It’s no secret that India’s infrastructure falls short of those of the world’s developed nations, despite daily improvements. The general perception of India is that there is still more infrastructure development to be done. Recently, Stephan Winkelmann, Global CEO & Chairman, Automobili Lamborghini, expressed the same idea and claimed that India’s inadequate infrastructure and high tax rates are the main obstacles to the expansion of super luxury automobile sales in the country. In spite of the nation having the third-highest number of billionaires, he said, sales are still rather low.
Winkelmann during an interview stated, “It’s a mix. But I think the biggest challenge is the infrastructure because we are in other markets where we have (high) taxation (but) where the volumes are higher,” He added that the Indian market is a bit peculiar in the sense that although the market in India is not as big Indian customers are all across the globe. He stated, “So, we have a lot of Indian customers in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom. We have (Indian customers in) the United States and in Southeast Asia. So, let’s say, the community is even stronger than the market. So, it might also be that we have (Indian) customers, whose residences may not be in India, but they are driving Lamborghini cars,”
Currently the company in India sells three models that include the top-of-the-line V12 engined Aventador Ultimae, V10 engined Huracan Evo and the most popular model in the lineup the Super SUV Urus. The models start from Rs 3 crore and go all the way up to Rs 9 crore. Last year the company managed to dispatch a total of 93 units all over the country and this year it is on the course to have a sale three-digits for the first time in the ongoing calendar year in India.
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Winkelmann further stated it was believed that the increasing inflation and recessionary trends will be having an impact on the sales of these super high end luxury vehicles however contrary to this thought things are opposite. He stated, “The point is that we have no signs so far of markets which are weakening, we have markets which are more on and off through the year. Especially, the Chinese market. The rest of the world is very solid so far.” Winkelmann added, “When we speak about the supply chain, it is clear that (there is) a new geopolitical situation. We are now stepping out both in terms of sales and in terms of supply chain,”
Lamborghini will continue to take use of synergies with the VW Group for crucial sourcing points, microchips, and other components that are essential for producing the automobile mentioned the Global Lamborghini CEO. He further added, “The VW group is sourcing huge quantities. So, this is helping us. Synergy looks good. And on the other hand, for specific Lamborghini sourcing we are looking closer for suppliers… we are extending our range because we have in front of us a completely different type of time. For sure, India is part of our sourcing process.”
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