Strong festive demand as well as better production on account of easing semiconductor supply helped the domestic passenger vehicle industry post its best-ever monthly sales performance in September.
Industry volume grew 91% to 3,55,946 units in September.
Automakers Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors were able to improve dispatches to dealers last month on the back of improved production with easing of chip shortage conditions.
Country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said its total domestic passenger vehicle wholesales last month stood at 1,48,380 units, as against 63,111 units a year ago.
“This is the second best month for the company in 42 months,” Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director (marketing and sales), MSI told reporters. He said the auto major had dispatched 1,63,000 units to the domestic market in October 2020.
He said the industry has crossed the 1 million sales mark in a quarter for the first time in the July-September period.
MSI reported that sales of mini cars including Alto and S-Presso increased to 29,574 units as against 14,936.
Rival Hyundai Motor India reported a 50% increase in domestic wholesale sales to 49,700 units.
Tarun Garg, Director (Sales, Marketing and Service), Hyundai Motor India said, “With the excellent resilience shown by the Indian economy over the past few quarters, the festive season has further accelerated the demand momentum.”
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Managing Director Shailesh Chandra said the company achieved monthly sales of 47,654 last month on the back of record sales of Nexon and Punch.
“Going forward, we expect strong retail sales in the festive season on account of improving vehicle supply,” he added.
Similarly, Kia India also registered its best ever sales performance with 25,857 units dispatched to dealers last month.
Japanese carmaker Honda Cars India said its domestic wholesales grew 29 per cent to 8,714 units.
“Festival demand has been strong and continues to show good momentum. In terms of supply, we were able to increase our factory production as compared to last month which is also in terms of better availability of Honda cars for festive sales This is a positive period of Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali,” said Yuichi Murata, Director (Marketing and Sales), Honda Cars India.
Similarly Toyota Kirloskar Motor reported 66% growth in wholesale sales to 15,378 units. Skoda Auto India said its sales grew 17% to 3,543 units in September.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars India registered a growth of 60% at 4,103 units in September dispatch.
In the two-wheeler segment, Hero MotoCorp said its domestic sales stood at 5,07,690 units as against 5,05,462 units.
TVS Motor Company said its domestic two-wheeler sales grew 16% to 2,83,878 units.