Two-wheeler sales rise to record highs in the month of October

The festive season seems to have brought much needed cheer for Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto and Ducati. These companies posted record sales for the month of October 2020.

• Hero sells over 8 lakh units in October 
• Pulsar range contributes to 63 percent of total sales for Bajaj
• Ducati registers best third quarter global sales

Hero MotoCorp best sales ever

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has reported sales and dispatch of 806,848 units of motorcycles and scooters in October 2020 – its highest ever sales in any single month. Clearly, the festive season in the country is paying dividends.

While this number works out to 26,027 units sold every single day in October, more importantly, they constitute a robust double-digit growth of 35 percent over October 2019, when the company had sold 599,248 units.

Hero MotoCorp attributes the October 2020 sales to "a positive turnaround in customer sentiments, particularly for motorcycles across markets, continued government policy support and a credible resumption of the supply chain, logistics and business operations during the auspicious festive period."

With higher dispatches during the month, the company’s customer touch-points across the country, now have adequate inventories in line with market demand owing to  the ongoing festive period.

Hero is also on a roll with its plans for India. The company closed October with the big announcement of a tie-up with Harley-Davidson, which was one of the big talking points of last month. 

Bajaj Auto witnesses best ever sales for the Pulsar range

Pune-based Bajaj Auto has reported strong sales in October 2020. The company registered total motorcycle sales of 268,631 units, which constitutes 11 percent year-on-year growth (October 2019: 242,516 units). Of this, the sporty nine-model Pulsar family – Pulsar 125, Pulsar 150, 150 Neon, 150 Twin Disc, Pulsar 180F, Pulsar 220, NS160, NS200, and RS200 – contributed over 170,000 units or 63 percent of total sales. 

Interestingly, October 2020’s Pulsar numbers are the best-ever monthly sales for Bajaj Auto.

Also, in a bid to rev up festive season sales, October end saw Bajaj Auto launch a new version of its commuter motorcycle, the CT100 priced at Rs 46,432 (ex-showroom Delhi). This makes it the most affordable entry level motorcycle in the country.  

Ducati registers record third quarter global sales 

Despite the complex global situation, Ducati, with 14,694 motorcycles sold, has recorded its best third quarter (July-September 2020) ever. In fact, September confirmed the recovery trend that began in June, with 4,468 motorcycles delivered to customers.

With the tailwind of the positive market trend since June, Ducati says it has started to recover the decline in performance recorded in the first months of the year, partially filling the sales gap compared to the previous year caused by the slowdowns that are affecting the whole world.

The Panigale, Scrambler and Multistrada model families were the best-performing in the first nine months of the year. China, Switzerland and Germany were the best-performing markets. 

"Although 2020 is a stormy year, the third quarter recorded the most positive performance ever," said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. "Now the situation is worsening again, unfortunately just when we are about to present to the world the new models for 2021, on which we have worked continuously despite the difficulties introduced by the pandemic. Once again, we are forced to redefine working methods and processes in order to maintain a high level of attention to the safety of our employees, suppliers and operators. Digital presentations, use of smart working and video meetings, access into the company only when strictly necessary. All with the aim of serving Ducatis all over the world in the safest possible way."

Ducati currently has a global sales network of about 730 dealers and service points in almost 90 countries, including India.

The company has just launched the Multistrada 950 S in India at Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom)

TVS posts strong growth in the month of October

Chennai-based TVS Motor Company, has reported a total two-wheeler sales of 301,380 units in October 2020, up by 19 percent year on year (October 2019: 252,684), in the domestic market.  

According to TVS, motorcycle sales grew by 38 percent recording 173,263 units in October 2020 as against 125,660 units in October 2019, and scooter sales grew by 5 percent, registering 127,138 units in October 2020 as against 121,437 units in October 2019. TVS added that two-wheeler exports registered a growth of 46 percent with 80,741 units in October 2020 as against 55,477 units in October 2019.The company also recently introduced the TVS Ntorq 125 Marvel Avengers edition.

Suzuki registers increase in sales, this festive season

Suzuki India recorded a 3 percent increase in sales, in October 2020, compared to the same month in 2019. The company sold a total of 76,865 units in October 2020.  Out of this figure, 67,225 units were sold in the domestic market and 9,640 units were exported.  Exports saw an increase of almost 15 percent as compared to October 2019.

Devashish Handa, Vice President, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said that the company is optimistic about the demand recovery post the pandemic.

Suzuki recently introduced a Bluetooth connectivity feature on the Access 125 and Burgman Street 125. The new console displays turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS alert display, WhatsApp alert, estimated time of arrival alerts, missed call alert and more.

Yamaha sales grew by 31 percent in October 2020

Yamaha India posted a positive growth in sales for the month of October. The company sold 60,176 units in the month of October 2020, compared to 46,082 units in the same month, last year. That’s an increase of 31 percent and the ongoing festive season has helped in this regard. In fact, the company expects overall demand to grow during the festival season until Christmas, 2020. Yamaha will also be offering attractive finance schemes for the Fascino 125 and Yamaha Ray ZR 125, in specific markets during the festive season which includes low down payment options.