British premium car maker will add dealerships, on course to meet 2013 India target.
Issues such as slowdown and rupee depreciation , which are plaguing most car makers in the country, do not seem to bother Rolls Royce, the manufacturer of super-luxury cars.
The British premium car maker is currently expanding its operations in India and has added its fifth product Wraith (pictured) priced at Rs4.6 crore.
It will close this year with five dealerships in the country, up from three now, the largest representation in any country in South and Southeast Asia.
The company has sold 250 units since it started its operations in India in 2005. With increasing number of high networth individuals in the country, a few ago years it saw a potential of selling 100 cars a year. Without giving any projections on volumes, Herfried Hasenoehrl, general manager for emerging markets – Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “Every year we analyse and set a target for any market. For India, I can say that we are on the target for 2013 as well.”
“For us the target group is unique and niche. We are not in the volume game,” he said.
At a time when the Indian economy is probably seeing its worst times, Rolls Royce is said to be least affected. The company is still optimistic about the India growth story and continues to expand by way of new launches and dealership network.
“In the last few decades India has been through a few tests.
This is just another phase. We are looking at a very short time frame. For Rolls Royce as a manufacturer, we look at the market on a long-term basis and continue to add at least one new product and one new dealership. So, for us fortunately this impact is not there,” said Hasenoehrl.
Rolls Royce will add 1-2 more dealerships in 2014.
“We have identified the locations for the next step and we will announce in 2014. In order to reach the potential you have to be close to your customer,” said Hasenoehrl.
The company said it received better than expected response to its newly launched Wraith.
“In times like these, customers are not cautious but more decisive as to what they really want. The desire for our products is exactly in right area what they wanted to have,” he said.
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