Norton teases upcoming bike ahead of November 4 debut at EICMA 2025
Interestingly, TVS and Norton are also said to be developing a middleweight category model to take on the likes of Royal Enfield and Triumph in India. This model, if realised, would allow Norton to tap into a broader audience while building its brand presence. However, there is no official confirmation on this front yet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Automaniaczzz (@automaniaczzzofficial)For now, initial launches will arrive via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route, but TVS is working towards local assembly in India in the future to make the brand more competitive. Among the speculated models is the high-performance Norton V4 range, comprising the V4 SV and V4 CR, powered by a 1200cc V4 engine producing 185bhp and 125Nm. These halo models could benefit from the India–UK Free Trade Agreement, which should make their price more attractive compared to other European rivals.TVS acquired Norton in 2020 for Rs 153 crore and has since invested over Rs 1,000 crore into revitalising the British brand. This investment has gone into developing a new R&D facility and setting up a modern manufacturing plant in Solihull, UK, with an annual capacity of 8,000 motorcycles. Norton reportedly plans to launch six new models globally by 2027, several of which are expected to make their way to India.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 minutes ago
- Business Standard
This MFI lender's stock soars 7% even as Q1 profit plunges; Here's why
Shares of CreditAccess Grameen rose over 7 per cent on Wednesday even after the company reported an 85 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to ₹60.2 crore for the quarter ended June 2025 (Q1FY26). The micro finance lender's stock rose as much as 7.05 per cent during the day to ₹1,370 per share. The stock pared gains to trade 5.3 per cent higher at ₹1,347 apiece, compared to a 0.43 per cent advance in Nifty 50 as of 1:10 PM. Shares of the company have been range-bound since July, and at day's high, the stock was at the highest level since July 2, 2024. The counter has risen 52 per cent this year, compared to a 6.2 per cent advance in the benchmark Nifty 50. CreditAccess Grameen has a total market capitalisation of ₹21,496.25 crore, according to BSE data. CreditAccess Grameen Q1 results The microfinance lender's net profit declined 85 per cent Y-o-Y primarily to ₹60.2 crore contraction in net interest income and higher provisioning. Sequentially, the net profit rose 27.5 per cent from Rs 47.2 crore in the quarter ended March 2025 (Q4FY25). The lender's net interest income (NII) declined 1.6 per cent to ₹937 crore. Sequentially, NII grew 7 per cent from ₹876.1 crore in Q4FY25. Its net interest margin (NIM) dropped to 12.8 per cent in Q1FY26 from 13.0 per cent in Q1FY25. However, it improved from 12.7 per cent in Q4FY25. The company's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) rose sharply to 4.70 per cent as of June 2025, up from 1.46 per cent a year ago. It, however, declined from 4.76 per cent at the end of March 2025. Analysts bullish on CreditAccess Grameen While the microfinance industry (MFI) is still navigating stress, JM Financial believes CreditAccess Grameen is best positioned to recover early. This is due to its strong stress recognition framework, along with an accelerated write-off policy and high expected credit loss coverage. Management expects elevated credit costs to persist in Q2FY25, before moderating to 3-3.5 per cent in the second half of FY25. FY26 guidance for loan growth and return on equity (RoE) has been maintained at 14-18 per cent and 11.8-13.3 per cent, respectively, with stronger momentum expected in the second half, particularly from the retail finance book. JM Financial expects around 15 per cent assets under management CAGR over FY25-27. Given the improving outlook, the brokerage has upgraded the stock to 'Buy' and revised the target price to ₹1,475. Analysts at Motilal Oswal said that the lender has successfully navigated a period of industry-wide challenges, demonstrating remarkable resilience and a return to normal operational efficiency. The company will continue to prioritise balance sheet normalisation through accelerated write-offs and prudent provisioning, it said.
