Luxury carmakers drive into India

ASTON MARTIN became the latest luxury auto brand to announce plans for a dealership in India following the path trodden by Ferrari, Maserati and Bugatti. India’s population of dollar millionaires hit 130,000 in 2010 and demand for luxury cars is growing at 30% annually making it a market that is too big to ignore. Although the country trails China as the largest consumer of super brands a high-end vehicle is fast becoming the must have status symbol. Lalit Choudary who runs the new Aston Martin dealership forecast to make 100 sales per year said, “people in India want status and a car like an Aston Martin gives exactly that.” - 18/4/2011