Brands
Bata ropes in Kartik Aaryan as brand ambassador
NEW DELHI: Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan is not only making waves at the box-office, but with brands too. After being signed on by PepsiCo’s Doritos chips, footwear brand Bata India has named the actor as the company’s new brand ambassador.
Carrying forward Bata’s fashion-forward narrative, Aaryan will be seen promoting popular brands under the Bata umbrella. The association will begin with the launch of a new campaign by Bata. The actor will be seen in a series of advertisements across television, digital and other mediums.
Bata India VP – marketing Anand Narang said, “We are happy to have Kartik Aaryan on board as our new ambassador. At Bata, we have been transforming the brand by making our stores more inviting and changing our portfolio to have more casuals, sneaker and fashion styles to attract more millennials. Kartik with his positive energy and easy-going approach relates very well with the youth today. Our association with Kartik will help in further strengthening our connection with the youth and bringing to fore our younger brands like Bata Red Label, North Star, Power and Hush Puppies.”
“I am delighted to be associated with an iconic brand like Bata. As a child I remember Bata being the ultimate choice for footwear for everyone and the brand still has the same impact. It has always remained trendy and relevant to its time. I am impressed with the way Bata has revamped its image to emerge as a youth-centric, fashion-forward brand. I am excited to collaborate with Bata and create something special together,” Aaryan said.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
