This week, we’re going to talk a little bit about the intersection of cars and technology. Perhaps it would be refreshing to break free from the constant AI chatter. Let’s start with an interesting announcement that came out a few days ago. Indian mapping specialist MapmyIndia and global semiconductor manufacturing giant Qualcomm will collaborate on technology development for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. I have a feeling that the next vehicle, launched in late 2025, will work with emerging technology solutions. MapmyIndia has been in the news lately, so here’s a little background. In December, the company announced details of its plans to launch its B2C, or business-to-consumer, business as a separate entity (and the stock price fell about 4%). Now, the partnership with Qualcomm is the company’s first major announcement since its corporate reorganization, and its vision is becoming clearer (stock price is up about 4%). Last year, I spoke with Rohan Verma, then the company’s CEO. He talked about fighting in a space dominated by Google Maps, focusing on building unique capabilities and building solutions for governments. Disaster response agencies use AI to analyze water levels and predict changes. We are confident that there will be much more to come from MapmyIndia in B2B and B2C.
Returning to the issue at hand, this is underscored by the fact that Qualcomm’s wide-spectrum Snapdragon digital chassis platform will incorporate a layer of MapmyIndia expertise. That would be, for example, mapping using more cloud-based connectivity than we’re probably used to. The companies have said the idea is to integrate in-vehicle connectivity into “mid-range and low-end vehicles.” This means more affordable vehicles will have more connected features. For now, the ballpark is trending upwards INR$1,000,000 to equip your car with nice-to-have connectivity options like built-in mapping and smartphone-based monitoring.
The outline is clear. MapmyIndia leverages Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform and integrates Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services with MAPPLS automotive services to provide comprehensive (and, of course, customization as required by automakers) for 2W. possible) create a solution. 4W and commercial vehicles utilizing Snapdragon digital chassis solutions. Vehicle management, user data, maps, navigation, and a host of other services (often more relevant for commercial vehicles that are part of larger fleets).
A few days ago, Qualcomm announced a number of partnerships with automakers, including Indian brand Mahindra, with generative AI as a key component. It has also been confirmed that Mahindra’s upcoming BE 6 and XEV 9e electric vehicles will be powered by the Snapdragon digital chassis and Snapdragon Cockpit platform. This is one example where the Qualcomm and MapmyIndia partnership could easily integrate. Qualcomm is also working with Hyundai Motors to develop next-generation advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and digital cockpit systems.
Are you interested?
At first glance, many may dismiss this official release as harmless. But when I saw that, alarm bells went off. Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance have entered into a ‘strategic partnership’. The idea is to leverage Airtel’s 370 million usage base (and growing) into the 27 product lines that Bajaj Finance claims. Let me explain this briefly. Airtel’s touchpoints, including the Thanks app for smartphones and Airtel’s physical stores, are used to sell financial services. If you’re thinking of this as a competitor to Jio Finance, you’re exactly right.
It’s not the business deal that worries me. The same goes for this. Rather, my concern is that this partnership effectively means that a significant number of numbers used by Bajaj Finance’s phone calling army for spam users will likely no longer be marked as “suspected spam.” It is derived from the meaning. Of course, Airtel hasn’t said anything on these points (of course it hasn’t), but this is not the same as the network-level spam detection warning label Airtel was excitedly talking about just a few months ago. It’s contradictory.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This is why you need Truecaller on your phone if you’re serious about spam call alerts. Even more so since they just released an overhauled app for iPhone with live caller identification. There are no distractions along the way, such as trying to build a financial services platform that competes with Jio’s apps (at least until now). A network that fights spam will only fight spam unless the spammer becomes your friend. That’s the way the corporate world works.
move
Back to cars and technology. Calling it Auto Expo or Bharat Mobility Expo doesn’t change the scale or the public’s interest. This year was no exception, with many new car launches making headlines (not surprisingly, this generation of cars is likely to be a clear step forward in most aspects). A few themes stood out to me more and I will take this opportunity to discuss them.
It’s no surprise that most automakers are focusing on electric vehicles (EVs). Mahindra revealed its bet with the BE 6 and XEV 9e a few weeks ago and the competitive landscape is also set. If EV adoption is to increase in India, what is needed now (along with public charging infrastructure) is affordability. To sum this up, lower is better. more options INR1 million and INRThe key is the 20 million yen price range. That seems to be happening with the Hyundai Creta EV and possibly the Maruti eVitara as well (no pricing has been announced, but it will compete with the Creta EV).
Beyond the more price-oriented EVs, which are expected to light up the sales charts (to some extent), electric mobility is very much in vogue. Kia’s EV6 and EV9, Tata Harrier.EV, Tata Sierra revived in an EV avatar, and MG Cyberstar electric sports car highlight this broader trend that is still not borne out by sales numbers. According to official data, total EV sales in 2024 is estimated at 14,08,245 units. Importantly, this includes 2W electric vehicles and commercial vehicles, which will make up the bulk of these numbers. What was the total number of internal combustion engine vehicles sold during the same period? Approximately 43 million units. SUVs continue to be popular. The first look at Tata Harrier.EV, much-awaited Tata Harrier petrol, new Skoda Kodiaq and MG Majestor shows this. Clearly, Indian car buyers are willing to shell out big bucks for form factors that don’t always offer the best driving dynamics or space utilization inside the cabin. As they say, taste.
tick-tock
Prohibition was being celebrated. Perhaps it will make America great again. The rug was then pulled and the lifting of the ban celebrated as well. We don’t yet know what’s going on between the US and TikTok, and we certainly can’t say what the situation will be by the time you read this. The Trump administration has submitted a proposal that would result in “a joint venture between the current owners and/or the new owners, whereby the United States would acquire a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture setting…” At least that’s how Donald Trump explained it in his post about truth. Socializing. Let’s see how this plays out in 75 days.
