Tata Punch and Nexon continue to be two of India's best-selling SUVs as the duo ended January as the top two models in the segment. Tata Motors sold 17,978 units of the small SUV, up by about 50 per cent compared to January last year when the carmaker sold 12,006 units. A concept Nexon SUV with CNG kit was unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo held earlier this month. The model, which is based on Maruti's premium hatchback Baleno, saw 13,643 units sold last month. Mahindra Bolero:Mahindra's iconic and one of the oldest models finished the top 10 charts with 9,964 units sold last month.

FOREMOST rating agency, Agusto and Co, has identified some themes that will shape the banking industry this year. According to the firm, reform of the cash reserve requirement will have significant impact on the banking industry. He also noted that strengthening banks› capital base could improve stability and lending capacity. Shake-up in the merchant banking segment according to him, could create opportunities for some banks and challenges for others. On basel III transition, the analyst said that implementing stricter capital adequacy rules could improve financial stability but raise compliance costs.

Punch loses out on eight variant offeringsThree new variants addedTata Motors has revised the variant matrix of the Punch with immediate effect. The carmaker has added three new variants, and, simultaneously, discontinued eight variants from the B-SUV's line-up. The Tata Punch is no longer available in the Camo Adventure MT, Camo Adventure Rhythm MT, Camo Adventure AMT, Camo Accomplished MT, Camo Adventure Rhythm AMT, Camo Accomplished Dazzle MT, Camo Accomplished AMT, Camo Accomplished Dazzle AMT, Creative dual-tone, and Creative Flagship MT dual-tone variants. Tata Motors has added the Creative MT, Creative Flagship MT, and Creative AMT variants to the Punch range, priced at Rs. 8.85 lakh, Rs.

NIGERIA is reeling in darkness once again due to the first collapse of the national grid in 2024 on February 4. On February 4, the national grid suddenly crashed to 59.9 megawatts from 2,658MW. Under the erstwhile Muhammadu Buhari administration, the grid collapsed 99 times, despite tranches of financial interventions from the Federal Government. Tinubu and Adelabu should unveil a comprehensive road map, including a review of the previous privatisation, to redeem the sector. The sole national grid is a threat to efficiency.

Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced the launch of “Project Loud,” a two-month, all-expenses-paid training programme aimed at empowering Lagosians with vocational skills. The initiative, dubbed “Lagos of Our Dreams,” offers free training in mixology, catering, tailoring, makeup/gele, wig-making, shoemaking, facials & massage, manicure & pedicure, baking, and pastries to all residents. Interested candidates can register for any of the classes by visiting http://projectloudskillscenter.com or physically at 114 Western Avenue, beside Qua-Iboe Church, Barracks Bus-stop, Surulere, Lagos State.

Equity market sheds N1tn amid sell-offs• Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Temi PopoolaOluwakemi Abimbola Oluwakemi is a Senior Correspondent with The PUNCH. She has over 10 years experience across digital and traditional journalism spheres, and currently covers the Capital Market. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Join The Punch Newspapers Channel

The International Monetary Fund has said stalled per-capita growth, poverty and high food insecurity have exacerbated the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria. The report came amid rising inflation, exchange crisis, weak economic growth and business shutdowns. The report read in part, “Nigeria faces a difficult external environment and wide-ranging domestic challenges. “Per-capita growth in Nigeria has stalled, poverty and food insecurity are high, exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis. “With a high debt servicing to revenue ratio, the government aims to increase domestic debt in 2024 to meet its deficit funding requirements,” the report read in part.

This 2024 survey, which is a wake-up call for employers, provides a unique and vital view of how people feel about their life at work. This survey which was released to the media by ACCA also assessed key workplace issues such as hybrid working, diversity, mobility, mental health, and the cost of living crisis. “Employers are excited by the opportunity AI offers with 78% believing it will enable finance professionals to add more value. 76% of employees say it’s their preferred arrangement but many employers continue to insist on full-time office working arrangements. The survey reveals that 56% of employees in Nigeria are fully office-based while 41% are hybrid working (a mix of office and home-based working)”.

Provide succour, senator tells national economic teamFormer Director General of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians caused by the high cost of living. Lukman, in an article, titled “Heartbreaking Reflections,” urged Tinubu to urgently do the needful to demonstrate his true democratic and progressive credentials. They impose their decisions on citizens and when citizens criticise them, they hurl insults and abuses in the same way old military regimes responded. Salisu made the call during a briefing by the National Economic Team to the Joint Senate Committee on Finance, National Planning, and Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions in Abuja over the weekend. He insisted that the team must inform Nigerians about when their pains and economic hardship would subside.

Members of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives in Nigeria have opened a portal to kick against the new directive of the Nigeria Nursing and Midwives Council on certificate verification. The circular was released after The PUNCH reported that the council deactivated the verification portal in December 2023. By the new circular, nurses and midwives must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. “Recently, without consultation or formal notification, the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, removed the online verification portal. “Healthcare unemployment in Nigeria is further exacerbated by their lack of access to the online verification portal.

Rice, which is arguably one of the commonest consumed staples in the country, has risen to N77,000 per bag. Foodstuffs sellers in major cities, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, lamented that the cost of a bag of rice had risen almost 200 per cent. It is so shocking that the price of a bag of rice continues to change almost every minute. “A bag of rice five months ago was around N49,000, but it increased to N68,000. Also, groundnut oil is now N8,400 for four litres, and a bag of rice is now N70,000.

Tata Punch saw a 50% increase in sales compared to the previous year. Tata Punch sold 17,978 units, up from 12,006 in January 2023.

Hungary’s president, Katalin Novák, tendered her resignation on Saturday amidst widespread public outcry following a controversial pardon she granted to a man convicted as an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case. The pardon, issued in April 2023, sparked an unprecedented political scandal for the long-standing nationalist government. In a televised announcement, Novák, 46, stated her decision to step down from the presidency, a position she has held since 2022. During the time of the protests at Novak’s office, she was on an official visit to Doha, according to Reuters. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first woman to assume the predominantly ceremonial role of Hungarian president.

The Police Service Commission has said it has not officially announced any date for examination for applicants in the ongoing recruitment of Nigerian youths into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force. “The Commission wishes to advise prospective applicants to disregard any communication or updates on the ongoing recruitment exercise that are not officially issued by the Commission through its recognised media platforms,” the statement added. “The Commission assured that it will continue to ensure that this recruitment exercise is not hijacked and diluted by criminal elements who have continued to devise different strategies to dupe innocent Nigerian youths. He said the Commission is aware of the expectations of Nigerians and promised that this recruitment will meet and even surpass these expectations. He thereby called for patience and support and warned criminals to stay away from the exercise.

Tata Motors explains where the SUV fits inSpecifications Comparison Citroen eC3 Tata Punch EV Engine N/A N/A Transmission Automatic Automatic Mileage N/A N/A Fuel Type Electric Electric Check detailed comparisonWhile the Tiago EV and the Tigor EV are one of the competitors for the Punch EV, one of the direct rivals would be the Citroen eC3 which was launched in 2023. Tata Punch EV vs Citroen eC3: FeaturesTata has been very vocal about the fact that as per their market research, EV customers have a keen eye on tech related features. The tech focused approach is clearly seen in the new Tata EV products and the Punch EV walks on the same path. Tata Punch EV vs Citroen eC3: PowertrainThe benifit of a dedicated EV platform is seen in the way the Punch EV has been packaged. Tata Punch EV vs Citroen eC3: PriceThe Punch EV starts at ₹11 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Citroen eC3 which is priced at ₹11.61 lakh.