GST cess on cars hiked to 25%: Auto cos lash out, say move against free-market spirit, will hit expansion

Luxury vehicle manufacturers on Monday hit out at the move to hike cess on large cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to 25 percent, saying it was against the spirit of liberal market dynamics and would affect future plans of expansion under Make in India initiative. Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW were unanimous that increase in cess on large, luxury cars and SUVs that had…