Seeking to enhance its presence in the Indian automobile market, Porsche SE, the maker of luxury automobiles and sports cars, announced yesterday that its luxury sports car Panamera will be launched in India by October this year. The Stuttgart, Germany based Porsche stated that it will roll out three models of its expensive sports car Panamera in India.

According to Precision Cars India, which officially imports Porsche cars to India, the Porsche’s first four door sports car, Panamera will be showcased at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show 2009, slated to be held from April 22 to April 24.

In a statement, the MD of Precision Cars India, Rod Wallace said, "Our dealers have already enjoyed considerable interest in the car and have received forward orders prior to the launch. We are working on a simultaneous launch of the car in India as well and are hopeful of welcoming the car in India by late September-early October 2009.”

Mr. Wallace stated that the dealers of the company have already received "forward orders prior to the launch". "This in itself is proof that the new Panamera meets the expectations of the discerning Indian luxury car buyer on all key considerations — luxury, sportiness and performance," Mr. Wallace added.

According to Mr. Wallace, the Panamera luxury sports cars will be rolled out in India, in three models – Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo – powered by a 4.8-litre V8 direct fuel injection engine, with a rear wheel and all wheel drive options. The price range of the Panamera sports cars will start from “Rs 14.17-Rs 20.18 lakh” to “Rs 1.42 Crores - Rs 2.02 Crores” (at ex-showroom Delhi), inclusive of VAT and import duty.

Porsche began its Indian operations in 2007. It operates in India through the import route. Precision Cars India is the official importer of Porsche cars. The company has sole 168 units in India in 2008. It is aiming to increase the number to 200 units this year (2009). Presently operating through Delhi and Mumbai outlets, Porsche is planning for 11 more outlets at the cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin and Ludhiana, in India. Porsche is also set to launch the diesel version of its popular SUV Cayenne in India. Globally, the company sold 98,600 cars in 2008.