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Tag: CARS24

  • CARS24 shifts gears, elevates Manoj Yadav as CBO

    CARS24 shifts gears, elevates Manoj Yadav as CBO

    MUMBAI: CARS24 is driving into its next growth lap with a familiar hand at the wheel. The autotech major has elevated Manoj Yadav as chief business officer for its India operations, tasking him with steering the company through its next chapter of scale, profitability and innovation.

    In his new role, Yadav will lead CARS24’s business strategy and execution across verticals, with a strong focus on sustainable expansion and customer trust.

    Yadav’s journey at CARS24 has been one of turning challenges into comeback stories. He took charge of the retail business during one of its toughest phases and led a full-scale rebuild, simplifying operations, rethinking assumptions and restoring accountability. The result was one of the company’s most remarkable turnarounds, bringing retail operations close to breakeven while launching innovations like the 30-day return policy and CARS24 care plus.

    Described as a systems thinker with a bias for action, Yadav is known for his clear-eyed leadership and knack for building scalable frameworks. His ability to unite teams around purpose has made him a key pillar in CARS24’s success story.

    “Manoj has consistently led with clarity and action,” said CARS24 CEO – India Himanshu Ratnoo. “From turning around retail to building scalable systems, his deep understanding of our operations and customers stands out. His experience will be pivotal as we enter the next phase of growth.”

    Reflecting on his new role, Yadav said, “Mobility transforms lives by creating access, opportunity and confidence. ‘Better drives, better lives’ is what inspires us, and I’m excited to carry that purpose forward.”

    Before joining CARS24, Yadav held leadership roles at Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and Idea Cellular, where he focused on marketing, digital alliances, and retail strategy.

    With Yadav in the driver’s seat, CARS24’s India business seems all set for a smooth, accelerated ride ahead.
     

  • Cars24 turns Zomato delivery bags into mobile adverts across Bengaluru

    Cars24 turns Zomato delivery bags into mobile adverts across Bengaluru

    BENGALURU: Bengaluru’s gridlock has found a new purpose. Cars24, the used-car platform, has plastered its branding across thousands of Zomato delivery bags, turning food couriers into roving billboards. The logic is simple: if the city won’t move, let the marketing do the moving.

    The partnership transforms everyday delivery bags into brand real estate. With Zomato’s army of riders weaving through traffic and queuing at signals, Cars24 reckons it’s found a captive audience where traditional out-of-home advertising stands still.

    “OOH is great. But MOH—moving out of home—is better,” says Cars24 head of creative, content and communication Prachi Sharma. “We had one simple idea: take the brand to the streets in a city that is constantly moving.”

    The company frames this as part of a broader hunt for unconventional brand surfaces. Delivery bags today, something else tomorrow. For now, Cars24 is treating the exercise as an experiment, promising to share learnings and impact data once the campaign wraps.

    It’s marketing that moves with the traffic—and in Bengaluru, that means it moves very slowly indeed. Which, for advertisers, may be precisely the point.

    Second-hand car platform tests “moving OOH”  as traffic-choked city becomes captive audience

     

  • Cars24 launches Care Plus to offer full support for used car buyers

    Cars24 launches Care Plus to offer full support for used car buyers

    MUMBAI: Why should buying a used car feel like buying a mystery box? Cars24 says not anymore. Cars24 has just fired up a game-changer for Indian car buyers with the launch of Care+, an all-in-one post-sale ownership plan that promises to take the stress out of second-hand car purchases. Rolling out across major cities and soon pan-India, the plan offers an integrated mix of extended warranty, annual servicing, 24×7 roadside assistance, and even a guaranteed resale value all bundled into a single offering.

    In a market where more than 80 per cent of used car buyers feel uncertain after the sale, Care+ aims to flip the script. According to internal data, 65 per cent of buyers have never received warranty or post-sale support, 70 per cent are clueless about resale value, and nearly half end up footing bills for repairs that should’ve been covered.

