mjunction Services, the 50:50 joint venture of SAIL and Tata Steel for providing India’s

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largest e-commerce platform, has now teamed up with YObykes, from the stable of Electrotherm India (auto division), India’s largest selling electric two-wheeler, to kick off an online auto retail initiative.

As starters, consumers can choose from the diverse range of six models featured on the platform, and book their desired no-petrol bike online at www. autojunction.in.

Mukesh Bhandari, chairman & chief technology officer, Electrotherm India, said, “With the growing automobile market in India, it is imperative that manufacturers consider online retail platforms like autojunction as an important selling platform, apart from the traditional ways of operations. Our association with mjunction would enable us to reach out to a wider base of consumers who can now buy their favourite YObykes at their convenience at the click of a mouse. We are optimistic that this e-retail initiative of mjunction will revolutionise the entire automobile industry.”

The Indian automobile market is estimated at

Rs 3,500 crore. Besides, the current 1.89 million units market is expected to grow to 3.75 million units by 2014 with increasing national and international manufacturers testing their grounds in India.

“Auto e-retailing is yet another initiative by us in the B2C space after straightline, through which we intend to build upon our track record of B2B businesses. We are optimistic that with the growth of the automobile market, our initiative will benefit manufacturers by widening their reach and reducing their distribution cost,” Bhandari said.

autojunction’s B2C operation will also promote our principles of efficiency, convenience and reliability, benefiting the end consumer,” said Viresh Oberoi, managing director, mjunction Services.

mJunction’s foray into auto e-retail becomes significant considering that the Rs 9,210-crore e-commerce market in India is growing at 30 per cent and the Rs 2,210-crore non-travel market is growing at 40 per cent.

Several value-added services benefiting consumers like road test reviews, national and international news on automobiles, ‘affordability calculator’, personalized car buying suggestions, online booking of test drives, loan and insurance quotes, etc., are being added to make autojunction India’s online automobile destination, Oberoi said.