JOIN USGerman super luxury car behemoth Porsche has envisioned expansion in India, a nascent market, which it still views as having great potential for growth.
The carmaker, which currently has six sales and service centres across Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Kochi, and two service centres across Hyderabad and Chandigarh, will be opening a sales and service outlet each in Chennai and Hyderabad by next year, consolidating its presence in South India.
“In India, we will see steady growth. Customers in this market are evolved, travelled, and well-informed. We came here in 2012, and have wanted to establish a nationwide network. We’re committed to have a whole team for marketing, sales and aftersales,” Porsche India Director Pavan Shetty told DH.
In terms of car models, Porsche has brought its entire worldwide stable to India, which involves six families — 911, 718 Boxter, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne and Panamera.
Recently, it delivered the 825th unit of the only 991 units of the limited edition 911-R produced globally, to a customer in Bengaluru. Periodically, the company introduces new models in the Indian market. While it launched the compact SUV Macan last year, it will be rolling out the 2017 Panamera sedan in the next two months.
“All segments garner equal amount of importance for us. But in India, the trend is more towards SUVs. Hence, the Cayenne is our most popular model, while sports cars continue to rise in popularity as well,” Shetty said.
The company’s India order book sees 70% share coming from SUVs, with the remaining 20% from sports cars, and 10% from the four-door sedan. Porsche saw global sales to the tune of 2,37,000 units last year, selling over 400 cars in India.