For more than 25 years now, the world has been familiar with generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) and country code TLDs. Top Level Domains (TLDs) are collections of Internet real estate that are represented bythe characters on the right side of the "dot" in a domain name. An example of this is .com, which is the most popular gTLD1 in use today while examples of ccTLDs include .in, .ru, .au among the approximately 250 cc TLDs that exist. This structure of the domain name space as we know it today is poised to undergo a profound change with the launch of new gTLDs. New gTLDs are a result of a recent approval by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to expand the number of gTLDs. Under the program, applicants and/or entities themselves can define their gTLD which could be a brand, community, geography or a generic term. For example, a business could apply for its own newgTLD such as ".yourcompany". It is possible that this process could result inhundreds of newgTLDs.Brand gTLDs –Cultivate your business on the InternetA Brand gTLDmay provide an excellent opportunity for companies to secure their online namespace. A Brand gTLD, for example, ".yourcompany" could potentially provide a means for brand owners tocreate new ways to extend their trusted brand and services to partners, resellers, and customers and to enhance brand trust. For forward-thinking company executives, IP professionals, and marketing and communications experts, the time is ripe to consider applying for their brand gTLD. Here are a few reasons why:Enhanced Internet presence: As the steward of a gTLD, a company may have authority to enforce requirements for second-level domain name registrants. A Brand gTLD could serve as a nucleus around which a company or organization could group second-level domains for individual products and services as well as partners and resellers.Enhanced security, control, and trust: Applicants for a Brand gTLD (like other gTLDs) will undergo a rigorous application process that considers an applicant's existing trademarks. A Brand gTLD could help assure Internet users that they are interacting with a legitimate company and an authentic website. By enforcing registration policies for second-level domains, companies could potentially extend this trust even further.User convenience: Highly targeted domain names and the ability to create URLs rich with keywords may potentially drive user interaction by aiding certain search engine optimization (SEO) and making it easier to browse web content and applications via mobile devices.Brand extension: By issuing second-level domain names to valued partners and resellers, companies may be able to extend the prestige and trust associated with their brands, potentially strengthening relationships, creating new joint marketing opportunities, and reaching new audiences.Consumer and brand affinity: Companies could offer affinity email addresses2 that may enable consumers to associate with their favorite brands in an entirely new way, potentially expanding marketing opportunities and creating new revenue streams.Brand owners need to consider this opportunity with alacrity The ICANN application period opened on January 12, 2012 and applications are now being accepted.. The application period is expected to close April 12, 20123, and once it is closed anyone who missed the application deadline will possibly have to wait more than a year, before another application window opens. Given the timelines for application, it becomes critical for companies to make a decision aboutaugmenting their existing marketing strategies with a newgTLD component at this time. Companies should perhaps look at seizing their BrandgTLDs as a true marketing and branding differentiator. Applicants for any newgTLDwillbe required to demonstrate organizational, operational, and financial capability. The complexity of the application process may necessitate working with an experienced registry service provider. As the world's largest registry, Verisign hasan extensive history in operating the world's best-knownextensions, .com and .net, and can help organizationsthroughout the entire application process.With the introduction of new gTLDs, brands will have to consider extending their online strategy. A domain name strategy is quickly becoming critical for any organization conducting business or wanting to engage customers online. Ignoring the profound impact of the rapid evolution of the Internet with respect to the introduction of newgTLDscould turn out to be a missed opportunity to extend their brand deeper into the Internet. (The author is Vice President APAC, Naming Services, VeriSign)
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Tata Motors' UK subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will look at setting up an engine manufacturing plant in India, confirmed Ralph Speth, global CEO, Jaguar-Land Rover at the Geneva Motor show 2012. The timeline for the same have not been confirmed yet."We have started with a high tech engine program, wherein we are setting up a plant in the UK. Step two would be to go to India and then in India set up another facility with similar advanced technology in terms of inner equipment of the plant but then also delivering lower specification engine for the Indian market," says Speth.The engine range will vary from premium to lower end ones. "We have laid the foundation of the UK plant but we will take certain period of time until we get the plant up. And will take some time to equip it," says Speth.At present the company sources 100 per cent engines from Ford. However, JLR plans to continue sourcing engines from Ford even after the India plant is operational. "We will continue working with Ford. There are many opportunities on the engine side like smaller engine, bigger engine, hybrid where we can work together."The company currently has a Land Rover assembly plant in Pune to make its Land Rover Freelander. North America remains JLR's largest market, ahead of the UK. China is also catching up fast.The company launched the Jaguar XF Sportbrake at the Geneva Motor Show this year. However, the model will not be available in India. "It is unfortunate that India is not ready and does not want this car," says Speth.
