In a boost to R&D for Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Suzuki are set to announce a partnership that will give the companies a bigger platform for R&D, eco-friendly car manufacturing, and fuel efficiencies. Maruti in India has been working on developing a low-cost, hybrid car, and the partnership is likely to boost its goal to be the first to launch a mass-market hybrid. 

Adani Power confirmed that it along with other companies may be in talks with JSPL to buy the Jindal Steel and Power's 2,400 mw electricity plant, although no agreement has been reached. JSPL, after eight quarters of losses, is being pressured by banks and lenders to cut its debt through selling some assets. The company is valuing the plant on the block at approximately Rs. 10,000 crore, or $1.5 billion. 

Stock in spotlight: Ashok Leyland, which posted healthy Q3 results (but at 7.7% growth YoY, below analyst estimates) has won a Rs. 70.3 crore order of 135 buses in the West Africa market. 

Photo of the day: A passenger feeds seagulls on a ferry in Turkey. Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images