V-Guard extends support towards fighting

V-Guard extends support towards fighting Covid-19 crisis

V-Guard Industries Limited, India’s leading consumer electricals major pledges support towards India’s fight against COVID-19. Reasserting its commitment and support towards society, V-Guard has donated various protective equipment to Dehradun Traffic Police at a function conducted in Maharana Pratap Stadium.

Rajiv Sharma, Branch Head, Dehradun on behalf of V-Guard Industries Limited handed over 8000 3-Ply Masks and 6000 Cotton Gloves to Prakash Chandra, Nodal Officer, Garhwal region & Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Dehradun.  Sanjay Gulati, State President, Uttarakhand Electrical Trade Association, Naresh Gupta, Secretary, Uttarakhand Electrical Trade Association and Sanjeev Tyagi, Sub Inspector, Dehradun were also present during the function.

Commenting on the initiatives, Sumit Jha, Sr.General Manager & Northern Regional Head,V-Guard Industries, said, “Given the uncertainty over the ongoing crisis, V-Guard Industries believes in helping and supporting the people and frontline warriors with a meaningful contribution. We are also providing masks to the migrant labourers in Dehradun. Our initiative is designed to help those in need and contribute to society, at this critical juncture in a positive way”.

AirAsia named the 4th Strongest Airline Brand Globally in

AirAsia named the 4th Strongest Airline Brand Globally in Brand Finance Airlines 2020 Ranking

AirAsia grows brand value and brand strength, rated among the top airline brands that well positioned to survive the Covid-19 crisis

As per the latest report by Brand Finance for 2020,  AirAsia was rated as having the highest growth in brand value in Asia and the second highest among all airlines globally, with a year on year growth in brand value of 15.5%. The phenomenal growth in brand value saw AirAsia enter the league of top 25 most valuable airline brands in the world in 2020 and the only LCC from ASEAN in the global 50 airline brand rankings.

Brand Finance also rated AirAsia as having the highest year on year increase in Brand Strength among the 10 strongest Airline Brands in the world. AirAsia is one of only four airline brands in the world to have an AAA+ rating on Brand Strength. Brand Strength is based on marketing investment, familiarity, loyalty, staff satisfaction, and corporate reputation. Brand Finance correlates brand strength with stock market out performance.

Based on the cash positions, brand strength and brand value, AirAsia was also listed as one of the airline brands well poised to survive the Covid-19 crisis, unlike many others that have been cited as being in precarious positions and needing financial support to survive.

AirAsia also came out on top of the ASEAN airline ratings in 2020 on a number of parameters, being the 8th most valuable airline brand in Asia, the second most valuable in the ASEAN region and among only four Asian brands to grow brand value.

Speaking about the report, Mr. Sunil Bhaskaran, MD & CEO, AirAsia India said, “We are proud to be custodians of the AirAsia brand in India and this latest report by Brand Finance is a testament to the strength of the brand and the trust our guests, markets and other stakeholders place in the AirAsia brand. As published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, AirAsia India has had the best On Time Performance in 2020 and, on average over the last 12 months of reported data, has had the lowest cancellation rate (0.5%) amongst all the major scheduled airlines in India and the lowest number of complaints (0.2 per 10,000 passengers) among Indian LCCs. Along with our investment in our brand and communications, these measures of operational excellence continue to contribute to our reputation, loyalty and brand strength.”

Samir Dixit, Managing Director, Brand Finance Asia Pacific, commented: “While there were very few brands that had positive brand value growth, AirAsia found itself to be a strong contender with some of the best brands in the world. This can undoubtedly be attributed to the consistency of brand experience and the brand building efforts by AirAsia across customers and other stakeholders. The current COVID-19 crisis presents a dangerous threat to airlines, and will not be easy to manage given that airlines will struggle to recapture lost demand and could lose up to 20% of overall brand value. The only thing that will drive customer preference in difficult times is the brand and the airline brands that are weaker may not even survive the crisis. Based on our criteria, we found AirAsia to be one of the 30 global airline brands well poised to survive the Covid-19 crisis.”

Mr Rakesh Sharma, ED, Bajaj Auto takes over as

Mr Rakesh Sharma, ED, Bajaj Auto takes over as IMMA’s President

 The International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), the voice of the global motorcycle industry, has elected Mr Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto from of its member organisation SIAM, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers for a 2-year mandate, as President of IMMA.

Mr Sharma had been previously holding office as Vice-President in IMMA, elected in May 2019.

The IMMA Spring Congress, originally planned to be held from 20 to 24 April 2020 in New Delhi, was changed into a series of meetings by conference call and correspondence. The election of the new President took place through a General Assembly by correspondence on 21^st April 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

On being elected, Mr Rakesh Sharma said “Indeed these are very challenging times and I take up this prestigious appointment fully conscious of the role the motorcycle industry has to play both as a key industry and a responsible member of the society. Whilst we are facing numerous difficulties, we can also see that in due course new but different opportunities will emerge. The role of national, regional and global associations such as SIAM and IMMA is now more important than ever and we will work hard to ensure we play a strong and responsible role in the recovery.’’

Mr Rakesh Sharma joined Bajaj Auto in October 2007 as President (International Business) and is currently the Executive Director. He is a member of the Board of Commissioners of PT Bajaj Auto Indonesia, a subsidiary of Bajaj Auto Ltd and the Chairman of the Exports Council of SIAM.

In his new role, Mr Sharma succeeds Mr Johannes Loman, Director of PT Astra International Tbk and Executive Vice President Director PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Indonesia, and President of FAMI - Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries and President of AISI, the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association.

Mr Loman stated, ‘’IMMA aims to advance the sustainable growth of the two-wheeler industry in every region of the world. We are fortunate to have Mr Sharma with his wide international experience in the two and three- wheeler industry, to steer IMMA through the difficult time and be the trusted global voice of the motorcycle manufacturers. I look forward to work with Mr Sharma in my role as FAMI representative in IMMA’s Steering Committee’’.