What Porsche has in mind for India

German luxury car-maker Porsche aims to sell 500 cars in India this year and will introduce its Panamera Hybrid super car in the country within the next few months, a top company official said on Thursday.

"We are hoping to sell around 500 units this year," Porsche Middle East and Africa After-Sales Director Mohamed Rahman told reporters here.

The car-maker sold just 130 units in 2010. However, till February this year, it has got booking for 217 units.

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"So far, we have got bookings for 217 units. Though our sales will be based upon the demand (from customers), our target is to sell around 500 units this year...," he said.

The company currently imports products for the Indian market from Germany, which are targeted at businessmen and entrepreneurs.

"This product is for those who love to have the Porsche experience," Porsche India Director Ashish Chordia said after unveiling the latest version of the Porsche Cayenne SUV with a turbo-equipped diesel engine.

The majority of Porsche's sales in the country come from this model, while the remaining variants contribute about 35 per cent, he said.

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The car introduced on Thursday is priced between Rs 59 lakh and Rs 2.5 crore in the Indian market.

"This is one for the luxury car lovers", he said, adding that it was considered one of the "top of the line products" of the Porsche family.

Asked about the launch of Porsche's new Panamera Hybrid model, Rahman said in an interaction that it would be introduced in the next few months.

"This we have showcased in the Geneva Motor show... We will be introducing it globally in the next few months...," he said.

Declining to comment on the price tag, Rahman said the Panamera Hybrid will be introduced with a three-litre petrol engine option in India.

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Last year, Porsche announced a recall of some Panamera models for a safety replacement.

Asked about the issue, he explained that the washer in one of the seat belts was replaced with a new one under the recall.

"In the Middle East, I believe we recalled about 100 of Panameras...," he said. Rahman and senior company officials were here to announce the setting up of a new Porsche Centre in Chennai, their fourth in India and the second in the southern region.

"We will be opening new retail outlets in Cochin, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Pune... I think by the end of this year, our plan is to have eight centres (in India)...," he said.

Porsche currently retails the Boxster, Cayenne, 911 and Panamera models in the domestic market.