year in 2023, releasing some of our favorite new desktop speakers and studio monitors across a spectrum of price ranges, from the wonderful entry-level Eris option right through to the pro-grade models, and we loved our hands-on time with them they were an easy pick for our 2023 Favorite Things list . Fast forward to 2024, and now the brand is aiming its focus on the analog to digital and back again interface space. Head below for more and a closer look at the new PreSonus Quantum Audio Interfaces. more

Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber patent image leaked

Royal Enfield plans to launch six new motorcycles this year, which includes the Classic 350 Bobber. Here's a leaked patent image that reveals new details of the upcoming bike. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber is rumoured to be called Goan Classic 350. It has a circular headlamp with pilot lights on either side, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank and a tall handlebar. The bike could get the option of a dual-seat setup with a removable pillion seat. Another interesting design detail about the Goan Classic 350 is the white wall tyres that wrap around wire-spoke wheels. The Classic 350 Bobber is expected to be powered by the same 349cc J Series engine that is offered on the standard Classic 350. It produces 20.2 BHP and 27 Nm and will be paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The bike will feature a conventional telescopic fork at the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear. The braking setup will consist of discs at both ends supported by dual-channel ABS. Source: Bikewale

Nexon DCA abruptly shifts to neutral when driving; Have a few questions

BHPian red_hot_punto recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I'm going to talk about the Abrupt, automatic transition of drive mode from Drive to Neutral when the new Nexon facelift 2K24 DCA was on the move! Hope this is the right place to share the below information. A week back last Sunday 24th March, my friend was driving from his home town Murudeshwar back to Bengaluru in his brand new 2K24 Nexon DCA facelift model bought on Feb 14. So the car was just 38 days on the roads with occasional use for just learning. Below are his own words: We were heading towards Bangalore from Murudeshwar via Shivamogga on a Sunday 24th March. Just after our journey of covering around 130 km while the car was on the move, the gear came to Neutral automatically and the accelerator was not working. It happened near the ghat section before Sagar. There we turned off the ignition completely and restarted after 10 minutes, then the car started working and with Drive mode it went for 80km and again while from Running mode changed to city, then to sports and later to economy mode automatically on its own and abruptly came to Neutral. l! The transmission unit was completely locked while the car was running. With God's grace, the road was free and we were able to park the car next to the road. Further tries to restart went in vain. And luckily it all happened at noon. Then we started contacting the showroom where the vehicle was purchased. Since it was Sunday they said no service person was available so contact the toll-free number directly. Later I contacted the toll-free number and the vehicle was towed to the nearest service centre. Initially, Tata wanted to provide transportation for only 50kms where Bengaluru was still 270 km away. But later agreed to provide transportation for the family including a small kid to reach Bangalore only after some harsh exchange of words. We reached Bangalore post midnight. Imagine the situation if we would have got stuck in the ghats where the network would be very low or if the time had happened in the middle of the night! Got an update from the service centre after 1 week. They mentioned that 2 engine components are malfunctioning: the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) & ABS (not sure how ABS is related to this). They ordered from TATA MOTORS and said it would take another 10 days to repair the vehicle. Now the big questions below:What would have been the consequence if the acceleration failure had crept in right at the time of overtaking with another vehicle approaching from the opposite side at high speed?Considering my friend is a newbie, how he would have handled such a critical failure during an uphill ascent?How confidently he can overtake in the future even if gets the vehicle repairedHow trustworthy is Tata when it comes to reliabilityCan someone think of night drives after such a harsh experience?Is the problem unique with DCAs alone and is not mature and reliable enough?How long has DCA technology been in use worldwideCan something similar happen with the manuals from TataHe is yet to get the vehicle back. Can someone suggest what guarantee he should get from the Tatas before he takes the delivery? Whether it should be in writing? Highly appreciate any suggestion regarding the matter. Below are some pics: Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Auto driver arrested for molesting minor school girl in Nagpur

Nagpur: In a shocking incident, an auto driver was booked under Sections of POCSO Act after he was found molesting a minor school girl inside his auto near Green Planet Colony, Omkar Nagar here, on Wednesday afternoon. A vigilant citizen reportedly shot the video of the incident, which ultimately helped cops to trace the accused [] The post Auto driver arrested for molesting minor school girl in Nagpur appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .

Happy with my S1 Pro but Ola should improve these two things

BHPian bijims recently shared this with other enthusiasts.UpdateAs expected with Ola (they are notorious for having poor after-sales and customer service), there was ZERO response after this. With me being busy for my trip to Muscat, I decided to try out all the features and functions of the scooter for the last couple of days before my trip, thankfully, most of the features work as expected, except the Proximity Unlock which has a mind of its own (It's still in Beta though) as well as Hill Hold which doesn't work at all when riding with a pillion and on the quite steep incline on the way to my house. However, Hill Hold does work when I am riding solo, don't know whether it is something with the software or hardware, Everything else apart from that including the modes, regen settings, Bluetooth connectivity, Maps, and Party Mode works as expected. The scooter is fun to ride and I have tried out all the modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Hyper). What I have found out is that you don't need to ride in Eco to get the maximum range, you can ride even in Hyper too provided you maintain a steady speed of around 40 to 50 km/h, somehow, I have achieved my best efficiency figures in this Hyper mode, moreover, the torque in Hyper Mode is on another level, and you can easily overtake anything on the road. I have tested all the regen modes as well and found the best is to turn it off and use forced regen (twisting the throttle in the opposite direction) when required and it works like a charm, it can take care of most of your braking needs in city traffic and at low speeds too (however it works only below 90% SOC). Now, I noticed that idle battery drain was around 3% per day, so I figured why not try the Vacation Mode on my trip to Muscat, and so I put my Scooter in Vacation Mode on the 17th at around 75% SOC and it has been over a week and the scooter still shows 72% SOC, which translates to around 0.5% idle drain a day, These figures are in line with what OLA says (Battery may drain from 100% to 0% in a month i.e. around 3.33% per day and Vacation Mode battery drain from 100% to 0% takes around 200 days, i.e. 0.5% per day) Being satisfied with the scooter's features and performance, my only gripe is the poor fit and finish, which is sadly what Ola considers to be the norm. Hopefully, everything else works out fine and I can have a happy and niggle-free ownership experience. However, a couple of things I would like Ola to solve is the service, which needs to improve drastically, the service centres, staff etc need to improve a lot. Firstly, they need to ramp up the service network, I don't think 600 service centres would be enough going by the numbers they sell. The time required to solve even the simplest of issues is enormous and this is a major issue which needs attention. The next is the QC, I don't think they have set any standards for the same or their tolerance levels are sub-par, how else can you explain these panel gaps that are an eyesore? If these things are taken care of, I am sure OLA would rule the entire two-wheeler segment (not just the EV 2-wheeler segment). Simply selling the scooter and not looking back may make you the best-seller for a while (Ola is on course to sell over 40,000 scooters this month), but proper after-sales, a good quality product and customer service will ensure you remain there. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

My 5th-gen Honda City ownership review: Upgraded from an 8th-gen Civic

BHPian saket77 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Likes and Dislikes summed up Likes:The amazing 1.5L free-revving motor is a joy to drive. Sounds terrific too.Mated to a slick 6-speed MT with a sweet clutch.Well-tuned steering.Good equipment levels.Physical buttons for the entertainment system and climate control system.Has good street presence in times when sedans are literally dead.Spacious cabin and boot make it a practical choice for families.Honda's reliability.Good ergonomics and supporting seats.5 Star safety with good safety kit (ASEAN NCAP for the international model)Good highway manners with balanced suspension set up at fair speeds.Good interiors with improved part quality.Some smart touches in the cabin design like phone holders, driver-side dashboard compartments and strategically placed small lights.Honda Connect app is useful- more for those using the services of a paid driver.Dislikes:Weak low-end torque felt especially with passengers and taking the second gear speed breaker test and on small inclines.185 section factory fitted tyres: Upgrade advised for enthusiastic driving.ADAS concerns especially regarding the emergency auto-braking system (CMBS).No wheel well insulation. Road noise filters into the cabin even with better tyres.Steel rim space saver (read: cost saver) spare wheel.Poor resolution of reversing and lane watch camera.No USB-C port.Non-adjustable driver's armrest.No ventilated seats from the factory.No option to turn off Auto headlamps.No 360-degree camera.No TPMS to show exact tyre pressures- though it gets a tyre deflation warning system based on wheel speed calibration.Honda Connect app acts glitchy at times.Prelude:Since we sold our 8th Gen Honda Civic a few months back (Story is here), we started scouting the options to fill the void. In times when SUVs, compact SUVs, cross-overs, etc are in rage, we felt like outliers whenever we discussed getting a sedan with family and friends. We all have our own car opinions and true to it, we got so much advice from all our friends and well-wishers who surely meant well, but none of them suggested a sedan. Also due to the market demand and dynamics thereof, the C-segment sedan market has dried up of options with basically only 4 cars to choose from: Honda (City), Hyundai (Verna), VW (Virtus) and Skoda (Slavia). Sorry if I ignored Ciaz, but only after Maruti didChoice of car:Of all the cars above, design-wise I liked the Virtus the most with its clean lines, and the Euro design philosophy paired with the timeless looks. For me, a car has to look good first and Virtus was the best-looking of the lot. Somehow not a fan of Slavia's looks and interiors. Verna was too loud for my taste. We didn't visit the VW showroom because if we had, we might have fallen for the looks. I kept my cars for a long, and honestly, VW didn't give me confidence in terms of long-term reliability aspect which is another very important criterion for me, hence we did not consider the Virtus at all despite being the looker it is. However, we did visit Hyundai just to check the Verna since my wife had gotten her i20 recently and she liked the Verna then too. I liked the proportions and the side profile of Verna but the front and rear end styling was too radical and polarizing. My wife seemed to like it, especially in the black colour but unfortunately, it simply didn't click for me. Also, the suspension seemed to be tuned a little too soft. The ventilated seat was a tempting feature and if we went for the City, we would miss it (Or did we - read on to know) as even the top-end City didn't have it. Coming to Honda, I liked the 5th Gen City since it was launched. Honestly, given our good experience with Honda, we were more or less already decided about the City. Generalizing- but in the long term, Japanese cars, especially the likes of Honda and Toyota tend to prove reliable workhorses. The City looked good from most angles. Though proportions-wise, Honda could have done better, especially in the boot compartment and the rear end still I would rate the overall design as good. The front looks wicked, especially with the LED headlamps. Even the projector lamps on the other variants looked good on this car. In the top variant (ZX), carbon finish inserts in bumpers and the grill made the front styling look pretty aggressive. We walked into the showroom casually (Victory Honda, Ranchi) on a Sunday for an average experience and checked a Blue ZX and a White VX variant. The VX is an absolute value-for-money variant. My 8-year-old daughter had just one simple demand- she was okay with any car but it must have a sunroof and thankfully that was available in VX too. The VX ticked most options for us and we made a mental note that we would get the VX since the ZX was a good 1.25L higher. [As per Honda's nomenclature: ZX>VX>V>SV]Choice of colour:The Blue and Brown shades looked lovely in person but given the lazy soul I am, maintaining such colours would have been a nightmare for me. White also looked good but somehow most City(s) we came across on the road those days were White, giving us the impression that it had become a common colour. The only colour which wasn't available with the dealership was Silver. No variant. Also, we used to spot a lot less Silver City(s) on roads. My wife wanted a darker colour but for ease of maintenance, we finally decided to go for silver even without seeing the colour in person. I wanted some more time to get my research done fully so we did not book the car at that time. Started reading about the variants and features of the car and noticed that the carbon inserts on the front and rear bumpers of the ZX variant looked really good. Also, the honeycomb grill on ZX looked better compared to the simple plain slatted VX grill. The ZX came with LED headlamps which were a looker. I am not a fan of the rear trunk spoiler but the ZX gets that too. I would have been happy without it too. However, more than that, the feature list of ZX included full leather seats (other variants get fabric seats), leather-wrapped steering, a better music system, very premium auto-dimming rearview mirror, 16 wheels (more on this later), all windows auto roll up/down & rear sunshades among many others which totally justified the premium over the VX. Hence we decided to stretch a little more and get the ZX and be done with comparing what we get vs what we miss if going for any other variant. Going for the top variant also avoids any after-market addition as most features are already built-in.The Impulsive Booking:Once we had made the variant choice clear, we visited the dealership to take a good look at the Blue ZX display piece they had and booked the car paying a nominal amount. Booking was almost impulsive as we didn't plan to book it on the same day. Crossing our fingers, we put the money on the silver colour without even seeing the car due to the non-availability of the shade just hoping that it would look good. We ideally wanted to delay the purchase by a month at least but soon Honda announced a price hike from April up to the tune of 30K and this is when we decided to go get it in March itself. Continue reading BHPian saket77's review for more insights and information.

Market Volatility Likely To Rise But Auto Sector Looks Positive, Say Analysts

The India VIX, often referred to as the 'fear index', has been over 17 for much of Wednesday and has seen a surge of over 60% in the last six days.

