The automobile industry has been in a limbo for the last one year. Most carmakers have thereby resorted to major discounts to lure more buyers. Indian automobile sector saw a fall of seven percent as compared to figures from March 2013, while on a fiscal basis, sales fell five percent. Maruti Suzuki is one such carmaker that is going for discounts instead of hiking prices, sources have revealed.
Maruti Suzuki is offering discount in the range of Rs 50,500 on the diesel variant of Swift hatchback, while the compact sedan Swift Dzire (diesel) is being offered with benefits of Rs 43,000. Moreover, the CNG variant of WagonR now attracts a massive discount of Rs 72,100.
The automobile sector has been dwindling because of the fall in the Indian economy, an increase in fuel prices and depreciating value of the Indian rupee. The government has been churning out new policies to increase things on the automobile front. The government reduced the excise duty, but that too failed to improve sentiment.
On the contrary, companies like Mahindra and Mahindra and Honda increased prices across selected models. Honda hiked prices for the diesel City by Rs 11,000 and Rs 10,000 on its petrol variant.
Other Maruti models that been offered with discounts include the SX4 that features Rs 91,500 discount followed by A-Star with Rs 66,500 off, Estilo Rs 61,500, Stingray Rs 63,000, Ertiga Rs 41,500, Ritz Rs 36,500, Omni and EECO having Rs 11,500 as a benefit. Apart from the savings mentioned, the manufacturer is also providing the excise duty benefit on the above stated cars.