'We need to believe in this country'

Aditya Anand speaks to Raymond CMD Gautam Singhania on his need for speed, his Sholay ideology and his loves

Aditya Anand speaks to Raymond CMD Gautam Singhania on his need for speed, his Sholay ideology and his loves

Your penchant towards fast cars, yachts and aircraft is well known. How fast can it get for Gautam Singhania?

Man and machine: Gautam Singhania poses with his BMW. PIC /SAYED SAMEER ABEDI

I have already driven a Formula 1 race car and also flown in a fighter jet both of which are fast toys. But I am not sure how much faster it can get for me. But no, I am not inclined on making the Virgin Galatic trip right now. Those of us who share the passion for super cars have just come together and formed a club.u00a0u00a0

What is this Super Car Club?
It is a group of 35 people from Mumbai [and Pune], who own super cars like a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Bentley and the like. Members will showcase their beauties on the south Mumbai streets tomorrow during the Parx Super Car Show.

What is this show about?
There will be over 35 high-end super cars comprising Ferraris, Bentleys, Audis, Rolls Royce and others on display. It will be a Super Car Parade, which will wind its way between Kala Ghoda and Prabhadevi via Peddar Road and Marine Drive. I hope to make it an annual affair. In fact, the Maharatshtra Tourism guys want to sponsor the event to attract tourists.u00a0

Sunday's super car show is going to see you drive your Lamborghini. Why would sleep-starved Mumbai wake up at 10 am to see the parade?
Truth is that Mumbaikars will need no coaxing. Forget a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce people stop when they see an Audi or BMW. The youth just love these machines. It's crazy, a crowd of about 100 gathered within minutes when I brought out my Lamborghiniu00a0 at Kemps Corner. People will be allowed to take pictures along with the cars as well. We want this to be yearly do. Again, we have already announced the route so that people can choose their favourite viewing spots and watch the beauties zip past at ease.u00a0u00a0

But don't the roads worry you?
Jo dar gaya woh mar gaya! We have chosen a route (from Kala Ghoda to Prabhadevi), which is quite good and will ensure smooth driving. As for damage to the cars, it is always a risk.u00a0u00a0u00a0

What is your take on the Rs 1 lakh car, the Tata Nano.
Congratulations to Ratan Tata for the great product. India roughly sells 10 lakh passenger cars and 70 lakh motorcycles every year. People who use two-wheelers want to upgrade to the Nano. It is great to see that over 10 lakh people are interested in the car.

Even if Tata Nano takes away 15% of the motorcycle market, you will still witness 100% growth in passenger car sales. And I don't think 15% is an unrealistic number.u00a0 Also look at the spin-offs this would have on industries like steel, fabric, tyres, components and so on. The economy is bound to improve.

How long will the economic slowdown last?
I hope I am wrong, but it will last another two to three years and not six months as they normally say.

However, India is still very much insulated in comparison to say Japan where some corporate houses are seeing an 89 per cent loss. But the Indian industry lacks confidence and everything seems to be uncertain.u00a0

Will the Parliamentary elections and a new government act as an economic stimulator?
It will be a hung Parliament. And with all fairness, the new government will need a minimum of six months to get its act together. So all steps taken to improve the situation for the industry will take shape only in 2010.

You've admitted that becoming a father at 40 "changed your life".u00a0 How?
I now have a bigger family responsibility.

Which is tougher: being a husband or a father?
Being a complete man is the tougher challenge. I love my three-year-old daughter Niharika and wife Nawaz and ensure that my schedules are fixed around their agenda. I also ensure that Niharika gets a chance to visit villages near Alibag to give her a taste of real India. We have a farmhouse in Alibag.

Does Niharika share your passion for fast toys?
At three, she loves cars and can identify them. But high speeds, I don't know.

You built Ashena, the world's largest super yacht that's chartered out to anyone who can afford it at US$ 1,25,000 a week. Why do you want to sell it?
I still hope to sell when it fetches the right price. I got it built when I needed it. It is pure economics and there is no emotional attachment here. I cherish the time I spent on the yacht yet, I believe it makes complete sense to sell it.u00a0

Raymond produces fabrics that range from Rs 150 per metre to Rs 1.25 lakh per metre.u00a0 Why such a large range?
The Raymond brand is the only one in the world that spans such a price spectrum. It is Raymond all the way from what a cabbie wears, to what I'm wearing.

A brand is built on its values. What is important for us is the fact that the consumer who is buying the Rs 150 a metre fabric has as much confidence in the brand as the one who is buying at the Rs 1.5 lakh plus a metre.

As you look back at your business, are you content?
Yes, very much. Raymond has managed to span India from the bottom to the top. Raymond and Gautam are continuously evolving. Things are definitely improving.

For instance, the simplicity with which my manager can travel today, buy a car or get a telephone is phenomenally better than it was 15 to 20 years ago. And I think we need to believe in this country.

Raymond is growing and customers are today demanding more value for money.u00a0 We believe in educating our customers on what they should buy, what is needed and what is not, through our salespersons.