September 10, 2013: Despite some improved numbers during August 2013 (Passenger cars - up 15.37 percent, scooters – 21. 43 percent, motorcycle – 3.82 percent), cumulative April-August 2013 sales figures reveal the real impact of the downturn.

Total industry sales of 7,203,696 units in August 2013 compared to sales of 7,266,018 units in August 2012 indicate a decline of 0.86 percent, even as the industry awaits better tidings from the festive season. According to the latest SIAM data, the passenger vehicles category fell by 5.30 percent with passenger cars, utility vehicles and vans declining by 5.80 percent, 3.11 percent and 6.24 percent respectively.

The commercial vehicles segment registered a de-growth of 12.71 percent with medium and heavy commercial vehicles (M&HCVs) posting a negative growth at 21.37 percent. LCVs also dropped by 7.76 percent.

While sales of three-wheelers were down by 4.11 percent during the first five months of the current fiscal, those of passenger carriers and goods carriers dropped by 3.55 percent and 6.53 percent respectively in April-August 2013 over April-August 2012.

Two-wheelers though registered a growth of 0.72 percent. Within this segment, mopeds and motorcycles declined by 13.34 percent and 2.08 percent respectively while scooters grew by 14.77 percent.

In the five-month period under review, the industry produced a total of 8,466,072 vehicles including passenger vehicles, CVs, three-wheelers and two-wheelers as against 8,541,862 units April-in August 2012, indicating a decline of 0.89 percent.

Overall automobile exports grew by 2.03 percent. Commercial vehicles and two-wheeler exports declined by 21.74 percent and 3.64 percent respectively, while shipments of passenger vehicles and three-wheelers registered growth of 12.35 percent and 33.01 percent respectively during April-August 2013 compared to the same period last year.

SHOBHA MATHUR