Brands
Ampere Nexus becomes first EV to conquer Shipki La Pass, (13,200ft)
MUMBAI: Ampere Nexus, the electric 2-wheeler from the house of Greaves Electric Mobility, has made history by becoming the first-ever electric scooter to reach the Shipki La Pass at an altitude of 13,200 ft, riding to just 200 metres from the LOC. This Independence ride, undertaken to promote the Border Tourism Initiative of the Indian Army led by Tripeak Brigade under the aegis of Surya Command, also proves that India’s EV revolution can thrive from urban roads to the nation’s most remote and challenging terrains.
Flagged off from Chandigarh on 9 August 2025, the Shipki La Pass expedition was a three-day journey and a feat achieved by two Ampere Nexus scooters. Covering over 425 km of winding mountain roads, steep gradients, and diverse terrains – the journey covered Shimla, Reckong Peo and Pooh, passing through the Kinnaur Valley before the final climb to Shipki La Pass.
Since its launch in 2024 — marked by the Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari ride — the Ampere Nexus has been achieving records due to its endurance, performance, and adaptability. From traversing the length of the nation to now conquering one of its highest and most formidable passes, the Nexus continues to prove it is Engineered to Outperform, Outlast, and Outshine in every environment.
On arrival at the Shipki La Pass, the Ampere Nexus riders and the team were welcomed by Indian Army jawans, who then participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day. This served as a powerful moment that fused national pride, technological progress, and environmental commitment.
The achievement was also formally recognised with a certificate from the India Book of Records stating, “First Electric 2-Wheeler to Reach Shipki La Pass – The record for the First Electric 2-Wheeler to reach Shipki La Pass was set by Ampere Nexus, supporting the Indian Army’s border tourism initiative. The ride started from Chandigarh on August 9, 2025, and concluded on 12 August at Shipki La Pass (13,200 ft). This expedition showcased the endurance and performance of the EV scooter, highlighting its ease of charging, empowering it to drive to the very edge of our map, as confirmed on 12 August 2025”
Greaves Electric Mobility managing director Vikas Singh said, “From conquering Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari to now scaling one of the nation’s highest and most challenging passes, the Ampere Nexus has consistently proven what it was designed for — to Outperform, Outlast, and Outshine. This Shipki La achievement is far more than a record — it’s proof that India’s EV technology is ready to go the distance, from the heart of our cities to the very edge of our borders. Amplifying the Indian Army’s Border Tourism initiative makes this feat even more meaningful. As the country celebrates the 79th Independence Day, the Ampere Nexus aims to stand as a symbol of innovation, resilience, and the unstoppable spirit of a new, electrified India.”
This feat is part of Greaves Electric Mobility’s larger purpose- to democratise smart, sustainable mobility in the country. The journey demonstrates that electric mobility is no longer confined to cities; with the Ampere Nexus’s reliable performance, adaptable design, and ease of charging, it can reach even India’s farthest frontiers, making clean mobility accessible to all.
Expedition film will be released on 15 August on Ampere social handles: Youtube and Instagram
Brands
Estée Lauder to shed 10,000 jobs as new boss bets on digital shift
The cosmetics giant raises its profit outlook but stays silent on a possible merger with Spain’s Puig, as job cuts deepen and a three-year sales slump weighs on the turnaround
NEW YORK: Stéphane de La Faverie is not done cutting. Estée Lauder announced on Friday that it plans to eliminate as many as 3,000 additional jobs, taking its total redundancy programme to as many as 10,000 roles, up from a previous target of 7,000 announced a year ago. The company, which owns La Mer, The Ordinary, Tom Ford, and Aveda, employs roughly 57,000 people worldwide. The mathematics of what is now being contemplated is stark.
The fresh round of cuts is expected to generate a further $200 million in savings, bringing the total annual savings from the programme to as much as $1.2 billion before taxes. That money, De La Faverie has made clear, will be ploughed back into the turnaround.
A CEO in a hurry
De La Faverie, who took the helm in January 2025, inherited a company that had endured three consecutive years of annual sales declines. His response has been to move fast and cut deep. A significant portion of the latest redundancies reflects his push to reduce headcount at US department stores, long a cornerstone of Estée Lauder’s distribution model but now a channel in structural decline. In their place, he is accelerating the shift toward faster-growing online platforms, including Amazon.com and TikTok Shop, a pivot that is reshaping not just where Estée Lauder sells but how it thinks about its customers.
The numbers are moving in the right direction
Despite the pain, there are signs the medicine is working. Estée Lauder raised its profit outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, guiding for adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.35 to $2.45, above analyst estimates and a notable step up from the $2.05 to $2.25 range it had guided for in February. Organic net sales growth is expected to come in at 3 per cent, the company said, at the high end of the range it set out in February.
The share price tells a mixed story. After De La Faverie took charge, the stock surged nearly 60 per cent, buoyed by investor optimism that a longtime company insider could finally arrest the decline. But 2026 has been rougher: the shares have fallen 27 per cent this year, weighed down by disappointing February results and the overhang of unresolved merger talks with Spanish beauty giant Puig Brands SA. The company gave no additional details about those discussions on Friday, leaving the market to guess.
Silence on Puig
The proposed tie-up with Puig remains the most consequential unknown hanging over Estée Lauder. A deal with the Barcelona-based group, which owns brands including Carolina Herrera and Rabanne, would reshape the global luxury beauty landscape. But with nothing new to say and a turnaround still very much in progress, De La Faverie is asking investors to trust the process.
Three years of sales declines, 10,000 job cuts, and a merger that may or may not happen. At Estée Lauder, the overhaul has barely started.
