Korean auto major Hyundai Motors is considering a multi-utility vehicle for India after launching its mid-size luxury car next year, a company official has said. "We are currently carrying out a study to ascertain the market needs and a multi-utility vehicle would probably be Hyundai's third vehicle in India, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) managing director YS Kim said.

The korean chaebol, which launched its small car "Santro" on September 23, is planning a mid-size car by October next year based on its popular "Accent" model.

SWC beer sales up 50%

Shaw Wallace and Company (SWC) has reported a growth of 50 per cent in its beer business while Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) segment has registered a 17 per cent increase in sales for the year ended June 30, 1998. Beer sales grew from 8.8 million cases in 1996-97 to 13.2 million cases during the year while the volume of IMFL segment sales increased from 7.6 million cases to 8.9 million casesthe previous year. Individually, all beer brands of SWC recorded growth in sales ranging from 10 per cent to 137 per cent, a company statement said.

Tata Steel's performance improves

Tata Steel has recorded improvement in all critical performance indices in the first six months of the current fiscal from April one to September 30. Sale of steel registered a five per cent increase from 11,69,513 tonnes to 12,31,800 tonnes this year. Saleable steel also recorded 5.7 per cent rise from 14,40,692 tonnes in April-September, 1997 to 15,23,100 tonnes in this year. However, inventory of steel stockyards and steel in transit as on October one decreased by 11 per cent from 2,83,106 tonnes during the period last year to 2,52,800 tonnes this year.

IMCI to introduce specialisation standards

The Institute of Management Consultants of India (IMCI) is in the process of introducing standards of specialisation which have been benchmarked to established international requirements. It has developed a systemof certifying consultants to ensure that clients get world class service. The first batch of management consultants to qualify will be given certification by the end of October. The certification, according to IMCI president Hiru Bijlani, will enable local consultants to practice in other countries.

Excise Commissionerate launches website

The Central Excise Commissionerate, Delhi-I, has reserved its berth on world wide web. The website has been created at the network of National Informatics Centre. With this, the commissionerate becomes the first central excise commissionerate in the country to provide modern infrastructure to the trade, its officers and staff, a release said. The infrastructure comprising internet and e-mail will have information relating to the historical background of the department, its jurisdiction, formations, functional responsibility and administrative set up.

"Autumn '98" to begin on October 10

The four-day Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair "Autumn '98"beginning on October 10 will lay special stress on environment friendly and utilitarian handicraft products. The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) chairman KL Katyal said in view of the growing international concern for environment and increasing demand for lesser known traditional Indian handicrafts, it was decided to focus on handmade paper, jute, terracotta, textiles, dry flowers and alternate wood products. He said the other handicraft products range on display would include giftware, kitchenware, decoratives, tableware, X-mas decorations, woodcrafts, fashion jewellery, musical instruments.