News · Mobility & Logistics

Cars24 apologises after marketing boat stunt sparks police row

By Startup Enthusiast · 11 August 2026

What they do

Cars24 is an Indian auto-tech platform that lets users buy, sell, and finance pre-owned cars

The company sparked a controversy by placing a branded boat on a waterlogged Gurugram road as a marketing stunt

Cars24 later clarified that a reported ₹50,000 fine was its marketing cost, apologising for wrongly attributing it to police enforcement

The used-car marketplace Cars24 generated severe public backlash following a promotional campaign featuring a decorated vessel on a flooded Gurugram street.
A corporate representative published statements online asserting that authorities had penalized the organization ₹50,000 and impounded the watercraft.
Local traffic enforcement officials formally refuted the claims, stating that officers had neither filed any charges nor received grievances.
Executives subsequently issued a formal apology directed toward municipal administrators and law enforcement agencies.
Management explained that the ₹50,000 expenditure reflected the total budget allocated for the promotional exercise rather than a penalty.
Online observers widely circulated imagery of stranded commuters boarding the vessel to navigate the submerged thoroughfare.

The incident reignited a major debate regarding Gurugram’s recurring monsoon waterlogging and inadequate urban drainage infrastructure.
Social media users debated the ethics of using civic infrastructure failures as a backdrop for brand promotions and marketing stunts.

Operates an online marketplace for buying and selling used cars in India and international markets including the UAE and Australia.
Provides vehicle financing solutions including used car loans and personal loans through an RBI-registered NBFC [Non-Banking Financial Company, a firm that provides financial services without holding a full banking license].
Offers value-added automotive services such as FASTag recharges, roadside assistance, vehicle inspection reports, and challan payments.
Generates revenue through vehicle transactions, inspection fees, and financial services commissions.
Maintains corporate headquarters in Gurgaon, Haryana.

Product: An online platform for used-car buying, selling, and related lending services.
Customers: Consumers and dealers transacting in used cars.
How it makes money: It earns from vehicle sales, marketplace transactions, and financing-related services.
What sets it apart: Uses AI to improve operating efficiency and support growth.
Operations: Operates across multiple countries and runs auction and retail businesses in India.