See who’s narrowing the race in Indian luxury car market

If you’ve been noticing too many Audis in roads these days, know that the Ingolstadt-based luxury car maker is confident of extending its market leadership in 2015 and maintaining double-digit growth momentum this year. Thanks to its new generation models, Audi has clocked the sales of 11,292 units in FY 15.

As per a news report by The Economic Times, Audi’s competition with Mercedes Benz is just a difference of 29 units with Mercedes clocking the sale at 11,213.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Audi RS 7 Sportback launch (Rs 1.4 crore ex-showroom, New Delhi) Joe King, head of Audi India told the ET, "We are slightly surprised that we maintained our leadership through last year as we had only one new product A3. Now, with the product lifecycle coming in at the right time for us, we will continue to grow by strong double digits this year and we will be No.1 by the year-end."

The Indian luxury car market has remained range bound at around 33,000 to 35,000 units. Audi has a market share of 34% and King is confident of holding on to the market share without introducing an entry-level luxury hatchbackin India " a segment that rival Mercedes-Benz has created with the A and B Class and has garnered a sizeable volumes.

"We don't feel the need to enter the hatchback space. We think the A3 sedan is the right size product for the Indian market. We have a clear product strategy, our dealers are very profitable and volumes have come through attraction of our brand. With the new products lined up we will grow," said King.

“There is undoubtedly enormous amount of the wealth, but accessibility is important and that is what we are trying to achieve this year by penetrating deeper into the country. It is not unrealistic to say that we are looking at a rapid growth in this country. The point really is are we able to take a sizeable market share. We have a 34% share, which is amongst the highest in the world," the ET learnt from King.