Comments
In Chennai's auto-accessories corridor of G. P. Road, piles of sun-protection film lie on the shelves gathering dust. Even with the sun beating down mercilessly, there are few takers for sun films.
“With the Supreme Court ban on use of black films on car windows and wind-shields, consumers have stopped walking into our shops for sun films,” says Mr Raju Baba, owner of an accessories shop. Today, they come in only to peel off existing film, laments an old-timer, who has been dealing in sun films for over two decades.
Dealers and stockists across the country say sales of sun film have nosedived following the apex court order.
According to a car-care agency in Chennai, the sun film business has come to a virtual “standstill.” Prior to the ruling, this 3M dealer was serving 3,500 cars a month.
Mr Sanjeev Gupta, owner of Unique Accessories in Kolkata, says: “Earlier we used to take orders from 8-10 cars every week. Now, it has dropped to four.”
Mr Subodh Jindal, Vice-President, Transportation, 3M India, said the ban will impact the Rs 400-crore industry and livelihood of those associated with it. The business for Garware, the largest sun film maker in Asia, is expected to be impacted. It will have to rely on exports now, pointed out an official not willing to be quoted. Meanwhile, some car-owners are switching to alternatives such as pull-down curtains, says an auto accessories dealer in the Capital.
Peel-it-all
According to Motor Vehicle Rules, there should be 50 per cent visibility on side windows and 70 per cent on front and back windows. But now, tinted film of any density will have to go. Tinted glass following the norms are, however, allowed.
The order came into effect on May 4. But confusion still prevails with many motorists believing they can drive away with a slight tint.
Stuck with stock
For now, most dealers are stuck with stock and are not ordering any more.
A 3M dealer in Chennai is liquidating stocks to the construction industry that uses sun film on windows of residences and commercial buildings.
Car dealers, which gave away sun films as freebies, are now offering air-freshners, mud flaps and floor mats, and stereo systems for high-end cars.
(With inputs from Abhishek Law in Kolkata, Purvita Chatterjee in Mumbai and Roudra Bhattacharya in Delhi)
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.