Car bookings in Kerala surge by 50% ahead of Onam

Kochi: The Onam shopping rush appears to have arrived early in Kerala's car market, with vehicle bookings rising by 30 per cent to 50 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The only major challenge for most dealers is the shortage of vehicles to meet the surge in demand.

Most models currently have waiting periods of a few weeks, while demand for some of the best-selling models has pushed waiting times beyond eight weeks. Automotive industry representatives have advised customers who want their vehicles delivered during the Chingam month to book early.

Many customers who had booked vehicles earlier have indicated that they are willing to take delivery after the beginning of Chingam. As a result, dealers expect the large number of current enquiries and test drives to translate into bookings once Chingam begins on August 17.

Car dealers are also being offered sales targets and incentive schemes by manufacturers as part of the Onam season push.

Premium cars see strong demand
Premium models are also witnessing growth of up to 50 per cent. One dealer, which sells an average of around 200 vehicles a month across its various outlets, has already received bookings for 300 vehicles this month.

Another dealer, which sells around 1,200 vehicles a month across Kerala, is expecting sales to reach 1,600 vehicles this month.

The overall market is also expected to see a significant increase in Onam-season sales. The surge in bookings is seen as a reflection of the broader consumer market, with demand for vehicles picking up ahead of the festive season.