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Bajaj and TVS Zoom Past Ola Electric in the E-Scooter Race

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Bajaj and TVS Zoom Past Ola Electric in the E-Scooter Race

December marked a major shift in India’s electric two-wheeler (E2W) market as Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor surpassed Ola Electric in sales and market share. This development highlights the growing competition in the E2W space, with established players leveraging their experience to capture the market.

Total EV two-wheeler registrations dropped to an eight-month low in December, reaching 73,363 units—a 38.7% decline from November’s 1,19,671 units and a 3.4% decrease compared to December 2023. Despite the monthly dip, 2024 ended on a strong note with a 34% year-on-year growth, as registrations climbed to 11.48 lakh units from 8.60 lakh in 2023.

Bajaj Leads the Pack

Bajaj Auto sold 18,295 E2Ws in December, a 30.6% decline from November’s 26,358 units. However, the company saw a 75.5% year-on-year increase, driven by its popular Bajaj Chetak e-scooter. Bajaj’s market share grew to 25%, up from 22% the previous month, making it the segment leader.

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TVS Motor followed closely with 17,231 registrations, a 37% drop from November. Despite the decline, its market share increased to 23.5% from 22.7%, reinforcing its strong position in the E2W market.

Ola’s Comeback Plans

To regain momentum, Ola is set to launch its Roadster series of electric motorbikes this month and has expanded its network of service centers and showrooms to 4,000 locations. The company also introduced budget-friendly models like the S1 Z and Gig and unveiled a limited-edition S1 Pro Sona e-scooter.

Continue Exploring: Log9 Co-founder Kartik Hajela Moves to Jupiter Electric Mobility in Key Role

IPO-bound Ather Energy saw its registrations dip by 19% in December to 10,429 units.

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From Groceries to Emergencies: Blinkit Expands into Ambulance Services

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From Groceries to Emergencies: Blinkit Expands into Ambulance Services

Blinkit, a popular delivery platform, has launched a 10-minute ambulance service in Gurugram to respond to medical emergencies more effectively. The pilot program currently includes five ambulances stationed strategically across the city, with each ride costing Rs 2,000.

Albinder Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting that the initiative is focused on serving the community rather than generating profit.

CEO Explains Vision Behind New Initiative 

“Our goal is to provide fast and dependable ambulance services in growing urban areas,” Dhindsa explained. He emphasized that Blinkit plans to keep the service reasonably priced while investing in long-term enhancements. Over the next two years, the company aims to expand this initiative to major cities across India.

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Fully Equipped Ambulances for Emergency Care

The service offers Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances equipped with critical medical tools like oxygen cylinders, AEDs, stretchers, monitors, suction machines, and emergency medicines. Each ambulance is staffed with a trained paramedic, an assistant, and a skilled driver to ensure patients receive high-quality care during emergencies.

Dhindsa reassured users, stating that the company is committed to delivering top-notch emergency services when it matters most.

Continue Exploring: Log9 Co-founder Kartik Hajela Moves to Jupiter Electric Mobility in Key Role

How to Book

Residents in eligible areas of Gurugram can access this service via the Blinkit app, using the same interface they use to place other orders. The feature will appear automatically for users in supported locations.

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Zepto’s New Marketplace Entity Could Signal a Shift in Quick-Commerce Strategy

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Zepto’s New Marketplace Entity Could Signal a Shift in Quick-Commerce Strategy

Zepto, the rapidly growing quick-commerce startup, has established a new entity called Zepto Marketplace Private Limited, a move aimed at streamlining its operations ahead of its anticipated IPO later this year, as per sources close to the situation.

Zepto’s New Strategy 

Currently, Zepto operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model. Its Indian subsidiary, Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd, founded by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, sources products from brands and sells them exclusively to a select group of companies that manage the Zepto platform for consumer-facing sales.

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In contrast, competitors like Blinkit (owned by Zomato) and Swiggy Instamart have already embraced a marketplace model, where multiple sellers list their products directly to consumers.

