Carmakers who have been giving discounts on their petrol models have started
extending discounts to the diesel variants to push
sales as the slowdown has begun to bite and competition has increased due to new models flooding the market.
The discounts are on diesel variants of Tata Indica, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Figo,
Maruti SX4 & Ritz , Fiat Punto, Nissan Micra and Mahindra & Mahindra's Verito which range from Rs 5000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the model.
"The slowdown in sales is now impacting diesel car sales as well. So just keeping in line with the competition, we are offering discounts on diesel models to keep the sales ticking," said Ford Motor India president and managing director Michael Boneham.
Sales of diesel cars increased due to the huge gap between petrol and diesel prices and at present diesel car account for over 70 per cent of the overall car sales.
"The recent diesel price hike has affected sentiments of car buyers as well. So now we are offering discounts on diesel models also," a Ford India dealer in South Delhi said. "Where there is no discount from the company we are offering discount from our side," he added. According to Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director - marketing, Toyota Kirloskar, "the increase in the road price of vehicles have also contributed to the slowdown and that is why automakers have to change their marketing strategy for diesel vehicles as well".
And industry experts say that it is not just weak consumer sentiment but also increasing competition which has forced auto companies to extend discounts on diesel cars.
Courtesy: Mail Today
Special 
