“I began to be part of Hyundai Motor India just when I was becoming an actor in Mumbai. At that time I don’t think there was anything like an ambassadorship or modelling for a car. To be a brand ambassador of Santro at that time was a moment of bigness for me, a great honour as Hyundai was well known in the world. In India the foreign car companies were just coming in so when I was asked to be the ambassador it was very confidence invoking.

I was also a little worried not knowing how it was going to pan out; this was in 1997. An international brand was coming to India with me. I was thinking whether I was good enough to be its ambassador. One never expected that even after 23 years we will be working together. It has been a good journey so far.

Handling Relationships

I listen to her (wife). To be honest, I have had many long associations in branding. I have been very clear that when a brand signs me on, it should be something that would go long-term. It can be long-term only if the brand is doing well. Being a brand ambassador might be fashionable and very cool but I think a brand ambassador cannot help if the product is not good. I speak from experience. I started branding and advertising as far as cinema is concerned for two products. I think I must have been the first person to do it in India on such a large scale.

Unless Hyundai is doing well I have no voice. I have been with them for 23 years because they have been able to do something good with their cars. When people say, “I’ve signed a new brand and am moving on,” I think you don’t move on unless your brand or product is not good enough. I have had discussions with a lot of people who want to bring in fresh blood but your product has to be good. Fresh blood in a brand ambassador can never do anything for a product that’s not doing well; that’s my belief. Unless you bring in something new these shifting and signing of brands is no big deal.

Cars Are Different

I remember when Y S Kim handed me the keys to the car I felt it was very technical. We used to talk about 1.6 litre engines, BHP etc, it was very different. Normally, most of the brands at that time were more lifestyle and fun so when a car came along; I think we did 5 films over 5 days for a long stretch. Everybody was going in for advertising; it was very different. Kim was very sweet. He would give me the keys and land up wherever I went. By the last ad he gave me the keys before going back to Korea saying, “Now you handle it.” Apart from that part the rest of it was very tough. To be honest I didn’t know where it was going.

From Santro To Creta

I tell everybody that I’m a Santro walla. Since I’m now the corporate brand ambassador I talk about Creta also but for me the all-time favourite is Santro; 3-4 years ago I requested the whole office to give me one. The reason for this is because I love the name. I think certain things have a great name and Santro just had one; it had a ring to it. The advertising with ‘Santrowale and Santrowala’ was very nice. Two years ago they made a special one for me

I’ll be honest in saying that I’m not a very big car person. For me cars have always meant more of transportation. Other than an extension of fashion, manhood or macho I have never been a big car fiend. Actually I have about 700 cars (miniature models) like this one in my house. I like these much better. For me it’s never been that I should get one if my friends have it. It’s a misnomer that I have a lot of luxury cars. I just use one car, which I believe should get you from one place to the other.

Liking Hyundai Cars

The finish is very nice and the cars have very clean lines; the inside is also very clean. Creta is robust and straightforward. It doesn’t have too many entanglements, looks basic and uncomplicated but at the same time sporty enough. It looks like an SUV with a minimal look without any clutter. Hyundai is quite minimalistic; the simplicity is a plus point.

I love driving. All the stunts in the films I have done myself with Hyundai cars. Now I don’t drive that much but at night I have to take my kids out for a drive. Of course I love that but there is too much traffic today, even at night. I have come here to Delhi a year and a half ago; wanted to show the kids my old house. I like the manual cars more.

Mobility As A Service

I was told that they are going into sharing and leasing. What I notice is that there was a time when people thought that learning how to drive was essential and necessary but today you don’t really need to learn to drive a car anymore, as sad as it may sound, especially to those who love driving. So how do you get around? I think you are going to utilize these services and it is fantastic for the car manufacturer to start doing this because essentially this business goes back to the people who are making the product. They are in the business of mobility so that is very good. The concept is not just to sell the car anymore but to highlight functionalities of safety, security, cleanliness, etc. It’s also as essential as selling the product. So I find my role getting more into that. As and when new things come in, like the new model Aura, my role would go more towards that. We would have to talk more on all the innovations than just the cars.” (MT)

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Hyundai Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has onboarded popular actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador.

The company shared that Tripathi, who is known for his versatility and grounded charm, embodies Hyundai India’s values of reliability, authenticity and a deep-rooted connection with the country’s diverse audience. With this association, HMIL further strengthens its ambassador lineup that already includes iconic personalities.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we celebrate stories of progress and inspiration. We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to HMIL family. His grounded persona, exceptional talent and widespread appeal resonate with the values of HMIL and our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Together, we aim to drive deeper emotional connections with our diverse customer base across India.”

Pankaj Tripathi, said, “It is an honour to associate with Hyundai Motor India, a brand that has long stood for trust, innovation and customer-first approach. My first car was a Hyundai, and over the years, that relationship has grown into something truly personal. As someone who deeply values simplicity, sincerity and staying true to one’s roots, I find a natural alignment with HMIL’s ethos. I look forward to this partnership where together, we can connect with people across the country - not just through technology, but through shared stories and values.”

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Mahindra & Mahindra, one of the leading SUVs manufacturers in the country, has announced that its popular SUV Thar Roxx now comes with 4-channel immersive audio powered by Dolby Atmos. With this, customers of Thar Roxx AX7L will be able to enjoy premium audio during their journey.

Karan Grover, Senior Director, Commercial Partnerships - IMEA, Dolby Laboratories, said, “We are excited about the possibilities that our collaboration with Mahindra can bring for customers, especially in India. With Dolby Atmos in Thar Roxx AX7L, we’re taking the car journey to an entirely new level by transforming the interior cabin into a personalised concert hall on wheels, making every ride an immersive audio experience that complements the adventurous spirit of the Thar Roxx AX7L.”