Hyundai considering subscription fees for in-car features

Hyundai could be the latest carmaker to get onto the 'subscription fee' bandwagon. According to reports, the South Korean carmaker is considering introducing pay-to-use features in its cars, to keep them connected to their customers post-sale. Marcus Welz, Head of Hyundai Connected Mobility, stated, We are looking at feature-on-demand as an option, in order to add more personalisation in the car. He further mentioned, For years we worried about how we were going to sell more cars. Today we worry about 'what if all we do is sell cars? Adding to this, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, VP for Marketing, Product & PR, Hyundai, stated, The future of mobility, from today owning cars to transferring to subscriptions. As per reports, Hyundai plans to restructure its BlueLink connected technology, which currently allows owners to control a number of features, including pre-conditioning, locking/unlocking car and sat-nav. The restructured tech will come on a larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen and be offered in 3 grades: Lite, Plus & Pro. The Lite pack will be free for the first 10 years and will come with in-car map use & only service only. The Plus pack costs 2.99 euros a month and will give access to all remote services. For the top 'Pro' pack, Hyundai will charge 9.99 euros a month and will provide data-driven services, in-cat payments and connect drivers with surroundings. Welz further stated that the benefit of feature-on-demand is o bring new features into older cars. He further mentioned, A lot of advancements can actually be done through the software, so you can utilise the existing hardware. We will keep developing these features and functionality and then we will provide them to users. Source: Autocar UK

FADA Reports 27% Surge In Domestic Automobile Retail Sales For April

Passenger vehicle retail sales rose 16% to 3,35,123 units last month as compared to 2,89,056 units in the same month last year.

1 month with my Jimny: Would I buy it after knowing what I know so far

BHPian blueberry recently shared this with other enthusiasts.Living with the Jimny - 1st month updateI've covered 2000 km in the first month. Some of my opinions on the Jimny have now changed, and some have solidified. Got the first service done. Changed the engine oil. I opted to continue with the OEM mineral engine oil- 0W16 spec. Nexa Vipul Motors at Sector 57 Noida has a very nice service facility. Clean AC waiting room, with a coffee machine and snacks. The washrooms were clean too. Service bay & the technicians working on the cars as seen from the waiting room. Owners are welcome to be in the service bay while the vehicles are getting serviced. This white Jimny had come all the way from KL. The drive shaft on this didn't have the infamous ring (scratch).Fun bits:The Jimny is a cool car. I've got friendly waves and thumbs-ups from kids to senior citizens.Black Jimny with BH plates gets mistaken for a govt vehicle and I've been saluted & waved through in many central Delhi checkpoints.On the highways I get 16-17kmpl and in the city 13-14kmpl. In very heavy traffic (4km in 1 hr) - I get around 9.The low-end torque is a boon. 3rd gear is sufficient for puttering around town.Neutral bits:Though the AC is a chiller, under the harsh Delhi sun - it is not as powerful as other Marutis (Swift / WagonR). Could it be because of the larger greenhouse area?Gearing is very short - A 6th gear would help with relaxed cruising.Annoying bits:There is a mild buzz in the IRVM at low RPMs - between 1000-1250 rpm, under acceleration. It strains the eye.Lack of interior storage space is a royal pain. Especially when I get into the Jimny after using other cars. Never before have I appreciated door pockets & bottle holders.In 4WD mode, at full steering lock - the engine stalls if the engine speed is less than 1250 RPM. Not sure why this would be.Handsfree microphone doesn't pick up sound easily on calls- I'm having to speak 2 notches higher than I normally would.GPS is inaccurate by 30 meters. At roundabouts, it causes much confusion and missed exits. This inaccuracy exists for all the phones I've tried with. The same phones on other cars work perfectly fine. I figure the 7 infotainment unit also needs a software update.Would I buy the Jimny after knowing what I know so far?A strong YES! None of the compromises I came in prepared to make were as bad as I imagined. The fun and happy bits are just as strong as I imagined. The Jimny is a small, city-friendly interesting car - which can take a fair bit of abuse. It has got its share of compromises - but the glee I get while driving this outweighs them all. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Bajaj developing a lighter Dominar 400 with new features

Bajaj Auto recently launched the most powerful Pulsar yet, the NS400Z. Going forward, the company plans to expand its 400cc line-up, starting with the updated Dominar 400. According to Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director of Bajaj Auto, the company is working on plans to update its Dominar range of bikes. The facelift version is expected to get a slew of features, including a new TFT instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. The Dominar 400 could also share some features with the NS400Z. These might include ride-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control and multiple riding modes. Reports also state that the next Dominar 400 will be much lighter than the outgoing version. Weighing in at 193 kg, the current iteration of the bike is on the heavier side. The engine, however, will remain the same. The bike will continue to use a 373cc liquid-cooled unit producing 39.5 BHP and 35 Nm. The upside-down front fork and mono-shock rear suspension are likely to be carried over unchanged, along with the brakes.Source: Bikewale

2024 Porsche Panamera launched in India; Check price, features, performance and more

Introducing the latest luxury offering in the Indian automotive market: the 2024 Porsche Panamera. Priced at Rs 1.70 crore (ex-showroom), this third-generation Panamera comes packed with upgrades across design, features, chassis, and powertrain. With deliveries set to kick off promptly, let's delve into the remarkable enhancements that define this new Panamera experience.

Does 120 km/h speed limit on Eastern Peripheral Expressway make sense

BHPian MadinMumbai recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Driving down the much-lauded Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Delhi, I came across signs setting the speed limit @120kmph. I couldn't help but think- what are these guys smoking? The road surface is bumpy beyond 80 kmph, and when the car hits a joint I find it difficult to keep my lunch. At 120 kmph, I would imagine it being a roller coaster-type ride. Does anyone else feel that 120 kmph is an abstract figure, plucked out of the air? I do hope other expressways are better designed else we are in for some serious traffic mess and mayhem. Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:There is no real science to our authorities assigning speed limits to roads, and I see blunders all the time. For instance, 30 kmph speed limit on the JJ Flyover is painstakingly slow and dare I say dangerous too. On the other hand, I saw a 100 kmph speed limit on such a 2-lane highway in Goa (not exactly this point, but a similar patch after this one)! Was very surprised - it's too high for this kind of road: 100 kmph for the arrow-straight Atal Setu is too low in my opinion. It should be 120 kmph.Here's what BHPian Mystic had to say about the matter:I have done research in civil engineering and am also a petrolhead. Let me give my opinion.In India, we have 120 kmph as the MAXIMUM speed limit for expressways, 110 kmph for national highways and 70 kmph for urban roads for the M1 category of vehicles. The M1 category includes most passenger vehicles which have fewer than 8 seats.What is the quality of road construction in India as per the world standards in specifications? The answer is poor for the obvious reasons. The Government releases the funds and related speed limits as per certain specifications for a type of road but in reality, the contractor has to take care of the obvious formalities and compromises on quality.Inspite of point 2, we still have engineers who will give their lives for the maintenance of quality in such prestigious expressway projects India is building now (my father is one among them as he retired as Chief Engineer of Roads with the Government). It is not only the quality of materials that go into roads but there are also a lot of so many parameters like camber etc that need to be taken care of otherwise the car going at 120 kmph will be thrown out tangentially and we see such stunts very frequently on our expressways in India. Some expressways are too good and some are not and hence it is up to the Driver to take a call and not get carried by the power of an individual car.Camber in Road, refers to the curvature or slope provided to the surface of a road or any other paved surface. It is designed to ensure proper drainage of water from the road surface and provide improved safety and comfort for vehicles and pedestrians.There are risks involved with Indian roads in spite of a perfectly constructed expressway and 12-cylinder car, we never know if we see suddenly a person / 3-wheeler shared autos or an animal crossing the road at the most unexpected moment. I have personally travelled in multi-axle Volvo buses maintained by Governments and they go at a cruising speed of 100 kmph maximum even if the vehicle is capable of higher speeds because the Govt puts electronic control on their buses with GPS tracking. I wish the personal vehicle drivers also not go beyond 3 digits in India. Let us drive in a defensive manner and get a chance to live for another day to ourselves and our fellow passengers.Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:Depends on your car. While the surface is not baby-butt smooth, it is still very decent. Cars with good dynamics can easily cruise at 120 all day here. Of course, a host of vehicles, especially sub 15 lakh, are totally out of their depth at such speeds with their rear ends continuously bobbing up and down. List includes all Marutis except S Cross, Brezza and GV, all Hyundais apart from the current gen Verna, Venue and Creta, and all Hondas. We have started getting world-class roads, but mass-market cars with decent highway speed manners are still few and far between. Manufacturers have been guilty of short-charging us here, exactly like with crash safety. Secondly, maintenance also comes into play here. Bad suspensions, tire sidewall bulges, improper pressures, balancing issues etc will all catch you out. 120 kmph is the default on all new world-class roads being built. Personally, I feel the infra is good enough for 150 kmph, but the cars are not there yet in terms of output. Already, lanes get choked by trucks not going faster than 60-70 and waves of wheezy 1.2NA engined Marutis, Hyundais and Tatas all going at about the same speed and struggling to overtake each other. It is literally the expressway version of 3 autos hogging 3 lanes, trying to sneak ahead. Delta in performance with the latest turbo petrols is too much. If we want American-style roads, we also need that kind of power from the engines.Here's what BHPian MotoBlip had to say about the matter:I get what you're saying. I've driven between Delhi and Jaipur twice on the new expressway, and despite all the hype about it being a world-class road, I wasn't impressed. The trip back, especially the first 70 kilometers or so from Dausa to Delhi, was really bad, especially considering that it's a new highway. Even though there wasn't much traffic, the road was bumpy and there were already patches on the surface. On top of that, the toll charges are almost Rs2/km, so naturally, one expects better. Granted, the cars I used aren't top-of-the-line, but they feel perfectly fine on the Yamuna expressway, which is a decade old and I drive on at least once a month. Moreover, a colleague recently drove the same stretch in a Volkswagen Vento and had a similar experience, so I don't think the cars are to blame here. Maybe there are geographical reasons for the road's condition, but right now, I'll be honest and say these highways aren't world-class yet. They seem to be rushing things, and I think that's why the quality suffers.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

USA: F1-themed restaurant with 69 racing simulators

According to media reports, Boston now has America's first F1-themed restaurant. 'Arcade Hub' is an F1-themed restaurant that has 69 full-motion racing simulators spread over a two-story 16,000 square feet facility. All the 69 racing simulators are linked together, offering customers a chance to go head-to-head or race in teams on various current Formula 1 tracks. Regular visitors can even create personal driver profiles. Visitors can earn 'Arcadian' points, which can be exchanged for various items, just like in gaming arcades from the yesteryears. Apart from the racing simulators, the facility also offers plenty of food and drink options. Some of them even have motorsport-themed names. While the first F1 arcade came up in 2022 in London, UK, this is the first such restaurant in the USA. Boston is said to be just one of multiple locations planned in the country, with Washington DC being next on the list. Adam Breeden, CEO & F1 Arcade Founder, stated, Guests can enjoy an exceptional adrenaline-packed venue and the thrill of racing in one space. The launch of F1 Arcade Boston Seaport paves the way for our ambitious US expansion, as we look ahead to opening our second venue this Fall in Washington DC. Source: Motor1

Xiaomi claims it can build one EV every 76 seconds

Xiaomi, which recently entered the EV industry, has received an overwhelming response to its electric car, the SU7. The company currently has over 75,000 orders within a month of launching its first EV. To help speed up deliveries and reduce waiting times, Xiaomi has developed a new production process which uses both gigacasting and stamping processes to build the SU7. The new system was self-developed by Xiaomi in collaboration with Haitian. The system, named '9100t', measures the size of two basketball courts. The name refers to the clamping force of the machine. The new system creates the entire rear floor assembly of the SU7, reducing 72 parts, which previously needed to be stamped and welded together. The rear floor assembly can now be produced in just 100 seconds. The use of one single part in the production line amounts to 840 fewer welding points and a 45% reduction in production time. The single-part use also makes the car 17% lighter and reduces road noise by 2 dB. Xiaomi also claims that the life expectancy of the part is now well over 2 million kilometres - 10 times more than that of a traditional floor panel. Xiaomi has also developed a group of die-casting machines consisting of 60 devices and 433 processes, which includes the 9100t. This high degree of automation has helped the brand ramp up capacity to 40 cars in one hour or 76 seconds for every car. Xiaomi's production plant is said to make use of 700 robots and 181 autonomous mobile robots. Xiaomi also uses machines for quality inspection, which is said to have an accuracy level of 99.9%. Source: CarNewsChina

Japanese auto giant Toyota posts record net profit

Helped by a weak yen and strong hybrid vehicle sales, the Japanese giant's bottom line doubled to 4.94 trillion yen ($31.9 billion) in the year to March while revenues rose 21.4 percent to 45.1 trillion yen, also an all-time high.

Struggling to upgrade from my Endeavour: Is the X3 m40i a good option?

