Who Owns Pagani in India? The Truth About Hypercar Availability

I still remember the first time I saw a Pagani Huayra in person, not in India but at a private collection viewing in Dubai. The raw carbon fiber bodywork, the titanium exhaust tips glowing under the spotlight, and that intoxicating smell of Italian leather mixed with race fuel. I asked the owner a simple question: Why not bring it to India? He laughed and said do you have three crores just for import duty? That conversation stuck with me.

If you have ever searched who owns Pagani in India, you have probably hit a wall of confusion. Some websites claim there are dealers, others mention astronomical prices, and YouTube videos show Paganis driving through Indian streets. So what is the real story? Who actually owns the Pagani brand in India, and can you even buy one here?

In this deep dive, I will answer everything about Pagani’s presence, or rather absence, in India, based on current market data and insider insights from the hypercar community.

Who Really Owns Pagani? The Global Picture

Before we talk about India, let us clear up the basics. Pagani Automobili is owned and founded by Argentine Italian engineer Horacio Pagani. The company has been headquartered in San Cesario sul Panaro, near Modena, Italy, since 1992. Unlike brands owned by massive automotive conglomerates, Pagani remains an independent, family-run operation.

Horacio Pagani still personally oversees every aspect of production. From design sketches to final quality checks, his fingerprints are on every hypercar that rolls out. The company produces fewer than 50 cars annually, making each Pagani more exclusive than most limited-edition supercars from bigger brands.

This ultra-exclusive, artisanal approach is precisely why Pagani does not operate like Ferrari or Lamborghini. There is no global dealer network expansion plan. There are no mass market ambitions. Pagani sells directly to collectors through a handful of carefully chosen representatives in key markets.

Pagani’s Presence in India: The Reality Check

Here comes the part that disappoints many Indian enthusiasts. Pagani has zero official dealers in India. Not one. Not in Mumbai, not in Delhi, not in Bangalore. There is no authorized distributor, no official importer, and no service center.

When people search who owns Pagani in India expecting to find a local dealership or businessman with distribution rights, they are looking for something that simply does not exist. Pagani has never established any official presence in the Indian market.

I spoke with luxury car importers in Mumbai and Delhi who confirmed this. One told me flat out that Pagani has shown zero interest in the Indian market. Their production is so limited that they can sell out every car to established collectors in Europe, the Middle East, and North America without even thinking about expansion.

Did You Know? Every Pagani takes approximately 18 months to build, and each component is hand finished by artisans in Modena. This makes mass market expansion virtually impossible.

The cars you occasionally see in India are private imports brought in by ultra high net worth individuals. These are not official sales, they are personal imports subject to India’s brutal taxation structure.

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Why Doesn’t Pagani Have an Official Dealer in India?

The answer is simpler than you might think. Economics and market size.

India has one of the highest import taxes on luxury cars globally. For completely built units over 40,000 USD CIF value, which every Pagani qualifies for, India imposes a 70 percent basic customs duty. Add the 40 percent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess, 28 percent Integrated GST, and 15 to 22 percent compensation cess, depending on engine size.

Let me break down the math. A Pagani Huayra costs around 3 million USD base price internationally. By the time it lands in India after all duties and taxes, the price nearly triples. A 3 million USD car becomes a 7 to 8 million USD purchase. That is 65 to 70 crores in Indian rupees, just for the standard model before customization.

For Pagani, setting up an official dealer network requires infrastructure investment, after-sales support, parts inventory, and trained technicians. All of this for a market where they might sell one or two cars per year at best. The numbers simply do not add up.

Compare this to markets like the UAE, where import duties are minimal and ultra-rich buyers line up for hypercars. Pagani can sell 10 cars in Dubai in the time it takes to navigate the paperwork for one car in India.

There is also the infrastructure concern. Indian roads, while improving in major cities, are not exactly Pagani-friendly. Potholes, speed breakers, and erratic traffic make daily driving a challenge even for regular supercars. Pagani owners typically want track days, smooth highways, and pristine conditions. India offers limited options for that lifestyle.

