Audi Plans Luxury Drive Into Smaller Cities, Towns

To roll out cars in Lucknow, Indore, Coimbatore & Surat next year

CHANCHAL PAL CHAUHAN NEW DELHI

Luxury carmaker Audi is looking at the potential of smaller cities and towns as it undertakes its journey to become second largest player in Indian luxury car market.
The company launched a new dealership in Ludhiana this June and will start its dealership at Surat this week. It will roll out the cars in Lucknow, Surat, Indore and Coimbatore from 2012 onwards.
The German giant is aiming to double its dealerships to around 25 by end of 2012 as it readies its network to get on high-volume models such as the Q3 SUV and the smaller sedans like the A3.
This year, the company has sold 3,655 cars till August, a growth of 95% year-over-year, and is looking at displacing Merc from the coveted second slot by 2013.
“There have been some good years, and we are planning to get right products to generate volumes and meet customer expectations,” Audi India head Michael Perschke said. “While other players in the Indian market are reviewing their targets downward, we are confident that we will exceed our target of 5,000 units this year.”
The carmaker will also consolidate its operations in two major metros by opening sales outlets in Delhi West and Mumbai South. In addition, Audi India and its dealer partners aim to hire at least 600 employees by the end of 2012.
The company, which has invested around 30 million euros in India so far, is finalising its investment plans till 2015.