For those with fat wallets and on the look out for fast and beautiful cars, the choice has now become much wider. Italian supercar company Ferrari on Thursday announced that it will enter the domestic market in the next few months by launching three models in the Rs 2.2 – 3.3 crore range.

The Fiat Group company, which joins exotic carmakers like Bugatti and Lamborghini in India, is probably best known among peers because of its success in the top rung of motorsport – F1. It aims to open its first showroom in Delhi by “spring” this year, back it up with an ‘official' service shop and later open another dealership at Mumbai in the second half of 2011. Afterwards, it will also look to expand to other cities.

Ferrari has appointed the Shreyans Group as its official importer. Shreyans, which would set up an independent Ferrari India office, is also the importer for Porsche and superbike maker Ducati in India.

Growing opportunity

“We see growing opportunity in India at the moment. A number of other luxury carmakers have created a large market in the last few years, while the road infrastructure has also improved. Our immediate priority is to set up state-of-the-art sales and service network,” said Mr Ashish Chordia, Chairman, Shreyans Group, adding that Ferrari will expand its sales network to other potential cities in 2012-13.

But Mr Chordia denied any plans to assemble Ferrari cars in India and maintained that the company only manufactures vehicles in Maranello, Italy.

The delivery of the car would take 12-18 months. The company aims to sell its newest models in India, such as the Ferrari California (Rs 2.22 crore ex-showroom, Delhi) and 458 Italia (Rs 2.56 crore), and 599GTB Fiorano (Rs 3.37 crore). These three ‘prancing horses' will be joined by the FF, the four-seater presented recently at the Geneva Motor Show. The dealerships will also sport a personalisation area where customers can customise their vehicles.

> roudra.b@thehindu.co.in

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