The best car discounts this Diwali

Car makers such as Honda, Tata Motors, Ford and Maruti Suzuki are offering discounts worth up to around Rs 60,000 in a bid to cash in on the festive season amid a sluggish market. Market leader Maruti Suzuki is offering discounts of Rs 30,000-35,000 on models like Alto, WagonR and Estilo in the form of free accessories or cash vouchers, or a combination of both.

Honda is offering goodies in the form of cash discounts, free insurance, loyalty exchange bonus and accessories during the season. "We are offering special schemes for our customers during the festival season. A Re 1 insurance programme has been offered for Brio, City, Civic and Accord," Honda Siel Cars India senior vice-president (sales and marketing) Jnaneswar Sen said. Depending upon the model, benefits and locations, the amount of discounts may go up to Rs 60,000, he added.

Ford India is also offering huge discounts to tide over the slowdown impact. "Festive season is always very important for us. We are offering gift vouchers and loyalty exchange bonus to our customers. We started these offers last month coinciding with Onam in Kerala and we received very good response," Ford India vice-president (marketing) Anurag Mehrotra said. The company is giving accessories worth Rs 52,000 to buyers of its sports utility vehicle Endeavour, he added. The company is also providing free insurance, along with some other benefits, of up to Rs 28,000 to the customers of its small car Figo, he added.

Homegrown auto major Tata Motors is also offering various discounts and schemes for its passenger vehicles. "We do offer schemes for specific periods and at present the discounts on our passenger vehicles range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 depending on the model," a Tata Motors spokesperson said.

Car maker Hyundai is offering discounts even on small cars such as the i10 and the Eon. The i10, one of the best-selling models, is now available for a discount of as much as Rs 40,000, while the Eon can be bought cheaper by up to Rs 20,000. The Santro comes with a discount of Rs 45,000, coupled with free insurance.

Even luxury car makers are giving various offers to sell their products. Mercedes-Benz India launched its festival campaign on September 1. It will continue till October 15. "During this period, Mercedes-Benz India will gift customers, who purchase the Three-Pointed Star, a unique opportunity to meet the star of the racing world Michael Schumacher along with an all-expenses paid trip to watch the Formula 1 race," the company said. The company will also gift 100 grand stand tickets of the 2012 Airtel Indian Grand Prix to customers, who visit the showroom and take test drives.