The Launch of Zepto Marketplace Private Limited

Zepto seems ready to follow this trend. It registered Zepto Marketplace Private Limited on October 22, 2024, indicating a likely shift from its current B2B structure. This change would bring Zepto’s business operations more in line with its publicly traded competitors, Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart, as it prepares for a potential listing in India later this year.

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“Zepto’s current structure is somewhat unclear, and it seems the company wants to simplify its model to provide greater transparency for investors before its IPO,” one source explained. “By launching a separate entity like Zepto Marketplace Pvt Ltd, the company can reorganize its operations to match the more familiar marketplace model used by rivals Blinkit and Instamart. Once this shift is complete, it will be easier for investors to evaluate Zepto’s performance alongside its competitors and make more informed comparisons,” the source added.

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From Grapes to Paneer: Zomato & Swiggy Instamart Reveal New Year’s Eve Food Trends

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From Grapes to Paneer: Zomato & Swiggy Instamart Reveal New Year’s Eve Food Trends

On New Year’s Eve, quick commerce platforms saw a surge in orders, with chips, cold drinks, fruit beer, ice cubes, and grapes topping the list, as revealed by Zomato-owned Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart. Along with the usual snacks like chips and soda, essentials like paneer and milk were also frequently searched by users.

The Demand for Grapes 

What stood out, however, was the overwhelming demand for grapes. This spike in orders was tied to the viral tradition of eating 12 green grapes at midnight, a custom believed to bring good fortune for the year ahead. Originating from Spain, this tradition has become a global phenomenon, and social media buzzed with people sharing their grape-eating moments.

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Both Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart kept their followers updated on order trends via posts on X (formerly Twitter). Blinkit’s CEO, Albinder Dhindsa, shared that the platform hit its highest-ever number of orders on December 31. Along with record-breaking sales, grapes and chips were among the best-sellers.

Swiggy Instamart’s Genius Marketing 

Swiggy Instamart added a playful note to their update, posting, “ye rahe aaj ke top 5 trending searches: milk, chips, chocolate, grapes, paneer. Tum log kitna bhi grape grape karlo agle saal tumhara katne hi vala hai.” On the same night, Swiggy Co-founder Phani Kishan shared live insights about the highest order from Goa—a jaw-dropping Rs 70,325—and the quickest delivery of tonic water in just four minutes.

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Zomato’s 2024 food ordering report also highlighted that Delhi-NCR led the charge with 12.4 crore orders, surpassing the combined total of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana (10.5 crore).

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Log9 Co-founder Kartik Hajela Moves to Jupiter Electric Mobility in Key Role

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Log9 Co-founder Kartik Hajela Moves to Jupiter Electric Mobility in Key Role

Kartik Hajela, cofounder and COO of battery manufacturing startup Log9 Materials, has stepped down from his position at the company. He has now joined Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM) as a director, where he will focus on the electric light commercial vehicle (e-LCV) sector.

Kartik Hajela Brings a Huge Wealth of Experience 

During his time at Log9, Hajela was instrumental in advancing battery technologies tailored for the Indian market. In his new role at JEM, he will oversee the development of electric vehicles in the light commercial segment. 

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Speaking about the change, Hajela shared on LinkedIn, “After a fulfilling seven-year journey at Log9, contributing to the growth of electric commercial fleets, I am excited to pass the torch to the talented team there. I now look forward to leading efforts in the e-LCV space, which I believe is ready for significant disruption.”

About Hajela’s Stellar Record as an Entrepreneur 

A graduate of IIT-Roorkee, Hajela co-founded Log9 in 2015 alongside Akshay Singhal and Pankaj Sharma. The company specializes in producing electric vehicle batteries and energy storage solutions and competes with other players like Exponent Energy and Ather Energy.

