MAM
Three Mumbaities emerge winners of Pepsi ‘Khufiya Card’ contest
MUMBAI: The summer of 2005 is a bonanza for Pepsi lovers in the country with Pepsi’s unprecedented ‘Khufiya Card’ consumer initiative. The initiative received unprecedented response from consumers across the country.
Michael John, Vani Rao and Subodh Bodke from Mumbai have just got richer by Rs 100,000 as part of the ‘Pepsi Khufiya Card’ promotion. According to the trio, who have always been Pepsi lovers and never thought drinking Pepsi could bring in such a huge reward.
Said John, “I can’t thank Pepsi enough for this pleasant surprise. Dekhte hi dekhte kismat badal gayee.”
The nationwide ‘Pepsi Khufiya Card’ promotion is valid on multi-serve packs (two litre and 1.5 litre) of Pepsi, Mirinda Orange, Mirinda Lemon, Mountain Dew and 7UP. Every consumer who gets a ‘Khufiya Card’ on purchase of any of these products is assured of a prize.
The ‘Pepsi Khufiya Card’ initiative, for the first time makes TV advertising an ‘interactive medium’ in consumer promotion. It gives consumers an opportunity to discover their prizes by simply holding the Khufiya card against the blue TV screen during the airing of the Pepsi Khufiya ad. The consumer just needs to peel off the seal on his khufiya card, and hold the card against the blue ‘promo window’ in the TV ad, to reveal his prize.
The prizes are divided into four levels. While there the top prize is Rs 250 million, there are other prizes of Rs 100,000, Rs 1000 and Rs 100. In addition there are “Rs 40 off” deals on some cards, whereby consumers can redeem these cards to get a discount of Rs 40 on any purchases in participating groceries and restaurants.
According to Pepsi Foods Pvt Ltd executive director (marketing) Punita Lal, “Pepsi, in its inimitable way, adds a lot of fun and excitement to the summer months. The path breaking ‘Khufiya Card’ is a unique device that integrates the TV campaign with the promotion in a very innovative way, and directly engages the consumer in the promotion while watching the ad on his TV screen.”
The storyline of the ad, featuring Pepsi brand ambassador Saif Ali Khan, revolves around a bumbling detective’s failed attempts to crack the case of the mystery card. Conceptualised by JWT, the ad is directed by ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar.
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.
