April Auto Sales: Automakers Start FY19 On A High

Ashok Leyland sales rose for the 11th straight month in April, driven by the sales in medium and heavy commercial vehicle segment. This was its highest sales growth in more than five years.

The truck and bus maker reported a 79 percent jump in overall sales last month, according to a statement filed with exchanges.

The Chennai-based commercial vehicle manufacturer sold 12,677 units compared to 7,090 units during the corresponding period last year.

Ashok Leyland saw its medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales nearly double in April, while light commercial vehicles sales rose 45 percent, over the same period last year.

Bajaj Auto Ltd.’s sales rose for the ninth straight month in April, driven by healthy growth in commercial vehicles segment.

The two- and three-wheeler maker sold 4.15 lakh units last month, an increase of 26 percent from the year-ago period, the Pune-based company said in a statement today.

Key sales highlights:

• Motorcycle sales rose 19 percent to 3.49 lakh units.
• Commercial vehicle sales rose 83 percent to 65,551 units; its highest monthly sales.
• Domestic sales rose 29 percent to 2.29 lakh units.
• Exports rose 22 percent to 1.85 lakh units.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. sales rose for the fourteenth straight month, driven once again by the compact segment.

The country's largest carmaker sold 1,72,986 units in April, a 14.4 percent jump from the same month year ago, it said in an exchange notification.

Overall, sales figures were the highest in over 12 months.

The sales were led by a 31 percent growth in the compact segment. While domestic sales rose 14.2 percent from last year to 1,64,978 units, exports too showcased a healthy 19.1 percent jump to 8,008 units.

Segmental Performance (YoY)

• Sales in the mini vehicles segment comprising of cars like Alto and WagonR saw a 2.8 percent decline to 37,794 units
• Sales in the compact segment, which includes models like Swift, Baleno and Dzire, grew 31.8 percent to 83,834 units
• While the sale of utility vehicles remained flat, sales in the vans segment grew 14 percent
• Sales of light commercial vehicles grew 275 percent to 1,544 units compared to 411 units during the corresponding period last year.

Indian automakers began the new financial year with a strong set of sales numbers in April, continuing the momentum from March when all companies reported double digit sales growth.

The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki Ltd. saw sales rise for a fourteenth straight month driven by demand for its compact cars. India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, Tata Motors Ltd., also saw sales nearly double over the same month last year.

Ashok Leyland, Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto are yet to report sales.

TVS Motor Company Ltd. reported a jump in total retail sales in April over the same month last year led by strong demand for its motorcycles, while three-wheeler sales doubled.

• Two wheeler sales rose 21.7 percent to 2.93 lakh units
• Scooter sales rose 9.6 percent to 89,245 units
• Three wheeler sales rose 114.5% to 11,377 units
• Exports grew 54 percent to 61,798 units