    Enter Care+, designed to remove the guesswork and offer clarity from the get-go:

    ●    Extended Warranty: Up to 3 years or 45,000 km on key components including engine and AC, with national repair access and free pickup/drop.

    ●    Annual Servicing: Certified technicians, real-time tracking, genuine parts and freebies like wheel alignment.

    ●    24×7 Roadside Assistance: For flat tyres, fuel issues, jumpstarts and minor repairs, with towing up to 40 km.

    ●    Assured Buyback: A guaranteed resale value from day one, making upgrades easy after 12 months.

    “We’ve seen that trust in the used car market comes down to two things clarity and support,” said Cars24 Co-founder and CMO Gajendra Jangid. “Care+ isn’t just another feature. It’s a mindset shift. It tells customers they’re not on their own after the sale.”

    Since its soft launch, Care+ has already been adopted by over 1,000 customers in three cities, with a glowing 4.8/5 satisfaction score. Cars24 expects more than half of its buyers to opt into Care+ by the year’s end, a bold indicator that consumers are hungry for post-sale certainty.

    With Care+, Cars24 becomes the first platform in India’s used car segment to offer a tech-enabled ownership experience that goes well beyond the transaction. In a space plagued by patchy support and limited service guarantees, Care+ might just be the much-needed tune-up the industry didn’t know it needed.

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  • Cars24 adds a nostalgic twist to no parking signs in Gurgaon

    Cars24 adds a nostalgic twist to no parking signs in Gurgaon

    MUMBAI: No parking signs are usually dull and unremarkable, but Cars24 has injected a dose of nostalgia into them by replacing standard warnings with playful phrases that take people back to their childhood.  

    Instead of stern messages, Gurgaon streets now feature signs with a humorous spin, such as,

    Bolo pencil, yahan parking cancel.

    Aao milo Sheela Shaalo, car kahin aur lagalo.

    The initiative aims to grab attention, evoke nostalgia, and gently remind drivers to park responsibly without the usual monotony. The campaign has already sparked a buzz on social media, with residents sharing photos and tagging friends, turning an everyday frustration into a moment of joy.

    A local resident summed it up, “For the first time, a no parking sign made me laugh instead of sigh. Now, I want to spot them all.”

    Cars24 commented: “Our goal was to take an everyday challenge and make it more engaging. These signs not only serve their purpose but also bring a smile to people’s faces. We’re thrilled to see the response.”

    Designed for maximum visibility, the signs have been strategically placed in high-traffic areas where parking is a common issue. By blending humour with a practical message, Cars24 continues to connect with urban audiences in a creative and relatable way.

  • Cars24 promotes Himashu Ratnoo to CEO C2B & retail business

    Cars24 promotes Himashu Ratnoo to CEO C2B & retail business

    MUMBAI: He’s gotten into the driver’s seat at Used Cars India, autotech platform Cars24’s  C2B and retail businesses.  Himanshu Ratnoo’s elevation as Used Cars India’s CEO was announced in an internal email to the company by Cars24 founder & CEO Vikram Chopra. 

    In his new role, Ratnoo will oversee the company’s C2B and retail operations, focusing on scaling growth and driving innovation.

    Renowned for his “founder mindset,” Ratnoo has played a pivotal role in Cars24’s  success, Chopra said in the email.  His transformative initiatives include the development of franchise models, lead monetisation strategies, and a revamped approach to luxury car transactions. Additionally, he has successfully expanded value-added services that enhance customer experiences, aligning with Cars24’s vision to simplify car ownership.

    Chopra commended Ratnoo’s leadership, emphasising his alignment with the company’s core values and his vision to make car ownership seamless and rewarding.

    “Ratnoo will focus on building a world-class, engineering-first organisation, scaling revenues and profitability, creating a happy and thriving workplace for our frontline teams, and nurturing the next generation of leaders who will define Cars24’s future,” said Chopra.

