Rolls Royce Plans for India; in Conversation with Herfried Hasenoehrl CarDekho Exclusive

Since it’s not every day that we get Rolls – Royce down and out so we though we’ll make the most of the opportunity and get some information out of them. We had a short chit-chat with Herfried Hasenoehrl, the Head of Business Development – India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. We bring to you the excerpts from the same… Read on to what Mr. Hasenoehrl had to say:

1. Which markets is Rolls – Royce focusing on in India?

Herfried Hasenoehrl disclosed that for the time being Rolls – Royce will be focusing on the tier 1 and tier 2 cities. Their focus is cities like on Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad; where their dealerships are already present and now is moving to places like Chandigarh where the dealerships are ready and the other few areas which are soon to have the exclusive dealers.

1. Will Rolls – Royce start its own Co-owned dealerships in India like some of the other OEMs?

As Rolls – Royce dealers are also the BMW dealers and therefore their bond with the consumers is strong. Therefore Rolls – Royce will not be taking over the dealerships in India, informed Mr. Hasenoehrl.

1. Rolls – Royce and Maybach were rivals in positioning, what do you think went wrong for Maybach?

Mr. Hasenoehrl refused to comment on Maybach as he was of an opinion that in the automotive industry you can’t really comment on the rivals. However, he said that Rolls – Royce stands for the pinnacle of the automotive industry and their sales and after sales are unique. Elaborating on the same he explained how despite BMW owning the Rolls – Royce do not mix the two brands, “BMW is the parent company but do you see BMW and Rolls – Royce on the same showroom floor?”

1. How many units have been sold in India since Rolls – Royce returned in 2005?

“I can’t give you specific numbers but yes we are reaching near about 300 units in India since the year 2005.” responded, the Head of Business Development – India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.

1. If someone needs to buy a Rolls – Royce in India, how soon is it made available?

If you are one of those who are looking for a Rolls – Royce, this one is for you… Mr. Hasenoehrl informed that a Rolls – Royce can be made available within a week but what takes time is the customization. He added that depending on what customization the consumer is looking for, it takes somewhere between 2-3 months for a Rolls – Royce to be made available for the buyers with all customizations in place. But he also clarified that a few bespoke features do take somewhere between 2-6 months, so all depends on what customization is the buyer looking for.

1. What numbers does Rolls – Royce expect to sell?

Rolls – Royce does not have targets but since 2005 they have sold nearly 50 units in and around Mumbai, which in itself is a big achievement for an extra premium brand like Rolls – Royce. With Phantom Series II, the company is expecting much higher numbers. Herfried Hasenoehrl further added that the Extended Wheelbase is a lot in demand in the Indian market.

1. Any special for India spec concept models from Rolls – Royce?

The Head of Business Development, India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh stated that India is among the largest markets in Asia and with that India is a very important market for Rolls – Royce. However, he said that as of now there are no specific models for India that are planned but there will be a few in the near future.

1. Any plans for W configuration engines?

The interviewee clarified that Rolls – Royce is focused on Inline and V- platform engines. There are no W configurations that Rolls – Royce is planning for now or anytime in the near future. For the benefit of the few, W type engine is an arrangement of cylinders in a way that it resembles the letter W, just the way those in a V engine resembles the letter V.

So here you go… all information about the plans for Rolls – Royce in India from the horse’s mouth. Also, during our conversation we briefly touched upon Rolls – Royce’s plans for the Paris Motor show. The Art deco inspired Phantom and Ghost will be shown at the Show and these models will also be brought to India.