Auto Sales In May 2020: Bajaj Auto Exported More Than It Sold In India
Here’s a look at which automaker sold how much in May.
After zero sales in April, Indian automakers opted for selling cars online in May as the coronavirus-led lockdown kept most dealerships shut for the second month in a row.
The automakers made a cautious return to production in May after the stay-at-home restrictions were eased to spur economic activity. Exports continued but they form a small part of annual auto sales in India. And while online car sales may simply be a lockdown-spurred fad, it hasn’t deterred automakers from trying.
Here’s a look at the auto sales in May 2020:
Honda Sells More Than 1.15 Lakh Two-Wheelers In May
India’s second largest two-wheeler maker Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. has reported total wholesale of 54,820 units for May.
This includes 54,000 domestic dispatches and 820 exports, the company said in a statement. In terms of retail sales, the company said that in May, it crossed the1.15-lakh units mark.
"May 2020 saw the wheels of business start turning slowly after the zero dispatch in the month of April 2020,” Yadvinder Singh Guleria, HMSI’s director of sales, said in a statement. “By now, a sizable 70% of Honda dealerships have resumed operations."
HMSI restarted production at its Narsapura plant in Karnataka from May 25. Its other three plants at Manesar (Haryana), Tapukara (Rajasthan) and Vithalapur (Gujarat) will reopen after the first week of June.
Bajaj Auto's Exports Outpace India Sales In May
Sales of Bajaj Auto Ltd. fell 70% year-on-year to 127,128 units in May as against 419,235 units in the same month last year.
Break-up of the Bajaj Auto sales in May 2020:
- Domestic two-wheelers: 39,286 units vs 205,721 a year ago—81% decline
- Two-wheeler exports: 73,512 units units vs 159,347 a year ago—54% decline
- Domestic commercial vehicles: 788 units vs 30,103 a year ago—97% decline
- Commercial-vehicle exports: 13,542 units vs 24,064 a year ago—44% decline
TVS Motor Sells 58,906 Two- And Three-Wheelers In May
Two- and three-wheeler maker TVS Motor Co. Ltd. sold 58,906 vehicles in May after resuming operations that were suspended due to coronavirus lockdown.
The company sold 56,218 two-wheelers and 2,688 three-wheelers last month. The figure includes exports, it said in a statement on Monday.
TVS resumed operations in India across its factories in Hosur, Mysuru and Nalagarh on May 6, 2020, undertaking exhaustive safety measures.
"We are seeing a progressive opening of dealerships across the country and overseas in the last two weeks of May and increasing further into June. We are also witnessing a steady pick-up in customer retail since the last few days," the statement read.
Ashok Leyland Sales Declined 89% In May
Sales of Ashok Leyland Ltd. fell 89% year-on-year to 1,420 units in May, the truckmaker said on Monday. The company had sold 13,172 units in the year-ago period.
Break-up of Ashok Leyland's domestic sales in May:
- Medium and heavy commercial vehicles: 151 units versus 8,635 a year ago—indicating 98% decline.
- Light commercial vehicles: 1,277 units versus 12,778 a year ago—indicating 90% decline.
The company exported 115 heavy-duty trucks and buses and 28 light commercial vehicles in the previous month.
Royal Enfield Sales Fell 69% In May, Eicher Motors Says
Sales of Royal Enfield motorcycles fell 69% year-on-year to 19,113 units in May, parent Eicher Motors Ltd. said on Monday. The company sold 62,371 units in the year-ago period.
Break-up of Royal Enfield sales in May 2020:
- Upto 350 cc motorcycles: 17,543 units versus 55,833 a year ago.
- Over 350 cc motorcycles: 1,570 units versus 6,538 a year ago.
The company's exports fell 68% year-on-year to 684 units.
Royal Enfield resumed operations at its manufaturing facilities on May 6, 2020, Eicher Motors said in an exchange filing. Nearly two-thirds of the company's dealerships are operational now.