The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
How Karnataka's artisans strive to stay afloat sans a middleman
The recent years have seen a surge in the demand for traditionally handcrafted home decor. Brassware, wooden idols, handmade lamps, rugs and more are being marketed as 'minimalist aesthetic' on various social media platforms and weekend pop-ups. Minimalism, referring to a lifestyle of intentionally living with only essentials rather than focusing on appearances, has led to a boom in the Aesthetic Economy. The gleaming finish of various handicrafts in Karnataka's newly constructed urban houses raises the question of who really benefits from it. At a hushed weaving unit in Bengaluru, Nanditha Sulur's team consists of 15 weavers who make rugs, pure silk and cotton silk sarees using traditional pit looms. 'As home decor becomes more popular, people tend to focus on the price and beauty of the product without taking into consideration the creator or the time it took to make it,' says Nanditha, owner of Indu Silks and Sarees in Bengaluru. By removing intermediaries, Nanditha ensures her customers pay fairly, instead of exorbitant prices. When determining prices, the cost of raw materials and complexity of designs are factored in, as well as daily wages for workers. 'I've seen my saris being sold at much higher prices in other outlets, which is why I made sure to eliminate the middlemen,' she says. 'People want a handmade finish at mass-produced rates,' says Jeenal Desai, founder of Clayodyssey in Bengaluru, commenting on the home decor trend. She explains, 'I have tried to sell my pottery through middlemen twice but since they add a 30% charge, it becomes more expensive.' Heritage and handiwork Artisanal hubs such as Channapatna and Bidar, which once reflected Karnataka's cultural heritage and craftsmanship, are struggling to remain relevant due to new marketing techniques. 'The National Institute of Design and National Institute of Fashion Technology have helped artisans reinvent their products, enabling them to reach a broader global market. Dolls that were traditionally made have now become educational tools, pen holders, and showpieces,' says HR Rajappa, Managing Director (MD), Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC). 'Channapatna toys have become much more than just toys. From napkin rings to chandeliers, Channapatna artisans are developing designs using innovative colours and shapes,' says Karthik, founder of Varnam Craft Collective. Varnam, which has been collaborating with Channapatna artisans for over a decade, observes that the demand from city buyers and foreign customers for customised products is time-consuming and results in a lower yield return for the artisans. Middlemen continue to wield power in numerous craft ecosystems by setting up units and gaining more profit. Though traditional handicrafts have begun to decorate Indian homes, many consumers remain unaware of their origin. 'Artisans using banana fibre and sandalwood are slowly being replaced by the Western or Korean products in marketplaces and metro station stalls,' adds M Mandal, Manager Development, KSHDC. A fine balance While keeping up with the times is important, one should not stray far off the mark where culture is concerned. Commenting on this ironic loss of tradition, Shejal Tewari, chief aide for an independent documentary on Karnataka's handlooms that is currently in production, says, 'A line should be drawn if artisans are being forced to commit to a trend which may fade away eventually.' She mentions the 'two-minute sari' with readymade pleats. 'It is functional, but a sari is not just a garment. The whole experience of learning how to drape it from your mothers and sisters is taken away. Such trends cannot carry the value of stories and memories forward.' 'The term 'sustainability' is often used as a marketing gimmick without taking into account the production process of each handicraft,' says Karthik. 'Even though the forests are regulated, the use of wood is still necessary for handicrafts such as Channapatna toys, which means they cannot be termed sustainable.' 'Culture and tradition seem to exist within spaces that are not doing well financially, and while they have a few patrons, the ones actually using their hands and sitting at the loom, are from villages and financially backward areas. No funds are provided taking that into consideration,' says Shejal. She adds how knowledge handed down over generations, is being eradicated as artisans do not want their children to take up the family craft. 'They'd rather see their sons as street vendors than learn the craft. It is not about money anymore, it is a social concern.' Baby steps 'The KSHDC works towards preserving and protecting Karnataka's rich tradition of craftsmanship,' says Rajappa, adding, 'Each piece has a set price that is not arbitrary. The price is calculated by a committee comprising officers and master artisans, who take into consideration the skill, material value, and workmanship it entailed.' He goes on to explain how accommodationshave been built in Kalanagar a at Channapatna to support artisans. These homes are provided with subsidies and are rented for ₹155 per month through 25-year EMIs. Similarly, Bidriware artisans working with blackened zinc and inlaid silver, have adapted to crafting corporate gifts and home decor. Through Cauvery Handicrafts and its e-commerce portal, the government provides support to artisans and minimises the involvement of middlemen. Even as the KSHDC's influence stretches across Karnataka, craftsmen in smaller towns still struggle without funds and support. A few such as Prakash Cannappa Ganiger, an artisan at Krishikala Handicrafts based in Mysore, have taken matters into their own hands. 'We train local women in Yarebudihal at grassroot level, thereby forming a self-help group or a sangha.' Though sales happen through melas, exhibitions and social media plans help widen their reach. 'Despite the challenges faced by rural artisans due to financial disparity, there is hope as now consumers increasingly favour products created using ecological and sustainable practices,' says Prakash. Boon and bane Mahalasa Prashant, who runs Adhya creations in Bengaluru, says online platforms such as Dhruti Mahila Marukatte and Facebook provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to promote and sell their crafts. She emphasised the need for a tight-knit social circle among independent artisans, especially when dealing with common issues they face, including haggling and plagiarism. Mahalasa says, 'Once, I found a screenshot of a custom nameplate I had made, posted on another account for sale. On confronting them, they denied the allegation and deleted the post. In this sea of social media you can never keep track of such accounts.' The fickleness of trends is as significant as their far-reaching impact. The subtle loss of heritage, tradition and identity loom large as artisans and their consumers subconsciously call for makeovers.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
11 minutes ago
- First Post
Watch: PM Modi embarks on 4-day visit to UK, Maldives; trade, defence ties in focus
PM Modi's trips aim to boost trade and defence ties, with a major highlight being the anticipated signing of a landmark India-UK free trade agreement read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (July 23) departed for a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives. In the first leg of the visit, the PM will visit the UK from July 23 to 24. From there, he will fly to the Maldives before concluding his four-day trip. #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and Maldives. PM Modi will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom from 23 – 24 July. In the second leg of his visit, PM will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July… — ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi's trips aim to boost trade and defence ties, with a major highlight being the anticipated signing of a landmark India-UK free trade agreement during his London visit. The foreign tour comes amidst the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, which started on July 21. In the Maldives, the PM will be the guest of honour at the nation's Independence Day celebrations. In the UK, he's scheduled for in-depth discussions with Starmer and a meeting with King Charles III on July 23-24. This marks PM Modi's fourth UK visit since taking office. On Thursday (July 24), Starmer will host Modi at Chequers, the British prime minister's countryside retreat, about 50 km northwest of London. According to sources cited by news agency PTI, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are expected to finalise the free trade agreement in the presence of both leaders. (More to follow)
