Freescale to buy SigmaTel Inc
Chipmaker Freescale Semiconductor Inc said it agreed to acquire SigmaTel Inc, which makes chips for MP3 players, for about $110 million in cash, reports Reuters from Bangalore.

Freescale, a former Motorola Inc unit taken private in 2006, expects the acquisition of Austin, Texas-based SigmaTel to address higher demand for feature rich, always-connected consumer electronics devices. The $3 a share offer represents a premium of about 68 per cent, as per SigmaTel’s Friday close of $1.79. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.  The agreement contains a “go-shop” provision through March 4, during which SigmaTel can solicit and engage in discussions and negotiations on potential competing proposals, SigmaTel said.

Bajaj unveils kick start XCD
Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL), has introduced a variant of its latest 125 cc offering XCD DTS-Si, cheaper by Rs 2,000 from the original base version.

The new kick start variant is priced at Rs 39,000 (ex-showroom) as against the existing self-start variant priced at Rs 41,000.

Incidentally, XCD is the cheapest 125 cc bike available in the Indian two-wheeler market. “We have introduced a new kick start variant of XCD. The self-start variant priced at Rs 41,000 still continues to remain in the market,” Bajaj Auto Limited General Manager Marketing Amit Nandi told PTI in New Delhi.