[parekhakshar]

Sad to see Audi is no longer part of famous TRIO despite having really good cars. I hope it doesn't exit India in short time.

[mayjay]

Originally Posted by aniyo

I stand in awe of the stark difference with our neighbors.
In China, all the 3 luxury brands (BMW, audi and Mercedes) sold more than 7,20,000 each in the year 20-21. We talk about a few thousands.

These statistics are really telling. An aggressive taxation policy combined with low relative economic growth in the last few years has held back any expansion in this segment. Added to that the behaviour of the luxury players has been ‘profit seeking’ rather than ‘market making’ leading to an almost certainty that there will be no replication of China market here in India.
Instead, this space will remain niche, with ever increasing price points and stagnant sales.

[kiku007]

Originally Posted by aniyo

I stand in awe of the stark difference with our neighbors.
In China, all the 3 luxury brands (BMW, audi and Mercedes) sold more than 7,20,000 each in the year 20-21. We talk about a few thousands.

Comparing the wrong country buddy. IMHO China is one full generation ahead of India and it's pointless to be drawing comparisons to them and feeling low.

Try Vietnam. They sold about 10K luxury cars in 2020. One day they may also overtake India and people can pick another country.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by aniyo

I stand in awe of the stark difference with our neighbors.
In China, all the 3 luxury brands (BMW, audi and Mercedes) sold more than 7,20,000 each in the year 20-21. We talk about a few thousands.

I have mentioned that multiple times in the past but was shut down by people singing virtues of our democratic set up vis a vis our neighbours.

[ads11]

Was wondering if there was a thread of this segment - was keen to see the sales figures. It's a sobering look all round in terms of overall volumes.

I have a quick question. Is there a reason Lexus is excluded? Do they only bring in a set volume of imports for the entire year? That's my thinking to why I didn't notice it as yet.

[GTO]

A superbly prepared image of India's luxury car sales:


Source

[Turbanator]

BMW had this Euro 4 flash sales last year. Whatever they had in stocks was invoiced to the dealers and registered due to emission norms. But this year, they have done better than MB. Looks they have found the right mix of models currently.

Porsche is a big disappointment, despite being here for the longest times, they have done nothing for our market. Most dealerships carry an attitude as if they are doing a big favour by selling. Maybe, they should just operate online, I found their web support- chat with product specialist, best amongst anyone else.

They can have a Tesla like model for Indian market, get rid of the dealerships and pass the margins to us, the customers. Let VW/ Audi workshops attend Porsche cars for service and repairs across major cities.

[Venkatesh]

Audi India is looking for a double-digit growth in 2021 as it prepares to launch a slew of cars with a mix of all body types and powertrains, including two electric vehicles (EV)s in the next two months.

Audi India to launch the E-tron and the E-tron Sportback within the next couple of months.

In 2020, the automotive industry lost a significant volume during the pandemic which was not recoverable and we were no different. The sales did pick up from the festival season and at Audi, we witnessed month-on-month growth over five months last year with December witnessing the highest sales in 2020,” said Balbir Singh Dhillon, head of Audi India.

The buyers of luxury electric cars are first-movers and early adopters; they know the merits of going electric. Existing luxury car buyers will also be our target audience. One of the reasons the customers opt for EVs is the ‘fun to drive’ element. EVs with stronger batteries today, provide peak torque right from the start without any delay,” said Dhillon

Source

[ameyfire]

My father was considering the C class but the ridiculous price increase of almost 10 lakhs on-road Mumbai is deviating him to other options such as the 3 series. I wonder why they suddenly increased the price so much? Is it because of the A class launch?
I read somewhere that the A class engine config is same as Renault Duster turbo model, is that true?

