Audi R8 launched in India for Rs 1.7 Cr

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 11:11 am

German luxury carmaker Audi on Friday (November 7) said that it is studying the possibility of locally assembling its crossover utility vehicle (CUV) ‘Q5′, which made its global debut earlier this year.

“India is a long term market for us and we look forward for every new model to come here. Our next launch in the country can be Q5, which we recently launched in the European market,” Audi India Managing Director Benoit Tiers said. He said the company was investigating the possibility of assembling the CUV in Aurangabad facility near Pune, adding, “If the volume is enough, we can think of it.”

Earlier this year, Q5 made its world debut at Beijing Auto Show and it was recently launched in the European markets. He said the company would have to homologate the Q5 to suit the Indian conditions and could make way to the country not before the second half of the next year.

The company today launched its sports car ‘R8′ in the country, priced at Rs 1.17 crore (excluding Octroi, registration and transportation costs). “Before the launch of the vehicle (R8), we have 15 booking orders this year. We are hopeful of selling about 20 cars during next year,” Tiers said.

The company, which sold 884 cars in the country till October, aims to sell 1,000 units in the current year. Audi India assembles A4 and A6 at its Aurangabad facility and it targets to produce 1,000 cars in 2009, Tiers said, adding, “Total production will constitute about 60 per cent of A4, while 40 per cent will go for A6″.

When asked, if Audi would source components from the Indian market, Tiers said: “Definitely we are looking at this opportunity and investigating it. As soon as there is a possibility, we will look for it.”

Without giving any specific detail, he said, the company has already started talking with the vendors. Besides, the company is expanding its dealership network to 17 from the current 12 dealers in the country. Apart from the newly launched R8, Audi India sells other models– A4, A6, A8, Q7 and TT– in India.

(With inputs from agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

Audi R8 launched in India for Rs 1.7 Cr

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