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Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Tata Motors launches new Ultra Prime and Starbus Prime Range

Tata Motors showcases next-generation passenger mobility solutions at Prawaas 5.0, launches new Ultra Prime and Starbus Prime Range. Tata Motors, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has launched an all-new Tata Ultra Prime and Tata Starbus Prime range of buses. Designed to deliver superior comfort, enhanced safety and higher operational efficiency, the new-generation buses underscore the company’s commitment to shaping the future of passenger transportation across India. The company also presented a comprehensive range of mobility solutions spanning multiple applications and powertrains, including the LPO 1620 CNG, Ultra Prime LPO 412, Ultra Skool 9/9 EV, Magic EV, Winger Plus and Ultra Prime RE Concept. Together, the portfolio reflects Tata Motors’ focus on delivering safe, sustainable and customer-centric mobility solutions for urban, intercity and institutional transport. Anand S, Vice President and Business Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors, said the company’s vehicle showcase this year reflects the company’s deep understanding of customer needs across applications, be it employee transport, leisure travel, school transport or last-mile connectivity. With lower operating costs of the LPO 1620 CNG, enhanced safety and comfort of the new Ultra Prime range, and the expansion of electric mobility through the Ultra Skool 9/9 EV and Magic EV, each solution has been engineered to address a specific customer requirement, he added. Backed by the company’s extensive service network and support ecosystem, these offerings will help customers maximise uptime, improve operating economics and deliver a superior travel experience, enabling them to grow their businesses profitably, he added. At Prawaas 5.0, Tata Motors presented one of the industry’s most comprehensive passenger mobility portfolios, spanning conventional and electric powertrains across school, staff, tourism, intercity, intracity and last-mile transportation applications. Tata Motors’ passenger mobility solutions are supported by an extensive nationwide network of over 4,600 sales and service touchpoints. Customers benefit from Sampoorna Seva 2.0, the company’s integrated service ecosystem offering 24x7 assistance, annual maintenance solutions and assured parts availability. Complementing this is the Tata Motors Fleet Management Solution, enabling enhanced fleet visibility, higher uptime and improved operating efficiency. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

Tata Motors launches new Ultra Prime and Starbus Prime Range
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Indian team ranks first at International Physics Olympaid; all five members clinch gold

India put up a stand-out performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, held in Colombia from July 5 to July 12, with five Indian students clinching Gold medals. In the country-wise medals tally, India was placed at the first position, jointly with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan. This is the second time that India has won five gold medals at the IPhO, the other occasion being in 2018. This was India’s 27th appearance at the IPhO. In all these years, nearly 44 per cent of Indian students have won gold medals, another 41 per cent silver, 10 per cent bronze, and 5 per cent honourable mentions, representatives of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, the anchor institution for the Indian team, said. In the last ten years, all Indian students at IPhO have won either gold (62 per cent) or silver (38 per cent) medals. The special prize for overall winner went to a South Korean student; the award for best in the experimental component went to a student from Iran. In all, 51 gold, 80 silver, and 97 bronze medals were awarded. A total of 381 students from 85 countries participated in the competition. The 5-hour theoretical competition featured three problems based on diverse topics like the thermodynamics of paramagnetic cooling, photoionisation of ozone, and dynamics of electron-positron pairs, among others. As per information from HBCSE, all the Indian students excelled in the theoretical examination, some reaching close to perfect scores. “The experimental competition, also of 5 hours, challenged students to explore several phenomena related to thermodynamic processes in fluids and heat transfer. The Indian students also performed remarkably well in the experimental component,” HBCSE representatives said. Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar of HBCSE - TIFR, who accompanied the team to the event, told businessline that across both theory and experiment round, the team displayed “exceptional diligence” leaving little scope to deduct marks. “According to the data that we have, 64 per cent of Olympiad medallists have chosen an academic career (defined by pursuing a PhD, in any subject)., and 32 per cent of medallists, academic or not, have settled in India,” he added, speaking about the career path of physics Olympians. The team comprised Kanishk Jain from Pune, Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore, Rishit Garg from Dwarka, New Delhi, Shresth Suraiya from Mumbai, and Svarit Joshi from Ahmedabad, who all won gold. Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar of HBCSE - TIFR, Mumbai, Dr Leena Joshi of St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and two Scientific Observers Prof. Ananda Dasgupta of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, and Nisha Kelkar of Gogate-Joglekar College, Ratnagiri accompanied the Indian team contingent. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

Indian team ranks first at International Physics Olympaid; all five members clinch gold
North America
CNBC Finance

Rivian raises 2026 delivery outlook while Lucid misses Wall Street expectations for second quarter

