Some shun crackers,some put gloom behind

With Diwali round the corner,dealers are enticing customers with special offers,however,the demand for new vehicles in the city has not matched supply. The waiting period has been as long as two-three months for some owners. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has registered fewer vehicles this year compared to 2009. The demand for diesel cars has toppled that for petrol-run cars.

“People are coming in large numbers to book the vehicles. The diesel versions of Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Swift Dzire are in great demand and the waiting period for them is about three months. The diesel versions are in low supply,” Manager (Corporate Sales),Sai Service Station Ltd,Atul Medhiat Phugewadi said. “In order to attract consumers,we are also giving special offers like gift cheques and vouchers. For example,we are offering a Rs-19,000 gift voucher on the purchase of Alto,” he added.

RTO Chandrakant Kharatmal said,”The situation has not improved compared to what it was during Navratri and Dussehra. The demand is up but the supply has not improved much. Earlier 100 two-wheelers were registered daily. The number has come down to 30 a day. Only 250 four-wheelers are registered everyday now compared to 500 earlier.”

Apart from cars,motorcycles’ supply has been hit too. Many Delhi-based automakers were unable to manufacture and supply vehicles during the Commonwealth Games as they faced difficulties in transporting raw material to the plants,automobile dealers in the city said.