  • Cars24 introduces brand film ‘For the Drives That Take You Back’

    Cars24 introduces brand film ‘For the Drives That Take You Back’

    Mumbai – This festive season, Cars24 unveiled its brand film featuring Kuldeep Sareen and Chandan Anand. The story is about a father who struggles with dementia and how a familiar drive brings back some of his long forgotten memories.

    At the heart of the film is the theme “For the Drives That Take You Back.” The story is not about the car itself, but about how a car can quietly bridge the gap between past and present, rekindling memories of family and connection. The father, who has been losing touch with his past, finds a moment of clarity during the drive.

    This theme ties into a much larger reality-dementia. According to the World Health Organisation, dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide, with around 8.8 million cases in India. Dementia is about much more than memory loss-it’s the emotional strain it puts on families and loved ones, as they watch someone slip away from the moments that once defined them. This film was inspired by those challenges-the heartbreak of watching memories fade and the strength it takes for families to hold on through it all. Cars24 chose this theme to highlight the irreplaceable role family plays in keeping those connections alive. It’s a reminder that some journeys aren’t about where you’re going, but about remembering where you’ve been.

    Talking about the film, Cars24 co-founder & CMO Gajendra Jangid shared, “This film isn’t just about a car-it’s about the memories that are tied to it. At CARS24, we’re here to help people find the cars that will be part of their most meaningful journeys.”

    The film’s everyday setting-a familiar neighbourhood with ordinary streets-grounds the story, making it relatable to anyone who has ever taken a drive that rekindled a memory or a connection. This environment adds to the emotional weight of the story, reminding viewers that life’s most profound moments often happen in the simplest places.

    Cars24 writer Manuj Chawla shared, “We wanted to tell a story that speaks to real emotions-memory loss, family bonds, and nostalgia. The car in this story isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a companion to those memories, bridging the gap between past and present.”

    “As a director, my aim was to capture the smallest nuances-those quiet drives, shared conversations, and familiar streets-can hold immense emotional weight. The car, in this story, isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a silent witness to the bond between father and son, carrying their memories and shared experiences through time. It’s always there, in every meaningful moment, reflecting the depth of their connection even when words fail.” commented Dhindora Media film & founder director Jai.

    The film is currently airing across digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, reaching audiences across India during this festive season.

  • Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 onboards CARS24 as title sponsor

    Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 onboards CARS24 as title sponsor

    Mumbai: The Yuva Kabaddi series has joined hands with CARS24, an autotech company, as its title sponsor for its upcoming monsoon edition, scheduled from 24 September to 22 October.

    The Yuva Kabaddi series is a ground-breaking initiative aimed at showcasing the extraordinary talent and skill of young Kabaddi players from across the nation. With this collaboration, CARS24 is not only underlining its commitment to supporting and encouraging India’s budding sports stars but also reaffirming its dedication to fostering a brighter and more promising future for youth in the country.

    The series will witness the participation of emerging talents from more than sixteen states, providing them with a professional platform to showcase their skills and compete at the national level. This initiative aligns perfectly with CARS24’s vision of driving positive change and empowering the youth of India.

    “We are glad to partner with CARS24 whose remarkable global footprint and unwavering market leadership underscore their commitment to advancing innovation and fostering agility. This exciting partnership not only brings us together but also marks the start of an exciting journey where we’re ready for rapid growth of the sport and many exciting opportunities ahead. The partnership will play a key role in shaping the future of Indian kabaddi,” commented Yuva Kabaddi Series co-founder Suhail Chandhok.

    Launched in 2022, the tournament has been providing a highly competitive environment for the country’s budding Kabaddi stars as 8 of the 12 players in India’s recent Junior Kabaddi World Cup team have progressed through the Yuva Kabaddi Series programme. To date, over 1100 youth players have engaged in 618 matches involving 60 coaches, and overseen by 153 officials.

