HERALD: How is the growth pattern at Counto Motors?
AAKASH KHAUNTE: We started Counto Motors in 2010 and in these seven years we saw that initially the growth was very good but the mining ban did make a dent but we manage to tide the wave. Despite that, we registered quite a good growth. With new models and products by Mercedes Benz coming in, it helped us grow. Last month was very good as it is now a festive season and people like to buy during Ganesh Chaturthi. Also, since there was news in the market that the cess will be going up, people took the opportunity to buy it early, resting all speculations. With the GST coming in, the prices had gone down, which was beneficial for us compared to the VAT era. But now, the news is that the GST Council may raise the cess and the sentiment is not good.
HERALD: If the cess is raised in luxury cars, how badly will it affect Counto Motors?
AK: It will definitely affect us. Any increase in price will have a cascading affect on customers’ mindset and there is likely to be a lean period. But at Mercedes Benz we have ensured to give our customer and end-to-end product. For example, a 10 per cent increase in a Rs 50 lakh car, the cess amount will go up by Rs 5 lakh, which is big money. In case cess is increased, it will have some effect. In Goa VAT and Road Tax were increased earlier and we all had seen the effect of that. But market recovers when we present to our customers with finance products like an affordable EMIs and good financial planning and it is tailor made for our each customers.
HERALD: How do you then counter the negative impact of price rise?
AK: We are proud to say that in our old set up, which was much smaller than the present one, Mercedes Benz has ranked us continuously for last three years, the Number 1 in customer satisfaction and service. We always look at customers from service point of view because sale is beginning up of our relationship with our customers at Counto Motors. We provide lot of facilities like pick-up and drop from wherever in Goa you are and we have 24-hour service. We have an India-wide tie-up with Mercedes Benz on this. Our cost estimates are very close to the accurate etc. All our communications with our customers are very transparent.
HERALD: How has your company helped Goans, especially with regard to employment generation?
AK: As far as Goa is concerned, I would say 99 per cent of our 56 employees are from Goa and it will grow further. We strongly believe that that we must bring back Goans to Goa who have been trained and worked for Mercedes Benz or any other luxury brand. We are a company looking at nurturing Goans because since Goa is very small State people know each other and they understand the sensitivity and sentiments pretty well.
