Games cars to be up for grabs on discount

If you missed out on buying Commonwealth Games merchandise, here is your chance to drive a souvenir home.

If you missed out on buying Commonwealth Games merchandise, here is your chance to drive a souvenir home.

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The 1,900-odd cars that were used during the 12-day sporting event to ferry Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) officials and other delegates will be soon up for grabs.

The cars, which were provided by automobile major Tata Motors to the Games Organising Committee, is expected to be sold to buyers at discounted rates.

“The Games are now over and all guests have gone back, so, we don’t have a requirement for these vehicles anymore. these will go back to Tata Motors very soon,” said a senior OC official who didn’t wish to be named.

The luxury cars used during the Games include Tata Indigo, Excel and Grande. The cars were part of OC’s transport plan that had five different categories as per different needs. There were 485 cars in T-1 category, which were dedicated for the use of top-level officials including CGF chief Mike Fennell. There were 1,000 cars under T-2 category, part of on-call car service that were operational on the days of the Games.

“Apart from 15% of the cars that have scratches and minor dents, most of the cars are in a reasonably good condition,” the official said. “The cars used the dedicated Games lanes and were also handled and parked well and that is why a bulk of them are as good as new.”

The white cars had special Commonwealth Games stickers and are expected to be sold with the stamps still pasted, as special edition Games memorabilia. Tata Motors, however, didn’t reveal if it plans to sell these cars with the Games stickers on, or after refurbishing them. “The cars will be sold as used cars, but we can’t reveal how or when. We will do it is an internal matter,” said a Tata Motors spokesman.

The cars are expected to be sold under the brand of Tata Motors Assured certified pre-owned cars.