MAM
CARS24 rolls out prank to educate customers with its ‘Dates or Best Rates’ ad
MUMBAI: CARS24, an e-commerce platform for pre-owned vehicles has rolled out its latest digital film ‘Dates or Best Rates’ that aims to create awareness for benefits of organised car buying and selling.
The film, conceptualised by Mind Your Language! humorously showcases how the platform makes the tedious and tiresome process of buying and selling cars convenient and hassle free by taking it online.
Set at a traffic signal, the ad film in Tamil language with English captions features a cyclist with a megaphone driving across cars with a mischievous agenda in mind. As a prank, he persuades the car owners stationed at the signal to sell their cars in exchange for dates. The dramatic breaks and sound effects in the music further elevate the scene capturing honest reactions to the hoax. And the final voice over- ‘With CARS24, you will never have a chance of being pranked’ brings the scene together, delivering the essence of the film.
The ad attempts to drive across the point that at CARS24, consumers not only get the best price but also the best quality capturing the true condition of the car for an enhanced consumer experience. With doorstep delivery of cars, friendly return policies and warranties, the brand aims to provide its customers with an efficient and reliable platform for their used vehicle requirements.
Commenting on the film, CARS24 head of brand Nida Naushad, said, “At CARS24, we aim to showcase relatable scenarios and experiences of the everyday consumer and this set up of a traffic signal is extremely powerful and resonating. Also, Tamil Nadu is an important market for us and through this light-hearted fun film, we wanted to bring light to how CARS24 is transforming the Indian pre-owned car industry and it is time for everyone to reap the benefits of this transformation.”
Mind Your Language! founder Deepan Ramachandran said, “Mind Your Language! helps national brands connect to South India. We identify relevant insights and cultural connections to create brand stories that strike an emotional chord with the South Indian consumer. In Tamil Nadu, there is a popular practice of exchanging scrap metal for dates. Thanks to a few comedy scenes in Tamil cinema, this fading custom has been preserved in the hearts of Tamilians. For CARS24, we gave this age-old custom a modern makeover and made it into a light-hearted and engaging film.”
The film has been released on CARS24’s social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
