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Tag: Honda

  • Hybrid turns five, rewires the future of ad-tech

    Hybrid turns five, rewires the future of ad-tech

    MUMBAI: From a tiny 6 by 6 ft room to powering some of India’s biggest brands, Hybrid India has come a long way in just five years. The Gurgaon-based digital advertising innovator is marking its fifth anniversary with a celebration of creativity, technology, and people power.

    Founded in 2020 by Shreyas Sathe, who set out to redefine advertising during a turbulent time, Hybrid has become one of India’s fastest-growing Adtech players. Its suite of AI-powered solutions, including the Hybrid Platform, VOX (its contextual advertising engine), Hybrid Places, and CTV technologies, has reshaped how brands connect with audiences.

    Today, the company’s 35-plus strong team drives campaigns for marquee names like Havells, Honda, Dabur, Rado, MG Motors, Mondelez, ITC, Group M, Dentsu, and Publicis.

    “Our greatest strength lies in our people,” said Hybrid Insea CEO Shreyas Sathe. “Over the last five years, we’ve built not just a company, but a culture rooted in trust, empowerment, and shared ambition.”

    That ethos is echoed by Hybrid India country head Gandharv Sachdeva, who believes that Hybrid’s collaborative culture is what truly fuels innovation. “From off-site retreats to fun Fridays, we’ve built an environment where people grow both professionally and personally,” he said.

    As Hybrid looks ahead, its focus remains on innovation and sustainable success. With the digital advertising space evolving rapidly, the company is doubling down on its mission to empower brands with smarter, data-driven storytelling.

    Five years on, Hybrid isn’t just building ads, it’s building the future of how India experiences them.

     

  • Bajaj Auto ropes in marketing chief to rev up brands

    Bajaj Auto ropes in marketing chief to rev up brands

    PUNEL:  India’s third-largest motorcycle maker has hired Kia India’s head of marketing and public relations to spearhead its marketing as well as kick start its sports bike brands further, as competition intensifies in the premium two-wheeler segment.

    Shakti Upadhyay has joined Bajaj Auto as vice president for brands. His first task will be to take charge of the company’s sports motorcycle portfolio including the once-dominant Pulsar and premium Dominar ranges. The appointment comes as Bajaj battles declining market share in key segments whilst rivals like TVS Suzuki and  Honda gain ground.

    Upadhyay spent over seven years at Kia India, where he orchestrated the south Korean carmaker’s transformation from unknown challenger to household name. Under his stewardship, Kia launched the Seltos compact SUV, Sonet sub-compact SUV, and Carnival MPV, helping the brand capture nearly 4 per cent of India’s passenger car market within five years.

    His track record includes award-winning campaigns that blended “bold positioning with emotional storytelling.” At Samsung Electronics, where he spent eight years before Kia, Upadhyay led marketing for consumer durables including premium television ranges.

    Bajaj’s hire signals urgency in revitalising brands that once dominated Indian roads. The Pulsar, launched in 2001, pioneered the performance motorcycle segment but has faced intensifying competition from Honda, and TVS Motor.  Dominar, positioned as a touring motorcycle, has struggled to gain traction since its 2016 launch.

    The Pune-based company’s motorcycle business has faced headwinds as consumers increasingly favour electric vehicles and premium brands. Bajaj’s domestic motorcycle sales fell eight per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, whilst competitors expanded market share.

    “Bajaj has always stood for innovation, performance, and a strong challenger spirit,” Upadhyay said in a LinkedIn post announcing his appointment. He emphasised plans to deepen “brand love” and drive “global ambition” for the motorcycle portfolio.

    The marketing veteran’s mandate extends beyond just the domestic market.  Bajaj exports motorcycles to over 70 countries, with international sales contributing roughly 40 per cent of total volumes. The company has a particularly strong presence in Africa and Latin America through partnerships and local assembly operations.

    Upadhyay’s appointment reflects broader industry trends as traditional automotive companies hire  talent from successful challengers. His experience launching new brands in competitive markets could prove valuable as Bajaj seeks to reinvent mature product lines whilst expanding into electric vehicles.

    The company faces particular challenges in the 125-250cc segment even as electric vehicle startups like Ola Electric and Ather Energy have begun encroaching on urban commuter segments traditionally dominated by conventional motorcycles.

    Industry analysts suggest Bajaj’s brand revival efforts will need to balance heritage appeal with contemporary relevance, particularly among younger consumers who increasingly view motorcycles as lifestyle statements rather than purely utilitarian transport.

