Foreign luxury auto brands driving into Gujarat market

AHMEDABAD: Some of the world's premium auto brands are eyeing Gujarat. At least four brands including Harley-Davidson, Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover will have set up exclusive showrooms on happening SG Highway in next six to eight months. On Wednesday, Korean superbike maker Hyosung opened a showroom here.
Within the last three years German brands BMW, Audi and Mercedes have established their bases here and registered spectacular growth rate.
Nearly 1,000 cars in luxury segment were sold in Gujarat during the last fiscal. The figure stood at mere 100, couple of years back.
"Audi plans to open showroom in Surat. Our growth rate is 112 per cent in the state with more than 300 cars sold in last fiscal alone," said Anil Chhatwal, chief operating officer at Audi Ahmedabad.
Six months ago, bike maker Ducati opened an outlet in the city. The entry level model of the Italian brand is priced at Rs 10.5 lakh. "We are getting bookings for 8 bikes a month," Said Rustom Cama of Ducati Ahmedabad.
Diya Garware Ibanez, managing director of Garware Motors Limited which is assembling Hyosung bikes in India says that her company expects to sale 20 bikes a month.
The entry level Hyosung bike will cost customer Rs 4.85 lakh.
UK-Based brands Jaguar and Land Rover finalised their dealer in Ahmedabad and by August end, the cars would be available locally. Kataria Motors, dealer of Maruti Suzuki, is set to open Porsche outlet in the city. Same is the case with Harley-Davidson. The US based motorbike maker is in the process of finalising its Ahmedabad dealer.