BHPian Wanderers recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I sold my 3.2L 4X4 Endeavour in January-24 and ever since have been looking for suitable replacement. While I am open to all options starting from Jeep Compass, Fortuner, X1, XC60 but off late it has come down to three- GLC (petrol) X3(diesel) and discovery sport (petrol) Discovery Sport The facelift discovery sport with new dashboard and pivi pro screen looks great but minimalistic. One need to use it to appreciate. They have done the best utilisation of touch and hold function giving multiple options instead of browsing. Also this car gives the true feeling of SUV with commanding view and off road capabilities including transparent bonnet which is far far superior than Mercedes (it works even at higher speed unlike Mercedes)At Rs 77.5 lakhs on road, this is very competitively priced with respect to others in the list. Just remember the recent price reduction is on account of slight strip down as we now have SE trim instead of HSE. Also no discount except some exchange or Tata employee referral- Rs 40K Downside discovery sport suffers from feeling of being too old and badly needing a generation change. Also while it is cheapest of all Land Rover's, things are pretty expensive during service or extended warranty. So these are the major deterrents and I have put it aside for time being. Also I am very clear- No great discount, no purchase (thanks to Amazon) Mercedes GLC The new GLC 300 is fun to drive with great interior and overall well packaged. It certainly drives better than X3 20d (take test drive to believe it) The sound system is mind boggling and class apart in comparison to other two.What more it comes with attractive discount. Initially the good discount was only on MY23 cars but from April same is also available on MY24 cars. Downside, the service, accessories and extended warranty are very costly and look wise not exactly a SUV. The seating position is more car like than a SUV. Also I am not great fan of all touch only controls. BMW X3 20D/M40i I love Xs, all the way from X1 to X7, so even though X3 is only available in diesel I was willing to take a plunge provided I get good discount. Well there are discounts which makes it cheapest of all three here but not with a great margin to jump for. Also my love for X was put to test as I really did not feel great while driving 20d in comparison to other two. The ride was bumpy and did not manage a good drivers view and car did not look planted to road which was very much in GLC. Overall it was a disappointment. Then came a twist when the dealer saw that I was not keen on diesel, they offered a X3M40i at a whopping discount, which brings the X3 M40i in range, something I can consider although it was still high as such. The car is CBU with manufacturing date (as per VIN decoder) May 23 and made in US plant. The car is currently put as display and has done only 22 km on odometer. There is nothing which looks old or bad about the car. As per VIN all the features mentioned in brochure are present. Also this is not a test drive car as I have seen the same as different. I plan to keep the car for 7-8 years and accordingly invite fellow BHPians for their views and recommendation between GLC and X3 M40i. Any other suggestions also welcome. Please note that performance car is not my primary look out except that I have been offered one in my price range. Also I will be driving this car to mountains, off beat locations and bad roads but not off road exactly. Here's what GTO had to say on the matterI love Xs, all the way from X1 to X7, so even though X3 is only available in diesel I was willing to take a plunge provided I get good discount. Well there are discounts which makes it cheapest of all three here but not with a great margin to jump for. Also my love for X was put to test as I really did not feel great while driving 20d in comparison to other two. The ride was bumpy and did not manage a good drivers view and car did not look planted to road which was very much in GLC. Overall it was a disappointment. Then came a twist when the dealer saw that I was not keen on diesel, they offered a X3M40i at a whopping discount, which brings the X3 M40i in range, something I can consider although it was still high as such.The car is CBU with manufacturing date (as per VIN decoder) May 23 and made in US plant. The car is currently put as display and has done only 22 km on odometer. There is nothing which looks old or bad about the car. As per vin all the features mentioned in brochure are present. Also this is not a test drive car as I have seen the same as different. I plan to keep the car for 7-8 years and accordingly invite fellow BHPians for their views and recommendation between GLC and X3 M40i. Any other suggestions also welcome. Please note that performance car is not my primary look out except that I have been offered one in my price range. Also I will be driving this car to mountains, off beat locations and bad roads but not off road exactly.Here's what BHPian Rajjaiswal92 had to say on the matter:Oh god, you are in for a big disappointment. I have been on a similar boat tried to find a replacement for my 2016 Titanium 3.2 AT but failed miserably. You cannot expect the true blue SUV behaviour from any of these, none will come even close to it, i happen to own several cars from different luxury brands but none even come close to the pure grunt this ladder on frame SUV provides. The only SUV which made sense to me was the XC-90 you should seriously consider it.Here's what BHPian Varun_Hexaguy had to say on the matter:Why is the GLC even in picture when the X3 M40i is the other car in consideration? If you can do it, please go ahead and get the X3 M40i already. It is one car that you won't regret buying. That car plastered a wide smile across my face during the TD that I took quite recently. This car drives better than most crossovers/SUVs sub 1cr on-road. There simply is no contention. Also, if I may ask, what are the kind of discounts that are being offered on the same?Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:X3 M40i is a very different animal and is not exactly suited to long distance touring in Indian conditions, especially if you like to venture beyond the main highways. Pls evaluate very carefully on the space, practicality and ruggedness aspects. It will be like moving from a truck to a sports car, with the associated advantages as well as compromises. Pls especially consider the large alloys, the low profile tires and the spare tire situation. I understand your predicament, there is no like for like replacement of the Endy, or even an upgrade of similar attributes unless you are looking to spend well in eight figures. The closest options in a realistic budget are the Kodiaq and Grand Cherokee. The upcoming new Kodiaq is not far away, and can be considered. Kodiaq is the perfect all rounder SUV. As you have managed to find great deals with BMW, have you scouted for the same at Audi? The Q7 is a fantastic car that still comes with relatively same price tags and also carries additional handsome discounts. This just might be the perfect package you are looking for. Otherwise, considering your touring requirements, it may well be advisable to compromise a bit on badge value and limit options to the Meridian and the super competent XUV700 AWD top model. Or even the Innova HyCross ZX(O). A lot of Innova sales come from potential luxury car buyers.Here's what BHPian vb-saan had to say on the matter:The immediate thought (almost as a no-brainer) would be the X3 M40i, but I said almost because the new X3 is just around the corner. So effectively you will be buying an outgoing generation car. The GLC on the other hand is relatively fresh in the market and is the option I would suggest at this point.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 discontinued; replaced by Ninja 500

In February, Kawasaki launched the Ninja 500 in India. However, the bike maker continued to offer the Ninja 400 to clear existing inventory. The latter has now been formally discontinued. The Ninja 400 is no longer listed on the official website, which indicates that the model has been taken off the shelves. In 2022, the Ninja 400 was upgraded to comply with the BS6 emission norms. The updated bike was powered by a 399cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that made 44.8 BHP @ 10,000 rpm and 37 Nm @ 8,000 rpm. It came with a 6-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch. Its replacement, the Ninja 500, uses a 451cc parallel-twin engine that makes 45 BHP @ 9,000 rpm and 42.6 Nm @ 6,000 rpm. It too is imported as a CBU and costs Rs 5.24 lakh (ex-showroom). The Ninja 500 competes with the Yamaha R3, Aprilia RS 457 and the KTM RC 390 in the Indian market.

Election uncertainty could hurt Indian auto sales in May, dealers' body says

Despite consumer interest, the ongoing elections in India have an influence on automakers' sales. Modi's bid for a third term has unsettled the market. Despite worries about voter turnout, cash constraints, and financial regulations, the auto industry is cautiously confident, as sales growth is supported by steady gasoline prices and celebratory purchases.

2024 Mahindra XUV 3XO Review : 8 Pros & 7 Cons

Mahindra XUV 3XO ProsA truly premium crossover. Nice build, quality & refinement levelsCabin has enough space for 5. Quality-wise, the interior is more like a HyundaiFantastic petrol & diesel engine line-up; they offer fast performance & good driveabilityFinally gets a smooth torque converter automatic with the turbo-petrol enginesWide variant spread ensures there's something for everyoneA compliant ride with sorted road manners5-star NCAP rating & kit. Level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS, seatbelt reminders for all & moreLoaded to the gills with equipment (360-degree camera, big sunroof, drive modes, Harman Kardon audio system, wireless smartphone connectivity, auto headlamps & wipers etc.)Mahindra XUV 3XO ConsThe new edgy & outlandish design may not be to everyone's liking. Some love it, some don't. It is very polarizingTop-end variants are expensive. Not overpriced, but definitely higher than expected295-liter boot is the smallest in the segment. There are cheaper hatchbacks that have a larger bootNo proper diesel automatic option, just a jerky AMT which has no place in a premium crossoverLight & disconnected steering is the biggest drawback in a competent handling packageMahindra's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gambleSome important features missing (ventilated seats, parcel tray, full-sized spare wheel, paddle shifters etc.)Read Team-BHP's detailed Mahindra XUV 3XO Review

My Interceptor 650: 18,000 km update including fuel efficiency and mods

BHPian rajeevsulu recently shared this with other enthusiasts. It is 14 months since I got the Interceptor. Today, I hit the 18,000 km mark.My experience so farI have had a lot of fun with this machine. Though a few things could have been better, I am still very happy with what this machine provides at this price point. I have stuck to Power 95 petrol throughout, and have an average mileage of close to 27 kmpl. My usage is 100%highway and I just ride in town to get out onto the highway which is just a km away. All services done at the Royal Enfield service centre only with nothing out of the ordinary done to the bike. I have swapped out the exhausts to PoweRage end cans, changed my rear tyre at 13,000 kms, fixed bar end mirrors at 5000 kms. Everything else is stock.IssuesI have used RSA twice, both when the bike was parked at home. The first issue was when the bike refused to start. RSA took the battery, charged it for a day, checked it, put it back and all is well. This was at 11,000 kms. The second issue was when I had a flat at home. RSA fixed it. This was at 13,500 kms right after I had changed the tyre. I have been planning to get auxiliary lights fixed, as, the lights are pretty bad and most of my riding is before sunrise but never got around to doing it. I find the brakes very adequate, the rear has a very good feel, suspension could be a little better, but, it is a very good package and does the job.Few pictures Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Election uncertainty dampens auto sales: FADA

Improved supply spurs two-wheeler sales; passenger vehicle demand up in April

Mahindra 3X0 vs XUV300: Here's everything that's different between them

BHPian MotorDev recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Mahindra has finally unveiled the latest XUV300, named the XUV 3XO, after a long wait. The company has added several features to make the 3XO a better model than its predecessor. Below, I compare the new XUV 3XO with the old XUV300. Related Pics Dimensions There have been some slight changes in the car's dimensions. The old XUV300 measured 3995mm in length, 1821mm in width, and 1627mm in height, whereas the new XUV 3XO's dimensions are 3990mm in length, 1821mm in width, and 1641mm in height. Additionally, the new 3XO has a ground clearance of 201mm, which is more than the old XUV300's 180mm, and the new 3XO offers a larger boot space of 364 litres compared to the old XUV300's 257 litres.Exterior ChangesFront Mahindra is offering the XUV 3XO with a redesigned front end. It gets five chrome slats and the new Mahindra logo. You can also see the new curved-shaped LED DRLs and updated headlights. Its tweaked bumper sports a front camera and radar for ADAS. Rear Changes have taken place at the back as well. The biggest change is the connected LED tail lights. It also gets a new bumper. Side The new version of the SUV retains the original boxy silhouette. The only change in the side profile of the car is the introduction of freshly designed 17-inch alloy wheels.New Colour OptionsThe XUV 3XO has 8 dual-tone options paired with either Galvano Grey or Stealth Black, along with 8 normal plain colour schemes.Interior ChangesDashboard and Cabin The interior has undergone a major upgrade, featuring a more premium and modern design. The cabin now boasts a brighter ambience, which varies depending on the variant. Additionally, the automatic transmission (AT) model has a new gear lever. While the cabin has been updated with new features and screens, the seats and doors remain unchanged with only minor upholstery modifications.New Instrument Cluster The XUV 3XO features a brand-new 10.25-inch fully digital driver's display, offering a sharper and clearer appearance compared to the older driver's display. An impressive feature is that it allows your navigation to be displayed on the driver's display as well.New Infotainment System The smaller and outdated 7-inch touchscreen unit has been replaced with a larger 10.25-inch screen equipped with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.New Features 10.25 High Definition Configurable Digital Instrument Cluster with Full Map View Safety The old XUV300 was already a 5-star rated safe car, and the new one has stepped up the game with level 2 ADAS, 360-degree camera, 6 airbags, 3-point seat belts for all seats, all-disc brakes, and electronic stability control.Engine OptionsThe XUV 3XO offers a diverse range of powertrains. Entry-level variants are powered by a 111 HP, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, while higher-spec models feature a 131 HP, 1.2-litre direct injection turbo-petrol unit. Additionally, a 117 HP, 1.5-litre diesel engine is available across nearly all variants. Transmission choices include manual and automatic options, including the new AISIN 6-speed automatic transmission for the mStallion engine. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Authorised dealers can claim input tax credit on demo cars

The Bengal Bench of the GST Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) has ruled that registered automobile dealers can claim input tax credit (ITC) on demo cars. In its ruling, the AAR said, The applicant is entitled to claim input tax credit charged and paid on inward supply of cars which are used for demonstration purpose and supplied further after a specified time period. The ruling was in response to an application filed by Landmark Cars East Pvt. Ltd, an authorized dealer of Mercedes-Benz, seeking a clarification on whether it was entitled to claim ITC charged and paid on the inward supply of cars from Mercedes-Benz India, used for demonstration purposes. Input Tax Credit is the tax that a business pays on a purchase and that it can use to reduce its tax liability when it makes a sale. In other words, businesses can reduce their tax liability by claiming credit to the extent of GST paid on purchases. In the case of sale of demo car, the outward supply would attract the same rate of tax as its inward supply, which is 28% GST, plus cess levied on the sale of cars. However, reimbursement received by the dealer from the manufacturer on loss suffered on sale of demo car would attract 18% GST. Source: HT Auto

