Latest news with #Creta
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Indian businessman gifts a custom pink Rolls-Royce to his 1-year-old daughter. Internet says, ‘We are not impressed'
On Father's Day, Dubai-based Indian businessman Satish Sanpal gifted his one-year-old daughter a custom-built pink Rolls-Royce, complete with monogrammed seats and a personalized nameplate. While meant to celebrate fatherhood in grand style, the gesture left the internet divided. Critics called it excessive and tone-deaf, questioning the need for such luxury for a child too young to drive. Satish Sanpal's lavish Father's Day gift to his toddler daughter—a pink Rolls-Royce—has gone viral. Though meant as a heartfelt gesture, many netizens called it 'flashy,' 'tacky,' and impractical. (Screenshots: Instagram/ lovindubai ) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Also Read: Chennai IT company employees get surprise Creta SUVs as gifts as it marks 10th anniversary A Dubai dad moment; or a viral misfire? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Luxury or lunacy? In a world where over-the-top gestures are increasingly the norm on social media, Indian businessman Satish Sanpal may have just redefined extravagance. Celebrating Father's Day in Dubai , Sanpal stunned the internet by gifting his one-year-old daughter, Isabella, a custom-built pink Rolls-Royce—complete with monogrammed interiors, a personalized note, and a 'Congratulations, Isabella' video, originally posted on Instagram , features the founder of ANAX Developments arriving at the luxury showroom with his wife Tabinda and toddler in tow. What follows is a scene straight out of a luxury lifestyle reel: pink balloons, music, dancing, and a glittering car unveiled for a child who, quite literally, can't even drive it for another 17 this wasn't Isabella's first brush with grandeur. In February, her first birthday party was a jaw-dropping spectacle held at Atlantis The Royal, one of Dubai's most opulent hotels. The venue was transformed into a winter wonderland with artificial snow, icy chandeliers, and white trees, all topped off with appearances by Bollywood stars like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Tamannaah Bhatia, Atif Aslam, and Nora Fatehi. Isabella made her entrance in a princess carriage wearing a ball gown that might've made Cinderella the Instagram caption praised Sanpal's lavish gesture as the ultimate 'Dubai Dad' moment, not everyone on the internet was ranged from sarcastic to critical. One user noted, 'Must be a really nice feeling when you get gifted something so special, knowing you cannot use it for the next 17 years.' Another quipped, 'It's a tacky and flashy display of wealth and just proves that money does not buy class.' Others pointed out the absurdity of giving a toddler a high-end car when 'small kids are the happiest with empty containers and boxes.' Given the flashy nature of Instagram post, a commentor wrote, "Another show off, we are not impressed sorry."While gifting luxury cars isn't unheard of in the world of billionaires and Instagram influencers, the gesture has sparked broader conversations around parenting, wealth display, and whether such ostentatious acts make meaningful memories or just a country like India, where millions of children grow up without basic amenities, such gestures inevitably invite scrutiny—especially when shared online with cinematic flair. While Sanpal might see it as a father's way of showing boundless love, the jury of the internet seems divided between awe and now, baby Isabella has a Rolls-Royce she can't drive, a designer wardrobe she'll outgrow in months, and a social media footprint most adults would envy. As for the rest of us? We're still debating whether this was a parenting flex or just another tone-deaf showcase in the age of viral opulence.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Range over performance: Is Indian auto industry selling EVs all wrong?
