JLR latest OEM to reduce prices before GST implementation

The implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST) is still a month away but the benefits have already started coming in. Luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover India (JLR) has announced a price reduction of up to 12 percent. That translates to price benefits in the range of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10.9 lakh. The revised prices come into effect immediately. 

“Implementation of GST is a historical moment for India which will not only benefit consumers but is also expected to make the whole tax regime simpler and more transparent. We are pleased to proactively pass on benefits linked to the expected price reduction to our customers with immediate effect,” says Rohit Suri, MD, Jaguar Land Rover India.  

GST – the single indirect tax for the whole country finalised tax rates for over 1,200 items on May 19, 2017, with SUV and luxury car being one of the major gainers benefiting from the new tax rate. Autocar Professional had earlier reported that the SUV segment which has seen handsome growth of 29.91 percent in FY2017, is currently subjected to a heavy tax structure of around 55 percent -- for SUVs and large cars with engines bigger than 1500cc. Now, implementation of GST will effectively reduce this to 43 percent – 28 percent GST plus 15 percent cess. Clearly, this will act as a huge fillip to SUV as well as luxury car sales. 

Here are the details of the revised prices announced by OEMs till now. 

JLR

JLR currently produces five name-plates in India – three Jaguar models -- XE, XF and XJ and two Land Rover models - Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque. As per the company, benefits to customers on select stocks will be passed in advance of the GST implementation.

Benefits will vary from state to state and will be in the range of Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5.7 lakh on the Jaguar XE and will go up to Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 10.9 lakh on Jaguar XJ. On Land Rover models i.e. Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, the benefits will vary from Rs. 3.3 lakh to Rs. 7.5 lakh.  

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz India, which manufactures nine models in India – CLA sedan, SUVs GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS, luxury sedans C-Class, E-Class, S-Class and Maybach 500, announced price reduction ranging from 2 to 9 percent on its ‘Made-in-India’ product portfolio. In other words, a price reduction of Rs 1.4 lakh on the CLA Sedan to Rs 7 lakh on the Mercedes Maybach 500. 

BMW

Luxury car maker BMW India has taken the GST rates as an opportunity to sweeten deals on its cars. In addition to passing on benefits of up to 12 percent on prices of its select models, it has also offered reduced rate of interest of 7.90 percent, complimentary service and maintenance for three years, complimentary insurance for one year and assured buyback up to four years, to ramp up sales. 

Audi

Another German carmaker Audi slashed priced of its models in India by up to Rs 10 lakh till June 30, 2017, and additionally offering attractive finance and insurance schemes. “The attractive prices and packages bring fantastic value to the Audi enthusiasts. As opposed to the market trend, this is not a measure to clear old stock; we are extending the benefits on our new cars as well,” says Rahil Ansari, Head, Audi India. 

Ford

While Ford India has announced discounts to the tune of up to Rs 30,000 on its compact SUV EcoSport. Its compact sedan Aspire and the Figo are cheaper by up to Rs. 25,000 as Ford passes on the benefits of the GST rates to its customers. 

Isuzu

Isuzu Motors India, the Japanese carmaker has also joined the bandwagon of leading automobile companies passing on the price cut prior to the GST implementation. The company is offering discounts of up to Rs 1.5 lakh on its models such as the newly launched MU-X and the V-Cross.