  • Honda steers ahead with 50,000 Adas-enabled cars on Indian roads

    Honda steers ahead with 50,000 Adas-enabled cars on Indian roads

    MUMBAI: Honda Cars India has hit the accelerator on safety, crossing the milestone of 50,000 Adas-enabled cars on Indian roads. With its Honda Sensing technology making waves, the company is reaffirming its commitment to a future of accident-free driving aligning with Honda’s global goal of achieving zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050.

    First introduced in India with the Honda City e:Hev in 2022, Honda Sensing has rapidly expanded across the lineup, making its way to the Honda City (2023), the Elevate (2023), and most recently, the Amaze (2024). The third-generation Amaze now holds the title of India’s most affordable Adas-equipped car, bringing advanced driver assistance technology within reach of more customers.

    With safety now a key purchase driver, Adas-equipped variants account for 60 per cent of elevate sales, a whopping 95 per cent of City sales, and 30 per cent of Amaze sales. Among customers choosing ADAS models, half cited safety tech as their top reason for purchase.

    Honda Cars India vice president for marketing & sales Kunal Behl said, “At Honda Cars India, safety is at the core of everything we do. The 50,000 ADAS milestone reflects our commitment to making roads safer while also demonstrating the growing acceptance of advanced safety technology among Indian consumers.”

    In 2023, Honda became the first automaker in India to introduce Adas in manual transmission models, ensuring safety innovation isn’t limited to automatic variants. 

  • Honda & Nissan scrap merger plans, maintain EV partnership

    Honda & Nissan scrap merger plans, maintain EV partnership

    MUMBAI : In a major shift, Honda & Nissan have officially called off their proposed business integration, citing the need for quicker decision-making in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) market. The breakdown of discussions stemmed from a disagreement over Honda’s proposed restructuring, which would have made Nissan its subsidiary through a share exchange rather than forming a joint holding company. Despite this, both automakers will continue their strategic partnership to advance intelligent and electrified vehicle technologies.

    The abandoned merger was part of a broader effort by Japan’s leading automakers to strengthen global competitiveness. Initially, Honda & Nissan had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in March 2024, focusing on next-generation vehicle intelligence and electrification. The agreement was expanded in August to include joint research on software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms. By December, talks had progressed towards a potential integration under a joint holding company, with Mitsubishi Motors also considering joining the alliance.

    Had the integration gone forward, Honda & Nissan aimed to combine their management resources, enhance R&D capabilities, optimise manufacturing, and create significant cost synergies. They projected combined annual revenues exceeding 30 trillion yen and an operating profit of more than 3 trillion yen. Mitsubishi, which was evaluating its role in the deal, planned to make a final decision by January 2025.

    Despite the setback, Honda & Nissan remain will continue to collaborate in key areas such as vehicle electrification and intelligence. While full-scale integration is off the table, their ongoing partnership signals a continued focus on innovation & market adaptability in an industry being reshaped by electric mobility & smart technologies.

  • Why Renewing Your Two-Wheeler Insurance on Time is Crucial: A Comprehensive Guide

    Why Renewing Your Two-Wheeler Insurance on Time is Crucial: A Comprehensive Guide

    Riding a two-wheeler can be thrilling, but it also comes with its set of responsibilities, the most important of which is ensuring that your vehicle is insured. Explore why timely two-wheeler insurance renewal is crucial for every rider with Honda insurance or other brands.

    The Importance of Timely Insurance Renewal

    Two-wheeler insurance is a mandatory requirement under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. It protects riders from financial liabilities arising from accidents, thefts, and other unforeseen incidents. The insurance covers your liabilities towards third parties and also covers damage to your own vehicle, depending on the type of policy you choose.

    ●    Legal Compliance:  
    Renewing your bike insurance on time ensures you comply with the law. Driving without insurance can lead to hefty fines and even imprisonment in the case of accidents involving third parties. For instance, under the revised Motor Vehicle Act of 2019, the penalty for riding without insurance has increased significantly, emphasising the legal importance of renewal.

    ●    Continuous Coverage:  
    An expired policy means no insurance coverage. If your insurance lapses and your bike gets damaged or stolen, you will have to bear all the repair or replacement costs. Timely renewal ensures that you’re never without coverage and that your financial interests are protected.