    “Kabaddi embodies the essence of great teamwork, unwavering determination, boundary-pushing, and a relentless pursuit of powerful performance and excellence. At CARS24, we resonate deeply with these values as we continue to revolutionise the autotech industry. Through our partnership with the Yuva Kabaddi Series, our mission is crystal clear: to inspire the next generation of athletes, empowering them to chase their dreams with the same unwavering determination and fearlessness that defines CARS24. We eagerly anticipate a season filled with exciting matches and a journey marked by the values of collaboration, perseverance, and ultimate triumph!,” said CARS24 co-founder & chief marketing officer Gajendra Jangid.

    The sixth edition of the revolutionary CARS24 Yuva Kabaddi Series 2023 will be played at the Fatima College Indoor Stadium in Madurai.

    Honourable Tamil Nadu Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Shri Palanivel Thiagarajan will inaugurate the tournament on Sunday. 

  • Why startups facing strong headwinds with massive layoffs

    Why startups facing strong headwinds with massive layoffs

    MUMBAI: Social commerce startup CityMall became the latest startup to announce mass lay-offs. In a LinkedIn post on 19 June, the firm said that it has laid off 191 employees alluding to the current funding environment and a change in its business model as reasons. In addition, SoftBank-backed Unacademy laid off another 150 employees last week, after letting go of around 600 employees or 10 percent of its workforce in the beginning of this year. Around the same time, Coinbase sacked about 8 percent of its India workforce, amid a crash in digital assets. While crypto companies have taken a hit in 2022 because of uncertainties revolving around their legal validity in India, they aren’t the only ones to feel the chills of a market meltdown.

    Several Indian startups seem to be on a lay-off spree currently, after the hiring augmented for a brief period, leading to thousands of workers staring at an uncertain future amid heightened inflation & economic downturn, thereby, adversely impacting startups in the recent months. Startups that issued pink slips this year included unicorns such as Vedantu (laid off 642 employees in May), Cars24 (laid off 600 in May), Ola (laid off 1,200 earlier this year), Meesho (laid off 150 in April), MPL (laid off 100 in May), Trell (laid off 300 in March) and Unacademy (laid off 750 over the last few months).

    So far, over 10,000 employees have been laid off by 24 startups, based on media reports. The new-age sectors which have witnessed the maximum layoffs are edtech and ecommerce. Just a year back, several of these new companies were hiring robustly, offering ambitious pay packages, having raised intense funding, and expanding vigorously.

    Furthermore, Indian startups were the largest spenders during the IPL season, even leaving the heavyweight FMCG brands far behind in its ad spends. It is noteworthy that all the official sponsors of IPL this season comprised only startups. These majorly included fintechs and edtechs, such as Unacademy, Upstox, RuPay, and CRED, apart from Swiggy Instamart & Dream11, with each official sponsor shelling out excessive moolah.

    Gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) was the official kit sponsor for the Indian Cricket Team while edtech brand, Unacademy was the official partner of IPL 2022 and sponsor of Kolkata Knight Riders team. E-comm brand Meesho was the sponsor of IPL’s official broadcaster Star Sports and the Gujarat & Rajasthan teams.

    What kind of challenges the Great Indian Startup is facing? Is the party finally over for startups? What is the current market scenario? Will startups recover and increase hiring in future? We spoke to the experts to understand the current situation of the market and future growth?

    According to Talent acquisition marketplace, FlexC founder and CEO Girish Kukreja said that most of the startups witnessed a sharp surge in demand for their products and services, when Covid was at its peak. “The market trend then showed a very bright upward growth. It multiplied the demand for human power to cater to the needs of current users and attract more consumers to the business. But most of these employees were hired probably in haste, with little to no solid plans for managing the growth and succession planning of these employees within the organisation.”