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The Korean SUV maker Ssangyong Motor Company, co- owned by Mahindra& Mahindra (M&M), plans to launch 4 new Sports utility vehicles by 2015. At the 82nd Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled its XIV- 2 compact SUV concept that will also be launched in the Indian market, however with lots of modifications.The product has been developed under the codename X100 with an investment of around $200 million."We are looking at producing the vehicle meeting the Indian regulations," said the company president & CEO, Yoo Lee. He further added that the product is co-developed with M&M.The Korean company and M&M are working on different platforms in the SUV range. "The XIV 2 will be the first joint product. However, we are in talks for building other platforms as well," said a company official.The XIV-2 concept had earlier made its global premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year in September 2011. Ssangyong is also looking at producing more than one variant in the 5-door, 3-door and coupe segment.
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In 2004, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav created the UP Development Council. It was a new body that had mostly industry leaders as members. The Chairman was Amar Singh, MP, and then a confidante of Mulayam Singh Yadav. The first few meetings were attended by Adi Godrej, KV Kamath and Anil Ambani. Other business leaders were given key responsibilities to create framework for inviting investment in several sectors. The names were pretty impressive. For Agro and food processing it was Vindi Banga (then CEO of Hindustan Unilever) and Adi Godrej. For IT and communications Nandan Nilekani was roped in. Ramdas Pai was to handle Education sector, healthcare by Prathap Reddy of Apollo Hospitals. Amitabh Bachchan was to take charge of media and entertainment while KV Kamath would handle industrial infrastructure. Anil Ambani who had to take charge of energy needs of the state announced the 3500 MW gas based power plant in Dadri. It was billed as the world largest such plant. Mulayam Singh Yaday even laid the foundation stone for it. The council was a the biggest effort by any UP Chief Minister to industrialise the state with the involvement of corporate leaders. But little came out of it. A combination of personal, political and policy myopia led to an early demise of the council. Anil Ambani's project still awaits gas from elder brother Mukesh company. It's time now for Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh to relaunch their effort to industrialise UP. Other states where election results were announced this week already have a culture of industry and development. Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand are far ahead of UP in industry friendly environment. It would not be out of place to say that UP is among the last states any business would want to invest in. UP is pulling down the growth of India. Even Bihar and north eastern states like Assam are on the growth path. Here are some issues that the new government in UP must focus on. The Yadav father-son duo have a rate opportunity to reverse the decline of the state. Remove Power shortageEven though most of India has a power shortage, it is most acute in UP. There is a 35% loss in theft and transmission. New power projects have not been planned or announced. Per capita consumption of power in UP is half of India. Encourage Job CreationThe only sector where job creation has happened is sugar industry. Between 2007 and 2011, only about 50,000 jobs were created where the demand is for lakhs. Jobless youth are now registering in employment exchanges to get govt relief as private sector jobs remain scarce. Govt is promising higher allowance, may not have income to support such allowances. Ensuring employment generating projects get off the ground should be a priority. Create a New industrial policyThe UP government makes money mostly from sand mining, real estate and liquor sales. The state needs a new investment focus which will bring in money and jobs to the state. Noida cant be the only earner for UP. Focus on small industry alone will not help. Each big project automatically creates business and growth for ancilliary industry. This has been seen in states like Tamil Nadu. Improve Road connectionInternal road connectivity from towns to villages has to be improved. If there towns and villages are connected then migration remains local and regional. Otherwise all jobless come to cities like Lucknow and Allahabad, further choking it. About 30 per cent of the population is still not connected by road. Invest in EducationThe primary school completion rate of 42 per cent is among the lowest in the country. Private sector should be encouraged and government schools made more accountable. Boost Business infrastructureThe spread of banks, post office, phones are much below country's average. Quality of life is very poor. Economic activity can improve only if such facilities improve. There are only about 250 cars per lakh of population compared to national average of 700. Per capita income growth is just 2.6% compared to close to 7 per cent for Haryana. Politics should be allowed to come in the way of policy. If some positive change can be implemented in the next 5 years, the Yadavs could well return to power for another term. Bihar has shown that. (Pranjal Sharma is a senior business writer. He can be contacted at pranjalx@gmail.com)
