Patna: Vehicle sales soar ahead of Dhanteras

PATNA: Sale of cars and two-wheelers witnessed a rise with many customers booking their vehicles in advance on the condition that the automobile showrooms and dealers would deliver the vehicles on the auspicious day of Dhanteras, which will fall on October 23 this year.
Many dealers have come up with exciting offers, gifts, scratch cards and discounts to woo the customers while others even claim that they are unable to take more orders as the demand is more than the production. Raj Guddu, a sales executive at an automobile showroom at Exhibition Road, said over 200 four-wheelers have been booked for this Dhanteras. He added: "The booking queue for the vehicles for the coming days is more encouraging. The stock (production), however, is less than the demand. Most people prefer sub-compact and compact SUVs cars, to take home this festive season."
Anuj Tiwari, general manager of a showroom at Patliputra, said that the sale for four-wheelers has started to pick for the festive season and they are expecting a good business this year.
A Rahman, a sales executive of a showroom at Rajendra Path, said that around 110 vehicles were already booked till date, which was slightly higher than previous year. "The company is also offering scratch card to the customers who are making the purchase. The selected winners will get gold and silver coins on the occasion of Dhanteras. The demand of diesel car is more than hybrid model or petrol-powered four-wheelers," he told this newspaper.
"Last year, we have sold around 250 motor-bikes and 180 scootys, but this time the booking has already been done for over 300 bikes and 200-plus scootys. Every day, 30-35 customers are coming to enquire about the vehicles. We are providing free helmets and gift coupons to our customers. Electric scooters are also in demand. It is expected that the sale will be 10-15% higher than previous year," said Sandeep Kumar, a sales executive of a two-wheeler showroom, at Zero Mile.
Praneet Chaudhary, a resident of Bhoothnath said he has booked the car for Dhanteras after the dealer promised him to deliver the vehicle on the auspicious day. "I made the booking about 15 days back and now, I am eagerly waiting to get my new car," he said.