Indian Cos goes all out to woo buyers amid Covid-19

Maruti Suzuki India has rolled out EMI schemes that give buyers an option to either defer repayment, or chose a graded option of starting with a small EMI amount and then graduating to paying a higher sum.

Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced “own now, pay in 2021” scheme apart from a 90-day moratorium offer and customised schemes for women. It is also offering 100 per cent on-road financing and eight-year loan tenure and other special schemes for India’s corona warriors.

Godrej Appliances is offering extended warranties, cashbacks, discounts on AMCs, and easy EMI options. LG India is wooing consumers with offers worth up to Rs 10,000 against pre-orders placed on its website.

Mobile handset players, however, are staying clear of freebies and discounts. A six percentage point increase in rate of goods and services tax – from 12 per cent to 18 per cent – just ahead of the lockdown crippled their power to bring down prices.

E-tailers such as Amazon and Flipkart have also begun offering discounts of 10-60 per cent on products ranging from mobile phones to durables and apparels now that sales of non-essential retail has been permitted.