The Indian automobile industry kicked off with a sluggish sales in fiscal 2013, with Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors posting a marginal growth in sales in April this year over its corresponding month last year. Tata Motors reported a lower sales. Export-wise, Maruti posted a marginal growth in sales, compared to Tata and Hyundai Motors.
Sales for the month under review were mainly impacted due to hike in Excise duty and high fuel prices.
Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. reported April total sales, including exports, of 100,415 vehicles, up by three percent from the 97,155 units last year.
In the domestic market, the company reported sales of 90,255 units, up by four percent from the 87,144 units in the corresponding month of last year, while exports stood at 10,160 units, up by two percent from the 10,001 units in April 2011.
Under the passenger vehicles category, 'Mini' segment comprising M800, Alto, A-Star, WagonR had sales of 30,720 units during the month, down by 26 percent from the 41,744 units a year-ago, while 'Compact' segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz grew by 43 percent to 26,072 vehicles from the 18,227 vehicles last year.
Sales of DZire covered under 'Super Compact' segment were 15,510 units, higher by 32 percent than the 11,797 units in April last year, while sales of SX4 in Mid-size segment were 634 units, down by 70 percent from the 2,102 units last April. The company reported sales of three units of Kizashi covered under Executive segment, compared with 35 units last year.
The company is all set to launch its new hatchback around Diwali in an attempt to regain its market share, which has been falling steadily over the years.
Tata Motors
Total sales for Tata Motors, including exports, were 60,086 units, down by seven percent from the 64,383 units last April.
Domestic sales of commercial vehicles were 34,647 units, lower by six percent, compared to the 36,738 units sold in April last year.
Passenger vehicle sales, including distribution, in the domestic market were 23,658 units, a seven percent decline, compared to the 25,436 vehicles sold last year.
Export sales last month dropped by 35 percent to 2,781 vehicles from the 4,258 units in April 2010. Jaguar Land Rover sales in India continued their upward trend since launch in June 2009, Tata Motors added.
Hyundai Motors
India's second largest car maker Hyundai Motor India Ltd. reported a five percent increase in its total sales for April at 54,606 units, compared to 52,057 units sold in April last year.
In the domestic market, its sales rose by 11 percent to 35,070 units from the 31,636 units in same month last year, led by robust demand for the Verna sedan and hatchbacks such as the Eon, i10 and the new i20. However, exports fell by four percent to 19,536 units on the back of sluggish demand in Europe.
Company Director (Marketing & Sales) Arvind Saxena said: "Consumer confidence continues to be weak, prices went up following the Excise hikes in the Union Budget and interest rates are yet to come down. Given the present conditions it's a challenging market."
At BSE Sectoral indices, auto sector was down by 1.25 percent at 13.56 hrs. IST on Wednesday.
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