GST cut, festive cheer drive record luxury car sales in NCR

The automobile industry witnessed record sales on the first day of Navratri, with demand soaring across luxury, mid-segment and pre-owned vehicles, thanks to the twin boost of GST 2.0 reforms and festive sentiment.

In the NCR, agency owners reported an unprecedented rush for ultra-luxury vehicles such as Range Rover, BMW, Audi, Ferrari and Mercedes, with sales jumping by nearly 20% on Day 1.

Jatin Ahuja, founder and managing director of Big Boy Toys, said: “The recent reduction in car prices due to the GST reform has coincided with the festive season. Buyers who were waiting for revised prices have rushed in, while others have advanced their plans. This combination of delayed and preponed buying, coupled with festive sentiment, has significantly accelerated sales across the country.”

Thar, KTM, Royal Enfield top charts in mid-range

Not just premium cars, mid-segment vehicles also saw heightened demand, with Mahindra Thar emerging as a top choice.

Rahul Yadav, manager at a Mahindra showroom in Gurugram, said: “The GST reform has spun around the business. Thar is very popular currently and has seen the maximum bookings in mid-range cars. Earlier, we delivered within three months, but now with Day 1 bookings, delivery has been pushed to even six months.”

Two-wheelers too recorded strong growth. KTM bikes saw a surge in sales, while Royal Enfield models now come with a waiting period of 10-15 days.

Pre-owned market hits four-year high

The used-car market also boomed. CARS24 reported a 400% increase in deliveries by 2 pm on Day 1, the highest in four years, along with over 5,000 inspections in a single day.

The company said while GST 2.0 was designed for new vehicles, it had a ripple effect on used cars by reducing overall ownership costs.

In secondary markets like Karnal, budget-friendly Maruti models such as Wagon R, Swift and Brezza were in high demand. Buyers saved Rs 65,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh through the combined effect of GST cuts and festive discounts.

“With both discounts and GST reduction, footfall at the showroom has increased significantly,” said Upender Sharma, branch head, Maruti Nilokheri.

Similarly, Hyundai showrooms reported brisk inquiries for Grand i10, i20, Venue and Creta models.