Buying a luxury car model can seem like a dream come true, but it might not be the best choice for someone who’ll have to think twice before giving an arm and a leg to buy a luxury car. That’s where second hand or pre-owned luxury cars come to the rescue. Sumit Garg, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Luxury Ride, a certified pre-owned luxury car aggregator that offers exclusive luxury cars at competitive prices, talks about what drives the luxury car market, their presence in India and also shares a few case studies related to their 15-day money-back guarantee. Read on…

What led you to starting Luxury Ride?
It all started with my passion for luxury cars since childhood. Following my passion, I entered the industry after completing my education. I soon realised that purchasing a luxury car involved a huge financial obligation. As the costs were high, many aspirational buyers found it difficult to own a luxury car. In this, the youth made up the bulk of the potential consumers, who were unable to buy a first-hand luxury car even after improving a lot on their disposable income and buying capacity. This motivated me to come up with Luxury Ride. It enabled the potential consumers to buy certified pre-owned luxury cars within their budget, and that too without compromising on the premium experience and performance of the car.

What are the current trends in the luxury car market?
Luxury cars are becoming a global trend. Moreover, in this, the rise of High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) and Ultra High-Net-Worth Individual (UHNWI) populations has proved to be a major factor in propelling the growth of the luxury car market. Going by the trend, the affluent consumer base seeks a premium experience, along with greater resilience. For this, they highly prefer SUVs that perfectly tick the requirement list of emerging consumers.

How do you deliver the best quality vehicles at competitive costs, keeping emissions in mind?
The cars in our inventory are 100 percent certified, and the vehicles go through a thorough inspection by qualified automobile engineers. They are then sold to customers with a manufacturer’s warranty. Our vehicles undergo 151 inspection checkpoints to ensure the quality of the car. The cars are backed up with a six-month engine and gearbox warranty.

Who are your end users usually? What do they most look for when selecting a luxury car?
Looking at the industry trends, millennials and the youth form the majority of our consumer base. They always aspire to upgrade their lifestyle. They are driven by the desire to own a luxury car that has the latest technology and gives a premium experience. First-time luxury car buyers also make up a substantial part of the consumer base that already has a low- or mid-budget car in possession. In fact, luxury is the first and foremost element buyers look for in the car. The latest technology, with user-friendly features making driving a comfortable experience, also tops the list when purchasing a car. Considering that the new-age buyers want to experience extravagance within their budget, they are in search of value for money.

Have you ever ended up paying back a customer under your 15-day money-back guarantee? Under what conditions is this protocol applied?
Yes, there have been a few incidents. For instance, one of our customers bought an Audi Q5 and later found some issues. In his opinion, it was not up to the mark, which made him anxious. He came back to us and requested us to pay the amount back. As is our policy, we returned each penny. The best part is that after a month, he came back to us and purchased an Audi Q7. Hence, having such policies develops your trust with the end consumer. Another instance was where a customer’s family had an objection to the colour of the vehicle due to their religious beliefs after the son had bought the car for them. The customer wished to return the car and for us to return the amount paid. We checked the car for any mishandling and took it back and returned the amount once we were sure of the car’s condition. However, we don’t have the money-back guarantee if a car has met with an accident after being purchased or if the customer has mishandled the vehicle. Otherwise, a 15-day money-back guarantee is available for all of our customers. We believe that nobody buys a car in order to return it. So by providing the 15-day money-back guarantee, we are giving our customers an assurance that the car is in good condition and that the customer will not face any hassle with the vehicle.

Do you see an increasing demand for luxury cars in India, especially keeping in mind that the luxury segment in India is quite small?
The demand for luxury cars has been rising gradually in India. Considering that people today try to attain a certain lifestyle, they are considering shifting towards luxury cars. There is a certain desire for branded cars where buyers are looking for new models, terrific designs and amazing technology in the same car. These evolving aspirations are responsible for driving the popularity of this segment.

We are also seeing a V-shaped recovery in luxury cars. Why do you think that is?
The V-shaped recovery is due to a combination of factors, from changing consumer behaviour to rising affluent young consumers, local production and more. I believe the demand for luxury cars will only get stronger in the years to come.

How much emphasis do you put on safety in your luxury cars? What are the features?
The pre-owned luxury cars offered by us are integrated with advanced technology to leverage the safety requirements of the customers. Luxury cars nowadays come with smart safety features like rear parking sensors, lane departure warnings, traffic sign recognition and autonomous emergency braking. There are also GPS tracking systems, car alarms, electronic immobilisers, mechanical mobilisers and kill switches in order to avoid any instances of theft.

Like brand new luxury cars, used luxury cars, which cost half of the original price, are also very popular among buyers. Can you throw light on how this affects business for a company like Luxury Ride?
The pre-owned luxury car market has its own set of customers who have value for money, but at the same time, yearn for a premium experience. They want luxury but without disturbing their financial stability. Therefore, the pre-owned luxury car market caters to a different set of consumers who will be driving the demand for the segment.

Would you consider venturing into exotic cars?
Right now, our entire focus is on the pre-owned luxury car segment, where we want to create a niche for the segment in the market.

What is your company’s business model and do you provide any add-on services?
Our company has an omnichannel business model that brings about the confluence of offline and online assets. This is to harness the maximum benefits of both channels. It enables customers to explore through our vast collection of cars online, which also has a provision for physical tours to thoroughly inspect and get the feel of the car before purchasing it. Besides that, we have a provision for doorstep test drive for a hassle-free experience. Some of our prominent services include easy finance and insurance, park and sell service and an in-house service centre.

