After months of muted demand, auto loans appear to have hit the fast lane. The recent reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) rates on select vehicles to 18% from 28% has revived retail sentiment, sparking an uptick in passenger vehicle sales and demand for loans to finance them, four lenders said. In September, India's banking industry saw a vehicle loan growth of 7.3% year-on-year (y-o-y), nearly half of the 14% expansion witnessed in the same month a year ago, according to the Reserve Bank of Indi ...

Core Insights - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation for development projects worth over Rs 13,430 crore in Andhra Pradesh, covering key sectors such as industry, power transmission, roads, railways, defence manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas [3][13]. Infrastructure Development - The foundation will be laid for the Transmission System Strengthening at Kurnool-III Pooling Station, with an investment exceeding Rs 2,880 crore, which includes a 765 KV double-circuit transmission line to enhance transformation capacity by 6,000 MVA for renewable energy transmission [7][13]. - Foundation stones will be laid for the Orvakal Industrial Area in Kurnool and the Kopparthy Industrial Area in Kadapa, with a combined investment of over Rs 4,920 crore, aimed at creating modern industrial hubs with plug-and-play infrastructure [8][9]. - A six-lane greenfield highway from Sabbavaram to Sheelanagar will be initiated at a cost of over Rs 960 crore to alleviate congestion in Visakhapatnam [9][10]. Railway and Energy Projects - Railway projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore will be inaugurated, including the Kothavalasa-Vizianagaram Fourth Railway Line and the Rail Flyover between Pendurti and Simhachalam North [11][13]. - The Srikakulam-Angul Natural Gas Pipeline, built at a cost of around Rs 1,730 crore, will also be inaugurated, enhancing energy infrastructure in the region [11][13]. Economic Impact - The industrial hubs are projected to attract investments of Rs 21,000 crore and create approximately 100,000 jobs, significantly boosting industrial development and global competitiveness in the Rayalaseema region [9][8].

Core Insights - Sony India anticipates strong growth in the premium LED TV segment during the upcoming festival season due to recent GST reforms [1][2] - The company expects a 10% increase in value for LED TVs sized 55 inches and above, driven by the reduction in GST tax rates from 28% to 18% for TVs larger than 32 inches [2][3] - Sony India plans to pass on the effective benefit of 7.8% from the GST reforms to customers, resulting in significant price reductions across its Bravia television portfolio [3] Pricing Impact - Price reductions for various screen sizes are expected: ₹8,000-32,000 for 55-inch TVs, ₹11,000-40,000 for 65-inch TVs, ₹19,000-51,000 for 75-inch TVs, and ₹47,000-70,000 for 85-inch TVs [4] - The company anticipates that consumers will upgrade to larger screen sizes or choose better technology within the same size due to these price cuts [4] Market Strategy - Sony India is collaborating with trader partners to prepare for the transition to the new GST rates [4] - The company aims to achieve a turnover of ₹10,000 crore in the next 2-3 years, indicating a strong growth strategy in the market [5]