By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Within three weeks of launching in Nepal “people’s car” Nano, the least expensive car in the world, the Tata Group is now seeking to consolidate business in the Himalayan republic by unveiling its millionaire’s car, the Tata Aria.
Sipradi Trading, the sole dealer of Tata vehicles in Nepal, this week began marketing the luxury car in its three versions, the Aria Pleasure, Aria Prestige and Aria Pride.
Unlike the Nano that cost under NRS.5 lakh in Nepal during the introductory offer and could be booked with a down payment of only NRS.10,000 – less than Rs.7,000 – the Aria is intended for the other end of the consumer spectrum.
The lowest price is NRS.47.9 lakh while in India the same model would cost about NRS.24 lakh.
The sizeable difference in prices in Nepal and India is due to the whopping 240 percent taxes imposed by Nepal, including customs duty, VAT and other taxes.
(Sudeshna Sarkar can be contacted at [email protected])