Despite clouds of Covid-19 pandemic still hovering over the steel city, sales were impressive here both in the automobile sector as well as in the electronics sector this Dhanteras on Thursday.

While the shop-keepers have made the sale of electronic goods, especially the air-conditioners, by giving lucrative discounts and offers, in the car segment the Covid-19 is playing its role for a brisk business.

The majority of those who turned up at the showrooms of Maruti Suzuki or Hyundai are buying four-wheelers as they want to evade the public transport system in fear of getting infected with the Coronavirus.

“The demand for high-end cars like Verna and Creta is so high that we have exhausted our stock. From Thursday morning we have sold over 25 cars, mostly of high end. Part of Dhanteras is tomorrow also and by the end of tomorrow evening, the expected number of sales of cars will cross 60-mark,” said Rajesh Singh, sales manager, Hyundai Car, having its showroom on L Road in Bistupur while talking to The Telegraph Online.

He pointed out that a very less number of cars are coming for their stock as production has not been full-fledged yet due to the pandemic.

Similarly, Amit Singh, sales manager of Pebco, Maruti Suzuki's showroom on K Road in Bistupur said they are getting an overwhelming number of customers this Dhanteras.

“Most of the customers are willing to buy Desire, but the customers are disappointed as our stock of this car model has exhausted. As a result of which several customers tend to book this car for delivery at a later date while several others settle at other models,” said Amit while talking to The Telegraph Online. He pointed out as Dhanteras is extended up to Friday evening, they expect the number of booked or sold out cars will cross 80-mark by then.

The sale of electronic goods was equally impressive on Thursday.

A Verna is being delivered at Hyundai showroom at Bistupur during Dhanteras on Thursday. Pic by Animesh Sengupta

“During the lockdown, we could not sell air-conditioners and refrigerators incurring a loss, but now we expect to compensate the loss by promoting the sale of air-conditioners and refrigerators this Dhanteras despite it is not summer season,” said Ravin Singh, proprietor of National Electronics having his showroom on Kalimati Road in Sakchi while talking to The Telegraph Online.

Ravi informed that they are giving a 40 percent discount to the Voltas company's air-conditioners, something which has become profitable for the people.

“Despite the arrival of winter, customers are turning up to buy air-conditioners at as high as 40 percent discount too for the Voltas air conditioner. In some other company's air-conditioners, we gave a gift voucher of Rs 7,000, an offer which had not been given ever before,” said the shop-keeper who also has showrooms at Mango and Adityapur. He pointed out air-conditioners and refrigerators are being sold in greater numbers in comparison to other electronics appliances.

Management of the Electrocraft showroom on K Road in Bistupur is also giving lucrative offers on the occasion of Dhanteras. “Earlier, we used to sell selective five types of electronic appliances at zero down payment basis, but this Dhanteras we have increased such facility for 10 items. Moreover, we are giving discounts also on maximum items,” said Kishore Singhania, owner of the showroom while talking to this website.