Presidential Wheels | Living la vida limo
Presidential Wheels | Living la vida limo
Past life
Sahdev Goil, 25, studied at Doon School, Dehradun, and Amity University, New Delhi, going on to work as deputy manager of sales at Audi for two years and sales manager at Mercedes for around nine months.
Eureka moment
“I was in the UK two years ago when I saw a limo passing by. I messaged my dad and said: This is what I want to do,” says Goil. Initially, he was stymied by the problem of Indian roads. “I didn’t know if a stretch car was legal or not. When I checked, I realized Indian roads wouldn’t allow proper stretch limos; there was no provision for them as far as the regulatory authorities were concerned.” He then adapted his idea—“I found the next best option: modified wagons.”
Genesis
“Disposable income was up, and people were interested,” Goil says.
Next, Goil combined his savings with some borrowed capital from his father, a brass hardware manufacturer, and with the addition of a bank loan, got to work. He bought three cars—two Tata vans and a Toyota Innova—which were customized by two different professional services.
Goil’s larger limos rework the chassis of the Tata vans, which are used in the commercial market but, he says, do not appeal visually on their own. “We made the limos look good inside and out,” he says. “We redid the shockers, so your ride is smoother.” They also improved the lighting, and used the single-frame glass that is common to limos worldwide to make them look longer. “They’re one-and-a-half times the size of an SUV, 19-1/2 ft long,” he says.
“Through discounted rates I hope to establish my presence in the market,” Goil explains. His affluent clients, totalling around 140 now, haven’t complained about the rates, though.
Each car comes with a privacy partition, a 22-inch LED TV with live broadcast, a DVD/MP3 player, surround sound system, bar-cum-fridge (no alcohol), intercom and charging points for phone and laptop. The ride includes a trained personal security officer, or PSO (optional for the Innova), which is a valuable bonus for young girls who sometimes rent his Funk Wagon for a safe night out, says Goil.
His staff includes two drivers, two PSOs and an accountant, as well as about six college students who do freelance advertising for the company.
Distinguished clients include British barrister Cherie Blair, singer Adnan Sami and music band Bombay Vikings.
Reality check
The young businessman would like a bigger range of cars. Also, it was difficult to deal with damages, so he is now careful about who the cars go to, requesting IDs and address proof as well as a signed agreement that makes the clients take responsibility for damages incurred.
Most of all, advertising is a hurdle; he can’t spend much on publicity because of budget constraints.
Plan B
“I’m sticking to Plan A.”
Secret sauce
Being the only service of its kind in the NCR.
rajni.g@livemint.com
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Business NewsMint-loungePresidential Wheels | Living la vida limo
First Published:1 Jun 2012, 08:44 PM IST
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