India says welcome to Walmart, Tesco et al.

When the going gets tough, India just dishes out couple of reforms to disrupt the slowdown!!
 Yes, that's exactly what happened today. Indian govt. came out with a welcome note to MNC's like Walmart, Tesco to come and set up shop in India. The announcement of cabinet note, that allows 51% FDI in multi brand retail & 100% FDI in single brand retail means, MNC's like Walmart, Tesco stand a chance to compete for $450 billion retail market of India. That's not all, it's poised to double in just about a decade to $900 billion by 2020. I would say, the day is not far, when it would sound more like $2 trillion, hopefully by 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for MNC's who are struggling with slow down in their home markets.

India's growth story so far has been led by it's consumption. So, this move is very well thought out to attract FDI, which is going to help India build it's cold chain logistics, which will support farmers. It's going to result in a better deal to farmers, who are currently being squeezed by middle-men.

But, it appears that India missed a chance to time this move well. Had this been 2008, MNC's would have reacted exceptionally well to this announcement, but this is 2011. Eurozone crisis, talk of double dip recession in US, possible slow down in China and the possibility of property bubble in China do make them think long and hard before making a move. That means, even Indian markets would have to wait for a while before turning bullish on retail companies. All in all, there is a lot to cheer about this move.

Duke 200 to nuke the competition

Yes, you read it correctly. Duke 200, a product out of Bajaj's collaboration with KTM is going to say hello to Indian bikers this December. If it is specs you are after, then let me warn you they are incredible to say the least. Follow the jump:

http://www.ktm.com/gb/naked-bike/200-duke.html

With dry weight tipping the scales at 126kg and with loads of torque (20NM) coming early @ 6800 rpm, this sure is going to be lot of fun in corners. Looking at the combo 25bhp/20NM/126kg dry weight, competition better be worried. Indian market at the moment has only ZMR, R15 & CBR 250. To be frank Duke 200's specs look intimidating in the face of competition. ZMR clearly doesn't stand a chance with it's archaic engine coupled to FI. Even the impressive R15 will be outgunned by Duke 200's brute power, while CBR250 looks too heavy(almost 170kg) to keep up with Duke 200 from the specs. I'm beginning to wonder, are we looking at a true blue performance machine in the indian biking scene after RD350. Perhaps, Duke 200 will be as quick as RD350/Ninja 250 in quarter mile runs. That sounds like a mouthwatering prospect for indian bikers.