    However, when things moved to the pre-pandemic world, so did consumer’s behaviour also changed in many aspects. It, therefore, resulted in a setback for these firms. Hence, the layoffs happened, Kukreja believes.

    After a funding blitzkrieg that lasted for nearly two years, venture capital investments globally have gone down as technology valuations have taken a hit in 2022 in the post-pandemic economic situation, coupled with inflation and international unrest. As the startup ecosystem braces for a funding winter and subsequent slowdown, it is increasingly becoming clear that most of the players in the space hired too many & too soon.

    Despite that, Kukreja does not believe that it’s all over for ‘the great Indian startup party’. “In terms of overall startup employment, the current layoff numbers reported are a minor percentage- possibly five to ten per cent,” he states, adding, “Making mistakes and learning along the way is a part of every startup’s journey. The only mistake these startups made at that point was to hire many permanent employees.”

    The startup culture in India is pretty resilient and it will adapt & get back on track in no time, he says, citing the example of an edtech startup called Physics Wala that entered the unicorn club amid the layoffs.

    Some of these online-first edtech startups, such as BYJU’S and Unacademy are also reinventing themselves by moving to a hybrid model, with plans to open offline coaching centres, blending their online and offline teaching models.

    Several others have also resorted to curtailing expansion plans by closing down non-core verticals, moderating marketing and advertising spends, while going on a hiring freeze to tide over the bleak phase.

    Grapes CEO & cofounder Shradha Agarwal attributes the “mass layoffs” phenomenon against the startups experiencing a funding peak in 2021 to “the unplanned hiring spree in the rush to onboard talents”.

    “To achieve immediate results, startups experiment with new approaches that often misguide the management to formulate inadequate growth analysis. As a result, they expand into new growth plans and venture into new verticals which fails due to an unrealistic approach,” she says. This puts a lot of pressure on the workforce, and companies resort to cutting down on human resources as the only viable solution owing to its easily controllable factor compared to the other fixed costs, which are beyond their hands, Agarwal adds.

    Despite the glitch in the framework, the startup culture is there to stay given its business nature, Agarwal believes. “The industry is versatile where it has the ability to change and mould its business models according to the market conditions.” The startups must focus on proper recruitment strategies with specific skills hiring for longer sustainability, rather than being concerned about short-term goals, she states.

    Staffing solutions provider, Gi Group Holding India country manager Sonal Arora  does not see the layoffs being witnessed in recent times as necessarily being a sign of troubled times ahead for the Indian start-ups ecosystem. “Some of these start-up companies across various industries are in a process of consolidating their workforce. It is a strategic step that every organisation aiming to expand adopts,” she states. “In some cases, they have matured in terms of their business model and decided which are the products/ services they want to focus on, which will eventually result in better or improved services.”

    Experts highlight that layoffs are not a new phenomenon and have always been a part of various industries, considering that the layoffs are happening at a large scale around the same time in several startups is what has garnered a lot of attention.

    According to Arora, India continues to be the centre of emerging technologies. “This means that in the future we will continue to attract various series of funding and interest from venture capitalists,” she concludes.

  • Cars24’s new campaign reveals MS Dhoni-proven formula to buy best cars

    Cars24’s new campaign reveals MS Dhoni-proven formula to buy best cars

    Mumbai: Cars24, the homegrown e-commerce platform for pre-owned vehicles has launched its latest campaign ‘MRL Pass Toh Gaadi First Class’ featuring Indian cricketer MS Dhoni. The campaign brings focus to Cars24’s recently launched Mega Refurbishment Labs (MRLs) in India and highlights the brand’s commitment and leadership to provide quality cars to its customers. 

    Based on the recently conducted Cars24-IPSOS study, quality is the most important factor in a buyer’s purchasing journey. In line, the campaign brings focus to the solutions by Cars24 that make the buying process seamless while ensuring top notch quality cars, said the statement. The campaign will go live on television and across all the social media handles of Cars24, it added.

