Indian car economy is in doldrums; anyone can say that hands down. However with the recent trend of the car market in India, the situation appears to be getting worse. Skoda has offered a free hatchback for their Rapide sedan. Maruti Suzuki Swift for the first time since its introduction in the market has announced discounts and there is no waiting period for delivery. Cash and carry a Swift?

Mahindra XUV 500, Toyota Fortuner and others have also adopted the same technique of huge discounts. Other incentives have had little affect on increasing the sales, however.

Experts say that the situation has come down to be worse than the existing conditions in December 2000. Sale are lower than 40% of the previous year. The initial discounts of 12-15% have gone up to be as high as 20%.

"From 12-15% discounts in the earlier months of this fiscal, many models are available at 20% less than their official price," the person said. Since its launch in June 2005, Swift managed to keep the sales of Maruti Suzuki high but it had to start offering discounts this month after the car dealers have announced that these were the toughest months in the past few years. "While waiting on all models has vanished, the lacklustre Budget has changed the swing even for models like Swift that have enjoyed huge waiting until last month."

A straight Rs 5000 cash corporate discount on Swift diesel variant  along with instant delivery, cash discounts apart from the Rs 10000 off on a few variants of cars like the Dzire compact sedan have been announced to attract footfalls.

(AW- Anil)