Maserati re-enters India, targets 2-digit sales

After a forgettable first stint in India when it managed to sell barely 10 cars in a little over a year, Italian luxury car maker Maserati on Wednesday announced its reentry into the Indian market with plans to launch models priced up to ₹ 2.2 crore and a target to sell in double digits each year.

The company, part of the Fiat Chrysler group, had first entered India in 2011 appointing Shreyans Group as its official importer and distributor. The stint with Shreyans was shortlived and ended in 2012 on mounting complaints from customers.

This time the company has done away with any intermediary and plans to import and sell cars through its appointed dealers.

"We made a few mistakes last time and wanted to be sure about our partners this time hence the over two-year delay," said Bojan Jankulovski, network development manager, Maserati. "There is a definite demand for our cars in India. But our cars are exclusive so we will not sell in dozens. We should sell in double digits though."

The company plans to sell four models — Quattroporte, Ghibli, Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio, all priced between ₹ 1.14 crore to ₹ 2.2 crore. The company will open a dealership each in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore for which it has appointed AMP Supercars, Bagga Luxury Motorcars and Jubilant Autoworks, respectively.

"We have plans to expand in other parts of the country as well. Further down the line, we aim to set up dealerships in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Chennai," Jankulovski said.

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