    Conceptualised by Ogilvy (North), MS Dhoni alongwith the massive MRLs emerge as the heroes in the film. MS Dhoni is seen in this unique avatar of a rapper for the first time. Dhoni raps to explain the MRL throughout the film with visuals of various checks done on a car at the MRLs. Themed around ‘quality,’ the film is for the young buyers, with Dhoni making this point in a light hearted and fun manner. The rap-like treatment to the film and the continuous use of the word ‘check’ makes one want to play the film on loop- it has the potential to become an earworm. 

    “Through this campaign, we want to reinforce the messaging of our consistent efforts to bring a whole new world of quality cars to even more consumers,” said Cars24 India CMO Sudhir Shukla. “At Cars24 we have invested in India’s largest refurbishment facilities, the MRLs, which use the best-in-class systems, processes and technology to deliver quality cars that, together with our warranty and customer friendly return policies, will ensure an outstanding customer experience. And it was only fitting to use the best of cricket and a known car fanatic – MS Dhoni- to endorse the best in the pre-owned car industry; as he is definitely one of India’s most celebrated icons of performance, trust and dependability.” 

    “Since its early days, Cars24 has envisioned transforming the used-car industry. It has been a pioneer in shaping the industry while enabling customers to make the transition to buy cars online,” said MS Dhoni. “The company is revolutionising the category beyond Indian waters and has showcased its merit globally as they continue to expand further. I am delighted to be associated with a company that is here to make a difference with a consumer centric approach, ensuring they offer the best to their customers.” 

    Cars24 has recently launched seven company-owned MRLs in key metro markets of Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune. These MRLs, India’s largest vehicle refurbishment facilities, have been set up across 35 acres of land with the aim of providing buyers with access to high quality used cars coupled with warranty through a trusted channel, said the brand.

    “When we first saw the new Cars24 facility The MRLs we knew that this had to be the centerpiece of our communication. We needed to show the rigour and the know-how that goes behind making each car top-notch. And who better than MS Dhoni to help us tell that story,” stated Ogilvy (North) chief creative officer Ritu Sharda. “We have presented MRL in all its glory and as a futuristic refurbishment facility synonymous with trust and quality.” 

  • IPL 2022: Cars24 becomes principal sponsor of Sunrisers Hyderabad

    IPL 2022: Cars24 becomes principal sponsor of Sunrisers Hyderabad

    Mumbai: E-commerce platform for pre-owned vehicles Cars24 has partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad to become the franchise’s new principal sponsor for IPL 2022. With this association, Cars24 also becomes the first pre-owned car player to enter into partnership with IPL.

    Under the newly-inked strategic partnership, the Sunrisers Hyderabad team jersey will sport the blue and orange Cars24 logo on the front, with the aim to cement the brand’s space in the minds of fans this season of the IPL.

    “As a brand that shares its love for cricket like the rest of the nation, we are immensely excited about this partnership,” said Cars24 chief marketing officer (India) Sudhir Shukla. “Cars24 and Sunrisers Hyderabad have a lot of similarities – for starters, we are both orange army signifying our determination to be the best and the joy we bring to our viewers and customers alike. With 10 teams to compete for the coveted title, we are sure this edition is definitely going to grab the attention of all cricket fans across the world.”

    The Sun Group-owned franchise debuted in 2013 and made its mark as the 2016 IPL Champions. Captained by New Zealand national team captain Kane Williamson, the team also has young stars like Umran Malik and Abdul Samad who are also the retained risers. Bringing their wealth of cricket knowledge to the team are coaches Brian Lara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dale Steyn, Simon Katich, Hemang Badani and Tom Moody as the head coach.

    Commenting on the partnership, Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K Shanmugam said, “The combination of Cars24’s international appeal and market leadership on the back of strong technology, and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s talented team and global fan following, demonstrates the shared spirit of innovation and speed in conjunction with a brand ideology that appeals to the youth.”