Electric vehicle makers Rivian Automotive and Lucid Group reported second-quarter delivery results Thursday with mixed results. Rivian raised its 2026 delivery guidance range after seeing stronger-than-expected demand for its electric vehicles during the second quarter, while Lucid missed Wall Street expectations and its new CEO Silvio Napoli announced a shake-up of the company's leadership team. Rivian said it now expects to deliver between 65,000 and 70,000 vehicles this year, up from a prior forecast of between 62,000 and 67,000 units. Rivian also said Thursday it produced 12,613 vehicles and delivered 12,194 units during the second quarter. The second-quarter deliveries are higher than FactSet's analyst consensus of 11,0000 units and the company's previous outlook, which called for delivering between 9,000 and 11,000 EVs. Rivian, which will report its second-quarter financial results July 30, said higher deliveries during the second quarter were driven by its electric delivery van and flagship R1 products. The company also started delivering its midsize R2 SUV during the quarter. It's ramping up production of that vehicle at its sole production plant in Normal, Illinois, which has capacity to produce 160,000 of the vehicles annually. Lucid reported producing 4,774 vehicles and delivering 3,953 vehicles during the second quarter. The deliveries were below Wall Street's expectations of 5,000 units, according to FactSet. Along with the deliveries, the company announced a new leadership team under Napoli, who started overseeing the company in June. Lucid said the new format is meant to "simplify the company's structure" and cuts the number of direct reports to the CEO in half. Most notably, Lucid Chief Financial Officer Taoufiq Boussaid will leave the company after a handover to his successor, Alexander De Bock, who most recently served as CFO of automotive supplier TI Automotive. "We are simplifying the organization, strengthening leadership, enforcing accountability and aligning our structure with the priorities that matter most: customers, quality, and innovation," Napoli said in a release. EV leader Tesla, meanwhile, reported 480,126 vehicle deliveries for second quarter, topping expectations. The company doesn't break out exact delivery numbers by region or individual model, but it said its entry-level Model 3 sedan and most popular Model Y SUVs accounted for 467,762. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services.

Rivian raises 2026 delivery outlook while Lucid misses Wall Street expectations for second quarter
North America
CNBC Finance

Ford Q2 sales drop 10.3% due to F-Series supplier issue, falling EV demand

DETROIT — Ford Motor on Thursday reported a 10.3% decline in its second-quarter U.S. new vehicle sales as the company battled a supplier issue for its F-Series pickup trucks and a significant drop in all-electric vehicles. The Detroit automaker said its pure EV sales fell by 40.7% during the quarter compared with a year earlier. Sales of its F-Series trucks, including the F-150, slipped 11% as Ford began ramping up production after its top aluminum supplier restarted production following two fires late last year. "Although customer demand remains high, first-half F-Series sales reflect a retiming of commercial production following last year's aluminum supply shortages. Ford expects supply to recover more fully in the second half of the year," Ford said in a release. Ford sold 549,200 vehicles during the second quarter compared with 612,095 units a year earlier. While that's among the largest expected industry declines, the results slightly beat Cox Automotive's expectations for Ford sales to fall 11.5%. The automaker has sold 1 million vehicles year to date through June, down 9.6% from 1.1 million during the first half of last year. Ford noted that despite the declines, the F-Series remained America's top-selling truck. The company also estimates its U.S. retail market share to end the quarter was up 0.2 percentage point compared with a year earlier, to 12.3%. Ford's sales come a day after most major automakers reported second-quarter numbers that were better than expected, largely driven by increased demand for hybrid vehicles. Crosstown rival General Motors saw its sales fall 4.2%, however, as its EV sales dropped. Automotive data firm Motor Intelligence on Wednesday estimated U.S. industry sales for June were up 7.5% compared with a year ago, leading to a monthly adjusted selling pace of 16.67 million units, which was higher than many forecasters had expected. As of last week, Cox Automotive expected U.S. auto sales to be down 2.9% to 15.8 million vehicles, including a 3.4% decline in retail sales. That included a 16.1 adjusted selling rate forecast for June. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

Ford Q2 sales drop 10.3% due to F-Series supplier issue, falling EV demand
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Maharashtra starts ₹150-crore electric boat manufacturing hub for Mumbai Water Metro

