The festive season has already started for the automobile manufacturers and most of them have reported positive numbers in their sales during September.
Not only passenger cars segment, the two-wheeler makers who have shared their sales numbers till now, have shown positive growth year-on-year (YoY) in September sales in the domestic market.
In the passenger car segment, country's largest manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), has sold 1,37,277 units in the domestic market, a 29 per cent growth YoY as compared with 1,06,083 units in the same month last year.
This was also the highest-ever domestic monthly sales for the company, it said.
“The numbers are reflection of popularity, appreciation and acceptance of our range of models. Ciaz, Baleno, Vitara Brezza, S-Cross continue to show good numbers and with customers support, they have emerged segment laeaders. We remain committed to achieve double digit growth for the fiscal,” RS Kalsi, Executive Director (Marketing and Sales), MSIL, said.
Innova maker, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has reported six per cent growth YoY to 12,067 units last month as against 11,376 units in corresponding month last year.
“The recently launched Innova Crysta has received an overwhelming response from the market including the Delhi and NCR region. Lifting of the ban has opened the order flow for Innova Crysta diesel vehicles in Delhi resulting to an average waiting period of 1.5 to 2 months,” N. Raja, Director and Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, TKM, said.
Its newly launched Platinum Etios and Etios Liva have also received good response from the market, he said.
Ford India, which had recently launched global cult model ‘Mustang’ for the Indian consumers, reported nine per cent growth in its overall domestic sales to 9,018 units in September as compared with 8,274 units in the same month in 2015.
Domestic player and ‘XUV 500’ maker, Mahindra & Mahindra sold 20,537 units during last month, five per cent up as against 19,564 units in September last year.
Commenting on the sales performance, Pravin Shah, President and Chief Executive (Automotive), M&M, said, “A good and near normal spread of monsoon as well as new vehicle launches have helped the auto industry perform positively. We do hope that the upcoming festive season brings in better demand due to improved sentiments.”
However, the ‘City’ maker Honda Cars India is still struggling even after some new launches like the new Jazz and the BR-V, and reported 19 per cent decline in sales YoY to 15,034 units in September as compared with 18,509 units in same month last year.
Two-wheeler segment
In the two-wheeler segment, India Yamaha Motor reported 33 per cent jump in its sales during the month to 89,423 units as against 67,267 units in September last year.
Similarly, the ‘Classic’ maker Royal Enfield also reported 30 per cent growth its sales YoY to 56,958 units last month as compared with 43,741 units in September 2015.
In the commercial vehicle segment, M&M sold 16,081 units in September, 11 per cent up as compared with 14,430 units in September last year.
However, Tamil Nadu based Ashok Leyland has reported 18 per cent decline in its sales YoY to 12,057 units during the month as compared with 14,783 units in September 2015.
According to analysts tracking the industry, positive customer sentiments and festival seasons will drive the growth as new models are also pushing customers to replace their old vehicles.
However, “Post the festive season, growth across segments to a large extent will depend on the increase in private investments and growth in the overall economy,” Abdul Majeed, Partner at Price Waterhouse, said.