Latest news with #Indian-made
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Citroën Basalt's entry ticket to South Africa approved for 2026
Fastback-styled crossover will become the third Indian-made Citroën sold in South Africa, and also its new flagship above the C3 and C3 Aircross. Basalt has been approved for South Africa in 2026. Image: Citroën India Reported towards the end of last year as being under consideration for South Africa, Citroën parent company, Stellantis, formerly confirmed the arrival of the Basalt at its annual Media Connect event in Johannesburg earlier this year from next year. Fastback flagship Set to become the third Indian assembled and developed model to be sold locally after the C3 and C3 Aircross, the fastback coupe-styled Basalt will make its debut in the early part of the new year, and become the brand's de facto flagship. NOW READ: Dramatic coupe-styled Citroën Basalt finally revealed Based on the same Smart Car platform as its siblings, the Basalt measures 4 352 mm long, 1 756 mm wide and 1 593 mm tall with its wheelbase stretching 2 651 mm. With or without pressure Its boot able to accommodate 470-liters of luggage, the Basalt comes in a choice of three trim levels in India, You, Plus and Max, with propulsion being provided by the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech engine with or without turbocharging. Coupe-styled Basalt will become Citroën South Africa's flagship model. Image: Citroën India In the case of the former, outputs are 60kW/115Nm, while the force-assisted unit develops 81kW/205Nm. Drive is routed to the front wheels only. The standard transmission option is a five-speed manual for the former, with the latter offering either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Spec sheet In terms of specification, and depending on the trim grade, the Basalt can be had with 16-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, leatherette seats, a 10.2-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charger and a six-speaker sound system. Included further are folding electric mirrors, a multi-function steering wheel, three USB ports, keyless entry, front and rear armrests, and remote engine start. Interior mirrors that of the C3 Aircross. Image: Citroën India On the safety and driver assistance side, and again depending on the trim level, the Basalt features six airbags, cruise control, a tyre pressure monitor, a reverse camera and rear parking sensors, Hill Hold Assist and Electronic Stability Control. In total, five mono-tone colours are available in India; Polar White, Platinum Grey, Steel Grey, Cosmo Blue and Garnet Red. A dual-tone finish, involving the former and latter hues being contrasted by a black roof, can be had as an option. Stay tuned 'We have a clear vision to grow our presence in South Africa and across the Sub-Saharan region,' Stellantis South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director, Mike Whitfield, said in a statement on Tuesday (22 July). 'This growth is anchored in three pillars: consolidating our brands, strengthening our dealer footprint, and rebuilding trust with customers through consistent delivery and innovation'. Priced from Rs 832 000, which amounts to R169 329 when directly converted into rand, more details surrounding the Basalt will likely only emerge closer to year-end or shortly before its market arrival in 2026. ALSO READ: Citroën C3's affordable price tag a sight for sore eyes
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Why The Apache Attack Helicopter Is A Big Shot In The Arm For Indian Army
New Delhi: 15 months after a squadron was raised in Jodhpur to house the world's most feared attack helicopter, the Indian Army today took delivery of the first three of six Boeing-built AH-64E Apache helicopters. The helicopters, which sport fuselages built by a Tata-Boeing joint venture on the outskirts of Hyderabad, are destined for combat patrol missions near the Pakistan border, where they will immediately be a major boost to the Indian Army's combat rotorcraft fleet, currently comprised of Indian-made Dhruv Rudra and Prachand helicopters. The Indian Army's Apache helicopters are not the first in country. The Indian Air Force operates two squadrons of the type, based in Pathankot and Jorhat, each 'taking care of' the northern sectors and eastern sectors facing China. Heavily armed, the Apache's arsenal includes a 30 mm M230 chain gun for close support, 70 mm Hydra rockets for area saturation, and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles that can destroy armoured vehicles and tanks from over six kilometres away. For aerial threats, it carries air-to-air Stinger missiles, making it lethal not just to tanks, but even to helicopters and UAVs. The Indian Army and IAF versions of the Apache are identical. The Indian Army's order for 6 Apaches is almost certain to go up to at least three times that number What truly sets the Apache apart, and makes it feared across theatres of war, is the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar system mounted above its rotor. About half of the Apaches for the Indian Army and IAF are Longbow-fitted versions of the helicopter. This mast-mounted, millimetre-wave radar can track up to 128 ground targets and prioritise 16 simultaneously. Its positioning allows the Apache to scan and assign targets while remaining hidden behind terrain, literally popping up only to deliver fire. That radar, paired with advanced infrared sensors, helmet-mounted displays, and night vision systems, makes the Apache a predator in the dark, ideal for sudden, overwhelming strikes. Their very presence adds several layers of deterrent caution on Pakistani ground movements. For the Indian Army, the AH-64E will also be able to receive live sensor feeds from drones, giving it situational awareness of the kind Indian Army copter pilots have never had before. This networked combat ability allows the Apache to detect threats, coordinate attacks, and share targeting data in real time, offering commanders a comprehensive, multi-domain view of the battlefield. Its induction comes weeks after Operation Sindoor, and at a time when India's western frontier remains live with threats. The Apache's presence near the Pakistan border shifts the equation. It can engage enemy armour, radar posts, terror camps and logistics convoys with speed and precision. Its survivability, with armoured crew compartments, crash-resistant systems, and hardened rotors, ensures it can take damage and still complete missions. The Indian Army's order for six Apaches is almost certain to go up to at least three times that number.
