Lohia intend to cross 500 crore market revenue by 2020: Ayush Lohia

Lohia Auto Industries Limited as a part of Lohia Global has diversified business interests in manufacturing, exports, retail, real-estate, energy and automobiles. Headed by dynamic entrepreneur Ayush Lohia, Lohia Auto Industries was established in 2008 with an objective to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable inner-city & rural transportation. Within a short span of 5-8 years, Lohia captured the electric vehicle market and became the first Indian company to set up its own integrated ebike manufacturing facility. The journey started with 2 models of electric bikes and today, the company has over 10 products in its portfolio, ranging from ebikes, E-rickshaw and diesel three wheelers. The brand is gearing up to make its presence felt in 3 wheeler and high end motorcycle segment.  

Please tell us about your entrepreneurial journey?

I have a total experience of 15 years in business domain. Before joining LAI in August 2008, I spent nearly nine years in different companies of Lohia Global, leading strategic fronts and fostering engagements with brands like Wal-Mart, Tesco, IKEA, Pottery and Barns, Target and others. The initial years at Designco, a handicraft export arm of Lohia Global, were of great importance in my learning. I have tried to expand the portfolio of Lohia Global by acquiring the stainless steel manufacturing unit, where I roped in an exposure to the production and development of the raw steel.

As a CEO at Lohia Auto Industries, I lead a team of strategists, R&D, sales, services, marketing and business development managers who work closely with the brand, dealers, vendors and agencies to ensure optimal delivery of consumer experiences across the company’s pallet of offerings. I have built a strong portfolio of products, strategically positioned at different segments, which provides Lohia Auto industries, an opportunity to touch a larger base of customers.

What is your market penetration?

Lohia is one of the very first players in its segment,  which has its  own state of the art  manufacturing facility in Kashipur (Uttrakhand). Lohia plant at Kashipur, Uttrakhand uses futuristically designed state-of-the-art equipments, managed by one of the most modern Cloud-ERP technology, with a capacity to roll out 1,00,000 vehicles annually. It has a high level of vertical integration and a large share of local suppliers. The facility being operated in a green-industrial-belt supports our philosophy that embodies our goal of creating environment friendly products and solutions.

Currently, we are having a wide network with over 100 dealers in 40 key cities of India.

What are the new ventures you are planning to introduce?

Subsequent to electric vehicle segment, Lohia has ventured into commercial vehicles segment. It has rolled out 2 models of diesel 3 wheelers under the brand, Humsafar.  Humsafar is again available in both, passenger and cargo segment.  The Three wheeler are also being manufactured at its existing Kashipur facility where it has added another 2 lines. The combined manufacturing capacity of this plan is 1 lakh vehicle annually. Lohia has undertaken an investment of Rs 50 Crore in creating this facility and it intend to invest 10 crore in next 2 years.

 Let’s talk about your products portfolio?  

Lohia products portfolio is divided in to three categories that are electric two wheelers, e- rickshaw and commercial vehicles.

Electric 2 wheelers or ebikes is the segment where Lohia continues with its leadership position. Currently, it has 2 models of electric bikes, Oma Star and Genius. Keeping in mind the burgeoning demand for e-rickshaw, Lohia has launched 2 series of e-Rickshaw that are Humrahi and Narain. Each series is having 2 products for passengers and loaders.

What are your expansion plans?

After North and South, Lohia is looking at eastern India in a big way for e-Rickshaw and three wheelers. For Lohia, next in pipeline is a high speed electric scooter and a fully battery operated 3 wheeler. The R&D team of Lohia is working in this direction to design these products from commercial viability. Being an emerging player in electric two and 3 wheeler, the next journey for Lohia is to be in motorcycle segment. For the same it has entered into a joint venture with US based UM Motorcycle to manufacture high end cruiser bikes in India. By 2020, Lohia intend to cross 500 crore market revenue.