Car dealers jittery over parking proposal

The proposal by Transport Minister DC Thammanna to restrict purchase of vehicles in Bengaluru if there is no parking facility, has got car dealers thinking about potential losses.

While rising congestion on roads and choc-o-bloc roads have become a rising concern among Bengalureans, not everyone is happy about this new proposal. Many car dealers agree
that the rising car numbers on the roads are a nighmare, but such a restriction will affect their sales.

Car sellers say that most customers who come to purchase cars do not have parking space and such a proposal will affect the sales of car showrooms drastically.

Deepak Param, a general manager (sale and marketing) with Sireesh Auto Pvt Ltd, Silk Board, says, “Around 60 per cent of customers who come to purchase cars like Xylo, Verito and Bolero don’t own a parking space. If such a rule comes in place, sales of these cars will lower by 45 to 50 per cent. Even customers who own high-end cars do not have parking space, so we might experience a dip of 25 per cent sales of big cars too.”

Deepak points out that if such a rule comes in place, car sellers will go through losses and they will have to cut down on manpower. “Most sellers would have appointed more staff according to sales figures. Such a rule will eventually affect garage owners, car maintenance showrooms and so on,” he adds.

Even pre-owned car sales will be affected, points out Mansoor Khan who works with Citizen Cars on International Airport Road, after Hebbal. “On an average, we sell around 60 to 70 cars. If such a rule comes into place, our sales will also be affected by 20 to 25 per cent,” he says.

Mansoor adds, “If the customer is planning to stay in an individual house or apartment, they will look into parking space. About 10 per cent of people who stay in low-budget homes don’t have space.”

There are basic etiquettes one should follow when seeking luxuries of a
car, point out some car dealers.

David Pullikottil, group general manager (sales and services), Shahwar Nissan, Kasturba Road, feels that this proposal is a good suggestion for the city. “Buy a car, own a parking slot; there’s nothing wrong about this rule. How long will this be effective is another question,” he adds.

He points out that such a proposal will affect Maruti or Hyundai car sellers more. David says, “Other car dealers sell about 2,500 cars in a month but we sell around 150 cars in a month. While others might be affected by a dip of 10 to 15 per cent in sales, our sales might be affected by a mere 2 to 3 per cent.”

What really needs to be done?

“The government should come up with public parking slot options even in residential areas. Most Bengalureans would not mind spending Rs 1,000 or Rs 1,500 every month for a slot. Plan the infrastructure in such a way that parking is more organised instead of controlling one’s personal choices. If this is meant to increase usage of public transport, then last-mile connectivity needs to be addressed.”

Deepak Param, a general manager (sale and marketing), Sireesh Auto Pvt Ltd.

Proposal aims to discipline

“The new proposal just aims to bring in discipline. If one can wear a seat belt when you are in a car, why not have a parking slot?”

David Pullikottil, group general manager (sales and services), Shahwar Nissan