Domestic automobile retail sales surged by 27% in April: FADA

The passenger vehicle category experienced double-digit y-o-y growth, says FADA President Manish Raj Singhania

First few cosmetic mods on my BMW M2 before & after taking delivery

BHPian Reesnat recently shared this with other enthusiasts. The very first mod I did to the car even before I took delivery was protecting the front transmission cooler that is completely exposed in the M2 automatic cars. In our conditions there is a very high chance of this getting peppered badly and losing its efficiency, or worse, failing completely. The simplest solution I came up with was to purchase a honeycomb grill sheet (similar to the ones BMW use on their cars of the older generation), cut to size and secured via zip ties around the radiator. Found a cheap one on Amazon. I felt it was important to not put the grill right in front and secure it on the bumper, but secure it on the radiator itself. This is because underneath the transmission cooler, sits the engine oil cooler, so it was important to not block any air coming into that lower front area. With that done and delivery taken, the immediate next step was to get the car to my friend Niranjan at OCD for a full-body PPF and to get the wheels painted. Being a black car, I knew going in, I was going to be in for the pain of maintaining a black car in India. Let me put it this way - no matter what you do a black car is only clean for 5 minutes in India. Sad, but I still fancied owning a black car for that look, so took the plunge. For any darker-coloured car, good quality, self-healing PPF is a must if you want your car to look swirl-free over longer periods. So we settled for the most expensive PPF on the market, Llumar Valor. Plus 3M CR70 tints all around. Next, we wanted to tackle the wheels - after some looking around we settled on a shade of silver that compliments the wheel design and contrasts the black paint well. We ended up with a satin finish instead of going full matt or gloss. Next was to address a big issue with the look from the factory - the stance. The wheels are unusually inset very deep (for an M car) and come with pretty high GC for a car of this type so the wheel gap is significant. So spacers were much needed. I'm usually not a fan of spacers but in this case, it was a necessity to fix the look. Getting high-quality spacers is very important to avoid any sort of vibrations or seating issues. The seat between the wheel hub and wheel has to be perfect and even the slightest misalignment can cause vibrations. I picked up a set of Japan Racing spacers - 15mm in front and 12mm in the rear. In addition to the spacers, you need matching longer wheel bolts to match. The addition of spacers has pros and cons to keep in mind - the pros being better stance/look and an increase in the track width, this will improve the grip and handling characteristics of the car, making it sharper to drive. Cons are that it will add some weight (negligible) and will introduce a little more transmission into the chassis from the road due to the leverage increases. In the case of the M2, it has little feedback from the steering wheel so a little more transmission from the road isn't too bad. The spacers certainly delivered on the promised improvement in driving dynamics - noticed this straight away. On the exterior, I also wanted to compliment the carbon roof with some more carbon bits, so I picked up the carbon fibre mirror caps and rear lip spoiler. So with all that, this is how the car looked at this point: It's finally starting to look like an M car. The aggressive body design seems to fall flat with the way the car is stanced from the factory. Just the spacers make the whole design come together so much better! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Indian auto retail sector records 27 pc YoY growth in April: FADA

Indian auto retail sector records 27 pc YoY growth in April: FADA The Indian auto retail sector recorded a robust 27 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth for April 2024, according to Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) Vehicle Retail Data. The report highlights positive market sentiments, driven by stable fuel prices, a positive monsoon outlook, festive demand, and the marriage season. According to FADA President Manish Raj Singhania, the two-wheeler (2W), three-wheeler (3W), passenger vehicle (PV), tractor (Trac), and commercial vehicle (CV) segments witnessed growth. Singhania said, In April 2024, the Indian Auto Retail sector achieved a robust 27 per cent YoY growth. The two-wheeler (2W), three-wheeler (3W), passenger vehicle (PV), tractor (Trac) and commercial vehicle (CV) segments grew by 33 per cent, 9 per cent, 16 per cent, 1 per cent, and 2 per cent, respectively. While some attribute this growth to the shift in Navratri to April instead of March last year, the overall increase was significant. Comparing combined March and April 2024 with the same period last year shows a 14 per cent YoY growth for the entire industry. Singhania attributed this growth partly to the shift in Navratri to April from March last year, but noted that the overall increase was significant. When comparing combined March and April 2024 with the same period last year, the industry recorded a 14 per cent YoY growth. In the two-wheeler segment, significant growth was driven by improved supply and increasing demand for 125cc models. Positive market sentiments, supported by stable fuel prices and a favorable monsoon outlook, contributed to this rise. New model launches also played a role in driving growth, despite some delays in supply. The passenger vehicle category experienced double-digit YoY growth, aided by enhanced model availability and positive market sentiments, particularly around festive events like Navratri and Gudi Padwa. Despite strong bookings and customer flow, challenges such as high competition, excess supply, and discounting posed hurdles for sustained growth. Additionally, the lack of new models in some portfolios impacted market traction. The commercial vehicle segment showed a modest 2 per cent YoY growth and a 0.6 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decline, indicating varied market conditions. Positive momentum was found in bulk and corporate deals, as well as school bus demand, although elections dampened sentiment, leading customers to delay expansion plans. Limited finance options and regional challenges, such as water scarcity, further impacted performance. Looking ahead to May 2024, several positive indicators are shaping the near-term outlook. Improved vehicle supply and strategic planning in the two-wheeler segment have led to rising customer bookings and better market sentiment. In the passenger vehicle segment, new model launches and favorable monsoon forecasts are expected to stimulate customer interest. Challenges remain, with election uncertainty affecting market sentiment and financial constraints posing growth hurdles. Extreme temperatures and overcapacity in the commercial vehicle segment could further slow growth. Despite these challenges, the auto industry remains cautiously optimistic, with market opportunities arising from rising customer interest in new models. Monitoring election-related uncertainty and financial constraints will be crucial for navigating the evolving market effectively. (ANI)

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index advances 0.15% in a weak market

The Nifty Auto index was trading 0.15 per cent up at 22146.1.

India's April auto sales rise 27% even as election uncertainty affects consumer sentiment: FADA

In April, India's auto retail sector surged 27%, attributed to stable fuel prices and new model launches despite dampened consumer sentiment during Lok Sabha elections. Two-wheelers rose 33%, while three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and tractors grew 9%, 16%, 2%, and 1% respectively, driven by favorable market conditions, auto body FADA said.

Happiest Minds focusing on areas like analytics, automation, gen AI and security: Joseph Anantharaju

Venkatraman Narayanan and Joseph Anantharaju of Happiest Minds outline positive Q4 results and strategic plans for FY25, leveraging recent acquisitions for growth and aiming for 35-40% revenue growth with a 20-24% margin target. Strong focus on organic and inorganic growth strategies.

Retail Auto Sales Surge 27% In April As Rural Demand Revives

The industry remains cautiously optimistic due to rising interest in new models and strategic planning.

Review: Used the Nuego EV Bus for my Bangalore to Chennai travel

BHPian DigitalOne recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I had to go to Chennai last week to attend to a family matter. When it was time to come back, I vaguely recalled reading a news article that NueGo had introduced an electric bus service on this route. So took the opportunity to see what it is all about. I booked using the Paytm app. Weekday (Thursday) AC seater fare was just Rs 524, including GST; To compare, a KSRTC Airavat AC starting at same time was around Rs 780. Pickup was from Koyambedu, opposite Sangeeta hotel, marked as Sharma Transports in Google maps. Paytm app had the link to the right pickup spot, but no contact details of the operator. I did a dumb mistake of not trusting the app but asked the auto driver for the pickup point for private buses. He dropped me about 500m ahead, and I had to walk back in the hot sun . Pick up spot: The bus was scheduled to start at 3PM. When I reached at ~2.10, the bus was already there, AC was switched on and the cool air inside the bus was so welcome after that 10-minute walk. I felt the seats were thinner compared to the Volvo busses. But the recline was excellent and it was comfortable. Less than 50% of the seats were occupied, so I could use both the seats throughout the journey . The bus started on dot 3 pm from Koyambedu. But in the next two pickup points there was a cumulative delay of around 40 mins for the pickups: unhappy. Operators (including KSRTC) have to do something to curb this nuisance of passengers taking their own sweet time to reach pickup spots. By the time the bus left Poonamallee road KFC, it was 4.20 pm. There were a lot of squeaking noises and one particular flapping noise inside which somewhat negated the lack of engine noise. (The bus was new, and these noises may probably settle down eventually). It definitely was not 'noiseless' as they advertise. Ride quality was comparable to a Volvo ICE bus, nothing superior. At around ~6.30 pm, between Vellore and Ambur, the bus took a U-turn under a flyover, came back a couple of kms towards Vellore and stopped at a newly setup NueGo charging station cum rest stop. I wasn't expecting this, as I had assumed it will reach Bengaluru on a single charge. 2 NeuGo buses towards Chennai were getting charged, one left just as our bus entered. The bus stopped for almost an hour (55 minutes, to be precise) here. The driver initially told 30 minutes. This board is kind of hidden. Yes, technically 55 is '30+ minutes' but it could have been better informed . The rest rooms are also in the back of the restaurant. I wonder how they are going to manage when it rains? (Is it safe to charge outdoors during rains?) Ironically, there was a power cut at the charging station, and the DG sets were running on full steam. So much for 'sustainable clean energy' . The bus eventually left at 8pm and reached Silk board at 11pm (~8 hours) where I got down. A comparable trip by a KSRTC Airavat would have taken 6.5 - 7 hrs. In summary, on the plus side, the fare was cheaper (introductory pricing??), busses are new, seats are comfortable, and the AC was super effective. On the minus, the duration is long. The novelty would soon wear of and they would be compared with other ICE operators. They need to pull up their socks. Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Semi-automatic gun ban nixed in Colorados Democratic-controlled statehouse after historic progress

Colorados Democratic-controlled Legislature has nixed a bill to ban the sale and transfer of semi-automatic firearms

Soon, auto drivers in city to don grey uniforms

Semi-automatic gun ban nixed in Colorado's Democratic-controlled statehouse after historic progress

Semi-automatic gun ban nixed in Colorado's Democratic-controlled statehouse after historic progress A sweeping bill to ban the sale and transfer of semi-automatic firearms was nixed in Colorado's Democratic-controlled Legislature on Tuesday as lawmakers pressed forward with a slew of other gun control bills on the 25th anniversary year of the Columbine High School massacre. The western state has a deep history with firearms that is pockmarked by some of the most high-profile mass shootings nationwide. Both factors loom large over gun control debates in the Legislature, complicating attempts at such bans that nine other Democratic-controlled states have in place, including California and New York. The Colorado House passed the ban in a historic first, after roughly the same proposal was swiftly killed last year. But some Senate Democrats are wary of the efficacy and breadth of the ban, which prohibits the sale, transfer and manufacture of semiautomatic firearms. Colorado's blue shift is evident in part by a number of successful gun control measures passed last year, including raising the buying age for a gun from 18 to 21. Some half-dozen proposals are nearing passage this year, including a bill to put a measure on the November 2024 ballot to tax sales of guns and ammunition. The state's purple roots have frustrated attempts at a broader ban. In the face of Senate Democrats' opposition, one of the bill's sponsors asked that the legislation be put to rest at a committee hearing. On that committee is Democratic state Sen. Tom Sullivan, who would have been the deciding ''no'' vote. Republican lawmakers decried the bill as an onerous encroachment on Second Amendment rights. Sullivan's son, Alex, was one of 12 killed in the 2012 Aurora theatre shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises. The tragedy catapulted Sullivan into activism around gun control and then public office, where he has spearheaded many bills on the issue. Sullivan said the weapons that the bill seeks to curtail are involved in only a small fraction of gun deaths and injuries. Those firearms include a long list of semi-automatic rifles, along with some pistols and shotguns, with certain characteristics, such as a threaded barrel or detachable stock. Their prohibition wouldn't make much of a dent in gun violence, Sullivan argued, and the proposal takes up immense political oxygen in the state capitol energizing the opposition and detracting from more effective and less controversial gun control measures. The narrative is all wrong, Sullivan said. That's what they want you to believe, that it's assault weapons and schools. It's not. ... It's suicides and it's domestic violence. The bill's sponsor Democratic state Sen. Julie Gonzales, said in a statement: After thoughtful conversations with my Senate colleagues, I decided that more conversations need to take place outside of the pressure cooker of the Capitol. The proposal is likely to be revived next year. Meanwhile, other bills nearing the governor's desk include a proposal to give Colorado's Bureau of Investigations more power to investigate gun sales that are already illegal. Another would require more rigorous safety training for someone seeking a concealed carry permit. And one would require firearm dealers to be permitted by the state, not just the federal government, giving regulators greater power to enforce state law.

