Maruti, Hyundai, Honda lead sales charge in September, OEMs eye festive surge

The India automobile September sales numbers are out and leading the charge are Maruti, Hyundai and Honda, the top three ranking OEMs in the car segment. While Maruti Suzuki saw a 9 percent increase, Hyundai Motor India saw a 14 percent increase riding on its new car launches, particularly the Elite i20. Honda Cars India saw the Mobilio MPV top its individual numbers ahead of the City and Amaze; its 45 percent increase albeit was on a lower base.

Meanwhile, the two-wheeler numbers saw all players record increases in their monthly tallies with Bajaj up seven percent and HMSI was up 32 percent.

The monsoons have been relatively good and this could help boost demand especially in the smaller towns and cities. Acche din are here and now. 

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported total domestic sales of 99,290 units in September 2014, a 9.8 percent increase (September 2013:  90,399). In the first six months of the fiscal (April-September 2014), the company has sold 558,330 units, up 14.7 percent over sales a year ago (April-September 2013: 486,908).

While the entry level Alto and Wagon R sales saw a fall of 13.4 percent to 35,547 units last month ((September 2013:  41,061), the quartet of compact cars – the Swift, Ritz and Celerio hatchbacks and Dzire sedan) saw sales grow 18.1 percent to 43,304 units (September 2013: 36,679). The Dzire Tour, solely for fleet operators, sold 1,221 units, up 42.5 percent over sales a year ago.

As regards the upcoming premium Ciaz, which is going to be launched on October 6, the company’s September sales numbers sheet reflects despatches of 1,375 units. The Ciaz replaces the SX4 that has now been withdrawn.

In a recent interview to Autocar Professional (October 1 issue), chairman R C Bhargava said: “Overall, we have very high expectations from the Ciaz and think it will do very well. We are targeting the same customers as those for the Honda City sedan.” He is also optimistic about Maruti’s overall sales numbers for 2014-15: “It looks like a much better year than what we have had for the past three years and we should see double-digit growth.”

In the UV category, which comprises the Gypsy and Ertiga MPV, Maruti saw sales grow 125 percent to 5,980 units (September 2013: 2,657). The Omni and Eeco vans contributed 11,863 units to total sales, posting an increase of 35.3 percent in September 2014 (September 2013: 8,767).

On the export front, Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 10,452 units, down 28.2 percent but over the half-year, totted up cumulative sales of 63,462 units as against 55,112 units, indicating a growth of 15.2 percent over the previous half-year fiscal.

Hyundai Motor India recorded domestic sales of 35,041 units, up 14.51 percent (September 2013: 30,601) for the month. Rakesh Srivastava, senior VP (sales and marketing), HMIL, said, “Hyundai volumes have grown by 14.5 percent for September and 12.8 percent for the first half of the year with strong performance of new models led by 8,902 units of the new Elite i20. In this festive season, we are seeing a significant increase in first-time buyers and exchange buyers, which is encouraging and will accelerate the positive momentum already being experienced in the last few months.”

Meanwhile, Mahindra & Mahindra’s Passenger Vehicles segment (which includes UVs and the Verito) sold 19,893 units in September 2014, as against 18,916 units in September 2013, recording a growth of 5.16 percent. Overall domestic sales numbers for the company (across PVs, commercial four-wheelers, three-wheelers and trucks and buses) stood at 42,408 units in the month as against 40,574 units during September 2013, up five percent. In September 2014, the 4-wheeler commercial segment sold 15,979 units, up nine percent while the 3-wheelers segment clocked 6,096 units. Exports for the month stood at 2,503 units. M&M, which launched its new-generation Scorpio last week that comes with a new platform, which be looking at faster sales momentum in the coming months.

Pravin Shah, chief executive, Automotive Division & International Operations (AFS), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, "The sales numbers for September have been encouraging and we are glad that the automotive industry is turning the bend. We expect the ensuing festive season to bring in some much needed cheer with a slew of new launches from manufacturers.”

Honda Cars India reported a 45 percent increase in domestic sales in September 2014 at 15,015 units (September 2013: 10,354).  The company sold 1,152 units of the Brio hatchback, 3,848 Amaze sedans, 5,329 Mobilios (which has close to 18,000 bookings) and 4,600 units of the new City, production of which was relocated to Tapukara after a month’s break. Honda also sold 86 units of sports utility vehicle CR-V. \

Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president (Marketing and Sales), said: “We continue to perform strongly with strong demand for all our models during this festival period.” Commenting on the City sedan, Sen said, “In the coming months, we will be able to ensure better availability and timely deliveries to fulfill the huge demand,” Sen added.

Tata Motors’ sales of passenger vehicles were at 11,931 units, down 7 percent over 12,839 vehicles sold in September 2013. Sales of the passenger cars during the month were 9,766 units which had remained flat, compared to cars sold in September last year.

