Patna: Automobile showrooms in Patna are witnessing a surge in bookings ahead of Dhanteras with buyers stepping up purchases of cars, scooters and motorcycles. However, a shortage of popular models is emerging as a major hurdle with late bookings likely to result in delayed deliveries.A two-wheeler dealership has already received nearly 200 bookings for the festive period, including around 70-75 scooters, with the rest being motorcycles. Dealers expect the numbers to rise further as Dhanteras is still a few days away.Ajay Kumar, sales manager at the dealership on Exhibition Road, said bookings were progressing well despite enquiries being slightly lower than last year. The previous festive season had seen stronger enquiries, partly due to a GST reduction that brought vehicle prices down by nearly 12%. However, bookings have already reached close to last year’s level at the same stage.“Last year, the final number of bookings was higher, but there is still time this year. Compared with last year, enquiries and footfall are slightly lower,” Kumar said.Electric scooters have emerged as a major attraction this festive season, driven by lower running costs.“Electric vehicles are getting more enquiries this time. One of the main reasons is the saving in running costs. People are looking at electric scooters because the operating cost is lower compared with petrol vehicles,” said Anuj Tiwari, manager of an automobile showroom in Patliputra.On-road prices of electric scooters at the dealership range from around Rs 1.26 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh, depending on the model and variant.The four-wheeler market is also seeing strong demand, but supply constraints are affecting deliveries. Santosh Singh, general manager at an automobile showroom in Jaganpura, said bookings had picked up significantly, although popular models remained in short supply.“Customers who booked their vehicles earlier have benefited, while those booking now may have to wait for delivery and get their vehicles after Dhanteras,” Singh said.He said some models were witnessing particularly high demand, but supplies remained insufficient to meet bookings.The showroom has already recorded around 500 bookings, about 30% higher than last year, Singh said.
