Automakers record bumper Navratri sales; sales of cars, sedans and SUVs more than double over last year

According to senior industry executives and dealers, sales of cars, sedans, and sports utility vehicles more than doubled over the corresponding period of the previous year, with 170,000 passenger vehicles being sold in this Navratri period as compared to 78,000 units last season. The average sales during Navratri in the last five years was around 125,000 to 130,000 units. Customers, in particular, made a beeline for new models of such as Hyundai’s all new Venue as well as Maruti Suzuki’s new version of Brezza, Grand Vitara) and Mahindra & Mahindra new Scorpio, and Tata Motor’s new Nexon and Punch.

The easing of raw material and semi conductor supply constraints also helped car makers dispatch more vehicles to showrooms to meet strong customer demand.

Two-wheeler makers also saw some relief with sales finally taking off across urban and rural markets, especially at the entry-level, where demand has been depressed for nearly three years. The sales of scooters and motorcycles increased by around 30% this Navratri, compared to the average sales recorded before the festive season.

“We have seen record retails, albeit on the low base of last year when the shortage of semi-conductors was at its peak. The momentum in the market remains strong, order inflows are on expected lines,” said Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director (marketing and sales) Maruti Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki retailed over 80,000 vehicles during Navratri, compared to 36,000 units in the year-ago period.