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Hajela’s resignation follows a strategic acquisition in October 2024, when JEM, a subsidiary of Jupiter Wagons Ltd (JWL), took over Log9’s railway and electric truck battery divisions. As part of the deal, JEM also acquired Log9’s engineering team and manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. This acquisition is expected to bolster JEM’s battery production capabilities and expand its footprint in the electric vehicle sector, particularly in electric light commercial vehicles and railway applications.

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Tensions Rise as CCI Considers Anti-Competitive Allegations Against Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart

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Tensions Rise as CCI Considers Anti-Competitive Allegations Against Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is holding off on launching a full investigation into claims of anti-competitive practices by quick commerce platforms, pending further details from the group that filed the complaint. 

This delay underscores the increasing attention on the rapidly growing quick commerce sector.

Chairperson of CCI Makes Fresh Revelations 

According to PTI, CCI has asked the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation for additional documentation and evidence to support their complaint. Ravneet Kaur, the chairperson of the CCI, confirmed that the federation had been reminded to provide the necessary information under the Competition Act. The federation, which represents around 800,000 distributors nationwide, originally filed the complaint through the Ministry of Commerce.

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The issue arises amid growing tensions between conventional retailers and quick commerce services like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart, which guarantee deliveries within a matter of minutes. These digital-first platforms are seen by traditional players as a disruptive force, with accusations that they use aggressive pricing strategies that undermine established businesses.

President of the Distributors’ Union Presents Plan

Darshil Patil, the president of the distributors’ federation, stated that they plan to present a detailed complaint with concrete evidence in the next two weeks.

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The quick commerce industry in India, valued at around $5 billion, has seen massive growth, attracting substantial investment. New entrants like Ola, previously known for its ride-hailing services, are now entering the fray, further heightening competition.

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EaseMyTrip Appoints Rikant Pittie as CEO, Eyes Industry Innovation

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EaseMyTrip Appoints Rikant Pittie as CEO, Eyes Industry Innovation

EaseMyTrip.com, one of India’s leading online travel platforms, has announced Rikant Pittie as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

As a co-founder of the company, Pittie steps into this role with a vision to propel EaseMyTrip to greater heights through innovation, enhanced customer service, and a stronger foothold in the competitive travel market.

New CEO Shares his Thoughts on New Appointment 

Pittie takes over the reins following the resignation of Nishant Pitti, who cited personal reasons for stepping down. In a letter to the board, Nishant expressed gratitude for his journey with the company and requested to be relieved of his duties. Reports suggest that Nishant may also sell his remaining 14.21% stake in EaseMyTrip, potentially fetching around ₹780 crore through a block deal.

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Rikant Pittie, who co-founded EaseMyTrip in 2008, brings nearly 15 years of experience spanning travel, tourism, human resources, and technology. His prior role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director has been instrumental in shaping the company’s success. Under his leadership, EaseMyTrip has grown into a major player in India’s travel sector, known for its customer-centric approach and tech-driven solutions.

Revolutionising the Travel Industry 

Speaking about his new role, Pittie said, “The travel industry is evolving rapidly, with technology playing a key role in reshaping how people experience the world. At EaseMyTrip, we’re not just focused on improving travel services—we’re dedicated to redefining the industry through innovative solutions and customer empowerment. It’s a privilege to lead this journey, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.”

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This leadership change comes at a critical time for EaseMyTrip, as the company seeks to capitalize on its momentum and further establish itself as a trailblazer in the travel technology space.

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Leadership Shift at CARS24: Himanshu Ratnoo Promoted to CEO

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Leadership Shift at CARS24: Himanshu Ratnoo Promoted to CEO

CARS24, a leading platform for buying and selling pre-owned vehicles, has named Himanshu Ratnoo as the CEO of its Used Cars India division. The announcement was made by Vikram Chopra, CARS24’s founder and global CEO, in an internal communication to the team.

Himanshu Ratnoo Joined as VP

Ratnoo, who joined CARS24 in 2020 as vice president of the wholesale business, will now oversee the company’s customer-to-business (C2B) and retail operations. His primary focus will be on driving growth, scaling key initiatives, and introducing innovative strategies to enhance the platform’s services.

