Latest news with #MINICountryman
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IT spending to pick up after trade talk clarity: TCS chief
Bengaluru: TCS is navigating a challenging environment marked by delays in client decision-making and cautious discretionary spending, especially on projects with longer return cycles. In an interview with TOI, TCS CEO K Krithivasan expressed confidence that international revenue will exceed FY25 levels in FY26, contingent on improved clarity expected by late July or early Aug as trade discussions near completion. Excerpts: How has delay in decision-making and discretionary spends evolved since March quarter? TCS expects discretionary demand to recover based on tariff-related clarity. We find that programmes with immediate or shorter-term ROI (return on investment) are continuing. However, programmes perceived as more long-term are either fast-tracked or reduced in scope to be consumed in the short or medium term. Programmes with ROI spread over a longer period are being deferred or slowed down. When I mentioned July and Aug, I was hoping trade discussions between countries would conclude by then. Once clarity emerges and consumer confidence picks up in the US, I am hopeful customers will start spending. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like De MINI Countryman. De grootste MINI ooit. MINI Ontvang quote Undo You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru What were the key factors behind a sharper decline in key verticals and geographies, and to what extent did the BSNL deal wind-down influence the revenue drop? We don't have any client-specific issues. Projects are getting descoped or delayed across multiple industries. While BFSI has grown in North America and the UK, it hasn't grown in Europe. On the BSNL deal, close to 90% of the sites are carrying commercial traffic. It's a natural and successful wind-down of the project — it had an impact of about 2.8% on the quarter-on-quarter growth. The international market fell by 0.3%, so the greater contribution came from here, but it was not unexpected. TCS COO said AI is driving efficiency at project level. How are firms measuring efficiency in AI-led coding tasks while accounting for the entire process? And is this shift starting to impact client costs yet? If efficiency gains are limited to IT projects alone, the overall benefit remains constrained. Even if IT projects deliver a 20-30% improvement in coding efficiency, that might only result in a 5-10% gain in overall value from conceptualisation to go-live. That's why end-to-end articulation and value-creation across all phases are essential to achieving meaningful productivity gains and measurable benefits leading to improved customer satisfaction and stronger sales performance. Clients are becoming aware of AI-driven productivity gains. Is this leading to commercial models with built-in productivity gains even before they are requested? If AI-led productivity is a good cannibaliser, we would happily embrace it because it's important to challenge ourselves in seeking productivity gains. It's also important to transparently discuss with customers what gains can be passed on, as it requires some investment from our side. This is happening in almost all major engagements. We proactively look for ways to deploy AI and enhance productivity. Clients are demanding certain productivity benefits to be achieved and passed on to them. We have discussions with customers about passing on productivity gains. It's a natural process. Employees say it's harder to secure projects matching their skills. Earlier, they usually found assignments within a month. There are reports that TCS has started withholding salaries for employees benched for extended periods. It's always been expected that associates take responsibility for their careers. While HR supports project placement, we also expect associates to proactively seek new assignments after completing existing ones. What you're seeing now is simply a more structured version of what's long been in practice. We aim to minimise bench time. Second, we invest heavily in upskilling. Once we've made that investment, we work to ensure associates are deployed. While preferences are considered, projects are driven by client needs, not personal choice. We deploy based on training, demand, and skill alignment. If gaps exist, we work to close them before deployment. Is there some slackness in the pyramid? Especially now that some resources are freed up after the BSNL ramp-down? There's no specific slackness. While the work is labour-intensive, it doesn't directly involve our senior associates. Much of it was handled by third-party resources, not our own.
