MAM
Brillon appoints Lodestar UM as media AOR
MUMBAI: Brillon Consumer Products Ltd, formerly SC Johnson Pvt Ltd, a manufacturer of household consumer products has appointed IPG Mediabrands owned Lodestar UM as its media agency on record in India.
The decision comes on the heels of a multi-agency, multi-phased pitch process. The account will be managed out of the agency’s Gurugram office.
Brillon Consumer Products is the joint venture in India between SC Johnson Pvt Ltd and Bansk Group, a private equity firm, to manage the business operations in the country. The company owns pest control products – All Out and Baygon, Mr Muscle range of cleaning products, Dranex Drain Cleaner, Kiwi Shoe Polish, Glade Air Freshener among others.
The task includes both offline and online media mandates, including e-commerce.
Lodestar UM CEO Nandini Dias said, “Over the years, Lodestar UM has emerged as the most trusted agency partner for its clients, creating customised media solutions that are backed by industry’s most sophisticated media solutions, research and, tools. Despite the pandemic and the market condition, we have been driving the best business solutions for our clients. The trust, that Brillon has bestowed upon us is a testimony that we are on the right path.”
Lodestar UM COO Hema Malik added, “Our primary task is to scale up the iconic brands of Brillon and find newer markets for the lesser-known brands. We are delighted to add Brillon to our portfolio of clients and looking forward to offering the most sophisticated, strategic, technology-led media solutions for them.”
MAM
Auto retail hits record February with 24.09 lakh units
Overall sales surge 25.62 per cent YoY, 2W, PV, CV, 3W and tractors set new February highs.
MUMBAI: February 2026 just floored the accelerator because when auto retail clocks its best-ever month, even the showroom floors feel the need for speed. The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) released February 2026 retail data on 5 March, revealing a landmark performance across segments. Total vehicle retails reached 24,09,362 units, up 25.62 per cent year-on-year, marking the strongest February on record for overall retail, two-wheelers (17,00,505 units, +25.02 per cent), passenger vehicles (3,94,768 units, +26.12 per cent), commercial vehicles (1,00,820 units, +28.89 per cent), three-wheelers (1,17,130 units, +24.39 per cent) and tractors (89,418 units, +36.35 per cent). Construction equipment was the lone exception, dipping 1.22% YoY to 6,721 units.
FADA president C S Vigneshwar said, “Feb’26 has turned out to be a landmark month for the Indian auto retail sector, further strengthening the positive momentum seen after the GST 2.0 announcement. Despite being a shorter month, the industry delivered an exceptional performance.”
Growth was broad-based. Two-wheelers saw urban markets rise 28.96 per cent YoY and rural 22.16 per cent YoY, driven by improved rural liquidity, attractive schemes and the marriage season. Passenger vehicles showed rural growth (34.21 per cent YoY) outpacing urban (21.12 per cent YoY), supporting small-car demand alongside continued SUV strength. Commercial vehicles benefited from freight availability, e-commerce activity and infrastructure push.
Inventory signals improved significantly in passenger vehicles, with levels dropping to 27–29 days closer to FADA’s recommended 21-day benchmark indicating healthier wholesale-retail alignment.
Looking ahead, dealer sentiment remains positive. For March 2026, 75.51 per cent of dealers expect growth, 19.90 per cent foresee stability and only 4.59 per cent anticipate decline, supported by festivals (Navratri, Ramzan, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Eid) and financial year-end buying. Over the next three months (March–May 2026), 67.35 per cent expect growth (down from earlier optimism), 27.55 per cent flat and 5.10 per cent de-growth, pointing to a shift from sharp rebound to more stable expansion.
In a market where every segment is revving up, February 2026 didn’t just break records, it proved that when policy tailwinds meet rural recovery and retail discipline, the Indian auto story accelerates into overdrive.
