Pune: Lexus India has inaugurated a new Guest Experience Centre (GEC) in Pune, marking the Japanese luxury carmaker’s second retail facility in Maharashtra after Mumbai. The opening strengthens the company’s presence in western India and forms part of its broader strategy to expand customer accessibility, luxury retail services and aftersales support across the country.
The new facility has been established by Bharat Toyota Tsusho Kirloskar Motor Private Limited (BTTKM), operating under the trade name Lexus Bharat. The newly formed joint venture brings together Kirloskar Systems Private Limited (KSPL), Toyota Tsusho India Private Limited (TTIPL) and Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar, Chairperson & Managing Director, KSPL; Jun Shiratori, Director & Chief Financial Officer, TTIPL; Sreenivas Chivikula, Managing Director, Lexus Bharat; Manasi N Tata, Vice Chairperson, Toyota Kirloskar Motor; and Hikaru Ikeuchi, President, Lexus India, alongside senior representatives from the participating organisations.
Pune Becomes Lexus India’s Latest Luxury Retail Destination
The Pune centre follows the recent openings of Lexus Guest Experience Centres in Ahmedabad and Surat, continuing the manufacturer’s expansion into major Indian urban markets.
With a substantial automotive manufacturing ecosystem, a growing information technology sector and several prominent educational institutions, Pune represents an important market for luxury vehicle manufacturers seeking to reach affluent and evolving consumer groups.
For Lexus, the city’s combination of industrial development and established automotive culture provides an opportunity to strengthen its regional presence. For Pune customers, it also means experiencing the brand without having to turn a showroom visit into a trip to Mumbai.
The new centre has been designed around the Lexus YET philosophy, incorporating the concepts of “Simple yet Elegant” and “Minimal yet Rich.” The design approach emphasises contemporary interiors, understated presentation and personalised customer engagement rather than conventional showroom extravagance.
The company has also incorporated elements of the Japanese hospitality philosophy Omotenashi, which focuses on anticipating customer requirements, alongside the Indian tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava, which regards guests with respect and care.
Lexus Sees Growing Demand for Personalised Luxury Experiences
Commenting on the expansion, Mr Hikaru Ikeuchi, President, Lexus India, said, “India’s luxury automotive market is evolving rapidly, with guests increasingly seeking distinctive products, meaningful experiences and brands that align with their values.”
He added, “As the second GEC in Maharashtra, following Mumbai, the Pune outlet further strengthens our presence in this vibrant and growing luxury market.”
The inauguration also represents a significant development for Lexus Bharat, the joint venture responsible for establishing the new facility.
Mr Sreenivas Chivikula, Managing Director, Lexus Bharat, said, “The inauguration of our Guest Experience Centre in Pune heralds an exciting new chapter for Lexus in India. Lexus Bharat currently has three GECs and is committed to supporting Lexus India’s efforts to deliver exceptional guest experiences. As we enter new markets, our focus remains on delivering world-class luxury retail standards and creating personalized, meaningful guest experiences that reflect the unique Lexus’ experience.”
The company said the new location would allow customers to explore its luxury vehicle portfolio, examine its craftsmanship and technologies, and learn about its electrified mobility offerings.
Lexus India Now Has Guest Experience Centres in 10 Cities
With the Pune inauguration, Lexus India’s Guest Experience Centre network extends across 10 Indian cities.
These include Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Surat and Pune.
The expansion reflects the manufacturer’s efforts to make its products and customer services accessible beyond established luxury automotive markets.
Pune is also supported by an operational Lexus Service Point (LSP), allowing existing owners to access vehicle maintenance and related services locally.
Across India, Lexus currently has 19 Lexus Service Point touchpoints, which support its growing customer base and provide aftersales assistance.
The company has indicated that further network expansion remains part of its plans, although it has not announced additional locations or opening timelines in connection with the Pune inauguration.
Eight-Year Warranty and Five-Year Roadside Assistance
Alongside its retail expansion, Lexus India continues to emphasise ownership-related services aimed at improving long-term customer convenience.
The manufacturer offers a five-year Roadside Assistance (RSA) package, covering services including towing, taxi assistance and repatriation.
Lexus also provides an eight-year/200,000 km vehicle and hybrid battery warranty across its model range, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
Customers seeking additional financial flexibility can consider the company’s Assured Buy Back Program, which offers low equated monthly instalments (EMIs) and a Guaranteed Future Residual Value. The programme is applicable to the Lexus RX, NX and ES models.
The company’s Lexus Luxury Care service packages are available in three options: Comfort, Relax and Premiere.
Together, these ownership programmes form part of Lexus India’s wider efforts to strengthen customer retention and aftersales support in the competitive luxury automotive segment.
A Wider Luxury Automotive Push in India
The inauguration comes as luxury automotive manufacturers continue to assess opportunities beyond India’s largest metropolitan markets, where evolving consumer preferences are creating demand for premium products and specialised ownership services.
For Lexus India, the Pune centre represents more than an additional retail address. It adds another location to the company’s national network while strengthening the link between vehicle sales, customer hospitality and aftersales assistance.
As competition in India’s luxury automotive market develops, the ability to deliver consistent service across a wider geographical footprint could become increasingly important. With its latest expansion in Maharashtra, Lexus is placing greater emphasis on a proposition that luxury buyers increasingly value: convenience and a dependable ownership experience, not merely an impressive badge on the bonnet.
