Aston Martin latest to enter Indian luxury car market, first dealership opens in Mumbai

Aston Martin – the British car maker that specializes in premium sports sedans is the latest to throw its hat in the Indian ultra luxury car scene that has been showing exponential growth in the last few years. The company recently announced the opening of their first dealership in Mumbai. And as for reason for the British marque to drive into India, the domestic car market posted a healthy rise of 25 percent during 2010 compared to the year ago figure with total sales of 1.87 million units recorded in the year 2010. This apart and what will be particularly liked by Aston Martin is that sales of premium cars has shown a robust growth of a whooping 70 percent last year which is indeed a big jump.

As per Michael van der Sande, Aston Martin’s Chief Commercial Officer: “India represents a new opportunity for us and as part of our program of growing the reach of the global Aston Martin dealership network; this expansion brings our brand to a different audience in a new market.”

Aston Martin has tied up with Performance Cars which is a division of Infinity Cars Pvt. Ltd. for its dealership and showroom facility in Mumbai, India. Aston Martin has also indicated their interest in opening up a second dealership in Delhi in the coming months.

Those who can afford the price would have the privilege of test driving some of the models that the company would showcase through the dealer, which are the entire range of V8 Vantage Coupe and Roadster, V12 Vantage, DB9 Coupe and Volante, DBS Coupe and Volante and the Rapide four-door sports saloon. The V8 Vantage S and the Virage which are models that the company has launched off late would also join the display line up.

Aston Martin now has 134 dealers spread over 42 countries. Foray into the Indian market has been after they have done the same with the markets at Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Taiwan and Turkey. They are also seeking entry into China and the Middle East.

Maserati is another car maker who has indicated interest in opening up a showroom in Mumbai and then to be followed by same in Delhi next year. They have indicated their final plan of five showrooms all over the country by 2015.