Colorado ban on semi-automatic guns falls short in the Democratic-controlled Legislature after making historic progress

Colorado ban on semi-automatic guns falls short in the Democratic-controlled Legislature after making historic progress

Auto-Voxs CS-2 wireless backup cam with 4.3-inch monitor and night vision returns to $71 low

Amazon is offering the AUTO-VOX CS-2 Wireless Backup Camera with 4.3-inch Monitor for $71.20 shipped, after clipping the on-page $32 off coupon and using the promo code ZT3VGIMI at checkout for an additional 14% off . Down from its $120 price tag, this device saw the same recurring discount throughout 2023 down to the same $90 low. We didnt see it fall below $80 until the new year the first time since 2019 and todays deal comes in to repeat the trend with a combined 41% markdown off the going rate. It matches our previous mention from the first week of March, returning costs to the all-time low. more

Auto driver gets 20 years RI for sexual assault

FMCG, auto companies break the jinx as rural growth rises above urban

Rural FMCG demand outpaced urban markets in Jan-Mar 2024. Car companies reported higher rural sales. NielsenIQ noted 7.6% rural growth. Factors include robust rabi crop and government measures. Maruti Suzuki saw record rural sales.

Commuters grapple with a new problem: finding cabs and autos

After Metro Rail phase II work started, detours and traffic diversions have become the norm in many areas of the city. Autorickshaw and cab drivers cancel trips because they dont want to take circuitous routes to reach customers, who also complain of excess fare

Exclusive: Wayve co-founder Alex Kendall on the autonomous future for cars and robots

UK-based autonomous vehicle startup Wayve's CEO Alex Kendall talks about the company's $1.05B fundraise, licensing plans, and the self-driving market. 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Tesla Autopilot Probe Escalates With US Regulators Data Demands

Tesla Inc. is facing a July 1 deadline to furnish US regulators with information about its biggest-ever recall because drivers using Autopilot keep crashing while using the system.

Intrinsic And NVIDIA Collaborate To Enhance Autonomous Robotic Grasping

Intrinsic, an AI robotics company that emerged from Alphabet, is collaborating with NVIDIA to enhance autonomous robotic manipulation . Leveraging NVIDIAs AI and Isaac platform technologies, the partnership aims to introduce cutting-edge dexterity and modular AI capabilities for robotic arms. NVIDIAs recent release, Isaac Manipulator, offers foundation models and GPU-accelerated libraries to expedite AI model training and task reprogramming, boasting an impressive 80x acceleration in path planning. Foundation models, rooted in transformer deep learning architecture, enable robots to perceive and make decisions based on vast datasets, similar to how ChatGPT processes text. NVIDIAs Project GROOT , a foundation model tailored for humanoids, underscores the industrys pursuit of advanced robotics technology. Intrinsic and NVIDIA are addressing the longstanding challenge of robotic grasping, which has historically been time-consuming and costly to program. By harnessing NVIDIA Isaac Sim and generating synthetic data for vacuum grasping, Intrinsic developed a prototype for Trumpf Machine Tools, facilitating visualized processes and motion planning through Intrinsic Flowstate . This workflow, augmented by Isaac Manipulator and CUDA-accelerated robot motions, enables evaluation in simulation before real-world deployment. Deepu Talla, NVIDIAs vice president of robotics and edge computing , emphasizes the potential for AI foundation models to revolutionize industrial manufacturing, streamlining operations and enabling robot interaction with diverse objects. Intrinsics development of Flowstate, initially targeting industrial robots, aims to extend software skills to other robotic classes, building upon its acquisition of Open Source Robotics Corporation in December 2022, the for-profit entity behind the Robot Operating System (ROS). As the collaboration between Intrinsic and NVIDIA progresses, the integration of advanced AI technologies promises to scale automation in industrial settings. Intrinsic And NVIDIA Collaborate To Enhance Autonomous Robotic Grasping , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .

Replacing the fuel pipe and battery on my H-D Heritage Softail Classic

BHPian dkaile recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Harley Heritage Fuel Line Leak - 15-02-2024 So one fine day I was about to go for a ride and started the bike when I noticed that fuel had started leaking from the Check valve. I removed the fuel pipe by raising the check valve and releasing and some fuel was still leaking (which ideally should not). It is a common issue with Harleys as the O-rings (3 of them in the whole line) go bad over the years. Now instead of just giving us the O-rings of the exact size, Harley wants us to replace the entire assembly consisting of 2 parts - a Quick connect valve which goes inside the tank and attaches to the fuel pump inside and a tank to intake the Fuel Line. I decided to first try to repair it with O-rings, if possible. 1 O-ring was fixed in the intake fuel line And 2 more inside the Check Valve The Fuel Leak stopped for the time being under pressure from the fuel pump. Will have to see how it holds when the pressure diminishes itself when the bike is left unused for a few days. Harley Heritage BATTERY & Fuel Line purchased - 29-02-2024 So the fuel line fix of the O-rings was working but after the release of the fuel pump pressure, I could feel a very slight bleed when I touched the check valve. Perhaps, if we got the exact size of O-rings needed from Harley, this could have been a permanent fix. Not willing to take a risk, as this bike will be a keeper for my grandkids, I decided to get the fuel line changed. Also, the OE BATTERY was last replaced in 2018, so it had served me well for 6 years. So I decided to bite the bullet and get it changed with the OE one (which costs an arm and a limb) rather than do the experimentation with the Interceptor one (which BTW was working perfectly in my BMW 1250 GSA, as it was an exact fit and current rating for that bike as the OE BMW one). So the parts were received. First the OE Harley Battery (17.5Ah rating) Now being imported by Hero Motocorp directly from the US of A at a princely sum of Rs. 11,508/- Next was the new Fuel Line - tank to intake for Rs. 3886/- And then there was the Quick Connect Fuel Valve for Rs. 3475/-. This goes inside the fuel tank and connects to the fuel pump. A princely sum of Rs. 18,869/- was paid for these 3 parts, the main cost being the battery Now, since I was not comfortable with opening up the fuel tank, I asked for the Harley technician to pay a visit to Meerut. Since the price of the visit was quite reasonable, I decided to get the bike serviced also, as all these parts had already been lying with me for the last 5 years Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Tata Motors' Lucknow plant builds 9,00,000th vehicle

Tata Motors has announced a new production milestone as the 9,00,000th vehicle rolled out of its Lucknow facility. Tata's Lucknow plant is spread across 600 acres. It has been recognised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a water-positive plant. The facility also houses a 6 MW solar power plant. The Lucknow facility was set up in 1992. Over the years, the factory has produced cargo and passenger commercial vehicles, light, intermediate, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, as well as electric and fuel cell electric buses. The Lucknow plant houses ultra-modern vehicle manufacturing stations such as a robotic paint booth and body-in-white shop featuring robotic spot welding. Presently, women constitute one-third of the technical workforce.

How AI automation can streamline security and help with fraud detection for your business

In this battle, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a powerful ally, offering state-of-the-art solutions to combat fraud and secure business assets.

Daloopa trains AI to automate financial analysts workflows

Daloopa, a startup building AI to extract info from financial reports and investor presentations, has raised cash in a new funding round. 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Used an air ambulance service in India: Things could have been better

BHPian BlackBeard recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello Everybody, This is to narrate my experience of utilizing the services of an Air Ambulance in India. The trip was from CCU to MAA. In 2022, a family member was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the MRI scan showed it to be sizeable and on a 2nd opinion from a known surgeon in Chennai, he recommended immediate surgery. As the patient was stretcher bound we looked for commercial flight options. Apparently, only Indigo & Air India transport stretcher-bound patients by air. To obtain the necessary permissions and get a slot on a flight (3 rows of seats have to be removed i.e 9 Pax. to accommodate a stretcher) is very time-consuming (Minimum 3-7 days) & depending on the passenger traffic in that particular sector further delays can occur, no doubt it's cheaper than the air ambulance. We decided the faster & better option would be to take an Air Ambulance. I searched the internet for options (Most air ambulance operators are located in Mumbai or New Delhi) & asked around a few friends and the hospital itself & got a few leads. After shortlisting a few operators I sent enquiries regarding the charges for the transportation, type of aircraft, facilities provided, how many support staff & family members were allowed to accompany the patient, etc. Since time was of the essence we shortlisted an air ambulance service provider based out in Mumbai. The aircraft assigned to us was a 6 seater Beechcraft Kingair C90 of 1980s/1990s vintage LMW Coimbatore was an ex-owner. Full payment was taken upfront and further details were shared only after that. 1 doctor, 1 nurse/technician & some medical eqpt. were provided (Ventilator, multipara monitor, defibrillator, suction machine, Oxygen etc). We thankfully did not need any of the eqpt. 2 family members were allowed on board the flight. We were told ETA of the aircraft at CCU was 1900 Hrs. The Ambulance arrived late at the hospital to pick us up. The journey from the hospital to the airport was by ambulance paid for by us and arranged by them (the vehicle was a Tata Winger). The driver was a slightly better version of the Ola/Uber chaps we use, sudden braking and all over the road (luckily the patient's stretcher was strapped down, myself & another family member was all over the place. I guess in India the concept of giving emergency vehicles the right of way is still alien to most people on the road. Once we reached the airport, we dropped off the lady passenger at the domestic departure terminal for boarding formalities and alighted the ambulance waiting for the AAI ambulance to take us to the Apron. The patient's stretcher was offloaded on the tarmac. There is something fundamentally wrong with us Indians, the absolute lack of empathy or conducting ourselves in a dignified manner. Making an 80-year-old man awaiting a medevac lie in a stretcher on the tarmac of a busy airport is absolutely ok. A nut case like me who loses his top at the drop of a hat had to grit his teeth and bear with it. I initially objected to the 1st ambulance departing till the 2nd arrived but that is all I could do. The AAI ambulance (A noisy beat-up Swaraj Mazda) arrived after a while and then we proceeded to the old airport terminal and took a side gate to enter the cargo terminal where a security check was conducted on the patient too before letting us proceed to the apron. We were joined by the lady passenger over there and again the patient was offloaded on the tarmac and the AAI ambulance left. We waited on the tarmac for some time before the stretcher was loaded onto the aircraft. The King Air C90 is designed to carry 6 Pax. & 2 crew and has a very narrow fuselage and a single door in the rear & very cramped inside. The stretcher had to be manoeuvred delicately to take it in and 2 seats had been removed to make place for the stretcher & secure it. We were supposed to depart at 2000 but managed finally at 2200 Hrs including the delays on the road and at the airport. The flying time was supposed to be 4.5 Hrs, with 1 re-fueling halt in Kakinada which was later changed to Vizag due to adverse weather. I thought the ordeal was over now that we were airborne, till the aircraft landed in Vizag. I was under the impression that the refueling would be a fast process, however, we waited for an hour for the tanker to arrive. All the while power on the aircraft was switched off the door was open and all of us except 2 people alighted to stretch our legs. I peeped inside the aircraft to check on the 2 people inside from time to time the heat and mosquitoes were terrible. By the time we tanked up and were ready to depart it was 2 hours plus. I even heard the pilot tell the refueller jaldi karo patient andar hai...so much so for this being a medevac flight. We finally took off and landed in MAA around 0430, 4 hours after the scheduled ETA. The hospital ambulance was waiting at the Apron of the business aviation terminal, we transferred the patient to the ambulance and were on our way to the hospital. The Air Ambulance service provider did provide agents to assist us at the CCU airport and were in contact via WhatsApp. IMO the entire process could have been smoother. The aircraft certainly could have been better but I do not know if this is a regulated sector in India, on what basis are the prices decided? Who decides them? Who certifies them? Does anybody have any similar experience? Would like to know their opinion about it. Before anybody asks, NO photos/videos were taken given the sombre situation. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

US seeks information from Tesla on how it developed and verified whether Autopilot recall worked

Federal highway safety investigators are seeking information on Tesla's development of a fix for its Autopilot partially automated driving system recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has concerns about the recall's effectiveness, as Tesla has reported 20 crashes since the software update in December. The agency has asked for detailed information on how Tesla used human behavior science in designing Autopilot and the company's assessment of human factors.

Only niggle in an otherwise good service experience of my XUV700

BHPian dkaile recently shared this with other enthusiasts. One year/10 K service done today at CAI Automobiles, Coimbatore. No issues to report except a nagging rattle from somewhere on the left front side which they couldn't rectify. They impressed me first up when I saw the service technicians using a proper torque wrench on the wheel lug nuts; swear this was the first time in my life I saw this tool in the hands of any ASS employee. Pretty good experience overall. Only fly in the ointment: Mahindra isn't training their SAs on the vehicle specs adequately. I had to inform them that the recommended engine oil was Maximile Ultra V4 (Shell) and not Maximile Ultra (Valvoline). The latter is to be used only if the recommended oil can't be procured for some reason, as per the Mahindra booklet again. All this was befuddling news to them, and both the SA & CRM appeared as if they'd seen the booklet for the first time, going by the amused expressions they had while turning it over. The V4 being fully synthetic vs the other being semi-synthetic was totally lost on them, and they insisted that since they've not demanded any V4 & Mahindra is supplying them with only Maximile Ultra by default, therefore it means that Mahindra is recommending it as the oil of choice. Also, the fact that they've used Maximile Ultra only on all the diesel XUV700s serviced with them so far without any complaints is apparently a testament to it. I gave up after banging my head against this logic for 10 minutes. Can others chime in with what engine oil they were provided with at the service? Anybody used (15W40 I believe, it's not written on the can though) fully synthetic oil of any other make if they've been denied the V4 by the ASS? Thanks! Here's what BHPian Sommos had to say on the matter:During the 30K service of my vehicle, V4 was not available at the ASC. I had refused the service and raised a complaint with the CC. The ASC had arranged the V4 engine oil from a nearby dealer within a day and the 30K service was done the next day. You can try raising the issue with the CC quoting your manual.Here's what BHPian northstar* had to say on the matter:I think the availability of V4 is still a question in places other than tyre 1 & 2 cities. I had asked specifically for V4 in my 30k service and no one in the ASS was even heard of it. We have a group of 200 XUVs from Kerala and no one has ever experienced V4 yet !!!Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG updated with new safety features

Maruti Suzuki has introduced new safety features across all variants of the Brezza CNG. The Brezza CNG is currently available in three variants: LXI, VXI and ZXI, with prices starting at Rs 9.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The carmaker now offers Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Hill Hold Assist as standard on this model. The Brezza CNG is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 102 BHP and 137 Nm. When running on CNG, the engine puts out 87 BHP and 121 Nm. It is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol version of the Maruti Brezza is already available with ESP and hill hold assist. Other features include a 360-degree camera, reverse parking sensors, dual front airbags as well as side and curtain airbags, which are limited to the petrol version.

