Interview: With EV Plans in Sight, Aston Martin Puts Spotlight on Petrol Cars

Aston Martin EV: Aston Martin recently launched its flagship performance sports car, the Vanquish in India. It is the successor of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, and continues to be equipped with a 5.2L twin-turbo V12 petrol engine. On the sidelines of the launch, we sat down for a conversation with Gautam Dutta, General Manager Sales (India), Aston Martin, to talk about the India’s luxury car market, global trends, and future launches. We dicussed the company's plans of developing alternative fuel options.

Here are snippets of our conversation with Mr Dutta.

Agrawal: Since you have launched three models in the past three years, starting with 2023, 2024 and 2025, with DB12, then the Vantage and the Vanquish respectively, how do you see the market being growing for the Aston Martin in India?

Dutta: See, we're very happy that we've launched all these three models because, firstly, this now completes the lineup with the global market itself. So, whatever global market models are available are now also available in India. This is also taking care of the new lineups with the new interface, new generations, being the Vantage, the DB12 and the Vanquish. So, yes, all three are there with us now. We've also seen a lot of traction, especially after the launch of the Vantage last year. So, it is on a growth trajectory. Even for the Vanquish, if you look out, all the slots which are available for 2025 have already been taken up. We will start the deliveries of the car from Q3 onwards.

Agrawal: What are the Aston Martin’s aspirations for the electrification? Since, globally, EVs are being pushed by luxury supercar brands whether it's Ferrari, Lamborghini, everybody is showcasing their EV or the hybrid models. But you launched the V12, pure engine ICE model. So, how do you see the electrification happening in Aston Martin globally or coming to India?

Dutta: Sustainability in today's world is definitely what every car brand, in fact, any company looks around for. So, yes, we would also be looking at the electrification. However, at this point of time, as the V12 suggests you, we are very focused on the ICE models.
But we do have plans to launch our first EV by 2030. That's still in the pipeline and planned. So, let's see how we go about it. But at this point of time, the major focus is on the ICE engines.

Agrawal: Since you have completed all your products which are available globally in India, so, next year, are there any updates or facelifts of the previous models coming or now it's the complete silence till the first EV comes in India?

Dutta: See, as and when whatever models keep on coming, we will definitely try to match up them in India also. But till the time they come up, they'll all be under wraps.

Agrawal: How do you see the trend of HNIs and luxury supercar market growing in India? Because in the recent times, the purchase of Lamborghinis and Aston Martins have grown up by 2-3 folds. So, what trend have you seen and did that push the brand to get all the cars to India?

Dutta: Exactly, it has grown up 2-3 folds because a lot of car collectors have now come up. They want very exclusive cars in their garage, bespoke cars in their garage, you know, a car specially made for them. So, they want that exclusivity factor. A lot of people have come in that bracket now. The millionaires and the billionaires always keep on increasing within the country. So, yes, you know, those are our target market. With their increase, obviously, we also see in our increases.

Agrawal: As 1000 units are made globally every year, how many units are allocated for India, specifically for 2025?

Dutta: I am not able to give a count on the numbers, but whatever was available has been sold off.

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