Chennai third city in craze for top-end cars

CHENNAI: Chennai ranks third among the list of cities having a potential for luxury car market and Swedish luxury car maker Volvo hopes to capitalize on it by launching its new showroom in the heart of the city.Tomas Ernberg, managing director of Volvo Auto India, told reporters here on Thursday that Volvo’s study found there is a huge demand for luxury cars in Chennai after Delhi and Mumbai and the company is targeting to sell 500 units by the next financial year.The new showroom at the Express Avenue mall, which was opened by Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah, will showcase two seven-seater sport utility vehicle XC60 and XC90 and two sedans S80 and S60.Ernberg said the prices of the vehicles range from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. He also did not rule out having another showroom in Chennai but refused to divulge details.Volvo currently has eight dealers in India which include those in Delhi, Chandigarh, Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Coimbatore. “We are also planning to have a presence in Bangalore shortly,” he added.He, however, ruled out Volvo opening a manufacturing plant in India. He said the showroom in Chennai, which is spread over an area of 3,500 square feet, will bring alive the Volvo brand value experience to the customers.