Auto Blog
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
MINI Launches Competitive Countryman EV Lease Deal for July
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Get into the maxi-MINI for less money The 2025 MINI Countryman is the BMW sub-brand's SUV. The Countryman debuted in 2010 as the brand's first compact SUV, and the tall MINI is now in its third generation. While it resembles its predecessors, the Countryman adopts the brand's new design language known as Charismatic Simplicity, focusing on a more distinctly modern style with minimalist elements inside and out. The exterior is chunkier, and the new Countryman gets a larger grille that incorporates the bumper. It also sports angular fenders, a new headlight/DRL shape, and new vertical taillights. The new design language and the UKL2 platform also allow for an electrified powertrain, which is present in the 2025 Countryman SE ALL4. What is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Backcountry? Watch More 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 — Source: MINI Its primary competition in the compact EV crossover space are the Hyundai Kona Electric, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and the new Volvo EX30. The MINI Countryman ALL4 offers unique exterior styling in the segment, as well as one of the freshest interiors in the entire industry. This month, MINI is even offering the Countryman SE ALL4 with an attractive lease deal. 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 lease deal for July 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 — Source: MINI This month's lease offer on the 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Signature Plus Trim ($46,375 MSRP) makes the electric crossover more attainable thanks to excellent pricing. The ultra-low mileage lease costs $299 per month for 36 months, with a $0 security deposit, a suggested dealer contribution of $1,950, and a $7,500 lease credit. $4,185 cash is due at signing, plus $299 first month's payment and a $925 acquisition fee. Mileage limits during the 3-year lease amount to 22,500 miles (7,500 miles per year). Lastly, a disposition fee of no more than $395 is due at the end of the lease. The offer is good through July 31, 2025. Learn more here. 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 feature highlights 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 — Source: MINI The Countryman SE ALL4 is powered by a 65 kWh battery pack that's connected to two electric motors for all-wheel drive traction, 308 horsepower, and 364 lb-ft of torque. Driving range on a full charge is 212 miles and the 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 supports DC fast charging, delivering 10% to 80% battery charge in approximately 30 minutes. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 — Source: MINI The base Signature Plus trim come standard with 18-inch six-spoke wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a 9.4-inch central OLED infotainment screen, panoramic moonroof, head-up display, navigation, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, remote engine start, keyless entry, automatic-dimming mirrors, a power tailgate, parking assistant, and an alarm system. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 — Source: Gabriel Ionica The cabin is one of the most delightful and original interiors in the industry. With less chrome and a minimalistic approach, the interior is rife with sustainable materials, a fabric-trimmed dashboard with animated LEDs underneath, a big round infotainment display that shows driver instrumentation, and simplified physical controls on the center stack. Rear dimensions are the biggest in the MINI lineup, at 35.1 inches of legroom, 37.4 inches of headroom, and 54.8 inches of shoulder room. The rear seats can be folded down to expand the cargo space from 24.8 cubic feet to 56.2 cubic feet. Final thoughts The 2025 MINI Countryman ALL4 might not have the most impressive all-electric range, but it's sufficient for most commuters who want the benefit of a compact crossover, all-wheel drive, and gas-free driving. The Countryman ALL4 looks and feels premium and drives on the sporty side compared to most small crossovers in the segment. It's also a great time to get into one with this affordable lease deal. Before signing the lease agreement, make sure to assess costs, including taxes and registration fees, and the amount due at lease. Read the lease agreement carefully and inquire about potential additional costs at the dealership. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
Mid East Info
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mid East Info
BMW GROUP MIDDLE EAST REPORTS STRONG DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
