Volkswagen India has inaugurated two new touchpoints in Delhi NCR region at Faridabad and Sector 63, Noida. These touchpoints are expected to increase the reach of the German brand in the region. 

With the total count of Volkswagen sales touchpoints being 13 and service points being eight for Volkswagen in the Delhi NCR region now, Volkswagen India is committed to deliver a redefined experience of its portfolio, which consists of safe, German-engineered products along with a suite of world-class service offerings and elevating customer interactions, mentioned Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India. 

“Our efforts are focused on delivering delightful mobility experiences for customers in India by expanding the Brand’s network, in-turn enhancing accessibility for all. The new touchpoints in Delhi NCR will offer the necessary impetus to introduce more customers to the ever-growing Volkswagen family. These new dealerships will also serve an un matched ownership experiences to our customers through-out their mobility lifecycle,” he added.  

While Volkswagen Capital (Faridabad) touchpoint is headed by Group Landmark India’s Managing Director, Garima Misra, the Noida Sector 63 touchpoint – a pop-up outlet – is headed by Ajay Agarwal, Director, Viraj Automobiles.  

Both the facilities have in-showroom display areas and would offer Volkswagen Brand’s expanded suite of service offerings like express service, Mobile Service Unit and Volkswagen Assistance.  

The Noida pop-up outlet will provision the above-mentioned services through their larger Volkswagen Noida dealership whereas the Faridabad Sales outlet customers could avail these from its workshop at Okhla, New Delhi.

The two new touchpoints – the latest in a series of touchpoint openings across the country by Volkswagen India – are significantly contributing to its national footprint expansion strategy. 

Considering the headwinds and tailwinds faced by the auto industry, automotive dealerships are posed with a significant challenge in terms of financial viability and high operative standards. With almost every vehicle that is being sold in the country looking quite overpriced – India perhaps has the most taxes in the world on automobiles – to address the needs of customers in what has often been regarded as a very cost-conscious market is very tough, said an auto industry observer. The return on investment in an auto dealership can be long and tiring given the very high entry barriers, he added. 

The Government of Maharashtra has announced that owners of vehicles sold prior to 1 April 2019 must register for HSRP installation through the Maharashtra Transport Department website. The deadline for installation is 31 March 2025. Vehicles registered after 1 April 2019 are already being fitted with HSRPs – license plates – that claim to improve traceability of vehicles. HSRPs have advanced security features to deter theft and unauthorised use. HSRPs are made of a rare aluminum alloy and have a unique serial number, making them tamper-proof.
While the contract to make and fit the HSRPs has awarded to private companies like Yavatmal-based Real Mazon, the price for tractors and two-wheelers has been determined at INR 531. For three-wheelers it is INR 590 and for larger vehicles, it is INR 879. The prices include snap lock fees and GST. 
The documents necessary to order HSRPs are, Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC), proof of identity such as an Aadhar Card, PAN Card or Driving License and proof of address such as a recent utility bill or Aadhar Card. 
 

Gulf Oil Lubricants India, part of the Hinduja Group, has inked a strategic partnership with Nayara Energy, a leading private fuel retailer and an integrated downstream company in the country.

As per the understanding, Nayara Energy will make available Gulf Oil’s entire automotive product range, including lubricants for two-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and agriculture-related vehicles, at its network of over 6,500 fuel retail outlets.

The association is part of a three-year contract will also see Gulf Oil make available its AdBlue and two-wheeler batteries among others at Nayara’s network.

Ravi Chawla, MD and CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said, “Our partnership with Nayara Energy is a significant step forward in expanding Gulf’s presence across India’s highways and fuel stations. As a globally recognised brand, Gulf has consistently set benchmarks in delivering high-quality and innovative automotive solutions. Our partnerships with iconic global and domestic brands like Manchester United, McLaren, MS Dhoni, and Chennai Super Kings have cemented our position as a trusted name worldwide. With the support of Nayara’s vast network and expertise in fuel retailing, we are well-positioned to serve a wide range of consumers with high-quality, dependable automotive solutions. This collaboration underscores the growing demand for quality automotive products and lubricants owing to the burgeoning infrastructure growth and both Gulf’s and Nayara Energy’s commitment to making our products accessible, ensuring that our customers receive quality lubrication solutions wherever they are in India.”

Madhur Taneja, Chief Marketing Officer, Nayara Energy, added, “At Nayara Energy, we believe that customer centricity is at the core of creating a distinctive service experience across our expansive retail network. This latest tie-up with Gulf Oil is another affirmative step to enhance our range of automotive product offerings that enable in delivering high quality performance for motorists. Together, these two power brands can leverage synergies that will enable in amplifying reach and ensure ease of availability of premium product experience for consumers across rapidly growing tier 2,3 markets and prominent highways. Lubes are an essential category in our NFR (Non-Fuel Retail) offerings and our commitment to grow this category is visible from the Quick Lube Change Bays we have incorporated in our Retail Outlet. These Quick Lube Change bays are equipped with advanced machinery that enables lube change in less than 5 minutes and this service is provided Free of charge at our outlets.”

The 55th Goods & Services Tax (GST) council meeting has decided to increase the GST rate on the sale of pre-owned vehicles to 18 percent from the current 12 percent.

The hike will now also be applicable to electric vehicles margin value, when the transaction happens by registered businesses dealing with used vehicles. But in case an EV is sold by the vehicle owner to another individual there will be no GST applicable.

The hike the government believes will bring parity between used old small cars, EVs with old larger vehicles.

The GST council clarified that the tax will be applicable only on the margin of the seller, and not on the entire value of the car. For instance, if a vehicle is bought for INR 1 million and sold at INR 600,000, the tax will be on the margin value of INR 400,000.

Representational image courtesy: Tom Fisk/Pexels

Tier 1 supplier Schaeffler India has appointed Sharad Bhatia as the new Head of Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS), effective 2 December 2024.

In his new role, he is tasked to lead Schaeffler India’s efforts to strengthen presence in the mobility ecosystem.

Bhatia comes with over 24 years of experience in the automotive parts industry and will be instrumental in expanding Schaeffler India’s VLS business on the back of his deep expertise in aftermarket service parts sector.

Harsha Kadam, MD & CEO, Schaeffler India, said, “We are delighted to welcome Sharad Bhatia to Schaeffler India as Head of Vehicle Lifetime Solutions. The Vehicle Lifetime Solutions business is an important business division for the strategic growth of Schaeffler in India. His extensive background in the aftermarket business, combined with his experience in multinational markets, aligns well with our strategic goals. Sharad’s leadership will be pivotal in strengthening and enhancing the agility of our VLS business, further reinforcing our commitment to sustainable motion technology solutions in India.”

Sharad Bhatia, added, “I am excited to join Schaeffler India at a time when the automotive industry is rapidly transforming. My focus will be on expanding our aftermarket solutions portfolio by leveraging advanced motion technology to deliver value and innovation. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Schaeffler India to strengthen our Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division and provide our customers with sustainable, reliable, and forward-looking solutions.”