There have been more misses than hits in the auto sector, with only Bajaj Auto and Ashok Leyland reporting sales growth year-on-year, while other automakers have reported a steep decline.
Bajaj Auto sales were up 2 percent in April to 423,315 units supported by highest ever exports of motorcycles. In April 2018, Bajaj Auto’s total vehicle sales stood at 415,168 units.
Ashok Leyland’s sales were up 7 percent YoY at 13,626 units. The company registered a 15 percent sales growth in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.
On Wednesday, Maruti Suzuki reported its lowest sales since December last year. India’s largest carmaker’s sales fell by 17.2 percent to 143,245 units compared to 172,986 units it sold in the same month last year.
Maruti’s sales figures revealed domestic buyers’ increasing preference for utility vehicles over smaller cars. While the demand for its mini cars dropped nearly 40 percent, the sales of its utility vehicles showed a 5.9 percent spike.
Truck maker Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) on Thursday reported a 9 percent drop in April auto sales, hurt by subdued purchase sentiment amid the ongoing general elections. M&M's total vehicle sales fell 9 percent to 43,721 unit in April 2019, compared to 48,097 units in the same period last year, the company said in a statement.
Mahindra's tractor segment reported an 8 percent fall in total sales numbers in April at 28,552 units.
Escorts’ tractor sales were also down 18.2 percent YoY, while it showed a steep 58 percent fall in sales MoM, down to 5,264 units.
Royal Enfield, the two-wheeler division of Eicher Motors, reported 17 percent fall in total sales to 62,879 units in April. The two-wheeler manufacturer had sold 76,187 units in April 2018.
The motorcycle maker’s manufacturing facilities at Oragadam and Vallam Vadagal were under scheduled maintenance from April 22-30 and have resumed normal service, starting this month.
First Published: May 2, 2019 7:48 PM IST
