August Auto Sales Live: Maruti Suzuki, M&M Worst Hit By Chip Shortage

TVS Motor Co.'s total sales rose 4.2% month-on-month to 2,90,694 units in August, the company said in a statement.

The Chennai-based two- and three-wheeler maker said with the pandemic restrictions easing and the festive season soon approaching, it expects retail sales to improve significantly in the coming months.

Other Highlights (MoM)

• Two-wheeler sales 4.4% over the preceding month to 2,74,313 units.

• Domestic two-wheeler sales was 1,79,999 units.

• Motorbike sales stood at 1,33,789 units.

• Scooter sales rose to 87,059 units from 74,351 units in July.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.'s auto segment posted an overall sales of 30,585 units in August, a fall of 21.5% over July.

M&M’s passenger car sales too fell 24% over July to 15,973 units in August.

"Supply of semiconductors continues to be a global issue for the auto industry and has been a major area of focus for us.," Veejay Nakra, CEO of Automotive Division at M&M, added.

The Farm Equipment segment too saw a drop as the tractor sales fell 21.5% over July to 21,360 units.

Hemant Sikka, President of the Farm Equipment sector at M&M however said that the firm is seeing smart recovery, despite erratic monsoon in Select market. The firm is however expects robust demand in the festive season.

"With the festive period on the anvil, which also coincides with the harvesting season, we are anticipating a robust demand in the coming months."

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. total sales fell in August due to electronic components shortage.

Sales fell 19.5% month-on-month to 1,30,699 units in August, the company said in a statement.

Sales Snapshot (MoM)

• Exports fell 2.8 % to 20,619 units.

• Mini and compact vehicle segment sales fell 26.5% to 89,953 units.

• Utility vehicle sales too fell 24.5% to 32,272 units.

Tata Motors Ltd.’s passenger vehicle division sold 28,018 units in August, a 7.17% fall over the preceding month as lockdown in East Asia worsened the supply situation.

The company in the statement added the ongoing chip shortage has forced the company to moderate production and offtake volumes in the coming months. Tata motors said the situation is fluid and the firm continues to mitigate the impact of the chip shortage.

Sales Snapshot (MoM)

• Overall Tata Motors’ domestic sales rose 4.2% to 54,190 units.

• Total domestic commercial vehicle sales increased 25% to 29,781 units.

Ashok Leyland Ltd. reported an overall sales of 9,360 units in August, an increase of 8.2% over July, according to the company’s exchange filings.

• Domestic sales rose to 8,400 units from 8,129 units in August.

• Domestic medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales rose to 3,986 units from 3,473 units in August.

Escorts Ltd.’s tractor sales fell in August amid slowdown in monsoon activity.

Tractor sales dropped 13.26% month-on-month to 5,693 units, the company informed the exchanges. Escorts said some part of the country have faced a deficit of rainfall in July and August.

The company sold 4,920 units and 773 units in the domestic and overseas markets, respectively.

Meanwhile it is optimistic that as the firm enters festive season months, it is seeing strong farmer sentiment strong and enquiry level building up. This is driven by favorable macroeconomic factors, reasonably good water level of reservoirs, good pace of Kharif sowing and continued support by the Government in Agri sector, the company added in the statement.

The company said that commodity inflation continues at unprecedented levels.

Bajaj Auto Ltd. sold 3,73,270 units in August, an increase of 1.12% over July, according to its exchange filing.

Sales snapshot (M-o-M)

• Total domestic two-wheeler sales rose 1.11% to 1,57,971 units.

• Total two-wheeler exports rose 15% to 2,00,675 units.

• Total commercial vehicle sales fell 9.3% to 34,960 units.