How Indians Can Actually Get a Pagani

So who owns Pagani in India in the practical sense? Nobody officially, but wealthy Indians can acquire one through three main routes.

Route 1: Private Import as CBU

You can import a Pagani as a completely built unit for personal use. This involves working with international dealers, usually in Europe or the Middle East, and then shipping the car to India.

The process requires extensive documentation. You need the original invoice, bill of lading, insurance papers, and emission compliance certificates. The car must meet Indian safety standards, have a right-hand drive configuration, and display speed in kilometers.

Once the car arrives at an Indian port, the real financial pain begins. You will pay the full import duty structure I mentioned earlier. For a 3 million USD Pagani Huayra, expect to pay an additional 4 to 5 million USD in taxes alone. Then add registration fees, which can be another 10 to 20 lakhs depending on your state.

Route 2: International Registration with Temporary Import

Some ultra-wealthy Indians keep their Paganis registered abroad, typically in countries with lower taxes like the UAE or UK. They bring the car to India on temporary import permits, which allow the vehicle to stay in the country for up to six months.

This is the route Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, appears to use. He has been spotted driving Pagani hypercars in the UK, but these remain UK-registered vehicles. This approach avoids permanent Indian registration and the associated tax burden.

The downside is obvious. You cannot permanently keep the car in India. After six months, it must leave the country or you face penalties. This works for people who split time between countries but is not practical for someone based primarily in India.

Route 3: Through Specialized Importers

A handful of luxury car importers in India, like Daytona Exotics, specialize in bringing in rare hypercars. They handle all paperwork, customs clearance, and registration. However, their markup on top of the already astronomical costs can add another 10 to 15 percent.

These importers do not represent Pagani officially. They source cars from international markets and facilitate the import process. Think of them as high-end car brokers rather than authorized dealers.

The Hypercar Market in India: Where Does Pagani Fit?

To understand Pagani’s absence, we need to look at India’s broader hypercar landscape. The luxury car market in India is growing rapidly. The hypercar segment specifically was valued at 543.60 million USD in 2024 and is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 36.8 percent.

That sounds impressive until you realize the volumes. India sells fewer than 100 hypercars annually across all brands combined. Compare this to the UAE, which sells more Bugattis alone in a year than India sells total hypercars.

Most global hypercar brands have taken a cautious approach to India. Bugatti has no authorized showrooms in India currently, though some sources list one dealer location. Koenigsegg has never officially entered the market. Even McLaren, which opened a single dealership in Mumbai through Infinity Cars in 2020, operates on a very limited scale.

The brands that do have a stronger presence, like Ferrari and Lamborghini, still face the same tax challenges but benefit from higher production volumes and more affordable entry-level models. A Ferrari Roma or Lamborghini Huracan, while expensive, costs a fraction of what a Pagani does.

Pagani vs Other Hypercars: Availability Comparison

Here is how Pagani compares to its hypercar rivals in terms of Indian market availability.

Brand	Official Dealers in India	Base Price (India)	Annual Sales Volume	Service Support
Pagani	0	₹65-70 Cr (private import)	Less than 1 per year	None
Bugatti	0 (conflicting reports)	₹20-25 Cr	1-2 per year	Limited
Koenigsegg	0	₹50-80 Cr (if imported)	Less than 1 per year	None
McLaren	1 (Mumbai)	₹3.5-7 Cr	5-10 per year	Limited
Ferrari	3 (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore)	₹3.5-12 Cr	50-70 per year	Full support
Lamborghini	3 (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore)	₹3-10 Cr	40-60 per year	Full support

The data makes it clear. Pagani sits at the absolute top of the exclusivity pyramid. Even among hypercars, it is in a league of its own in terms of unavailability in India.

What is interesting is that McLaren, despite having an official dealer, has not exactly set the market on fire. This suggests that even with official support, the Indian hypercar market remains incredibly niche.

