New Delhi: German auto maker Audi AG plans to intensify efforts to maintain its leadership position in the Indian luxury-car market by introducing 10 new models in 2015, even as rivals try to displace the company from the slot in this fiercely competitive segment. Its fully-owned unit, Audi India, is sure of posting another year of double-digit growth in 2014, as it has sold more than 10,000 cars by the end of November — sales in the whole of 2013 were 10,003 units.
“We have had the best year in terms of sales in 2014 as we have already surpassed last year’s total volumes,” Audi India head Joe King told ET on the sidelines of an event where it launched the new cabriolet version of the A3 compact sedan. “Now we are repeating last year’s feat of double-digit growth this year too even in a flat market, and would further enhance the market share in the luxury segment.”
He said the company’s “special emphasis” is on the compact luxury segment, which is the fastest growing in the luxury-car space. The A3 Cabriolet is priced at Rs 44.75 lakh before insurance and local levies in Delhi. The four seater has a retractable soft top, 1.8-litre petrol engine and can attain a top speed of 242 km per hour.
The company that sells 17 models in the country plans to introduce the R8 LMX and TT sports cars as part of its 10-product strategy for 2015. It has laid emphasis on new body shapes like the cabriolet variant for its smallest A3 sedan that is the first car to hit the new model lineup. A hatchback version is expected next year. Audi is also expected to bring more top models from its global lineup. “We are working on different product strategies for the Indian market,” King said. According to him, the Indian luxury car market is maturing.
While Audi is expected to hold on to its leadership position this year, rival Mercedes-Benz is narrowing the sales gap. Mercedes is also likely to close the year with sales of more than 10,000 units – it had sold 7,529 units in the first nine months of 2014 and 9,003 cars and sport-utility vehicles in 2013. It is pitching high with the recent launch of the new CClass sedan. The new CLA sedan, expected to hit the market in January, is likely to further boost Mercedes sales.
