Sunil Bahadur Kshetri, who has spent more than two decades in Nepal’s automobile sector, is currently the General Manager of Paramount Motors. Nearly a year after joining Paramount Motors, he oversaw the successful launch of the MG S5 in the market. Kshetri, who claims that government policies have always targeted the automobile sector, recently sat with Mero Auto to talk about Nepal’s automobile sector with a focus on EVs. Excerpts:
You sold internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for years and have been selling EVs for the past year. How has the experience been?
It has been really enjoyable. I was in the petrol vehicle segment for a long time, but EVs are a new trend globally. I started working in the automobile sector in 2001-it has been almost 24 years. I have been driving for 18 years, out of which 17 years were with petrol cars. I have been driving an EV for the past year.
As someone who drove petrol cars for a long time, what differences did you notice after switching to an EV?
The driving experience is very different. EVs are much easier to drive, come with more features and can be charged at home. Maintenance is simpler and cheaper. I am really enjoying it.
You have completed a year at Paramount Motors. How do you view EVs from both a business and consumer perspective?
From a business perspective, unstable government policies have been a major challenge to the EV industry. If policies were stable, we would see more investment. Issues like taxes and financing are also affected by policy instability. All this makes doing business difficult.
For any brand to succeed, service, sales and accessibility must be strong. We have always focused on this. Initially, we set up DC chargers.
From a consumer perspective, people are happy. They are getting high-quality EVs at reasonable prices. I have found some people worry about service, spare parts and charging infrastructure. However, companies are working well in these areas. There is not much reason for consumers to be dissatisfied.
Spare parts pricing is a hot topic right now. What is the reality?
It is good that consumers are raising this issue. Talking about spare parts of EVs, we must consider technical aspects. Sensors and advanced tech make EV parts expensive. I have found dealers under pressure to reduce spare parts costs. We plan to reduce the cost of spare parts within 10 days. For that, we are currently in negotiations with manufacturers to lower prices.
Many say MG is selling cars at a low margin, because of which it is not investing much in service centers. What do you say?
We sell cars at fair prices, not cheap ones. We aim for high sales volume, which ensures profitability. Initially, MG sold many cars quickly but couldn’t expand service centers fast enough. Now, we have three service centers in the valley and strong support outside. We have increased manpower and training. MG is providing prompt service to its customers now.
MG imports EVs made in India and China. Which production hub will be the focus in the future?
We do not focus on where it is. Our focus is on which model will better suit Nepal. We bring models suitable for Nepali roads and consumer trends. Very soon, we will launch Windsor EV, which is made in India, in the Nepali market.
Are you introducing any new models this year?
Yes, we will introduce the MG S6 model this year. It is likely to come in the last quarter.
How has the response been to S5 so far?
Most customers are happy. They say the car is worth the price. We have emphasized not just cost but also convenience and technical features. Deliveries have just started, and we expect more buyers as our cars hit the road. We are hopeful that the S5 will help us grow significantly.
What does it take to succeed in the market?
For any brand to succeed, service, sales and accessibility must be strong. We have always focused on this. Initially, we set up DC chargers. Now, many others have followed. After-sales service is also very important. We are continuously improving to keep customers connected with us.
