Audi India is swiftly progressing towards its goal of becoming a completely electric brand within the next decade. The brand's growth has been remarkable, with a remarkable increase of 97% in unit sales, totaling 3,474 units during the January-June period when compared to the same period last year. This impressive growth can be attributed to models like Audi Q3, Audi Q3 Sportback, Audi Q5, Audi A4, and Audi A6.
Audi, recognized as one of India's rapidly expanding luxury car manufacturers, is actively listening to its customers' feedback and refining its approach to enhance its offerings. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, expressed, "Audi's essence lies in listening, and we have been attentive to our customers' opinions, reworking strategies to enhance what is already good. Globally, we have made the decision that Audi will transition to a fully electric brand by 2033, with only a few exceptions. Currently, we have just embarked on our electric mobility journey, focusing on a limited segment as our current offerings are priced above Rs 1 crore."
Dhillon also mentioned that Audi India is set to introduce more electric vehicles in the future to cater to a broader audience. As he put it, "I am confident that in the coming years, we will introduce a variety of electric cars, similar to our global lineup. Some of these models will also be available in the Indian market."
With the recent introduction of the Audi Q8 e-tron, boasting an impressive range of up to 600 kilometers and a ground clearance of 176 mm, Dhillon envisions a broad spectrum of customers transitioning to electric vehicles. From startup owners to first-time buyers, and even their existing loyal customer base, Dhillon anticipates a shift toward electric cars. He noted that traditionally, customers have chosen electric vehicles as their secondary cars, but this trend is set to change with the Audi Q8 e-tron. Audi's plan involves expanding their electric vehicle portfolio to eventually achieve a complete shift to electric cars. Their strategy revolves around facilitating easy ownership experiences for customers.
Dhillon also highlighted that a significant portion of Audi's sales in India stems from their existing customer base, showcasing the brand's strong loyalty factor. He mentioned the concerted efforts made to develop the pre-owned car business, having expanded from just 7 pre-owned car showrooms in 2020 to 24 today, with plans to add three more by the end of the year. This separate business vertical for dealerships enhances profitability and provides a seamless transition for customers from pre-owned to new Audi cars.
Looking ahead, Dhillon anticipates electric vehicle adoption in the luxury segment to reach around 15% by 2025 and nearly 50% by 2030. He emphasized that the luxury sector will spearhead the shift toward electric mobility. Audi has made bold decisions to prioritize electric and petrol models over diesel and petrol ones, and despite initial challenges, the share of diesel cars in the luxury space has already dropped below 40%. Dhillon expressed confidence in these strategic decisions and their alignment with the changing trends in the automotive industry.
