Brands
Bharti AXA Life Insurance ropes in Vidya Balan as brand ambassador
Mumbai: Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and AXA insurance on Tuesday announced that it has roped in Bollywood actor Vidya Balan as its brand ambassador.
The National Award-winning actor embodies the core values of Bharti AXA Life Insurance and will help deepen the narrative of #DoTheSmartThing championed by the brand, stated the company.
“Vidya Balan has been a challenger in her field, expressing herself authentically and has always questioned stereotypes,” said Bharti AXA Life Insurance MD and CEO Parag Raja. “She has excelled in bringing compelling and unique narratives to life on screen and is self-made, reliant, and audacious- values that strongly resonate with Bharti AXA Life as a brand. We believe in long-term relationships and are excited to bring Vidya on board to further our goal of broadening life insurance penetration across India.”
Speaking on the association, Vidya Balan said, “Bharti AXA has always been committed to simplifying insurance and empowering Indians to making smarter and savvier financial choices. I am extremely excited to represent the brand and help them further their manifesto of #DoTheSmartThing. It is heartening to see how the company has raised the bar of serving customers and constantly advocates for securing their financial futures. I look forward to the association and kicking off our engagement.”
Bharti AXA Life had announced a new brand purpose last year, which centres on making insurance simple for customers in a complicated world.
“We are excited to bring Vidya on board and look forward to an enriching partnership with her. We believe that our association will help us strengthen awareness around the category and build a more meaningful and purpose-driven connect with our customers,” commented Bharti AXA Life Insurance head of marketing Geetanjali Kothari.
Over the past year, Bharti AXA Life Insurance has made strategic investments in digital platforms to enhance customer experience and facilitate seamless services. The company plans to expand on the back of strategic partnerships and by increasing its distribution footprints across the country.
Brands
Hyundai India posts record April sales with 17-per cent growth
Domestic sales hit 51,902 units, exports stand at 13,708 units
MUMBAI: Hyundai is clearly shifting gears and April has put the pedal firmly to the metal. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has reported its highest-ever domestic sales for the month of April, clocking 51,902 units in April 2026, marking a 17 per cent year-on-year growth. The milestone sets a strong tone for the new financial year, signalling sustained demand momentum across its portfolio. Alongside domestic performance, the company recorded export volumes of 13,708 units for the month, underlining its continued strength in overseas markets.
The growth has been driven by a mix of refreshed models and special editions across segments. Recent launches and updates including the Exter, Verna, Ioniq 5, Creta Summer Edition, Grand i10 NIOS Vibe Edition and Venue Knight Edition have helped keep the line-up competitive in an increasingly crowded market.
A standout performer was the Venue, which recorded its highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 12,420 units. The model’s 5-Star Bharat NCAP safety rating, including for the VENUE N Line, appears to have bolstered consumer confidence, reflecting a broader industry shift where safety credentials are becoming a key purchase driver.
Tarun Garg, Managing Director and CEO, HMIL, said the company has carried forward recent momentum into the new financial year, with product interventions and safety-focused positioning playing a central role in driving growth.
The numbers suggest Hyundai’s strategy is ticking multiple boxes fresh product cycles, safety-led messaging and steady export performance. If April is any indication, the company isn’t just starting the year strong, it’s aiming to keep the engine running at full throttle.
