The Hindu Business Line : Wheels & Deals

If you thought hedging is only for investors and businessmen, think again. GM has come out with a win-win offer on its Chevrolet: You don't lose whatever the outcome of the Budget. If the excise duty is hiked, you get to save; if it is slashed, you get a refund — - this is GM's theme for the offer. The offer is valid for the Tavera and the Optra up to February 28.

Referral bonus

Toyota has sent coupons to its existing customers soliciting referrals for the Innova. It is offering accessories worth Rs 5,000 for every referral that turns into a sale, a music system for the second, and a holiday in Bangkok for one on the third. The referral offer closes on February 28, by which date customers would have to drop in their coupons.

Offers on offer

Die-hard fans of India's first new age scooter have something to cheer about. Kinetic has announced an exchange offer in select cities. Customers may trade in their Kinetic 2S for the Kinetic 4S.

At select outlets, Toyota along with Kotak Mahindra Primus is offering to pay the insurance premium for the first year on purchases of the Innova or the Corolla. The offer on the Innova amounts to Rs 35,000.

Hyundai together with ICICI Bank, at select outlets, is offering an exchange bonus of Rs 5,000 and an MP3 player on purchase of the Santro Xing.

Salim Group kickstarts

The Salim Group of Indonesia has crossed its first milestone. The West Bengal Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for its motorcycle facility, christened Mahabharat Motors Manufacturing. The Salim Group plans to pump in $250 million (about Rs 1,125 crore) in this facility, which is being set up on the outskirts of Kolkata.

The facility would have the capacity to manufacture 60,000 motorcycles annually initially and would be ramped up to 5 lakh units. Its motorcycles would be sold under the Arjun brand name.

Alagappan Arunachalam