Audi expects robust business growth in India over the next few years, Auto News, ET Auto

German luxury carmaker Audi expects its business to remain strong in India over the next few years as it seeks to expand its sales network and roll out new products, including electric vehicles, according to a senior manager of the company. The company, which has moved its entire product line in the country to gasoline and electric lines since April last year, has already introduced eight new products to the market in the first nine months of the year and is now preparing to introduce the new version of its best-selling Q5 SUV model.

“We have already launched eight products this year and Q5 would be the ninth product this month. In the first nine months of the year, we have seen sales increase by approximately 123% compared to the same period of the year. ‘Over the same period, the rest of the luxury car segment in the country grew by 41%, “Audi India director Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI.

He noted that the company went through a low cycle when transitioning from BSIV to BSVI, but things are now back on track. Audi discontinued its line of diesel vehicles in India from April of last year and has since focused on gasoline and electric models.

“Now we’re getting our pie back and I’m sure once we launch Q5 the impact on sales will be reflected positively this year as well as next year,” Dhillon said. When asked how the company sees this year and next in terms of sales growth, he said, “We should grow in double digits, that’s our intention.” Recognizing the semiconductor shortage as a challenge, Dhillon noted that the company would find a solution to this as well.

“We expect high double-digit sales growth, but that would also depend on the supply situation. Current demand is higher than supply, so we are looking at double-digit growth this year. Next year, we also expect the same with the impact of any new product launches coming into play in 2022, ”he added.

The company had sold 1,693 units in India in 2020. The diesel range having disappeared, Audi is now turning to gasoline and electric products to guide its growth in the country. It has already launched five electric models in India.

“So far the response for electric cars has been phenomenal, it has been greater than we expected. The first batch of cars we brought in has already been sold and we are now awaiting the arrival of the second batch. November December The lot is also partly pre-booked so anything we bring sells out quickly, ”Dhillon said.

The EV range is selling nationwide and there is a very positive response, he added. “Customer acceptability for electric mobility is really good. So that encourages us to continue to focus and even push our head office to give us more cars,” Dhillon said.

He noted that training the new generation on the benefits of electric mobility could contribute to the future growth of the segment in the country. Developing charging infrastructure and government support for installing chargers within companies could help sales of electric vehicles, he added.

“In addition, measures such as grants to companies that set up recharges and chargers at every gas station could help the growth of electric vehicles in the country,” Dhillon said. Regarding improving the sales network, he noted that the company is focusing on establishing workshops, doubling Audi approved showrooms from 7 to 14 and having around 30 dealers in the country.

“Our philosophy is based on a workshop first approach where we want to expand first with workshops, followed by Audi approved showrooms, then normal dealers,” said Dhillon. The emphasis would remain on combining the strengths of physical and digital in terms of infra sales, he added. Dhillon noted that over the past two years Audi has been working on customer focus, product, network and digitization.

“There may be little change here and there, but the kernel would stay the same and follow the same parameters,” he added. Globally, Audi has decided to sell cars with internal combustion engines only until 2033. Then it will be fully electric cars.

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“We are optimistic about the Indian car market, as well as electric vehicles … But we need stability in politics. If politics is not stable, it is impossible to plan and justify the needs of investment speaking at our headquarters in Germany, “Audi Chief India Officer Balbir Singh Dhillon told TOI.