    ●    No Claim Bonus (NCB):  
    One of the most compelling reasons to renew on time is to preserve your No Claim Bonus, which is a discount on the renewal premium for every claim-free year. This can be as much as 50% after five consecutive claim-free years. Delaying your renewal can lead to losing this significant discount.

    ●    Avoiding Inspection Hassles:  
    If your policy expires, the insurance company might require a fresh inspection of the vehicle before renewing the policy, which can be a hassle. Renewing before the policy expires saves you this trouble and ensures a smoother, quicker renewal process.

    Renewal Process: Steps to Follow

    Renewing your two-wheeler insurance is a simple process, especially with online options now widely available. Here’s how you can renew your Honda insurance or any other bike insurance online:

    1.    Log on to the Insurer’s Website:  
    Visit the official website of your insurance provider. Most providers have a dedicated section for renewals.

    2.    Enter Your Policy Details:  
    Input your existing policy number and other required details, such as your bike’s make, model, and registration number.

    3.    Review Your Policy:  
    Check the details of your current policy. This is a good time to evaluate if your insurance needs have changed and if you need to add any additional coverage or riders.

    4.    Make Payment:  
    Once you’ve confirmed the details and the renewal premium, proceed to make the payment online. Upon payment, you will receive a digital copy of your renewed policy.

    Impact of Not Renewing Your Two-Wheeler Insurance

    Failing to renew your two-wheeler insurance on time can have serious implications beyond just legal issues. Here are some of the impacts that can affect you financially and legally if your motorcycle or scooter insurance lapses:

    ●    Immediate Loss of Coverage:  
    The moment your insurance policy expires, your bike is no longer protected against risks. This means any damage due to accidents, fires, theft, or natural calamities occurring post-expiration will not be covered, leading to potential financial hardships as you cover these costs out-of-pocket.

    ●    Legal Risks and Penalties:  
    Riding without valid insurance is illegal and exposes you to fines and penalties. According to the updated Motor Vehicle Act, fines for riding without insurance have increased significantly, which can dent your finances more than the cost of renewal. In severe cases, such non-compliance can also lead to impounding of your vehicle or even imprisonment.

    ●    Increased Premium Costs:  
    When your policy lapses, insurance companies view you as a high-risk customer, which can lead to higher premium rates when you do decide to renew or buy a new policy. Additionally, you lose any accrued benefits, such as the No Claim Bonus, which could have significantly lowered your premium costs.

    ●    Hassle in Renewal Process:  
    An expired policy often means undergoing vehicle inspections and more paperwork when you choose to renew it, adding to the inconvenience. In some cases, insurers may even deny renewing the policy, forcing you to look for new insurance, which might come with its own set of challenges and higher costs.

    Renewing your two-wheeler insurance on time is not just a legal requirement but a necessary measure to ensure peace of mind while riding. It protects you financially against potential losses due to accidents, theft, or damage to your vehicle. With online renewal options, the process has become more convenient than ever before. So, make sure to set a reminder for your next two-wheeler insurance renewal to enjoy uninterrupted protection and ride without any worries.

    *Standard T&C apply

    *Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.  
     

  • Dentsu Creative India announces new campaign ‘A Honda Goes Beyond’

    Dentsu Creative India announces new campaign ‘A Honda Goes Beyond’

    Mumbai: Dentsu Creative India has launched a new campaign titled “A Honda Goes Beyond” for the leading premium car manufacturer, Honda Cars India. The campaign aims to connect with brand enthusiasts and a new generation of customers.

    The campaign underlines the brand’s philosophy of ‘durability, quality, and reliability’ with the objective of developing a communication that celebrates the bond that the customers have with Honda. In addition to this, the film also highlights the brand’s offering of innovative and futuristic technology products, which make the driving experience not only safe but also exciting and superior.

    Commenting on the campaign, Dentsu Creative India executive vice president Ujjwal Anand said, “Honda’s promise to its customers is to go the extra mile, to make sure that every Honda journey is a joy and delight for them; and this goes way beyond just the drive, the engineering, and the cars. It is a commitment to every side of the ownership experience. Honda aims to fulfil all expectations, delighting its customers at every touchpoint throughout their relationship, and therefore, “A Honda Goes Beyond.””

    Dentsu Creative India group executive creative director Auryndom Bose added, “Honda has always stood for engineering that holds true to the experience of the product. Whilst the category codes of automobile advertising are loaded with mostly rational depictions, this new brand campaign for Honda is our way to transcend beyond the conventions and create an emotionally evocative communication that appeals to the heart and impacts the consideration for the brand.”

