Getting to know: Lalit Choudary, Managing Director of Infinity Cars Private

What do you currently do?

I am the Managing Director of Infinity Cars Private Limited. Performance Cars, a division of Infinity Cars Pvt. Ltd is the official dealership of Aston Martin in Mumbai and we are dealers for BMW cars in Mumbai, and Indore, India. We have also got a presence in the yachting business too. Performance Cars has established an internationally designed showroom along the lines of a ‘Jewellery Box’ in South Mumbai’s Tony Altamount Road at Kemp’s Corner. We have also established a fist of its kind air-conditioned workshop in nearby Worli, dedicated to servicing Aston Martin cars. Performance Cars has an in-depth understanding of the needs of the high end market. It has built the infrastructure and facilities required to service top end brands and has developed an organization trained to meet the needs of its premier clients

What is your inspiration in business?
Having spent many years pursuing investment banking in Honk Kong, I was exposed to the proliferation of luxury products and cars in particular in the city. I was convinced India would witness a surge in luxury consumption as well. With this in mind, I reached out to various companies and ultimately found myself moving to India and in quick time moving out of the banking world into an entrepreneurial role. I envisioned an idea and implemented a strategy to make it a reality. Without believing in my vision, I wouldn’t be here today. My determination is only exasperated by the satisfaction I feel from watching the company take a life of its own and continue to become increasingly socially relevant.

Who do you admire?
I admire various successful businessmen in the country who have dreamt big and that have exhibited tremendous entrepreneurial spirit in overcoming various challenges – inadequate infrastructure, extremely mobile human resources, high capital costs, the local bureaucracy in regulation etc to create a large, profitable and socially relevant business. I have a lot of admiration for JRD Tata. I would like to understand from him how he went about building the Tata Group amidst the difficulties prevailing the Indian business environment of the time.

Looking back, are there things you would have done differently?
I don’t think there is a point of looking back to say ‘what if’. Possibly, I could have jumped into the entrepreneurship earlier than I did but that being said, If I had, I wouldn’t have been able to fund my entrepreneurial efforts through my ten years in Investment Banking and wouldn’t be here today. I think everything happens for a reason and I can only learn from past mistakes and build upon my experiences.

What defines your way of doing business?
I am a big believer in the importance of integrity and honesty. I run a transparent, honest and fair business that pursues growth and rewards all stakeholders. If you aren’t being true to yourself and your own beliefs, then this will be apparent in your business style and reflected in your success. I believe in my vision and keep faith in my efforts being rewarded.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Always pursue any promising idea which plays to your strengths. While it’s important that the idea is scalable, it’s more important to ensure the individual is capable of executing it right. Hence, marry ideas with skill and stay focused on the job until certain scale is achieved.

 


Avatar

Paul Jones

Harvard alumni and former New York Times journalist. Editor of Business Matters for over 15 years, the UKs largest business magazine. I am also head of Capital Business Media's automotive division working for clients such as Red Bull Racing, Honda, Aston Martin and Infiniti.
Avatar

https://bmmagazine.co.uk/

Harvard alumni and former New York Times journalist. Editor of Business Matters for over 15 years, the UKs largest business magazine. I am also head of Capital Business Media's automotive division working for clients such as Red Bull Racing, Honda, Aston Martin and Infiniti.