8SEPTEMBER 2024LAMBORGHINI BANKING ON INDIA'S MARKET POTENTIALINDIAN GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS MEASURES TO IMPROVE AVIATION PROWESSItalian super luxury automaker Automobili Lamborghini expects exponential growth in India with the potential to become a top market in the Asia Pacific region in the long-term, driven by customers who are the youngest globally, according to a senior company official. With the company selling a record 103 units in India in 2023, Automobili Lamborghini Asia Pacific Region Director, Francesco Scardaoni said his wish is to cross the annual sales mark of 150 units in the country in 2026."In terms of volume, India is number 14th in the world and number sixth in Asia Pacific. In terms of percentage it is the fastest growing market," Scardaoni told PTI.In 2023, Lamborghini crossed the 10,000 units worldwide mark and at the same time in India the company crossed the 100-cars mark. In the first half of 2024, deliveries worldwide are still showing growth compared to previous year and India is on a similar trend, he added.Last year, China was Lamborghini's biggest market in the Asia Pacific region with 845 units, followed by Japan (660), Korea (434), Australia (263) and Taiwan (131).When asked how far can India rise in the rankings of its top markets in the region, Scardaoni said, "It is still a long way to go to reach number three, two and number one but again we believe that in the long run for a country like India, it is possible... I believe that in the medium-term India can grow very fast."He further said, "We believe that India has all the right indicators in place to let us think that there would be really an exponential growth."Asked when manufacturing firm Lamborghini could cross annual sales of 150 units in India, he said, "My wish would be 2026. This would be my wish, when will it happen." Expanding the helicopter industry presents a significant opportunity and the government is set to advance towards manufacturing helicopters, Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said on Friday. India is poised for a significant transformation in its aviation sector with the introduction of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024, he said.The Bill was moved for passage in the Lok Sabha on Friday.It promises to enhance the country's aviation capabilities, including helicopter manufacturing and the introduction of seaplanes.In a speech delivered while introducing the Bill, the minister highlighted the potential for growth in India's helicopter industry, noting that the country operated just 250 helicopters at present."This is a great opportunity to tap into. We are going to manufacture helicopters and the state-of-design element in the Bill will improve the establishment of manufacturing plants and designs," he said.The minister expressed confidence that once the necessary infrastructure was established, state governments would lend their support to these initiatives.Naidu also announced plans to introduce seaplanes as part of a broader strategy to expand air travel options."Certain policies have been made and we have taken industry feedback and made some changes, which will open a whole new area of air travel. We can connect places with dams, lakes and seas through this initiative," he explained. TOP STORIES8SEPTEMBER 2024
< Page 7 | Page 9 >