DNA speaks to Harshil Choksey, Director- Autobahn Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. about Autobahn's success story
DNA: Could you tell us a little about your foray into the automobile business vis-a-vis Skoda?
H.C: Autobahn was incepted in 2002 with our showroom in Prabhadevi and service centre in Sewri. Now, we have a second showroom in Andheri, Lokhandwala and a state-of-the art workshop in Reay Road. Our family has been in the business of automobiles for the last 30 years. With the kind of industry experience and customer loyalty we have in Mumbai, an association with Skoda Auto provided an optimum platform for synergizing our strengths and capabilities. I am glad that together Skoda & Autobahn have written a success story that we had envisioned back then by achieving the highest sales and the largest Skoda customer base in Mumbai.
DNA: Why did you choose Skoda and not any other car dealership...there were several carmakers scouting for dealers in 2001-02?
H.C: Skoda Auto is a well known European brand and their products symbolize excellent build quality, safety and value for money. The launch of the company in India with the Octavia was an alluring factor for us because of its price positioning and their superior diesel technology. We were aware of the international product portfolio and the strength of this brand and saw a huge potential for Skoda cars in India, especially in Mumbai.
DNA: What is the nature of the training that is imparted to Autobahn's car mechanics by Skoda at Aurangabad?
H.C: The technicians at our workshops go through rigorous training for products and technologies. These trainings are organized at the Skoda factory in Aurangabad as well as in our workshops on a regular basis so that they are always updated with the latest findings. Skoda not only imparts technical training but also focuses on soft skills training for the workshop and showroom manpower.
DNA: You have a showroom in prime locations at Prabhadevi and at Lokhandwala, Andheri. Any plans to have more showrooms in the city?
H.C: At the moment we are present in the two prime markets of Mumbai, that is South Mumbai and Western Suburbs so we don't have plans for a third facility.
DNA: What are the volumes that you are looking at for this financial year?
H.C: We are targeting to sell more than 1000 cars in 2009.
DNA: What differentiates Autobahn from other Skoda dealers?
H.C: We have showrooms in the most strategic locations in Mumbai so our customers and prospective buyers have convenient access. Our workshops and our team is our biggest strength and are personally trained by me on product knowledge and understanding the customers' needs. Transparency in transactions is the secret of acquiring customers and their trust and hence I have been able to ingrain that quality in my team. I don't like to refer to my business as selling and servicing of Skoda cars because I believe that we 'consult' our customers to make the best choice which befits their requirements and then help them in 'maintaining' their cars.
DNA: Skoda has introduced the new Superb and Laura this year. Any other new models in the offing?
H.C: Being the network partner for Skoda, we are currently riding high on the success of the new Superb and the Laura launched this year and look forward to the products which the company plans to introduce in the future.
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