As Toyota crosses the one million mark in hybrid sales, other car firms scramble

Given the market potential, even Toyota’s rival counterparts like Honda and Ford have hit the ground running. Ford sold more than 3,000 hybrids in the same time period, reaping benefits from the popular Escape (Ford’s hybrid), while Honda accepted payment checks for close to 5,000 hybrid units. GM, which may not have a significant proportion in these figures, is a major pioneer as well. The company is responsible for spearheading hybrid truck sales in America.

Even though hybrids are now becoming increasingly popular, analysts believe that a majority of consumers still prefer old fashioned technology under their bonnets. The main reason sighted for this anomaly has been the lower penetration of hybrid technology. Apart from select areas in a couple of developed markets, hybrids are virtually non-existent in most of the world. Despite the fact that developing markets like India and China are beginning to be visible on the hybrid map, there still are uncertainties.

So where lies the answer to this hybrid’dle? Despite clearly having efficiency advantages, the hybrid concept stands a chance of succeeding in the world’s fastest growing developing markets if and only if further price reductions are brought about, as these markets have very high price elasticities. Until then, a lot more has to be achieved than simply merging two engines.

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Source: IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Management Guru Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

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The Sunday Indian

A toast to Bud

The buzz in the liquor circles is that Budweiser – better known as Bud in pubs and bars all over the world – is all set to give India a high! The brand, a pale lager owned by the US-based Anheuser-Busch (which is the world’s largest brewer) is going about its business of setting shop in the country. It has already dispatched stocks to Hyderabad; Mumbai is the next stop – the city will receive bottles of Bud in July. Goa and Karnataka are next in the pipeline. Anheuser-Busch domestic partner Crown Beer Pvt. Ltd., reportedly, has even planned out the pricing: an average national price of Rs.68 for the 650 ml bottle and Rs.38 for the pint bottle (the rates may vary from state to state, of course, depending on duties and taxes). Shall we raise a toast to Bud then?

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Source: IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Management Guru Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

IIPM Arindam Chaudhuri 4Ps Business & Marketing Business & Economy Kkoooljobs Planman Media Planman Consulting Planman Marcom Planman Technologies Planman Financial Planman Motion Pictures GIDF The Daily Indian IIPM Think Tank
The Sunday Indian

The Peninsula Bangkok

Making a habit of winning awards, and for almost everything under the sun – putting together the Travel + Leisure Award, the Condé Nast Awards, the Gallivanter’s Guide Awards for Excellence, the National Geographic Traveler (China) Gold List only to name a few, the Peninsula Bangkok stands proud as one of the finest hotels in Bangkok.

THE VIEW: Built on the western bank of the scenic Chao Phraya River, the distinct and unique wave-shaped design of the hotel offers a window to the picturesque cityscape. An unobstructed view of the glistening river, from every corner of the hotel (including the rooms) adds an inimitable style quotient to scenic Bangkok.

ARCHI TYPE: The 39-storey structure has 370 guest room suites (some of the largest in the city). Apart from facing the river, the ten guest rooms and two one–bedroom suites on each of the floors, are replete with state-of the- art amenities and are also decorated to absolute perfection!

BON APPÉTIT: A variety of options are available for dining at the Peninsula Bangkok. From elaborate and scrumptious Cantonese cuisine at Mei Jiang, to the Pacific Rim cuisine in a more contemporary riverview setting at Jesters; the elegant and home styled Thai dining at Teak Pavilions by the river at Thiptara, the Lobby for light meals, the River Cafe & Terrace with open kitchens and the Pool Bar is ideal for unwinding.

AROUND THE CORNER: Standing tall in the heart of the city, the Peninsula Bangkok is in close proximity to major tourist attractions. The Grand Palace, the Temple of Dawn, the Reclining Buddha, the Golden Buddha, the famous flower market and Chinatown are all not very far away.

FROM UNDER THE CARPET: Know a little about the language and the phonetics… lest you’re left tongue-tied!

IN ESSENCE: The perfect Thai flavour that’ll last a lifetime!

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Source: IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Management Guru Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

IIPM Arindam Chaudhuri 4Ps Business & Marketing Business & Economy Kkoooljobs Planman Media Planman Consulting Planman Marcom Planman Technologies Planman Financial Planman Motion Pictures GIDF The Daily Indian

IIPM Think Tank The Sunday Indian

What happens to the huge amount of development being undertaken by property investors?

According to an article by Bundeep Singh Rangar, Chairman, IndusView, in FDI Magazine, retail will also be a key driver, with over 200 malls expected to be set up by 2008, which means 20 million sq. metres of retail space in India. Demand for commercial space will approach 112 million sq. metres by 2012- 13. Interestingly, even in the residential segment in urban India, the housing shortage is expected to touch 22 million units by year 2008.

Try saying that to a retail investor like Ram Chander Aggarwal, Chairman & Managing Director of Vishal Megamart, who assiduously argues against the real estate sector’s growth to us, saying out of 52 total Megamarts across India, he has only 4 in New Delhi and doesn’t plan even one more (not even in some other top line metros) because of the unbelievably high realty prices. That is a thought mirrored point by point by almost all other retail giants we talked to. Then what happens to the huge amount of development being undertaken by property investors?

Almost none of them is ready to even accept our take on the dastardly falling stock prices. The share prices of all realty majors have gone for a beating and are down to as much as 55% of their values over the last six months (see Finance National story); and this at a time when the Sensex has grown by historical benchmarks and is now fighting just 200 points shy of the 16,000 mark.


For Complete IIPM Article, Click here
Source: IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Management Guru Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative