KATHMANDU: The recent Gen Z movement has created fear among wealthy families who usually buy expensive cars for comfort and status. After incidents targeting personal property during the protests, many have started delaying or canceling their car orders.
Dealers of premium brands say customers are hesitant to take delivery of vehicles they had already booked. Showrooms selling models like the BMW X7, Range Rover, and Toyota Land Cruiser 300 report that buyers are now holding back.
Arete International, the seller of Audi, Land Rover, and Porsche in Nepal, says customers who used to call daily for updates are no longer coming to pick up their cars. “Even those who were eagerly waiting have stopped showing interest,” said Bikash Shrestha, CEO of Arete International. “We build vehicles as per customer demand, but even the cars that arrived after the Gen-G protest are still at the showroom.”
A similar situation exists with other premium car dealers. According to BMW Nepal’s General Manager, Prabodh Shrestha, enquiries for high-end models have nearly stopped. “Customers now prefer to wait and watch,” he said.
Dealers say buyers are also reconsidering based on vehicle size, not just price. Ujjwal KC, Sales In-Charge at Shangrila Motors, noted, “Customers booking large SUVs are asking us to delay deliveries. It might be the impact of the movement.”
Many business buyers are waiting for clarity in the political environment after Tihar. As one dealer put it, “The car market will move with politics. If the country takes a positive direction, sales will recover, otherwise, it’s hard to say what will happen.”
