The most wonderful time of the year

As Indians we love festivals and we love associating our festivals with important events of our lives – like bringing home a shiny new car. Car manufacturers know this. That’s why they provide incentives and offers that help hasten our decision-making process. What they don’t tell you is that there’s another time of the year when they can’t wait to sell more cars – that is the month of March.

THE FINAL RUSH

The end of the last quarter of the financial year has manufacturers and dealers scrambling to move as many units to meet their target numbers. Add to that pressure from senior management and finance teams to make the sales numbers better than any previous year. These factors combine to give you the perfect time to get the best deals possible. Entrepreneurs also know that picking up a car in March will help them claim depreciation immediately. That works out well for them, too. Those employed would
have also learnt about their increments and can now get the car they’ve waiting for; and of course, with summer vacations around the corner, who wouldn’t want to head out for a family holiday – especially if there’s a brand new car in the family.

NEW TEMPTATIONS

To help you decide, we’ve put together a small list of cars that have just been launched or will launch in March. Take a look and stroll into a showroom knowing that at this time of the year, you have the upper hand when it comes to negotiating a great deal.

The third generation of one of India’s most popular hatchbacks is here. Radical new looks, trusted engines, a lighter and stiffer chassis and sporty interiors make this hatch hotter than ever.

A refreshed i20 due to be launched soon will offer more than just extensively updated looks. It will also feature a new automatic gearbox – a CVT mated to the 1.2-litre Kappa engine that will debut on this car for the first time. This transmission will also be specifically tailored for Indian buyers.

Five years after its debut, the Honda Amaze will undergo a full model change. When it is unveiled at the Auto Expo, the new Amaze is expected to be plusher, better-equipped, safer and more desirable than ever.

The brand-new, second-generation of Audi’s best-selling Q5 now comes with sharper styling, a lighter, all-new platform, top-notch interiors and very impressive equipment levels.

Slotting in neatly between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport, the Velar is an all-new, five-seat road-focused SUV. It is a Range Rover and gets a full suite of off-road tech to let you go anywhere – and there’s no doubt about it, it looks awesome.

SWEETENING THE DEAL

So it won’t only be manufacturers and dealers giving you mouth-watering deals on new cars. Banks will also be out in force to offer you a great deal on helping you finance a new car. HDFC Bank Car Loans is offering new car buyers a loan with Zero Foreclosure Charges* till March 31, 2018. If you were thinking about buying a new car – now is your time to go get it.