GST 2.0, Navratri spark auto sales surge in Ludhiana

Ludhiana’s auto dealerships witnessed a festive frenzy as the launch of the revamped Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime — dubbed GST 2.0 — coincided with the Navratris, traditionally considered an auspicious time for new purchases. The dual boost of tax cuts and festive sentiment has sent car buyers flocking to showrooms, particularly for small cars that received the steepest price reductions.

At Gulzar Motors, one of Ludhiana’s leading Maruti dealerships, footfall surged dramatically. Managing Director Harkirat Singh reported an 80% spike in bookings. “The 10% GST cut combined with Maruti’s additional festive offers of 7-8% has created the perfect situation for increase in demand,” he said.

“We’re seeing unprecedented interest in models like the Swift, Baleno and S-Presso. Looking ahead, we anticipate sustained festive demand,” he said.

The dealership also noted a 60% increase in query flow, with customers eager to capitalise on the reduced prices and limited-time offers. “Demand for small cars has been especially strong. Bookings have grown and inquiries remain so high that we may run out of stock for certain variants,” he added.

Volkswagen Ludhiana echoed similar sentiments. General manager of sales Rohit Sharma shared, “We’ve seen a 10% rise in inquiries and delivered 15 cars after the GST cut. The GST reforms have definitely energised the market.”

Goyal Hyundai has also seen a sharp rise in activity. General manager (sales) Pankaj Passi reported a 25-30% increase in queries and 52 deliveries in just two days. “With ‘sharadas’ over and Navratri underway, bookings have jumped 25% and are expected to climb further,” he added.

Maruti Suzuki’s Ludhiana network has seen a dramatic rise in engagement in Ludhiana. Bookings rose from 906 till August 23 to 1,550 in September so far. Queries jumped from 5,800 to 7,550. In just two days (September 22-23), 500 cars were delivered — while last month’s the total was 850 — and the dealership expects to cross 1,500 deliveries by month-end.

For many buyers, the timing couldn’t have been better. Rajni Sharma, a homemaker from Model Town, had been planning to buy a car for months. “Navratris are considered lucky for new beginnings,” she said. “When I heard about the GST cut, I knew this was the right time.”

Another customer, Harpreet Singh, a young professional, agreed. “I was comparing prices last month, and the difference now is significant. I booked a Baleno today — it’s a great deal.”