If you thought December is the best time to pick the cheapest deals in autoville, think again. The monsoon isn’t here yet, but it’s already raining discounts in Motown. In fact, the May and June discount roster is the same as December — considered the highest discount month in the car market — minus the excise reduction benefits.
And compared to last monsoon, this year the rebates are a “lot steeper,” say top car marketers. So, if you want to buy a car, this may be just the right time to do so. Car companies are offering discounts between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1 lakh as discounts to boost buying sentiment before the rainy season.
Take Maruti. It’s entire range is now offering benefits ranging from Rs 13,000 on the Omni and M800 to Rs 37,000 on the Estilo. The WagonR is attracting benefits worth Rs 35,000, the Alto Rs 19,000 and the SX4 Rs 25,000. Even the new launch A-Star is cheaper by Rs 24,000.
Only the just-rolled-out Ritz and long-on-the-wait-list Dzire aren’t on the discount roster. The Swift gets a small Rs 5,000 off. That’s pretty much what was on offer six months ago. Minus the excise rebate, Maruti was offering Rs 20,000 off on the Alto and Rs 35,000 off on the Estilo, though A-Star was not on the discount tally back then.
Maruti officials say this is part of the company’s monsoon strategy and is geared to push select brands. According to Maruti Suzuki India executive officer, marketing and sales Mayank Pareek, “Hefty price discounts on one particular car model can help give focus on that model and increase sales for a brief period of time.”
Maruti isn’t the only company offering lollies. Others like General Motors, Ford and Tata Motors are all offering discounts varying from Rs 10,000 to a lakh. Hyundai is offering an exchange programme, which lets you upgrade to a bigger Hyundai car without any increase in the EMI. Tata Motors is offering Rs 10,000-20,000 off on the Indica and Indigo range and Rs 15,000 discount on the Safari in addition to a gift scheme. And GM is offering Rs 55,000 rebate on the Chevy Spark.
Auto experts say the rebate rush this time round is much bigger than last rainy season. “Monsoon always sees some discounting but this time the cuts are steeper,” said Rajiv Dube, president-passenger car division, Tata Motors.
The possibility of an excise increase in this year’s budget is one of the reasons why dealers and manufacturers are offering such high discounts. That plus improved customer sentiment due to better credit offtake has made car makers step on the marketing gas before the onset of traditionally sluggish monsoon months
And compared to last monsoon, this year the rebates are a “lot steeper,” say top car marketers. So, if you want to buy a car, this may be just the right time to do so. Car companies are offering discounts between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1 lakh as discounts to boost buying sentiment before the rainy season.
Take Maruti. It’s entire range is now offering benefits ranging from Rs 13,000 on the Omni and M800 to Rs 37,000 on the Estilo. The WagonR is attracting benefits worth Rs 35,000, the Alto Rs 19,000 and the SX4 Rs 25,000. Even the new launch A-Star is cheaper by Rs 24,000.
Only the just-rolled-out Ritz and long-on-the-wait-list Dzire aren’t on the discount roster. The Swift gets a small Rs 5,000 off. That’s pretty much what was on offer six months ago. Minus the excise rebate, Maruti was offering Rs 20,000 off on the Alto and Rs 35,000 off on the Estilo, though A-Star was not on the discount tally back then.
Maruti officials say this is part of the company’s monsoon strategy and is geared to push select brands. According to Maruti Suzuki India executive officer, marketing and sales Mayank Pareek, “Hefty price discounts on one particular car model can help give focus on that model and increase sales for a brief period of time.”
Maruti isn’t the only company offering lollies. Others like General Motors, Ford and Tata Motors are all offering discounts varying from Rs 10,000 to a lakh. Hyundai is offering an exchange programme, which lets you upgrade to a bigger Hyundai car without any increase in the EMI. Tata Motors is offering Rs 10,000-20,000 off on the Indica and Indigo range and Rs 15,000 discount on the Safari in addition to a gift scheme. And GM is offering Rs 55,000 rebate on the Chevy Spark.
Auto experts say the rebate rush this time round is much bigger than last rainy season. “Monsoon always sees some discounting but this time the cuts are steeper,” said Rajiv Dube, president-passenger car division, Tata Motors.
The possibility of an excise increase in this year’s budget is one of the reasons why dealers and manufacturers are offering such high discounts. That plus improved customer sentiment due to better credit offtake has made car makers step on the marketing gas before the onset of traditionally sluggish monsoon months
Car marketers say promotional schemes have now become de rigueur, so customers demand rebates on new models as well. Said Ankush Arora, V-P, sales and marketing, GM India: “Consumers are always looking at some kind of incentive to purchase cars and nowadays they expect the same on newer car models also. But it’s not just discounts but the entire package which attracts a customer. The package includes post sales services such as free car servicing and vehicle checking camps etc at regular intervals.”
Of course, the benefits on offer are not all cash discounts. They include corporate benefits, free insurance, exchange programmes, loyalty bonuses, free accessories, warranty extension and gift schemes. Auto industry officials say the discount rush is fuelled by multiple factors.
“Car discounts are driven by many factors including market situation and competitor activities,” said Maruti’s Mr Pareek. “They may not bring a totally new buyer to the car showroom but can certainly prepone demand by influencing the undecided customer.”
Of course, the benefits on offer are not all cash discounts. They include corporate benefits, free insurance, exchange programmes, loyalty bonuses, free accessories, warranty extension and gift schemes. Auto industry officials say the discount rush is fuelled by multiple factors.
“Car discounts are driven by many factors including market situation and competitor activities,” said Maruti’s Mr Pareek. “They may not bring a totally new buyer to the car showroom but can certainly prepone demand by influencing the undecided customer.”
No comments:
Post a Comment