The Volvo Lounge at Terminal 3, New Delhi–s IGI Airport

As the high-end automobile market steadily picks up in India (total sales hit 30,000 units in 2013), Swedish car manufacturer, Volvo, has decided to come closer to its customers. The Volvo Lounge, launched at Terminal 3 of New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in March, is not only a place where the brand’s present and potential customers can make the best use of their time while waiting to board a flight but can also check out the car on display. This is Volvo’s first such initiative anywhere in the world and T3 was chosen for its “heavy influx of high-profile buyers” from all across South Asia. Though small, seating around 20 people, the plush lounge has a well-stocked snack bar. Adjoining the lounge is a permanent space for displaying a car. There’s a wall display of metal ‘swatches’ in all the colours available, and Volvo’s whole range of upholstery samples. A prospective buyer can, while resting at the lounge, match the metal and leather to visualise the finished car. Use of the lounge is by invitation. Two types of cards will be issued — Platinum and Gold — and they will let the card-holder bring a certain number of guests to the lounge every time they transit through T3.