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In his new role, Ratnoo will spearhead efforts to expand franchise operations and introduce new models for luxury car sales. Additionally, he will work on monetizing customer leads and enhancing value-added services to improve the overall experience for buyers and sellers alike.

About CARS24’s Unique Business 

CARS24 has built a comprehensive ecosystem for vehicle transactions, offering services such as buying, selling, financing, insurance, FASTag issuance, and vehicle scrapping. Through its NBFC arm, CARS24 Financial Services, the company also provides a range of vehicle financing options, operating under the approval of the Reserve Bank of India.

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Founded in 2015, CARS24 operates in India, Australia, and the UAE, leveraging AI-powered pricing tools and rigorous quality checks to ensure fair and transparent deals. Despite reporting net losses of ₹498.4 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2024, the company showed significant progress with a 25% jump in gross revenue, reaching ₹6,917 crore. Adjusted EBITDA also improved to ₹318.8 crore, reflecting better control over operational expenses.

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Blinkit’s Latest Update Lets You Clean Up Your Order History

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Blinkit’s Latest Update Lets You Clean Up Your Order History

Blinkit, the quick-commerce platform under Zomato’s umbrella, has rolled out a new feature that lets users delete orders from their purchase history.

Albinder Dhindsa, Blinkit’s co-founder and CEO, shared that over 1,04,924 orders have already been wiped from the system since the feature launched just last week. He emphasized that this move aims to enhance user privacy, giving customers control over what appears in their order history, particularly for those who prefer to keep certain purchases discreet.

Key Details of this New Feature 

Once an order is deleted, it cannot be retrieved, and Blinkit’s customer support team will not be able to assist with any questions regarding the removed transaction. However, if someone else placed the order on the same account, the details will still show up in their history.

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This new feature is just one of several recent updates Blinkit has rolled out. Over the past year, the platform has introduced services like Bistro for speedy food deliveries, along with specialized fleets to manage bulk orders. It also launched the Blinkit Seller Hub, enabling sellers to upload their own product listings.

Blinkit Looking to Diversify 

In its bid to diversify, Blinkit has expanded offerings like returns for clothing and footwear and the ability to quickly deliver passport-sized photos. The company also pushed into new areas, with its services now reaching Jammu, a move aligned with Zomato’s strategy to target more Tier II cities.

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In terms of growth, Blinkit reported impressive results for Q2 of fiscal year 2025, bringing in ₹1,156 crore in revenue, more than double the ₹505 crore from the same quarter last year. Its adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed significantly, dropping to ₹8 crore from ₹125 crore the previous year.

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Ola Electric Appoints Experienced Corporate Lawyer Pritam Das Mohapatra to Top Governance Role

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Ola Electric Appoints Experienced Corporate Lawyer Pritam Das Mohapatra to Top Governance Role

Ola Electric, the Bengaluru-based leader in electric vehicles, has announced the appointment of Pritam Das Mohapatra as the new company secretary and compliance officer, effective December 30, 2024.

Pritam Das Mohapatra Appointed as the new Company Secretary and Compliance Officer

This decision, approved by the company’s board of directors on the same day, follows the resignation of the previous compliance officer two months ago. 

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Ola Electric’s founder and CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, expressed his enthusiasm for Mohapatra’s appointment, noting the importance of strong corporate governance as the company continues to grow and expand its reach in the market.

About the new Top Executive

Mohapatra, an associate member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, holds both a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in commerce. With over 14 years of experience in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and governance, he is well-equipped for this role. His prior work experience includes positions at companies such as Merabo Labs, ANI Technologies, Ola Fleet Technologies, and Zuari InfraWorld India. Additionally, he has no family ties or other relationships with Ola Electric’s board members, which ensures his independence in the role.

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In his new position, Mohapatra will oversee Ola Electric’s compliance with regulations set by bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India. His expertise in corporate governance and IPO listings is expected to strengthen the company’s adherence to legal and regulatory standards.

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