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Hyundai drives ahead as 1 in 3 buyers unlock Digital Key convenience
MUMBAI: No more fumbling for car keys Hyundai owners are now tapping their way into the future. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced that 33 per cent of buyers have signed up for its Digital Key feature, marking a sharp shift in how Indians want to interact with their cars. Rolled out first in the Hyundai ALCAZAR in September 2024, and extended to the Hyundai CRETA Electric in January 2025, the Digital Key uses NFC technology to replace the need for a physical key. Owners can simply tap their smartphone, smartwatch, or NFC card on the car’s door handle to lock or unlock, and place it on the wireless charging pad to start the engine.
The feature’s versatility has struck a chord 35 per cent of users are actively sharing their keys with family, friends, or drivers. Each key can be extended to up to three users or seven devices at a time, offering both flexibility and control. And for the forgetful, it eliminates the age-old panic of misplacing the car key.
HMIL managing director Unsoo Kim noted: “The enthusiastic response to Digital Key reaffirms our belief in creating technology that adds real value to everyday life. We were the first to launch connected car technology in India in 2019, and we remain committed to democratising such premium features.”
With Hyundai steadily shaping India’s connected mobility landscape, the success of Digital Key signals that tech-driven convenience is no longer a luxury, it’s an expectation. As uptake climbs, HMIL is expected to roll out the feature across more models, making the smartphone the new car key for millions of Indians.
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Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
