According to the transport statistics, car and bike sales in Mumbai have been reduced during the Dhanteras festival compared to the previous two years. The experts have said that one of the reasons why the sale has declined is because of an increase in the fuel price. Today, November 2, fuel rates experienced a hike for the seventh consecutive day.
Over the last one and half years, the petrol prices were hiked by over 51% and diesel by 60%. General manager (sales) at Velox Motors, Sachin Gawde, said that people are now opting for CNG cars due to an increase in petrol and diesel rates. Apart from this, due to a shortage of semi-conductors, there is a delay in the availability of car motors which has led to a decline in sales.
One dealer said that last year post-COVID-19 first wave, there was a rush in showrooms as people wanted to buy new cars and two-wheelers during Diwali 2020.
2,447 cars and 6237 bikes were booked at various showrooms in the city for Diwali deliveries, as per the vehicle registration data for a fortnight before Dhanteras, which is low compared to last year's Dhanteras and Diwali sale.
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