Revival signs: Maruti, Honda report good sales in November

Showing signs of revival in auto industry, major car makers Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda and Toyota on Monday reported good sales for November even as some others faced sluggish demand due to weak consumer sentiment.

General Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford India recorded decline in November sales. Maruti Suzuki said its domestic sales in the month stood at 1,00,024 units, up 17 per cent from 85,510 units in November last year.

Sales in the compact segment comprising Swift, Estilo, Ritz and Dzire rose by 13.8 per cent to 37,339 units in November as against 32,804 units in the same month last year. Sales of mid-sized sedan Ciaz, which was launched in October, stood at 5,232 units. The company had sold 200 units of SX4 sedan in November 2013.

Sales of vans -- Omni and Eeco-- rose by 52.1 per cent each to 12,203 units in November this as compared to 8,021 units in the same month of previous year. Rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) sold 35,511 units last month in the domestic market as compared to 33,501 units in November 2013, up 6 per cent.

HMIL Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Rakesh Srivastava said strong investment of launching four new products in a year's time has resulted in the growth.

“Today Hyundai has one of the youngest product portfolio led by Elite i20 which has reached a landmark number of 10,500 units making it the top seller amongst strong Hyundai brands,” he added.

Honda Cars India reported 64 per cent increase in domestic sales in November at 15,263 units as against 9,332 units in the same month last year. Mahindra & Mahindra’s domestic sales declined by 11 per cent to 32,100 units last month as against 36,261 units a year earlier.

“The auto industry continues its sluggish demand on the back of factors such as low consumer sentiment and high interest rates,” M&M Chief Executive Automotive Division and International Operations (AFS) Pravin Shah said.

Revival of demand

The reducing international crude prices and the subsequent lowering of fuel prices should help in the revival of demand in the coming months, he added. “We also hope that the current excise duty rates will be extended beyond end of December to get much needed recovery for the auto industry,” Shah said.

Honda Cars began the second shift of production in Tapukara plant which has helped in improving the availability of Honda City, he added. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said its sales in domestic market stood at 12,175 units during the month, up 19 per cent as compared to 10,208 units in the same month last year.

Ford India’s domestic sales declined 28.42 per cent to 5,661 units in November as against 7,909 units in the same month of previous year. General Motors India also saw its sales declining by 33.1 per cent at 4,157 units in November as against 6,214 units.