Electric mobility is the talk of the town. Okinawa is one of the E-scooter manufacturers in the country which seems to be doing well over the years with its portfolio. The segment is growing stronger day by day despite the looming conditions overhead such as the pandemic, financial crisis and more complications. Okinawa has come out with a positive report card almost every time and surprisingly, even in today’s situation. We naturally had some questions so we got Mr Jeetender Sharma- Founder & MD, Okinawa answer them for us which he happily obliged too.
•Question: Tell us more about the launch of its first e-bike this year which will be 100 per cent made in India
Oki100 prototype was unveiled at 2018 Auto Expo. It is going to be a 100 per cent Make in India electric bike. Until now we offer maximum localization of electric two-wheelers in India, which stands at 88 %. With our first electric bike, we are taking this up to 100 % localization. Speed will be 100km/hr and range would be 140- 160km/hr with fast charging of 2-3 hours.
•Question: What is the investment made till now and the investment to be put in the new facility?
Until now we have invested around 100 Cr amount in the brand. We mostly raised investment from family and friends and there has been no external fundraise. We are further investing 200 cr in the new facility to be opened in Rajasthan along with on R&D.
•Question: How and when do you expect entire Digitization of dealership and how to do you best part of luring customers through E-commerce.
We have already taken the dealership application procedure online. This lockdown has indeed pushed industries to adapt to safer and faster procedures. Apart from this, we started booking from our website to make a booking from customers. Taking our steps forward, we recently launched the doorstep delivery service of products to our customers in Bangalore. The efforts are towards minimizing contact and easing the procedures for our stakeholders. On the basis of response that we receive in the Bangalore city, we will initiate the services in other parts of the country too.
•Question: A very unique initiative of Custom hand-painted scooters service by Okinawa was started, tell us how and why!
The custom-painted vehicle service is very popularly in other countries. We are glad to introduce the service in India. Also, when a customer gets the graphics and designs of his choices painted by artists, it adds the essence of ‘Made in India’ to the product. This idea has received an overwhelming response from the users.
•Question: what are sales post lockdown like and expected since unlock 3 is a month away and what happens in a post-COVID free world.
We are delighted to share that we have received a very warm response post unlock one. Till now we have retailed more than 2000 units. The numbers have been climbing up since then.
