Andhra's two-wheeler sales dropped by 6.52 percent in H1FY23, spurring concern for state government

The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government seems to be in a pickle, with two-wheeler sales in the state falling by 6.52 percent during the first half of FY23, whereas the nationwide average improved by 26.05 percent over the same period, according to news agency PTI on Sunday.

AP is the only state in the country with negative growth in this segment, leaving stakeholders in the state worried. The state reported a 1.76 percent decline in all categories of vehicle sales in the first half, raising concerns in the government, the report added. 

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is reported to have taken serious note of the negative trend and directed Transport Department officials to "create a conducive situation in AP" in comparison to other states to help revive sagging sales. Officials from the Transportation Department are now said to be working with vehicle manufacturers to determine the reasons for low sales and devise a possible solution to boost growth.

The government had planned to convene a brainstorming session with all vehicle manufacturers on the matter on October 26, but the gathering was cancelled after the Principal Secretary (Transport) was replaced.

AP sold 3,31,695 two - wheelers between April and September 2021, but the statistics fell to 3,10,054 during the same period in 2022.  Nationwide, 67,27,806 bikes were sold in the first half of this year from the previous year's sum of 53,37,389 bikes.

Car sales as well did not demonstrate encouraging growth, rising only 8.27 percent compared to the national average of 21 percent, the report said.