Globally, Audi has announced plans to go all electric by 2033. Audi currently has on offer five electric vehicles in the Indian market. Although the penetration of EVs in overall sales of luxury vehicles remains in low single-digits at the moment, the company is confident sales will shoot up manifold once more locally assembled models are on offer in the market.
“Electric cars are making inroads. The penetration currently is about 2-3% of overall volumes in the industry. But this will grow substantially once more products are assembled locally,” said Dhillon. Among luxury car makers, Mercedes Benz and Volvo Cars assemble electric vehicles in the country.
Overall, Dhillon said Audi is looking at growing sales in strong double-digits in the ongoing calendar year on the back of sustained consumer demand and increased availability of vehicles.
“This will be the best-ever year for sales of luxury vehicles in India. We will have full-year availability of some of our most popular models like SUV Q3.
The top-of-the line A8 e-tron will come in the third quarter. These will help us post a healthy growth in sales numbers,” said Dhillon.
Audi increased sales by 27% to sell 4,187 units last year, when around 38,000 luxury vehicles were sold in the country. Volumes though remain much lower than the peak of 11,192 units the company had registered in 2015.Dhillon said with customers in the luxury vehicle segment showing an increased preference for petrol and electric powertrains, the company will steadily grow numbers. “As much as 70-80% of luxury vehicle sales used to be diesel four years back. Today, 60% of the market is petrol.
Customer acceptance of electric vehicles is high. And will only grow going ahead,” he said.
