Car makers doling out discounts

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New Delhi: All those students preparing to zoom their way into the future with those big pay packets might want to take a look at this. Car makers are doling out freebies-galore to boost sales ahead of the year end.

Unlike last year, The Finance Minister's Budget speech left car buyers disappointed. But here is the good news.

While most manufacturers hiked rates to makeup for the one per cent additional education cess, they are also doling out heavy discounts to boost sales ahead of the year end. So this may actually be a good time to get your hands on your dream car.

GM VP Marketing and Sales Ankush Arora said, “We will take care of your car till 2010. Its a special offer valid till 31 march where we are giving the customer a 3 year 10,000 km warranty protection which is industry first not being offered by any other manufacturer.”

Cars from the GM stable saw a hike of between Rs 400 to Rs 1,200 but you can drive away a Tavera by paying just Rs 20,000 down payment.

You can also avail of the Chevy care 2010 program for all cars - this includes three years warranty, three years maintenance and 300,000-kilometre warranty. That’s not all - there is a choice between accessories worth Rs 11,000 to Rs 70,000 depending on car or a lower interest rate of 9-11 per cent as against the 14.75 per cent.

Similarly Hyundai has launched a special scheme for female car buyers like reduced interest rates, lower processing fees, discounts on gold purchases, and a free credit card. This scheme is applicable on Hyundai Santro and Getz.

Hyundai Motors India VP Marketing and Sales Arvind Saxena said, “We have so far not revised but we will be revising it soon but that would be very small amount compared to the overall schemes which customers are getting today.”

If you are looking for a car from the Maruti stable, there are heavy discounts on all models.

On the 800 you can get accessories worth Rs.10,000 free, on the Alto your insurance bill will be halved, while you can get free accessories worth Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 on the Wagon R, the Esteem and the swift. So go out there and drive away the car of your dreams.