Porsche to launch Panamera in India by 2009-end

Auto major Porsche today said it will launch its four-door, four-seater luxury sedan 'Panamera' late next year.

"2009 is a consolidation year for us in India, while 2010 will be the year of the Panamera. We have high hopes for the Panamera in the country and are very excited about it," Porsche India Managing Director Rod Wallace said at a roadshow here.

The company is hoping to bring the luxury sedan to India simultaneously with its global launch scheduled for late-2009.

The strategy now is to create brand awareness and establish a dealership base, Wallace said.

The company, which presently has two dealers in Mumbai and Delhi, will open one more in Ludhiana in the next two weeks.

Dealerships will be established in the cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai in the next four-five months, he said, adding that Porsche plans to establish a dealership presence in 10-11 cities in the next two years.

The company will roll out a pre-owned car programme in 2009, for which cars will be sourced from within India, Wallace said.

There are around 650 Porsches on Indian roads that are about 2-3 years old, Wallace said adding individuals generally look for a car change in about three years.

This programme would involve buying back the car and its refurbishment by the dealer along with a company warranty.