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Indians Who Own Pagani Hypercars

While there are no publicly confirmed Pagani owners who keep their cars permanently registered in India, several Indians own Pagani abroad.

Adar Poonawalla is the most well-known Indian Pagani enthusiast. As CEO of Serum Institute of India, he has a net worth exceeding 15,000 crores. He has been photographed with multiple Pagani models in the UK, where he maintains a significant portion of his exotic car collection. His collection reportedly includes a Pagani Huayra and possibly other limited editions, though exact details remain private.

There are unverified reports of other Indian business families owning Paganis through international registrations, but these individuals prefer to keep their collections private. The hypercar community is small and tight-knit, especially at the Pagani level.

I have heard from sources in the luxury car scene about at least two or three Paganis that have been temporarily brought into India for special events or personal use, but again, these were not permanent imports.

The challenge for Indian Pagani owners is not just buying the car. It is finding places to drive it. Track days are limited in India. The Buddh International Circuit, while world-class, hosts only occasional track events. Most Pagani owners end up shipping their cars to Europe or the Middle East for proper driving experiences.

The Cost of Bringing a Pagani to India

Let me walk you through a real-world example of what it costs to import a Pagani Huayra to India in 2024.

The base price of Pagani Huayra internationally is approximately 3 million USD or around 25 crores INR. Add insurance and freight costs to get the CIF value, let us say 25.5 crores.

Now comes the tax avalanche.

Basic Customs Duty at 70 percent equals 17.85 crores. Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess at 40 percent equals 10.2 crores. The subtotal is now 53.55 crores.

Integrated GST at 28 percent on the subtotal equals 14.99 crores. Compensation Cess at 22 percent for a car of this size equals 11.78 crores.

Total cost equals 25.5 plus 17.85 plus 10.2 plus 14.99 plus 11.78, which totals 80.32 crores before registration.

State registration charges and road tax vary, but expect another 2 to 3 crores in most states for a car of this value.

So your final on-road price is approximately 82 to 83 crores for a car that costs 25 crores internationally. You are paying more than three times the base price just in taxes and fees.

And this is for a standard Huayra. If you want a special edition like the Huayra BC or the track-only Huayra R, the base price goes up to 4 to 6 million USD, and the Indian on-road price can easily exceed 120 to 150 crores.

For context, 120 crores in India can buy you a massive commercial property in a prime location, a fleet of luxury cars, or a substantial stake in a growing business. The opportunity cost of locking that money into a single hypercar is enormous.

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Future Predictions: Will Pagani Ever Come to India Officially?

Let me be realistic here. The chances of Pagani establishing an official presence in India in the next five years are close to zero.

Here is why I believe this. First, Pagani’s production capacity remains extremely limited. They produce around 40 to 50 cars per year across all models. With the new Utopia replacing the Huayra, production is sold out years in advance. All 99 Utopia coupes are already assigned to customers, and the 130 Utopia Roadsters are rapidly being claimed.

Pagani does not need to expand to new markets to sell cars. Their challenge is not finding buyers, it is building cars fast enough for existing demand. Opening an Indian operation would divert resources without meaningful financial gain.

Second, India’s tax structure shows no signs of easing for luxury imports. If anything, the government is doubling down on protectionism to encourage local manufacturing. The 2025 budget increased certain import duties, making the situation worse, not better.

Third, the infrastructure for hypercar ownership in India remains limited. Until we have more private race tracks, better-maintained roads in luxury areas, and a larger community of hypercar owners, brands like Pagani have little incentive to invest here.

That said, there are two scenarios where Pagani might consider India.

Scenario one is if an Indian billionaire or business group makes a compelling case and a massive financial commitment to become an exclusive representative. This happened with McLaren and Infinity Cars. If someone is willing to invest in a flagship showroom, buy inventory, and create a service center, Pagani might consider it. But this requires an investment of 50 to 100 crores minimum, with uncertain returns.