Indian auto industry has been devising its marketing strategies for electric vehicles on the range per charging cycle, but not the performance, which is quite the opposite of the marketing plan for ICE vehicles. Check Offers One word that is gradually becoming the driving force of the Indian passenger auto industry is EV. The electric vehicles have been finding an increasing footprint in the Indian automobile industry, owing to the growing demand and continuous government push for environmental concerns. Other peripheral issues that have been fuelling the growth of electric vehicles in India include sky-high prices of petrol and diesel, uncertainty over the regulations regarding fossil fuel vehicles, and perception of lower operational cost compared to ICE vehicles, etc. Owing to the rising demand for battery electric vehicles, the automakers too are increasingly focusing on bringing more EVs to the Indian market, to encash the trend and ramp up their revenue. If we keep an eye on the electric vehicle manufacturers' EV marketing trend, one thing becomes clear. All the automakers focus on highlighting how much range their respective electric vehicles offer, how the charging cost is lower than other competitors, and how the overall ownership cost is lower than ICE vehicles or other competing EVs. In comparison to that, when automakers market petrol or diesel or even CNG vehicles, one of the key focus areas remains the performance. But, in the case of EVs, better performance over ICE vehicles is often not mentioned as a key highlight. Also Read : Upcoming cars in India While the industry experts debate range anxiety and charging costs when discussing electric mobility, the pure instant performance is often missed, which in fact should be the biggest selling point of EVs. For example, Hyundai Creta Electric, the pure electric iteration of Hyundai Creta, delivers maximum power from zero rpm. On the other hand, the fossil fuel powered iteration of Creta needs 3,000 rpm to churn out the peak torque. The MG Windsor EV, which has been increasingly becoming popular among the Indian consumers, is not only popular because it offers a plethora of premium features but also because of the performance. While JSW MG Motor dubs the Windsor EV as low maintenance electric car and intelligent CUV, one of the key highlights of it is the 200 Nm torque pumped out straight from zero any similarly priced SUV with a fossil fuel engine struggles through the dense city traffic, the electric vehicles feel no extra effort in generating the performance. Fuel efficiency question still looms large One of the fundamental factors driving the Indian automobile buyers' purchase decision for decades has been the fuel efficiency. The age-old question, 'Kitna deti hai?" (How much fuel efficiency it offers?), continues to shape the commercial success of most vehicles in India across segments. The automobile companies too device their marketing strategy themed around that. Speaking about this, Puneet Gupta, Director, Indian Automotive Market, S&P Global Mobility, said that the auto companies' marketing strategy typically reflects the priority factors of the Indian consumers. 'Indian car buyers have traditionally prioritized fuel efficiency, technology, and brand value when making purchase decisions. While performance does factor in, it typically ranks lower in importance compared to markets in developed economies. Automakers have aligned their strategies accordingly, tailoring powertrains and features to suit the needs of a value-conscious and price-sensitive market," he said. Maketing electric vehicles: What goes wrong? Electric vehicles handle the stop-go traffic in congested cities excellently, as compared to their ICE peers. Climbling the hilly slopes becomes easier for the electric cars owing to the instant torque delivery they offer. On highways, in case of a quick overtake manoeuvre, an electric vehicle can easily allow the driver to perform the move with immediate acceleration and without him or her hunting for the right gear. These advantages of the electric vehicles are not marketed by the EV manufacturers in India. While marketing the electric vehicles, many auto manufacturers selling EVs in India portray the vehicles in a manner to alleviate the consumers' range anxiety concerns by highlighting the range figures per charging cycle. This somehow puts the electric vehicle purchase as a compromising decisions, but in many cases, they are actually upgrading to a new and cleaner technology. While the automakers try to sell their story as sustainable ones, the story of performance remain untold. But for many consumers, the story of performance is the story that sells. Speaking on this, Gupta said that the battery electric vehicle narrative is evolving. He believes the Indian auto manufacturers present in the EV market, are gradually changing their marketing strategies. 'In its initial phase, it is increasingly attracting an aspirational set of consumers seeking tech-laden, high-performance electric vehicles. Models like the Mahindra BE 6 electric SUV are designed for the technology-driven customer, whereas offerings like the Tata Harrier EV appeal to the emerging cohort that prioritizes performance," he added. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India, Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 18 Jun 2025, 13:05 PM IST
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
1 killed, 4 injured as drunk driver rams e-rickshaw in Sector 20