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla's California cool aura faces big test on Indian terrain
As Tesla gears up for its next showroom unveiling, this time in Delhi following the recent Mumbai debut, it is clear that the brand remains a big draw despite its limited numbers and high price tag. This was more than evident from the media hysteria accompanying the Mumbai event which dominated the headlines through the day. 'Tesla is a much admired brand, not just in India but all over the world. In India, it is always seen as a cool brand given the fact that it is very popular with the Silicon Valley IT crowd and the budding tech millionaires in India also want to own one. So do the stock brokers and equity traders.' says Ambi Parameswaran , noted brand strategist and author. Observers believe the charm lies in its disruption. On US roads, a Tesla is as common as a Toyota Camry and yet it still carries the sheen of Silicon Valley sophistication. It represents something far beyond transportation. In India, this halo still exists, albeit dimmed by sticker shock. According to Sandeep Goyal, Chairman, Rediffusion, 'More than anything else, it is the badge value. To be one amongst your social and work group to own a Tesla gives you bragging rights - the glow of that social esteem is incomparable!' Diminishing aura The fact that the company has lost its aura in recent times thanks to competition from Chinese carmakers, especially BYD, could be of little consequence to buyers in India. Many are also aware that the electric movement is already underway here thanks to local brands which have thrown their hats into the ring. 'Maybe the Indian-made cars from Tata and Mahindra may be better, or BYD may be better, but Tesla has the California cool aura, so there will be a long waiting list,' says Parameswaran. Vinay Raghunath, Partner, Automotive and Mobility Sector Leader, EY India, echoes these sentiments. 'Tesla's arrival marks a milestone in India's electric mobility journey. It will elevate consumer awareness, set benchmarks in connected and autonomous mobility, and prompt OEMs and ecosystem players to invest and innovate.' Tesla is also about the charisma of its CEO, Elon Musk, who has a huge fan following among India's young techies who almost revere him. This kind of hero worship may not resonate across the US and Europe where the Tesla chief has faced a lot of heat in recent times. The Elon Musk factor He has also had a publicised falling out with US President, Donald Trump, and subsequently exited the White House administration. Musk has raised the hackles of many people in the West with his provocative comments but India could not care less. 'Tesla is an Elon Musk statement. It is a statement of futuristics married to technology. Therefore, Indians love the Tesla story,' reiterates Harish Bijoor, Business & Brand Strategy Expert, Founder – Harish Bijoor Consults Inc. Perhaps, this may not be entirely true, argues V.G. Ramakrishnan, Managing Partner, Avanteum Advisors LLP. 'Tesla's aura in India has faded slightly from five years ago. Back then, it was the ultimate symbol of aspiration. Today, some of that sheen has worn of partly due to its pricing, Musk's polarising leadership and partly because American brands have struggled to localise in India. Apple is the exception; most others—Coke, Pepsi, Domino's—had to adapt to survive.' High levies In its turn, the company cannot ignore India either even while there have been constant cribs about the high import duty levels prevalent here. The Model Y shipped from Shanghai will, consequently, cost a bomb at over INR 60 lakh and it remains to be seen if this will still attract customers by the droves to Tesla showrooms. The price tag immediately sparked a wave of memes online, with some branding the vehicle 'TAX‑LA.' On offer is the base Autopilot suite (Level 2 ADAS), while Tesla's full self-driving (FSD) package—currently restricted by Indian regulation—remains off-limits. Yet, this is of little consequence when the top priority is to test the waters here. "Tesla or for that matter any other brand in the world of auto cannot ever ignore India. India is just too big to ignore. We host the largest number of potential consumers in the world, a wee bit of a notch above China as well. India is a "never mind the price" market at the top of the pyramid hierarchy of auto. This fact is scented by Tesla,' says Bijoor. Gauging market response The market response will also give the carmaker a better idea of its longterm business plan and if it makes sense to manufacture in India. Tesla's India debut has been long in the making—delayed by red tape, regulatory uncertainty, and Musk's well-documented standoff with India's high import duties. "In many ways, Tesla delayed an Indian entry as far as possible till friendly tariffs fell into place. This is just yet to happen, but might just. Tesla does pack charm. Its charm is in its differentiation,' continues Bijoor. While no 'friendly tariff' resolution is yet in place, Tesla has decided to test the waters. And true to its style, it arrives not as a mass-market disruptor, but as a high-end provocateur. It's no secret that the Centre tweaked its electric vehicle policy to suit Tesla except that the company was in no mood to bite the bait. Whether the India-US trade pact will offer import duty concessions is also a moot point since there is now no love lost between Trump and Musk. Tesla's influence is catalytic, rather than competitive—at least for now. With luxury EVs forming just 4 per cent of the 1.5–1.6 lakh EVs sold in the first half of FY25 (roughly 5,000–6,000 units), Tesla's positioning is elite, aspirational, and niche. It does not rival Tata, MG or Mahindra on volumes but its arrival will compel everyone, from automakers to policymakers, to look up and take notice. To what extent this attention or adulation will translate into sales remains to be seen.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
13 men held for consuming liquor in Gujarat during birthday party, 26 women served notice
