Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s leading automobile manufacturer, announced its financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024-2025, ending December 31, 2024. The company reported a 12.6% year-on-year increase in standalone net profit, reaching ₹3,525 crore, up from ₹3,130 crore in the same quarter the previous year.

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Revenue for the quarter rose by 15.6% to ₹38,492.1 crore, compared to ₹33,308.7 crore in Q3 FY24. This growth was primarily driven by robust sales in the utility vehicles segment, which includes high-margin SUVs. The utility vehicle segment experienced a 20.2% increase in sales during the quarter.

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Despite the positive growth in revenue and profit, the company’s performance fell slightly short of market expectations. Analysts had projected a net profit of ₹3,662 crore, but the actual figure was ₹3,525 crore. This shortfall is attributed to higher sales promotion expenses and increased costs related to clearing inventory, which amounted to ₹680 crore.

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The small car segment, encompassing popular models like the WagonR and Swift, faced a 3.7% decline in sales. This downturn reflects a broader market trend favoring SUVs over smaller vehicles. In the third quarter, small cars accounted for approximately 30% of Maruti’s sales, while utility vehicles comprised about 67%.

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In response to rising costs, Maruti Suzuki has announced plans to increase car prices across its range. This move aims to mitigate the impact of higher expenses and maintain profitability.

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Overall, Maruti Suzuki’s Q3 FY25 results highlight the company’s resilience in a competitive market, with significant growth in revenue and net profit driven by strong performance in the utility vehicle segment. However, challenges such as increased promotional expenses and shifting consumer preferences towards SUVs have impacted the company’s traditional small car segment.

Vivo is gearing up to launch its latest addition to the V-series, the Vivo V50, in India in February 2025. According to industry sources, the anticipated launch date is around the third week of February, possibly on February 18.

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Design and Display

The Vivo V50 is expected to feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep contrasts. The design is reminiscent of the Vivo S20, which was released exclusively in China in December 2024.

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Performance

Under the hood, the Vivo V50 is rumored to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, ensuring efficient performance for multitasking and demanding applications. The device is expected to come in multiple configurations:

• 8GB RAM with 128GB storage
• 8GB RAM with 256GB storage
• 12GB RAM with 256GB storage

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Camera System

Photography enthusiasts can look forward to a versatile camera setup. While specific details are still under wraps, Vivo’s V-series has historically emphasized strong camera performance, suggesting that the V50 will continue this trend.

Battery and Charging

The Vivo V50 is expected to house a substantial 6,000mAh battery, supporting 90W fast charging. This combination ensures prolonged usage and quick recharge times, catering to users with active lifestyles.

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Operating System

The smartphone is anticipated to run on Android 15, providing users with the latest features and security updates.

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Color Variants

According to recent certifications, the Vivo V50 will be available in multiple color options, allowing users to choose a variant that best suits their style.

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Pricing and Availability

While official pricing details are yet to be announced, industry estimates suggest that the Vivo V50 will be priced around ₹39,990 in India.

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The device is expected to be available through Vivo’s official channels and major retail outlets across the country.

Conclusion

The Vivo V50 is shaping up to be a compelling option in the mid-range smartphone segment, offering a blend of performance, design, and innovative features. As the launch approaches, more detailed information is expected to emerge, providing a clearer picture of what this device will offer to consumers.

The infant and its family had no history of recent travel and did not show any symptoms of concern.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, identified through routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens.

As part of ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses nationwide, the ICMR detected these two cases. One case involves an eight-month-old male infant in Bengaluru, whose sample collected on January 2 tested positive for HMPV. According to sources in the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) health department, the infant and their family had no recent travel history and showed no concerning symptoms.

The second case involves a three-month-old female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia, who tested positive for HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has since been discharged and is recovering, the Union Health ministry said.

HMPV primarily affects children and is known to be present in about 0.7 per cent of flu cases globally. However, Karnataka health officials have stated that they lack detailed information on the specific strain in question.

Responding to the developments, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday, “This is not India’s first case. The virus has been around for years, but this could be a new strain. More details are needed to ascertain that.”

What is HMPV?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently garnered attention due to videos and reports circulating on social media, suggesting that hospitals in China are overwhelmed by a surge in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. Posts also claim that outbreaks of multiple viruses, including HMPV, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, have contributed to overcrowding in both hospitals and cemeteries.

HMPV, first identified in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, according to the American Lung Association. The virus primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals, either through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or by touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or toys.

In the United States, HMPV typically circulates more frequently during the winter and spring months, overlapping with other respiratory infections like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu.

Symptoms of HMPV
The symptoms of HMPV can vary in severity and commonly include cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Some individuals may also experience wheezing and shortness of breath (dyspnea). In certain cases, a rash may develop as part of the infection.

According to Google Trends, searches for ‘HMPV virus symptoms’ surged on Sunday and peaked on Monday. Related queries included ‘fatigue,’ ‘fatigue meaning,’ ‘HPV virus cases in India news,’ ‘nasal congestion,’ and ‘HMPV virus in Bangalore’. Most searches originated from Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The spike followed reports of two HMPV cases detected in Karnataka on Monday.

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