PV sales decline in April despite strong domestic demand as shortage of semi-conductors restricts production

According to data released by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle sales last month declined by about 4% to 251,581 units. The sales number does not include volumes of

, which has stopped reporting data on a monthly basis to SIAM.

Automakers in India report wholesale dispatches from factories and not retail sales to customers.

Market leaders Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India both reported a decline of 10% in monthly sales at 121,995 units and 44,001 units, respectively. However, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Skoda Auto India reported strong growth in wholesale volumes on back of new model launches and somewhat on a lower base. Tata Motors registered a growth of 66% to sell 41,587 units in April, the company said in a media statement earlier this month.

Sales of two-wheelers improved, albeit on a low base. As many as 1,148,696 two-wheelers were sold in the local market last month, which is an increase of 15.4% over 995,115 units sold in the year-ago period. While sales of scooters rose by a fourth to 374,556 units, those of motorcycles went up by 10% to 735,360 units.

Domestic sales only
*Does not include sales of Tata Motors
Source : Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers

Rajesh

, Director General, SIAM said, “Sales of passenger vehicles are still below the April 2017 figures, while two-wheelers are even below the April 2012 figures. Three-wheelers are yet to reach normal levels, as sales are still less than 50% of April 2016 figures.”

Three-wheelers sales went up by 51% to 20,938 units last month, compared to 13,856 units sold in April 2021.

“Manufacturers are working hard to manage the supplier ecosystem with agility and flexibility, as supply side challenges continue for the industry. Further, manufacturers are also monitoring the likely impact on demand, due to the recent hike in repo-rates, as it would increase the lending rates to the customers”, Menon added.

Total sales of vehicles across categories rose 12% to 1,421,241 units in April.