Interview with Pawan Shetty

Head Operations, Lamborghini India

Date: 10 Dec 2015 | Author: P.Tharyan
Pawan Shetty,  Head Operations, Lamborghini India

The Huracan LP 580-2 was recently unveiled at the LA Auto Show. Now it’s already been launched in India. What does this signify for the Indian market and the people here?

Two Wheel Drive has been a very important product even when we had the Gallardo. Around 65pc of the sales of the Gallardo range was 2WD. So without a doubt it is an important offering that we had to give when we brought the Huracan into the county.

India is a strategic market, not just in the Asia/Pacific region, but also in the world perspective. A country with a high population, a country that has a lot of people who travel abroad, launching in India also has a good impact on customers worldwide where Indians are located. So it makes a lot of sense

Lamborghini's come with a lot of technical features, big powerful engines, traction control, two wheel drive, four wheel drive, are the Lamborghini customers able to understand and appreciate that?

It’s a very distinct profile of customers who buy these kinds of cars. Around 85-90pc of our customers are so involved and aware that they would understand even the smallest difference. When I talk about a single clutch and a dual clutch, there is a really big difference for it to not pass through a customer. But our customers would understand and measure the presence or absence of LPI feedback through the steering. So when we talk about these cars we have to be really precise on what we are talking about.

In Europe and America, infrastructure is an absolute gem. So owners of these cars are able to drive them for miles and miles. In India sadly, a major part of India is not really drivable so are they able to utilize these cars like they are meant to be?

If you had asked me this question in 2012, I would have agreed with you. But in 2015, I would give a different view. I know of customers who have Aventadors that have run 27,000kms. I know of customers who have driven from Chennai to Bangalore regularly in Gallardos for work. There are customers in Kolkata who drive very, very regularly, the trend is really changing. If not Pan India, but in places where people are able to stretch, they do, they drive a lot.

And for the shy ones, perhaps a day at the race tracks? 

I don't think a Lamborghini customer is usually shy. It’s sometimes lack of options, but then they find their way out with track days or forming their own groups and finding a good stretch of road to drive together, have a lovely day and go back home.

What is the difference that you have found among customers in India in terms of personality and involvement with Lamborghinis when compared to customers abroad?

For me, I've had the opportunity to interact with customers in Asia and Europe. Primarily, I don’t see much of a difference in the customer profile. Most of them are travelled, well educated; they understand what they are buying and understand what is in the car that is going to meet their need. but I found the Indian customer a lot more indulgent in what he is buying, the kind of questions they ask are a lot more detailed. This experience I'm yet to have with an international customer.

With the rear wheel driven Huracan here within days of global debut, can we also see the Aventador SuperVeloce and the Huracan SuperTrofeo in India soon?

I'm glad to tell you that we have sold two SuperVeloces in India. One is a Coupe and the other is a Roadster. So we should have them very soon in the country. The Huracan SuperTrofeo on the other hand, is only available in Left Hand Drive at the moment, so due to restrictions, it’s not possible to get the SuperTrofeo here at the moment.


Tags Lamborghini race car Lamborghini Gallardo 2WD Huracan LA Auto Show Aventador race track BIC Pawan Shetty


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Pawan Shetty
Date - 10 Dec 2015

Head Operations, Lamborghini India