Ather Energy invites dealer partners to expand operation

Bengaluru-based electric scooter manufacturing startup Ather Energy on Friday announced that it will expand its experience centres known as Ather Space in tier-one cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune. As of now, the company operates in two cities - Bengaluru and Chennai.

Following the footsteps of traditional automobile manufacturing companies, the startup has invited dealer partners who would help expand its operations by setting up experience centres.

“The automaker will design the retail space and experience for its dealer partners, with a focus on its holistic experience-led model. These experience centres will allow prospective consumers to test ride and get hands-on with Ather’s intelligent and connected product portfolio. The company currently operates Ather Space in Bengaluru (Indiranagar) & Chennai (Wallace Garden Street),” added the company’s spokesperson in a press statement issued today.

Last year, Pawan Munjal-backed Ather Energy unveiled its latest product known as Ather 450 in the domestic market. Recently, the startup has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government to set up its manufacturing facility.

According to Ravneet Phokela, chief business officer, Ather Energy, intelligent electric vehicles are a new category for which the traditional retail model does not really work. The company has spent the last few years in Chennai and Bengaluru, pioneering a new model, which is focused on experience.

“We are now looking for dealers and partners to expand across the country in a short period of time. It is an opportunity for us and the partners to prepare for the next phase of the automobile revolution and invest in skill development and employment for a new breed of retail professionals,” added Phokela.

Apart from manufacturing electric scooters, the company is also setting up its own charging station known as Ather Grid.