MAM
Toyota inks deal with ESPN for Asia X Games sponsorship
MUMBAI: Toyota has inked a deal with ESPN Star Sports for sponsoring the Asian X Games Qualifier and the ESPN Junior X Games in 2003 and 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, along with the Asian Xtour.
The two-year sponsorship agreement will have Toyota enjoying regional association with the Asian X Games Qualifier and ESPN Junior X Games through a combination of multi-level integrated benefits. This includes on ground and on-air entitlements around the event as well as marketing and on-line benefits. Toyota’s renewal also extends to its presenting sponsorship of the Xtour, a series of pre-qualifiers organized to select competitors for the Asian X Games Qualifier. The Tour is the only avenue for entry into the regional competition for the respective host nation’s athletes.
ESPN will televise the Asian event to more than 140 countries and territories around the globe from March 10 onwards.
The Asian X Games Qualifier, the multi-sport competition for action sports in Asia, was first held in 1998. Between 1998 and 2000 it took place on Phuket Island, Thailand. The move from Thailand to Malaysia is part of the X Games tradition of holding the event at a new location every few years. This transition brings the X franchise to new markets around the region, developing the sport and the athletes across Asia. The recently concluded Asian X Games Qualifier IV and ESPN Junior X Games III presented by Toyota was the inaugural Kuala Lumpur event and will run through to 2004.
Showcasing nearly 300 of Asia-Pacific’s best action sport athletes the event served as a qualifier to the summer X Games VIII to be held in Philadelphia in August, the pinnacle of global action sports competition. Athletes competed in aggressive in-line skating, bicycle stunt, skateboarding, sport climbing and wakeboarding. The Junior event, inaugurated in 1999, brought together 70 children aged 14 years and under in the spirit of fun competition modelled after the senior Games.
The success of the inaugural games in Kuala Lumpur demonstrated the popularity of action sports. The event attracted athletes from more countries than ever before and saw over 90,000 visitors over its 6-day run. This is expected to rise again in 2003 and 2004.
The Asian X Games Qualifier will see the addition of one of the most popular events next year within the Summer X event – the Moto X. Although not a competitive category, it will be the first step in its inevitable inclusion into the Asian X Games Qualifers.
Announcing the continuation of the sponsorship agreement, ESS Managing Director Rik Dovey said: “We’re excited to see the continuation of Toyota’s support for the Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota for the next two years, and of the Asian Xtour presented by Toyota. Their already strong involvement with action sports through sponsorship of the event this past 3 years makes this a fitting extension to a long and healthy partnership”.
Mr Dovey added: “The popularity of action sports is now at an all-time high and the Asian X Games Qualifier has quickly established itself as the ultimate goal for Asia’s action athletes. Sponsors have been quick to see the benefit of associating with the event, and we are thrilled to be able to provide them with a way to leverage its potential. Whether they are looking at an on-ground sponsorship or advertising on-air, they understand the power of the X Games in capturing the imagination of both males and females, not only between the ages of 14 years and 35 years, but of all ages.”
Explaining the importance of the partnership to Toyota, Katsuyoshi Tabata, General Manager of the Overseas Marketing Division, in Toyota Motor Corporation said, “Toyota is excited to announce its continued support for the Asian X Games Qualifier, ESPN Junior X Games and Asian Xtour. Together these three events provide Asian action sports athletes and spectators alike with the ultimate opportunity to enjoy top level competition for their chosen sports. Providing such opportunities to athletes and communities around Asia where the Toyota brand is so loyally supported is at the core of our corporate strategy; one of commitment to communities globally demonstrated through our support of action sports events, cultural and musical events or the launch of our new Formula One team.
Brands
Maruti Suzuki posts record FY26 profit of Rs 14,445 crore, dividend at Rs 140
Sales hit 24.22 lakh units as Q4 revenue crosses Rs 50,000 crore mark
NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India Limited reported its highest-ever annual performance for FY2025-26, with record sales volumes, revenue and profit, alongside a dividend of Rs 140 per share.
The company posted net sales of Rs 1,74,369.5 crore for the full year, marking a 20.2 per cent increase over FY2024-25. Net profit stood at an all-time high of Rs 14,445.4 crore, up slightly from Rs 14,297.6 crore in the previous year.
Total sales for the year reached 24,22,713 units, compared to 22,34,266 units last year. Domestic sales accounted for 19,74,939 units, while exports rose sharply to 4,47,774 units from 3,32,585 units a year earlier. The company retained its position as India’s top passenger vehicle exporter for the fifth consecutive year, contributing 49 per cent of total exports.
Exports of the made-in-India e VITARA, the company’s first battery electric vehicle, expanded to 44 countries, highlighting its growing global footprint.
In the January to March quarter, Maruti Suzuki recorded its highest-ever quarterly sales of 6,76,209 units, an increase of 11.8 per cent year-on-year. Domestic sales stood at 5,38,994 units, while exports touched a record 1,37,215 units.
Quarterly net sales crossed the Rs 50,000 crore milestone for the first time, reaching Rs 50,078.7 crore, up from Rs 38,839.1 crore in the same quarter last year.
Operating profit, measured as EBIT, rose 30.4 per cent to Rs 4,409.2 crore, reflecting improved operating efficiency. However, net profit declined 6.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,590.5 crore, primarily due to mark-to-market impacts.
The company said growth in the second half of the year was supported by a reduction in GST rates, which boosted demand in the domestic market. However, production constraints remained a challenge, with around 1,90,000 pending customer orders at the end of the year, including nearly 1,30,000 in the small car segment. Dealer inventory levels were also low, at about 12 days of stock.
During the year, Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited was amalgamated into the parent company, effective 1 December 2025, with financials restated from 1 April 2025 for comparability.
The board recommended a dividend of Rs 140 per share, up from Rs 135 in FY2024-25, marking the highest payout in the company’s history.
With strong export momentum, improving domestic demand and continued capacity constraints, Maruti Suzuki enters FY27 balancing growth opportunities with supply-side challenges, even as it strengthens its position in both conventional and electric vehicle segments.
