Mumbai-based proprietor of a pre-owned car dealer, Raj Kalra shares his wish list for budget 2022.
My business was hugely affected by the Covid, and in the recent past, the increasing prices for diesel and petrol have further affected my business. We have more walk-in customers for pre-owned CNG cars as the fuel is cheaper but I do not have enough models to meet their demand and give them options. Those who own a CNG vehicle are not giving up their cars.
Prior to Covid, I would get one or two enquiries for a CNG model but now I get even 10 potential customers for a CNG model in a day. If prices of diesel and petrol were to be reduced, I would be able to give my customers more choice but trying to interest them in a diesel or petrol vehicle. Looking at the situation from a customer viewpoint, they too do not get to buy a model they may want.
That apart, I also think the government should offer concessions to people who scrap their cars and buy new ones. For a proprietorship, any laws to protect small players like us by way of tax sops would be most welcome.
As told to Brian de Souza.