Over the last five years, residents of Gujarat have displayed a strong affinity towards luxury automobiles, acquiring an average of more than three high-end vehicles every two days from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2023. Notably, Ahmedabad city (GJ-01) leads in terms of luxury cars in the Rs 50 lakh category with 803 registrations, while Gandhinagar, the administrative center of the state, ranks second with 403 luxury cars registered. Is. According to data obtained from the state transport department, Gujarat has registered a total of 3,033 luxury cars and 1,725 two-wheelers with a value of more than Rs 2.5 lakh within this five-year period.

Significantly, the combined contribution of five major districts – Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara – comprises 2,284 cars priced above Rs 50 lakh, indicating that three out of every four such vehicles are registered in these districts.

In the segment of two-wheelers priced above Rs 2.5 lakh, Ahmedabad city leads with 453 registrations, followed by Surat with 225 and Vadodara with 202. Notably, Vastral (GJ-27) ranks fourth with 121 such registrations.

A senior transport official highlighted that the cost base of these luxury cars ranges from Rs 85 lakh to around Rs 1 crore. The official further explained, Many bureaucrats and MLAs live in Gandhinagar. To get number plates with the Gandhinagar series, they register their vehicles in the capital. Many people who have farmhouses and weekend getaways on the outskirts of the city houses, they get themselves registered and take the vehicles to neigh-boring towns or cities to avoid paying vehicle tax in Ahmedabad.

The official further said, The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation levies a tax of around Rs 4 lakh on a vehicle worth around Rs 80 lakh. The owner can avoid this fee by registering the vehicle in Gandhinagar or Bavla. Interestingly, Bavla (GJ-38) Assistant RTO office records more number of vehicle registrations than Rajkot. Bavla has registered 182 luxury cars, surpassing Rajkot's tally of 176.

Another Ahmedabad RTO official said, Recently, we have noticed that a large number of high-end cars are registered in Bavla. In about 40% of these cases, the vehicles are being used to avoid paying vehicle tax in Ahmedabad was registered there.

A luxury car showroom manager in the city highlighted the rapid growth of the market, with sales doubling annually. While buying new cars, people are opting for upgrades. We expect this trend to continue. High-end cars are increasingly being chosen for comfort, he added.

FADA Gujarat President Hitendra Nanavati said personal transportation has become essential after the pandemic, prompting people to invest in vehicles to suit their needs and budget. There is a growing trend towards luxury cars that offer better comfort. People who use farmhouse addresses to reduce vehicle tax are generally affluent individuals, he added.