Polaris eyes Karnataka trails

Off-roading and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) manufacturer Polaris is planning to increase its footprint in Karnataka to have a presence across all regions of the State.

In an interaction with Deccan Herald, Polaris India Managing Director Pankaj Dubey said, “Karnataka is an important market for us. We plan to open three Polaris Riders Stop facilities in Hubli, Mangalore and Gulbarga respectively by next year. Talks are on with third party investors who are willing to invest and own these facilities.”

The Riders Stop combines entertainment, in the form of Polaris Experience Zone, and a dealership at a common location. “The Riders Stop is a one-stop concept wherein customers would not only experience the adrenaline rush of off-roading and the joy of riding our ATVs, but they will also have the pleasure of immediately booking one of these vehicles,” Dubey said, adding that though the said regions are different from the regular urban sprawl of Bangalore, yet they provide great opportunities in terms of utility.

“There is more open land in North Karnataka to establish sizeable facilities such as the Riders Stop. Moreover, there is great potential for us in terms of providing entertainment to people in these parts as large entertainment options here are limited and we are trying to bridge that gap,” Dubey said, adding that even A, B and C towns of the State are being eyed. The investment for setting up a Riders Stop ranges anywhere between Rs 1.5-2 crore, which includes construction and equipment, without the cost of land.

In terms of Experience Zones, he said, “Presently, we have three Experience Zones in Karnataka (two in Bangalore and one in Mysore). In a year or so, we will be planning to raise that number as well,” he said. A Polaris Experience Zone is a man-made obstacle course, occupying a land area of as little as 1 acre, which simulates off-roading scenarios, through the aid of mud and slush pits, water holes and dirt tracks among others. The investment cost per zone is between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 2 crore.

About off-roading in India, Dubey said, “The sport is still at a nascent stage. As a company, we are trying hard to popularise it and hence, we have come up with such entertainment concepts.”

Polaris India has sold around 500 vehicles (include RZRS 800, Sportsman, Ranger etc) in the country since its inception two years ago, and is now aiming to take that number to 1,000 in the next couple of years. “Besides, we also plan to take the total number of dealerships in India to 18, from the current 15, and we will have 25 Experience Zones across the country, from the current 18,” he concluded.