‘Supply constraints have resulted
in delayed delivery of 450-odd vehicles’
Audi, the German luxury car
maker, announced sale of 10,002 units in calendar 2013, up 11 per cent, and in
the process became the first luxury car manufacturer to cross 10,000 unit
annual sales in India. It sold 9003 units in 2012.
In a statement, Joe King, Head,
Audi India, said, “2013 was a stellar year for Audi in India in terms of
growth, expansion and performance. In 2013, we ventured into new grounds with
our unique customer connect initiatives — Q drive, R drive and Multicity
drives, reaching Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities”.The month of December 2013 was a
landmark for Audi India as it recorded its highest-ever bookings at 1,340
units.
“However,” the statement said,
“certain supply constraints have resulted in delayed delivery of 450-odd
vehicles to January 2014. As a goodwill gesture, the company is providing these
customers with the price protection and will be delivering the cars in January
2014 with December 2013 prices”.In December 2013, the company had announced an
increase in prices across its model range by 3-5 per cent from January 1, 2014.
Speaking to The Hindu, Ajay
Sethia, automobile analyst, Centrum Broking, said, “Owing to its customer
profile, the luxury car segment is not significantly impacted by a slowdown.“Even
other luxury car manufacturers have continued to grow as buyers are not
constrained by the price which starts from Rs.20 lakh. The typical model cycle
is 5-6 years but manufacturers have to launch new products at the right price”.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Among the other two constituents
of the triumvirate of German luxury car makers in India, BMW has not yet announced
its figures but Mercedes-Benz India’s (MBIL) sales grew 32 per cent at 9,003
units (6,840 units) in 2013.
In a statement, Eberhard Kern, MD
& CEO, MBIL, said, “We are very satisfied with our performance in 2013
which we called the ‘Year of Offensive’. We are happy that our new A-Class,
E-Class and the SUV portfolio saw robust demand amidst challenging market
conditions.’’
MBIL will launch the new S-Class
and has identified 2014 as the ‘Year of Excellence’.
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