<p>Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India</p>
Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India

The excerpts:

Q: After two consecutive years of record-high gross sales efficiency, what’s your outlook for 2024?

Persevering with our custom of innovation and excellence, Ducati India is happy to carry 8 bikes to the Indian market this yr. This lineup will embody a few of the most unique and limited-edition fashions, showcasing our dedication to delivering unparalleled efficiency and luxurious to our clients. Constructing on the momentum of our achievements in 2023, equivalent to displaying our mettle on the first-ever Indian MotoGP race at BIC and defending each the MotoGP and WSBK titles, we’re proud to focus on the ingenuity and craftsmanship of our engineers at Bologna.

These accomplishments underscore our relentless pursuit of excellence and our dedication to pushing the boundaries of motorbike engineering. As we embark on 2024, we’re poised to make it one other large and memorable yr for Ducati lovers in India and world wide.

Q: What are the important thing micro and macro components that may play an necessary position in shaping up 2024?

Shopper preferences are present process important adjustments, more and more favouring sustainable and environmentally aware options, which can closely affect the sorts of automobiles in demand. Furthermore, the broader financial panorama, together with components equivalent to GDP development, inflation, and rates of interest, will influence shopper buying energy and subsequently form the automotive market. Initiatives like Make in India and the growth of imports and exports between nations are fostering heightened competitors, driving conventional automakers and tech corporations to innovate and enhance, in the end resulting in increased ranges of buyer satisfaction.

The competitors, significantly in areas like electrical automobiles and autonomous driving, underscores the trade’s evolution in the direction of extra progressive and user-centric approaches, with conventional automakers leveraging their manufacturing experience whereas tech corporations bringing disruptive applied sciences to reshape the way forward for mobility. As a result of technological developments and the altering state of affairs, we can even see producers in India scaling up and introducing innovative tech options of their product line up by way of design, using modes, electronics and many others.

Q: How do you assume the electrical automobile trade will carry out in 2024?

At Ducati India, we acknowledge the rising significance of electrical automobiles (EVs) within the automotive trade, together with the two-wheeler section. Whereas we proceed to concentrate on our core strengths in performance-oriented bikes, we acknowledge the potential of EVs in addressing sustainability issues and evolving shopper preferences.

In 2024, we anticipate continued developments in EV expertise, infrastructure, and shopper acceptance. Whereas Ducati stays dedicated to engaged on each future expertise in the easiest way attainable, we’re intently monitoring the EV panorama and evaluating alternatives to introduce electrical fashions sooner or later. We’re the manufacturing facility provider for the MotoE racing sequence beginning 2023 which suggests we’re already studying and we have now a race bike prepared which can put together us for the long run.

We consider that EVs will play an more and more important position within the automotive market, and we’re dedicated to exploring methods to leverage this development whereas sustaining our model’s values of favor, sophistication, and efficiency.

Q: What would be the key applied sciences that may form the following decade of the mobility trade?

Within the evolving panorama of two-wheeler expertise, improvements equivalent to Augmented Actuality (AR) are revolutionizing customization experiences. With digital showrooms and design studios, riders can now visualize their desired modifications in real-time earlier than making any alterations, enhancing their buying journey. Furthermore, linked mobility options are integrating smartphone connectivity options, offering riders with seamless entry to charging, music, and premium functionalities whereas on the transfer. Alongside this, premium two-wheeler manufacturers like Ducati are already outfitted with superior radar techniques enabling options like Adaptive Cruise Management, Blind Spot Detection, casting navigation on the display providing real-time visitors updates, and the expansive use of carbon fibre to cut back weight and enhance efficiency.

Q: Do you assume the auto trade in India has the potential to turn into the worldwide manufacturing hub and play an necessary position within the international worth chain?

Within the coming decade, expertise developments are poised to redefine the mobility trade in India, with the formidable purpose of positioning the nation as its foremost market globally. With entry to ample supplies, cutting-edge expertise, and a talented workforce, India is well-equipped to drive this transformative journey ahead. The momentum is already evident within the important development in motorbike manufacturing and gross sales quantity in the course of the fiscal yr 2023 (April 2022-March 2023).

Recording a outstanding 9.2% year-on-year improve in manufacturing to achieve 19.46 million models and a notable 16.9% rise in gross sales, totalling 15.86 million models, this marks the sector’s first uptick in three years. These strong figures underscore India’s potential as a dynamic hub for innovation and manufacturing within the international mobility panorama, setting the stage for additional developments and market management within the years to come back.

Q: What are the important thing components that work in favour of India and what limitations do we have now as a rustic?

India possesses a number of benefits that place it favourably to turn into a world manufacturing hub. With a big and various market, the nation provides ample alternatives for scaling up manufacturing and catering to varied shopper segments.

India boasts of a talented workforce throughout totally different sectors, offering cost-effective and environment friendly manpower for manufacturing operations. Its strategic geographical location facilitates quick access to international markets, enhancing provide chain administration and distribution networks. Moreover, authorities initiatives like “Make in India” purpose to advertise home manufacturing by providing incentives, subsidies, and beneficial insurance policies to draw international funding.

Regardless of these benefits, India faces challenges equivalent to infrastructure upgradation, ability mismatch, and knee-jerk response to exterior adjustments. Addressing these limitations via focused reforms, investments, and planning might be important for India to appreciate its full potential as a world manufacturing powerhouse.

Q: What’s your imaginative and prescient for 2030 for the automotive trade?

There might be a noticeable shift in the direction of sustainable luxurious, reflecting customers’ rising consciousness and preferences for eco-friendly choices. This development aligns with broader societal issues about environmental conservation and accountable consumption.

As entry to data will increase and competitors intensifies, customers may have a wider array of information and choices to select from, empowering them to make extra knowledgeable selections primarily based on their preferences and values. With rising disposable incomes, people may have the monetary freedom to buy automobiles tailor-made to their tastes and preferences, indulging in customizations to reinforce their driving expertise additional. This convergence of sustainability, selection, and personalization displays the altering dynamics of the automotive market, the place luxurious isn’t just about opulence but in addition about conscientious consumption and particular person expression.

  • Printed On Mar 19, 2024 at 08:52 PM IST

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