Brands
Hero marks 25 years of global market dominance with stellar sales growth
NEW DELHI: The Delhi-based titan dispatched 557,871 units in January, a 26 per cent leap over the previous year, proving there is plenty of life in the old dog. While the bread-and-butter motorcycle portfolio, led by the Xtreme and Glamour X, remains the firm’s backbone, it was the scooter segment that provided the real nitro boost. Demand for the Xoom and Destini models helped the category grow by a staggering 45.5 per cent year-on-year.
The company’s electric venture, Vida, is also finding its feet. Retail volumes for the brand rose 21 per cent month-on-month, with 13,000 registrations in January. This growth was bolstered by the Vida VX2 and a trophy cabinet that now includes a CES 2026 innovation award for the Dirt.e K3’s adaptive design. Beyond the subcontinent, global business grew by 24 per cent, as international buyers warmed to Hero’s more premium offerings, totaling 37,663 export units for the month.
Hero’s month was not merely about the balance sheet. The Hero MotoSports Team Rally secured a double top-ten finish at the 48th Dakar Rally, a historic milestone for the firm. Meanwhile, the company burnished its corporate credentials, being named an ESG leader by NSE Sustainability Ratings & Analytics Limited.
With domestic sales hitting 520,208 units and year-to-date volumes crossing the 5.3 million mark, Hero appears to be navigating the shift from petrol-head pioneer to sustainable heavyweight with practiced ease.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