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Putting speculations to rest, GM India unveiled the first two products from its Chinese partnership Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) - premium hatchback Sail and the MPV Concept.The vehicles are expected to be launched later this year. "Sail hatchback will be available in India by the middle of this year, while the MPV (based on Wuling CN-100) will be launched by the end of 2012," Lowell Paddock, president and MD, GM India said.Both the vehicles will be powered by new Smartech engines, which will be high capacity versions of the existing 1.0 litre diesel engine in Beat. These engines will be manufactured at GM India's Talegaon plant near Pune, said a company spokesperson. He also said that the vehicles will be competitively priced.Dispelling doubts about the products being Chinese – a term used in India for low-quality, less durable products, the company said the two products were developed in India for Indian needs. And they were indeed sporting GM's golden bowtie."Engineers at the GM Technical Center in Bangalore spent one and a half years on the platforms to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Indian market," Paddock added.The two vehicles will increase GM India's reach in the volume segments – hatchbacks and the latest obsession utility vehicles. Apart from showcasing and unveiling of various new models and concept vehicles, General Motors India has also introduced its new top boss – Lowell Paddock at the auto show. While the American automaker has on display some of the most futuristic cars including Volt, Beat Electric Vehicle and EN-V, what is more interesting is that Paddock was responsible for the integration of Shanghai GM with GM's small, compact and midsize global architectural development teams. This comes at a time when GM is expected to bring Wuling CN-100 MPV and another van to India from its GM-SAIC partnership. The company has invested over $1 billion in India and employs close to 4,500 people directly at its operations at Halol, Talegaon, Bangalore and Gurgaon. GM is also planning to introduce light commercial vehicles this year for which its Halol plant is going under capacity expansion.
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Maruti Suzuki on Friday unveiled the much-awaited multi-purpose vehicle Ertiga at the Auto Expo 2012 here in Delhi. Amid thousands of V.I.P. visitors, who thronged the hall no. 14 despite it being a Media Day at the expo, the leading carmaker introduced its first offering in the compact MPV segment in order to strengthen its leadership position in a market where utility vehicle and especially MPVs are gaining ground."In the Indian automobile industry, the MPV is the fastest growing sub-segment among utility vehicles showing a growth of around 15 per cent in the last four years," the company said in a statement.The Ertiga - based on the new Swift platform – is powered by an all new K-14 VVT 1.4 litre petrol engine with expected mileage of 16.02 kmpl, and a 1.3 litre DDiS SuperTurbo diesel engine borrowed from the SX4 that boasts of a 20.77 kmpl of fuel-efficiency.The 3-row seven-seater MPV, which is expected to be launched by April, is 4265mm long, 1695mm wide and has a height of 1685mm, with a wheelbase of 2740 mm. Ertiga will be available in 3-variants in each petrol and diesel versions, and is expected to be priced between Rs 6-9 lakh.The industry leader, having conceded a series of blows with labour unrest and revenue losses in 2011, is constantly looking at intensifying its product strategy through new products in the existing segments while also creating new segments through new concepts. It showcased a concept compact SUV XAalpha on Thursday.
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After a year of operations Renault India has expanded to 35 dealerships and has launched the 'Pulse' to reach out to the A2 segment of cars. "We also plan to localise our K9K series diesel engines," says Marc Nassif, CEO of Renault India. The price range of the car ex showroom would be around Rs 5.70 and 6.50 lakh available only in diesel.Renault plans to sell 1,00,000 cars in three years. It has already launched the premium sedan the Fluence and the premium SUV Koleos. However, although the much awaited sub ten lakh SUV Duster was launched, it would be on Indian roads only by November. "We have produced a few cars. But they are testing in Chennai and we need to tweak a few things," says Nassif. Renault believes Indian appetite for cars is only growing and can sell 6 million cars a year by the end of the decade."The Indian market sold only six hundred thousand cars a decade ago and now it is a big market which Renault cannot ignore," says Katsumi Nakamura, EVP Asia Africa for Renault. The Renault Nissan Alliance sells over 6 million cars globally and the fourth largest automaker in the world.Now the only surprise left is the 5th car which Renault has promised, sources say that it could be on the same platform as the Nissan Sunny. The alliance partners will be a force to reckon with once their diesel engines are localised.
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Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) belonging to the Tata group on Tuesday unveiled two of its models – the Jaguar XF Sportbrake and the Range Rover Evoque Convertible SUV Concept at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show.The XF Sportbrake is the most versatile Jaguar ever created. However, according to the company official, it will be sold in the UK and European market and will not enter the Indian market soon. The XF Sportbrake will be available in Europe later this year.As India is not-so-mature in terms of the super luxury segment, the initial plans for the company will be to roll-out the model in the European market. China and Brazil can also be a potential market for the same.As far as the concept Evoque convertible is concerned, there are no current plans to put the model into production.
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