Sales of UVs at 2,165 units fell 30 percent over 3,073 units sold in September last year. For the first six months of the fiscal, cumulative sales recorded were 56,655 units, lower by 19 percent over last year. Cumulative sales of passenger cars this fiscal (April-September) till now are 43,216 units, down 21 percent over vehicles sold last year. UV sales stand at 13,439 units, down 12 percent over 15,189 units sold last year.   

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 12,552 units in September 2014, posting a growth of 4.47 percent over the 12,015 units sold a year ago. The company exported 1,500 units of the Etios series last month. TKM registered sales of 14,052 units, including exports in September 2014 as compared to 15,795 units in September 2013. N Raja, director and senior vice-president (Sales and Marketing), said: “We have registered growth this month (September). The industry is beginning to gradually turnaround. Positive market sentiments combined with the festive season is expected to boost sales in the coming months as well.”

Ford India announced sales of 6,786 units in the domestic market last month, down 36 percent (September 2013: 10,640). “Last year we ushered in the festive season with an overwhelming customer response to our capable, urban SUV EcoSport. Since then, the EcoSport has remained the most compelling choice for discerning buyers,” said Anurag Mehrotra, executive director (Marketing, Sales and Service), Ford India.

“Now, with improved supplies, we have opened bookings again and significantly shortened our delivery commitments to customers ensuring that they can bring home an EcoSport this festive season.” Ahead of the festive season, Ford India also introduced the Figo in a refreshing new look, with enhanced exteriors and bright new interiors in September.  

TWO-WHEELERS KEEP UP THEIR RACY ACT
Riding on strong demand for its two-wheelers, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, says it has clocked a whopping 600,000 units in despatch sales in September 2014. This marks an over 30 percent year on year growth (September 2013: 468,670).

Hero MotoCorp had crossed 600,000-plus i monthly sales on two previous occasions – in October 2013 when it sold 625,000 units and in May 2014 when it sold 602,000 units. In yet another significant highlight, the company has also clocked over 170,000 lakh units in retail sales during the first six days (September 25-30) of Navratri – a growth of more than 15% over the corresponding period last year, thus setting the momentum for the coming festivities during Dussehra and Diwali.

Hero MotoCorp has lined up over 10 new product launches, including refreshes and variants, which will reach all dealerships across the country during the festive season.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India sold 438,521 units in September 2014, recording a 33 percent increase over the year earlier period. The two-wheeler sales split for September is 179,424 motorcycles and 214,198 scooters. During the month, the company signed tie-ups with Punjab National bank as well as its fifth tie-up with a gramin bank, the Allahabad UP Gramin Bank. On a year-to-year basis, the company says it has gained a three percent market share.

Bajaj Auto saw its sales up 7 percent to 3,47,010 units as against 323,879 units in the year-earlier month. The Discover 150 F launched over a month ago sold 28,000 units.

 

TVS Motor Company’s total two-wheeler sales increased by 28 percent from 189,609 units recorded in September 2013 to 241,668 units in September 2014. Domestic two-wheeler sales grew by 29 percent increasing from 168,598 units in September 2013 to 217,447 units in September 2014. Scooters sales grew by 63 percent increasing from 43,201 units in September 2013 to 217,447 units in September 2014. Motorcycles sales grew by18 percent from 83,043 units in September last year to 98,052 units in September 2014.

Yamaha Motor India Sales recorded a 27 percent growth in domestic sales in September 2014 as compared to the corresponding period last year. The company sold 59,325 units in the month as against 46,790 units sold in September last year in the domestic market. Roy Kurian, vice-president (sales & marketing), said, “Our scooter offerings, especially the Alpha, have been a catalyst in giving us good numbers in recent months and now with addition to our popular motorcycle lineup with the FZ, FZ-S and Fazer Version 2.0, we have strengthened our presence in the 150cc deluxe segment. Ahead of the festive season, we are confident that our recent launches and innovative customer connect programmes will garner major sales for us and we will be able to post some record numbers in the coming months.”

Royal Enfield sold 27,540 motorcycles in September 2014 as against 16,542 units in the year-earlier month, up 66 percent. The year-to-date figures were 215,483 units as against 119,739 units in the year-earlier period. Clearly, this iconic manufacturer is on a roll and some models are seeing a waiting period.

Meanwhile, Mahindra Two Wheelers sold 16,619 units in the local market, down 15 percent (September 2013: 19,719).  Viren Popli, chief of operations, Mahindra Two Wheelers said, “We are happy with the positive growth of our two-wheeler sector at the back of the improved performance of the automotive industry. We are hopeful that the upcoming festive season will bring in greater cheer for Mahindra especially with the launch of our new global scooter Gusto.”

Suzuki Motorcycle India registered a 7.35 percent increase in its September 2014 sales figures as compared to September 2013. Suzuki Motorcycle sold 44,873 units in September 2014 as opposed to 41,799 units in September 2013. Commenting on the growth, Atul Gupta, executive vice-president, said: “We have received a good response from the market for all our products. The growing customer satisfaction has led to positive word-of-mouth in the market. Building on the existing goodwill, the Gixxer motorcycle and Let’s scooter are gaining a strong foothold in the market.”