DDC 0001: Andhra man pays Rs 2.08 crore for India's 'most expensive' car number plate

• DDC 0001 number plate sold for Rs 2.08 crore, setting a new India auction record
• Winning bidder Kiran Kolpakula signals rising demand beyond metro cities
• BBT Auction House now offers luxury auctions for cars, watches, and VIP numbers.

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In a landmark sale that underscores the burgeoning value of luxury status symbols in India, a vehicle registration plate bearing the identifier ‘DDC 0001’ has been auctioned for a staggering Rs 2.08 crore. The transaction, facilitated via the Big Boy Toyz (BBT) Auction App, now stands as the most expensive number plate ever sold in the country.

The winning bid was placed by Kiran Kolpakula, a resident of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, a detail that industry observers note signals a significant geographic shift in the market for high-value collectibles. Demand for such exclusive assets, it appears, is rapidly expanding beyond traditional metropolitan hubs.

The auction represents a pivotal moment for Big Boy Toyz, a firm primarily known for luxury pre-owned cars, as it expands its footprint into the organised luxury auction space with its newly launched ‘Auction House’ vertical. The platform specialises in premium collectibles, including celebrity-owned vehicles, rare watches and coveted VIP mobile numbers.

Company founder Jatin Ahuja, who originally owned the DDC 0001 plate, characterised the record sale as a validation of the platform’s model. He was cited in a report by Cartoq emphasising that for high-value assets, transparency and verification are paramount and that collectors from all regions are seeking trustworthy platforms.

The sale has notably eclipsed previous benchmarks for number plate auctions. Last year, the much-publicised sale of plate ‘HR 88 B 8888’ for Rs 1.17 crore was ultimately voided due to the bidder’s failure to pay. It was later resold for Rs 26.7 lakh, making the DDC 0001 sale at Rs 2.08 crore a definitive new record.

The BBT Auction House currently lists an array of other high-profile items, reflecting the diverse appetite of this niche market. Among the luxury cars offered are actress Shilpa Shetty’s Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Mercedes-Benz CLA 200d and cricketer Dinesh Karthik’s Range Rover Sport SVR.

Other notable lots include vintage registration plates like ‘CHE78’ and ‘HR59 0001’, ultra-premium mobile numbers such as ‘999999999X’ and luxury timepieces from brands like Hublot and Rolex.

Conducted entirely online, the auction highlights a decisive shift towards digital platforms for the bidding and acquisition of premium assets. This move towards app-based auctions is broadening participation and streamlining a process once dominated by in-person events.