India’s electric mobility push is expanding from roads to waterways, with Maharashtra government signing an agreement with Zoya Marine Services Pvt Ltd on Friday to establish a ₹150-crore electric boat manufacturing facility in Sindhudurg for the ₹6,067-crore Mumbai Water Metro. The first phase of the project is targeted to begin commercial passenger operations in December 2026, creating one of India’s first dedicated manufacturing ecosystems for urban electric ferries while supporting what could become the world’s largest urban water transport network. The agreement, signed at Mantralaya in the presence of Maharashtra’s Minister for Fisheries and Ports, Nitesh Rane, will see the company develop a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility over nearly 22 acres at Talawane in Sawantwadi taluka. The plant will manufacture advanced electric-hybrid passenger boats designed specifically for Mumbai’s water metro corridors, reducing long-term dependence on imported vessels while creating skilled employment and strengthening the state’s maritime manufacturing capabilities. The investment is backed by one of India’s most ambitious urban water transport projects. Approved by the Maharashtra government earlier this year, the Mumbai Water Metro will span up to 250 km in its initial phases, eventually expanding to a network of about 340 km of waterways connecting Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai and Panvel. The project is expected to comprise around 21 routes, up to 49 terminals and a fleet of more than 200 electric-hybrid ferries, making it one of the world’s largest urban water transport systems. “Our government is strategically steering the development of the Konkan region with a strong focus on ecological responsibility. Alongside sustainable maritime initiatives, we are promoting high-impact, eco-friendly tourism projects to create employment, strengthen the regional economy and build long-term, green growth,” Rane said. Rather than building the system from scratch, Maharashtra is leveraging the operating model pioneered by the Kochi Water Metro. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), which developed India’s first integrated urban water metro, prepared the project’s feasibility study and Detailed Project Report after winning a competitive bid from the Maharashtra Maritime Board. KMRL is also expected to support implementation to replicate metro-style operational standards, including integrated ticketing and passenger management systems. While domestic manufacturing capacity is being created, the State is simultaneously introducing advanced international technologies. Earlier this year, Maharashtra imported Sweden’s Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry for evaluation. The vessel uses computer-controlled hydrofoils to lift its hull above the water, reducing drag and lowering energy consumption by as much as 80 per cent while cruising at speeds of 40-46 kmph. The State is also evaluating larger electric vessels from European shipbuilders for high-capacity routes. Officials are additionally exploring programmes that would help traditional boat operators convert existing diesel-powered boats into electric propulsion systems, extending the transition to cleaner marine mobility beyond the water metro fleet. For India’s electric mobility industry, the project represents the emergence of a new manufacturing segment. Beyond producing ferries, it is expected to create demand for marine battery systems, electric propulsion technologies, charging infrastructure, lightweight aluminium hulls, power electronics and digital navigation systems. As more cities evaluate water metro projects under the Centre’s draft National Water Metro Policy, the Sindhudurg facility could evolve into a manufacturing base serving a broader domestic market for electric boats, positioning Maharashtra at the centre of India’s emerging green marine mobility ecosystem. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

Maharashtra starts ₹150-crore electric boat manufacturing hub for Mumbai Water Metro
Europe
BBC Business

Backlash after China bubble tea firm ordered to pay Louis Vuitton $1.5m

Chinese media reported last week that a court in the eastern Jiangsu province ruled that the Shenzhen-based tea company had copied Louis Vuitton's iconic four-petal flower monogram trademark. The decision has divided the public online in China, with a hashtag linked to the case drawing more than 400 million views and tens of thousands of comments. On Thursday, a court in Suzhou, just east of Shanghai, ordered Molly Tea to stop using of the logo, issue a public apology and to pay damages to Louis Vuitton, according to Chinese state media China Daily. The outlet also said that Molly Tea and its affiliated firms had applied for multiple trademarks that were rejected by the China National Intellectual Property Administration. Only the trademark containing the Chinese characters for "Molly Tea" was successfully registered, China Daily reported. Many Chinese social media users have defended the design of Molly Tea's logo, noting how many designs used in Western luxury brands have been inspired by Chinese artefacts. One commenter on the Weibo platform wrote in Mandarin that he will "drink a cup of Molly Tea daily" to show his support for the company. "Give me a break. They're just taking advantage of the fact that our ancestors didn't file for patents," the commenter wrote. One user on RedNote, another Chinese social media platform, said: "Such basic geometric shapes have been used everywhere throughout history, not just China." A Weibo user said that those who back Molly Tea's design should "study law first", arguing that there is no dispute as Louis Vuitton had already registered the trademark. Another said Louis Vuitton is justified in defending its intellectual property and that other brands do not have the right to imitate it, regardless of their industry.