Tesla Layoffs Continue As Musk-led Auto Giant Hands Out Pink Slips For Fourth Week Running

The latest round of layoffs follows Tesla's earlier decision to reduce its global workforce by over 10%.

Got a BH series number plate for my car: Overall cost & experience

BHPian blueberry recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Saga of getting the BH series number RTOs across the country have made it harder to procure BH series numbers. As per the RTO agent, the stricter norms have come in from Nov'23. I feel its a good step to prevent misuse, But there needs to be a middle ground to not hassle genuine folks. BH series misuse - captured in this thread by GTO. Time taken to get BH number allotted: 15 days Do note - Make sure your name is same across PAN card, Aadhaar card, Vehicle invoice and Temporary registration slip. They did not insist on this being same for the temporary registration. But for BH, I had to modify my Aadhaar to include my fathers last name. (PAN mandates fathers last name also, Aadhaar doesn't - A concern for folks who don't have a concept of last name - e.g. some folks from the South of India) Documents needed from workplace as per GOI norms:Vehicle InvoiceTemporary registration certificateEmployee PAN cardAadhaar cardCertificate from workplace mentioning 4 GST numbersForm-60 (Working certificate) - includes:Registration number of organisation (CIN number)Registered address of organisationOrganisation's PAN card numberOrganisation e-mail addressEmployee UAN (PF)Apart from these documents, the RTO insisted on the following proof as well:An email from the HR to the RTO email IDContent of email - what is already there in form 60Last 3 Pay slipsRTO had also calculated the road tax in a way different from the GOI gazette.GOI rules say, tax is calculated on Invoice price (+) CESS {Same as ex-showroom price (-) GST}. And depending on this numerical value - tax bands applyUP RTO has calculated this tax on Invoice price alone (they've missed to add the CESS). They've also not considered the discount which has reduced the ex-showroom price.The tax band has been applied on overall Ex-showroom price. It ended up costing me 23K more over 15 years. I did not want to go through the hassle of dealing with the RTO again. I'm also moving cities next month, so I wanted this complete before moving. The value of BH registration is worth much more, so this doesn't irk me. Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

US seeks answers from Tesla in Autopilot recall probe

US seeks answers from Tesla in Autopilot recall probe U.S. auto safety investigators are seeking detailed answers and documents from Tesla in a probe into the automaker's December recall of more than 2 million vehicles to install new Autopilot safeguards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said last month it was investigating after receiving reports of 20 crashes involving vehicles that had the Autopilot software updates installed under Tesla's recall. The agency's letter said it had identified several concerns regarding the recall. Tesla said in December its largest-ever recall covering 2.03 million U.S. vehicles - or nearly all of its vehicles on U.S. roads - was to better ensure drivers pay attention when using its advanced driver assistance system. The NHTSA recall investigation covers models Y, X, S, 3 and Cybertruck vehicles in the U.S. equipped with Autopilot produced between the 2012 and 2024 model years. Tesla, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has said repeatedly that Autopilot does not make vehicles self-driving and is intended for use with a fully attentive driver who is prepared to take over and has hands on the steering wheel. NHTSA said it had sent Tesla an information request letter, which was made public on Tuesday, seeking details of the recall and documents by July 1. NHTSA wants comparative data from Tesla on the performance of vehicles after receiving the recall including the number of hands on wheel warnings issued. The agency said it had concerns after those 20 crashes as well as results from preliminary NHTSA tests of updated vehicles following Tesla's five-part recall remedy. One issue under investigation is Tesla's recall allows drivers to set how they activate Autopilot by either allowing a single-pull or double-pull of the drive stalk. NHTSA's letter said the single-pull activation of Autopilot is not the default setting on vehicles that received the remedy in the field and testing showed it was possible to make this change while driving. Tesla has also made additional updates to reduce crashes including high speed captive turn lane collisions that are not part of the recall. NHTSA said it will assess the timing and driving factors behind these updates, their impacts on subject vehicle field performance, and Teslas basis for not including them. Last month, NHTSA said it found evidence that Teslas weak driver engagement system was not appropriate for Autopilots permissive operating capabilities and that this results in a critical safety gap. NHTSA said during its Autopilot safety probe launched in August 2021 that it had identified at least 13 Tesla crashes involving at least one death and many more involving serious injuries in which foreseeable driver misuse of the system played an apparent role. NHTSA noted Tesla's December recall allows a driver to readily reverse the software update.

Rs 5 lakh crore wiped off! Poll jitters, banking & auto woes weigh on indices

The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex declined 384 points or 0.52% to settle at 60,432. The broader NSE Nifty dropped 140 points or 0.62% to end at 22,302.

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index falls 1.83%

The Nifty Auto index closed 1.83 per cent down at 22114.0.

Auto drivers daughter wants CA as career option

Parthiban's daughter excels in Class 12 at Chennai's GCC school. Poongodhai aims for B.Com. and spoken English, emphasizing its importance for competitiveness, financially supported by her mother amidst shared struggles with sister.

How to clean the relays of an Interceptor 650 / Continental GT 650

BHPian raiuday recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Inty's gone through the first service in a week and done 560 kms overall. Time for a DIY. Inty/GT's relays tend to give up and the bike just stalls abruptly. Several forums online did mention the issues with earlier 5-pin relays but the same persisted with the newer 4-pin relays as well. RE gunks up the relay sockets with Lithium grease, like a lot, and that eventually heats up the relays and spreads over the entire sockets, blocking free conductivity between the relays and connectors. Solution? Get the factory grease off with an electronic contact cleaner (WD-40 electronic contact cleaner is what I used). You may choose to replace the relays altogether with 4-pin 12V 20A or 30A SPST relays from good brands like Bosch, Panasonic, Denali etc., but I've not done it although I had spare relays, as my bike is just a week old. Might do it if I face any issues in the future.Tools/materials used:Allen key to open the left side panel.WD-40 Contact cleaner.Permatex Dielectric tuneup grease.Ear cleaning bud to apply the grease.Soft cloth to wipe off the connectors.First step is to get the side panels and seat off the bike as the relays are accessible under the left-hand side panel. Be careful while pulling the left side panel as it involves getting the Allen bolt off on the frame under the seat and then by holding the left top corner, pull the panel towards yourself and it pops, then pull the panel upwards to get it off. Once the left side panel is off, you'll have access to the relays which are held in position by clips behind the sockets. Pull the relay sockets upwards off the clip and then the relays out. You can see the relays fully covered by grease. If you've OCD, go ahead and mark the relays to get them in exact same positions. The connectors and relays are goofed up with too much lithium grease which hampers the conduction of electricity, heating up the relays and ending up stalling due to the fuel pump not receiving the required wattage. Now shake the contact cleaner, point the nozzle at the relay connectors and give a thorough spray to get the gunk off. I've used a lens cleaning cloth around the smallest Allen key (toothpick does the job too) to wipe any remaining grease and moisture off the connectors. Let the sockets dry for 15 min while cleaning the relays. Apply a good dielectric grease very so slightly on the relay ends with the help of an ear cleaning bud as below. Note that when it comes to dielectric grease, a little does a lot and a lot goofs up the connections. Also, at this point, you may choose to replace the stock relays with those of any good brands as stated earlier. Once applied, access the below male-female plug connection, just above the relays and push the edges to access the connectors, wipe it off as well and apply the dielectric grease, then plug it back. Plug the relays back into the connectors and you should hear a clicking sound. Wipe the area clean. Once done, make sure to turn the bike on and check fuel pump priming up, horns, indicators, and lights working, and that no CEL is thrown when started. Run it for a couple of mins to see if the bike idles fine. After everything is checked and good to go, fit the panels back in. Make sure to tighten the Allen bolt back in place, once the left panel is on. I missed it and had to undo the panels again, then lock it off. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Honda ditches e:N names, as customers can't pronounce them

According to reports, Honda has decided to drop the 'e:N' prefix used on some of its newest international models. This includes the e:Ny1 sold in Europe and China. The name e:Ny1 is said to have been a clever play on anyone by Honda, however, the combination of letters and numbers has left customers confused. The 'e:N' prefix was used to indicate EVs produced by Honda in collaboration with its Chinese partners. Honda has confirmed that the brand will be dropping the 'e:N' prefix on all its Chinese-market EVs because customers just can't pronounce it. The carmaker also stated that going forward its EVs will switch to a more simpler alphanumeric naming structure; where e:Ny1 will change to Y1. The change in the naming structure is good news for the Chinese and European markets, where these cars are sold. The American market has been spared as Honda's recent EV, based on GM's Ultium platform received a conventional name - Prologue. Source: Road&Track

Tata Punch remains the most popular model in April 2024

The Tata Punch was the best-selling model in India last month. Punch sales zoomed past Maruti Suzuki's popular models like the WagonR, Swift and Brezza. The Punch has emerged as the highest-selling model for 2 months in succession. Tata Motors sold 19,158 units of the Punch last month compared to 17,850 units of the WagonR. The third best-selling model was the Maruti Suzuki Brezza with 17,113 units. The Punch was on top of the sales charts in March 2024 with sales of 17,547 units. In the same month, the Hyundai Creta was in second place with 16,458 units, while the Maruti WagonR was in third with 16,368 units. Models like the Tiago, Altroz, Punch and Nexon have fuelled Tata Motors' growth in the past few years. In FY2024, the homegrown carmaker pipped Hyundai to become the second-largest brand in India in terms of sales. Source:ET Auto

Q4 earnings review: BFSI, auto lead YoY PAT beat for Nifty companies; IT, consumption top drags

Dalal Street's Q1 earnings season sees Nifty constituents with 24% YoY profit growth, varying estimates from brokerages: ICICI Securities reports 44%, Kotak Institutional Equities 14%, and Motilal Oswal 13%.

Zapmail Unveils Zappy AI: Revolutionising Sales Automation

According to McKinsey estimates, AI may deliver an additional economic output of around US$13 trillion by 2030, increasing global GDP by about 1.2 % annually. Zapmail proudly introduces Zappy AI, a groundbreaking sales automation solution poised to transform the way businesses engage with their customers. Designed to streamline operations and enhance customer interactions, Zappy AI represents a significant leap forward in efficiency and effectiveness. In a digital landscape where personalised communication is paramount, Zappy AI emerges as the ultimate solution. With Agent Zappy at its core, businesses can now foster genuine, two-way conversations tailored to each customers preferences. This personalised approach not only boosts satisfaction but also cultivates long-lasting loyalty. In addition, with the newly launched programme powered by cutting-edge technology, Zappy AI harnesses the power of customer intelligence like never before. Agent Zappy meticulously learns and remembers intricate details about every customer interaction, enabling businesses to tailor their communication strategies with precision and insight. Moreover, Zappy AI offers unparalleled omnichannel reach, seamlessly connecting businesses with customers across various platforms including email, WhatsApp, social media, and traditional phone calls. This versatility ensures effective engagement regardless of the customers preferred mode of communication. Founder, Zapmail Sean Samarasinghe noted: Sri Lanka is brimming with tech talent and innovative ideas. With solutions such as Zapmail and Zappy AI we can embrace AIs rapid advancement and position our nation as an innovation hub. At its core, Zappy AI is engineered for automation efficiency. By automating repetitive communication tasks, businesses can redirect their focus towards delivering exceptional products and services, thereby maximising productivity and profitability. Zapmail remains committed to innovation and growth. Building upon the success of Zappy AI, the company recently launched a classic version, combining a familiar email interface with advanced capabilities. This expansion aims to cater to a broader audience, including cutting-edge tech startups that are attracting international investor attention. Zapmails recent selection for investment by Antler marks a significant milestone, and the company is eagerly anticipating its expansion into foreign markets. Samarasinghe founded Magna Fortuna Holdings in 2016 intending to foster transformative solutions and bolster the Sri Lankan economy through ethical practices and strategic diversification. Under his leadership, Magna Fortuna has consistently supported emerging technologies with global potential. The international investment in Zappy AI underscores the efficacy of this forward-thinking strategy and highlights Sri Lankas prowess in tech innovation. Photo Caption : (From Left): CIO, Zapmail Mark Sachintha, CMO, Zapmail Meredith Ivor, CEO, Zapmail Sean Samarasinghe, CTO, Zapmail Devmin Abeysena, COO, Zapmail Shay Anthony.

