Brands
GT Force launches GT Texa electric motorcycle
Mumbai: GT Force, an electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced the launch of its much-awaited electric motorcycle, the GT Texa, at an ex-showroom price of Rs 1,19,555. Engineered to cater to the evolving needs of urban riders, this cutting-edge EV bike combines advanced technology, uncompromising performance, and eco-friendly mobility like never before. With its sleek design and revolutionary features, the GT Texa is poised to redefine the urban commuting experience.
The GT Texa boasts a highly insulated BLDC motor that delivers a top speed of 80 KMPH, ensuring a thrilling ride. Its 3.5 kWh Lithium-Ion battery offers an impressive range of 120-130 KM on a single charge, making it an ideal choice for daily commuting. Equipped with a micro-charger with auto-cut, the motorcycle can be fully charged in just 4-5 hours. With a load capacity of 180 kg and a grade ability of 18 degrees, the GT Texa is designed to conquer urban terrain effortlessly. Available in two stunning colour options, black and red, the motorcycle exudes a perfect blend of style and functionality.
The GT Texa features tubeless tyres, with a front tyre size of 80-100/18 and a rear tyre size of 120-80/17, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride. The alloy wheels, measuring 457.2 mm in the front and 431.8 mm in the rear, further enhance the riding experience. Safety and convenience are paramount in the GT Texa’s design. The motorcycle is equipped with disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, complemented by an E-ABS controller for superior braking performance. Riders can start the vehicle using either a remote start or a key operation, adding to the convenience factor. The 17.78 CM LED display provides clear and easy-to-read information, while the digital speedometer, central locking system, LED headlight, tail light, and turn signal lamps enhance visibility and security.
The suspension system, featuring telescopic dual suspension at both the front and rear, ensures a smooth and comfortable ride, even on rough roads. With a saddle height of 770 mm and a ground clearance of 145 mm, the GT Texa strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and stability. Additionally, the motorcycle boasts a lightweight kerb weight of 120 kg, further enhancing its manoeuvrability.
Commenting on the launch of the Electric Motorcycle GT Texa, GT Force co-founder and managing director Mukesh Taneja expressed, “The electric motorcycle market is still in its infancy, and existing players have significant gaps in terms of safety, reliability, affordability, and performance. GT Texa’s unique selling proposition lies in its engineering prowess, which is on par with traditional ICE motorcycles, but with the added advantage of being eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run. We have meticulously designed and developed the GT Texa to cater to the evolving needs of urban commuters, offering them a superior riding experience without compromising on performance or safety. We are confident of receiving a huge number of bookings and are fully prepared to fulfil the demand in a timely manner.”
The launch of GT Texa follows the successful introduction of GT’s latest range of high and low-speed EV two-wheelers, including GT Vegas, GT Ryd Plus, GT One Plus Pro, and GT Drive Pro, with an impressive starting range from Rs 55,555 to Rs 84,555 ex-showroom price. GT Force products are available through its 35 outlets across multiple states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi-NCR. To enhance accessibility to its eco-friendly products, GT Force recently announced plans to establish a total of 100 dealership showrooms by the end of 2024, each equipped with comprehensive infrastructure following the 3S model, encompassing sales, service, and spare parts support.
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.
