Lucknow: Born and brought up in Lucknow, Ravi Kumar Sadh’s journey is a testament to grit, passion, and relentless hard work. Growing up in the City of Nawabs, Ravi completed his schooling up to intermediate in Lucknow. His fascination with the automobile industry led him to pursue a specialization diploma in Autowheels. Although he initially envisioned himself as a mechanic tinkering with “mean machines,” little did he know that one day he would helm an enterprise employing over 100 people and achieving an annual turnover of Rs 7-8 crore.
A simple and unassuming man, Ravi began his career modestly, working as a helper at a motor sales workshop in Charbagh. Through determination and hard work, he swiftly rose to the position of supervisor and, within three and a half years, became the service manager. After five years of rigorous learning and experience, Ravi decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
In 1994, Ravi acquired a disputed site in Lucknow. After completing all legal formalities, he converted the space into his own automotive repair workshop. With a small team of 10-15 people, he launched a multi-brand workshop aimed at serving all segments of society. This marked the birth of his brand, Autolines, a venture that grew steadily as Ravi built it brick by brick. However, as the business expanded, Ravi realized the need to incorporate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and structured processes to scale his operations effectively.
Recognizing these gaps, Ravi focused on networking and securing authorizations from reputed brands. In 2012, he achieved a major milestone by establishing V4U, an authorized workshop under Hyundai. Located in Arjunganj, this facility became the cornerstone of Ravi’s growing empire. V4U expanded its portfolio to include servicing luxury car brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Toyota.
“While the luxury segment has its allure, not everyone can afford high-end vehicles,” Ravi explains. To address this gap, he curated a unique post-COVID digital initiative. His team developed a platform featuring a comprehensive catalog of budget-friendly luxury cars. This catalog included seller details, photographs, and other key information, updated regularly for buyers. The approach worked on a commission basis, providing an innovative solution for clients seeking affordable options in the luxury segment.
Luck was on Ravi’s side when V4U also received authorization from Toyota TServ, further bolstering its reputation. With two major brands backing V4U, Ravi’s company became a formidable name in the automobile servicing sector. Today, V4U Auto Services under the V4U Group is synonymous with quality, trust, and innovation.
Looking to the future, Ravi believes the next wave of growth in the automobile servicing industry will emerge in tier-3 cities. He envisions a network of franchises and workshops catering to smaller towns, bringing top-notch facilities closer to people’s homes. His focus includes advanced concepts like realignment, balancing, pick-and-drop services, and paint booths—technologies that can transform a car’s look and feel in controlled environments.
One of the niches Ravi has successfully tapped into is accidental repair. He and his team have developed extensive expertise in this area, ensuring high-quality services under the brand’s tagline, “Ab Gaadi Mast Chalega.” Riding the digital wave, Ravi is now preparing for his next venture: gaadisolution.com, an online platform aimed at revolutionizing automobile servicing and sales.
Ravi’s life philosophy is summed up in a poignant couplet he often recites:
Kyūñ sochein ki kyā hogā, kyūñ darein ki burā hogā;
Baṇdhte chalo manzil kī aur, kuchh ho na ho, tajurba hogā.
For Ravi, experimentation and risk-taking are essential to success. “If you don’t experiment and take risks, you won’t grow,” he asserts. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in God and persevere without expecting immediate returns. “Failure is not the end,” he says. “Quitting makes you a failure. Always look ahead to expansion.”
Despite the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics, Ravi firmly believes that manual intervention will remain indispensable in his field. “No matter how advanced technology gets, the human mind is irreplaceable,” he states with conviction.
Beyond his business, Ravi is an active member of the All India Automobile Workshop Association, where he serves on the governing body. As one of the eight-member panelists since 2017, this prestigious role has granted him access to leading figures in the automobile industry. “It’s been a transformative experience,” Ravi shares, acknowledging the invaluable insights and opportunities he’s gained. Ravi is also past President and past District Secretary of Rotary International which is actively involved in social service.
From a young mechanic working in a workshop to a trailblazing entrepreneur leading one of Lucknow’s most prominent automobile service brands, Ravi Kumar Sadh’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. His dedication, innovation, and vision continue to pave the way for future growth, not just for himself but for the automobile industry as a whole. With ventures like gaadisolution.com on the horizon, Ravi is poised to make an even greater impact, proving that dreams, when pursued with unwavering determination, can indeed come true.