[Lalitha Venkat]

What I have seen in the last few years at least in Chennai, there are few exclusive dealerships have come up which sell pre-owned luxury cars. I also had a chance to see the same in Coimbatore and Cochin when I had been there on work related commitments . The cost of cars in these dealerships are lower by 60%-70% as compared to new cars. The average age of cars are 4-6 years and have run between 75k-125 k kms. Unless, one has the good fortune of being borne in a family that can afford these cars, even if one works hard, he cant aspire to buy these cars before he is 35-40 years. So these dealerships are offering a chance for the younger people to buy the cars and also people who want to have them for the snob value at a steep discount to the on road price of new cars. Visually, there were very few flaws I could notice and they had a good collection of luxury cars in Chennai. Was thinking given the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, there could be some of them who have moved to these pre-worshiped dealerships. These guys have service capabilities and import the spares directly according to the sales executive. Previously, I have seen few car brokers who are individuals dealing in the pre-owned luxury car segment. A dealership and service capabilities, offer more confidence to the buyers who may generally avoid going to individual brokers. The dealership also mentioned that they were tying up with NBFC financiers to arrange a loan for the cars purchased. Was thinking if I can buy a Evoque Range Rover at the price of Jeep Compass with loan being arranged.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by ameyfire

I read somewhere that the A class engine config is same as Renault Duster turbo model, is that true?

Very true I'm afraid. The 1.3TCe engine range was jointly developed by Renault-Nissan-Daimler and is used in numerous vehicles in various power outputs:

https://group.renault.com/en/news-on...e-and-daimler/

Both the A Class & Duster share the identical ~163 hp version of this engine.

[abhinavsureka]

Volvo will go the Audi way soon it seems. They are discontinuing their diesels and the electric XC40 will be expensive and be in its own niche. The S60 does not stand a chance against the 3 and the new upcoming C.
S90 is good but the E beats it hollow. 5 LCI also on its way here.
Xc60 and xc90 are brilliant but old and have lost some features.

Audi has become a big joke.

Good to see BMW doing better than Mercedes

[Sivacar]

[QUOTE
I read somewhere that the A class engine config is same as Renault Duster turbo model, is that true?[/quote]


Yes It is true, that 1332cc engine was co-developed by Mercedes and Renault

[justwheels]

Originally Posted by kiku007

Comparing the wrong country buddy. IMHO China is one full generation ahead of India and it's pointless to be drawing comparisons to them and feeling low.

Try Vietnam. They sold about 10K luxury cars in 2020. One day they may also overtake India and people can pick another country.

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

I have mentioned that multiple times in the past but was shut down by people singing virtues of our democratic set up vis a vis our neighbours.

I don't think China is the right comparison at all. The country has grown beyond us and is a world super power, so let's leave it at that.

India obviously has more millionaires and billionaires than Vietnam. So obviously there is something keeping our rich from buying luxury cars. The question, what do these millionaires drive, if not luxury cars? Or is it that the luxury market lacks the churn?

It's not affordability at all, yes India has high taxation on these cars, but the rich have enough money to splurge, but they obviously don't. India is a very different demographic when compared to the world. There are a lot of rich who would spend in real estate but not in luxury cars. We have a lot of old style rich communities whom I hardly ever see in a luxury car.

So is it the way of life of the rich that keeps the luxury segment at a check?

[Diesel9999]

Originally Posted by justwheels

I don't think China is the right comparison at all. The country has grown beyond us and is a world super power, so let's leave it at that.

India obviously has more millionaires and billionaires than Vietnam. So obviously there is something keeping our rich from buying luxury cars. The question, what do these millionaires drive, if not luxury cars? Or is it that the luxury market lacks the churn?

It's not affordability at all, yes India has high taxation on these cars, but the rich have enough money to splurge, but they obviously don't. India is a very different demographic when compared to the world. There are a lot of rich who would spend in real estate but not in luxury cars. We have a lot of old style rich communities whom I hardly ever see in a luxury car.

So is it the way of life of the rich that keeps the luxury segment at a check?

Here are some reasons I could think of

A) As a society, we generally don't celebrate people who generate wealth. Anyone who gets rich or flashes wealth is immediately looked upon with suspicion or derision. Surely, they must have done some scam to earn so much?

B) Unnecessary attraction of the tax babu's. And the political babu's. And the police babu's. I have known friends who were visited by friendly neighbourhood patrol cops for chai pani money after purchasing luxury vehicles.

C) Our obsession with low maintenance and running costs. I know people who will pay happily pay 1 Crore for a new car but will be upset at a service cost of 70k or a mileage of 6-7kmpl. Luxury car makers have caught on to this and have started offering service packages to offset this a bit.

D) Roads. Many of our roads will eat the suspension setups of luxury cars for lunch, breakfast and dinner.

E) The stupid 80kmph speed chimes. Imagine spending a bomb on a Porsche and getting speed chimes from 80kmph onwards