KATHMANDU: Auto dealers have been making feverish preparations for the fast approaching festive shopping season by launching new models along with schemes and discount offers to lure customers.
The automobile business had been knocked out by the April 25 earthquake; and just as it was beginning to recover, it received another blow from the recent Tarai banda. Dealers have high hopes that the coming festive season will allow them to achieve their annual sales targets which had gone haywire after the series of disasters. One of their strategies is to offer huge discounts to pull in the customers.
According to automobile traders, 40 percent of their total sales happen during the months of September, October and November. Most of them have been eyeing a 20-25 percent growth this year as banks are providing auto loans at lower interest rates.
Hyundai’s authorised distributor Laxmi Intercontinental is offering cash discounts ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs600,000 on its range of vehicles. The company also offers a one-year free comprehensive insurance. Buyers will also get a chance to win a Hyundai Creta SUV as the bumper prize and 56 Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones through lucky draw.
“Customers always wait for the schemes that are customarily launched during the Dashain festival, so we have to offer more benefits to them,” said Anjan Shrestha, executive director of the company. “Car dealers make 16 months’ worth of sales in one year due to the great festival.” Laxmi Intercontinental has rolled out the Creta SUV for this festive season.
Likewise, Suzuki’s authorised distributor CG MotoCorp is offering cash discounts ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs750,000 on purchase of Suzuki cars. The company rolled out the S-Cross crossover for the festive season. Karan Choudhari, executive director of the company, said, “Along with the crossover, we have launched a festive offer. We are pretty excited about this festive season.”
Sipradi Trading, the authorised distributor of Tata in Nepal, has aimed at a 25 percent growth in sales during this festive season. It has unveiled a consumer scheme with prizes like Samsung Galaxy Note 5 smartphone, Yamaha R15 bike, FZS bike and Ray Z scooter. “During the period September to November, we have targeted selling 510 vehicles compared to the 410 units we sold last year,” said Prabin Khatiwada, head of the passenger vehicles business unit at the company.
Similarly, Honda’s authorised distributor Syakar Trading has started a festive offer as part of its bid to boost sales by 15 percent or more compared to last year.
“During the last festive season, we sold 172 cars. We hope that the figure will rise to 200 units this year,” said Lomus Manandhar, head of Honda cars at the company. The company’s festive scheme includes various cash discounts and free insurance and road tax for a year.
GO Automobiles, the authorised distributor of Ford in Nepal, expects to increase sales during the festive season with its scheme named Fantabulous. Under this plan, customers will get cash discounts of up to Rs700,000.
The company also offers gifts like KTM Duke 200 bike, Samsung 46-inch Full HD TV, Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone, Canon EOS camera and Samsung 32-inch LED TV.
Life Automobiles, the authorised distributor of Italian auto brand Fiat in Nepal, has said that customers can drive away in a Fiat with a 20 percent down payment. Customers can pay the EMI after one year.
Pooja International, the authorised distributor of Volkswagen in Nepal, has unveiled a festive scheme under which customers can win a trip to Thailand, 2 to 50 tolas of gold and cash discounts.
Similarly, two-wheeler brands like Bajaj, Hero and Honda have launched varied festive schemes. Honda offers festive discounts ranging from Rs4,000 to Rs100,000 through scratch cards.
Bajaj’s authorised distributor Hansaraj and Hulaschand Company has launched a festive scheme named Cash-Man under which customers will get cash discounts ranging from Rs6,000 to Rs100,000 through scratch cards.
Likewise, Nepal General Marketing, the authorised distributor of Hero in Nepal, is offering cash discounts ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs100,000 through scratch cards. One customer will win Rs100,000 in cash every week.