Backlash after China bubble tea firm ordered to pay Louis Vuitton $1.5m
Europe
BBC Business

Wegovy weight loss pill now available in UK - here's what you need to know

The once-a-day Wegovy weight loss pill is now available to buy privately from High Street and online pharmacies in the UK - but is not yet on the NHS. It contains the same ingredient - semaglutide - as the Wegovy weight loss injections but is still advised to be used alongside a healthy diet and increased physical activity. Aside from the obvious that one is in pill form and one is an injectable, both treatments work well and trials show they are similarly effective. But if you don't like the idea of using something daily or it doesn't suit your lifestyle to fast (not eat) eight hours before taking a pill each day, the injection may be more convenient. You can take the once-weekly jab any time of the day but it does need to be stored in the fridge. It's available to people with a BMI of 30 and above (generally considered obese) or a BMI of 27-30 (overweight) if they also have certain weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. And like the jab, a consultation - either online or face-to-face - is needed to make sure the pill is right for you. A number of online and high street pharmacies say they will have stocks soon to send out. Image source, Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe semaglutide in the jab and pill mimics the actions of a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1), which is released from the intestine after people eat. It acts on receptors in the brain that control appetite, making people feel fuller, less hungry and crave food less. Very common side effects with both include stomach problems, like feeling sick, being sick (vomiting), constipation and diarrhoea. With the jab, you may get little bit of skin redness, itching or mild swelling where you inject.

Wegovy weight loss pill now available in UK - here's what you need to know
North America
CNBC Finance

U.S. auto industry faces increased uncertainty without extension of USMCA trade deal

The U.S. automotive industry is entering a new phase of uncertainty as the Trump administration said the USMCA trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada will not be extended by Wednesday, triggering what could be a yearslong review process or an expiration of the pact if no deal is reached by 2036. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, was established during President Donald Trump's first term in 2020, but the administration has soured on the deal that governs roughly $2 trillion annually in goods and services between the three countries. The auto industry represented about 18% of America's trading with its neighboring countries last year, according to industry data, making it one of the key sectors in the discussions. Automakers and others watching the talks are concerned that reopening the deal could create additional trade uncertainty that leads to lower investments and fewer jobs. "If we let this go on for a very long time, it's very painful for everyone," said Diego Marroquín Bitar, a fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. "That's the last thing that the region needs." There's also concern that the U.S. could pull out of the deal amid aggressive negotiation tactics by the Trump administration involving tariffs, trade and other issues. The United States, Mexico and Canada could have agreed to a 16-year extension by Wednesday but will go to an annual review process instead. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in May said the U.S. wants to strengthen North American rules of origin "in a way that enhances U.S. content in these goods" to boost domestic manufacturing. Bitar also said the Trump administration's public discussions have been wide-ranging, touching on nontrade issues such as immigration, crime and other connections, which could make this round of talks more challenging than when USMCA was established. "Everything is on the table. Not just the trade issues," Bitar said. "The more things on the table, the longer it takes to negotiate and the more uncertainty it will generate." The U.S. automotive industry has already dealt with a lot of uncertainty this decade, from pandemic production stoppages and supply chain shortages to ongoing changes to tariffs and other regulations. Now it's bracing for the reopening of USMCA talks. It's not clear whether vehicles that meet compliance measures for the U.S. would continue to face tariffs, which Trump has used aggressively during his presidency as leverage in negotiations and to promote domestic production. "All chips are on the table," Aakash Arora, an automotive expert, partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group, told CNBC. "But what is clear across all scenarios being discussed is No. 1: higher content from the U.S."

U.S. auto industry faces increased uncertainty without extension of USMCA trade deal
North America
CNBC Economy

World Cup could boost the June jobs report by 40,000, Goldman estimates

The June jobs report on Thursday could be more robust than expected due to a strong kick from the World Cup, according to Goldman Sachs. Nonfarm payrolls are projected to post a gain of 115,000, according to the Dow Jones consensus from economists surveyed, which would be a step down from the sturdy 172,000 growth in May. But Goldman said private data from Homebase, a small business payroll firm, suggests that the "Beautiful Game" has had at least a modest impact on hiring, contributing about 40,000 positions last month. The firm's latest report indicates that while the pace of hiring in June looks down overall, the 11 World Cup hosting cities saw a decline of 1.2% from a year ago, while other cities were off 3.5%. Moreover, Homebase's data showed hospitality hiring up 9.5%, a possible World Cup-related boost. "Our historical analysis suggests that the World Cup could boost payroll growth by 40k in June, and that its impact should be concentrated in the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and trade and transportation sectors," Goldman economists Ronnie Walker and Jessica Rindels said in a note. Consequently, Goldman expects total nonfarm payroll growth of 140,000, which would still fall below the pace of the prior month but significantly better than the 20,000 jobs lost in June 2025. Goldman also said the count could be higher because prior June payrolls have showed an upward bias on the first of the three estimates. The initial June count was revised lower in each of the past four years. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

World Cup could boost the June jobs report by 40,000, Goldman estimates