Chennai: If not prestige, pester power is what Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL) is employing to make people drive their Maruti cars. India's No 1 carmaker, now hawking a couple of its models for a discount, has tied up with Appu Ghar, a New Delhi-based amusement park. The tie-up is to offer discounted tickets to those who come in a Maruti vehicle.

According to the scheme, families driving in their Maruti cars will have the privilege of heavily subsidised tickets to various rides inside Appu Ghar and Oysters, a water game park.

A special ticket counter for families coming in their Maruti cars has been opened at Appu Ghar. Here they can get discounted tickets for various rides - Rs 60 per person (normal rate: Rs 150 per person) and for Oysters' Water Games for Rs 60 per person (Rs 250 per person). A complimentary Coke with each ticket is an added bonus.

To add to the excitement, MUL has also organised a simple contest for visitors. One can participate in the contest by simply guessing the number of footballs packed in the WagonR Pride, MUL's latest offering, which is put on display at Appu Ghar. Ten participants with correct (or closest) answer will be awarded Maruti Genuine Accessories worth Rs 10,000 each. The scheme is open till 31 August 2002.

MUL says the company has been actively involved in child-related activities. Early this year, MUL took over the refurbishment and maintenance of the children's park at India Gate by adding quality infrastructure like new swings, an amphitheatre, slides, a library and a nature centre. The company has been organising quiz and painting competitions for school children in the children's park and at various auto carnivals organised by MUL throughout India.

The company, in the meantime, has opened its first True Value (used car outlet) in Rajasthan along with K P Automotives. Every vehicle bought from this outlet will carry a one-year warranty and three free services. The company also organises finance for vehicle purchase.

Maruti True Value will also offer benefits for sellers of pre-owned cars. Under the scheme, Maruti cars that are less than four years old, having driven up to 60,000 kms and not changed two previous ownerships, will be accepted for purchase. Designated engineers from MUL will be present at True Value outlets. They will conduct a standard 120-point check of a vehicle brought to the outlet.

Under the scheme, the seller will have the option to be paid in cash, or get a True Value car in exchange or a brand new Maruti car in exchange. True Value outlets have been opened in Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Faridabad and Lucknow.