BMW Group Middle East posts a 15.3% year-on-year increase in BMW overall sales BMW M models soar with 31.6% growth MINI records impressive 20% growth, driven by strong demand for the MINI Countryman and JCW models BMW Motorrad posts nearly 20% growth year-on-year Customer support services grow by 7%, reflecting customer loyalty and trust Dubai, UAE -July 2025 – BMW Group Middle East has reported an exceptional performance in the first half of 2025, achieving a 15.3% increase in BMW sales compared to the same period in 2024. This growth underscores the continued strength of the brand in the region, driven by unwavering customer demand, importer excellence, and strategic investments across key markets. The UAE remains the leading market in the Middle East, with strong contributions also coming from MINI, BMW M, and BMW Motorrad. The premium automotive brand witnessed remarkable momentum across its product portfolio particularly in high-performance models. While BMW 7 Series remains the flagship in the BMW premium segment, the BMW X7 experienced a strong 18.6% increase in the first six months of the year. BMW M models gained significant traction, growing by 31.6% in the same period – in addition, and notably, M High-Performance models experienced exceptional growth of 46%, underscoring the region's strong appetite for high-performance driving experiences. The BMW 5 Series also delivered a strong performance, recording a total 23.8% year-to-date increase as of June 2025 – solidifying its position as a key pillar in BMW's premium sedan portfolio. BMW Middle East achieved outstanding growth in corporate and special sales with an increase of 38.5% in the first half of the year compared to the same period from the previous year. The Corporate Sales Conference held in Oman in the 2nd quarter this year marked a significant milestone for the region, laying the groundwork and setting the foundation for continuous business growth. MINI continued its upward trajectory, with 20% growth over the same period in 2024. The MINI Countryman emerged as the top-selling model with a 40% share, while the John Cooper Works (JCW) variant saw a surge in sales, rising by 63% and accounting for 14% of overall MINI sales. BMW Motorrad experienced impressive retail sales, posting nearly 20% growth in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This remarkable increase reflects the brand's strong appeal, the growing enthusiasm for motorcycle riding in the region, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences. The results are also a reflection of the BMW Group Middle East Retail Network development. The ongoing transformation to the new Corporate Identity ' introduces a customer-centric concept with an open, flexible environment designed to deliver personalized experiences across sales and service – all in one space surrounded by BMW and MINI products. This concept enables a seamless 'phygital' journey, leveraging the best aspects of both the physical and digital worlds to exceed each customer's individual needs. Customer Support remains a cornerstone of BMW's success in the region. BMW Group Middle East recorded a 7% increase in Customer Support Services in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Moreover, 76% of BMW customers with vehicles aged up to 10 years are serviced within the authorized service network, which is a true testament to sustained customer loyalty and trust. Through the ConnectedDrive platform, the BMW and MINI Proactive Care initiative, and the 'Relax. We Care' program, BMW Group Middle East has strengthened the customer ownership experience. Additionally, with various digital customer touchpoints, BMW remains an industry leader in providing a convenient service journey and an excellent execution of aftersales services in the region. Karim-Christian Haririan, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East, commented: 'Despite regional uncertainties, we have continued to deliver excellence to our valued BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad customers. I'm especially proud of the surge in M sales in general and M High-Performance in particular, which confirms the strong emotional connection our customers have with the brand and especially with models like the M5 and the new M5 Touring. I extend my sincere appreciation to our importer network and partners for their dedication and to our customers for their trust. Together, we look forward to building on this success in the second half of 2025.'
Auto Express
30-06-2025
- Auto Express
Car meets and the law: when petrolhead parties become anti-social
If you're a petrolhead, chances are you've attended a car meet at least once, whether that be a large ticketed event or simply a catch-up with a couple of friends in a McDonald's car park. Yet, while most of these gatherings are well intentioned, the police are now struggling to curb a growing number of 'illegal car meets' that are cropping up all over the place and part of a wider issue: 'anti-social driving'. Advertisement - Article continues below With both terms being as broad and ambiguous in equal measures as each other, we strapped ourselves in for a patrol with Cheshire Constabulary's Road and Crime unit to get to the bottom of what exactly this means and how profound a problem the police are facing. Our companion for the night was PC Mark Jones – a veteran of the force who took us out in the unit's undercover MINI Countryman John Cooper Works patrol car. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we set off with PC Jones explaining what defines anti-social driving. 'It varies wildly,' he said, 'all the way from boy racers and car meets – spinning wheels and showing off – to [examples of] driving without due care and attention such as tailgating or overtaking in a dangerous manner.' Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below It didn't take all that long for Jones' point to be proven when a Volkswagen Golf a few cars ahead pulled out into the middle of the road and accelerated to pass two or three other vehicles, all on a blind corner. In a flash, the MINI's blue lights were switched on and the chase began. At first, it appeared the car in question was refusing to stop, blasting off into the distance as we weaved through traffic. However, there was no losing Jones behind the wheel of the 302bhp John Cooper Works and we quickly caught up, with the Golf eventually pulling to the side of the road. Advertisement - Article continues below To our surprise it was a relatively young male that stepped out of the rather new car we'd just stopped – Jones explained that within the affluent area of Alderley Edge there were 'plenty of young, well-off kids that immediately step into properly fast vehicles' – and he looked rather stunned at the fact that he had been pulled over by a police officer. The fact that we pulled over a young male driving a car full of people is representative of how this demographic is, statistically, more likely to engage in anti-social and dangerous driving; in the year up to June 2024, males aged between 17 and 29 accounted for 18.5 per cent of all road-going casualties, despite this group making up just seven per cent of all licence holders. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below After a chat with the offending driver and giving them a ticking off for driving without due care and attention, Jones joined us back in the car, explaining that young males, such as the one he'd just spoken to, can easily be goaded into performing dangerous manouvres by passengers. 'Social media 100 per cent plays a big role in anti-social driving nowadays,' Jones explained. 'Kids are seeing people driving like idiots online and thinking that's the norm. We, as well as social media companies, really need to nip it in the bud before it has a massive knock-on effect.' As such, rather than simply trying to scare the living daylights out of those breaking the rules, Jones says the best way to improve the quality of driving is to take opportunities such as this to give some advice. Advertisement - Article continues below 'Education's a big thing and there's not enough out there. Once you get your ticket to drive, you're left to your own devices,' Jones says. 'It's not really until they're prosecuted that most people will receive any kind of further education. There's always room to learn.' 'If you just find someone and prosecute them, they're probably going to walk away with a dim view of the police and be reluctant to change their behaviour. But if you can point out that there are other ways and educate them as to what could have happened if something went wrong, then maybe they'll question whether to do that sort of thing again.' Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below However, this kind of advice isn't always well received; Jones says that sometimes the police can be viewed with hostility whenever they turn up at car meets to ensure drivers are acting safely and that everyone's vehicles meet legal requirements. 'We often get feedback from people saying, 'Aren't you just wasting your time?' and 'Shouldn't you be out catching murderers?'' Jones admits. 'However, we're looking at the bigger picture, making sure everyone's cars are roadworthy and safe, because certain things can be a major contributing factor to something like an accident.' Just a couple of weeks prior to our ride, Cheshire police forced a local car club to cancel one of its events, following a huge car meet organised by another group, which saw dozens of instances of anti-social behaviour and even illegal street racing. Advertisement - Article continues below Essex Police defines illegal car meets as gatherings 'where drivers meet on the public highway or large public car parks to race or show their vehicles to others.' However, James Smith is founder of TurboTribe – the group which had its event forcefully postponed – and told Auto Express: 'There's a big difference between drag racing through the tunnel at Manchester Airport and the slow-moving parade through a village that [they] had planned.' Having only founded the TurboTribe community in 2024, Smith says the group has a focus on being safe and family friendly, employing public liability insurance, as well as a team of marshals to ensure rules are being kept to. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below 'While we try to have a working relationship with the police, sometimes some individuals can be unfair,' Smith explained. 'One of our partner brands was planning to host an event on their private land after receiving the landowner's permission. However, two police officers turned up on their doorstep one morning and scared the life out of them. It seemed a bit coercive, saying the event isn't good for the area – they were just clutching at straws.' That's not to say TurboTribe's events are devoid of troublemakers; Smith says the group's marshalls frequently instruct drivers to slow down if they are going too fast. Nevertheless, he was keen to point out how 'the police talk a lot about responsibility and while it is up to the event organisers to make sure they're doing everything they can, it's also on them to help bridge the gap and aid [them] to mitigate these risks.' With this in mind, it seems the police have a delicate balancing act to perform. While enthusiasts should be allowed to indulge in their passions, anti-social driving is undoubtedly a big problem across the UK, with large numbers of people descending on certain areas and causing a great deal of distress to local communities. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below PC Jones also explained that the repercussions of anti-social driving can be severe if anything goes wrong: '[it] varies wildly between minor injuries – cuts and bruises' he said, 'to unfortunate incidents where people – not just those who are committing these acts, but the road users around them – can lose their lives.' Such risks aren't enough to dissuade everyone, though, and police forces are struggling to clamp down on anti-social driving. In fact, police insiders tell Auto Express that while Boris Johnson's Conservative government did indeed deliver on its promise of 20,000 more police officers on UK streets, many forces were forced to freeze 'civilian' hires, meaning police officers now are forced to spend a large portion of their shifts off the beat and doing paperwork. 'We need more police officers; we have fully paid officers doing things in the background such as admin,' Jones said, 'This takes so much time – half of my shift is usually sitting in the office doing admin – and if we could get more people on the clerical side, that would make a massive difference to us on the front line.' Even if the police do manage to catch offenders, Jones says the consequences of being prosecuted for dangerous driving have softened in the last couple of years. 'Punishments seem to have come down a lot in recent times and I think the issue with overcrowded prisons doesn't help,' he told us. 'This is frustrating to see, because a lot of hard work goes into convicting someone; you constantly feel like you're swimming against the tide.' Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Ultimately, the cat-and-mouse game of police versus boy racers continues, but we'd be remiss as an automotive publication to not point out how car groups are trying to get people to enjoy their cars to the fullest somewhere legal and, most importantly, safer. In association with Three Sisters Circuit, TurboTribe recently announced its new 'Take it to the Track' initiative, which aims to get drivers off the streets and onto the racetrack. Announcing the scheme, TurboTribe says its aims are to 'offer an alternative to speeding on the highways, which will protect the public and foster a culture of respect, discipline and true driving passion.' In the meantime, Smith was keen to put out a message to Cheshire Police, saying: 'Please work with us – we're happy to work with you and want to have you involved. You can come to events, bring squad cars, educate people on what they should and shouldn't be doing. It's the future of car enthusiasm, and the police are part of that story.' Not every group has the same vision, however, and Jones wished to remind young drivers and enthusiasts that 'It's a privilege to have a licence, not a given. You need to treat it with more respect than most things in life, because that thing you're driving can change a life in seconds.' Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ... Find a car with the experts New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging Marcos is back! British sportscar brand's big plan, and swirling controversy Marcos is back! British sportscar brand's big plan, and swirling controversy Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time'
Korea Herald
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Volvo's XC40 tops rivals in H1 sales as limited editions fuel demand
Volvo's compact sport utility vehicle, the XC40, topped sales in its segment for the first half of this year, according to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association on Friday. The XC40 sold 1,105 units between January and May, outpacing strong competitors such as the BMW X1 (1,063 units), MINI Countryman (716 units) and Audi Q3 (475 units). Since its global debut in 2017, the XC40 has consistently been a bestseller, particularly in Europe, where it has led the premium compact SUV segment for four consecutive years since 2020. It was also named the 2018 European Car of the Year. Despite being Volvo's entry-level SUV, the XC40 features flagship-level specifications. It comes equipped with advanced driver assistance systems such as Pilot Assist, as well as high-end interior elements including Driftwood inlays, a crystal gear shift knob by Swedish brand Orrefors and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The model also includes an integrated Tmap infotainment system tailored for Korean consumers. Volvo Car Korea has further enhanced the customer experience with a five-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty, complimentary consumables replacement, 15 years of free over-the-air updates, and a five-year 5G digital package. Priced at 54.9 million ($40,100), the top Ultimate trim offers a more affordable option compared to its overseas counterparts, including the US and UK, up to 29 million won cheaper. Online-exclusive editions have also amplified the model's appeal. The 100 units of the latest XC40 Black Edition sold out within just 15 minutes of its release on Tuesday. Earlier limited editions, such as the Sage Green and Dark Editions, also sold out within minutes of launch. Volvo Car Korea has maintained its position as the top importer since January, with consistent monthly sales of over 1,000 units, competing closely with Tesla, Lexus and Porsche in the best-selling segment of the Korean import car market.
