Motor Retail Sector – The Future’s Bright – It’s Indian!?

admin BRANDS, FUTUROLOGY, RETAIL, TECHNOLOGY

I’d guess most of the established European and UK motor brands are watching with great interest the latest UK entrant. If successful – and there’s every reason to think they might be – it might just quicken the pace of real change in the motor retail sector.

Mahindra, one of India’s biggest manufacturers and brands, has just started delivering its first cars into the UK market sector – without dealerships, selling direct an affordable electric car.

Priced at £12,995 Mahindra’s e20 city car can be specified and bought on the internet supported by experiential presence in shopping malls, such as their recent event at Westfield London.

The car is capable of 79 miles on a single charge with a maximum speed of 63mph.

At their Westfield event I managed to sit in the car, which is basic and you can see some of its Indian volume car production heritage in the finish and design. As a new model it’s unlikely to win many plaudits or sales.

The real innovation is, as noted above, no expensive dealerships with direct web sales supported by ‘brand experiential’ instead and ‘at home’ servicing. All of which must make today’s manufacturers and dealer groups panic and excited in equal measure! And that’s before we start thinking about an affordable and practical electric car.

Watch this space – this is the first of many!