COVER STORY
Cars are a reflection of both purchasing power and aspiration, and in India the story is full of contradictions
Fight For Lion's Share
Fight For Lion's Share
01-october-2025
Outlook Business Magazine - Fight For Lion's Share
- Editor's Note
Cars are a reflection of both purchasing power and aspiration, and in India the story is full of contradictions
OB Cover StoryRivals have thrown down the gauntlet to Maruti. Will the market leader rise to the challenge and be able to race ahead?
If there is one thing we have learnt from the rise of Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia and MG Motors in the aspirational SUV and EV segments, it is this: today’s customers desire futuristic design, high-end features, digital integration and robust safety credentials
InterviewRajesh Menon, director general, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, talks to Rakshit Kumar about the impact of the new GST regime and the challenges facing the auto industry among other things. Edited excerpts
News AnalysisRecent bonhomie cannot gloss over the fact that China can throw a spanner in India’s growth story by withholding exports of key ingredients
Corporate StrategistImported labels no longer have India’s premium shelves to themselves as homegrown spirits gain recognition and push for global market share
Universities struggle to grow their endowment funds as a multitude of regulations and bureaucratic roadblocks keep potential donations and gifts from compounding
India’s digital public infrastructure won global praise with Aadhaar and UPI. But its newer platforms are stumbling at scale, exposing gaps in design, delivery and adoption
InterviewCred founder Kunal Shah talks to Deepsekhar Choudhury about survival, scale and institution-building, his focus on India’s most affluent consumers, design and ambition—and why prosperity demands risk-taking. Edited excerpts
In-DepthIndia’s leap to E20 petrol has been hailed as a green triumph; but as policymakers eye E27, the fuel’s promise masks a messy reality
In-DepthExpensive models and stagnation in middle-class wages have stalled personal electric vehicles from whizzing down Indian roads. Is it time for a course correction?
A craft gin from the Northeast has shaken the alcobev industry by winning international accolades. But that’s not enough to slake the start-up founder’s thirst for growth
Nash EquilibriaA study finds that migration and trade links are weaker than assumed, with Indian and Chinese migrants showing limited, context-specific economic impact
Down the AgesRasna grew from humble beginnings in Ahmedabad. Over the decades, it has become a soft-drink concentrate leader and a household name, adapting to changing tastes and markets
InterviewAnanth Narayanan, chief executive of BRND.ME, formerly Mensa Brands, tells Nabodita Ganguly in an email interview why emerging markets are positioned to lead the next wave of aspirational brands. Edited excerpts
Personal FinanceOne of the dangers of AI is the advent of convincing deepfakes generated by morphing images, voice notes and videos that can hoodwink you into erroneously revealing financial details or making payments to scamsters
Cars are a reflection of both purchasing power and aspiration, and in India the story is full of contradictions
Rivals have thrown down the gauntlet to Maruti. Will the market leader rise to the challenge and be able to race ahead?
If there is one thing we have learnt from the rise of Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia and MG Motors in the aspirational SUV and EV segments, it is this: today’s customers desire futuristic design, high-end features, digital integration and robust safety credentials
Rajesh Menon, director general, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, talks to Rakshit Kumar about the impact of the new GST regime and the challenges facing the auto industry among other things. Edited excerpts
Recent bonhomie cannot gloss over the fact that China can throw a spanner in India’s growth story by withholding exports of key ingredients
Imported labels no longer have India’s premium shelves to themselves as homegrown spirits gain recognition and push for global market share
Universities struggle to grow their endowment funds as a multitude of regulations and bureaucratic roadblocks keep potential donations and gifts from compounding
India’s digital public infrastructure won global praise with Aadhaar and UPI. But its newer platforms are stumbling at scale, exposing gaps in design, delivery and adoption
Cred founder Kunal Shah talks to Deepsekhar Choudhury about survival, scale and institution-building, his focus on India’s most affluent consumers, design and ambition—and why prosperity demands risk-taking. Edited excerpts
India’s leap to E20 petrol has been hailed as a green triumph; but as policymakers eye E27, the fuel’s promise masks a messy reality
Expensive models and stagnation in middle-class wages have stalled personal electric vehicles from whizzing down Indian roads. Is it time for a course correction?
A craft gin from the Northeast has shaken the alcobev industry by winning international accolades. But that’s not enough to slake the start-up founder’s thirst for growth
A study finds that migration and trade links are weaker than assumed, with Indian and Chinese migrants showing limited, context-specific economic impact
Rasna grew from humble beginnings in Ahmedabad. Over the decades, it has become a soft-drink concentrate leader and a household name, adapting to changing tastes and markets
Ananth Narayanan, chief executive of BRND.ME, formerly Mensa Brands, tells Nabodita Ganguly in an email interview why emerging markets are positioned to lead the next wave of aspirational brands. Edited excerpts
One of the dangers of AI is the advent of convincing deepfakes generated by morphing images, voice notes and videos that can hoodwink you into erroneously revealing financial details or making payments to scamsters
Editor's Note
OB Cover Story
Interview
News Analysis
Corporate Strategist
Interview
In-Depth
In-Depth
Nash Equilibria
Down the Ages
Interview
Personal Finance