Nepal has been levying 241 percent duty, including excise duty, customs tax and VAT, on four-wheelers and on 80 percent on two-wheelers. They duty is among the highest in the region.[break]
Inaugurating the NADA Auto Show 2013 at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall on Wednesday, Koirala admitted that the government has failed to create favorable environment for the growth of automobile sector. “Though the automobile sector holds great growth potential in Nepal, we have been failing to take benefit from it,” Koirala said.
The five-day show, organized jointly by the Nepal Automobiles Dealers Association (NADA) and Global Exposition and Management Service (GEMS), features 100 stalls of 45 companies.
Speaking at the program, NADA President Shekhar Golchha highlighted exorbitant tax rates, high fuel price, unscientific process of fixing prices of spare parts at customs offices, and problems created through open border as the major problems facing the country´s automobile sector. “Sub-standard spare parts from India are finding way into the market due to open border. It has emerged as a big problem for us,” he added.
“We have stalls of eight two-wheeler brands and 12 four-wheelers brands,” Shambhu Prasad Dahal, coordinator of the event, said.
The auto show has differentiated sections for two-wheelers, four-wheelers and commercial vehicles to cater to the need of segmented as well as general visitors.
The organizers are expecting footfall of more than 50,000. The event concludes on September 15.
Honda Activa-I launched
KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): Syakar Trading Company has introduced the new Honda Activa-I in the Nepali market.
Pop icon Nima Rumba and actress Richa Sharma unveiled the scooter amid a program attended by delegates of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India.
According to the company, the new Activa-I uses air cooled 109.2 cc engine and produces 8 BHP at 7,500 rpm and torque figure of 8.74 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The Activa-I has an under seat capacity of 18 liter and ground clearance of 165mm.
“Available in four vibrant colors, the new model is well-suited for Nepali road conditions,” Saurabh Jyoti, chairman of the Syakar Trading Company - the authorized distributor of Honda bikes and scooters in Nepal, said.
The scooter, which features Combi Bike System (CBS) and delivers average mileage of 60 kmpl, is priced at Rs 150,900.
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