The general trend of two-wheeler companies putting up a much better show in September has continued with Bajaj Auto Ltd reporting a 3 per cent increase in motorcycles sales in September this year compared to the same month last year, though in terms of percentage it was much lower compared to market leader Hero Motocorp which posted a near 16 per cent increase in sales.
Its commercial vehicle sales has dropped marginally, again reflecting a trend witnessed by companies like Ashok Leyland, which also reported not only its heavy vehicle sales but also light commercial vehicle sales dropping in September due to stress the economy is witnessing.
Bajaj Auto had sold 3,23,879 motorcycles in September this year against 3,15,314 units in September 2012, an increase of 3 per cent. Its flagship platform Pulsar accounted for sale of one lakh units.
However, the commercial vehicle sales dropped marginally to 43,936 units from 44,838 units in September last year, a two per cent decline.
The total sales of 3,67,815 units in September 2013 was about 2 per cent higher than 3,60,152 units sold in September last year. The September 2013 sales were the second highest for any September, the company said in its filings with the stock exchanges.
Higher exports
What contributed to a better show was the pick-up in exports. The company exported 1,46,847 units last month compared with 1,33,222 units in the same month last year, a 10 per cent gain. In fact the company'’ export show last month was the best ever for any September, BAL said.
First-half sales, exports
But on a cumulative basis, during the first six months of the current fiscal, motorcycles sales had fallen by 11 per cent to 17,09,441 units from 19,11,147 units in the same half last year. But commercial vehicles sales gained 7 per cent to 2,31,164 units from 2,17,032 units in April-September last year.
Exports declined 5 per cent to 7,63,593 units in the first six months of the current financial year from 8,05,930 units in the same period last year.
Shares of Bajaj Auto are holding in the morning trade with the stock up by Rs 16.90 to trade at Rs 2036.90 on the NSE.