The second most corrupt state in India has some lucrative consumer needs
Car Market
Srinagar: The car market here has witnessed a big leap for many years now and almost all the major players in the Indian automobile sector are vying to take their pie from the lucrative Kashmir market. While it is a good sign and reflects the affluence of the community, increase in disposable income, more convenience and other aspects but simultaneously has some negatives as well. The market has not only witnessed growth of number of car dealers but has also thrown open number of automobile service stations not only in the centers of the city but in rural areas. This has led to employment generation to skilled and semi skilled youth of the Valley.
The car market in Kashmir is emerging as one of the fastest growing markets in North India and auto makers are cashing in on this opportunity and offering price competitive products. With rising affordability and easy bank finance, vehicle sales started picking up in early 2000s here. The launch of Nano was a watershed moment in the automobile industry of India as the car earned a reputation of common man’s car. Affordability, manoeuvrability in crowded streets and Tata brand made people book the vehicle left and right.
Automotive experts believed that due to economic downturn and concern over Carbon dioxide emissions, people will prefer smaller cars and their predictions came right when even big car manufacturers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes also started to have their small car versions. Maruti, Tata Engineering and Hyundai are the major players who share a major portion of the car market within the State. While the Indian car market is expected to grow at 3-5 per cent during the year 2009-10, the growth in Kashmir market is well above all India average according to data available with the dealers of various manufacturers.
All the car manufacturers operating here have reasons to celebrate but consumer are left to marketing skills of sales person who bring forth the positives of the vehicle and leave the dark spots for consumers to guess. The case of fire in Nano cars brings to the fore the low awareness level among customers who trusted manufacturers blindly.
The State government needs to intervene and ensure that consumers who invest their hard earned money in buying the necessity get a fair value for their money. Consumer forums and weights and measures department have a role to play for ensuring the protection of consumer interests. At least the corporate sector cannot be left to the forces of market alone given the low level of information about cars people of the Valley have.
(Rising Kashmir)