Brands
Honda Cars India’s Rs 25 crore campaign spends for the new BR-V
BENGALURU: Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a manufacturer of premium cars in India, today introduced its new model Honda BR-V. The launch of BR-V marks Honda’s entry into the compact SUV segment that is about 300,000 units per year in size in India. The BR-V is available in both Diesel and Petrol fuel options in India.
The company has planned a six week campaign that began last week and will end by the third week of June. Industry sources revealed that HCIL has budgeted between Rs 25 and Rs 30 crore for a 360 degree campaign for the new BR-V. Recently HCIL announced Mullen Lintas as its creative agency for its new car. Media buying is through Group M’s Motivator.
At the BR-V launch in Bengaluru today, HCIL unveiled a 90 second promo that will run on cinema screens and Youtube. Two 30-second TVCs’ that tell stories around the BR-V and a 20-second TVC that speaks more about brand Honda have been planned. The company is targeting males from the age group of 25-45 years, and hence the TVCs’ will be aired across all major English, Hindi and regional news channels reveal sources at HMIL. A print campaign is also a part of HMIL’s media plans.
Speaking at the launch, HCIL senior vice president & director Raman Kumar Sharma said, “India is a key market for Honda and as part of our business expansion, we are focusing on increasing our customer base with new model introductions. The launch of BR-V marks Honda’s entry into the popular compact SUV segment. Customers can experience the outstanding appearance of an SUV and benefit from the versatility and comfort of its spacious 3 row interiors. We are confident that BR-V will strongly appeal to the customers and accelerate our growth while strengthening our brand presence in the country.”
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
