Brands
Maruti Suzuki, Ola tie up to train drivers
MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ola to train aspiring drivers-partners. Under the ‘Maruti Ola Training Program,’ the company aims at benefiting 40,000 Ola partner-drivers in safe driving, over a period of three years.
Maruti Suzuki and Ola partnership will create entrepreneurship opportunities for aspiring drivers¬ partners as well as make urban transportation safe, reliable and convenient. The pilot phase of the initiative will be rolled out in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and in NCR. The driving training programme will be gradually rolled out in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune.
Ola, as a technology platform will help create opportunities for these trained drivers by giving them access to infrastructure, financing and continuous revenue. Over the last 5 years, Ola has been successful in on-boarding over 5 lakh skilled driver-partners onto its platform.
Maruti Suzuki marketing and sales executive director R S Kalsi said, “Maruti Suzuki is committed to promote quality driving training in the country. Studies show that driver’s fault’ is the biggest reason of road accidents. We have evolved a comprehensive training program comprising simulators, theory and practical sessions, imparted through 370 Maruti Driving Schools and six IDTRs across India. The curriculum, besides driving skills, offers soft skills like grooming, manners, etiquette that develop a positive attitude among the drivers. We are glad that through this partnership with Ola, we will be able to expand quality driving training while creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. We target to train 40,000 individuals over three years.”
Ola COO Pranay Jivrajka said, “Mobility in India is a huge need and the industry has the potential to empower aspiring individuals from all walks of life to become micro-entrepreneurs. This partnership falls in line with Ola’s goal of skilling five million drivers in the next five years and continue to build a conducive ecosystem for them to grow as entrepreneurs. We are delighted to work with a trusted Indian brand like Maruti to create a unique solution to skill tens of thousands of aspiring driver entrepreneurs realize their dreams. This is yet another initiative from Ola towards creating a robust and balanced driver ecosystem; which is vital to realize our mission of creating mobility for a billion Indians.”
According to the MoU, Maruti Suzuki would help the individuals/Ola partner-drivers obtain commercial license and also assist in availing vehicle financing to purchase their own car, after the completion of their course. Ola will also provide qualified leads of potential driver-partners to Maruti Suzuki for facilitating them with commercial driving training.
All the aspiring drivers will undergo a 30-day driving training which includes a pre- and post- assessment tests to gauge the driving skills of these individuals.
The classroom sessions will familiarize the trainee with basic requirements such as vehicle controls and mechanisms, road signage, rules and markings, driving in difficult conditions, maintenance and fuel efficiency tips and traffic laws. Besides these dedicated sessions on soft skills like being a good road user, interactive case studies on the effect of bad driving habits, the importance of positive attitude, grooming tips, etiquette and good manners are imparted to instill safe driving habits and become a responsible driver.
The practical training sessions cover intensive training on safe and efficient driving, pre-checks before starting to drive, risk perception, defensive driving techniques, driving in difficult conditions, rules of the road and emergency handling.
Ola works closely with multiple state governments to create a skilled workforce that has access to capital, insurance and vehicle at discounted prices. Ola aims to add 50 lakh driver-partners on its platform by 2022 by mobilising, training and engaging with aspirants through such partnerships.
Brands
Manforce brings Manasvi Mamgai on board as its brand ambassador
Actor joins Sunny Leone, AI avatar Myra Kapoor in new phase of storytelling
NEW DELHI: Manforce Condoms, the flagship sexual wellness brand from Mankind Pharma, has signed Manasvi Mamgai as its newest brand ambassador, marking a fresh push to evolve its messaging for a more modern audience.
Mamgai, who rose to prominence after winning Femina Miss India World 2010 and has since built a presence across film and global platforms, is expected to bring a confident, contemporary voice to the brand’s communication.
She joins an existing line-up that includes Sunny Leone and the AI-powered persona Myra Kapoor, reflecting the brand’s mix of familiarity and forward-looking storytelling. The move signals a shift towards sharper product-led narratives while retaining Manforce’s signature bold tone.
Mankind Pharma vice president and head of sales and marketing for consumer division Joy Chatterjee said Manasvi Mamgai’s persona aligns well with the brand’s evolving focus. “As we move towards a more product-focused approach, her presence will help us communicate in a way that feels both authentic and compelling for today’s audience,” he noted.
For her part, Manasvi Mamgai said the association resonates with her own beliefs around awareness and responsible conversations. “I am delighted to be associated with Manforce, a brand that has consistently promoted awareness while evolving its narrative towards more meaningful communication,” she said.
Over the years, Manforce has positioned itself at the forefront of conversations around intimacy and self-expression, often breaking taboos in a traditionally conservative category. With Mamgai on board, the brand is looking to deepen that connection while appealing to a new generation of consumers.
As competition in the sexual wellness space intensifies, Manforce’s latest move suggests it is not just adding a new face, but sharpening its voice for what comes next.