Gurugram: A man was killed and four others were critically injured after a drunk person driving a Hyundai Creta rammed into an e-rickshaw in front of DLF Cyberpark near Shankar Chowk in Sector 20 on Monday, police officials said. They said both the vehicles were travelling towards Shankar Chowk to move to the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway when the accident took place between 6am and 6.15am. Investigators said that the identity of the deceased man was yet to be ascertained as neither any mobile phone nor documents were recovered from his possession. Police said he was aged between 45 and 50 years. According to the police, the condition of the four other injured people including the e-rickshaw driver, Sunil Mahto, 37, was critical and they were undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Gurugram and Delhi. They identified the Creta driver as Ayush, 29, who lived with his family in Sector 49 and belonged to Bori Patta in Jammu. He was overpowered by commuters at the spot and was later arrested by a police team. Station house officer (SHO) of the Udyog Vihar police station, Inspector Balraj Yadav, said that Ayush worked in a BPO in Udyog Vihar and was returning home from work when the accident took place. 'He had consumed alcohol soon after his shift had ended and had then boarded his car. He was travelling towards Shankar Chowk from Ram Chowk and ended up hitting the e-rickshaw after losing control of the vehicle. The rickshaw hit the footpath which injured the passengers,' he said. Yadav said that all five injured people were initially taken to a private hospital in DLF Phase III where one of the passengers died in the course of treatment. Based on the complaint of one of the injured people, an FIR was registered against Ayush under sections 106 (causing death by negligence), 281 (rash driving) and 125(a) (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and (b) (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Udyog Vihar police station on Monday evening.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Passenger vehicle sales stay flat in May; Utility vehicles drive growth: SIAM
Mumbai: Domestic passenger vehicle dispatches counted as sales, remained largely unchanged in May 2025, rising just 0.8% year-on-year to 3,03,099 units from 3,00,795 units in the same month last year, as a decline in car sales offset strong growth in the utility vehicle segment. According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), car sales dropped 12.2% to 93,951 units, while utility vehicles (UVs) rose 7.6% to 1,96,821 units. Vans, which form a smaller portion of the market, posted a 12.5% increase to 12,327 units. 'The overall passenger vehicle segment showed a marginal growth as the decline in passenger car sales balanced out the robust performance in UVs,' said Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM. 'The UV segment continues to be the growth driver for the PV market, with several new models and strong customer preference for SUVs sustaining the momentum.' The data shows a continued shift in consumer preferences toward larger vehicles, particularly compact and mid-size SUVs. Maruti Suzuki , the country's largest carmaker, recorded a modest increase in overall PV sales to 1,35,962 units in May 2025, aided by strong demand for its Fronx and Brezza in the UV category. However, sales of its compact and mini cars such as Alto and Swift remained under pressure. Hyundai Motor India reported a total of 58,133 units in May, with over half of them coming from its popular Creta, Venue, and Exter models. Mahindra & Mahindra continued its strong run in UVs, posting domestic sales of 52,431 units during the month, up from 43,218 a year ago. Kia India also reported robust growth, with May sales rising to 22,315 units from 19,500 last year. Toyota saw sales increase to 24,279 units, compared to 19,289 in May 2024, driven by models like the HyRyder and Innova HyCross. Skoda, which has pivoted towards UVs through the Kushaq and Slavia, posted 5,801 units in May, a sharp increase from 1,342 in the same period last year. Meanwhile, three-wheeler sales fell 3.3% to 53,942 units, despite an 18.9% rise in production. Passenger carriers declined marginally, while goods carriers continued their subdued performance. In contrast, exports of three-wheelers surged 36.7% to 31,084 units, reflecting growing demand from international markets. Two-wheeler sales remained subdued, inching up just 2.2% year-on-year to 16,55,927 units. While scooter volumes rose 7.1% to 5,79,507 units, motorcycle sales were flat at 10,39,156 units. Electric two-wheeler sales saw steady gains, led by TVS, Bajaj, and Ather. 'The two-wheeler segment is still facing challenges in rural demand, but the urban premium and electric sub-segments have shown better traction,' Menon said. Total vehicle production in May stood at 25,82,207 units, marking a 5.2% growth over last year. Exports across categories rose 22.8% to 4,79,538 units. While domestic demand trends remained mixed, manufacturers are leaning on exports to sustain volumes in the face of a high base and evolving market dynamics. With the monsoon expected to be normal and new launches lined up in the coming months, the industry remains cautiously optimistic for the rest of the fiscal year.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Inside Delhi's family theft network: How 3 men stole 25 high-end SUVs with sophisticated tools
A 56-year-old man teamed up with his son and son-in-law to form a close-knit family gang that stole nearly 25 high-end SUVs from upscale areas in Delhi over the past 10 months, police said. All members of the gang have been arrested. The suspects — identified as Raman, his son Sagar and son-in-law Neeraj — kept their operations within the family to avoid any information leak. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo They used sophisticated tools to bypass vehicle security and sell the stolen vehicles through receivers in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Targeted Creta, Fortuner and Brezza models After investigating the pattern and examining footage from nearly 200 CCTV cameras, police found the suspects typically struck during the early hours of the day. They chose specific models — Hyundai Creta, Toyota Fortuner and Maruti Brezza — parked near parks and gyms. The footage revealed their ability to disable, start and steal a vehicle in under seven minutes — sometimes in just seconds. Live Events The suspects avoided involving outsiders and relied on specialized equipment — including two car scanners, key clips, a wire cutter, an engine control module, hammers and numerous keys — to manipulate a vehicle's onboard diagnostic port and disable its alarm and ignition. Tipoff, arrest and recovery of tools Acting on a tipoff, police laid a trap near a drain in Uttam Nagar and intercepted a white car with a fake number plate. Inside the vehicle, officers recovered sophisticated theft equipment. The subsequent interrogations revealed the roles of all the suspects and their unique modus operandi. Records show Raman was involved in 18 cases of vehicle theft, Sagar in 12, and Neeraj in 14. The suspects explained that by keeping their operations within the family, they avoided infiltration and made it hard for outsiders to leak information.
