A few months after entering the Indian market, Lotus Cars is set to open its first showroom here. The Lotus Centre, located at the World Trade Centre in New Delhi, is done up in Lotus’ colours and styled like any other Lotus Centre in the world. Underlining the significance of the showroom, Satya Bagla, MD of Exclusive Motors (Lotus Cars’ partner in India), said it gives Lotus a “home” in the country.
Aside from a five-car display, there’s a dedicated room for configurations. Buyers can spec their cars with a variety of body colour options, wheels, interior themes and tech options. The car display comprised five Eletres on our early-bird visit, but the mix will change shortly with the arrival of the Emeya electric GT and Emira sports car later this month.
Interview with Satya Bagla, MD of Exclusive Motors
How important is a physical dealership in a country like India, where Lotus probably isn’t as well-known as some of its rivals?
Lotus is at the very top end of the electric car market in terms of product and price. So, one has to explain to the customer the emotion behind it – the real value behind it. Also, customers need to know the brand is here for good and there is a proper home for it. So, once you walk in, it’s the whole brand experience that starts from the showroom, and then the product, and then the after-sales service.
Beyond dealerships, what plans do you have to build the Lotus brand in India?
We have a huge database of HNIs who like these kinds of products. Our job is to create brand awareness and then also take the product across the whole country in lots of different cities and get prospects to experience the car. And in this manner, we build the fan following.
Lotus has decided to go electric-only in a couple of years. Globally, EV sales are tapering. Have you witnessed anything of that sort in the high-end space as well?
There’s a lot of talk about that. And like any new technology that comes in, in any product, not just cars, there’s always a bit of doubt. There’s a bit of resistance to change. But as and when more and more people experience the technology, there will be more electric vehicles of all brands on the road. And with the government also encouraging them and infrastructure improving, it’s only going to get better and bigger. EVs are the future and are here to stay.