The fair, which began on December 25, offers buyers a combination of government-backed tax relief and aggressive dealer discounts. Under a notification issued by the state government, purchasers are eligible for a 50 percent rebate on road tax, significantly reducing on-road prices. Dealers say the benefit of reduced GST on select models is also being passed directly to customers.
According to industry estimates at the fair, a WagonR LXI CNG that cost Rs 6.57 lakh after discounts during the 2025 fair is now available for around Rs 6.40 lakh this year, offering buyers an additional saving of nearly Rs 17,000. For cars priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 8 lakh, road tax savings alone amount to about Rs 29,000, apart from dealer benefits of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000.
Major automobile brands including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Kia, Renault, Jeep and Citroën have set up stalls at the fair. Luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are also present, reflecting the growing demand for high-end vehicles. Last year, 128 luxury cars priced between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 2 crore were sold at the event.
Dealers attribute the strong response to the fair’s long-standing credibility and practical factors such as vehicle registration. Cars purchased in Gwalior receive an MP-07 registration number, which many traders consider more auspicious than MP-13 numbers issued in Ujjain, where a parallel fair is currently underway.
While the tax exemption primarily applies to Madhya Pradesh residents, buyers from other states can avail the benefit by producing valid domicile proof, such as a long-term rental agreement or local address documentation.
Hyundai showroom in-charge Ashok Singh said bookings have surged since the tax notification was issued. “Customers are responding strongly to the combined benefit of road tax relief and company offers. Models like Venue, Creta and Aura are in high demand,” he said.
Established in 1905 by Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia I, the Gwalior Trade Fair is spread over 104 acres and remains one of Asia’s largest fairs. With deliveries beginning alongside the tax exemption, organisers expect bookings to rise further in the coming weeks.
