Narain Karthikeyan — Naam To Suna Hoga — called the fastest Indian in the world, Karthikeyan became the first Indian to drive a Formula 1 car in 2001 and made his debut with Jordan Grand Prix in 2005. From living life in the fast lane, Karthikeyan switched gears, thanks to pandemic and launched DriveX Mobility selling refurbished two-wheelers. History of Indian motor racing will always be referred to as before NK and after NK. In a chat with The Free Press Journal, Karthikeyan shares his plans for the company, his racing days and driving in Bengaluru.

Could you please give us an overview of DriveX and explain what it’s all about? Additionally, could you share insights into how your team operates and collaborates to bring your vision to life?

Well, DriveX was launched back in August 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when personal mobility became paramount. Initially, we offered two-wheelers through subscription and lease models, but as customers expressed interest in purchasing the vehicles they had grown accustomed to, we saw an opportunity. We expanded our services to include selling serviced pre-owned two-wheelers, addressing the pain points customers faced in the market.

We streamlined the buying process partnering with reputable finance institutions to offer financing at lower interest rates and provided warranties to ensure customer satisfaction. Our focus has always been on delivering an experience akin to buying a new vehicle, despite it being pre-owned.

Through our dedication to quality assurance and customer satisfaction, DriveX has emerged as a leader in the organized used two-wheeler market in India. Our operations revolve around four main pillars: procurement, service, sales, and retail. We also supply spare parts to our dealerships and appoint touch-point retailers, maintaining a network of 3S facilities akin to OEM stores.

In essence, DriveX success is a testament to our ability to understand and address customer needs while building a robust operational framework to deliver quality pre-owned two-wheelers.

Considering DriveX’s strong presence in South India, I’m interested in your plans for expansion. Are there strategies in place to enter North India and target tier 2 or 3 cities? If so, could you share some details on how you aim to approach these new markets?

We’ve begun our exploration of the NCR market, but our primary focus remains on the clusters where we’re currently established. The opportunities in these areas are significant, and we’re committed to maximizing our presence there first. While expansion into larger markets and eventually going Pan India is on our radar, our immediate priority is to strengthen our position in our existing markets and provide top-notch service to our customers.

Moving from racing cars to starting your own business in 2-wheeler segment is quite a change. How do you think your time as a racer has helped you with this new venture?

Growing up, motorcycle was a part of my life, and through my racing career, I’ve been deeply connected with the automotive ecosystem, including manufacturers and the racing world. When I looked at the market, I saw established players in the four-wheeler segment, but the two-wheeler space seemed ripe for innovation.

Inspiration struck when encountered Gojek, a major two-wheeler platform in Indonesia with multiple verticals. Considering India’s status as the largest producer of two-wheelers and the massive size of the pre-owned market, it was clear that there was immense potential waiting to be tapped.

The timing aligned when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted racing plans, giving me ample time to delve into business ideas. Leveraging my connections with companies like Bajaj and TVS, we embarked on creating DriveX with a focus on providing affordable, reliable mobility.