India's passenger vehicle sales were a mixed bag in December. Carmakers such as Maruti, Tata Motors and Honda registered strong growth while Mahindra, Ford and Toyota witnessed a decline in sales. The country's second-largest carmaker, Hyundai, posted nearly flat volume growth.
Some automakers' volumes were high, on account of a low base, as demonetization had affected demand during the same month, last year. However, annual factory maintenance hurt volumes for some companies. Furthermore, most dealers typically maintain low inventory levels during the last month of the year.
Maruti Suzuki
The company that sells every second car sold in India has continued to post double-digit growth in December. Maruti sold 1,18,560 units in December as compared to 1,06,388 units in the same period last year – an uptick of 11.4 percent. The compact car, utility vehicle and van segment continued to post double-digit growth with 23.2 percent, 19.9 percent and 23.8 percent respectively. The top sellers for Maruti – the Alto and Wagon R – sold 32,146 units combined; up 2 percent. However, volumes of the company’s mid-size sedan, the Ciaz, fell significantly by 35.8 percent, to 2,382 units.
Hyundai
India’s second-largest carmaker registered a flat sales growth (0.3 percent). Volumes stood at 40,158 units – up from 40,057 units in December 2016.
Mahindra & Mahindra
Domestic utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra reported sales of 15,543 units – a decline of 7 percent, when compared to the 16,799 units in December 2016. The automaker has lost its leadership position among utility vehicles to Maruti, amidst rising competition. Its market share has reduced to 25.39 percent in Apr-Nov 2017, from 28.93 percent in the previous year. In December, it sold 14,514 utility vehicles, down 9 percent.
Tata Motors
Backed by new launches, Tata Motors is on the growth trajectory. Last year the company had just the Tiago hatchback as a consistent performer; but this year the company has added three more products – Tigor, Hexa and Nexon – in its line-up, thereby boosting volumes. The company sold 14,180 units in December as against 10,827 units last year, up 31 percent.
Toyota Kirloskar
Toyota registered a significant decline in sales as volumes slipped to 10,793 units, compared to 12,747 units in the previous year, down 15.32 percent. The automaker said sales of the Camry Hybrid received a negatively impact, due to the steep hike in price, following higher taxation on hybrid vehicles under GST.
Honda Cars
Japanese automaker Honda is among the gainers, this month. The company posted a 26 percent growth in December 2017 at 12,642 units against 10,071 units in December 2016. Company’s previous best-seller, the City, has regained top-spot this month with sales of 4,365 units followed by WR-V at 3,760 units.
Ford India
American automaker Ford witnessed de-growth of 8.6 percent in volumes at 5,087 units, compared to 5,566 units last year. However, Ford’s export volumes are on the upswing as it exported 24,708 units compared to 17,904 units last year, up 38 percent.
Company | December 2016 | December 2017 | Percentage Change |
Maruti Suzuki | 106,388 | 118,560 | 11.4% |
Hyundai Motor | 40,057 | 40,158 | 0.3 % |
Mahindra | 16,799 | 15,543 | -7 % |
Tata Motors | 10,827 | 14,180 | 31 % |
Toyota Kirloskar | 12,747 | 10,793 | -15.32 % |
Honda Cars | 10,071 | 12,642 | 26 % |
Ford India | 5566 | 5087 | -8.60 % |
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