MAM
‘Next Gen’ Publishing launches two dedicated auto magazines
MUMBAI: Next Gen Publishing (NGPL), a Forbes Group and HDFC Enterprise today launched the Indian version of two world leading auto magazines, Car India and Bike India.
H S Billimoria, CEO of NGPL, Chris Llewellyn, International managing director of Emap International and Adil Darukhanawala, chief editor of Car India/Bike India launched the magazines at a media event today.
Targeted at both the general car info seeker and the discerning automobile aficionado, both Car India and Bike India are positioned as informative monthlies that cover the entire spectrum of the car and bike industry, providing in-depth information on various models and their performance, analysis of manufacturing capabilities, accessories, tips and recommendations, auto lifestyle and sporting news.
The magazine boasts of of crisp editorial content with professionally shot images. To provide readers with detailed analysis, an expert team at Car India and Bike India will test and evaluate several of the products featured in the magazines in India and abroad.
Commenting on the launch, Billimoria said, “The automobile industry in India has grown tremendously, and cars and bikes have become affordable to more people. However, with so many choices in the market, our magazines will provide the much needed comprehensive picture to anyone looking for information on cars and bikes, right from research and recommendations to interaction with experts. Each magazine focuses entirely on its niche segment.”
Speaking at the occasion, Llewellyn said, “Emap is really happy to partner with Next Gen to bring Car magazine to India. The excellent team will delight Indian Automobile lovers with an exciting, interesting and well produced magazine month after month.”
The first 180-page issue of Car India is now out on the stands at a special invitation price of Rs. 75/- (plus free car perfume), and features the new Mercedes-Benz S-class that will be launched in India in the second quarter of 2006. In addition, in-depth road tests of the new Suzuki Swift Supermini as well as Toyota’s Innova MPV. If that’s not all, there are drive reports from all over the world including a Stormer in the harsh jungles of Bolivia plus a drive to Monte Carlo in one of the most evocative of sports cars – the Aston Martin DB9.
Bike India. on the other hand takes the reader far into the culture and heritage on biking. The first 142-page issue of Bike India is also out on the stands at a special invitation price of Rs. 50 and features biking tests and stories from all around the globe. A comprehensive road test of the new Bajaj Avenger plus the latest variants of the Kinetic Kine and the Yamaha Libero G5 form the consumer information component. An exclusive ride report from Italy on the Bimota DB4 is backed up by a special report on MasterBike 2005, the world’s most authoritative sports motorcycle track test from Spain. Then there’s a grand preview of the two latest bikes scheduled to hit Indian roads this month – the new Glamour from Hero Honda and the latest version of the Discover from Bajaj Auto. In addition, it has bike sport from around the world, touring, technical tips and forums for the biking brotherhood.
Added Darukhanawala, “Both our new offerings have been created with a thorough understanding of what makes a car or bike enthusiast excited. The moot point is to delight the enthusiast and bring the layperson upto speed when presenting the magazine. In short – celebrate everything on two and four wheels, while being to the point, specific and accurate.”
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
