Buying a luxury car model can seem like a dream come true, but it might not be the best choice for someone who’ll have to think twice before giving an arm and a leg to buy a luxury car. That’s where second hand or pre-owned luxury cars come to the rescue. Sumit Garg, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Luxury Ride, a certified pre-owned luxury car aggregator that offers exclusive luxury cars at competitive prices, talks about what drives the luxury car market, their presence in India and also shares a few case studies related to their 15-day money-back guarantee. Read on…

What led you to starting Luxury Ride?
It all started with my passion for luxury cars since childhood. Following my passion, I entered the industry after completing my education. I soon realised that purchasing a luxury car involved a huge financial obligation. As the costs were high, many aspirational buyers found it difficult to own a luxury car. In this, the youth made up the bulk of the potential consumers, who were unable to buy a first-hand luxury car even after improving a lot on their disposable income and buying capacity. This motivated me to come up with Luxury Ride. It enabled the potential consumers to buy certified pre-owned luxury cars within their budget, and that too without compromising on the premium experience and performance of the car.

What are the current trends in the luxury car market?
Luxury cars are becoming a global trend. Moreover, in this, the rise of High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) and Ultra High-Net-Worth Individual (UHNWI) populations has proved to be a major factor in propelling the growth of the luxury car market. Going by the trend, the affluent consumer base seeks a premium experience, along with greater resilience. For this, they highly prefer SUVs that perfectly tick the requirement list of emerging consumers.

How do you deliver the best quality vehicles at competitive costs, keeping emissions in mind?
The cars in our inventory are 100 percent certified, and the vehicles go through a thorough inspection by qualified automobile engineers. They are then sold to customers with a manufacturer’s warranty. Our vehicles undergo 151 inspection checkpoints to ensure the quality of the car. The cars are backed up with a six-month engine and gearbox warranty.

Who are your end users usually? What do they most look for when selecting a luxury car?
Looking at the industry trends, millennials and the youth form the majority of our consumer base. They always aspire to upgrade their lifestyle. They are driven by the desire to own a luxury car that has the latest technology and gives a premium experience. First-time luxury car buyers also make up a substantial part of the consumer base that already has a low- or mid-budget car in possession. In fact, luxury is the first and foremost element buyers look for in the car. The latest technology, with user-friendly features making driving a comfortable experience, also tops the list when purchasing a car. Considering that the new-age buyers want to experience extravagance within their budget, they are in search of value for money.

Have you ever ended up paying back a customer under your 15-day money-back guarantee? Under what conditions is this protocol applied?
Yes, there have been a few incidents. For instance, one of our customers bought an Audi Q5 and later found some issues. In his opinion, it was not up to the mark, which made him anxious. He came back to us and requested us to pay the amount back. As is our policy, we returned each penny. The best part is that after a month, he came back to us and purchased an Audi Q7. Hence, having such policies develops your trust with the end consumer. Another instance was where a customer’s family had an objection to the colour of the vehicle due to their religious beliefs after the son had bought the car for them. The customer wished to return the car and for us to return the amount paid. We checked the car for any mishandling and took it back and returned the amount once we were sure of the car’s condition. However, we don’t have the money-back guarantee if a car has met with an accident after being purchased or if the customer has mishandled the vehicle. Otherwise, a 15-day money-back guarantee is available for all of our customers. We believe that nobody buys a car in order to return it. So by providing the 15-day money-back guarantee, we are giving our customers an assurance that the car is in good condition and that the customer will not face any hassle with the vehicle.

Do you see an increasing demand for luxury cars in India, especially keeping in mind that the luxury segment in India is quite small?
The demand for luxury cars has been rising gradually in India. Considering that people today try to attain a certain lifestyle, they are considering shifting towards luxury cars. There is a certain desire for branded cars where buyers are looking for new models, terrific designs and amazing technology in the same car. These evolving aspirations are responsible for driving the popularity of this segment.

We are also seeing a V-shaped recovery in luxury cars. Why do you think that is?
The V-shaped recovery is due to a combination of factors, from changing consumer behaviour to rising affluent young consumers, local production and more. I believe the demand for luxury cars will only get stronger in the years to come.

How much emphasis do you put on safety in your luxury cars? What are the features?
The pre-owned luxury cars offered by us are integrated with advanced technology to leverage the safety requirements of the customers. Luxury cars nowadays come with smart safety features like rear parking sensors, lane departure warnings, traffic sign recognition and autonomous emergency braking. There are also GPS tracking systems, car alarms, electronic immobilisers, mechanical mobilisers and kill switches in order to avoid any instances of theft.

Like brand new luxury cars, used luxury cars, which cost half of the original price, are also very popular among buyers. Can you throw light on how this affects business for a company like Luxury Ride?
The pre-owned luxury car market has its own set of customers who have value for money, but at the same time, yearn for a premium experience. They want luxury but without disturbing their financial stability. Therefore, the pre-owned luxury car market caters to a different set of consumers who will be driving the demand for the segment.

Would you consider venturing into exotic cars?
Right now, our entire focus is on the pre-owned luxury car segment, where we want to create a niche for the segment in the market.

What is your company’s business model and do you provide any add-on services?
Our company has an omnichannel business model that brings about the confluence of offline and online assets. This is to harness the maximum benefits of both channels. It enables customers to explore through our vast collection of cars online, which also has a provision for physical tours to thoroughly inspect and get the feel of the car before purchasing it. Besides that, we have a provision for doorstep test drive for a hassle-free experience. Some of our prominent services include easy finance and insurance, park and sell service and an in-house service centre.

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Maruti Suzuki India has announced that cumulative exports of its Fronx model have passed 200,000 units in under 38 months following the commencement of overseas shipments in June 2023.

