AFTER A long slump, the Indian auto industry is finally gearing up for big celebrations this festive season. Car sales, the major measuring instrument of consumer sentiment, are expected to grow by double digits during the period if some reports are anything to go by.
In order to get the bigger bite, several auto manufacturers are rolling out new models, besides doling out offers and discounts, to woo the almighty consumer this season.
Tata Motors: Tata Motors is offering cash discounts starting from R30,000 on several models, besides gifts such as gold coins and exchange bonus programmes across passenger vehicle segments. It is also running a special programme on Nano cars, through which customers can exchange their old models with the new Nano Twist at exciting prices. Tata Zest has got a good response too.
Hyundai Motor India: Hyundai is offering benefits between R12,000 and R95,000 across its range of cars, with the newly-launched Xcent (diesel) offering the lowest and the Sonata offering the highest benefits. The new Hyundai i20 has received good response too.
Mahindra & Mahindra: Mahindra & Mahindra, which launched the new-generation Scorpio on September 25, is offering 50% off on insurance premium and up to R30,000 in exchange bonus on the Xylo and benefits of up to R1.1 lakh on the old Scorpio.
Maruti Suzuki: India?s largest car-maker, Maruti Suzuki, has received orders for 3,000 units of its new mid-size sedan, the Ciaz, within three days of opening the bookings. The car, which competes with Honda City in the mid-size sedan segment, has received a ?very good? response and the company has already received 10,000-12,000 enquiries on the vehicle, says a Maruti Suzuki dealer based in New Delhi. Maruti Suzuki will be offering benefits of up to R1,00,000 across its portfolio this season.
Ford: Along with several other deals across its range of cars in India, Ford is offering exchange and other benefits of up to R81,000 on its Fiesta Classic. But best-selling models like the EcoSport and Figo are not being offered with many discounts this festive season.
Renault India: Renault is offering a discounted price along with an additional two-year warranty and free roadside assistance for four years for the Duster, Pulse and Scala, along with exchange and other benefits.
Honda Cars India: Honda Mobilio has received good response with a decent number of bookings so far. Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president (marketing and sales), Honda Cars India, says, ?There has been an improvement in buyers? sentiment and it is indeed helping the industry. Car sales have shown positive growth in the last few months and we expect the festive season will bring further cheer to the market. For Honda, in particular, with a rich model portfolio, including the newly-launched Mobilio and the very successful Amaze and Honda City, we are very confident that this festive season will attract many customers to the Honda brand. We are geared up for strong sales in the coming months.?
