Sports luxury carmaker Porsche has said that India is a potential market for its recently launched new-generation Panamera sedan, with its focus on all segments.
Porsche India also said that opening of new showrooms in Delhi and Mumbai in a short span of three months has boosted investor confidence in the business here despite the epidemic.
The company, which is part of the German auto giant Volkswagen Group, early last month included the 2021 version of the Panamera in four variants – the Panamera, GTS, Turbo S, and Turbo S E-Hybrid, priced at 1.45 crore and was among the part. 2.43 crores (both ex-showrooms).
After setting up its first Porsche studio in Delhi in January, the company opened another in Mumbai earlier this week under Infiniti Cars Pvt Ltd, a dealer partner group, a luxury car dealership group that offers a variety of marquee in different cities Represents brands.
“Of course, India could also become a Panamera market in the future. This is also an important segment we want to develop in the future,” explained Monolito Vujicic, Porsche India’s brand head PTI In a conversation.
He said that the company gave the first Panamera to a customer just a week after the new outlet opened in Delhi in January. “It means that there are customers here, we have to communicate it properly.” Mr. Vujicic said that even the Panamera Exclusive, which is a limited edition luxury sedan, is an option for the Indian market.
Currently, Porsche imports its range of products in India, including 718 and 911 sports cars, Panamera and Macan, Cayenne and Cayenne Coupe SUVs, as fully manufactured units (CBUs).
“We will focus on all models and not on specialized segments such as cars or SUVs. Each Porsche is a sports car,” Mr Vujicic said, adding that the company hopes the SUV will drive sales volumes further.
“I already have information about some customers that they are missing supercars. Therefore, the availability of supercars is not reasonable,” he said.
He said he was surprised to learn that customers ask for models such as GT3 and GT2. He said that as much energy is spent in acquiring 70% of the SUV volume, the same amount of energy goes into the market.
“Therefore, any car is giving importance to any product and all together will create an inter-model mix, which will vary and then it will be another blend of Porsche India. But, of course, it is only one Will not focus on the segment and will not say so. Now, we are only going straight ahead for the SUV market, “he said.
Mr Vujicic said the company started 2021 on a good note, which is great for the brand as well as India, when the premium car segment posted a 40 per cent drop in sales in 2020, an epidemic. Is due to recession. In the automobile sector and the general economy.
“At a time when everyone is asking and conservative about keeping investment flows down, you see that our investors are really believing in us and it’s really unbelievable. It shows that we are right Going in the direction, ”he said.
“Our customers in India, like all other markets and India, probably have not decreased in volume in the last year compared to 2019, even when there was a three-month lockdown,” Mr. Vujicic said.
He said that this meant the impact of COVID-19 and also the economic crisis has not affected the company’s brand so much. “Therefore, we are looking positive in our future,” he said.
He said that it is important that the number of products and sales is higher than last year and this is mainly the goal. But, much will depend mainly on dealers, activities and the state of the epidemic within the next nine months.
Stating that with the new format of the showroom, the company will have to please its existing customer. And, if they are happy, they will talk with their friend and others about the product, which will help achieve higher footfall and subsequent sales.
He said that Porsche India’s strategy for dealers’ partners was similar to its adoption for other markets. He said that profitability of existing dealers is the most important thing for the company.
“This is the only way that dealers can develop themselves and invest in our brand in the future. So, I would say that is the core strategy. And on the other hand, we have to make sure that every customer who has ever been in India. Bought a car, he’s happy. ” With the car and our services, ”he said.
Therefore, Porsche India believes that its investors who have come up with the new format can use the investment soon.
Deciding on any new dealership in the immediate future, he said that the company is happy with the existing six dealerships. Poshche India, along with its dealers, wants to move to Tier-1, Tier-2 and Tier-III cities.
Therefore, the existing dealers are moving to the right place. It is an easy format, he said.
It is important for the company to maintain the profitability of existing dealers high and to return the investment quickly.
Mr. Vujicic also said that Porsche, which had an edge in digital sales of its cars last year, intends to achieve 3-4 percent of its total sales from the online format going forward.
“We achieved 1 percent of all consumption from online sales. Therefore, our goal would be about 3-4 percent of all consumption coming from online. But, we have to learn this new journey, this customer journey online,” he said. Where is said
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