CHITWAN: Chitwan’s automotive market has changed significantly over the past three decades. Rajan Piya, a senior automobile entrepreneur and outgoing president of Chitwan Automobiles Dealers Association (CADA), recalls a time when car buyers in the district could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Around 27/28 years ago, Piya entered the automobile business with a dealership, believing that Chitwan had strong potential for vehicle sales. Today, the district has become an important market with multiple automobile brands operating.
Speaking during MeroAuto’s ‘Ground Reality’ program, Piya said the current market has both opportunities and challenges. “The market has potential, but competition has also increased. Dealers are staying quiet due to various issues with importers,” he said.
According to Piya, Chitwan’s growing infrastructure, migration, and its strategic location between eastern and western Nepal have supported the expansion of the automobile sector.
He said around 1,100 new vehicles are sold annually in Chitwan. However, the increasing presence of Chinese automobile brands has made the market more competitive.
“Only a few brands are able to achieve good sales numbers. For others, survival has become difficult,” Piya said.
Watch the edited conversation with Piya on MeroAuto’s ‘Ground Reality’ covering the car market, infrastructure, services, and other key topics.
