A driver was kidnapped by a ruthless gang who demanded a ransom of tens of thousands of pounds.
The victim was later released just over an hour later after being snatched from a Manchester street.
It is understood the criminals wanted £10,000 to £20,000 but no cash was paid. They were asking for the money from the kidnap victim's employer, it is understood.
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The victim was later released but had suffered serious injuries to his face.
The incident happened on Westfield Road, Chorlton, just after 9pm on Saturday.
The victim was about to get in his blue Audi S3 worth £27,000 when he was forced to stop near the junction with Buckingham Road.
Three men in a white Audi Q5 surrounded the S3 and bundled him into the Q5.
The gang also stole the S3 and both cars drove off at speed travelling through Chorlton having left the scene via Egerton Road.
It is understood that both vehicles remain outstanding.
The victim was released in the Stretford area.
A huge police investigation has now been launched to identify the kidnap gang.
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 9.30pm on Saturday (16 October), police were called to reports of a kidnapping on Westfield Street, Chorlton, Manchester.
"Officers attended and enquiries have established that ten minutes earlier at 9.20pm, a man was walking back to his car - a blue Audi S3 - on Westfield Street, when he was approached by three men who grabbed him and bundled him into the back of a white Audi Q5 before driving away.
"The victim - a man in his 20s - was released by the men a short while later at around 10.30pm on the junction where Poplar Road meets Chester Road, Stretford. He had a number of minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing. There is not believed to be any threat to the wider community."
Anyone with information - including dashcam or CCTV footage from the area at the time - should contact police on 0161 856 6063, quoting incident number 3150 of 16/10/2021.
Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
