Thaindian News

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) Chennai-based fleet operators AB Group, with a turnover of Rs.174 crore, is planning to venture into multi-brand luxury cars retailing in southern India. It has also entered the pre-owned cars sales servicing of such cars.”The luxury car market in India is growing and there is a demand for models that are not rolled out by car manufacturers in India. We plan to import and retail such luxury and unique models in south India,” A. Sadiq, director, told IANS on the sidelines of a press meet to announce the group’s foray into high car servicing here Thursday.

He said the group plans to start retailing activity this year.

The group has forayed into the servicing of high end cars - cars priced upwards of Rs.1 million - as there is a good market for a player who provides value for money.

“It is true many luxury car companies have their own production facilities in India and have dealer networks. But their cost of service is really prohibitive even for the customers of ultra luxury cars,” Sadiq said.

He said his service station - The Torque - would provide the best service at a price that was considerably lower in cost than what car maker-authorised service stations would provide.

“There are many unique luxury models that have been imported from abroad and not sold here. The owners do fly down the service personnel from Singapore or other places to set right their cars. We will be able to service such models,” Sadiq said.

According to him, the growth in the primary luxury car market has resulted in the growth of the pre-owned car market.

“We can scan the car in detail and offer them for sale. We will offer park-and-sell or buy-and-sell services for pre-owned luxury cars,” he said.

According to Sadiq, the group got into the car servicing business after it tasted success in the servicing of buses.

Popular bus fleet operator Parveen Travels is part of the AB Group that has around 1,000 vehicles of which nearly 750 are buses.