Brands
Mahindra unveils a dynamic new visual identity for its new range of Born Electric Vehicles
Mumbai: Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL), a newly set-up subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, pioneers of the SUV segment in India, has unveiled a powerful and distinctive new visual identity for its forthcoming range of Born Electric Vehicles.
Revealed at the Mahindra Futurescape in Cape Town, South Africa – a showcase of Mahindra’s Go Global vision in Auto and Farm – the new visual identity was introduced for the first time on the ‘Vision Thar.e’. Along with the unveiling of the new visual identity, Mahindra also launched an inspiring brand anthem and sonic identity. These were masterfully conceived in collaboration with music maestro and Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri recipient, AR Rahman, winner of Oscar, National Films, Academy Awards, Grammies, BAFTA, Golden Globe to name a few.
The new visual identity serves as a hallmark of quality and innovation for customers opting for electric vehicles. It symbolizes a blend of revolutionary engineering, cutting-edge technology, and environmental responsibility, offering a distinct and appealing option for those driven towards a sustainable future. It encapsulates Mahindra’s ambition to lead in the electric vehicle revolution, providing a clear and unique value proposition for modern, eco-conscious consumers.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. president – automotive sector Veejay Nakra said, “This new visual identity, symbolising Infinite Possibilities, is the proud embodiment of our Go Global vision, representing our exciting, energizing, and efficient range of electric vehicles where iconic design meets revolutionary engineering and intuitive technologies. In parallel, the new Anthem – “Le Chalaang” is a depiction of the new visual identity, creating a sonic representation to resonate with new-age customers who deeply care for the planet.”
Mahindra & Mahindra chief design officer Pratap Bose said, “The new identity is a visual exploration of different dimensions, proudly showcasing our all-new global electric range. The new visual identity will address a global audience with its deep symbolism. The infinity sign represents the constant flow of energy; the racetrack denotes our racing pedigree and the exhilaration of performance, and the circularity indicates intelligent sustainability, which is powered equally by science and creativity towards a positive planet. This new identity is future-facing, sustainable, distinctive, and fun!”
Different dimensions of the new visual identity:
· The infinity symbol – represents the constant flow of energy, the fluid synergy of the driver and the SUV in multisensory harmony.
· The racetrack – highlights the racing pedigree imprinted in Mahindra’s DNA and the pursuit of exhilarating electrified performance.
· The circularity of intelligent sustainability – powered equally by science and creativity towards a positive planet.
· The Mahindra ‘M’ – rock-solid heritage reimagined for next-generation mobility.
The brand anthem:
Conceived in collaboration with music maestro AR Rahman, the brand anthem emphasizes the profound connection between music and the human experience. It defines the very concept of a “Chalaang” that symbolizes the spirit of Rise. With lyrics by Anvita Dutt Guptan (Hindi) and Kavingar Snehan (Tamil), the music is composed by AR Rahman, and sung by multiple award-winning artists, the brand anthem called ‘Le Chalaang’, represents the leap towards unleashing an electrifying future through a timeless exploration of new possibilities.
· Lyrics: Anvita Dutt Guptan (Hindi), Kavingar Snehan(Tamil)
· Music: A. R. Rahman
· Singers: Alexandra Joy, Simran, Ria (Hindi), Alexandra Joy and Rakshita Suresh (Tamil)
· Anthem name: Chalang
Brands
Microsoft faces worst quarter since 2008 financial crisis
Cloud giant battles soaring AI costs and fierce competition from nimble startups.
MUMBAI: When the tech titan starts looking a little wobbly, even the Magnificent Seven can feel the tremors because Microsoft is currently starring in its own sequel, “Clouds and Doubts.” Microsoft is on track for its worst quarterly performance since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to Bloomberg, as investors grow increasingly uneasy about rising capital expenditure and intensifying competition from nimble AI firms. The company has been pouring money into AI infrastructure, yet markets are questioning when these hefty investments will finally deliver stronger revenue growth.
At the same time, investors are shifting away from traditional software stocks amid fears that AI startups such as Anthropic and OpenAI are developing autonomous agents capable of replacing established products, including those from Microsoft. Jonathan Cofsky, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors, noted growing concern that customers may bypass Microsoft and deal directly with AI vendors, potentially disrupting its core business and putting pressure on pricing and margins.
Microsoft’s stock has tumbled 25 per cent in the first quarter, putting it on course for its largest drop since a 27 per cent fall in the fourth quarter of 2008. It has also emerged as the weakest performer among the so-called Magnificent Seven technology stocks, while a broader index tracking the group has fallen 14 per cent over the same period. The shares slipped a further 1.7 per cent after markets opened on Friday, marking a potential fourth consecutive session of declines.
Cofsky pointed out that Microsoft has become more capital intensive and that improved investor confidence will hinge on assurances that software growth will not slow materially. Despite the sell-off, the stock is now trading at less than 20 times projected earnings over the next 12 months, its lowest valuation level since June 2016. Its valuation remains slightly above that of the S&P 500 Index, although it has recently traded at a discount to the broader benchmark for the first time since 2015.
Bloomberg data shows Microsoft’s capital expenditure, including leases, is expected to surge to $146 billion in fiscal 2026, up around 66 per cent from $88 billion in fiscal 2025. Spending is projected to climb further to $170 billion in fiscal 2027 and $191 billion in fiscal 2028, based on average estimates. Investors are growing cautious about such levels of spending without clearer signs of stronger growth.
Microsoft’s Azure cloud division has reported a slight slowdown in growth compared with the previous quarter, while its Copilot AI product has seen limited user traction, prompting internal changes aimed at improving performance. Ben Reitzes, an analyst at Melius Research, warned in a March note that Microsoft’s upside in Azure could be constrained as the company works to address challenges related to its AI models and Copilot offering, adding that these issues are unlikely to be resolved in the short term.
Of the 67 analysts covering Microsoft, 63 maintain buy ratings, three hold ratings and one a sell rating. The average 12-month price target of $592 implies a potential upside of more than 64 per cent, the highest on record based on data going back to 2009. The stock is also trading below its 200-day moving average by the widest margin since 2009.
Reitzes suggested the dominance of buy ratings may indicate complacency among analysts, while highlighting risks in Microsoft’s productivity and business processes segment as well as its More Personal Computing division. In contrast, Tal Liani of Bank of America reinstated coverage with a buy rating, citing durable multi-year growth prospects across cloud and AI. Jake Seltz, portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments, maintained that Microsoft retains strong long-term value and that its AI strategy is likely to be validated over time, viewing near-term concerns as a potential opportunity for longer-term investors.
The report highlights a growing divergence in market sentiment, with optimism around long-term AI potential weighed against immediate execution risks and investor uncertainty. In the world of big tech, even the mightiest clouds can have silver linings but right now, Microsoft’s investors are scanning the horizon for clearer skies.
