Auto dealers bank on pre-budget offers to boost sales

KATHMANDU, July 9:

Automobile dealers have launched pre-budget offers to boost sales.

They have introduced different schemes to woo customers who are anticipating price hike after the budget speech.

The government is unveiling budget for the new fiscal year 2014/15 by mid-July.

CG MotoCorp, VG Automobiles and MAW Enterprises, among others, have launched their pre-budget offers.

“The offer aims to encourage potential customers to purchase vehicles prior to budget speech as the new budget might increase taxes on automobiles, making vehicles dearer,” Bhakta Katwal, marketing manager of CG MotoCorp, said.

CG MotorCorp is the authorized distributor of Suzuki four-wheelers for Nepal. The company launched ´Suzuki Pre-budget Offer´ on Tuesday, offering customers the chance to save cash worth Rs 250,000 on purchase of any models of Suzuki four-wheelers.

The offer includes cash discount of up to Rs 130,000, up to Rs 50,000 in insurance premium, free accessories worth up to Rs 30,000, warranty of up to three years along with free servicing and exchange bonus up to Rs 25,000 (only on Dzire, Swift and Wagon R), and payment of road tax for a year.

Even if the government raises tax, Katwal said the company will not hike vehicle prices until the old stocks are cleared.

MAW Enterprises, the authorized distributor of Skoda vehicles in Nepal, on Tuesday launched ´Skoda Pre-Budget Exchange Offer´ on Skoda Rapid. The offer, which is applicable on three Rapid variants -- Active Plus, Ambition Plus and Elegance, provides extra benefits to customers like free insurance, free accessories, free road tax for the next fiscal year and different exchange bonus schemes.

“The offer, which will continue till Saturday, also offers best valuation, spot exchange, finance facility and instant delivery to customers who come with used cars of any brand and wants to exchange it with Rapid,” Keshav Aryal, media manager of Skoda, said.

According to Aryal, the new offer would encourage customers, who are making mind to purchase cars, to rush before the price is hiked. “Though we are not sure whether the tax rate is being increased or not, earlier trend shows that taxes on automobiles will be raised this year too,” he added.

The pre-budget offer has been announced on two-wheelers as well. VG Automobiles, the authorized distributor of Suzuki motorcycles in Nepal, is offering free road tax on purchase of Suzuki two-wheelers. Buyers of Suzuki two-wheelers won´t have to pay road tax for the current and next fiscal year, Adhir Kumar Shrestha, assistant general manager of the company, said. “The offer is applicable for the purchase made between mid-junes to mid-July,” he added.

Source: Republica