22 | AutoPartsAsia | AUGUST 2017
You have old type filters as well
as modern technology filters. This
range of vehicles through technology
change offers a challenge and an
opportunity for the aftermarket. This is
just on the product and service side.
Similarly, in terms of distribution,
gone are the days when vehicles
were sold only in the eight metros
and 30 to 40 towns. Today there
are 600 districts in India that have
significant number of vehicles. So if
you want to be present in the market
you need both - reach and the ability
to service that reach in almost every
district. Depth of distribution along
with servicing needs is a major
change.
Now we have a well-informed and
demanding customer who knows
the price, availability and what is
needed to service the vehicle. He
expects the car to be picked up
during a breakdown so he can book
an appointment for the car to be
serviced. The two-wheeler owners
also expect this kind of service. So
now it is sheer reach with service
to meet increasing customer
expectations and demands; that is
how it has been evolving. This pace
of change has been faster in the last
two to three years, as compared to
the earlier 10 years, led by emission
and safety norms with digitisation.
Q: What is your outlook for the next
five years?
A: The outlook for the automotives
in India will not be very different from
the developed markets, specifically
for cars, trucks and buses. With
environmental norms coming in, the
powertrain and safety systems will be
the same. As digitisation increases,
the service expectations will not be
very different from the rest of the
world. Technology here will match
with global standards, maybe just
three to five years behind. Perhaps
two-wheelers and tractors will be
slightly behind, but not as an industry.
Lucas Indian Service (LIS) is trying
to capture this change. For decades
we were known for our specialist
service but in the last couple of years
we have redefined ourselves as a
full-range service and aftermarket
solutions provider; that is thedefinition of LIS today. A huge range
has been added in the last year-and-
a-half, not only for trucks and buses
but also for two-wheelers.Q: Can you describe how it was
five years ago and how it is now
in all the segments LIS has been
operating?
A: Five years ago we had practically
no products in two-wheelers. Today
we have starters, bulbs, flashers,
switches, cables, batteries, lubricating
oils and filters because we realised
that when a vehicle stops the owner
doesn’t care what part has gone;
he wants a solution for his starting22 | AutoPartsAsia | AUGUST 2017
Filters range
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