    “The current campaign is a celebration of the bond that the customers share with Honda, and the company promises to go beyond in everything that they do. Honda’s journey in India has been nothing less than spectacular, and the credit goes to our customers who have bestowed their trust in Honda’s premium cars for the last 25 years. It has always been our endeavour to keep customers at the centre of our products and services,” commented Honda Cars India president & CEO Takuya Tsumura.

  • HMSI’s Independence Day campaign receives phenomenal response from audience

    HMSI’s Independence Day campaign receives phenomenal response from audience

    New Delhi: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s (HMSI) Independence Day campaign recorded a phenomenal response from the audience.

    The campaign, which unveiled its YouTube masthead campaign ‘Desh Ki Shine, Honda Ki Shine’ on the occasion of Independence Day, has garnered more than 644 million impressions and over 172 million audience on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day.

    Created by Madison Digital, the new campaign encapsulates the joy & pride of every Indian in its theme.

    Additionally, HMSI’s official YouTube page witnessed over 15 percent growth on 15 August, 2022 day with over 10 million views, more than 52000 likes and comments engagement.

    Furthermore, the audience also used the audio to create multiple YouTube shorts. In addition to this, HMSI’s official website also recorded a 300 percent increase in traffic. It resulted in a remarkable click through rate (CTR) of 1.78 percent.

    On this outstanding campaign response, Madison Digital vice president Shobhit Gaur said, “A quest that never stops. I am delighted to see a stellar performance for our client HMSI in partnership with YouTube. We saw an increase in brand trust and were able to break the clutter to deliver ground-breaking results for the brand.”

  • YS Guleria resigns from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India

    YS Guleria resigns from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India

    Industry veteran YS Guleria has resigned from the position of director, sales and marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI). He will continue in his position with HMSI till June.

    He has been associated with the company ever since its inception and has moved after two decades.

    In 2020, he was elevated to the company’s board and was responsible for sales and marketing, customer service, logistics, brand and communication along with the new vertical of the premium motorcycle business.

    Speaking about Guleria’s move, HMSI managing director, president and chief executive officer Atsushi Ogata said, “Guleria has made an invaluable contribution in expanding and accelerating our business while leading several critical functions in the company. He has cited personal reasons for his decision, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

  • Honda celebrates Activa’s 20 glorious years of legacy

    Honda celebrates Activa’s 20 glorious years of legacy

    NEW DELHI: To mark the 20th anniversary of its flagship product- Activa, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India in association with dentsu One, has launched a special campaign to introduce the recently unveiled Activa 6G 20th Anniversary Limited Edition. 

    It is pertinent to note here that since its inception in 2001, Activa has consistently reactivated the scooter segment, and with every generation, continues to change the way India rides. 

    Preciously curated for customers, the 20th Anniversary Edition of Activa 6G gets distinctive design cues that accentuate its overall royal appeal. Two new colour schemes, Matte Mature Brown and Pearl Nightstar Black, matched with rear grab rails, make this limited edition a sure head-turner. The shiny embossed 20th-year anniversary logo and the precious golden Activa emblem make it instantly recognisable, and adding more visual drama to the overall design are stylish graphics. Additionally, the firm road grip is jazzed up with black steel wheels on both front and rear. Further accentuating the modern looks are the brown inner cover and seat. 

    Conceptualised and executed by dentsu One, the campaign aims to celebrate 20 years of priceless love and togetherness between Activa and its customers. The campaign personifies this love by capturing the precious relationship of a husband and wife on their anniversary, when the husband surprises her by bringing home the all-new limited edition of Activa 6G and says ‘Ek Naya Safar Shuru Karein!’ 

    The video ends with a heartfelt message that commemorates the 20-year long relationship of Honda’s Activa with its customers that have become even more precious with the Activa 6G anniversary edition. 

    HMSI director sales and marketing Yadvinder Singh Guleria commented, “We are extremely happy and proud as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Activa. It is a celebration time for us and our extended family of more than two crore satisfied customers who have made Activa a part of their daily lives. The campaign presents the emotional connection between our customers and their beloved Activa, which gets a makeover to celebrate this special occasion. The distinctive gold embossed Activa logo of the 20th anniversary edition is the highlight and makes it worthy of a collector’s must-have.” 

    dentsu One NCD Titus Upputuru said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to work on this special campaign. Twenty years is a long journey and Activa is so special. ‘Zindagi do pahiyon se chalti hai’…and we wanted to celebrate this journey of two decades with a special story that not only reflects on the beautiful past but shows the promise of a special future. We thought it would be great to see the journey through the eyes of the husband even as he recreates the couple’s very first interaction inside the college library. It was good fun bringing the playful script to life.” 

