The Skoda showroom at Kankerbagh in Patna. Picture by Ashok Sinha

The big daddies on wheels are here in the capital. One can buy an SUV now without getting into the hassle of travelling to neighbouring states in search of a showroom.

Almost all automobile companies have either opened their showrooms or are in the process of opening their outlets in the state capital.

Europe’s largest car maker Volkswagen forayed into the Patna market in November last year and now Japan’s leading car manufacturer Honda and another European car maker Skoda, also owned by Volkswagen, are set to open their showrooms in Patna. Nissan, too, is planning to open its showroom in the coming few months.

Patna has seen more than three times increase in the sales volume of all types of automobiles, especially cars and SUVs in the past five years.

According to transport department officials, the sale of cars, including SUVs, in the state has risen to 32,566 in the fiscal ending 2011-12 from 11,839 in 2006-07. Patna has witnessed 2.5 times increase in the sales volume of car/SUV in the past five years — 5,978 in 2006-07 to 15,511 in the fiscal ending March 31, 2012.

The overall sales figures of automobiles, including truck, bus, taxi, three-wheeler, two-wheeler and tractor, has witnessed a jump of a little over three times from 1,47,309 vehicles in 2006-07 to 4,39,671 vehicles in 2011-12.

Asked about the reason for this surge in the sales figures of car and SUVs, Rajan Verma of Volkswagen told The Telegraph: “Better law and order coupled with good road conditions in the state have led to a phenomenal increase in auto sales volume. Also the lifestyle of the people of Bihar has changed significantly and they are now spending money on luxurious items.”

The growth in the car market is evident from the fact that almost all major car manufacturers have opened their outlets/ showrooms in the state capital in the past five years. Five years ago, the state capital had only a few car showrooms like Maruti, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata. Now, the biggest car companies — Mercedes and BMW — are surveying possibilities of venturing into the Patna market. A car dealer, preferring anonymity, said BMW has conducted a market survey to gauge the prospects of opening a showroom in Patna, whereas Mercedes is going to organise a get-together at Golf Club to get a feedback on the demand for luxury cars.

The changed atmosphere in the state in recent years has not only lured car majors to the capital but also prompted existing car companies to expand their numbers.

Maruti showrooms have gone up from two to four, Hyundai from one to three, Mahindra & Mahindra from one to two and Tata from two to four. “Bihar’s car market is still untapped and that’s why car companies have made a beeline to cash in on the changed environment of the state,” said K.C. Gupta, general manager, Karlo Automobiles.