Car dealers offer attractive deals as sales stutter in Qatar

Asif Iqbal
Doha
With the sales of second-hand cars in the country at an all-time low, the situation appears to be no different for sales of new cars as well.
Most of the dealers are now trying to spur sales by offering attractive deals, although there have not been many takers.
Dealers in new cars are emulating their counterparts in the second-hand business.
"This is a good time for buyers as they can get very good deals. Options like zero down-payment, extended warranty and buy back assurance are among the many offers dealers are giving to customers, but have not found many takers," the sales manager of a leading American car dealer told Qatar Tribune recently.
According to him, a majority of those interested in buying cars are delaying their purchase till next year as they realise that the 2016 models may be offered at lower prices.
"Another factor that is affecting sales is the nervousness among people regarding the market situation. It is like a wait and watch situation for many," he added.
Expressing similar sentiments, a sales executive working for a Japanese car dealer said,"It has been the norm for customers to wait till Ramadan time for offers on new cars, but this time around we have been offering fabulous deals throughout the year with little response."
He added that offers like in-house financing, free service package and 'buy now pay later' are being given but have failed to evoke the desired response.
Meanwhile, dealers of second-hand cars said they are also facing a dip in sales.
Most of them said sales have been declining due to a growing preference among people to sell and buy used cars through direct interactions on social media.
He added that stringent regulations on displaying vehicles as well as other factors have also hit sales.
Amin Ansari of Go-rent a car said,"We dispose of the cars in our fleet after four years. Earlier there were many buyers for them but now more than 25 cars are gathering dust with no buyers."
According to him, even buyers from neighbouring Saudi Arabia were not coming in large numbers like they used to and this had affected sales.