Velusamy R, President – Automotive Technology & Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, , “At Mahindra, it is our constant endeavour to explore limitless boundaries in automotive innovation, and the Thar Roxx is a testament to that spirit. By being the first vehicle in the world to feature Dolby Atmos featuring 4 channels of immersive audio integrated into the premium 9-speaker Harman Kardon Branded Audio system, we are redefining the driving experience. No matter the terrain or conditions, the Thar Roxx delivers a sensory experience like no other SUV of its kind on the Indian roads, bringing every moment on the road to life with Dolby Atmos.”

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European automotive major Stellantis India has partnered with Assist Asia to launch Project Inspire, its new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at tackling the skills gap in the country’s growing mobility and manufacturing sectors.

The programme started training on 26 May 2025 at NITTTR Chennai, and will now extend to Pune, which the OEM stated aligns with national priorities such as Viksit Bharat 2047 and Industry 4.0.

Project INSPIRE aims to equip young people with the skills needed for the evolving fields of electric mobility, automation, and sustainability.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO & MD, Stellantis India, said, “At Stellantis, we believe upskilling is key to empowering individuals with the future-ready skillsets needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing industry. Through Project INSPIRE, we are equipping youth with the skills essential to thrive in the evolving fields of electric mobility, automation and sustainability. By aligning with national priorities like Viksit Bharat 2047 and Industry 4.0, this initiative bridges the gap between education and employment, while also supporting the automotive industry in its transition to a greener, more digital future. We are grateful for the partnership of Assist Asia and NITTTR Chennai, whose collaboration is integral to the success of this project.”

The project aims to provide practical training to 2,500 students from ITIs and vocational institutions in electric vehicle systems, advanced mechatronics and robotics. It will also certify 200 Master Trainers to ensure the programme's long-term success. Beyond technical skills, the initiative will strengthen employability through modules on green skills, digital and financial literacy and job readiness.

Karunakaran K, Country Head, Assist Asia, added, “Assist is proud to partner with Stellantis India on Project Inspire, which addresses the critical need for hands-on, industry-relevant training in India’s rapidly evolving automotive sector. This initiative goes beyond traditional education by providing young people with the skills required for emerging technologies such as electric mobility, robotics, and mechatronics. By equipping the workforce with future-ready skills, we are not only empowering youth but also ensuring that the automotive industry has the talent it needs to navigate its transformation. We look forward to seeing this partnership drive long-term impact, foster job creation and contribute to a more sustainable, skilled economy.”

Project Inspire has ambitious goals, aiming for a 75 percent student placement rate in internships or jobs, 30 percent female participation and a 20 percent increase in entry-level salaries.

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Cred, a leading financial technology platform, has unveiled a new car valuation and resale feature within its ‘Cred garage’ vehicle management service, which allows its members to easily determine their car's value and facilitate its sale, streamlining a traditionally cumbersome process.

The service has been developed in partnership with used car platforms Cars24 and Spinny, which enables new functionality for instant car valuations, free doorstep inspections and swift payments upon sale completion. A key focus of the new feature is privacy, with member information remaining secure and private until they actively opt to proceed with an inspection.

The service aims to provide a convenient and transparent way for members to assess their car's market value without the need to visit multiple dealerships or endure unsolicited sales calls. Whether a member is planning to sell, comparing offers or simply curious about their car's current worth, the feature leverages data from two of India's leading digital resale platforms to provide quick and reliable insights. It also serves as a valuable tool for cross-referencing quotes received from offline dealers, ensuring members secure a fair price for their vehicle.

How it works

Cred members can instantly access their car's estimated value within Cred garage, a feature already used by over 7 million members to manage their vehicles. By answering a few straightforward questions, they receive a detailed valuation.

Should they decide to sell, members can schedule a complimentary home inspection at their convenience. The process is designed to be hassle-free, with no extensive paperwork required from the member. Once the vehicle is inspected and an offer is accepted, the partner platforms manage the entire resale process, including the crucial step of ownership transfer.

Member information is only shared with partners if an inspection is booked. Until then, all data remains securely with Cred, preventing any unsolicited calls or messages from dealers. Additionally, Cred garage will continue to provide members with helpful tips on maintaining their vehicles, potentially enhancing their car's resale value in the future.

Akshay Aedula, Product and Growth at Cred, said, “Cred members already manage their vehicles with discipline – tracking challans, renewing insurance, maintaining compliance. By enabling valuation, inspection and resale, we’re closing the loop: turning responsible ownership into real value by making the final step in vehicle management frictionless, secure and in members’ control. This feature is aimed at creating a car resale premium experience in line with the high-value vehicles that members own and enable them to get better value when they upgrade.”

The expansion of Cred garage builds on its existing suite of services, which includes managing challans, renewing pollution certificates, insurance, and FASTag – all from a single platform. Over the past year, more than 2.4 million members have utilised the service to identify pending challans and 5.3 million have received alerts about expiring pollution certificates. With 37 percent of members managing more than one vehicle, this new feature adds significant value to Cred garage.

Cred members constitute a substantial portion of India’s privately owned vehicle demographic. This new feature aims to make car valuation and resale an organised, efficient and spam-free extension of responsible car ownership.

Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder and CMO, Cars24, said, “At Cars24, we have rebuilt the car-selling experience from the ground up. What was once a slow and unpredictable process is now instant, transparent and fully online. From pricing to paperwork, every step has been simplified to work without friction. This partnership allows us to extend that experience to more people, in a moment that really matters. If we can help someone close a chapter faster and start the next one with clarity, that is a win we deeply care about.”

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