he cute little penguin is readying to take off into unchartered territory. Very soon, there will be Kelvinator microwaves and airconditioners in India - the first time in the brand's turbulent 43-year history in India that it will be seen in products other than refrigerators. Videocon, which owns the Kelvinator brand now, is launching the products.

Till now, like its mascot, Kelvinator could never really fly in India - despite a promising start in 1963. The slide began when Whirlpool acquired the brand in 1995 - the decade before that was the peak for Kelvinator. Then the brand repeatedly changed hands - first becoming Whirlpool's property, and then moving into Electrolux's hands. It finally now belongs to Videocon, which got the brand when it acquired Electrolux in 2005 (see box).... more