Maruti leads sales rally in July 2014, Hero and HMSI post new highs

Maruti Suzuki India set the tone for the July 2014 sales numbers. The company has recorded 20 percent sales growth in July 2014, selling a total of 90,093 cars last month, notching 19.9 percent growth (July 2013: 75,145). These numbers for the company, which is the bellwether of the Indian automobile industry, indicate the somewhat revived market sentiment and improved footfalls in company showrooms across the country.

The cars contributing to the sales increase are mainly from the premium compact segment (Swift, Ritz, Celerio) which sold a total of 25,156 units in July 2014, notching a handsome 81.2 percent growth (July 2013: 13,882). The popular Dzire saloon went home to 18,634 new buyers, representing a growth of 22.2 percent (July 2013:15,249). The entry level segment cars (Maruti 800, Alto, A-star and Wagon R) saw sales decline 14.4 percent to 28,759 units (July 2013: 33,587). 

The UV segment, which is dominated by the Ertiga MPV, sold a total of 5,631 units in July 2014, up 23.4 percent (July 2013: 4,562). Maruti’s exports during the month were also up 38.4 percent to 11,287 units (July 2013: 8,154).

For the four-month period of April-July 2014, the carmaker has sold a total of 360,736 units, up 12.6 percent over the 320,491 units sold a year ago. Exports are also up, with the company posting a 38.6 percent increase to 40,538 units compared to 29,242 units a year ago.

Hyundai Motor India posted 12.7 percent domestic sales growth selling 29,260 units in July. On the export front though, its numbers fell 17.5 percent to 18,750 units from 22,739 in July 2013. Commenting on the July sales, Rakesh Srivastava, senior VP (sales and marketing), said, “Hyundai volumes are a 13.3 percent cumulative growth with a high market share of 23 percent in passenger cars. The demand pull created by the successful product launches and strong channel spread has brought down the discounts and the green shoots of growth are visible with the stabilisation of macro-economic factors and near-to- average monsoons.”

Mahindra & Mahindra’s passenger vehicle sales (which includes UVs and the Verito) comprised 14,708 units in July 2014 as compared to 15,530 units in July 2013, 5.29 percent down YoY. Overall domestic sales for the company stood at 33,047 units in the month as against 34,490 units in July 2013. According to Pravin Shah, chief executive, Automotive Division & International Operations (AFS), "Overall sales last month were subdued and the market remained challenging. With the monsoon now setting in across the country as well as the festival season coming up, we expect positive sentiments in the coming months resulting in enhanced demand for our products.”

Honda Cars India, which launched the seven-seater Mobilio on July 22, recorded monthly domestic sales of 15,709 units in July 2014, up 40 percent over July 2013 when it sold 11,223 units. The manufacturer sold 56,427 units in the April-July 2014 period as against 40,350 units sold in the year-earlier period. Expressing delight on the company’s performance, Jnaneswar Sen, senior VP (marketing & sales), said, “Our recently launched Mobilio has received good response from the market with over 10,000 bookings since its launch and are confident that it will attract more customers with its strong desirable values.” In terms of model numbers, the Amaze and the City sold 4,507 and 7,705 units respectively while the Brio and CR-V sold 74 and 58 units.

Ford India sold 7,592 units in July as against 7,867 units in the year-earlier month, down 3.5 percent. Domestic and exports put together, the carmaker sold 15,282 vehicles, a 24 percent increase from 12,338 vehicles sold in the year-earlier month. Ford’ s July exports grew to 7,690 vehicles from 4,471 vehicles a year ago, while domestic wholesales remained steady at 7,592 units compared to 7,867 units sold in July last year. “As we approach the festive season, we expect a significant increase in footfalls at Ford showrooms across the country. We have improved supplies to expedite deliveries for all our models, including the EcoSport, to meet the expected rise in demand in the coming months,” said Vinay Piparsania, executive director (marketing, sales and service), Ford India.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold a total of 13,847 units in July 2014 compared to 14,470 units in July 2013 including exports of 1,926 units of the Etios series last month. In the domestic market, the company sold 11,921 units in July 2014 as compared to 11,515 units in July 2013, thereby registering a four percent growth. N Raja, director and senior VP (sales and marketing), said: “Both the Corolla Altis and the Etios Cross have been well accepted by the customers, especially for quality, durability and reliability. We sold 882 units and 888 units of the Corolla Altis and Etios Cross, respectively.”

Tata Motors’ sales of passenger vehicles for July 2014 were at 9,167 units, down 15 percent over 10,824 vehicles sold in July 2013.  Sales of the Nano/ Indica/ Indigo range in July 2014 were 6,703 units, lower by 22 percent over 8,546 vehicles sold in July 2013.  The Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range sales were 2,464 nos., a growth of 8 percent over 2,278 units  sold in July last year.   

Cumulative sales of passenger vehicles in April-July 2014 were 33,749 units, lower by 26 percent over last year. Cumulative sales of the Nano/ Indica/ Indigo range this fiscal was 25,221 units  lower by 30 percent over vehicles sold, over last year.  The Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range sales stood at 8,528 units down eight percent over 9,313 units sold last year.    

Hero MotoCorp and HMSI keep up the sales momentum

Demand for two-wheelers across the country continues to grow. Close on the heels of a 10 percent volumes growth in the first quarter (April-June) of this fiscal, Hero MotoCorp has reported sales of 529,862 units of two-wheelers in July 2014, registering growth of 9 percent over July 2013 when the company had sold 487,545 units.

In the first quarter of this financial year (2014-15), the company had notched up its highest-ever quarterly sales of 17,15,129 two-wheelers, a growth of 10 percent over the corresponding quarter in the previous fiscal when it had sold 15,59,282 units.

Meanwhile, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has reported total sales of 381,411 two-wheelers, a growth of 32 percent over sales a year ago. This total comprises sales of 157,746 motorcycles and 223,665 scooters. The company says it has strengthened its leadership in the automatic Scooter segment with its highest-ever scooter sales last month.

Yamaha Motor India Sales recorded a 36 percent increase in domestic sales in July 2014 as compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 50,286 units in July 2014 as against 37,026 units sold in July last year in the domestic market. Roy Kurian, vice-president, sales & marketing, said: “The incessant growth numbers are a sign of Yamaha’s robust business plan and strategic customer engagement programmes. In July, we witnessed brisk growth due to our robust product new launches during the year. FZ Version 2.0 and FZ-S Version 2.0, launched in July, have been key in boosting our sales. The Alpha scooter, launched at the Auto Expo, continues to be the key contributor.”

CV sales remains sluggish

Commercial vehicle sales remained sluggish during July as most truckmakers recorded negative growth. Ashok Leyland posted negative sales numbers with its M&HCVs selling 5,736 units, down 8 percent (July 2013:6,266). Its LCV sales fell 15 percent to 2,111 units (July 2013: 2,480).

VE Commercial Vehicles posted a marginal 1.4 percent growth in the domestic market in the 5-tonne and above category, selling 2,955 units (July 2013: 2,915).

Mahindra Trucks and Buses sold 725 units, down 1 percent (July 2013: 730). While Mahindra & Mahindra’s three-wheelers division sold 5,142 units, up 15 percent (July 2013: 4,490), the four-wheelers passenger and cargo carriers saw sales of 12,472 units, decline of 9 percent (July 2013: 13,740).