Manufactured at the company's Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, the SUV is exported to nearly 90 markets, including Japan. The Fronx reached its initial 100,000 export milestone within 25 months, with the subsequent 100,000 units shipped over the following 13 months.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Every vehicle exported by Maruti Suzuki carries the hard work and pride of our people. Together, these vehicles take a piece of Indian manufacturing to nearly 120 countries. Fronx has been a key contributor to Maruti Suzuki’s success in exports. Since FY 24-25, it has been India's No. 1 exported passenger vehicle* and is now shipped to nearly 90 countries. After crossing the milestone of 100,000 exports in record time, Fronx reached its second lakh significantly faster, underlining its growing demand in the international markets.”

“Aligned with ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, Maruti Suzuki continues to showcase the prowess of India’s manufacturing ecosystem. Sustained focus on exports has earned the Company the number one position in passenger vehicle exports from India*. Illustrating this leadership, all three of India’s top exported passenger vehicles in Q1 FY 26-27^ were from Maruti Suzuki. The growing export volumes year-on-year are a strong endorsement of the reliability and appeal of the Company’s products across global markets,” added Takeuchi.

The Fronx remains the company's primary export model within its passenger vehicle lineup, supporting its total export volume across international regions.

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Stellantis-owned Jeep India has launched the Jeep Compass 85th Anniversary Edition, limited to 85 units at prices starting at INR 2.67 million (ex-showroom).

The anniversary edition incorporates visual updates to the exterior and interior of the vehicle platform. External changes include 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black alongside anniversary badging. The interior cabin features a black colour scheme paired with gold accents and contrast trim detailing.

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head and Director of Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, "The Jeep Compass has always been central to the Jeep story in India, bringing the brand's legendary capability, design and authenticity to customers who expect more from their SUV. As Jeep celebrates 85 years globally, the Compass 85th Anniversary Edition gives this iconic nameplate a distinctive new expression. With exclusive anniversary-inspired styling, curated accessories and safety technologies, this special edition has been crafted for customers who seek a Compass that feels even more personal, intelligent and exclusive."

The vehicle is offered with optional accessory packages under the brand's personalisation options. These packages add functional and cabin features, including sunroof illumination, ambient lighting, a digital inner rear-view mirror and integrated front and rear dashcams. Bookings for the limited-run vehicle have opened across the company's dealership network and online sales platform.

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German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz India has opened its new sales facility in Lucknow in partnership with dealership operator T&T Motors. The outlet expands the company's network in Uttar Pradesh to 10 touchpoints across cities including Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi, contributing to a national presence of over 150 locations across more than 60 cities.

The new facility occupies 9,000 square feet, including over 5,000 square feet of carpet area and was completed in five months. The showroom accommodates four vehicle display bays, private and semi-private consultation zones, a lounge section for vehicle lines and a dedicated delivery bay. To support battery electric vehicles, the location incorporates a 180 kW DC fast charger with two charging bays, backed by a staff of 88 employees.

Brendon Sissing, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz continues to strengthen its luxury retail footprint across India, reflecting our ‘Go to Customer’ strategy. The inauguration of T&T Motors’ new facility in Lucknow marks yet another important milestone in bringing world-class luxury products, services and experiences closer to our customers. Uttar Pradesh remains an important emerging market for Mercedes-Benz, and the growing aspiration for luxury mobility in Lucknow presents strong growth potential for Mercedes-Benz. Through modern luxury infrastructure, personalised consultations, digital capabilities and EV readiness, we are elevating luxury retail experience for our discerning customers in the city.”

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled its first global pick up christened Lifestyler, which will be launched in India as the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler. The vehicle will go on sale by April 2027 with prices starting below INR 1.97 million ex-showroom. 

First shown as a concept in Cape Town, South Africa, in August 2023, the pickup was designed at the Mahindra India Design Studio in Mumbai and developed at Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai. It is built on Mahindra’s next-generation body-on-frame architecture and is intended for both payload and lifestyle use. The company claims to have around 267 patents in terms of innovation for the Lifestyler.

Dr Velusamy R, President, Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “From the outset, our vision was to create a world-class global pickup that raises the bar for the segment while remaining true to Mahindra's strengths in authentic capability and value. The Scorpio Lifestyler is a testament to the strong product development capabilities at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV). Built on our advanced next-generation body-on-frame architecture, it has been engineered to deliver the capability, durability, safety and refinement demanded by customers around the world.”

Pratap Bose, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Scorpio Lifestyler is inspired by how our customers work, play and explore. Combining bold exterior design, plush interiors and SUV-like comfort with unmistakable Mahindra toughness, it brings style and refinement to every journey. This philosophy is reflected in the three editions showcased today: Valley celebrates purposeful refinement, Reef embodies freedom and exploration, and Trail captures the spirit of boundless adventure. Together, they express our vision of a pickup that celebrates individuality while remaining rooted in capability, authenticity and the freedom to explore without limits.”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Scorpio Lifestyler represents the convergence of global engineering and evolving customer aspirations. As we prepare for its India launch, we see a growing appetite among customers for a vehicle that delivers authentic capability without compromising on technology, safety, comfort or everyday usability. We are investing in building awareness, strengthening our network and creating the right ownership experience for this category. We believe the Scorpio Lifestyler has the potential to redefine expectations and shape the future of the pickup segment in India.”

While the technical details are still under the wraps, the company showcased three editions - the Valley Edition finished in Artemis Grey, the Reef Edition uses an Aquareef finish and the Trail Edition finished in Sahara Beige.

The Mahindra Lifestyler is aimed at the midsize lifestyle pickup segment in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. It has been developed to meet requirements for capability, durability, safety, technology and everyday use across those markets.

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