Auto Sales In December 2023: Hero MotoCorp's Sales Flat On Lower Domestic Dispatches

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.'s total sales slipped 0.06% to 3.94 lakh units in December due to lower dispatches in the domestic market.

Sales Snapshots (YoY):

• Domestic sales fell 1% to 3.78 lakh units.

• Motorcycle sales fell 0.6% to 3.55 lakh units.

• Scooter sales grew 5% to 39,294 units.

• Exports grew 26% to 16,110 units.

Ashok Leyland Ltd.'s total dispatches to dealerships fell 10% to 16,324 units, with a sharp fall witnessed in sales of medium and heavy trucks.

Sales Highlights (YoY):

• Total medium and heavy commercial vehicles sales fell 12% to 10,800 units.

• Light commercial vehicle sales fell 6% to 5,524 units.

Eicher Motors Ltd.'s total motorcycle sales fell 7% to 63,387 units with fall in dispatches of comparatively affordable models.

Sales Snapshots (YoY):

• Sales of models with engine capacity up to 350cc fell 10% to 55,401 units.

• Sales of models with engine capacity exceeding 350cc rose 11% to 7,986 units.

• Exports fell 29% to 6,906 units.

TVS Motor Co.'s total two-wheeler dispatches to dealerships rose 27% YoY 2.90 lakh units as both domestic and international sales rose in the month.

Sales Highlights (YoY):

• Total sales rose 25% to 3.02 lakh units.

• Domestic two-wheeler sales surged 33% to 2.15 lakh units.

• Two-wheeler exports rose 13% to 75,076 units.

• Three-wheeler sales fell 17.5% to 11,834 units.

Tata Motors Ltd.'s total dispatches to dealerships rose 4% to 76,138 units as heavy duty commercial vehicles and higher passenger vehicle sales aided volume growth.

Sales Snapshots (YoY):

• Passenger vehicle sales 8% to 43,675 units.

• Electric passenger vehicle sales 29% to 5,006 units.

• Total commercial vehicle sales fell 1% to 32,668 units.

• Heavy commercial vehicle sales rose 10% to 11,199 units.

• Small commercial cargo and pickup vehicle sales fell 14% rto 12,734 units.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.'s total dispatches to dealerships fell 1.3% year-on-year to 1.38 lakh units in December as lower India sales dragged the overall tally.

The company's overall dispatches in 2023 crossed 20 lakh units for the first time ever in a calendar year.

Sales Snapshots (YoY):

• Total domestic sales fell 6% to 1.11 lakh units.

• Sales in mini and compact segment fell 20.5% to 48,298 units.

• Utility vehicle sales surged 39% to 45,597 units.

• Exports rose 23% to 26,884 units.

Eicher Motors Ltd.'s subsidiary VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd.'s dispatches to dealerships rose 11% to 8,026 units.

Sales Highlights (YoY):

• Domestic sales rose 12% to 7,468 units.

• Exports fell 3.3% to 321 units.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.'s utility vehicle sales rose 24% to 35,171 units in December. The tractor sales witnessed higher-than-expected fall with decline in both domestic sales and exports.

"Retail momentum slowed down on account of tapering of agricultural activities, which is the norm in the month of December," Hemant Sikka, president of farm equipment sector, said in statement.

Sales Snapshots (YoY):

• Sales of medium duty light commercial vehicles fell 22% to 12,668 units.

• Three-wheeler sales rose 5% to 5,307 units.

• Tractor sales fell 18% to 19,138 units.

Bajaj Auto Ltd.'s total two-wheeler sales rose 15% to 2.83 lakh units in December as robust domestic dispatches offset slower growth in exports.

Sales Snapshots (YoY):

• Total sales rose 16% to 3.27 lakh units.

• Domestic two-wheeler sales rose 26% to 1.58 lakh units.

• Two-wheeler exports rose 3% to 1.25 lakh units.

• Three-wheeler sales rose 27% to 43,805 units.

Escorts Kubota Ltd.'s total dispatches to dealerships fell 19% to 4,536 units due to lower sales in the domestic market.

"Rural sentiments were impacted due to delay in crop harvest, lower rabi sowing, thus affecting both retail and wholesale," the company said in a statement.

Sales Highlights (YoY):

• Domestic sales fell 17% to 4,131 units.

• Exports fell 32% to 405 units.

Indian automakers are announcing their December sales figures on Monday.

Auto dispatches to dealerships suggest that passenger vehicle sales further slowed down in December due to weakening momentum post festive season, while two-wheeler demand sustained.

Commercial vehicle sales continue be driven by infrastructure development with medium and heavy vehicles leading the pack.

The enquiry trends at dealerships hint at a slight improvement in the demand for tractors. However, it may take a few months before the sales recover.