FCC

Pune Sees Surge in High-End Vehicle Imports and Registrations

2024-12-30

Pune’s regional transport office (RTO) has recorded a notable rise in the import and registration of luxury vehicles, including both four-wheelers and two-wheelers, this year. City-based car manufacturers and dealers attribute this surge to a growing demand for luxury and personalized vehicles.

According to RTO data, vehicle registrations from imports surged by 78% in 2024 compared to the previous year. "As of November, 554 imported vehicles were registered, up from 309 in 2023," Pune Deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle informed TOI. He anticipates further growth as December figures are still being processed.

Registration fees stand at INR 5,000 for four-wheelers and INR 3,000 for two-wheelers, with a 20% road tax applied on the total vehicle cost. RTO officials predict that overall registration increases could exceed 80% once December figures are included.

Popular luxury brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche lead the four-wheeler imports, while Harley Davidson and Ducati dominate the two-wheeler segment. Dealers note that vehicle personalization has been a significant driver of this trend. Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, highlighted the demand for high-end, personalized models such as the AMG and Maybach, which are available as Completely Built Units (CBUs).

Dealers in Pune explained that most imports are arranged by manufacturers themselves for sale to customers, as individual imports involve significant complexities and high customs duties.