US-based off-road vehicle maker Polaris comes to UP

Company launches its maiden dealership in Lucknow, which raises the count to 14 outlets pan-India

Polaris India, a subsidiary of US-based off-road vehicle maker Polaris Industries, on Friday forayed into the virgin Uttar Pradesh market, with its range of all-terrain automotives.

The company launched its maiden dealership in Lucknow, which raises the count to 14 outlets pan-India ever since Polaris' entry in India in August 2011. Another dealership is shortly to be launched in Nagaland.

"UP is an important market for us, given its size and target consumers. It has a large geography, including dense forests, ravines and difficult terrain areas," Polaris India Country Head Pankaj Dubey said here.

The price range of Polaris vehicles starts from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.

"Polaris has about 100 models in its stable, however, we are focusing in India with five," he said.

The company has 16 Polaris Experience Zones in India to spread awareness about off-road vehicles and offer live experience to enthusiasts.

"We have opened such a Zone in Greater Noida and would open in Lucknow and eastern UP soon," Dubey added. While the Gujarat Police had ordered for Polaris vehicles for policing, the company claimed to be in talks with other state police forces as well.

"In the next two-three years, we are looking at a turnover of almost Rs 15 crore in UP," he said adding the company had been growing over 50 per cent annually.

"The concept of off-road vehicles is still in a nascent stage and slowly the people are warming up to the idea," Dubey told Business Standard.

The target customers for Polaris include individuals, the police and firefighting departments, gaming zones, agriculturists, etc.