Lucknow, Oct. 19 -- The automobile sector recorded at least a 25% increase in sales in the city as the market was abuzz on Dhanteras with customers thronging showrooms all through the day on Saturday. Several state capital residents, who pre-booked vehicles for Dhanteras, drove home on a new set of wheels with their families. It is considered auspicious to buy vehicles on the Dhanteras, which falls two days before Diwali celebrated on Kartik Amavasya. UP Adarsh Vyapar Mandal president Sanjay Gupta shared that this year there was an over 25% increase in the automobile sector. "The automobile sector is expecting to retail around 5000 two-wheelers and 2625 cars, reflecting robust consumer sentiment and festive enthusiasm. Last year, about 2500 four-wheelers and 4000 two-wheelers were sold on Dhanteras day. This year, people preferred SUVs and compact SUVs instead of other variants as it has better leg-room and boot space than sedans and hatchbacks. Besides, electric vehicles performed well," said Gupta. Executive member, Federation of Automobiles Dealers Association, Vinkesh Gulati said that there has been significant growth in the market especially after the revision of Goods and Service Tax. "This time, Dhanteras falls on a Saturday, and we are witnessing sales momentum spread across three days - starting from Friday and extending to Sunday, as customers plan their purchases accordingly. This gives us an extended window to manage the surge in demand. The momentum is strong, and overall festive growth is trending higher than our earlier expectations compared to last year. We have already achieved impressive numbers over the past two days," Gulati said. Sandeep Bajpai, 39, replaced his old two-wheeler with a new one this year. "I had been planning to buy the vehicle since the reduction of GST but my family and I settled to buy it on the day of Dhanteras as it is considered auspicious. After buying the vehicle, we got certain photographs clicked and went to the temple," he added Anindya Chaudhary, 35, bought a compact SUV after planning to do so for over months. "This is our second car. My wife, father-in-law and I got the delivery after a ceremony at the showroom," Chaudhary said....