Hyundai, Maruti, Honda lead car sales tally in September

Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Honda are leading the sales chart in September. While Hyundai Motor India saw a fourteen percent increase in its sales figures on the back of its new car launches, particularly the Elite i20, Maruti Suzuki saw a rise of nine percent. Honda Cars India, on the other hand, saw the Mobilio MPV lead the pack with most sales, ahead of the City and Amaze; its 45 percent increase albeit was on a lower base.

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

The monsoons have been relatively good this year, and this could help boost demand, especially in the smaller towns and cities.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported total domestic sales of 99,290 units in September, a 9.8 percent increase (September 2013:  90,399 units). 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 units). 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 units). The Dzire Tour, solely for fleet operators, sold 1,221 units, up 42.5 percent over sales a year ago.

Moreover, the company’s balance sheet also reflects a dispatch of 1,375 units of the upcoming premium Ciaz. Maruti’s new player for the mid-size sedan segment replaces the SX4 that  has now been withdrawn.

In a recent interview to our sister publication, Autocar Professional, 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.”

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 units) for the month. Rakesh Srivastava, senior VP (sales and marketing), Hyundai, 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 passenger vehicles, 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. 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 seven 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, down 19 percent over last year. Cumulative sales of passenger cars this fiscal (April-September) was 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 units). “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.