India

German luxury carmaker Audi reported a steep 63% decline in its India retail sales during the first half of 2025, delivering just 2,128 units compared to 2,477 units during the same period last year. The downturn is attributed to rising vehicle prices, currency-driven cost pressures, and macroeconomic headwinds from global geopolitical instability. Despite the slump, Audi remains optimistic about the Indian luxury auto market, particularly with the upcoming festive season.

Bajaj Auto, one of India’s leading two-wheeler and commercial vehicle manufacturers, posted a modest 1% year-on-year growth in total sales for June 2025, reaching 3,60,806 units. While domestic sales contracted by 13% due to softer demand across key segments, the company's international performance stood out with a 21% surge in exports, offsetting the domestic dip. The figures highlight a shifting growth strategy leaning on global markets as domestic consumption faces headwinds.

Raymond Realty Ltd, the real estate arm of the iconic Raymond Group, officially made its market debut on Indian stock exchanges this Tuesday, following a strategic demerger. The stock opened at Rs. 1,005 on the BSE and rose nearly 5% by mid-day. On the NSE, it followed a similar trajectory. With a market capitalization surpassing Rs. 6,500 crore, the listing reflects strong investor interest and confidence in the firm’s standalone prospects.

Spotify has taken another bold step into the future of audio by partnering with leading AI voice technology provider ElevenLabs to allow the distribution of AI-narrated audiobooks. This move follows a similar collaboration with Google Play Books two years prior and reflects Spotify’s increasing focus on expanding its audiobook library. With support for narration in 29 languages, the new integration enables authors to use synthetic voices for their content creation.

In a pivotal move aimed at regaining its competitive footing, Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) officially unveiled its 5G services in India, initiating coverage from Mumbai. Despite a delayed start compared to telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, VIL has set ambitious targets to expand its 5G footprint to over 100 cities and towns across 17 telecom circles within the next three years. Initially offered as an unlimited add-on for existing customers with plans priced at Rs.

JioHotstar has shattered records in live sports streaming during the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, amassing over 540 crore views and 11,000 crore minutes of watch time. The tournament final, where India triumphed over New Zealand, recorded a staggering 124.2 crore views and reached a new peak concurrency of 6.12 crore viewers, surpassing the previous record of 5.9 crore set during the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final.