Scenario two is if India significantly reduces import duties on ultra-luxury vehicles. If the government creates a special category for hypercars with reduced taxation, more brands would enter. But this seems politically unlikely given India’s focus on self-reliance and local manufacturing.

For now, Pagani will remain a ghost brand in India. Present only through private imports and international ownership.

Pros and Cons of Pagani’s Absence in India

Pros for Buyers

• Extreme exclusivity, owning one in India makes you truly unique
• No dealer markup or intermediary costs if you import directly
• Complete customization freedom when ordering from Italy
• Potential investment value due to rarity in the region
• No pressure from local dealer networks for sales targets

Cons for Buyers

• Zero official service or parts support in India
• Any repairs require shipping parts from Italy, taking months
• No warranty coverage within India
• Extreme import duties triple the purchase cost
• Limited places to drive the car properly
• Resale value uncertain due to tiny market
• Insurance and paperwork complications
• No local community of Pagani owners for events

Pros for the Brand

• Maintains ultra exclusive image
• No need to invest in unprofitable market infrastructure
• Can focus resources on established markets
• Limited production sold out regardless
• Brand mystique enhanced by unavailability

Cons for the Brand

• Missing out on world’s fastest growing luxury market
• Potential buyers forced to look at competitors
• No brand building in a market of 1.4 billion people
• Competitors like Ferrari and Lamborghini gaining market share
• Future growth opportunity lost if market matures

What This Means for Indian Car Enthusiasts

If you are an Indian car enthusiast dreaming of a Pagani, here is my honest advice.

First, focus on the experience rather than ownership. Travel to international locations where you can do Pagani track experiences. Several exotic car rental companies in Dubai, Monaco, and Los Angeles offer Pagani driving experiences. This lets you actually drive these machines without the ownership burden.

Second, if you absolutely must own a hypercar and have the budget, consider alternatives with better Indian support. A McLaren 720S or 765LT gives you 90 percent of the Pagani experience with actual dealership support, service centers, and a more manageable price point of 5 to 8 crores.

Third, if you are committed to Pagani ownership, consider keeping the car registered abroad, where you can actually enjoy it. Countries like the UAE have minimal taxation, excellent roads, and a thriving hypercar culture. You can fly in, enjoy your car, and fly back without the headaches of Indian ownership.

Fourth, stay patient and watch the market. Things change. In 2015, nobody thought McLaren would come to India, but they did. If India’s luxury market continues growing and tax policies shift, Pagani might reconsider in a decade.

The important thing is to be realistic about costs and limitations. Owning a Pagani in India is not like owning a Ferrari or Lamborghini. It is an entirely different level of complexity and expense.

Also Read: Why Indian Billionaires Can’t Own Pagani Hypercars Despite ₹50 Crore Budget

FAQs About Pagani in India

The Bottom Line on Pagani in India

So, who owns Pagani in India? The short answer is nobody officially. Pagani Automobili remains entirely owned by Horacio Pagani and his family, headquartered in Italy with no Indian operations whatsoever.

The few Paganis that exist in Indian hands are privately imported or kept abroad by ultra-wealthy individuals. There is no dealer network, no service support, and no official presence.

For most Indian enthusiasts, Pagani will remain a poster car rather than a realistic ownership goal. The combination of extreme base prices, punishing import taxes, and a lack of local support creates barriers that only a handful of billionaires can overcome.

But perhaps that is exactly how it should be. Pagani represents the absolute pinnacle of automotive art. These are not transportation devices; they are rolling sculptures. The difficulty of ownership in India only adds to the mystique.

If you do somehow manage to get a Pagani to India, you will have achieved something truly rare. You will own one of the most exclusive automobiles on the planet in a country where such ownership borders on impossible. That is a story worth telling.

What do you think? Would you spend 80 crores to import a Pagani to India, or would you rather keep it abroad and fly to it when you want to drive? Should the Indian government reduce import duties on ultra-luxury cars to attract brands like Pagani? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let me know if you have ever seen a Pagani on Indian roads.