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German luxury brand BMW India has opened bookings for the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is set to be launched on 17 July 2025.

The car is set to be produced at BMW Group Plant in Chennai. Priced at INR 4.4 million, it features a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, delivering 156 hp between 4,900-6,000 rpm and 230 Nm of peak torque from 1,500-4,600 rpm. This engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It boasts a claimed fuel efficiency of 16.35 kmpl, a top speed of 230 kmph, and can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in 8.6 seconds.

In its second generation, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sports a more striking design and enhanced sporty appeal. Its revamped interior sports youthfulness and is designed with the driver in mind.

Targetted towards the new-age customers, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe gets a host of smart and innovative features, such as the BMW Widescreen Curved display, digital services based on the BMW Operating System 9.

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British luxury marquee brand Range Rover is set to broaden its SV offering in late 2025 with the introduction of the Range Rover SV Black. This new derivative will join the existing SV Serenity and SV Intrepid models, each presenting a distinct take on modern luxury, from the ‘dipped in black’ theme of the SV Black to the bold dynamism of SV Intrepid and the elevated luxury of SV Serenity.

Beyond visual enhancements, Range Rover is also upgrading in-car audio and wellness with the exclusive introduction of Rear Body-And-Soul-Seat (BASS) and Sensory Floor technology on flagship SV models. This the company shared marks a world-first, with BASS now standard across the entire SV range. The innovative Sensory Floor technology, available on updated SV models, integrates haptic feedback through the floor mats, complementing the BASS transducers in the seats. This creates an unparalleled, full-body audio experience, allowing occupants to physically feel music and enhance relaxation through six dedicated wellness programmes. These programmes, ranging from 'Calm' to 'Invigorating', are designed to reduce stress and improve concentration. The new technology will be fitted as standard to the front passenger and rear footwells of all long-wheelbase Range Rover SV models.

In a further industry first, Range Rover will introduce Pirelli P Zero tyres across its range from later in 2025. These specially developed tyres boast over 70 percent bio-based and recycled materials, including silica from rice husks and FSC-certified natural rubber, balancing high performance, durability and sustainability. They'll initially be available on selected 22-inch wheel options.

The Range Rover SV Black is a celebration of the all-black aesthetic, creating what the company claims is the most discreet and stealthy Range Rover to date. Its exterior is finished in Narvik Gloss Black, complemented by a polished Gloss Black mesh grille, Gloss Black bonnet lettering, and subtle dark gloss grille oval. Profile enhancements include 23-inch alloy wheels with a Gloss Black finish, subtly branded Gloss Black brake callipers, and a black ceramic SV roundel at the rear.

On the inside, the cabin features satin black finishes with Near-Aniline Ebony leather, distinctive perforations and unique stitching. Black birch veneers and a satin black ceramic gear shifter add to the tactile luxury. Moonlight Chrome detailing extends throughout the cabin, creating a dark, jewel-like ambience.

The Range Rover SV Black will be available for order in late 2025 in five-seat standard wheelbase, or four- or five-seat long wheelbase configurations, powered by a 615PS V8 engine. It will make its preview debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from 10-13 July 2025, alongside the newly announced Range Rover Sport SV Black.

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has officially launched the new XUV 3XO REVX series, with prices starting at an attractive INR 894,000 (ex-showroom).

This expansion of the XUV 3XO portfolio follows the SUV's remarkable achievement of over 100,000 units sales in under a year, making it Mahindra's fastest SUV to reach this milestone.

The REVX series aims to offer compelling value through premium features, distinctive styling and segment-leading performance, catering to customers who desire vehicles that reflect their individual personality, echoing the ‘Different is in’ philosophy.

The lineup includes the REVX M INR 894,000) with a 1.2L mStallion TCMPFi engine, offering a bold exterior, black leatherette seats and extensive safety features including six airbags. The REVX M(O) INR 944,000) enhances this with a single-pane sunroof, while the REVX A (starting at INR 1.17 million) features a more powerful 1.2L mStallion TGDi engine, a panoramic sunroof, twin HD screens and Adrenox Connect.

All three variants are available in Galaxy Grey, Tango Red, Nebula Blue, Everest White and Stealth Black colour options.

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German luxury automotive brand BMW Group India has appointed Hardeep Singh Brar as the new President and Chief Executive Officer effective 1 September 2025. He succeeds Vikram Pawah, who now takes charge as CEO of BMW Group Australia and New Zealand.

With over three decades of experience in the Indian automotive industry, Brar has held several senior management positions across Maruti Suzuki India, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, General Motors, Nissan Motor India and Great Wall Motor Company. Most recently, he was the Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice-President, Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, BMW Group, said, “India is among the fastest growing markets for BMW Group and an important pillar of our long-term success strategy for the region. Hardeep Singh Brar holds vast expertise and an intricate understating of Indian automotive industry to lead this dynamic market and strengthen BMW Group’s operations here. We would like to thank Vikram Pawah for his immense contribution towards strategic growth of BMW Group India and playing a decisive role in its recent development.”

Pawah has been with the BMW Group since 2017 and successfully led the company’s operations in both India (2017 – 2018 and 2020 – 2025) as well as Australia (2018 – 2020). He is credited to expand the company’s market share in India, taking electric mobility, digitalisation, retail experience and customer centricity to the next level.

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