Rolls-Royce Motor Cars officially announced that it will open its fourth dealership in India. In the second quarter of 2012, a new showroom is scheduled to be opened in Chandigarh. Select Cars Private Limited, the official partners of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, New Delhi will operate the Chandigarh outlet.
To keep its commitment regarding sustainable growth in the country, the new showroom will be set up. Other initiatives taken by the company includes announcement of a new dealership in Hyderabad and appointment of a Head of Business Development. Chandigarh outlet will join the dealerships of New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai making Rolls-Royce Motor Car’s position strong in India.
Paul Harris, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Regional Director, Asia Pacific said: “We have made no secret of our ambitions in India, a market with a century-old association with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Strategically we have identified Chandigarh as the perfect place to enter the next phase of expansion in India. We have already seen a healthy amount of interest from Chandigarh based customers and I have every confidence in the potential of this highly important territory.”
He added: “The Rolls-Royce experience is one without peer. The existing New Delhi team have demonstrated they are able to deliver the exceptional purchasing and after sales standards our highly discerning customers expect.”
In Rolls-Royce’s growth plans for India, Chandigarh is the next step as per company’s strategy. The car maker has decided to set up its dealership in Chandigarh due to advanced infrastructure and road network of the region. Being the capital of both states of Haryana and Punjab, Chandigarh has an importance of own. Another reason for opening this dealership is the sustainable growth across various sectors. Further, Chandigarh has the highest car ownership per capita.
Yadur Kapur, CEO, Select Cars Private Limited said, “Expansion into this important new territory represents the next rational step for our Rolls-Royce business. The investment we are putting into this venture is a testament to the confidence we have in the brand and its potential in the greater Chandigarh area.”
Herfried Hasenoehrl, Head of Business Development, India, Sri-Lanka and Bangladesh added: “India is something of a second spiritual home for the brand. The Indian business elite has embraced the marque as the Maharajas famously did in the early Twentieth Century. In pressing on with our programme of expansion we are adding a remarkable new chapter to the already extraordinary story of Rolls-Royce in India.”
Adding flavour to the announcement ceremony, the sixth new Rolls-Royce model ‘Ghost Extended Wheelbase’ made its debut in the city. The magnificent model Ghost has already attained huge success in the country. Due to huge cabin space and driver dynamics, the car attracted many customers. The new model will have 170mm more room in the rear- cabin compared to the present Ghost. One gets mesmerised by the panoramic sun roof, which apart from enhancing its looks allows the entry of natural light in the cabin.
Luxurious feeling is provided by the multimedia theatre-configuration and sumptuous lambs-wool carpets. The hand built wood packages which are provided in the car are manufactured using beautiful Malabar wood sourced from Kerala in South India. Since its launch in 2010, the award-winning Ghost has been able to generate huge demand in the market. The Ghost has been designed as a more informal Rolls-Royce, which is a perfect combination of luxury and drivability, and hence it has been able to attract new generation customers.
The design team of the company has made the rear-cabin more spacious keeping in mind the requirements of the Indian customers, who enjoy travelling with their families.
After 50 years, when Rolls-Royce Motor Cars appeared in the Indian market in 2005, the feeling was more of a home coming rather than reintroduction of the renowned brand. India has been a favourite market of Rolls-Royce and many cars were used by the Maharajas, who preferred to customise them as per requirements. From 1907 to 1947, around 1,000 Rolls-Royce motor cars were sold by the company in the country. In spite of rough Indian terrains, early Rolls-Royce 40/50hp models managed to perform well. Many of those cars still survives, which speaks of perfection and quality, which has been achieved as expected by the founders Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls.