The police arrested 13 men for allegedly consuming liquor at a birthday party near Gujarat's Sanand in Ahmedabad district on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. They also issued a notice to 26 women who tested positive for alcohol but released them, citing night-time arrest regulations. Pratik Subkaran Sanghi (38), who allegedly hosted the party at a banquet hall of Glade One Golf Club, was among those arrested. A joint team from Sanand, Aslali, Changodar and Bopal police stations, along with the Local Crime Branch (LCB), conducted the raid around 12:15 am on Monday after receiving a tip-off. The police said Sanghi is a director of several companies. Police officers said they found around 90 people at the venue. After conducting breathalyzer tests, they detained 39 of them and sent their blood samples for tests. 'Since we couldn't arrest the women at night as per rules, we served them a notice and let them go. We placed the men under arrest,' said Superintendent of Police (Rural Ahmedabad) Om Prakash Jat. Jat added, 'We're investigating where the liquor came from, the role of the accused, and whether the club authorities were involved. We also seized hookahs from the site and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to check for narcotics.' The police seized 11 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor and mobile phones worth Rs 1.6 lakh. Besides Sanghi, the arrested men include Ritesh Rajan Vazirani (38), Rushabh Vimal Duggal (28), Viraj Yagnesh Vitthalani (36), Ninad Kamlesh Parikh (43), Amit Suresh Bajaj (41), Raj Balkrushna Agrawal (37), Nikhil Surendra Bajaj (38), Dushyant Kishor Goswami (36), Varun Manoj Jain (36), Amit Shiv Jogiya (36), Priyam Bimal Parikh (37), and Sajal Sanjeevkumar Agrawal (35).
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
PM opens monsoon session with call for unity, hails Op Sindoor, space feat
New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Ahead of the commencement of the monsoon session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted a broad spectrum of national developments ranging from Operation Sindoor, agriculture and space exploration to defence capability and digital transformation. Modi also called on all members of Parliament to speak about the country's pride in one voice during the session. 'While there may be differences on party lines, there must be unity of intent in matters of national interest,' he stated and expressed hope that the session would be marked by high-quality debates and cooperation on legislation aimed at boosting development, empowering citizens, and advancing India's progress. Describing the monsoon session as a 'celebration of India's victories,' Modi praised the success of Operation Sindoor, in which the Indian Army neutralised high-value targets at enemy bases within 22 minutes. He said this operation reflected the readiness and strength of India's armed forces and underscored the increasing global interest in Indian-made defence systems. 'World leaders have expressed their admiration for India's indigenously developed military hardware,' he noted, adding that defence manufacturing would further empower youth through employment and innovation. Recalling the tragic killings in Pahalgam, the Prime Minister said that political parties and state representatives had risen above partisan considerations to launch a diplomatic campaign that successfully exposed Pakistan's role as a state sponsor of terrorism. He expressed appreciation for those involved, saying their efforts helped shape international understanding of India's position on terrorism. Turning to internal security, the Prime Minister said that the geographical spread of Naxalism and Maoism is shrinking rapidly. He asserted that 'hundreds of districts are now breathing free,' crediting the security forces and Constitution for replacing weapons with democratic processes. Former Red Corridor regions, he said, are being reimagined as 'Green Growth Zones,' marking a definitive shift towards development. Invoking the symbolic significance of the monsoon as a harbinger of 'innovation and renewal,' Modi noted that favourable weather conditions and a threefold rise in water reservoir levels, compared to the decadal average, promises well for agriculture and household economic stability. 'Rainfall plays a vital role not just in the rural economy, but in the nation's economic architecture,' he observed. The Prime Minister also hailed the recent unfurling of the Indian tricolour at the International Space Station (ISS) as a 'historic moment' and a source of national pride. Describing it as a symbol of the country's growing scientific ambition, he said the event has generated renewed enthusiasm for science and technology among youth and will serve as an inspiration for future space endeavours. Highlighting India's economic turnaround since 2014, Modi recalled how the country was previously grouped among the fragile five economies. 'Today, India is knocking on the doors of being the third-largest economy globally,' he said, pointing to the elevation of 25 crore people from poverty and a sharp drop in inflation from double digits to around 2 percent. He described the combination of low inflation and high growth as indicative of a robust and resilient economy. In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted India's advancements in the digital sector, particularly the success of Digital India and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Citing global recognition of India's digital infrastructure, he stated that the country now leads the world in real-time digital transactions. Modi also cited reports from international organisations to underline India's progress in social welfare and healthcare. He noted that over 90 crore Indians are now covered under social security, according to the International Labour Organization, and pointed out by the World Health Organization's declaration of India as trachoma-free as a key milestone in public health. UNI AJ PRS