11 things about my Skoda Slavia 1.0 AT: Four-month ownership review

BHPian Live.Love.Drive recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello everyone, I want to share my review of Skoda Slavia 1.0 AT, which I've owned for the past four months. Before I begin, I must extend my gratitude to fellow members of this community. Your invaluable insights played a significant role in helping me narrow down my choice of car. Here's a brief overview of the cars I considered before settling on the Skoda Slavia.Cars Considered:Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia The first obvious choice was Honda City. It is one of my favourite cars. I test drove the manual variant and liked it a lot and decided to buy it immediately after the test drive. Timeless design, sweet rev happy engine, Honda reliability, what else could you ask for right?! However, after some time, I found myself leaning towards purchasing an automatic variant considering our ever-worsening traffic conditions and the auto boxes could also be fun, especially with paddle shifters. So I test drove the Honda City again this time with CVT. I liked it but I noticed a lot of engine noise filtering through the cabin and I did not like the throttle response in the CVT variant. It definitely had a rubber band effect. NVH package was a letdown. So I decided to explore other options in the market.Hyundai VernaI did not like the design when I saw it in the ads but in person, it felt better, I felt the design language was too outlandish and the cuts and creases not helping either; Car felt like two design languages merged into one. Anyway, I test drove both 1.5 NA IVT and 1.5 Turbo DCT. I liked the interior layout in 1.5 NA IVT better and the engine was smooth and refined but there was no wow factor in the way it revved. It was good but just not enthusiastic enough at least for me. It was not compelling enough to trade my Grand i10. I test drove 1.5 Turbo variant as well, this was plenty powerful and I liked it immediately. My only concern was with DCT reliability and I did not want to take a risk as I was planning to hold the car for a long time.VAG TwinsTest drove Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TC and 1.5 DSG and liked them both. I felt 1.0 TC has enough poke, it has a more versatile auto box and is cheaper as well. So my mind was set on 1.0 TCPositives:Timeless DesignSmooth shifting TC: No Shift shocks, masks the turbo lag quite well3-cylinder unit but does not sound crudeNVH package is good; I felt NVH is better than Honda CityAdded bonus of bigger Ground ClearanceVentilated seatsThe overall build quality and Safety ratingPunchy performanceNegatives:360-degree camera: I feel it is a sore miss, with a car of this size at least front parking sensors should be providedADAS: I particularly like adaptive cruise control. Honda City offers it from the V variantTest drove Skoda Slavia 1.0 TC and it felt similar to Virtus. I liked Skoda Slavia a wee bit more than Volkswagen Virtus just for that Crytal Blue color. That's it. We booked the car in Oct and got the updated car with powered seats, a subwoofer and 10-inch screen.Some of the points I noticed in my four months of ownership of Skoda Slavia 1.0 ATThere is turbo lagThis is especially felt when we have to completely come to a halt while dealing with traffic. Initially, I tried many options like putting it in Sports mode, using paddle shifters but the lag stayed. Only way to deal with it is to keep it above 2000 rpm. What I did was to press the throttle just enough to get to 2k+ rpm and then release and then slowly accelerate thereafter. So when we get to 2k+ RPM it stays there for a fraction of a second (this is the case in my AT) even when you have released the paddle. This method has worked for me to counter the Turbo lag.AC effectivenessYes as many others have already pointed out AC could be better. It makes some hissing noise as well. What has worked for me is to not put it in Auto mode. Fan speed at 2 and temperature set at 21, recirc on and airflow to feet as well. I don't have to set this every time I start the car. That's good. Also, I have got the sun shades from Skoda for all four windows and rear and they definitely help.Wireless connectivity to infotainment systemApple carplay of my wife's iPhone connects seamlessly every time. I own an Android phone, and Android Auto connectivity is not as good. I prefer connecting through a wire.Brake noiseAgain as pointed out by many, there is this brake noise issue when we completely halt the car. I don't know the solution to this. Please let me know if I can get rid of this noise.Interior QualityEnough has been said about this already. In my 4.5 months of ownership, I have not noticed any rattling. The bronze strip that runs across the dash looks great but when we touch it, there is some play and noise. Don't know why Skoda could not fix this properly. Also the AC vents which again look great but there is some play when we press the plastics around the AC vent. Rest of the interior is quite sturdy and doesn't feel flimsy.Can we seat 3 in the rearNo, you can't, it's an excellent 4 seater, seat contouring is on point. For the third passenger although there is some space but seat contouring won't allow it. There is some workaround we can do. I ordered a couple of Fovera backrest support cushions from Amazon, these things make the bucket seats flat allowing the third passenger to sit that much more comfortably. Only caveat is we will lose some under thigh support. I only use these cushions when we absolutely cannot avoid a third passenger.Seat Ventilation effectivenessSeat Ventilators are my new favourite, trust me you don't know you need them until you use them. In my Slavia I found ventilation working reasonably well, I always keep it at the first level (there are 2 fan speed options), and on the second level, there is more noise than action.1.0 TSI is mile muncherI had my apprehensions about the cruise abilities of this three-cylinder engine but I'm pleasantly surprised. It can cruise in triple digits all day long. And there is ample power to make quick overtakes as the turbo range is wide 1750 to 4500 RPM.Ride qualityIt is very good. It glides over the rough roads. 16-inch wheels and a stiff platform have allowed Skoda to tune the dampers more towards comfort.Driving DynamicsMany have complained that the steering is too light but I felt it is very good. Steering feedback is exceptional. Keep in mind that my previous car was a Grand i10. People coming from a Polo or EcoSport etc may feel differently.Engine NoiseEngine noise is well-contained. VAG group has done a great job in containing the noise. There are no vibrations or harshness inside the cabin. Yes, the engine is quite audible from the outside. The only time I feel there is engine noise is when coming off from a highway toll booth and quickly trying to get to triple digits. Crack up the music and you won't hear anything. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

China-based EV maker Leapmotor plans India entry

Chinese EV maker, Leapmotor, is set to enter the Indian market. According to media reports, the company will be announcing its investment plans in the coming weeks. Leapmotor plans to bring its EVs to India in partnership with the Stellantis group. Reports suggest that the two companies are likely to announce their India plans in the next few weeks. If the proposal is approved by the government, it would pave the way for Leapmotor's budget electric cars to be launched in India. Leapmotor currently has three EVs on offer. These include the C01 4-door sedan, C11 SUV and the T03 electric hatchback, which seem to be the most likely candidates for India, given the fact the report mentions budget EVs. The T03 is powered by a 70 kW electric motor and offers a range of up to 280 km (WLTP cycle). It has 3 driving modes and 3 steering modes, among a host of other features. Stellantis announced its partnership with Leapmotor in October last year. The company plans to acquire approximately 20% with an investment of US$ 1.6 billion. Source: TOI

Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography | P530 LWB | Negotiable Price

Brand New 2023 4.4L / 8 Cylinder 8 speed Automatic Transmission 530 Horsepower All Wheel Drive European Specs Exterior Colour SANTORINI BLACK Interior Colour RED []

17,000 km & 1 year with my Maruti Ignis: 8 quick observations

BHPian rogerthat recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Update after 17,019 km and 1 year Iggy just got serviced at 17000 km 2 weeks ago, and i thought it is time to add more updates to my ownership review.AC struggles to cool initially in summer, when temperatures cross 37-38 degree Celsius.Boot is surprisingly adequate! I remember telling myself that the missus and I will have to pack light when going on long trips. I am never a fan of placing the rear seats down for extra luggage space, but i never had to until now. One 79 cm large suitcase at the bottom + Two 55 cm suitcases on top + Two medium duffel bags can be easily placed in the boot (without the parcel try ofc) and this placement of luggage does not obstruct my rear view either.Environmental odour seeps into the vehicle even when windows are closed and air recirculation is disabled. Not sure why this is happening.The under-bonnet insulation/lining is beginning to come off. SA said it is an issue with all Ignis vehicles and quoted 1200 for replacement as it is not covered under warranty.I had to replace my glove box as I broke it a few months ago trying to replace the AC filter myself. SA quoted 1600 along with going to the service centre again to get it replaced as the part was not in stock. I respectfully declined, bought the part on Boodmo for around 600 and changed it myself.Barring a single scratch by an errant BMTC bus driver, Iggy has not been involved in any accidents so far (touchwood). I consider it an achievement keeping in mind the Bengaluru traffic and lawless state of affairs on roads.I have begun to keep pepper spray in my vehicle seeing the number of road-rage incidents.Mileage has improved slightly. 15 kmpl in medium to heavy traffic and 21-22 kmpl on highways. Though I do admit that the improvement may also be because I have started to drive more sedately.Here's to munching more miles with this pocket dynamite! Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

My 2023 Safari is mechanically great but has multiple software issues

BHPian flameofforest recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello all, Here is my review after a 2000 km trip from HYD to my hometown and back. Overall the vehicle ran great from the mechanical perspective. I mean - pickup, braking, lights, handling, ride comfort etc. All went fine. Got a mileage of around 15.5 KMPL as it was mostly highway drive. I got the vehicle's 1st servicing done before this long trip. They top-upped the DEF, updated the software to Jan 2024 version.Now to the nigglesAfter s/w update the Rear AC option started working. How it works is - IF the AC is ON on the 3rd row, then this is by default ON on the infotainment option. You can switch it OFF from here - works. BUT - now with this option working - I found that the AC temperature doesn't go up/down rather it keeps it at a very low of around 18C.FM Reception is still Bad. I was told by the service centre that Tata will release an update so waiting.Android Auto Music disconnects sometimes when I switch the indicator on-off and something is in the blind spot so an alert comes. The map works but then the music sound doesn't come like the audio is suppressed with an indicator alert. You have to switch off the car and turn it back on for it to work. I guess someone else also pointed this out.Indicator alert, if someone is in the blind spot, is sometimes VERY loud that it scares the hell. Did try to lower the notification volume but not that useful.Someone did mention - whenever the lane departure warning comes on, the dashboard display automatically switches to the Driver Assist menu, regardless of what screen I'm currently on (fuel efficiency, maps, etc.). Annoying.AEB-FCW error a couple of times so this is a bit scary as I am not sure if it works or not.Strangely, automatically the 360-degree parking sensors went off and didn't give any alarm while I was parking last week. I went to settings and toggled them on-off and it again started working.My old issue of vehicle going back to CITY mode after 5-10 minutes of driving in ECO still persists.Memory seat failure. Received many times so now getting habituated to manually changing the positionLiving with these all and awaiting some miracle to happen that one fine day I get up from sleep and it all goes away. Cheers. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Personal Loan: 4 key advantages of setting automatic payments

Automated personal loan payments offer a convenient and secure method for handling your debt.

You can now book an overnight stay at the Ferrari Museum via Airbnb

Airbnb has revealed its latest venture, called the Icons series. It offers travellers the opportunity to stay at some of the world's most iconic locations - one of them being the Ferrari Museum at Maranello, Italy. Guests staying a night at the museum will be treated to a host of exclusive perks, specially curated to give them the Ferrari Lifestyle. Apart from the Ferrari Museum tour, former F1 driver Marc Gene will be their host, giving guests the opportunity of a passenger ride around the Fiorano test track in a Ferrari 296 GTB. Guests will also receive VIP tickets to the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with exclusive access to the paddock area. Post the race, they can dine at Ristorante Cavallino - said to be Enzo Ferrari's cherished dining spot. Coming to the stay itself, the room will have a bed adorned in the same red leather used on the seats of a Ferrari. The bed will also be surrounded by some of the brand's old F1 cars. Customers can send their request for booking the experience between May 6 & May 8. Airbnb will randomly select potential guests for the opportunity. Source: Car&Driver

Ford unlikely to relaunch EcoSport, Figo & Aspire in India

Ford is reportedly gearing up for its next innings in India. The brand is returning to the Indian market with thenext-gen Endeavourbut is unlikely to bring the EcoSport, Figo and Aspire back. According to a media report, Ford will not bring smaller petrol or diesel models to the market. The carmaker will focus on the T6 platform, that underpins the Everest and Ranger. Quoting an unnamed source, the report states, That chapter [of made-in-India mass-market internal combustion engine models] is closed. Out internal combustion engine play in India will only be limited to T6 products. The Ford Everest and Ranger pickup have already been spotted in testing in India. Both models are being evaluated for local assembly, however the decision to start production would depend on the company's EV plan. Speaking of EVs, Ford is said to be working on an affordable EV based on a new platform. The low-cost EV platform is expected to spawn products that will rival the Tesla Model 3. Source:Autocar India

How to import a Land Cruiser Prado from Japan without involving Toyota?

