Backed with new launches and good monsoon, the country’s automobile manufacturers continued to see a growing trend in August.
In the two-wheelers segment, companies such as Hero MotoCorp (highest monthly sales for this year till now) and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) reported record high numbers during the month. Royal Enfield also reported exponential growth (32 per cent year-on-year).
While Hero MotoCorp reported 28 per cent growth year-on-year to more than 6.16 lakh units (against 4.80 lakh units in August 2015), HMSI sold 4.66 lakh units, up 25 per cent against 3.73 lakh units in the corresponding month last year. With better monsoon and fuel prices coming down, companies expect better sales in the coming months, especially with the festival season ahead. In the passenger car segment, Maruti Suzuki India sold around 1.20 lakh units during the month, up 12 per cent, against 1.07 lakh units in August 2015.
Second largest manufacturer in the segment, Hyundai Motor India Ltd reported 7 per cent growth (year-on-year) at 43,201 units during the month against 40,505 units in August 2015.
“We continue to build on the growth momentum with the added multiplier effect with the launch of all-new Elantra creating a strong portfolio of ‘modern premium’ brands to excite the customers in the upcoming festival season due to good monsoon and positive macro-economic factors,” said Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice-President Sales and Marketing, HMIL.
Other companies, including Ford India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Nissan India and Volkswagen India, also reported growth in their numbers.
“We launched the Innova Crysta petrol last month and have received a very good response from the market. Being the first in its segment, the petrol variant will further contribute to the success of the new Innova Crysta,” said N Raja, Director and Senior Vice President (Sales & Marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
Home-grown utility vehicles maker Mahindra & Mahindra also reported 29 per cent growth during August to 18,246 units against 14,198 units in August 2015.