    “Activa is not just a scooter brand for millions but a treasure of memories. Most of India would have taken a ride on an Activa since its launch in 2001. People grew from infants to adults, young love birds to married couples and from parents to grandparents – with many beautiful and cherished memories with this brand.  The 20 years’ anniversary edition of Activa marks this beautiful journey of a brand that has garnered the love and affection of Indians. The film shows the story of a couple that comes a full circle down memory lane with this anniversary edition. A lot of things in this long period might have changed but not the love, trust and this beautiful relationship with the brand,” added dentsu One EVP account management Abhinav Kaushik.

  • Wake-up call for social media platforms as brands boycott in droves

    Wake-up call for social media platforms as brands boycott in droves

    NEW DELHI: Social media platforms, which were a boon for brands, seem to have turned into a bane now. After consumer product giant Unilever announced that it will halt advertising on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the US for the rest of the year, due to the rising hate speech and upcoming election period, Coca-Cola, which advertises heavily on digital media, has also suspended advertising on social media for at least 30 days.

    "There is no place for racism in the world and there is no place for racism on social media," said The Coca-Cola Company chairman and CEO James Quincey.

    Should social media companies worry about the rising boycott? TRA founder and CEO N Chandramouli believes that the #BlackLivesMatter protests compelled brands to take a closer look at things they often considered “normal.”

    “Coca-Cola and Unilever are leaders not only in terms of the advertising spends but also thought-leaders such that other brands will see and follow. Social media has always been a little free of scrutiny with the indiscriminate show of ads with irrelevant content and also with content that the brand may not want to associate with. Social media has to turn its technology to deliver ads more contextually, with the advertiser deciding what type of content they do not want to be seen with," he says.

    The boycott has had a ripple effect with other brands coming on board to boycott including Diageo, Lululemon, Starbucks, Verizon. Levi's and Dockers have also restricted themselves from advertising on Facebook and Instagram till July. Hershey’s has also decided to join hands with #stophateforprofit; the brand will slash its advertising budget on Facebook. American Honda has also decided to withhold its advertising on Facebook and Instagram for Honda and Acura, to stand with people against hate and racism.

    Even P&G chief brand officer Marc Pritchard said that the company would be conducting a comprehensive review of where it was advertising.

    Tidal7 co-founder and chief creative officer KS Chakravarthy explains, “This is no longer about a few brands or a few hundred million in revenues. It is a wakeup call for all media and particularly for those depending on an online audience. Crossing the line can spark off a whole series of adverse reactions that can very quickly feed off one another to escalate into a universal movement. And it is this symbiotic growth of outrage that Facebook should be seriously worried about.”

    Unilever has more than two dozen brands in its kitty including popular ones like Dove, Lipton and Breyers. According to marketing analytics firm Pathmatics, Unilever spent more than $11.8 million in the US this year on Facebook. While it quit social media, the consumer giant will maintain its planned media investment by shifting to other media.

    Consults Inc founder Harish Bijoor shares, “Brands are getting sensitive in these sensitive times as to where they advertise. Coca-Cola and Unilever's action is part of this sentiment translating into action. Hate speech in the time of social angst is something responsible brands want to avoid. Social media will need to realign its content policy if it wants sponsors to stay with it in terms of advertising.” 

    Following the resentment, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, on Friday, said that the company would implement new policies to connect people with authoritative information about voting and fight hate speech. However, he did not directly address the advertisers boycott.

    As per media reports, Facebook brought in $69.7 billion in ad revenue globally through its millions of advertisers last year. The company said earlier this year it has more than eight million advertisers.

    Brand-nomics MD Viren Razdan says, “For Facebook, it’s really a time to put their transparency out to test, it’s important for them to clarify that their self-created code of conduct does not lean towards any business goals.”

    Chakravarthy says, “Social media does have a real responsibility and unfortunately, they are not stepping up, at least not enough, in many people's opinion, including their own employees.”

    The list of brands boycotting social media platforms, especially Facebook, is likely to increase and unless they take the issue seriously, may incur severe losses.

    (With inputs from Mansi Sharma)