New Delhi, Dec. 11 -- The Indian automotive sector is gearing up to end the calendar year on an exceptionally strong note, fuelled by a combination of record-breaking festive sales, favourable tax reforms and the onset of the traditional year-end stock-clearance period. This cocktail of conditions has created one of the most consumer-friendly buying windows in recent years-an opportunity amplified by the lasting impact of the recent goods and services tax rate cuts.

The astounding performance of the market during the Diwali period was anchored by the GST revisions implemented on 22 September. The reduction of GST on small cars and two-wheelers-from 28% to 18%-provided immediate relief in ex-showroom prices. These cuts impacted vehicles u...