BHPian TorqueIndia recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I was quite surprised by the pricing of the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 aka PRADO in Japan. The SUV is priced at just 28L with 2.8L diesel+8 AT+full time 4WD+ADAS in the 5s variant. The top variant costs around 42L in Japan, further while looking at the website reveals more interesting products with a wide variety of body styles and great value compared to Toyota India pricing (LC 300 is priced at about 2.6 CR in India) The question is how can we import these products from Japan as they are available in RHD too, SIAM shows the tax structure for various imports including used cars. Is there any option to import these Toyota cars without involving Toyota India? Toyota India has a very thin portfolio with exorbitant prices compared to their global lineup, be it a local product, CKD or CBU product Here's what BHPian Haze had to say on the matter:28 L (Prado) + 110% import Duty (30.8L) + Shipping fees (3-ish Lakhs) + Customs clearance and permissions agent fee (1 Lakh) = 62.8 Lakhs + 15% Road tax (Approx) = 72.2 LakhsJeep Wrangler On-road price Delhi (Source Carwale) = 72.2 LakhsDiscovery Sport price On road Delhi = 78 LakhsAnd these are before negotiations.And these have a manufacturer warranty.And parts availability.Here's what BHPian Bhodrolok had to say on the matter:If Toyota launches an LC 250 at 70 odd lakhs in India, they will not have room for the Fortuner to grow, so expect it at around 1Cr.Here's what BHPian Asoon had to say on the matter:Given Toyota's track record, this will not come below 1.1 Cr in India, So, 72L with all the hassle is worth this car. The day is not far when fortuner will be priced 75L and the buyers will wait in line for overpriced, feature, deficit, less comfortable SUV Prado / LC brand is way stronger than the Discovery Sport / Wrangler. if priced at 72/ 75L this product will own the segmentHere's what BHPian TorqueIndia had to say on the matter:There is an update from an importer in Mumbai, It will cost around 215% taxes including 100% customs duty as claimed, members can verify this and give a clearer picture. So LC 300 base petrol will cost around: 28Lx 3.15 = 88L LC 300 diesel top end : 43Lx 3.15 = 1.35 CR Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Womans death: autopsy report points to murder

Stock market update: Nifty Auto index falls 0.86% in a weak market

The Nifty Auto index was trading 0.86 per cent down at 22332.4.

Rakhi, autographs as PM Modi votes in Ahmedabad amid huge crowd

Rakhi autographs as PM Modi votes in Ahmedabad amid huge crowd

Used Digiyatra app for air travel the first time: My mixed experience

BHPian vigsom recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Introduction Way back when Whatsapp was a craze (or a rage), it was quite a while until I registered myself on the app and there's been no looking back since. Same with the much touted Digiyatra - I've seen for myself how a colleague departing Pune Airport with only cabin baggage, arrived quite late (courtesy mad traffic at Magarpatta), used the Digiyatra gate to swiftly enter the terminal at 2030hrs, and still made it to his 2105hrs flight just in time. Despite seeing this seamless entry of my colleague, I didn't get onto Digiyatra until a few days ago. Reason - late adopter of tech! The run up to being Digiyatra-isedEver since I saw that last minute entry of my colleague, I've always wondered if there was some catch and why everyone is so keen to enrol folks onto Digiyatra. I've seenScores of bluish green jacketed employees at Bengaluru Airport soliciting passengers to get onto Digiyatra,A dedicated counter for registering for Digiyatra,Annoucements about Digiyatra on all aircraft I've flown on the domestic circuitThe first few gates at Bengaluru T1 being converted to Digiyatra ONLY gates making the non digital folks move to Gate 6 at Bengaluru Terminal 1Making walks longer to non-Digiyatra security check points tooyet, was stubborn not to give in. What made me eventually Digiyatra-ize? As examples - when filing IT returns, when applying for Aadhar based vehicle transfer of ownership, registering for GST, availing a mobile SIM etc., the Aadhar portal is accessed and only after the OTP is provided do things move. Since I travel a lot and was keen on experiencing tech finally, I thought to myself, If the system doesn't breach my security beyond just accessing my face, it is a calculated risk I'll take for providing myself with a convenience, because I use the airports a lot Quick steps I followed to Digiyatra-ize myself Accessed the app on the playstore, downloaded it, registered myself using the same number that I have linked to my Aadhar, provided my credentials in the form of Aadhar, the OTP I received from UIDAI site, then took a pic of myself and was all set. Uploaded my boarding pass and I said I was ready to enter the airport in style the next morning. Registration/ Login Page Profile screen Credentials page to click on Aadhar and validate via OTP Entry in style was not to be When I walked up to the Digiyatra gate in style, I was asked by the CISF personnel if I'd registered on Digiyatra at the Airport to which I replied I'd done it at home the previous evening, to which I got a reply, Woh app to yahan kaam nahi kar raha hai ( that is not working here). The CISF person was kind enough to ask me for my boarding pass and ID (legacy system) and allow me in. I said, Huh, so much for digital, post which I got into the terminal, checked my bag in, and moved to security check. There, I joined the Digiyatra queue, looked at the screen and bingo, I was in seamlessly. I wondered - how could I not enter at the Terminal Gate while able to enter seamlessly at Security check? Welcome to the digital world! Digiyatra Malfunction While this experience left some questions unanswered, I got some answers by the time I reached my destination. When I tried logging into Digiyatra, I got a message stating - check your internet connection. This happened multiple times even though the first screen was opening, other websites were opening. I then went onto the official Digiyatra website, where I saw an error message to state that passengers should be prepared to use the identity card system between 26th and 31st March 2024. Journey#2 and re-Digiyatra-izing myself On reaching the airport, I attempted an entry into the Digiyatra queue without realizing that I hadn't been able to open the app, and therefore hadn't uploaded my boarding pass for the day. As expected, the gate didn't open. I went out of the queue, spoke to one of the bluish green jacketed agents, who was very patient and told me that the app had been updated and she asked me to download the new app and re-register. I did, and when I was all set, the app wouldn't take my boarding pass in pdf. Next jugaad - took a screenshot of the boarding pass, pruned the pic, and uploaded as an image. Done in a jiffy. Went to a Digiyatra gate, looked at the screen, and lo and behold, the gate opened! Walked in, printed my bag tag, deposited my bag, moved to Security queue no.7, looked at the screen, the gate opened, and I walked past the gate like a king. Old App (black) vs latest First landing screen after registering - I skipped the fingerprinting Validate Credentials via Aadhar Consent for picking up data from UIDAI Credentials validated after a photograph of self is validated against the pic on the Aadhar - this and the uploaded boarding pass become one's pass for smooth entry into the airport Consent before uploading boarding pass Boarding Pass uploaded as an image but did not take the pdf Moral of the story Digital can make one look like a king, or like a fool. When, like what, is a gamble. While I'm keeping the app, I look forward to more travel and hope I continue to enjoy a king type entry everytime! However, I'm also prepared to look like a fool. Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Vellore auto drivers daughter tops school with 96 per cent

VELLORE: My biggest ambition is to make my parents proud, said E Dharshini, a 17-year-old government school student and the daughter of an auto rickshaw driver from Katpadi. She achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 580 marks out of 600 in her Class 12 board examinations. Dharishini, a student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Katpadi, Vellore, was diagnosed with a kidney-related ailment just a month before her examinations. She suffered a severe stomachache and had to undergo treatment, admitted to a hospital for at least a week. Despite facing last-minute health issues and her familys financial struggle, Dharshini persevered, scoring full marks in three subjects and securing the top position in her school. Speaking to TNIE, she expressed her desire to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the VIT University in Vellore, followed by a career in Chartered Accountancy. Dharshinis father, K Elumalai (42), the familys sole breadwinner, earns Rs 500 a day driving a rental auto rickshaw, most of which goes back to paying the vehicle rent. Expressing his delight, Elumalai said, She has scored remarkably well, and I am committed to ensuring that she pursues her education in the college she desires and achieves even greater success. Further, he was unsure of the extent to which he could support his daughters ambition, and said any financial assistance would significantly aid her education. Dharshini stuck to a diligent study schedule of four hours a day after school. For her academic success though, she credited her parents and teachers for their unwavering support and motivation.

Bajaj Auto Share Price Today Live Updates: Bajaj Auto Closes at Rs 9052.55 with 1.93% Weekly Return

Man murdered after brawl in RK Puram, auto driver arrested

Security Personnel Stabbed To Death By Auto Driver After Argument: Cops

5-year-old SSB constable was allegedly stabbed to death by an auto driver following an argument here, police said on Monday.

Tesla announces fourth round of layoffs in four weeks

The latest cuts affect engineers, HR, and service advisers.

Motorolas beloved MA1 Wireless Android Auto Car Adapter hits one of its best prices at $55

Over at Amazon today, youll find one of the best prices we have tracked on the Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Car Adapter at $54.99 shipped. This one carries a regular price at $90 directly from Motorola and is now at the best price we can find. Landing on par with the lowest total we have tracked from Amazon in well over a year now, todays offer undercuts our previous mention by a few bucks to upgrade your in-car entertainment system. A favorite around here and widely considered to be a best-in-class solution, the MA1 upgrades your setup with Android Auto support and wireless connectivity. Hit the jump for more details. more

Mid-spec Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI spotted at dealer yard

Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch the next-gen Swift in India soon. Over the last few days, the car has been spotted at multiple stockyards across India. The latest images reveal the mid-spec variant of the Swift. According to reports, the new Swift will be offered in five trims - LXI, VXI, VXI (O), ZXI, and ZXI+. The car seen in these images appears to be the VXI variant. The Swift VXI gets projector headlamps with L-shaped LED DRLs and LED taillights. It has blacked-out A, B, and C-pillars, while the mirrors and door handles are finished in body colour. This variant gets electrically adjustable ORVMs with integrated turn signals but misses out on a rear wiper. Inside, the mid-spec VXI and VXI (O) trims are likely to get features like a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering-mounted control, and a height-adjustable driver seat. The VXI (O) will get additional features like telematics, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, and power-folding ORVMs. The 2024 Swift will be offered with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine that produces 80 BHP @ 5,700 rpm and 112 Nm @ 4,300 rpm. The engine is expected to be paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and an AMT. Thanks toRavifor sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing them with other enthusiasts viathis Team-BHP share page!

Tesla files lawsuit against Indian battery company Tesla Power

According to media reports, American EV giant Tesla has filed a lawsuit against an Indian battery company named 'Tesla Power', alleging trademark infringement. The EV maker is already said to have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Indian company in 2022, which has a global office in Delaware, under the name 'Tesla Power USA'.*However, the company continues to use the name even now and argues that it manufactures lead acid batteries and not electric vehicle batteries and that it has no aspirations of entering the EV industry. Tesla Inc., however, states that the use of the name by the Indian company is causing confusion in the country. The EV maker's senior counsel, Chander Lall, stated that Tesla Inc. had started receiving complaints from customers which were actually meant for Tesla Power. The judge has barred Tesla Power from releasing any promotional material with the Tesla name until its next hearing scheduled for May 22. The battery company will also have to give a written response for its defence by then. Source: FoxBusiness

Drag Star Night Race to be held at Juhu airport on May 25

The second edition of the Drag Star Night Race will be held at the Juhu airport later this month. The event is being organized by 'Elite Octane', the same group behind 'The Valley Run'. The Drag Star Night Race will be open for superbikes and supercars. The event will be held on May 25 from 8 pm onwards. It is open to the public, and tickets are available on Paytm Insider for Rs 3,500. The first edition of the Drag Star Night Race was held in February 2022. At the time, the event was only open for supercars. The fastest time was recorded by Imran Majid in a tuned Nissan GT-R. It completed the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.

Long drive in the Porsche 911 with my son riding shotgun

BHPian androdev recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Got these on a recent flight - never felt so excited with a toothbrush kit to be repurposed as a school stationery pouch. I couldn't wait to return home and give them to my kid. I don't understand why the car dealers give totally pointless gifts like sweets, chocolates and dry fruits. Simple brand merchandise like these would be so much more exciting and far cheaper. To celebrate our new prized possessions, junior and I went for a long drive. In the middle of the drive, out of the blue, I looked at him and said This thing is amazing, there is a good chance it might kill us someday! We both looked at each other and silently agreed to live a long life. I started paying attention to the fuel economy and was pleased to see it was close to 10 kmpl. On the way back, I saw something spectacular in the rearview mirror waiting to overtake me. It turned out the mighty big brother TurboS. Looked absolutely smashing from the front and rear. I drove right behind him for some time as long as the traffic was not so light and then once the traffic cleared he took off and vanished. I felt let down - I was hoping we both could do a song and dance routine on the road. Damn, that car looked absolutely gorgeous! My son and I were hypnotised and mesmerised. Told him to study hard and buy me one in future, the new stationery pouch should come in handy. Further down the journey, a red Octavia was following me all the way till I took the exit to get off the highway. He was not interested in overtaking, he just wanted to drive right behind me, always passing several cars to stay behind me. Later I noticed he too was traveling with a young boy as shotgun! We did some song and dance routine for some time till my exit came! We didn't see each other but if we did, we would have exchanged some nerd-dad-thumbs-ups! Saved ourselves the blushes. Here's what BHPian TheGearBox had to say about the matter:Wow. Which airline gives Porsche branded merchandise?Here's what BHPian androdev replied:You can guess it would be a German airline - Lufthansa (business class, don't know if given in economy class also). They were running Porsche Macan ads on the inflight entertainment system - must have been some marketing campaign. I was tempted to check all seats at the time of exit to collect the leftover pouches but controlled my desi instincts.Here's what BHPian A.K had to say about the matter:Sharing an image taken by the driver of the red Octavia. Very interesting to see your car photographed, since I don't recall seeing any images aside from your own of this car ever since it has come into your ownership. Quite the ninja, if I may! Image credits : Prashant Here's what BHPian ChiragM had to say about the matter:That red Octavia is a usual spot on that road on Sundays and is a huge fan of your car.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.