Ujjain Vehicle Fair Sparks Surge in Auto Enquiries and Bookings
The annual vehicle fair in Ujjain, which commenced on Sunday, is anticipated to significantly boost automobile enquiries and bookings across the region. This event coincides with the ongoing Gwalior trade fair, creating a complex scenario where high consumer demand meets constrained supplies from manufacturers. Dealers are reporting strong customer footfall but face challenges in maintaining adequate stock of popular models and color variants.
Supply Chain Pressures from Overlapping Fairs
Dealers have highlighted that the Gwalior fair, continuing until February 20, has already absorbed substantial vehicle allocations from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This has left limited additional quotas available for the Ujjain event, putting pressure on inventories at showrooms throughout Indore and neighboring districts. Despite tax-exemption incentives driving customer interest, securing sufficient stock of fast-moving models has become a struggle for many retailers.
Projected Sales Increase and Tax Benefits
Industry estimates project that the Ujjain fair could elevate monthly automobile sales in the region by at least 40 percent. This growth is fueled by festival-linked buying sentiment and attractive tax concessions. Praveen Patel, an automobile dealer, noted, "Enquiries related to lifetime motor vehicle tax exemption at the Ujjain fair have surged, and bookings have picked up. We anticipate at least a 50 percent jump in our monthly sales and have booked a stall at the fair to directly pass benefits to customers."
Under the fair's regulations, dealers from outside Ujjain must register with the local Regional Transport Office (RTO) and obtain a temporary trade certificate. This qualification allows customers to access a 50 percent exemption on lifetime motor vehicle tax, a key driver of demand during the event.
Inventory Challenges and Future Opportunities
Supply constraints remain a significant concern for dealers. Aditya Kasliwal, another dealer, explained, "Our plan was to maintain more than one month's inventory, but that is not happening due to limited dispatches from OEMs amid high nationwide demand." He suggested that extending the fair beyond its current end date of March 19 to March 31 could help capture additional festive purchases during Gudi Padwa and Navratri, periods traditionally considered auspicious for vehicle acquisitions.
Fair Details and Participation
The Ujjain vehicle fair is scheduled to run until March 19 and will feature 163 stalls dedicated to the automobile segment. This includes 123 stalls for four-wheelers and 40 for two-wheelers, complemented by 60 stalls for food and general trade, making it a comprehensive event for both automotive enthusiasts and general visitors.
